Chapter 357: Rogal Dorn
Sigismund traversed the warp routes back to Holy Terra at near-limit speeds. Upon arrival, he did not pause for a moment, utilizing his authority to directly request an audience with the Primarch Rogal Dorn.
It was currently the sensitive period of the Legion's division, and Dorn was slightly surprised by the First Captain's sudden return.
But he knew well that Sigismund never acted rashly and there must be a major reason for this, so he immediately received him in his private chambers.
As Sigismund stepped into the sparsely furnished chamber, even from several meters away, he could clearly feel the abnormal state of his gene-father.
Dorn's massive body remained straight as a mountain range, but those eyes, usually as resolute as glaciers, appeared hollow, as if the inner fire had been extinguished, leaving only the cold embers of fulfilling his duty.
Sigismund's heart sank; the situation he worried about most was happening.
The Primarch's physical body was still present, but that unyielding spirit seemed to be gradually fading under endless penance and heavy pressure.
After dismissing the attendants, only the gene-father and his son remained in the chamber.
Sigismund cut straight to the point, reporting what he had seen and heard on the Death World using the most concise and direct language.
He described that green canyon growing stubbornly on the deathly still planet, mentioning the almost creator-like power to reshape the environment displayed by the "Genesis particles."
Finally, he lowered his voice and spoke the term sufficient to shake the foundation of the Imperium—"Warp Engine"—and elaborated on its potential to evade the Immaterium and achieve faster-than-light travel in the material universe, as well as Akira's request to demonstrate it in person.
As Sigismund narrated, Dorn's statue-like, frozen posture underwent a subtle change.
The giant hands resting on his knees slowly tightened, the knuckles turning white from the force.
Those eyes, which had once reflected the beacon fires of the galaxy but had recently appeared somewhat hollow, gradually regained their focus. It was as if blazing magma was surging once again within a dormant volcano, and a sharp, scrutinizing light flashed anew.
Even a Primarch like Rogal Dorn, who had witnessed countless miracles and horrors, felt an unprecedented shock when facing these two technologies—either of which was enough to alter the paradigm of human civilization's struggle against Chaos. He also felt a trace of a long-lost, solemn interest when facing a brand-new challenge.
This was no longer the internal strife of the Legion's division that he painfully agonized over, nor was it limited to the Crusade of Penance to console the Emperor.
The information Sigismund brought pointed toward a brand-new possibility concerning the Imperium's future, a strategic direction that could partially liberate humanity from its reliance on the unpredictable malice of the Warp.
This was even more fundamental than the reforms triggered by Guilliman's Codex Astartes.
A long silence enveloped the chamber, with only the eternal wind of the Tibetan Plateau outside the Imperial Palace serving as the background.
Dorn's gaze passed over Sigismund, as if piercing through the thick walls, cast toward the unfathomable future deep within the sea of stars, and the hopes and risks hidden within it.
His mind raced, evaluating the chain reactions each technology might trigger, as well as the credibility of Akira.
"Akira—" Dorn repeated the name in a deep voice, sounding like grinding granite. "I remember him. The faction he belonged to violated taboos back then due to overly radical archaeological research."
His memory accurately retrieved the dust-covered records. "It was you, Sigismund, who stepped forward to vouch for him, emphasizing his potential in the field of foundational technology, which allowed him to survive the brink of purging and be subjected only to monitoring restrictions."
A complex look flashed through Dorn's eyes, representing the persistence of past discipline and the weighing of practical interests.
"A Tech-Priest who survived the purges, an Explorator once deemed to be walking on the edge of danger—now holds the key to reshaping the Imperium's power dynamics. It is highly ironic, but it also shows that he perhaps truly possesses insight and luck beyond ordinary men."
He looked at Sigismund again, his tone carrying the decisiveness unique to a Primarch: "Arrange the meeting. The location will be my private audience chamber in the Imperial Palace. I want to see this Magos with my own eyes, and the future he speaks of—one that brings hope but also harbors risks."
He paused briefly, issuing more specific orders, demonstrating the extreme importance he attached to this meeting: "You, Sigismund, will personally return to the Death World and escort him to Terra.
Ensure absolute secrecy throughout the entire journey. You will personally plan the route; there shall be no routine reporting through the Adeptus Astra Telepathica.
I want him, and everything he prepares to demonstrate, to arrive safely, completely, and without interference.
In this sensitive period, we cannot take any risks, whether from the outside or the inside."
Sigismund bowed deeply: "As you command, Father. I will ensure nothing goes wrong."
He understood that this was not merely a simple escort mission, but absolute trust placed in him by Dorn, and a clear signal that his gene-father was paying attention to the "future" once again.
Sigismund subsequently mobilized the Black Templars Chapter.
The backbone of this newly formed Chapter originated mostly from the companies in the VII Legion that most revered fierce offensives; its core was the Templar Brethren he personally commanded, renowned for their cold efficiency.
The unique dispositions of these founding members established the Black Templars' tradition that would last for ten millennia: they would launch an unending "Eternal Crusade," refusing a fixed homeworld and treating warships and battlefields as their only home; they harbored a fanatical faith in the Emperor far exceeding most Adeptus Astartes Chapters; tactically, they heavily favored close combat, holding a deep-rooted distrust of ranged firepower and psykers.
Having such a Chapter—one that revered close-quarters slaughter, was strictly disciplined, and absolutely loyal—execute a classified escort mission was perfectly fitting.
They were like unsheathed swords, their sharp edges fully exposed yet their goals clear; to potential snoopers, they were a deterrence in themselves.
To ensure absolutely nothing went wrong, Sigismund mobilized a force he originally did not want to show easily—the Black Templars' Chapter flagship, the Eternal Crusader.
This magnificent behemoth was formerly the flagship of the VII Legion and Primarch Dorn's flagship—the Gloriana-class battleship carrying the countless glories of the Imperial Fists.
Handed over to the Black Templars after the Legion's division, it was renamed the Eternal Crusader, symbolizing the Chapter's never-ending journey.
Deploying this legendary warship possessing destructive firepower at this moment carried a significance far beyond an ordinary escort.
It was not only a manifestation of Sigismund's resolve but also a silent declaration to all onlookers: this operation carried the will of Primarch Rogal Dorn himself.
In the shadow of this behemoth, any attempt at interference would have to weigh the thunderous wrath they might face.
Sigismund personally boarded the bridge of the Eternal Crusader. The massive hull began to adjust its attitude, and its powerful engines emitted a deep roar, preparing to tear the veil of the real universe once again, heading straight for the Death World where Akira was located.
This time, he was not only bringing back a Magos, but also escorting a spark for the Imperium's future that could possibly change everything.