After pushing Daniel into the limelight and making him the acting Regent, Guilliman began to accelerate the progress of the Indomitus Crusade.
The Third Crusade Fleet, which had an accident, was temporarily put on hold and handed over to Daniel to investigate the cause of the accident and reorganize it.
The other expedition fleets departed in sequence.
The first to depart was the Third Crusade Fleet.
This fleet was commanded by Cassandra Vanlescus.
Its flagship was an Oberon-class battleship named 'Noble Discipline'.
On the eve of the expedition fleet's departure, Grand Master Voldus of the Grey Knights secretly met with Guilliman.
He organized the results of his investigation into the Saints during this period and personally handed them to the Primarch, taking the opportunity to offer his suggestions.
"The expedition fleet must include the Saints."
"Their unique qualities might be the Emperor's greatest gift to humanity."
"With them, the Chaos Gods will no longer be able to draw power from the Imperium's chaos at will."
Guilliman read the data very quickly.
In a few minutes, he finished reading the thick data document and extracted the important key information.
One should know that with so many words and data, an ordinary person would probably not be able to sort out what the report specifically said without spending several days.
"Your report means that the Saints can block the resurrection of demons, curses, and other abilities, thereby limiting those Warp creatures." Guilliman asked Voldus.
"Yes." Voldus nodded.
"We have undergone multiple rounds of attempts, and both the curses and blessings of the Gods are nullified upon encountering the Saints."
"If the enemy performs a blood sacrifice, under normal circumstances, it would affect everyone, but as long as the Saints intervenes to disrupt one of the links, they can block the influence of the Gods, and even affect the exercise of the Chaos Gods' authority, preventing them from benefiting."
"It's like excessive killing will attract the blessing of the Blood God, and diligent study of knowledge might bring the curse of Tzeentch, but as long as the command for this killing or study of knowledge is issued by the Saints, the people executing the command will not be harmed."
The difficulty in fighting the Warp lies in the special abilities of those bizarre creatures.
They can gain power from the acts, methods, and motives of killing them.
For example, Lucius the Eternal, if you don't kill him, he causes trouble all day long.
If you kill him, you will also be cursed and become the vessel for his resurrection, but if the Saints acts, the outcome is vastly different.
The opponent cannot parasitize the Saints, nor can he parasitize those who rejoice at Lucius' death after hearing about it from the Saints.
Lucius must be far from the Saints' sphere of influence to be reborn.
Furthermore, when facing the Blood God's army.
If you don't fight, the enemy will directly push through, leaving nothing behind.
If you fight, the Blood God can continuously benefit from the war and become stronger and stronger, besides this, there are also examples like studying technology, ancient psychic arts, and dark secrets, which are all the same.
Therefore, this situation is very unsolvable.
No matter what humanity does, it will be affected by the Warp.
If humanity strives for progress, the Gods gain power.
If the Gods cause destruction, they also gain power from the act of destruction.
No matter what, it's always a win, just a difference between a medium win, a big win, and a super big win.
The characteristics of the Saints are specifically aimed at this.
The Gods and Warp demons can no longer make a guaranteed profit as before.
Once they fail, they might lose everything.
Guilliman looked at the data floating in front of him, hesitated for a moment, and finally nodded.
"Alright, I will arrange for the Saints to be in the expedition fleet."
"I will also have Mars mix the modified lighthouse ships into the fleet's serial numbers."
During this time, Guilliman not only assembled the expeditionary force but also did many other things.
In addition to integrating lighthouse technology into the Astromican, he also built several lighthouse ships, preparing to use them to establish a communication network that could cover the entire Imperium's holy territory.
Communication has always been a problem plaguing the Imperium.
The Chaos Gods' minions can deeply utilize the Warp to establish instant communication.
While the Imperium's Astropathic communication is much less efficient and often interfered with by Warp Storms.
A new communication network based on lighthouses will become the winning weapon of the Indomitus Crusade.
To make the Saints cooperate well, an instant communication network must be built to issue tasks to them through Arale.
Guilliman originally planned to dispatch these lighthouse ships to various places first.
Within the Imperium's holy territory, he intended to establish a super-large communication network.
Connecting those lost worlds with Terra.
