Warhammer 40K in a box

Chapter 646 Grand Celebration (8.5K)

The return of Feralus Manus and the annihilation of the corrupted Primarch Fugen were like a supernova exploding in the long night of the Empire, its light piercing through the gloom of despair and illuminating countless corners of the human realm.

At the suggestion of Judge Chen Xi and with the support of various forces, this celebration has been upgraded into a grand carnival that sweeps across the entire star field and even its surrounding area.

Every planet and space station in the Medusa system is adorned with solemn decorations. Although the overall tone remains the cold and hard style characteristic of the Steel Legion, the devout prayers of millions of people, the booming binary hymns in the Mechanicus temples, and the holographic projections of holy images all over the world together weave a grand and fervent picture of victory.

The message was transmitted to all directions with unprecedented speed and force through the spire of the Star Language Hall and the subspace communication network.

In the Altera Starfield, the people of Guilliman held a grand parade and prayers for the Brotherhood's glorious victory; in the core of the Sun Starfield, Holy Terra itself rang its long-awaited bells, not to warn of war; even in the hazy starfield where the shadows of the Great Rift swayed, and in the fortress world where blood was shed at the Gates of Cadian, wherever the news of victory reached, cheers that shook the void erupted.

The Imperial State Religion incorporated this event into a new section of its holy code with utmost efficiency, praising the return of the "Iron Father" as the Emperor's supreme blessing upon humanity's unwavering faith, a beacon of hope tearing through despair in the dark galaxy.

Countless worlds witnessed grand processions and mass celebrations, with icons of Pherous Manus and the Emperor being held aloft by millions of believers, their devout tears seemingly reflecting the dawn of salvation at the end of the world.
-
Before the final plan for the celebration was finalized, a special visitor arrived at Chen Xi's temporary residence at the Karada Fortress.

The visitor was Archbishop Sigmund Voss of the State Church in the Medusa District. He was dressed in a magnificent gold and red robe, holding a scepter inlaid with holy relics. His face was flushed with excitement, and his eyes burned with the fervor and fanaticism unique to preachers.

"Judge Chen Xi," Archbishop Voss's voice trembled slightly with barely suppressed excitement, "this is an unparalleled miracle! A Primarch, a Son of God, has returned from ten thousand years of silence and immediately executed His fallen brother!"
This is a manifestation of the Emperor's supreme divine power, a direct response to our unwavering faith!

Chen Xi stood quietly in the shadows, his face beneath the black robe expressionless, only nodding slightly to signal the other party to continue.

The archbishop stepped forward, his eyes seemingly blazing with the flames of faith, his voice growing increasingly impassioned: "The empire desperately needs such a victory, the people desperately need hope to pierce through this boundless darkness! We cannot confine the celebration to cold steel halls and the internal rituals of the army."

We need a grand event worthy of this immense divine grace! A celebration where the entire star system, and indeed the entire Empire, can feel the Emperor's light and the Primarch's power!

He opened his arms as if to embrace the entire galaxy, “A grand mass, a pious procession covering the planets, a sacred rite that unites billions in prayer… this requires the approval and support of Lord Ferrus.”

Chen Xi finally spoke, his voice steady and indifferent, as if capable of extinguishing fervor: "Archbishop, I have felt your enthusiasm. But you should also remember His Excellency Ferrus's attitude after the last grand Mass."

Repeating such fanatical religious gatherings would not only provoke the Primarch's aversion, but would also dilute the deep mourning for the victims and the serious reflection on the war itself.

She has always favored the traditional restraint and display of power characteristic of the "Iron Hand" movement.

He deliberately brought up old issues, clearly delineating the original body's position boundaries.

Archbishop Voss's eager expression froze slightly, but was quickly replaced by a deeper piety: "Your Excellency, I understand, I deeply comprehend the Primarch's considerations."

In remembrance of our fallen heroes, solemnity reigns supreme.

He lowered his voice, his tone becoming extremely persuasive, "But please consider this: this victory is far more than just a military victory; it is a tremendous spiritual shock! A powerful boost to faith!"
Through this celebration, the state religion can further imprint the return of the Primarch and the will of the Emperor into the souls of millions of believers.

This united force of faith is crucial for facing the even deeper and darker battles to come.

As a saint of the state religion, you should understand the significance of this even more! In this dark age, we need a shining idol to guide the people of the empire!

He subtly implied the vast public support and spiritual mobilization power that a state religion could provide.

