Warhammer: Don't Call Me the God of All Machines

Chapter 855 Luo Jia: Take off the clown mask!
Luo Jia Aurelion's mind exploded.

Omega's words were like a high-yield nuclear bomb, tearing his confusion to shreds and letting the light of truth shine into him.

Back on the Undying Embers, Loka was relentlessly harassed by Vulcan, the most honest of the Primarchs, who stubbornly kept his mouth shut and refused to tell Loka a single secret.

Luo Jia sensed something was wrong, but he had no way of knowing what was hidden within it. He was then chased by Guilliman, who had awakened his anti-spiritual power, and fled back to the subspace.

If what Omega says is true, then everything can be explained.

“The Dark…King?” Luo Jia repeated the word, his voice carrying a hint of uncertainty.

Based on the Great Manifestation's research into primordial truth and exploration of the Chaos Eight-Pointed Star, it is natural to know that powerful beings like the Four Chaos Gods have a limit that is not limited to just four.

Just as in the thirtieth millennium of humankind, the Prince of Bliss, who symbolized the "perception of ecstasy," was still in an endless slumber, it was the power accumulated from the indulgence and depravity of the Spirit Empire over sixty million years that completely awakened Salis.

According to Luo Jia's research, Nurgle, the benevolent father who symbolizes "rot and depravity," is likely the most ancient chaotic evil god.

As the Great Game continues, the throne of the Chaos Octagon will one day gather all the rulers, and at that time the Great Game may be able to completely determine the winner.

As Luo Jia recited the name of the Dark Lord, a vague concept suddenly surfaced in his mind.

That is due north of the Chaos Octagon, the supreme throne symbolizing [erosion and destruction].

“Yes, Lord of Darkness.” Omega pressed on, giving Luo Jia little time to hesitate.

"He represents the absolute end, the annihilation of all things. His awakening brings not only the end of humanity, but also the complete destruction of the entire real universe and the subspace."

The Four Chaos Gods? Before Him, they are nothing more than remnants of the past, soon to be swept into the dustbin of history.

Omega's arrogant declaration made Luo Jia fall into deep thought. He seemed to have never seen his most low-key and unassuming brother display such a crazy and arrogant attitude.

"Perhaps the Lord of Darkness is indeed very powerful, but I don't believe what you say about him being the end of other chaotic evil gods."

Luo Jia spoke in a deep voice, expressing his opinion.

"The eight chaotic stars each stood in their own right, and even the most powerful Tzeentch, after acquiring the scepter symbolizing omniscience and omnipotence, could only temporarily suppress the other chaotic gods, and was ultimately forced to destroy the scepter himself."

"At least for now, it is impossible to definitively determine a winner in a great game."

"That's why I said your understanding is too superficial. You're just buried in your studies in West Carlos, how could you know what the outside world has become?"

“My brother, you had clearly found the right direction back then—you revered the Emperor as the God-Emperor and wrote the Record of the Emperor’s Sacred Words, but you chose to give up.”

"What a pity! It's like entering a treasure mountain and returning empty-handed."

Omega said with great distress.

"The destruction of the perfect city is the Emperor's test for you, just as God tested Abraham in the days of ancient Terra."

“A true believer should accept all the will of God, including God’s instruction not to worship God.”

“Ruth is smarter than you. He also thinks the Emperor is a god, but since the Emperor doesn’t like gods, he changes the name to something like ‘All Father’ or something like that.”

"Look at how the Emperor didn't react so strongly when faced with the title 'Father of All'?"

Luo Jia's expression clearly turned ugly; he felt his intelligence had been insulted.

"When the four Chaos Gods reveal the so-called 'truth' to you, they still hold back a part of it. They have never told you the truth about the Emperor—that he is the Dark Lord."

"Guess why they are hiding these things? It's because the Dark Lord, who symbolizes absolute end, is closer to the essence of chaos than they are."

Luo Jia had to admit that Omega made a lot of sense.

He just needs time to process and accept this fact. If what Omega said is true, then he has become a real clown.

"Secondly, although the Chaos Octagon has eight thrones, it does not mean that a Chaos God can only possess the authority of one throne."

"Eight thrones do not necessarily mean there are eight Chaos Gods."

"When a throne does not have a clear ruler, other rulers may borrow or even steal the power of that unclaimed corner."

"Just like Tzeentch, who controls the Hellstorm, he sometimes displays the power of the Invisible Twist."

