Imperial Glory.
After Kaiting and Anton received permission for an audience, they quickly walked towards the communication room where the Saint was.
Several Astartes, clad in heavy CMC series power armor, were standing guard.
As the two Inquisitors approached, they stared intently at them, their expressions wary.
Their fingers instinctively rested on their weapons.
Should they detect anything amiss, they would not hesitate to act.
"Do you have permission?" one of them inquired.
Kaiting presented the data document that confirmed their authorization.
After verification,
the guards cleared the path.
The heavy blast door then opened.
The roar of engines emanated from within the chamber.
The communication room had a high ceiling, and its sides were adorned with marble statues.
Cogitator machines and strategic divination shrines lined the walls.
Tech-priests of the Adeptus Mechanicus and Servitors were maintaining the intricate machinery.
A noble angel with pristine white wings, clad in golden armor, and wearing a weeping mask stood beside the holographic display.
Before the angel, communication messages from various worlds and units floated.
Anton walked in, and upon seeing the angel, his face registered shock.
The image of the Saint was identical to Sanguinius from the myths.
Anton's lips trembled, his mind too excited to think.
"Kaiting, Anton, is there something you need?" Alex asked, his voice gentle.
"Saint, there are indeed matters that require your decision."
Kaiting gave the aquila salute in response, then saw his stunned colleague, Anton, beside him.
He had no choice but to bump him with his shoulder, bringing him back from his shock.
"Saint, please forgive my impoliteness," Anton quickly saluted, his face filled with apprehension.
"It's alright," Alex smiled, "Now, tell me the purpose of your visit. I don't have much time!"
Inquisitors hold a transcendent position within the Imperium, capable of mobilizing numerous Imperial forces, wielding immense power.
The first reaction of local rulers or departmental personnel upon seeing them was reverence, fearing unnecessary trouble.
However, before Alex, the two Inquisitors dared not put on any airs.
Throughout, like obedient children, they respectfully stated the purpose of their visit.
"We received a report from the Imperial Navy stating that a space hulk named 'Twilight' appeared at the Mandeville Point of the Sintilla Hive World."
"The Imperial Navy originally intended to strike and destroy it according to established procedure. However, an encoded signal from an Inquisitor previously presumed dead was received from above."
"We wish to send people into the space hulk to investigate, but we are severely understaffed. We hope the Saint can permit us to mobilize the God Chosen."
Alex slapped his forehead, "I apologize, I've been too busy lately and forgot to grant you mission permissions."
"Let me see the relevant report."
Kaiting handed the investigation report regarding the 'Twilight' space hulk to Alex.
Alex read quickly, understanding the entire sequence of events in just a few seconds.
He waved his hand to open a projection interface and began editing a new mission.
[Investigation Mission: Proceed to the Twilight space hulk for investigation.
The Twilight is an ancient vessel lost in the Warp. It should have been immediately destroyed,
but an encoded signal from the Daemon Inquisitor, Adora Jin, was received from within the space hulk.
This legendary Inquisitor had been out of contact since submitting her last report in 338.M41.
Considering the whereabouts of a legendary Inquisitor are involved, the Imperial Navy had no choice but to abandon the bombardment and report the matter to the Inquisition.
Inquisitor Anton Zebe has taken on this mission,
but he faces a shortage of personnel, and therefore has issued a mission seeking the help of God Chosen warriors.
Those interested should seek out Inquisitor Anton as soon as possible to sign up.
Basic Reward: 120,000 Contribution Points, 5,000 Honor Points, 30,000 Faith Points
Bonus Reward: Issued based on mission performance.
Friendly Reminder: The Twilight space hulk may contain legendary holy relics: the Daemon Codex and the Light's Burden.
Light's Burden: This sword was forged by the legendary blacksmith, Iliacus, and blessed and named by the great Saint, Sebastian Thor.
When enemies of humanity approach with malicious intent, this sword will heat up, providing special bonus damage against Daemons and Xenos.
Daemon Codex: This is a codex recording information on numerous Daemons, complete with related illustrations.
Compiled by powerful Inquisitors throughout history, it records the true names and characteristics of many Daemons.
