Chapter 71: The Second Empire is Established!
Bang!
The Lion's grip tightened involuntarily, shattering the cup in his hand. Red wine flowed between his fingers like blood as he raised his gaze, eyes bloodshot and burning with intensity. "Are you going to betray the Imperium, too, Guilliman?"
The accusation hung heavy in the air. Guilliman felt his heart clench, a deep sadness washing over him at his brother's lack of understanding. "How could you think that? My dear brother, everything I do is for the Imperium's survival."
He leaned forward, his voice earnest. "Once the Warp storms subside, as long as the Imperium still stands, I will immediately abolish everything regarding this Second Empire. I would even step aside if you wished to become Regent yourself."
The Lion's frown deepened, his expression darkening further.
Then, unexpectedly, he shouted, "Look at what nonsense you're spouting! Do you truly believe I oppose you because of some position?"
The outburst echoed through the chamber.
Then, just as suddenly, the Lion's tone shifted, becoming more measured. "However... what you said is not without merit. We cannot contact the Imperium now, and perhaps this is the only way to preserve its last embers."
Guilliman's enhanced senses caught something, the scent of blood, fresh and recent. "You're injured? Who could have wounded you?"
The Lion's fists clenched tighter, knuckles whitening. "That traitor, Konrad Curze. When he saw me, not only did he refuse to surrender, but he fired upon me." H
is voice dropped to a dangerous growl. "He spouted prophecies, claimed that Caliban would be destroyed, that from its ashes, fallen angels would be born."
He spat the words like poison. "All nonsense."
Unknown to them both, at that very moment, countless drop pods were scattering from the Dark Angels' strike cruiser in orbit overhead. In one of those streaking pods was Konrad Curze, who had been hiding aboard the vessel.
Guilliman remained silent for a moment, considering his brother's words. He believed in prophecies, to a degree, but such matters were less pressing than the immediate crisis. "Then let us summon them inside and make a final decision on this matter. Given our circumstances, we should simplify any coronation ceremonies."
"Acceptable," the Lion agreed.
With the matter tentatively settled between them, they turned to the formality that awaited. The doors opened, admitting the Lord of Macragge and the other Planetary Governors who had been waiting anxiously outside.
The Lord of Macragge's eyes went wide the moment he beheld the Lion.
He bowed with elaborate noble etiquette, his movements precise despite his considerable bulk. "Respected Primarch of the Dark Angels, it is a tremendous honor to meet you. May I... may I please take a photograph with you?"
It was the first time the Lion had encountered such a request. He nodded, somewhat bewildered. "You may."
After the photograph was taken, the Lord of Macragge immediately activated his vox-unit, contacting his child with barely suppressed excitement. "Child, look who I met today!"
The Lion said nothing, though his expression suggested profound confusion at this behavior.
As everyone took their seats around the long table, Guilliman and the Lion positioned themselves at its head. Guilliman had no patience for complications; he skipped all formalities and preamble.
With a second Primarch at his side, his confidence surged. He went straight to the heart of the matter. "To prevent the worst-case scenario, we have decided to establish the Second Empire. The Primarch of the Dark Angels Legion, Lion El'Jonson, will serve as Imperial Regent of the Second Empire. Now, who opposes, and who supports this decision?"
The room immediately erupted into chaos.
"Wouldn't that be inappropriate? What if the Imperium is fine?"
"What's inappropriate about it? We governed ourselves before the Imperium came, and we paid far fewer taxes then!"
"That may be true, but this feels dangerously close to treason..."
The whispers built to a cacophony, no unified opinion emerging from the assembled governors.
Then the Lord of Macragge rose to his feet, his considerable bulk making the movement impressive.
His voice boomed through the chamber. "I, the Lord of Macragge, agree to the establishment of the Second Empire, and pledge my support for Regent Lion El'Jonson!"
His enormous voice echoed off the walls, forcing the other Planetary Governors to pause mid-conversation. Everyone present knew that Macragge was one of the most essential worlds among these five hundred planets; fewer than ten held equal strategic value.
The Lion spoke quietly, his voice a stark contrast to the Lord's declaration. "I am only temporarily acting as Regent. A true Regent will be chosen again in the future, once contact with the Imperium is restored."
The discussion faded. Sounds of approval began to emerge, spreading through the assembled governors like ripples across water.
Guilliman stood, visibly relieved that the crisis had been averted. "Then, from this moment forward, the Second Empire is established. The Imperial Regent is Lion El'Jonson. And I will serve as the Imperial Border Governor."
Thunderous applause erupted, lasting over half an hour.
An Ultramarine knocked urgently on the chamber door. "Primarch, we have sighted a Blood Angels strike cruiser and an unknown Legion vessel arriving at the Ultramar system."
