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

Chapter 977 The True Successor of the Ancient Saints

When Loxi truly stepped into the core of the Ancient Treasury, his feet landing on this strange ground constructed of pure psionic energy, an unusual sense of calm replaced the expected excitement and exhilaration, soothing his mind like a warm spring.

He paid an unimaginable price to get here.

The arduous journey of gathering the three magical artifacts and the painstaking reconstruction of the tunnel boring machine were all steeped in blood and fire.

The massive remains of Vashtor, the Forge Master, cooled beneath his feet; he conquered the twisted lair of the Dark Eldar, Komorro; and the Battle of Kadia, which would decide the fate of the galaxy, came to an end in his hands…

The driving force behind all of this has never been the dazzling ancient treasures themselves.

What sustained him was always that simple and pure belief—for the survival and glory of humanity.

This treasure is more like an extra gift from fate to a determined person like him, an unexpected delight that adds to his already wonderful life.

To gain it is a stroke of luck; to lose it is not enough to shake him in the slightest.

Having endured countless trials of war and profound spiritual questioning, he had long since shed the bewilderment and escapism he felt upon waking from his long slumber.

Now, he is truly a pillar that can stand shoulder to shoulder with emperors, supporting the human empire.

Loxi's gaze swept over the spectacle before him, composed of the relics of the ancient saints.

Countless "stars" formed from pure information and psychic energy floated orderly in this deep space, slowly rotating according to some ancient and exquisite rhythm, outlining a flowing, miniature cosmic landscape.

"These……"

Rosie's gaze suddenly froze. He subconsciously compared the star map in front of him with the star map of the Milky Way in his memory. A small but extremely interesting discovery jumped into his mind.

"What's wrong?" Neos, noticing his unusual behavior, turned to him and asked with a hint of inquiry.

“Look at the arrangement of these stars,” Rosie’s voice carried a hint of realization and a touch of regret, “The Ancient Ones shaped all their legacy into these ‘data stars.’ And when they come together, the starry sky they form… is the true star map of the galaxy during the era in which the Ancient Ones were active.”

He paused, as if he could feel the sentiment conveyed by the ancient sage across time and space.

"Over 60 million years, coupled with the fierce battles that swept across the Milky Way without ceasing, the Milky Way's star map has undergone tremendous changes and is no longer recognizable. I only confirmed this by comparing it with a few ancient stars whose positions are relatively constant."

"In that glorious era belonging to the ancient sages, the stars in the Milky Way were far more abundant and denser than they are now. Life flourished and multiplied there, and the brilliance of civilization must have been incomparably dazzling..."

"They deliberately shaped the heritage in this way to declare to future generations that the Milky Way was not born in its current broken and dark state; it also had its golden age."

"When we stand here and look up at this starry sky, in a sense, we are experiencing the hopeful Milky Way that the ancient sages once saw."

Upon hearing this, the emperor also fell into a brief moment of contemplation.

A complex expression flickered across his weathered, marble-sculpted face, but it was quickly replaced by an unwavering resolve.

“The era we live in,” his voice was deep and powerful, “is still shrouded in darkness, but we have already struggled to climb out of the deepest valley.”

"We banished the clutches of chaos that reached into reality, closed the terrifying wound that tore the galaxy apart with the Eye of Fear, and thoroughly eliminated those powerful enemies that once threatened the survival of humanity."

He raised his head, his gaze intense, as if piercing through the walls of a treasure trove and looking towards a more distant future.

"As long as humanity unites as one, stays grounded, and moves forward step by step, the future... will surely be better!"

Emperors have always been like this; they seem to have an inextinguishable flame of faith burning within them. No matter what dire straits they face, their unwavering belief in the ultimate victory of humanity and the inevitable arrival of light has never wavered.

Loxi gently shook his head, suppressing the ripples of resonance deep within his heart caused by his connection with the ancient saint.

His attention refocused on the "stars" before him.

“Every ‘star’ here contains a complete branch of the ancient sage’s technology tree, a vast knowledge system.” He looked around this vast sea of ​​stars and sighed sincerely.

"The sheer number and variety of these things are simply unbelievable. If we were to abstract our current technology tree into a similar form, I'm afraid... its volume would be less than one percent of this 'Ancient Sacred Star Sea' before us."

"No wonder the chief said that he had only carefully drawn a ladleful of water from this vast ocean of knowledge."

"You two, put your sentiments aside for now." The aged yet steady voice of the Marksman, Makado, rang out at the opportune moment, carrying a hint of barely perceptible solemnity.

