At Guilliman's command, the official at the front of the delegation—Marcus Wheeler, the Administrative Secretary to the Sector Governor—stepped forward.
Wheeler walked briskly up to Cogboy, tracing the sign of the Aquila across his chest. The movement was textbook perfect, yet utterly devoid of passion.
"Mr. Cage Lawrence," Wheeler's voice was even. "By order of the Sector Governor, I am here to finalize the transfer of administrative authority over Aurelian IV."
He paused, taking a heavy metal lockbox from an attendant. Opening it, he retrieved a gold-leaf embossed parchment scroll.
"Upon the recommendation of Lord Roboute Guilliman, and ratified by the Sector Governor's Office, you are hereby officially appointed as Planetary Governor of Aurelian IV, granted absolute jurisdiction over all administrative, military, and economic affairs of this world. This is your decree of investiture."
Wheeler handed the scroll to Cogboy, dropping his voice to a volume only the two of them could hear as he added, "The Sector Governor asked me to convey... his congratulations. Furthermore, please ensure that the quinquennial tithe is paid on time."
Cogboy accepted the scroll from Wheeler.
The parchment was incredibly fine, the gold leaf glittering in the sunlight, and the High Gothic calligraphy was magnificent.
But Cogboy didn't even glance at the contents. He simply offered a calm nod.
"The Crimson Dawn thanks the Sector Governor's Office for its recognition," Cogboy's voice was equally calm. "The tithe will certainly be paid in full and on time. That is the duty of a Planetary Governor."
Wheeler seemed highly satisfied with this answer, his smile growing a fraction more genuine.
And right at that moment, Guilliman spoke up.
His voice wasn't loud, but it instantly silenced the entire plaza.
"Governor Cage Lawrence."
Guilliman's ice-blue eyes locked onto Cogboy. His gaze was piercingly sharp, making Cogboy feel as though he had been seen straight through.
"I must solemnly inform you that, as a Planetary Governor, your primary duty... is to pay the tithe on time."
Every single word the Ultramarines Primarch spoke carried a crushing weight.
"The Imperium requires the resources of every single world to maintain its operations, to fuel the Great Crusade, and to fight the enemies that threaten humanity. Do you understand?"
Cogboy pounded his right fist against his left breastplate, his voice ringing with absolute certainty.
"I understand, Lord Guilliman. The tithe will be paid in full and on time, in the name of the Emperor and the Imperium of Man."
Guilliman nodded slightly.
"And..."
His tone softened a fraction, a flicker of light passing through his ice-blue eyes.
"I hope you all hold fast to your original intentions."
"While executing your primary duty... I hope you can continue to treat the Imperial citizens of this world with kindness."
"I have seen the transformation of Kent Hive. I have seen the smiles on the children's faces, and the hope in the workers' eyes. Do not let the tithe become a crushing burden that breaks them. Do not let the bureaucracy grind away your original intentions. Do not let power corrupt the promises you have made."
Guilliman's gaze swept over Schrödinger Bro, Blood Angel, the core players standing behind Cogboy, and the PDF soldiers and citizens gathered in the plaza.
"The Imperium's territory is vast. There are countless worlds where citizens groan beneath the lashes of the tithe-collectors, and countless Governors who forget their duties amidst luxury."
"But the Five Hundred Worlds of Ultramar have proven that taxation and civil welfare can be balanced. That order and hope can coexist. Now, Aurelian IV is proving it as well."
"But remember this: the difficulty of governing an entire planet compared to a single hive scales exponentially. You will face far more complex problems: resource allocation, regional balance, external threats, internal contradictions..."
"And the old factions who will not easily surrender their power."
"I can give you authority, but I cannot give you the answers to every problem. You must walk this path yourselves."
He looked back at Cogboy, his voice deep and forceful.
"So, hold fast."
"Treat those who believe in you with kindness. Lead them toward a better life, while ensuring the Imperium receives its rightful share of this planet's prosperity."
"It will be difficult, but that is the true duty of a Planetary Governor... Not a tax collector, but a guardian and a builder."
Cogboy took a deep breath.
He pounded his right fist against his left breastplate once more, the motion carrying far more weight this time.
"I swear in the name of the Crimson Dawn, I shall fulfill all the duties of a Planetary Governor. I will deliver the tithes to the Imperium on time, treat the Imperial citizens with kindness, build a beautiful home, and guard our hope. This oath I hold unto death."
"Lord Guilliman."
"The Crimson Dawn shall not fail you."
Guilliman watched him in silence.
A few seconds later, the Ultramarines Primarch slowly nodded.
"Excellent. Remember your oath. From this moment onward, you are the sole Planetary Governor of Aurelian IV. The Crimson Dawn is the only official governing organization recognized by the Imperium on this planet. I hope you will not disappoint the Imperium's expectations, nor the expectations of myself, Sanguinius, and Ferrus."
With those final words, he turned and strode toward the Ultramarines Thunderhawk gunship.
Wheeler and the other officials immediately handed over all the investiture documents to Cogboy, offered a few perfunctory words of congratulation, and returned to their own gunship.
Guilliman paused at the assault ramp, casting one final look over the plaza and the citizens looking up at him.
Then, he stepped inside.
The ramp sealed, and the engines roared to life.
The Thunderhawk gunship slowly ascended, heading toward the Macragge's Honour waiting in orbit.
Guilliman had fulfilled his promise to the Crimson Dawn. He had handed Aurelian IV over to them.
That very afternoon, following the conclusion of the investiture ceremony, Guilliman's decree was officially disseminated through the Sector Governor's channels to all twenty-five hive cities on Aurelian IV.
The message was concise and clear:
[Effective immediately, Cage Lawrence is appointed Planetary Governor of Aurelian IV. The Crimson Dawn organization is the sole legitimate governing entity of said planet. All Hive Governors, administrative bureaus, and local armed forces are hereby ordered to obey the lawful commands of the Planetary Governor. This decree, personally signed by Lord Roboute Guilliman and endorsed by the Sector Governor's Office, is effective immediately.]
This decree was like a boulder smashing into a placid lake.
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Goal = 250 Powerstones.
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