Chen Xi remained silent for a moment, as if carefully weighing the options.

Worth's words were not entirely without merit.

The Empire is teetering on the brink of collapse under the encroachment of the Warp, and morale is often low. A magnificent victory celebration can greatly boost morale, solidify the legitimacy of Feralus's return, and demonstrate the power of the Iron Hand and the Emperor's favor to the world.

Seeing that Chen Xi was interested, Voss pressed his advantage, his tone becoming even more earnest: "We can make adjustments, Your Honor. The highest-level Mass can be held in the 'Hall of Ten Thousand Forges' to ensure its solemnity."

The parade could be a victory parade of the various subgroups, showcasing the power of the steel torrent rather than mere embellishment.

We place our emphasis on celebrating sacrifice and vowing loyalty; all glory belongs to the Emperor and the Primarch! This is not unrestrained revelry, but a demonstration of power and a unifying force of faith!

He carefully anchored his plan within a framework that Ferrus might accept.

Chen Xi gazed at the archbishop, seemingly finally persuaded by his revised plan and its underlying political pragmatism.

He spoke slowly: "A celebration of unprecedented scale will indeed help to demonstrate our strength and determination to the Empire and even our covetous enemies. I will convey your wishes to Lord Ferrus and explain the importance of this action in uniting the Empire's power and deterring enemies from all sides."

He abruptly changed the subject, his gaze sharp as a sword, "But you must guarantee that all activities of the State Religion must strictly adhere to the tone required by the Primitive—solemn, orderly, and full of power."

This is a commemoration of the sacrifice, and even more so, a solemn pledge to the future. Can you make this guarantee?

Archbishop Voss immediately bowed, a triumphant and pious smile spreading across his face: "Of course! I swear in the name of the Emperor! The State Church will uphold the Primarch's will and present a ceremony that is both sacred and magnificent! Thank you for your mediation, Your Excellency the Inquisitor!"

In the end, Chen Xi successfully persuaded Felus.

While the Primarch remained reserved about the overly noisy format, he acknowledged Chen Xi's profound considerations regarding political revitalization and morale building.

Thus, an unprecedented victory celebration unfolded in Medusa and even the wider star system.
-
Although Medusa itself is not a densely populated hive world, its surface mainly consisting of harsh steel mountains, roaring foundries, and sturdy military fortresses, the State Religion demonstrated its unparalleled mobilization capabilities and fanatical creativity, briefly transforming this cold planet into a boiling crucible of faith.

From the orbit, Medusa appears to be bathed in a golden-red halo.

Tens of thousands of enormous prayer flags hung from the orbital space station and stretched to the side of the churchship in planetary geosynchronous orbit. They were inscribed with chapters on war and redemption from the Imperial Scriptures in sacred Gothic script, as well as newly compiled prayers praising the achievements of Ferrus Manus.

These prayer flags fluttered slowly in the thin upper atmosphere and solar winds, like the sacred tentacles of an emperor reaching out to the mortal world.

On the planet's surface, every fortress, every factory, and even the entrance to every mine is adorned with enormous Imperial double-headed eagle banners and the chapter insignia of the Iron Hand.

These flags are typically made of durable industrial materials or even sheet metal, conforming to the practical aesthetics of the steel hand, but their sheer size and sheer number create a stunning visual spectacle.

The state religion mobilized all its resources.

Hundreds of preaching pastors and fervent believers travel between settlements and military outposts in modified transport vehicles or heavy walking machines that resemble mobile altars.

Using powerful loudspeakers, they broadcast news of victory and hymns day and night, their voices piercing through howling storms and the roar of factories, echoing through canyons and steel jungles.

The air was filled with the rich scent of burning incense and holy oil, a distinctive aroma of state religious ceremonies. This scent mingled strangely with the metallic dust and ozone smell of Medusa, creating a unique atmosphere that was both sacred and industrial.

The biggest celebrations were concentrated in the Karada fortress and its surrounding area.

Despite its relatively small population, the state religion has miraculously "gathered" hundreds of thousands of believers.

They came from all corners of Medusa, and even from pilgrims from neighboring star systems—many of whom had traveled at great expense on temporary pilgrimage ships after learning of the miracle.

They gathered on the huge, leveled training ground outside the fortress, the dark mass of people resembling a boiling ocean.

At the front of the crowd was a solemn display: the captured battle flag of the Imperial Prince's Legion and the wreckage of destroyed enemy war vehicles were specially displayed as irrefutable evidence of the defeat of evil and spoils of victory.