The Daemon Codex possesses extraordinary magical power, providing the wielder with clues to Daemon identities,
and enhancing the wielder's mental resistance against Daemon temptation and harm.
Friendly Reminder: This dungeon is unique. Once completed, the dungeon will disappear.
Personnel entering the dungeon must be confirmed by the NPC.
The higher your favorability with the NPC, the more likely you are to obtain the mission.
+++Loyalty to the Emperor, Loyalty to Humanity+++
]
"Take a look. If there are no issues, I'll publish it directly."
Alex handed the mission panel to Inquisitors Kaiting and Anton for inspection.
During this time, the Inquisition had also thoroughly investigated the God Chosen collective,
obtaining much detailed information.
The God Chosen typically did not accept commands from anyone other than the 'Saint'.
If anyone attempted to command them through forceful means, it would incur their wrath and retaliation.
To get them to do something, one must issue a mission with rewards.
The more rewards, the stronger the God Chosen who sign up will be.
One could determine if someone was suitable for a mission by checking their credibility system and past achievements.
The God Chosen did not fear death and were enthusiastic about collecting holy relics and currency.
The older and more storied the equipment and weapons, the more popular they were among them.
Many times, the God Chosen's logic of action was similar to that of Ork Boys.
However, their combat power and intelligence were far superior to those green-skinned xenos.
"Shouldn't the Light's Burden and the Daemon Codex, these two holy relics, be recovered by the Inquisition?" Anton cautiously inquired.
Alex shrugged, "It's up to you. If it's a recovery mission, you'll have to give more contribution points."
"My suggestion is just to explore. The two holy relics are only temporarily entrusted to the God Chosen."
"Once they get tired of them, they will naturally return them to the Inquisition. Anyway, no one else would dare to take them."
"Moreover, when they were lost before, I didn't see you insisting on entering the Warp to salvage them."
Alex's words left Kaiting and Anton unable to refute.
After some thought, they agreed to include the holy relics as rewards.
"Then I'll publish the mission for the God Chosen. From now on, you can also publish missions using this model."
"Cortana will review them, and once confirmed, she will publish them to the God Chosen for them to accept."
"Next, you only need to select suitable God Chosen."
Alex sent the mission to the public mission channel in the chat area.
Idle Players quickly noticed this new mission.
"They just released an update announcement, and now they're already publishing exploration and adventure missions. The official team is getting more and more diligent."
"666, brothers, let's go clear the dungeon."
"Fortunately, the Warmaster isn't here, otherwise this mission would definitely be his."
"Why is that damned Warhammer succubus so popular with NPCs?!"
"Could it be a name issue??"
"There are even equipment drops, and legendary holy relics at that."
"Holy crap, are they finally releasing dungeons for us to grind?"
"Where's Anton? I need to find him."
"The mission is mine, no one is allowed to take it."
"Everyone, please give me some face, let me have this mission."
"Are you Red-Haired Shanks? Does everyone have to give you face?"
"Whoever gets it, gets it."
"The Master of Kun Fist is here, who dares to cause trouble?"
"Eat my boltgun, pretty boy, times have changed now."
"…"
Upon learning that the Twilight space hulk would drop legendary holy relics, the Players' enthusiasm soared to unprecedented heights.
Holy relics!!
Sounds awesome.
Anyway, they were idle, so they might as well do the mission.
Soon, many Players submitted their applications, hoping to get this mission.
Anton carefully reviewed the Players' resumes and combat records to confirm the mission candidates.
Kaiting handed the review task to Anton, while he himself began editing new missions.
After the Great Rift expanded, the Calixis Sector was rife with Mutants and psychic phenomena.
The Inquisition was constantly putting out fires and was severely understaffed, unable to cope.
Now that they had God Chosen to command,
they naturally wanted to clear all the backlog of missions.
[Investigation Mission: Proceed to the Grand Cathedral of Saint Dusus on the planet Aycanthos for investigation.
Abnormal Warp psychic interference phenomena have appeared in this area…
]
[Investigation Mission: Investigate the mining anomaly on the sub-planet Sevrilis.
This area has experienced…
]
Meanwhile, at the edge of the Calixis Sector.
With Cortana's help,
Old Bird and other Players successfully activated the Star Gate.