Now, he can only first mix them into the expedition fleet to establish a communication network for the Saints.
Otherwise, he's afraid of them losing connection and getting bored for too long, causing the diligent Little Alpaca to lose their vitality.
Guilliman took out a data slate and checked the Saints' information.
The main purpose of the Third Crusade Fleet is to stop the slaughter of the expeditionary force.
Preventing the Warp rift from expanding further.
This means that the Third Crusade Fleet must directly face Khorne's demon army.
The chosen Saints must be skilled in dealing with demons.
"Let the Demon Hunter Battle Group follow the Third Crusade Fleet." Guilliman muttered to himself while editing the task on the data slate, then sent it to Arale for review.
Arale polished the task and forwarded it to the Demon Hunter Battle Group.
[Task: Assist the Third Crusade Fleet
The Indomitus Crusade is about to begin, and a new war to conquer the galaxy is about to start.
Do you want power second only to one, above all others?
Do you want the honor of being worshipped by billions?
Do you want sacred and ancient relic equipment?
As long as you join the Indomitus Crusade, you will have the chance to get it, Go to the recruitment officer to sign up, and your epic legend will begin in the Indomitus Crusade, basic Reward: 160.000 Contribution Points, 78.000 Honor Points, 120.000 Exp Points.
Commission Reward: Distributed based on war contributions, with a certain chance to obtain an eagle medal.]
The Players of the Demon Hunter Battle Group were staying at the Sisters of Silence Monastery on the Moon—Fort Somnus.
They were here to learn from the Sisters of Silences how to utilize their Culexus Assassin power and forge weapons imbued with the Culexus Assassin field.
Fort Somnus was abandoned after the High Lord of Terra council ostracized the Sisters of Silences from the Sol System's holy sanctuary.
Some families who had sworn an oath guarded this place.
They had no resources and lived very poorly.
For long years, they endured poverty and hunger, but they never gave up, persisting until the return of the Sisters of Silences.
Through Guilliman's efforts, the Sisters of Silences regained their noble status from the Great Crusade era.
Large amounts of resources were sent to Somnus Monastery, the abandoned halls were rebuilt, and the stopped generators roared to life again.
This ancient black building once again radiated vitality, and those loyal servants also received their due rewards.
They would once again serve the Sisters of Silences and wield corresponding power.
Those who had ridiculed and scorned their stubborn foolishness were now uneasy because the Sisters of Silences had regained the Primarch's favor.
In the Imperium, retaliation for shame and hatred is a legitimate act; no one would criticize it.
Aletea watched these Saints, unsure how to describe them.
They were Culexus Assassins like her, cursed individuals, but they were much more optimistic than her.
Moreover, they hadn't taken the Culexus Assassin vow and could speak loudly and freely.
This made Aletea scornful yet somewhat envious.
She had forgotten what her own voice sounded like!
"Your idea is brilliant."
Sister Asuma, the person in charge of Fort Somnus, quickly made gestures, praising their idea of encouraging Culexus Assassins to learn Dark Tongue.
Due to their unique characteristics, Culexus Assassins found it difficult to find Imperial units willing to partner with them.
Therefore, individual combat effectiveness was crucial.
Learning Dark Tongue, a skill that doesn't require psychic power, would undoubtedly greatly enhance the power of Culexus Assassins, allowing them to deal with various threats more calmly.
"You shared Dark Tongue with Atomal, so we must reciprocate."
Sister Asuma gestured.
Then, a pale-faced servant came forward, being among a group of Culexus Assassins, such an appearance was not surprising at all.
The servant held a sword box in his hand.
When opened, it contained an Executioner Greatsword.
The hilt was wrapped with non-slip cloth strips, and the scriptures on it were faintly discernible.
The blade was heavy, engraved with ancient and obscure runes.
"This is?" Kirito's face showed pleasant surprise.
Heaven help Atomal, they finally maxed out the favorability of these women, are they finally willing to give equipment??
It was too difficult.
He didn't know how that succubus, Warmaster, managed it!!
He always felt that guy easily gained the favor of NPCs.
"This is a weapon infused with the remains of a powerful Sisters of Silence, named Annihilation, with special attack damage against psychic powers or Warp demons."
Sister Asuma picked up the sword and placed it in front of Kirito.