Guilliman's eyes widened. 'The Emperor's blessing'.
In his mind, the Lion was not the ideal candidate for Regent, nor could he take the position himself. But if Sanguinius had arrived, then the Second Empire would finally have a true leader worthy of the role.
"Quickly! We must go meet him!" Guilliman grabbed the Lion's arm, but his brother remained unmoved, his expression cautious rather than excited.
He had heard about an unknown Legion.
"Don't get excited, Guilliman. We must first clarify who this unknown vessel belongs to."
That the Lion would express suspicion even toward Sanguinius surprised Guilliman. In his heart, Sanguinius was one of the few among their brothers who were beyond reproach.
But the Lion had just become Regent, it would be inappropriate to contradict him now. Guilliman dispatched someone to question the Blood Angels Legion.
When they learned that the other massive vessel belonged to the Eleventh Legion, their expressions grew peculiar.
Especially the Lion's. He had once campaigned against the Rangdan alongside the Second and Eleventh Legions, and his own Dark Angels had suffered immense losses in that war. If not for that catastrophic campaign, Horus would never have become Warmaster.
He looked up and met Guilliman's gaze. They both saw the same confusion reflected in each other's eyes.
'The Eleventh Legion... the one that should not exist.'
Outside the Ultramar System
Hundreds of warships patrolled the outer reaches of the Ultramar system, massive Gloriana-class battleships and nimble interceptor squadrons working in perfect coordination. Each vessel bore the blue insignia of the Ultramarines Legion, a symbol of discipline and martial excellence.
Francis couldn't help but exclaim over the vox, "Tsk! As expected of you, Brother Guilliman. This defense network might not be the most effective, but it certainly looks impressive!"
Sanguinius's voice came through the communications channel. "They need to confirm your identity before allowing passage. Should I simply tell them who you are?"
"No problem, Brother! By the way, how are my automatic blood packs working? The effect is quite good, isn't it?"
Sanguinius fell silent for a long moment. When he looked across at the Blood Angels accompanying him, each warrior carried a green blood pack attached to their armor.
Whenever they frowned or showed signs of distress, the pack would automatically expand and deliver blood directly to their mouths. Their demeanor calmed immediately, and they began comparing the taste and appearance of their packs, decorating them with different emblems or patterns to distinguish their preferred flavors.
"I think our banana-flavored one is superior; it has a lingering taste and improves sleep quality!"
"No, no, no! Our apple variant is better, sweet and sour, perfectly balanced!"
"You're both wrong! Our wine-flavored one is the best! It tastes just like the one I used to drink, made by stomping grapes with my own feet!"
Sanguinius murmured expressionlessly over the vox, "Can't you make them taste a little... worse?"
"No," Francis replied matter-of-factly. "If they taste bad, they won't drink them, and then they'll start biting people again."
Sanguinius sighed with utter despair. "Then you should focus on producing more gene-enhancers instead. The permanent changes to the gene-seed will require me to consult with Father."
He was beginning to feel that seeking treatment from Francis had been a mistake, even though his brother had technically provided a solution.
The thought of treatment reminded him of another matter. "Eleventh, how is Carlos faring now? It's been half a month since you took him into your care."
"Ah, don't worry about him. He's still undergoing treatment. I'll check his progress for you right away."
Francis ended the communication; his face suddenly paled. To be honest, he had forgotten about Carlos entirely. He had been so absorbed in gene-seed research that he hadn't checked on the possessed Apothecary in weeks.
Francis hurried through the corridors to the specially designed containment chamber. As he entered, the walls continuously played a looping program titled 'Truth, Goodness, and Beauty.'
"Teletubby says: Look, this is my antenna!"
"Teletubby says: I love you!"
"I just heard that the path in Teletubby Land is broken. Let's carry the Teletubbies and climb over to build a path for them. Once the path is built, let's climb along it to Teletubby Land."
In the center of the room, the Red Angel, the daemon that had possessed Carlos, was trapped in a containment box with only its head exposed. It was muttering along with the video, its voice hollow and repetitive.
Francis moved closer to hear what it was saying.
"Laa-Laa wants baby toast... Tinky Winky wants baby milkshake..."
A terrible feeling seized Francis. "Holy Throne, I haven't broken this daemon's mind, have I?" He waved his hand in front of the creature's eyes. "Hey, wake up! Are you still in there?"
But the daemon seemed completely unresponsive, continuing to sing along with the children's program, its eyes glazed and vacant.
Francis had successfully weaponized educational programming against the forces of Chaos.
He wasn't entirely sure whether that was a good thing.
[End of Chapter]