With the roar of machinery, the long-dormant structure began to awaken.
The lights in the passage illuminated, causing countless alien creatures accustomed to darkness to shriek.
A strange fluctuation was released from the far end of the Star Gate structure.
Immediately after, the dust in the void began to move.
Countless lights appeared, converging into a slow and tangled vortex.
Dust clouds, hundreds of kilometers in size, flowed and surged.
The dust particles began to flicker with electricity, tiny electrical snakes leaping between the grey particles, and the smoke and dust clouds bloomed with light.
The vortex was first green, then mottled violet, and finally turned a blood-stained ivory.
When the roar of the machinery reached its climax,
the vortex also slowly began to rotate, eventually forming a smooth sphere, opening a passage into the Warp.
The Players remaining on the scientific research vessel witnessed this scene through the porthole.
"Did it really activate?"
"It's been sitting here for so long, and it still works?"
"It's confirmed, the Warhammer OL game official must have been developed by Paradox Interactive, this tech tree is exactly like Stellaris."
"Warhammer is a combination of Cthulhu and Stellaris."
"You guys are the best, awesome, big brothers."
"Where does the Star Gate lead?"
"Should we try it?"
"…"
The Players on board were incredibly excited.
Some even wanted to find a transport shuttle or a fighter jet to enter the Star Gate and see what was inside.
The Players in the control room also cheered excitedly.
Who would have thought that they could actually activate the Star Gate?
"Energy output stable, force field data normal."
"Auspice readings within safe limits, no Warp Daemon invasion."
The Mechanical Priests stood before the magnificent mechanical control console, reviewing the rapidly scrolling data.
"Speaking of which, it's a miracle that this thing, after not being started for so long, still works."
"By the way, it won't just go 'bang' and break in a bit, will it?"
Tenjiro looked at the roaring machinery and the cheering Old Bird and others, and snidely remarked.
Perhaps to go along with his words,
Boom!!
A terrifying explosion struck.
A large explosion occurred somewhere in the Star Gate structure.
It was suspected that the energy pathway was damaged, and after activation, it couldn't bear the load and overloaded, exploding.
The originally activated Star Gate flickered a few times, then slowly dimmed.
The rotating stardust also stopped, becoming motionless.
Crimson alarm interfaces popped up like an avalanche.
Old Bird, Wu Mou, and a group of Adeptus Mechanicus members all turned their heads to look at Tenjiro.
"It must be his words that displeased the Machine Spirit," a Mechanical Priest shouted.
"Right, he's the one who talks the most."
"Everything was running perfectly fine."
"..."
Tenjiro's eyes widened, "No, you guys are blaming me! How can you blame me for this?!"
"Facts prove, don't talk nonsense in front of the Tech-priests," Twisted person complained.
The Warmaster said, "This had nothing to do with you, but you had to add your two cents. Now you're the target, aren't you!"
Tenjiro suddenly felt wronged.
"What does this have to do with me? This thing has been here for who knows how many years. Isn't it normal for it to have some minor issues?"
He just blurted something out, and it broke. Could that really be blamed on him?
At this moment, Cortana's projection appeared.
"Stop arguing, it's just a small problem."
"This building has been here for so long; it's normal for it to malfunction."
"We need to conduct a comprehensive inspection of the entire structure."
"Additionally, I have already requested a fleet to be dispatched here to garrison and ensure the safety of the Star Gate."
Cortana calmed the dispute and arranged for the Players to inspect the Star Gate building.
The Star Gate building was enormous, and it had no shields or defensive firepower.
Therefore, many wandering Xenos and Heretics not accepted by the Imperium lived there.
During the inspection, these enemies attacked the Players, intending to drive them out.
But under the Players' overwhelming strength and firepower,
these Xenos and Heretics were quickly defeated, most of them killed, and the rest all fled.
Cortana also took this opportunity to scan the entire Star Gate building and establish a derivation model.
A few days later,
Cortana successfully reverse-engineered the technology for building the Star Gate.
At the same time, a golden light screen appeared before Alex.
"[Mission: Acquire Star Gate Technology (Completed)"
Rewards: Massive Faith Points (Issued), Star Gate Version 1.0 (Issued)"
]"
A vast amount of knowledge flooded into Alex's mind, allowing him to understand how to construct Star Gate Version 1.0.