"This is a gift for you sharing your knowledge of Dark Tongue with Atomal, Please accept it."
Kirito happily took it.
Holding it in his hand, he could feel its weighty presence as he turned the sword.
"This thing, if it's appraised before the Emperor's Shrine, it's at least an Epic-grade Holy Relic."
"It's explosively cool."
"Envious, I want one too."
"Are there any quests?!"
"Only one is given? Shouldn't it be one for each person?"
"..."
Just as the Players were looking at 'Annihilation' in Kirito's hand, practically drooling, the quest to assist the Third Crusade Fleet popped up.
"Is this to make Atomal support the Third Crusade Fleet? There are rewards of Holy Relics and eagle medals!"
Kirito ordered someone to put away 'Annihilation.' This was a treasure of the Warband; unless they encountered a powerful enemy, it certainly couldn't be used casually.
After all, the Warband was poor now and hadn't acquired many Holy Relics.
If he had known, he would have stayed with Little Alpaca and the others in the Calixis Sector to farm dungeons; that way, they could have at least gotten some Holy Relics and wouldn't be so dirt poor now.
Having received the quest, Kirito bid farewell to Sister Asuma.
"I wish you a smooth journey." After learning what they were going to do, Asuma also made a gesture of blessing.
"May the Emperor's Light always protect you as well."
Kirito also blessed the Sisters of Silences, then took the Players of the Warband onto a transport ship and departed.
"Why did you give them our Holy Relic?"
After the Saints left, Aletea questioned Sister Asuma with hand gestures.
"They are more suitable for that weapon."
Sister Asuma replied to Aletea with very quick hand gestures.
"That was left by our sisters." Aletea continued to question.
"Our sisters are loyal to the Emperor, child, Everything she has belongs to the Emperor, and so do we; as long as we can serve the Emperor, that's all that matters."
Aletea was somewhat annoyed but powerless to change Sister Asuma's decision.
...
The Demon Hunter Battle Group reported to the Third Crusade Fleet.
They had their own warships, but they were all left in the Baal System.
The current Lighthouse couldn't teleport warships, so for this mission, they could only take a ship from the Third Crusade Fleet.
Fleet Commander Cassandra, although she appeared distressed in front of the Culexus Assassin, out of respect for the Emperor and the Primarch, still allowed the Demon Hunter Battle Group to remain on the *Noble Discipline*.
With everything ready, the Third Crusade Fleet set off.
Amidst carefully arranged fireworks and cheers, the *Noble Discipline*, as the flagship, was the first to depart.
It set sail from Terra's orbit, left the orbital dock, and headed into the dark, boundless void.
The ship was massive, its overall shape like a gigantic blade, with its bow comparable in size to a light cruiser.
To better adapt to the Indomitus Crusade, the *Noble Discipline* underwent multiple rounds of modifications and enhancements, belisarius Cawl applied a large amount of technology to this ship.
Such actions drew accusations from conservatives: first, hoarding ancient knowledge, and second, implementing dangerous innovations, both constituted the crime of technological heresy, but Cawl was clever, claiming that some of the technology came from saints and the Saints, and a saint, as the earthly incarnation of the Omnissiah, obviously couldn't be a technological heretic.
He, who used these technologies, also couldn't be a technological heretic, and those who accused him of being a technological heretic were the true technological heretics.
This rhetoric left the conservatives red-faced, unable to refute or remain silent.
The Imperial Navy also publicly expressed its support for Captain-General Cawl.
For them, bigger cannons and better engines trumped all debates.
Countless magnificent ships followed the *Noble Discipline* out of the Sol System, entering the Warp, and heading to their destination, and the deployment of the Third Crusade Fleet was just the beginning.
In the time that followed, expedition fleets departed one after another; even Guilliman, along with Sicarius and others, embarked on the journey.
The magnificent Indomitus Crusade officially began.
This war was humanity's strike against the Chaos Gods.
While Guilliman plunged into the fight against the Gods, Daniel also initiated the reforms on Terra.
He ordered Inquisitor Galen to investigate the accident of the Fifth Expedition Fleet at all costs, preparing to follow the clues and deliver a major blow to those involved, before obtaining concrete evidence, Daniel was not idle.