“Don’t forget that our father created the Mechanicus, and he was the Om Messiah worshipped by the Mechanicus. This identity also gives him the opportunity to compete for the throne of [Vicious Arts].

"This was a plan he started a long time ago, with far-reaching implications."

"If the Dark Lord can possess both [Erosion and Destruction] and [Vicious Arts], then the being who controls a quarter of the eight-pointed star will become a supreme being above the four Chaos Gods."

"Now, don't you still believe what I'm saying?"

boom--

An invisible surge of spiritual energy suddenly erupted from Luo Jia.

The chaotic runes on the walls of the hall flickered violently and erratically, and some fragile decorations even turned to dust instantly.

Ingo Page and the Alpha warriors instantly tensed up, assuming a defensive combat stance, but Omega only narrowed his eyes slightly, bracing himself against the psionic storm.

For the first time, Luo Jia's expression underwent a dramatic change.

It was no longer the calm of still water, no longer the mocking laughter, but a kind of... horror, chaos and struggle of having one's cognition completely overturned.

Luo Jia couldn't hold back anymore.

Is the Emperor the King of Darkness? The false emperor he despised is actually an existence more powerful than the Four Gods of Chaos?
If anyone can represent the original truth, then without a doubt, the Dark Lord is more qualified than any other Chaos God.

"No...this is impossible..."

Luo Jia's voice trembled like never before, as if resisting a truth that could shatter the very foundation of his unwavering faith: "This is... a lie, a scheme by the false emperor!"

“You’re trying to deceive me, Omega.”

"A trick?" Omega sneered.

"Then tell me, Loka Aurelion, when you gaze into the abyss of the warp, when you sense that vast yet destructive power, have you ever truly seen its essence? Has your proud primordial truth ever guided you to foresee this ultimate destiny?"

"You must admit your own stupidity and shortsightedness. The emperor you abandoned in the past was the most correct choice you ever made."

Loshi's mind was filled with memories of the past. He knew that if he chose to turn back, that clown mask would be welded firmly onto his face.

From this day forward, whenever anyone mentions Loka Aurelion, they will think of his ridiculous choice.

Luo Jia, a true opportunist, believed his faith would never waver when he was a follower of the Emperor, and harbored a deep grudge against the Emperor and Guilliman for a long time because of the destruction of the Perfect City.

But with just a little temptation, he changed his faith and became a believer in the original truth.

But when he realizes that the Emperor is the truly powerful being, he will immediately switch sides and jump back from the side of the original truth to the Emperor's throne.

In the ancient Terran era, there was a man named Lü Bu who, due to his wavering stance and flexible style, was nicknamed "the slave of three masters."

Now, this nickname is quite fitting for Luo Jia.

A deathly silence fell over the prayer hall, with only the heavy, disordered breathing of Luo Jia audible.

His massive body trembled slightly, as if a storm powerful enough to tear apart his soul was brewing within him.

"So, my brother, the reason you and Alpharis have maintained such an elusive stance throughout the Great Rebellion is because you have never sided with either the Empire or Horus."

“You stand on the side of a third party—the Dark Lord. Your starting point has always been the interests of the Dark Lord, so you sometimes appear to be loyal to the Empire and sometimes to Horus.”

Luo Jia murmured, finally realizing the truth behind it all.

The Alpha Legion has been constantly shifting its allegiances, and even Horus believes they are not loyal enough and have questionable stances. The Empire also considers them to have betrayed the cause and to be rebels siding with Horus.

But in reality, they are neither.

That's where their brilliance lies.

"Yes, that's right. Alpharis chose to come to Horus's side to assist him, while I have been secretly lurking and constantly helping the Empire."

"We have been trying to maintain a balance of power, because only in this way can humanity continue to exist in a state of chronic death."

"And this fear and pain of being on the verge of extinction, as well as the courage and sacrifice in the face of danger, is the strength that our Lord needs most."

"However, Alpharis was unlucky. While maintaining this balance, he accidentally encountered Rogdorn, which led to his death."

When Omega spoke of his brother, he seemed to show a sense of sadness, but Luo Jia had a vague feeling that something was wrong.

Never completely trust Hydra, even if it seems perfectly correct.

Omega looked directly into Luo Jia's confused and wavering eyes and posed his final, soul-searching question:

"Now, Great Speaker... tell me, what is your true choice? Is it to continue following your illusory primordial truth, or to follow your nature and make a true conversion?"