He pointed in a direction not far away: "Look at Tarasin... isn't he... acting a little strange?"

Following Makado's direction, Rosie's gaze fell on Tarasin.

The "Endless One," known for his collecting obsession, was kneeling on the ground in an extremely bizarre posture, his body trembling slightly, and his metal joints emitting a faint grinding sound, as if he were enduring some indescribable and immense pain.

Loxi felt a chill run down his spine, and a certain possibility immediately came to mind: Could it be that deep within this ancient treasure vault, there is a hidden restriction specifically targeting non-psychic races like the space undead?

After all, strictly speaking, the Ancient Ones were destroyed by the Necromancers of the Space. What would happen if the Necromancers of the Space entered the treasure vault left behind by the Ancient Ones?
If something were to happen to Tarachin here, it would undoubtedly be a bad thing for Loshi.

He instinctively looked at Orikan, only to see the other man covering his eyes tightly with a metal hand, looking embarrassed and unable to bear the sight.

“Orican is safe and sound, but Tarasin is behaving so strangely, what could be the reason…” Rosie’s thoughts raced.

"Don't overthink it." Eurican's voice carried an almost shameful helplessness as he preemptively interrupted Rosie's speculation.

"That guy, Tarasin, he was just... just looking at this immeasurable treasure trove before him, and realizing that as a necromancer he couldn't take even a single psionic artifact from it, he was plunged into unprecedented pain and despair."

Upon hearing this, Rosie, Nios, and Makado exchanged bewildered glances, their eyes revealing a complex mix of surprise, realization, and a barely suppressed sense of amusement.

“Psionic! All psionic creations!” Tarasin’s wailing, with a distinct metallic tremor, rang out over the psionic communication, filled with a desperate accusation.

"The things left behind by the ancient sages are all psionic artifacts?! At least give me some physical items that I can easily collect! Am I really going to go through a treasure trove and come back empty-handed? This is the ultimate insult to my life's pursuit!"

Although, with Lothie's help, Tarachin became the first space necromancer to regain his soul, this did not mean that he had established a connection with psionic powers.

The only psionic weapon he could use was the "Scepter of Annihilation" that he had captured from the Ancient Ones, which could be used to fire psionic rays.

His proud Solemnas Museum houses only psionic artifacts that possess a stable physical form and can be moved and frozen in time by him.

In this treasure trove before him, apart from those vast crystallizations of knowledge composed purely of psionic information, which were as numerous as stars, there was nothing else he could "collect".

"Enough, Tarachin! Don't embarrass us space necromancers here!" Orikan's voice carried a hint of reprimand. "Even if you can't take a single physical item with you, isn't experiencing and witnessing all of this a priceless treasure?"

"In the past, you were obsessed with collecting and recording because you subconsciously felt that our race had lost its future and could only maintain the meaning of existence by preserving relics and history from the past."

But things are different now, Tarasin! Our race, through your efforts and with the help of Loshi and the others, has rekindled the flame of the future. We no longer need to dwell on the dust of the past, do we? Lift your heads and look ahead!

O'Richan's words instantly froze Tarasin in place.

Astrologers and Endless Beings, these two sworn enemies who have been entangled for millions of years, are also the beings who understand each other best.

Orikan saw through Taracinha's almost pathological collecting obsession, which he saw as stemming from a deep-seated nostalgia for lost glory and a compensatory mentality driven by despair for the future of his race.

Similarly, Taracin understood why Eurycan was so obsessed with observing the flow of time.

These actions are ways for them to anchor their existence in the boundless river of time and avoid the collapse and dissolution of consciousness in eternity.

It was precisely by relying on these "anchor points" that they were able to maintain relative clarity of mind during the long years when the consciousness of countless necromancer emperors collapsed.

“…You’re right, Orikan.” Tarasin’s metallic body vibrated slightly, emitting a muttering sound that was difficult to decipher.

He slowly, with the sluggishness of a rusty gear turning, struggled to his feet from the ground that undulated like liquid light waves.

"I will... I will perfectly replicate and record every detail of our experience entering the ancient treasure!"

"Then, in my Prism Gallery, I will hold an unprecedented grand exhibition! I want all living beings who can see it to know that humanity is the true inheritor of the Ancients! As for those Eldar..."

His voice suddenly turned sharp and full of sarcasm: "Hmph, they are no longer qualified to use the false title of 'eldest son of the ancient saint' to swindle and deceive people in the Milky Way. I have long been disgusted by their sanctimonious faces!"