The state priests pointed at the ruins and preached with all their might about the depravity of chaos and the purity and power of the Emperor's light, each sermon triggering a wave of fervent prayer from the crowd.

Enormous holographic images were projected onto the towering outer walls and sky of the Karada fortress, usually depicting Felus Manus wielding a warhammer alongside the magnificent image of the Holy Emperor.

These projection technologies, provided by the Cult of Mechanics, are extremely precise and full of detail. The Primarch's cold face and the Emperor's majestic gaze seem to be staring at every believer, bringing unparalleled spiritual pressure and comfort.

At the heart of the parade were the Iron Hand and its Successor Regiment fighters.

They did not wear fancy costumes like some Star Guardians or State Religion processions, but appeared in the purest fighting stance.

An entire company of Terminator heavy armored warriors led the way, marching with heavy, orderly, earth-shaking steps.

Following closely behind were the iconic vehicles of each company: Rhino troop carriers, Destroyer tanks, Land Raiders, and even several majestic Imperial Titans emerging from the Forge Temple to join the procession, their massive feet causing the ground to tremble and the crowd to gasp with each stomp.

These colossal steel structures, polished to a gleaming shine, their cold metal surfaces reflecting the light of torches and holographic projections, are the perfect embodiment of power and faith—both war machines of the Empire and divine objects of the Mechanicus.

The Astartes marched in perfect tactical formation. Their power armor might have been simply decorated with fresh laurel wreaths of victory or strips of white cloth inscribed with oaths, but the murderous aura and indomitable will that had been tempered by the most brutal wars ignited the passion of the crowd more than any ornate decoration.

They marched in silence, the only sounds being the thud of their boots and the roar of their engines, a symphony of steel. This solemn display was far more infectious than any boisterous cheers, filling the believers with an almost suffocating sense of sublimity and awe.

The state church held a large-scale open-air mass in the designated square and in front of the temple.

Bishops, dressed in heavy red robes, presided over the ceremony, waving sacred bells and incense burners.

The choir, composed of genetically modified priests with perfect voices, chants grand hymns praising the emperor, the Primarch, and the power of humanity, their voices resounding through a powerful amplification array.

Each recitation of the prayer was met with a thunderous response from the believers below: "For the Emperor! For the Father of Steel!"

The believers held crude imperial icons or hastily made symbols of Pherous Manus, their faces a mixture of tears, fervor, and hope.

They frantically touched the passing war machines, trying to absorb a trace of divine aura, or knelt on the ground, praying madly to the sun in the sky, as if it were the savior himself.

Although Medusa has a limited population, the concentration of faith and the energy unleashed by the believers gathered there are enough to overshadow any grand celebration of an alien city.

This is a near-frenzied power of faith that has been suppressed for too long under extremely harsh conditions and then erupts completely due to a miracle.

The state religion cleverly blended the display of military power with religious fanaticism.

Every roar of the tanks was interpreted as the emperor's fury, and every Astartes warrior was regarded as an angel walking among men.

This celebration perfectly matched Feralus's requirements of "solemnity, order, and power," while also greatly satisfying the state religion's need to spread its faith and unite people's hearts.

It proclaimed to the entire galaxy and even the entire star field: Medusa not only possessed indestructible steel power, but also basked in the most dazzling glory of the Emperor.
-
At the heart of the celebrations in the Hall of Forges at Karada, as Felus Manus delivered her resounding speech that shook even steel, and before the echoes of the warriors pounding their breastplates had fully subsided, a herald proclaimed: "Holy Heliodorus Cantrell, envoy of the Holy Highlord Council of Terra, on behalf of the highest will of the Empire, pays the highest tribute and congratulations to the great Primarch, the Abyss Executioner, Felus Manus!"

All eyes in the room suddenly focused on the entrance to the hall.

A man dressed in the most luxurious court attire of Terra, wearing an elaborate crown and with an arrogant and cold expression, slowly walked in, surrounded by a group of equally ornate guards carrying ceremonial halberds.

He deliberately slowed his pace, as if immersed in the "glory of Terra" he represented, revealing an undisguised sense of alienation and contempt towards the grim steel warriors and environment around him.

He walked to the front of the platform, but instead of kneeling like the others, he bowed very slightly and said in a tone amplified by a megaphone, with an affected and cloying sweetness: "On behalf of the High Lord Council, I congratulate Medusa on her extraordinary victory. The Council is deeply pleased with this and hereby presents this letter of congratulations and a decree of commendation."