“I have another question,” Luo Jia continued, “You came all the way to Sicaros just to make me submit to the Dark Lord again?”

“You are a Primarch, Luojia, my brother, never underestimate yourself.”

"No matter how bad the Primarch is, it is still the Primarch, a force that cannot be ignored."

“Our sovereign is now facing a great crisis. You should know about the war of faith that is about to break out within the empire.”

"As an external ally of the state religion, we naturally need to gather every potential force, and your Legion of Word Bearers is a force that cannot be ignored."

He raised his head and looked at Omega. Those eyes, which once shone with all-knowing wisdom, were now filled with nothing but a vortex of confusion and intense struggle.

He opened his mouth, seemingly wanting to refute, to question, to defend his crumbling belief system, but in the end, he only managed to utter a few words with difficulty:
"I... need... time..."

……

A border outpost of the solar system.

As the first line of defense for humanity's home planet, the Imperial Fist and the Imperial Navy have deployed numerous reconnaissance outposts, armed star fortresses, and small, rapidly mobile fleets along the edge of the solar system.

The wounds left by the deadly rebellion a century ago have not yet faded, and the human empire has not relaxed its protection of its heart in the slightest.

These outposts send safety signals to Holy Terra every minute to serve as reminders and warnings.

On this seemingly ordinary day, the Imperial Fist strike cruiser Order Loyalty discovered a massive pilgrimage fleet.

The enemy had a large number of ships, and the types of ships were extremely diverse, with most of them being giant transport ships used to transport supplies and personnel.

"It's a warship from the Light Alliance. They've finally arrived."

"They arrived faster than I expected. By the Emperor, this civil war of faith is bound to break out eventually."

On the bridge command platform of the USS Order of Loyalty, Captain Brant Morris of the Imperial Fist stared at the dense red dots on the scanning array and spoke to his combat comrades beside him.

"What should we do? Stop them outside the outposts on the edge of the solar system?" "According to our past practices, such a large fleet cannot enter the solar system. If they cause trouble, they will pose a great threat to Holy Terra."

A lieutenant next to Company Commander Morris raised this thorny issue.

Faced with the arrival of the Light Alliance, should the Imperial Fist, the guardian of the solar system, maintain a neutral stance or fulfill its duty to keep them out?

From a personal perspective, the vast majority of Imperial Fist players have absolutely no goodwill towards the Cult of Terra, and can even be described as extremely disgusted.

The absurd things they did were known even to the Space Marines.

Under Elfreda's leadership, the Terran state religion has turned the entire Throne World into a chaotic mess, completely lacking the clarity and order that existed under Guilliman's rule.

However, from the perspective of their own responsibilities, the Imperial Fist should not interfere in any factors other than protecting Terra.

"Make way, dismantle our defenses, and let them into the solar system."

"Pass the order down, requiring all Imperial Fists and the Imperial Navy not to interfere with the movements of the Light Alliance."

"We only need to ensure the security of those key defense zones, while guarding against potential enemy attacks."

The command on Morris's face struck the other Imperial Fists as very strange and surprising.

However, out of obedience to their superiors and orders, the Imperial Fists acted accordingly and quickly disarmed the defense systems of the outposts.

The Light Alliance fleet sent a declaration of friendship to the Imperial Fist.

“We are pilgrims under the command of the living saint Euphrates Chyl.”

“We have no ill intentions. We have come from the far reaches of the Extreme Starfield, only to reverse the atrocities and mistakes of the Terra State Cult.”

"Do not fire at us! Repeat, do not fire at us!"

The friendly attitude shown by the Imperial Fist immediately reassured Qi Le and the others.

Their concern was that the Imperial Fist would stubbornly refuse all requests for large-scale fleets to enter Terra. If that were the case, how would they get past the Imperial Fist's obstruction?
It's worth noting that even a century ago, Warmaster Horus was plagued by this problem and had to resort to warp magic rituals to break through the Imperial Fist's defenses.

The Light Alliance fleet swiftly entered the solar system, fearing that the Imperial Fist or the Imperial Navy might change their minds at the last minute.

However, after letting the Light Alliance enter, the Imperial Fist made no further moves, as if nothing had happened, and resumed its patrols on the edge of the solar system.

"Don't ask me why, brothers."

"I also received orders from the company commander. He told us that from this moment on, none of the Imperial Fists are allowed to be enemies with the Alliance of Light. As long as they don't want to blow up Holy Terra, we shouldn't care what they want to do."

