Chapter 50: The Arrival of the Proto-Entity
Chapter 50: The Arrival of the Primarch
Yasiri’s demeanor was unusually respectful. It was not merely because Kiliman was an imperial Primarch, but also because she owed her salvation to him.
She was one of the many “heretics” released by the Primarch from the missionary world of Espandor.
Yasiri’s alleged crime was absurd. She had been captured by the Inquisition of the Imperial Church for disrespecting the Emperor, spreading heretical doctrines, and being faithless. She was supposed to be sentenced to death by burning.
Her sole fortune was that Kiliman arrived just days before her execution.
After investigation, she was freed and, due to her knowledge, was recruited into the Primarch’s cohort.
Yasiri hailed from a merchant family, long active on the Empire’s frontier. She even ventured into dark star regions beyond the Emperor’s starlight, seeking wealth and lost knowledge.
Later, due to family circumstances, she entered the Empire’s internal star systems. Compared to the more open frontiers, the inner regions of the Empire were rigid and steeped in ignorance.
People there rejected all reason, scorned science, and even more so, new knowledge.
Someone like Yasiri, who still believed in science and truth, was undoubtedly a heretic in the eyes of the Imperial Church.
Unsurprisingly, she was arrested.
Her collection and compilation of alien species atlases were seized as incriminating evidence, used to condemn her heretical conduct.
Yasiri felt deeply wronged. She had only wished for the Empire’s people to learn about those alien forms, yet she had been declared guilty.
The Church gave her no chance to defend herself. The priests stubbornly held that she was guilty, branding all her words as heresy unworthy of hearing, stripping her of the right to appeal.
Had Kiliman not come, Yasiri would have become yet another victim of the fanatical Church.
It was unfathomable how many rational, science-seeking souls like Yasiri had been branded heretics by the Church over these millennia.
Merely thinking about this made Kiliman want to spit blood—such injustice from the Church.
To Yasiri, Kiliman’s quarters were astonishingly austere.
The room was simply and practically furnished, containing only a handful of items that could be called personal belongings.
She had never expected it to be a lavish hall; she despised those foolish nobles who flaunted wealth as taste, and who mistook crystal and gilded decorations for art.
Yet, upon entering, she realized the simplicity exceeded even her imagination.
It was as if all worldly desires had completely faded from Kiliman.
He cared not for such trivialities.
The most abundant items in the reception room were old, historically rich books, all clearly well-read—undoubtedly the Primarch’s leisure reading material.
Data crystals for handling state affairs were casually placed upon an oversized desk.
Holographic projection devices lay exposed at one end of the table, which, by noble standards, was utterly lacking in aesthetic appeal.
A lightweight bed situated nearby appeared vast, but for a genetic Primarch of Kiliman’s superhuman stature, it was barely sufficient.
Yasiri found herself unable to resist imagining what magnificent dreams such a radiant Primarch might have when asleep.
The notion of a Primarch resting in bed seemed remarkably humane.
To be honest, Yasiri had never pondered whether someone like Kiliman truly needed rest.
She had assumed genetic Primarchs, besides being ageless, were tireless.
With a sideways glance, Yasiri surveyed the reception room, contemplating what the Primarch might do in times of peace—until Kiliman’s voice brought her back from her reverie.
“They all defy me, attempting by all manner of base means to test my choices between saving humanity and protecting their interests. These fools believe that without them, the Empire will collapse and fail to function. I will tell them this is impossible. The Empire requires no dead weight and will continue to operate as always.”
Kiliman looked at Yasiri solemnly and continued, “Yet these tasks are beyond my capacity alone. I can govern a planet, a star system, or even a sector superbly, but the Empire is vast, containing countless humans and innumerable colonies. I cannot remain in one place for long. I must rely on those who share my dream—people like you.”
“We are all committed to saving humanity. Yasiri, I see in you a reason that has not yet been crushed by this desperate age. I will grant you a special appointment: after I purge the fools among the nobility, you will maintain the normal operations of the Natal star system until it regains its self-sustaining vitality.”
“My lord, such an honor...” Yasiri felt a flutter of nervousness, understanding the great trust required to entrust her with this mission.
“You are perfectly suited for this, Yasiri. You possess reason, a thirst for knowledge, and the insight of a merchant, clearly discerning a planet’s worth and the role it must play in my plan. You understand better than those useless nobles the terrifying trials our people face. In this mad age, such understanding places you above ninety-nine percent of others. Do not refuse this charge I give you.”
“If this is your command, then it shall be my honor, my lord.” Yasiri no longer hesitated. She performed a simple salute to express gratitude for the Primarch’s grace and trust.
In her bones flowed the adventurous and free spirit common to every merchant wanderer active on the Empire’s frontiers.
Only worthless scoundrels exploited power to amass wealth in the comfortable inner Empire, using complex rituals to flaunt their supposed nobility.
Yasiri had never learned those elaborate noble customs, yet this did not diminish her respect for the Empire’s Regent.
“My lord, I have a question.” After finishing her salute, Yasiri looked up with confusion.
“Ask. There is still some time. I will answer as best I can.”
“Why the urgency in making the appointment now? Perhaps suitable candidates could be found within the Natal system? Have you already decided that the nobles there are no longer fit to rule?”
Yasiri inquired.
“When Terra was still called Earth, a certain Mr. Lu once said: ‘When you see one cockroach, prepare for the whole house to be infested.’”
“A deceased luminary?”
“You could say that.”
“The Grous family has challenged my authority. This means other families are either suppressed by them or have submitted to their rule. Without absolute loyalty to the Emperor, there is no loyalty at all. They have forsaken their duties. Even if they are innocent, what does that matter?”
“They swore allegiance to the Emperor and pledged everything for humanity’s survival—this is why they rule Natal. Yet now they turn a blind eye to a family openly defying my orders and allow chaos. This is the act of oathbreakers.”
“Oathbreaking observers and rebels alike are unforgivable. They have received the Emperor’s authority but failed to fulfill their duties. That is the crime.”
“My available personnel are few. In this mad era, religion has seeped into every soul. Few remain like you, embracing science and reason. I must carefully assign your positions to ensure the success of my plans. Natal is crucial. I will purge the old nobility there and ensure the common people live better, hopeful lives. Only then can I convincingly prove that reform is the right path.”
Kiliman’s words bore a heavy weight—he carried the fate of all humanity on his shoulders. One misstep could lead to eternal ruin.
Yasiri’s doubts vanished. She replied firmly, “I will not fail your expectations, my lord.”
“Good. We are nearly there. Prepare yourself. I despise the Imperial Church, but I must admit it is a convenient tool. It allows me to bypass certain rules, to declare those who refuse to obey me heretics and swiftly eliminate them,” Kiliman said with a smile.
With the fluctuations of subspace, the massive vessel Makulak’s Radiance burst forth from the aether ocean, emerging into the real starry sky in a flash.
Satellites monitoring subspace immediately detected this and relayed the information to various noble houses, announcing the Primarch’s arrival.
There is one more chapter. The Absolute Punishment targets individuals and families, while the Extermination Order is aimed at entire planets. The civilians are innocent.
(End of chapter)