An attendant beside him immediately bowed and presented a gold platter decorated with the Imperial Eagle emblem and intricate scroll patterns, on which lay a letter written on the finest parchment and stamped with the official wax seal of the Parliament.

Heliodorus himself did not present it personally, but merely gestured for his attendant to pass it forward, displaying an extremely arrogant attitude.

Felus's eyes were icy, and he did not immediately take it.

The atmosphere in the hall froze instantly, the silent gazes of the Iron Hand warriors coalescing into an almost tangible, heavy pressure. At that moment, Chen Xi's figure moved forward silently, like a shadow.

He didn't look at the golden plate, but his gaze pierced the special envoy like an icicle.

“Lord Cantrell,” Chen Xi’s voice was calm yet carried a strange penetrating power, shattering the deathly silence of the scene, “from Terra to Medusa, the journey is long and requires traversing the turbulent warp. It must have been arduous, and perhaps… subtly changed something?”

The envoy frowned, clearly displeased with the black-robed judge who had abruptly interrupted: "Your Excellency, what do you mean by that? I represent the High Lords Council..."

"Who exactly do you represent?" Chen Xi interrupted abruptly, her tone suddenly sharp. "Your words are ornate but empty, your posture is arrogant rather than dignified, more like a clumsy imitation. The cloying stench emanating from your soul makes me nauseous from afar."

Heliodorus's expression changed drastically, and he was about to reprimand him, but Chen Xi suddenly waved his hand.

The two silent nuns, who had been standing like statues in Chen Xi's shadow, suddenly activated!
Their presence was like a black hole suddenly expanding, completely suppressing and annihilating the surrounding subspace energy.

One of the nuns raised her annihilation crossbow, the arrowhead pointed directly at the envoy.

"In the name of the Emperor, I reveal your true face!" Chen Xi shouted.

Under the powerful, ethereal aura of the Silent Sisters, Heliodorus Cantrell's image began to distort and fluctuate violently.

He let out a non-human hiss, a mixture of screams and sighs of pleasure, and his gorgeous clothes and human skin peeled away like melted wax, revealing the eerie core beneath—a Slaanesh demon with a graceful figure, skin with a sickly pearly luster, and features so perfect as to be terrifying!
It struggled, uttering murmurs that were a mixture of temptation and pain, trying to resist the force field that denied everything.

"Ah... Judge..." the demon hissed at Chen Xi in a distorted voice, still exerting its seductive power even on the verge of dissipation, "...Great... Dark Prince... Master... greatly admires your... 'performance'... Fugen's final act... so... sweet... Thank you... for your... splendid..."

Before the words were even finished, another nun named Silent had already swung her power sword. With a flash of light, accompanied by a wailing sound of utter annihilation, the demon's physical form was shattered and purified, turning into a lingering, unpleasant fragrance, and finally dissipating without a trace in the field of negation.

All that remained were the remains of the real envoy, who may have already been killed, and the "letter of commendation" from Terra that had fallen to the ground.

A moment of deathly silence fell over the Hall of Ten Thousand Forges, followed by a thunderous roar. The Iron Hand warriors instantly drew their weapons, their menacing gun barrels pointed at the remaining Terran delegation members who were already paralyzed with fear.

These attendants were clearly just ignorant mortals, and at this moment they were trembling like leaves.

Ferrus Manus's face was as dark as Medusa's storm as she stared at the so-called letter of commendation on the ground, her eyes seemingly filled with molten iron.

She bent down and picked up the ornate letter with her metallic fingers, her cold gaze sweeping over the words of praise.

"It seems that Terra's 'reward,' from the very beginning with the messenger, has been tainted by Chaos." Her voice was like shattering ice. "This is the 'generous gift' prepared for us by the Highlords Council? What a... immense irony."

She quickly glanced at the contents, then snorted coldly and handed the data panel to Chen Xi. "Terra's bureaucracy still reeks of its age-old stench, even attracting the attention of the evil god."

They intended to divide my army and place me under their surveillance and control.

Chen Xi quickly glanced at the document, a cold smile curving his lips: "A reward is a sugar-coated promise, a transfer is a reduction of power, and an invitation is a prelude to house arrest. They fear your power slipping out of their control."

But at this moment, we need to be even more vigilant against the infiltration of chaos. This letter itself may have already been 'contaminated'.