"At the same time, we must also relax our defenses over the Martian space region. Even if some unknown threats appear on Mars, we must continue to exercise restraint."

Company Commander Maurice spread his hands to show that he didn't know the reason either.

"But the company commander told us that we had to do it, not only because the Imperial Fist should stand with the other Astartes Legions, but also because he was not the one who gave the order."

"Not the company commander?" The Imperial Fist members were immediately filled with even more confusion.

"With Sigismund now in the Black Temple, the highest authority in the entire Seventh Legion rests with the company commander."

"No one except the company commander has the authority to command the entire legion."

"If the order didn't come from the company commander, then could it be from Sigismund? No, if it were the Black Knight, then there would be no need for such roundabout expression."

Suddenly, a strange sense of tension arose in the hearts of all the Imperial Fists members; they seemed to have understood the true meaning of this veiled expression.

Above the company commander, who else is there besides the Primarch?

“In that case, we will obey orders completely,” the adjutant replied, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

Company Commander Morris nodded approvingly; clearly, they had the same idea.

Apart from Dorne, who has already secretly returned, who else is qualified to command the entire Seventh Legion?
However, since Dorn has returned, he still maintains a low profile, which naturally has its own considerations. All they need to do is completely obey the will of the Emperor Fist Master.

……

Holy Terra, the state temple.

Pope Elfreda slammed her scepter, inlaid with pure gemstones, onto the cold marble floor, causing the rock to crack with a piercing sound.

The pure skull at the top of the scepter tilted slightly, its empty eye sockets seeming to mock her incompetence.

"Those damned Imperial Fists! They did indeed choose betrayal, betraying the God-Emperor! Betraying Terra!"

The Pope's roar, like that of a wounded lioness, echoed through the magnificent temple, which was filled with the smell of blood and incense, and seemed to distort the faces of the saints on the ceiling murals.

"They dared to open the gates of the solar system directly, allowing the fleets of those heretics and false believers to approach the throne of the God-Emperor!"

Although Elfreda had long been prepared for the arrival of the Light Alliance, she did not expect things to happen so quickly.

In her calculations, even if the Imperial Fist didn't want to help the State Church, it should at least show its presence and loyalty to the Emperor, right?
Time, that's what Alfreda lacks right now.

There's still no news of the Alpha Legion being ready, and with the power she currently possesses, it's questionable whether she can even hold Terra.

Currently, the most ideal outcome seems to be that she forces all the state troops to retreat to the state palace on Terra and rely on those defensive structures to resist.

Of course, these defenses cannot withstand orbital attacks from space fleets for long.

But would Qile dare to bombard Terra? You must know that the area of ​​the State Religion and the area of ​​the Royal Palace are extremely close, and the slightest carelessness could lead to a serious incident of bombarding the Royal Palace.

On the holographic star map in front of her, most of the green dots representing the Imperial Fist defensive array had been extinguished, replaced by densely packed red dots that spread like a plague.

Elfreda knew that those were the Light Alliance's pilgrimage fleets, piercing into the heart of humanity at a breathtaking speed, heading straight for Terra.

Panic, like a tangible poisonous fog, permeated the remaining high-ranking members of the state church within the temple.

Compared to not long ago, there are far fewer high-ranking members of the State Religion in this hall.

Most of them were die-hard supporters left behind after Alfreda's bloody purges. Although their faces were etched with fanaticism, their eyes held an undisguised fear deep within.

The Imperial Fist's "betrayal" undoubtedly made their situation even more unfavorable. Without the buffer of the first barrier of the solar system, Terra was exposed naked to the offensive of the Light Alliance.

"The betrayal of the Imperial Fist is definitely related to Guilliman and his gang!"

A mad fire burned in Elfreda's eyes as she realized she had to stabilize the situation and at least buy enough time.

She swept her gaze across the silent crowd below, her voice as biting as the winter wind.

"Now that things have come to this, there's no need for us to say anything more. We can only stop fighting until we bleed to the last drop."

As believers of the God-King, we are unwavering and fearless. Just think of those fools who attempted to betray us; their heads are still dripping blood from the spikes.

Now is the time for us to prove our loyalty to the God-Emperor! Let us use our blood and fire to stop Qile's arrival!

The Pope's scepter pointed to a spiked post beside him, on which were displayed the heads of bishops who had been cut off by the fighting nuns in an attempt to launch an armed coup to overthrow the Pope.

