Warhammer 40: Starting as a Rogue Trader

Chapter 272 Arrival in Terra
With the Empire's deliberate dissemination, news of the Primarch's return spread among all the people of Terra.

The pastor announced the news to the congregation, while officials from the Ministry of the Interior posted notices.

Even in the deepest recesses of Terra, people learned of this news.

Gao Yi, Guilliman, and Felus headed toward the airport surrounding Terra.

Huge warships and transport ships, laden with supplies and pilgrims, are heading towards Terra.

It is true that Terra is a planet that does nothing but wait for the entire Empire to supply it. Without the resources paid by countless planets and the fleets that transport these supplies, Terra itself would not be able to sustain itself.

This makes it a combination of extreme poverty and extreme wealth.

Besides these regular ships, a large fleet was currently surrounding Terra. After the aftermath subsided, some of the Imperial fleets from various star systems and sectors that participated in the catastrophic events chose to remain in catastrophic territory to assist in its reconstruction, while most of the other warships returned to their respective defense zones.

The appearance of such a large fleet near Terra, which was not part of Terra's original combat order, was already very unusual. The fact that the fleet was even arranged in a neat battle formation seemed like a show of force.

“Guilliman, Ferrus, look at these warships. It seems some people are quite unhappy about your return.”

Gao Yi said sarcastically.

Knowing the plot, he understood that the High Lords were demonstrating against Guilliman, intending to consolidate their power by building up their own armies.

In response to these fleets, the Ultramarines fleet behind Guilliman also fought back without flinching.

Calga's furious roar echoed through the sound array channel.

He questioned the fleet about their intentions until the Void Shield of the Macurag began to glow, at which point the fleet voluntarily cleared the way.

"These high lords seem to have forgotten our existence, and even forgotten who granted them their power! Hopefully, they won't go too far; the Empire's existing system must undergo change."

Gao Yi could also hear the murderous intent in Guilliman's tone.

“These insects, Guilliman, I can personally lead the team to deal with those who refuse to obey your orders.”

Meanwhile, Felix was also expressing his support for Guilliman. He trusted Guilliman and preferred to assist him rather than be a manager. He knew Guilliman's abilities, just as he had when he assisted Guilliman during the Great Crusade.

Gao Yi had already begun to pray for those high lords in his heart.

However, Gao Yi felt he could understand the mentality of these high-ranking lords. Power is a magical thing; once you have it, very few people can let it go without hesitation.

Even if this right causes you immense suffering, or even threatens to kill you at any moment.

Standing by the porthole, Gao Yi looked down at the planet beneath his feet. This Terra seemed to have nothing to do with the Earth he remembered, and the continental plates had undergone tremendous changes.

The most striking feature is the Royal Palace, which covers almost the entire northern hemisphere of Terra. Rather than a palace, it is actually a giant hive city.

It is the headquarters of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Central Government, and also the location of the throne room where the emperor sleeps.

It is divided into an outer hall and an inner hall.

The inner palace was guarded by the Imperial Guard, while the outer perimeter was managed by hundreds of millions of Ministry of Internal Affairs officials. Each of them could be called an expert and genius in political affairs, but they devoted their lives to handling countless political affairs of the entire human empire until their death.

Guilliman looked at Terra before him and saw that it had remained unchanged for thousands of years.

But Guilliman could sense that it was becoming even more decayed.

However, their first destination was not Terra's royal palace, but the headquarters of the State Religion located in the southern hemisphere of Terra. As an indispensable part of the current empire, the State Religion occupied almost the entire southern hemisphere. The celebration Terra had arranged to welcome Guilliman and Feralas' return was held on the Pilgrim's Promenade at the State Religion headquarters.

This avenue leads directly to the Anglican Cathedral.

Important officials and nobles from Terra also arrived here to welcome the return of the divine children.

At this moment, countless believers on both sides of the road hoped to witness the true face of the Son of God.

Almost all the believers who were able to reach the vicinity flocked over.

Those believers who passed the screening also received other benefits, such as receiving significantly more food in the state church's distribution of alms, and having more food to eat.

The church wanted them to look better, at least not pale, thin, and malnourished. It seems that vanity projects are indispensable everywhere.

Although Guilliman also wanted to meet his father directly regarding this celebration arranged by the High Lords, after careful consideration, he chose to agree to hold the celebration first.

Firstly, the incident in the Void made Guilliman want to announce his return to these high lords, letting them know who the true master of the empire was. Secondly, he knew that the empire needed some hope and inspiring news, and their return would inject a strong boost into the decaying empire.

However, Guilliman found the existence of the state religion extremely objectionable.

After awakening and ending the Battle of Cadia, Guilliman expressed his incomprehension of the rise of the state religion and the current situation of worshipping the Emperor as a god. Even though he had just experienced the Emperor's possession, he still had a skeptical attitude. If the current empire worshipped the Emperor as a god, and the Emperor really became a god, then what was Luo Jia?
Ferrus, on the other hand, was much more accepting than Guilliman.

After all, his soul was preserved by the Emperor and he was eventually resurrected with Gao Yi's help, which clearly goes beyond the scope of science and ordinary psychic energy.

“Guilliman, perhaps this is not a bad thing? Father has gained even greater power, and it is with this power that he has protected the human empire while we are away.”

“Ferus, this is not what Father wanted to see. This path is too dangerous. He once said that there should be no gods in this world.”

"Stop worrying about it, Guilliman. The facts are clear: the current state religion's Bible is based on the Book of the Holy Word of Loka. But I can tell you some good news: the Emperor is not a true god yet, and if things continue as they are, it is unlikely that he will become a god."

Gao Yi really wanted to boast that everything would be fine as long as he was there, but then he thought it might be a bit too arrogant.

"Everything will be clear once I enter the palace and meet the Emperor and Empress."

During the conversation, the warship landed at the pre-arranged landing site.

The state religion had prepared a grand welcoming ceremony for Guilliman and Feralus.

As the hatch opened, everyone could already hear the thunderous cheers from afar.

A grand welcoming ceremony and military parade are ready.

A line of state church defenders stood neatly on both sides, separating the fanatical believers, while elite guards maintained order during the celebration.

The neatly arranged square formations awaited Guilliman's inspection.

The law enforcement department and the court were almost fully mobilized, and there were even assassins from the Assassin's Court secretly observing the entire celebration from the shadows.

"Lord Guilliman, Lord Felus, please end the celebration as soon as possible! I believe the great Emperor wishes to see you sooner!"

"I understand, Trajan. It won't take long."

(End of this chapter)