Taracin's undisguisedly harsh words unexpectedly resonated with Orichen.

The astrologer also emitted a low hum, clearly showing a lack of goodwill towards the Adaline.

Although in theory, the Talassin, Orikan, and the Nihilak dynasty behind them are now allies with humans and the Aydarin, fighting against Chaos.

But allies are allies, and as long as core interests and the bottom line of the alliance are not touched, it is perfectly normal to vent one’s historical grievances and contempt with words.

"Hey! Higochi!" Tarasin seemed to think it wasn't lively enough, and turned his attention to the Spirit Race's laughing god who was leisurely strolling in the treasure vault.

"Don't you have anything to say? Seeing the legacy of the ancient saints fall entirely into the hands of humanity, don't you, as a god of the Spirit Race, feel even a little bit of... well, 'regret' for your people?"

He called out several times, but Xiao Shenxi Gaoqi seemed to ignore him, continuing to float lightly among the suspended stars, his huge figure casting a long shadow under the psychic glow.

"Show? What do I need to show?" The figure of the Laughing God suddenly flashed, appearing in front of Tarasin like a ghost.

The shadow cast by his enormous and grotesque form instantly enveloped the tiny space necromancer.

Xi Gaoqi spread out his hands, which were both comical and divinely majestic, and spoke in an almost complaining tone.

"I am their god, that's true. I've already done my best to ensure they aren't completely devoured by that ravenous monster! Do you expect me to clean up their mess?"

His voice rose a few decibels, filled with a direct and sarcastic tone.

"Among all the spirit race deities, gods like me who are still willing to meddle in other people's business and take some responsibility are extremely rare!"

"You haven't witnessed how the King of the Gods, Asuyan, completely neglected and abandoned the Eldar, nor have you seen how Bloodhand Kane viewed the Eldar as a thorn in his side!"

“Even if I secretly hid a copy of the technological knowledge left behind by these ancient sages and gave it to the current Aidaling race…” Higoki let out an exaggerated sneer, “Do you think they could digest even one ten-thousandth of it with their pitiful population?”

"Passing on knowledge and technology requires a large population and a complete industrial system as support! The current Aidaling tribe is even struggling to restart their own past technology tree, so how can you expect me to help? You can't cook without rice!"

Loxi naturally heard every word of the conversation between the Laughing God and Taracin and the others.

He knew perfectly well that Higochi's words, ostensibly a reply to Tarasin, were actually addressed to the humans present.

The Eldar had no intention of coveting this ancient legacy. This Eldar god's skill and tact in handling such delicate relationships was indeed no less than that of any experienced high lord in the Empire.

Of course, this is also a rather clever strategy of retreating to advance.

Since Laughing God had proactively declared "no," as an ally of the Eldar, Loxi couldn't possibly keep it all to herself.

In the future, he will naturally choose an appropriate time to share technologies and knowledge that do not pose a threat to humanity's core interests and are suitable for the current situation of the Aidaling race.

Only in this way can the fragile alliance between the two sides, based on common interests, be maintained and developed.

“Loxi”.

Macardo's aged yet steady voice pulled Losi's thoughts back to reality from his diplomatic maneuvering.

The one who held the seal gazed up at the vast sea of ​​stars composed of countless knowledge stars. The shock on his aged face had not yet faded, but a calm light shone in his deep eyes. "These carriers of knowledge and technology... how can we safely take them away? They seem to be intricately linked by energy gravitational forces, forming a seamless whole."

If a portion of it is removed rashly, will it compromise its structural stability, or even trigger a chain reaction leading to unpredictable and catastrophic consequences?

His long reign in the empire instilled in him a habit of extreme caution in the face of any great temptation.

“Let me give it a try,” Luo Xi said in a deep voice, his gaze falling on the tunnel boring machine in his hand that was emitting a faint glow.

"Its function as a key to unlocking treasure should extend beyond this."

The next moment, he focused his mind, mobilized the vast spiritual energy within his body, and carefully probed deeper into the treasure vault through the tunnel boring machine.

As if in response to his call, the starlight that had been flowing regularly within the treasure vault suddenly stopped.

Immediately afterwards, the light of countless data stars seemed to be drawn by an invisible giant hand, rapidly converging and condensing not far in front of everyone.

The blinding light slowly subsided, finally revealing a peculiar figure hovering half a meter above the ground.

It is an existence that is difficult to define using conventional life forms.