Star Gate Version 1.0 differed slightly from the original version of the Star Gate.
The architecture now included the Emperor's church and sculptures of Human heroes.
Version 1.0 of the Star Gate could receive the Emperor's power and protection.
Human vessels could use the Star Gate to travel to other Star Gates.
However, if enemy vessels used the Star Gate, they would be sent to the deepest part of the Warp.
(The Emperor: "I don't want the Imperium's Star Gates to be immediately usable by enemies if captured.")
Star Gate Version 1.0 was very similar to the T'au's Warp Gate.
The Warp Gate was a product of the T'au's Fourth Sphere Expansion.
During the Third Sphere Expansion, the T'au and the Imperium of Man erupted into the Damocles Gulf Crusade.
Due to the threat of the Tyranids, the Imperium was forced to halt the war and withdraw.
Before leaving, the Adeptus Mechanicus ignited the entire Damocles Gulf Sector,
unnatural fires engulfed the void, stopping the T'au's expansion at Damocles.
The awakening of the Sautekh Necrons Dynasty cut off the T'au's possibility of expanding westward.
To the east were the Great Rift and the Gorgon Tyranids Hive Fleet, making expansion impossible there as well.
Thus, the T'au was trapped, unable to continue expanding its living space.
To solve this problem, the T'au, emulating Human Warp engines and their Kroot allies' warships, developed the AL-38 Slipstream Module.
This device, when installed on a spacecraft, could create an antimatter bubble around the ship, thereby tearing open a rift after intense acceleration and traversing the star sea.
In initial tests, the AL-38 Slipstream Module was highly successful, completing voyages of several months in just a few days.
The Ethereal Supreme Council decided to launch the Fourth Sphere Expansion.
They deployed hundreds of AL-38 Slipstream Modules at the Numina Rendezvous Point and activated them as the starting point for the Fourth Sphere Expansion.
However, this was a very foolish decision.
The AL-38 Slipstream Modules activated at the Numina Rendezvous Point
tore open an extremely exaggerated Warp rift.
Countless Daemons poured in, dragging the entire fleet into the Warp.
The ambitious T'au Empire's Fourth Expansion Fleet, like an innocent female university student on a pervert's bus, was almost driven to collapse by the Daemon lords of the Warp.
Later, a blue-skinned (important point), self-proclaimed Greater Good T'au Goddess rescued the remaining fleet and left a passage.
This Warp passage allowed the T'au Empire's fleet to directly reach the Charon Expansion Zone.
Upon discovering this passage, the T'au Empire named it the Warp Gate and used it to launch the Fifth Expansion Zone.
The Warp Gate was protected by the Greater Good and could only be used by T'au Empire warships.
A Death Guard fleet once entered it but was sent to the depths of the Warp.
Star Gate Version 1.0 had the same effect.
"With the Star Gate, inter-sector travel will be easier."
Alex showed a satisfied expression.
This time, Scalp made a great contribution; he must be rewarded with a golden eagle medal.
Just as Alex was contemplating how to roll out the construction of Star Gate Version 1.0, Xia brought him bad news.
A Necrons fleet was approaching the Solomon Hive World and clashed with the local defenders.
The Solomon Hive World was once controlled by rebels.
After the Malz campaign ended,
the local loyalists' morale soared, and they quickly launched a counterattack, defeating the traitors and reclaiming power.
When the Necrons appeared at the edge of the system and intended to attack,
they immediately sent a message requesting support.
Thanks to the widespread adoption of lighthouse technology, their request reached Alex in just a few hours.
"Besides the Necrons, the local law enforcement also reported the suspected discovery of a great Chaos enemy—Ahriman."
"The enemy seems to want to use the Solomon World to complete some terrifying ritual."
"Additionally, void satellites captured images of Drukhari / Dark Aeldari vessels, suspected to be also here for Ahriman."
"Immediately order the fleet to depart and head to the Solomon System for support," Alex said without any hesitation. "No matter what kind of conspiracy the enemy has, they will not succeed."
After the Malz campaign, the fleet had mostly rested.