“Reply to them,” Felus declared decisively, his voice echoing throughout the hall, addressing both Chen Xi and all the loyal warriors, “Medusa has suffered a severe blow, and the consolidation of the legion and the rebuilding of its defenses are the top priorities. I cannot leave here.”

As for 'experience exchange', a small team of military observers and technical advisors can be sent to designated war zones to share their experience in combating chaos and identifying infiltrators, but the mobilization of organized troops is not permitted.

At the same time, Terra is required to first conduct a thorough internal investigation and immediately deliver on its promise of 'massive' reconstruction resources, with the specific list to be jointly drawn up by Medusa Forge World and Rostov.

Tell them—Medusa's steel is loyal only to the Emperor, not to a den of worms and demons!

A response that maintained a facade of respect while remaining firm and uncompromising, while simultaneously addressing the core issues, exerting pressure, and demanding self-examination from the other party, was quickly drafted and issued.

This silent political contest was further clouded by the sinister intervention of the demon Slaanesh, making Felus and Chen Xi even more convinced that their future journey would be fraught with dangers from both within and outside the empire.
-
Almost as soon as the controversy surrounding the Highlord Council's letter subsided, a faint yet unusually persistent psionic energy fluctuation touched Chen Xi's consciousness.

This fluctuation carries the unique heat of the Bar galaxy and a trace of indelible sorrow.

Chen Xi dismissed his attendants and focused his mind.

His psionic energy, like a precise probe, extended into the background noise of the void subspace, capturing and locking onto that familiar signal.

A private psychic link, existing only between the two consciousnesses, was quietly established.

'Inquisitor Chen Xi?' Mephisto's voice resounded directly in the depths of Chen Xi's mind, omitting all the formalities of the material world, carrying the ethereal echo and distortion unique to psionic communication, yet conveying the intensity of his emotion all the more profoundly: 'Medusa's victory... resounds like thunder across the cosmos! You did it... you have truly ended a fallen Primarch!'

“Lord Mephisto,” Chen Xi responded with psionic energy, his thoughts as clear and steady as cold stars. “The Emperor’s will guided the sword, and the steel hands fulfilled their duty.”

'This proves the Emperor's power far surpasses our imagination!' Mephisto's psionic voice trembled with excitement, even tinged with a barely perceptible...pain and longing: 'This proves...the return is not an illusion! Your Excellency, ten thousand years! Every day we feel the eternal wound left by Lord Saint Gilles' fall in our blood, fighting against the soul-devouring black fury and thirst! Every battle is a remembrance and yearning for our Father's glorious figure!'

His psychic image seemed to transform into the eternal golden angel statue under the setting sun in Baal, yet it was riddled with cracks and tears of blood. 'Now, the flame of hope burns in our souls! We beseech you, Your Honor, you can communicate with the Emperor's will, you can bring miracles… Can we… can we pray to the Emperor that our father, the great Saint Gilles, may also return to us?'

Mephisto's psionic transmission was almost choked with emotion; such deep feeling from an Astartes think tank speaks volumes about the turmoil within him.

'Baal needs him, the Empire needs him, we need him! The Blood Angels are willing to pay any price, even... our lives and souls, if there's even the slightest chance!'

Chen Xi's psychic powers remained consistently calm, like deep waters calming the waves.

"Mephisto's chief think tank," his voice was heavy and clear, "I deeply understand your pain and desires, and my admiration for Lord Saint Gilles is no less than yours."

What happened to Medusa was indeed part of the emperor's grand plan, but its deeper meaning is far beyond the full comprehension of mortals like ourselves.

He paused briefly, letting the lingering echo of the psychic energy emphasize his next words: 'The return of the Primarch involves an absolute will and unimaginable power, and its timing and manner cannot be determined by simple supplication.'

Blind and eager desires can sometimes backfire, even attracting deeper scrutiny from the subspace.

We must remain steadfast in our convictions while making thorough preparations—not only for the hope that awaits us, but also for the challenges that may be even more severe that follow.

The Holy Blood Angel's current duty is to protect Baal, suppress her inner anxiety, and make herself stronger.

Only when the Emperor's will descends can you become the Archangel's strongest wings, rather than his burden.

Chen Xi's words, like a cool stream of psionic energy, slightly eased the burning desire Mephisto conveyed, but the deep expectation did not disappear. Instead, it transformed into a calmer resolve and... a hint of helpless pain.