Its outline vaguely bears the characteristics of a reptile—its skin is covered with fine, star-like scales, but its posture is more like a certain toad from ancient Terran legends, exuding an ancient and elegant charm.

Most of its body was wrapped in a large robe that seemed to be woven from stardust, revealing only parts of its limbs covered in dark scales and a face that made Roxi's heart clench suddenly.

A strong sense of familiarity surged over her, instantly overwhelming her.

“Wow…?!” Rose’s voice trembled with disbelief, almost whispering out of the mouth.

"is it you?"

The being before Roxi was none other than the ancient saint "Qua" they had encountered when they used the spacetime disorder energy on Perturabo to reverse the river of time and return to the era of the War of Heaven!
Looking at the suspended Kua in front of him, Luo Xi's heart was instantly filled with turbulent waves, and a jumble of thoughts flashed through his mind like electricity.

Could it be that the ancient saint race was not completely wiped out? Are there still survivors hiding in this last refuge?
The suspended ancient Saint Quah seemed to sense the turbulent emotions in Roxi's heart.

His deep eyes, which seemed capable of containing the birth and death of the universe, slowly turned to Rosie.

There was no hostility in that gaze, only an indescribable weariness that could not be erased even by more than 60 million years, and a trace of extremely faint relief.

"Humans from the future...we meet again."

Kua's voice resounded deep within everyone's consciousness, gentle yet carrying a profound sense of vicissitude.

"To meet again at a turning point in fate, beyond the dust of time... that feeling isn't too bad."

Rosie's excitement subsided slightly as he keenly grasped the key information in Qua's words—he said "we meet again," which meant that the Qua before him at least retained the memory of their encounter during the War of Heaven, and this was indeed the Qua he knew.

"Your Excellency?" Luo Xi carefully chose his address before asking in a deep voice, his gaze fixed on the other person. "What...state are you in right now?"

His powerful psychic senses clearly told him that Quah's condition was extremely bad.

Compared to the once majestic being who could use galaxies as a chessboard to set up earth-shattering psionic arrays with a wave of his hand, the Kua floating in front of him now seemed as if it could be completely extinguished and vanish into nothingness at any moment.

Kua's lips twitched very slightly, as if he was trying to smile, but it only revealed a helpless and bitter expression.

"No, human child, the Ancient Race no longer exists in this universe. I am the last... fragment."

He paused for a long time, as if recalling the soul-wrenching pain.

"When that terrifying being called 'Slaanesh' let out His first cry that tore through the veil of reality in the ethereal tides of the warp, His ecstasy and hunger instantly shattered my essence, my very being."

The voice of the man who praised her was filled with deep pain.

"I turned into tens of thousands of faint fragments of consciousness, like stardust swept by a gale, drifting helplessly."

I did not die completely like my people, but my fate was perhaps more cruel than death itself.

I am trapped in an eternal, half-dead prison.

His gaze seemed to pierce through the dimensional barriers of the treasure vault, casting it into the distant and chaotic depths of the warp, filled with powerless hatred and profound sorrow.

"One of my fragments, perhaps relying on lingering instincts, or perhaps the last vestige of my will to return home, struggled through the endless void and came back here..."

We have returned to the final resting place our people reserved for ourselves, and fallen into the deepest slumber, awaiting the key that can awaken this grave, until your arrival.

As Loxi gazed at the former creator before her, now reduced to a tattered remnant of his consciousness, an indescribable sorrow and profound lament welled up within her.

"There is no need to grieve for me, Rosie, my friend."

The idea of ​​praise seems to pierce through people's hearts, carrying a kind of tranquility that has experienced eternity and seen through life and death.

"In the tributaries of the river of time, I have already vaguely glimpsed the silhouette of this future."

The fact that you have come here, with the right keys, proves in itself that the flame my people sowed long ago has not been completely extinguished in the long darkness.

His gaze slowly swept over the tunnel boring machine in Rosie's hand, and then fell on the Emperor, Macado, and the others in turn.

"Since you have the ability to open this door, it proves that you are qualified to inherit this precious legacy."

Rather than letting these crystallized treasures of knowledge, embodying countless wisdom and power, continue to slumber in this cold tomb until the universe reaches its final heat death, it would be better to entrust them to a race that can understand their value and is willing and able to use them correctly.

Kuawei raised his hand, which was covered with ancient scales.

A gentle yet incredibly vast and pure stream of psionic energy, like a trickle finding its way into a river, flowed smoothly through the psionic link between the tunnel boring machine and Loxi, gently entering the depths of his consciousness.