It was time to resolve these Xenos issues.
Once these Xenos were dealt with, they would immediately set off for Baal.
...
The Solomon World was named after Solomon Hallock,
Solomon Hallock was the first Rogue Trader to chart the Calixis Sector and venture into this region.
Before the Imperium launched the Angevin Crusade to conquer the Calixis Sector, Hallock had already established the Solomon World as his outpost.
After the Calixis Sector was established, the Solomon World was once very glorious, its prosperity no less than that of Syntilla.
But now, with the passage of time, things have changed dramatically.
The once prosperous Solomon World is now merely an over-industrialized, heavily polluted Hive City World that is steadily declining.
Excessively high tithe levels led to the depletion of the Solomon World's natural resources.
Over-industrialization destroyed the planet's ecosystem, killing most of its indigenous life.
According to Sector Decree A87635.597 issued by High Lord General Angevin, this world belonged to the Departmento Munitorum's assets.
After the rebellion ended, the Departmento Munitorum began sending troops here, intending to prevent the Necrons from further penetrating Imperial territory.
When the Necrons appeared at the edge of the system, humanity immediately engaged them.
The fleets of both sides met in the void and quickly began fighting.
Exploding warships shimmered like stars.
Ahriman stood on the surface, glanced at the sky a few times, then withdrew his gaze.
Everything was as expected.
Unbeknownst to them, the Imperium had once again become his tool.
The Emperor's pawns were always like this; simple-minded, unable to see the truth, and easily fooled and played with.
"Why don't we return to the Eye of Terror to perform the ritual?" Ktesias's voice sounded.
"No need. After Abaddon destroyed Cadia, the galaxy is already a giant Eye of Terror."
Ahriman shook his head,
"Moreover, I also want to investigate the matter concerning that Saint."
"He has too many secrets: combat power comparable to a Primarch, an appearance similar to Sanguinius, and God Chosen who can resurrect infinitely like Daemons."
"If these mysteries can be unraveled, perhaps a glimpse of the universe's truth can be seen."
Ahriman's absence during this period did not mean he did nothing.
On the contrary, he had been investigating this suddenly appearing Emperor Saint and his subordinates.
The more he investigated, the more secrets he uncovered.
The God Chosen under his command, besides having the bloodline of the Thousand Sons, also included Luna Wolves, Iron Warriors, Emperor's Children, World Eaters, and others.
Every traitor Primarch's bloodline was present, and he had no idea how the other party obtained the gene-seed.
Realizing that this Emperor Saint was problematic, Ahriman temporarily had no intention of returning to the Eye of Terror or the Planet of the Sorcerers.
Instead, he planned to hide in the Calixis Sector and investigate the other party's secrets.
After observing for a long time, he had a crazy idea: to try and capture the other party.
Although the other party had power similar to a Primarch, he was not a Primarch after all.
Therefore, he came to the Solomon Hive World,
firstly, to steal the power of time and death to reverse the damage caused to the Thousand Sons by the Second Rubric of Ahriman.
Secondly, to set a trap for the Emperor Saint and see if he could capture him.
Even if he couldn't, he would at least get some blood or something to take back for research.
Ahriman's choice of the Solomon Hive World as the site for his ritual was not random but premeditated.
First: He needed to use the dark power hidden beneath the Solomon Hive World to complete the ritual.
Second: He would use the war between the Imperium and the Necrons to find enough sacrifices for the ritual.
As the battle between the Necrons and humanity reached its climax, Ahriman began his ritual.
The artifact stolen from the Necrons Dynasty—the Infinity Key—floated in mid-air.
Intricate patterns emerged, emitting a faint glow.
Space-time twisted with the appearance of the Infinity Key.
"The web of fate is woven; now we just await the protagonist of the stage."
Ahriman looked at the sky, waiting for the Emperor Saint to appear.
According to his calculations, the other party would soon arrive at the Solomon Hive World, participate in the void battle, and defeat the Necrons fleet.
Subsequently, the other party would come before him, intending to deliver punishment in the Emperor's name.
He had calculated every variable, using his ultimate wisdom to ensure things would unfold as he envisioned.
The Emperor Saint would absolutely not be able to escape his trap.