“We… understand your meaning, Your Honor.” Mephisto’s psionic fluctuations restored some of the composure expected of a think tank, but his voice was even hoarseer. “We will wait, we will prepare. But please… do not forget our plea.”

The Holy Blood Angels are ready to answer your call, awaiting only that day.

The psionic link broke quietly, like starlight dissipating.

Chen Xi took a deep breath, as if he had just emerged from deep water.

He temporarily appeased the burning desire of the Holy Blood Angels, but knew full well that the fundamental problem remained unresolved.

Your Majesty, what is your plan? Who will be the next to return?

He felt that he was standing at the center of a huge vortex of fate, invisibly pulling the future of countless people and the world.

How about casting for the Angel Sister? I just don't know if Mephisto will have a heart attack.
-
Post-war Medusa was like a giant, highly efficient machine, displaying astonishing resilience and order amidst its scars.

The Iron Hand Legion has taken its philosophy of efficiency to the extreme.

On the ruins of the city of Aubit, giant construction machinery roared as it cleared away the wreckage and laid new foundations like steel behemoths.

Inside the orbital dry dock, damaged ships are undergoing intensive repairs, while the keel of new ships is being laid under precise scheduling.

Felus Manus personally oversaw the transformation and rigorous training of the new generation of Space Marines. The new Gorgon Code was instilled more deeply into the minds of every soldier, emphasizing a precise balance between "absolute rationality" and "the oath of protection."

Chen Xi focused on integrating and strengthening the intelligence network and comprehensively reviewing the gains and losses of this battle.

He held regular secret meetings with Hathor and Kaul to analyze the movements of the remnants of the Emperor's Sons and assess possible retaliatory actions from Slaanesh's domain.

The female version of Fuggen—perhaps now more accurately described as the “new Primarch” or the “Purifier”—was placed in a specially modified and heavily sealed area deep within the Karada Fortress, guarded by the absolutely loyal Gorgon Royal Guard and a Mechanicus technical security squad personally selected by Caul.

She was in a peculiar state of stability, her power was restrained, her consciousness was clear, but she seemed to be conducting a profound, inner exploration of the meaning of her existence and her future path.

Chen Xi regularly engaged in obscure yet important conversations with her, attempting to guide her to understand and control her own power, while also remaining constantly vigilant about the unprecedented energy form within her that combined the light of order with the origin of chaos.

The Great Sage Belisarius Caul was completely immersed in the massive amount of data recovered from the wreckage of the stasis field generator, attempting to salvage certain key technical nodes and theoretical models.

Although it is impossible to completely replicate this extraordinary creation, this unprecedented experiment has provided him with invaluable data support and theoretical verification for fighting against higher demonic entities.

However, the shadow lingered and never dissipated.

Behind the imperial high command's commendation lay intricate political calculations; the Blood Angels' burning desire was a heavy burden; and Slaanesh's wicked gaze was like a persistent, inescapable affliction.

The outer patrol fleet continued to report that some unusually "beautiful" and harmonious harmonics had appeared in the subspace fluctuations at the edge of the Medusa star system, which were difficult to explain using conventional models. Occasionally, ships reported that their crews experienced collective, brief sensory hallucinations or inexplicable feelings of pleasure.

Chen Xi and Felus were both keenly aware that the peace they had just enjoyed was merely a brief respite from the storm.

Fugen's demise is far from the end; rather, it is more like the prelude to a grander and darker event that is slowly unfolding.

The shadow of the Great Rift draws ever closer, and the dark side of the Milky Way is silently gathering strength.

They stood side by side once more on Medusa's towering observation deck, gazing out at the dazzling yet cold, endless starry sky.

“The storm is gathering rapidly.” Feralus’s voice was as firm as the steel world beneath her feet.

“Yes.” Chen Xi nodded, his eyes flashing with a deep psionic light. “But we are no longer fighting alone. We have a stronger legion, invaluable experience gained with blood, and… some unexpected allies and weapons.”

He paused briefly, "The road ahead is destined to be full of thorns and reefs, but at least we have personally reforged the sharp blades to cut through the thorns and break through the reefs."

The epic saga of Medusa has come to a temporary end; she has now become a new and formidable fortress for the Empire in its fight against darkness.

But the wheel of fate in the galaxy was given new momentum by the return of Ferrus Manus and the complete annihilation of Fugen, leading countless lives and the future of the world toward a more unknown and more magnificent tomorrow.

(End of this volume)

(End of this chapter)