A wealth of information followed: how to use this key to safely sever the complex gravitational links between stars composed of pure psionic data.

How to carefully "pluck" them from this simulated starry sky; and how to encapsulate them into a relatively stable and easily movable "information crystal" form.

Although these crystals are enormous, resembling small celestial bodies, they can be safely transferred through the network tunnel by being pulled by the network tunnel boring machine under the protection of a specific psionic field.

“I understand. Thank you for your guidance, Your Excellency.” Rosie quickly processed this massive stream of information, her awe and gratitude towards the ancient saint deepening even further.

If it weren't for Kua's guidance, the consequences of their rash actions would have been unimaginable. If these invaluable legacies were damaged due to improper handling, Rosie was certain that it would be a source of eternal regret for him.

However, just as Losi was preparing to move the treasure, a real problem once again loomed before him.

The sheer number of knowledge stars before us is astounding, and the total amount of information they contain and the demands on the stability of psionic energy are terrifying.

The difficulty and risks of safely transferring all the vehicles at once are suffocatingly high.

Loxi turned her gaze to the Emperor. Without a word, their eyes met in the air, and they instantly reached a tacit understanding.

Bringing back all the treasures is not only fraught with difficulties, but even if it is successfully brought back to Terra, its security may not be as good as that of the heavily guarded Ancient Treasury located deep within the Black Library.

“Your Excellency,” the Emperor said calmly, “humanity will forever remember your generosity and trust.”

"However, this gift is far too vast, far exceeding our current capacity to digest it."

To be on the safe side, we plan to bring back some of the most urgently needed and critical technological achievements of mankind in the first phase.

As for the rest of the treasure… I humbly request that they be allowed to remain here temporarily, until we are more fully prepared, before we retrieve them. What do you say?

Kua nodded slightly. His lingering regrets were powerless to change anything, and this was the most rational choice in itself.

“It’s alright,” Kua replied.

Just as everyone began to carefully select the first batch of Ancient Saint technology branches to take away, based on the permissions granted to Roxi, Kua's thoughts rang out again, tinged with curiosity.

"Before you entered the treasure vault, my remaining senses detected an unprecedented echo coming from the depths of the net."

"That warp rift that stretched across the heart of the galaxy, tearing through the veil—have you closed it?"

“Yes,” Losi answered readily.

"The Eye of Fear is the largest stronghold of chaotic forces eroding the real universe, and its existence is the root cause of the devastation of life in the galaxy."

We rallied the forces of humanity, the Eldar, the Necromancers, and numerous allies, and made unimaginable sacrifices to finally close and mend it completely.

Kua remained silent for a long time before letting out a long sigh: "It's shut down...it's finally shut down..."

"Back then, in order to win that desperate war against the Star Gods and the Fearless Alliance, we opened that rift."

"Through it, we can draw power from the depths of the highest heavens more directly and quickly, which is our last hope in the fight against the star gods."

Unexpectedly, we ultimately failed, and the subspace rift that was forcibly torn open remained.

After our defeat in the war, we were exhausted and no longer able to close it…

His thoughts were filled with helplessness and belated guilt.

"I know of the existence of the Eye of Fear, which has caused indelible wounds and suffering to countless races and billions of lives in the galaxy... For this, I can only say on behalf of my people to you, to all the lives that have suffered because of it... I'm sorry."

Loxi was startled.

He never expected that this ancient saint, who was now just a remnant of his soul and whose very existence was hanging by a thread, would apologize to future generations more than 60 million years later for the out-of-control decision his race made for survival.

This sense of morality and responsibility, deeply rooted in the essence of the ancient sages, appears so pure and precious in today's dark universe, even carrying a heartbreaking sublimity.

Loxi remained silent for a few moments, carefully considering her words.

“You don’t need to apologize, really.” His voice was deep and sincere. “Your starting point was to mobilize all possible power to fight against those star gods and their servants who are trying to devour all life in the galaxy.”

"If you fail, the entire galaxy will become a pasture for the Star Gods."

You fought with all your might, burning the very power of your civilization to fight for a sliver of hope...

Although we ultimately failed, the consequences of that failure, and the heavy burden of blame, should absolutely not be placed on your shoulders.

He paused, then his tone became more resolute.

There is an old proverb among us humans: "Those who carry firewood for the masses should not be left to freeze to death in the wind and snow."

Today we have inherited your legacy, so it is naturally our mission and responsibility to complete the goals you left unfinished: to protect life and restore order.

(End of this chapter)