These heads had not undergone any preservation treatment and were already rotten and decomposed. Dark brown flesh clung to the pale skull surface, and a pungent stench wafted out continuously.

The bishops present, upon witnessing this cruel end, would immediately solidify their loyalty to Elfreda, burying all their hidden thoughts deep within their hearts.

“Bishop Julius,” the Pope called out one of their names, his voice eerily soft, “can your loyalty to the Holy Emperor withstand the test?”

Bishop Julius, whose name was called out, instantly turned pale, his magnificent robes soaked with cold sweat.

“Your Holiness, my faith in the Holy Emperor is as firm as a rock and there is absolutely no possibility of it being shaken.” The high-ranking bishop immediately knelt down with a thud, his forehead hitting the ground heavily.

“Very good.” A chilling smile appeared on Elfreda’s face as she slowly walked up to Julius and looked down at him.

"Then prove it with your actions. I will appoint you as the commander-in-chief of the State Religion Fleet. Take all your confidants and the Guardians of the Faith and go to intercept the fleet of the Alliance of Light."

"I want you to weaken the Light Alliance and delay Qile's progress at all costs, even if it means mutual destruction."

Julius looked up abruptly, his eyes filled with despair.

He understood that after losing the punitive fleet led by the living saint Christine, the state religion of the solar system now had very few warships that it could fully control.

At least the Imperial Navy will definitely not provide any further assistance; they're lucky they didn't immediately side with Qi Le.

"Your Holiness, I..."

Bishop Julius wanted to argue for himself, saying that what was the difference between sending him to stop the enemy and committing suicide?
"Shut up!" Elfreda's scepter tip slammed against Julius's throat, the cold metal almost piercing his delicate skin.

"I don't want any reasons or excuses. Either you command the fleet and die a glorious death, or you die now in disgrace."

Julius trembled violently, and in the end, his deeper fear of the mad pope before him overwhelmed his fear of death.

"I obey your command... for the God-Emperor... and for the State Religion."

“Very good.” Elfreda withdrew her scepter, as if she had just given a trivial command.

"The same goes for everyone else. There is no way back, no mercy. Terra is our altar. Here, we will use the blood of heretics to water the glory that belongs to the God-Emperor."

She strode toward the towering imperial statue in the center of the temple, spread her arms, and spoke in a high-pitched, distorted voice, like the final prayer of a martyr:
"Let the heretics come! Let them see the power that true faith can unleash."

The State Religion of Terra will never fall. We will rely on every temple, every street, every brick, to fight the heretics to the bitter end, using our flesh and blood to slow their advance…

Under Elfreda's intense pressure, the armed forces belonging to the Terran Cult within the solar system were urgently mobilized.

Just as the Pope had predicted, the other High Lords, who had been feigning compliance with the state church, all tacitly chose to stand by and gloat.

The Commander-in-Chief of the Astral Army and the Imperial Navy Admiral issued a statement declaring that they would not intervene in the conflict between the State Religion and the Alliance of Light.

In this eerie situation where many parties remained silent and observed from the sidelines, an inevitable space battle finally broke out in the vast expanse of space between Terra and Mars.

Bishop Julius, appointed by the Pope, led all the naval vessels under the Church of England, including missionary ships, cruisers of various types, and destroyers, in an attack on Qile's fleet.

In terms of both quality and quantity, the Terran State Church has fallen into a complete disadvantage since losing the support of the Imperial Navy.

Even if those who commanded these warships were the most devout believers, missionaries, cultists, and crusaders, they still could not overcome the most straightforward and brutal difference in strength.

In just three Terra moments, Bishop Julius perished in the flames of the destruction of the state fleet, with over two hundred warships of various types being destroyed and turned into space debris drifting through the solar system.

Half of the state religion's warships attempted to drag the enemy down to hell by ramming and self-destructing, but Qi Le had already issued orders to be wary of the fanatical behavior of these religious believers.

Compared to the State Religion fleet, which only had fanaticism but lacked basic military skills and war experience, the Light Alliance fleet under Qi Le's command had extremely outstanding advantages in all aspects.

Finally, fifteen years after Elfreda staged an armed coup, usurped the position of Pope of the State Church of Terra, and forced Guilliman to leave, Qile and her followers returned to Holy Terra once again.

Pope Elfreda, who had been pushing the originally rational and restrained state religion in a fanatical and extreme direction, was now besieged in the state religion palace of Terra.

(End of this chapter)