Instead, he planned to use the Infinity Key to first help the Emperor repair the Golden Throne and complete the mission.
After finishing his current political affairs, Daniel took a Thunderhawk Gunship directly to the entrance of the Sanctuary.
The Custodians on duty were dumbfounded.
For ten thousand years, no one had dared to openly land a gunship directly in front of the Sanctuary like this.
"Saint, isn't your behavior a bit excessive?"
The Tribune on duty guarding the Sanctuary, Heraclion, spoke in a gloomy, very displeased tone.
Even though the other party had announced his identity and purpose, coming directly to the Emperor's Sanctuary in a gunship like this, where did that leave the dignity of their Custodians?
"I'm sorry, I'm in a hurry." Daniel said, "After I finish things here, I still have a pile of political affairs to deal with."
"So you just happened to drop by to see the Emperor?" Heraclion gripped the battle-axe in his hand, suppressing the inappropriate anger and dissatisfaction.
"Otherwise? I can't just come specifically to see Him, the Emperor can't speak now." Daniel shrugged, "Besides, to talk to Him, I don't need to run to the Sanctuary."
"Alright, don't block me, I need to go in and repair the Golden Throne, then go do other things."
"You're just bringing them to repair the Throne?" Heraclion looked at Warmaster, Mordecai, and the other Saints, questioning.
"Otherwise, who should I bring?" Daniel retorted.
Well, actually, Daniel alone was enough to repair the Throne.
Warmaster, Mordecai, and the other Players came along because they had exchanged war merits for the opportunity to tour the Golden Throne, which was equivalent to buying tickets.
Although treating the Emperor as an exhibit was a bit excessive, considering it could ignite the Players' enthusiasm, Daniel readily agreed.
"Only you can go in." Heraclion said, "Other unauthorized personnel are not allowed into the Sanctuary."
"They are not unauthorized personnel, but the Emperor's Saints, Have you ever seen a Saints unable to meet the one they serve?"
Daniel retorted.
"In the Emperor's name, move aside quickly and let Atomal in."
"Otherwise, I will consider advising the Emperor, claiming that the Custodians have achieved nothing for ten thousand years, wasted Imperial resources, and made the Empire a mess."
"Now they are even committing treason, daring to openly defy His Majesty's will, and trying to control the Empire by holding the Emperor hostage."
"These are all slanders!" Heraclion said.
"So what?" Daniel stared at the Custodian in front of him, "If you're not convinced, go appeal to the Emperor and see if He pays attention to you."
These corn cobs were just difficult to deal with, each one more ill-tempered than the last.
"Saint."
At this moment, the Custodian Commander, Captain-General Valdor Valoris, personally walked out.
"Are you also going to stop me from entering the Sanctuary?" Daniel looked at Captain-General Valdor.
"No." Captain-General Valdor shook his head, "I am merely here to accompany you into the Sanctuary, You reported that you can repair the Golden Throne; truthfully, I am skeptical about this."
"To ensure the safety of the Golden Throne, the Adeptus Mechanicus has also sent several wise men, We will collectively supervise the repair of the Golden Throne."
After all, Daniel was currently the only person in the Empire who could communicate with the Emperor.
Captain-General Valdor also dared not offend him.
Although he was the Custodian Commander, the head of the Emperor's personal guard, the Emperor had never communicated with them since sitting on the Golden Throne.
If the Saint in front of him truly slandered them to the Emperor, the Custodians would really be helpless.
Captain-General Valdor then recalled what Sicarius had said in the past.
"Even if one day you are replaced by those Saints, I will not be surprised."
"They receive far more favor than we do."
...
With Captain-General Valdor stepping in, and accompanied by Custodians and wise men, Warmaster, Yuji, and the other Players were able to smoothly enter the Sanctuary.
As soon as they walked in, they were deeply shocked by the scene before them.
"Is this the Throne Room?"
"It's too big, isn't it? How tall is it?"
"Look at those machines, they're too exaggerated, you can't see the end of them."
"This is simply a great leap forward in human technological history."
"If we continue to research this thing, maybe it can even make humanity ascend like an Aether-Phase Engine."
"When will the official release a Golden Throne experience card? I also want to try what it feels like."