The bridge was deathly silent.
That crisp, pure, childish remark was like a stone thrown into a stagnant pool, instantly stirring up a monstrous wave.
"Big sister, who is this uncle who looks so sad?"
On the main screen.
The Imperial Regent, Robert Guilliman, who had remained calm for ten thousand years, saw his blue eyes suddenly shrink!
His gaze, like two tangible bolts of lightning, instantly pierced through the screen, pinning itself firmly, oh so firmly, onto Terrania's pure and flawless little face!
Shock!
Horror!
And a trace of trembling, originating from the deepest depths of his genes, which even he himself had not noticed!
Familiar!
Too familiar!
That aura... that supreme divinity that seemed to contain the entire universe...
Although it had become gentle, pure, and even carried a hint of feminine characteristics, the source... could not be wrong!
It was Father!
"This is impossible!"
In Guilliman's heart, the most violent storm since his ten-thousand-year slumber raged!
Just as he was about to lose his composure.
A slender hand, without making a sound, gently pulled Terrania into an embrace, blocking the gaze that almost seemed to pierce through one's soul.
It was Leticia.
She shielded the slightly startled little one behind her and calmly met Guilliman's gaze.
Those pure black eyes were as deep as the void before the birth of the universe.
"Your Excellency, the Regent."
Leticia's voice was cold and indifferent, yet carried an unquestionable majesty.
"I believe you are looking for me."
With a single sentence, she drew all the sharp, galaxy-exploding focus onto herself.
Guilliman took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the tremors of his soul, and regained his imperial composure.
His gaze swept across Leticia's face and paused for a second on the three Sisters behind her, each with a distinct style yet equally exuding the aura of a Primarch.
Each one made his heart race wildly.
In the end, his gaze returned to Leticia.
"Who exactly are you?"
Guilliman's voice was low and powerful, every word like a Warhammer striking an anvil, filled with the weight of judgment.
"Where do those 'Sisters' beside you come from?"
"And what is your purpose?!"
Three consecutive questions, pointing straight to the core.
The oppressive feeling that belonged to the supreme ruler of the Empire was enough to make any Space Marine legion bow before him.
However, Leticia just smiled.
"Who am I?"
She tilted her head, her tone tinged with playfulness.
"You may call me... the Corrector of the Universe."
"As for my purpose..."
Her gaze seemed to pierce through the screen, seeing the decaying and struggling star map of the Empire behind Guilliman.
"It is, of course... to heal the wounds of this era."
She paused, then shifted the tone, taking the initiative.
"On the contrary, Your Excellency, the Regent, waking up after ten thousand years of slumber, facing such a riddled, rotten-to-the-core Empire..."
Leticia's eyes became sharp.
"Do you truly believe that by patching things up, you can deal with the real threat that is about to come?"
This rhetorical question was like the sharpest dagger, precisely stabbing into the most exhausted and powerless part of Guilliman's heart.
Guilliman's expression sank instantly.
The air on the bridge seemed to solidify into a solid.
Fogremia's lips curled into a proud arc.
Angronia's fists clenched, making a clicking sound, her Battle Intent surging.
Sanguinia frowned slightly, as if unwilling to see this former "brother" in such an awkward position.
A stalemate.
An absolute stalemate.
Guilliman knew that any verbal probing was meaningless against this mysterious, god-like woman before him.
He needed intelligence.
He needed to confirm it with his own eyes.
After a long time.
Guilliman spoke slowly, his voice carrying an unrefusable determination.
"I need to see you, and them, with my own eyes."
"In the neutral star sector of the 'Tear of Heaven' in the Gothic Sector."
"I will go there myself."
This was an invitation to meet.
It was also an ultimatum that could not be refused.
Leticia looked at him, at the pride and loneliness of an emperor in his eyes.
She smiled.
"We will consider it."
Having said that.
Snap.
Leticia, without hesitation, unilaterally cut off the communication.
The main screen instantly fell into darkness.
On the bridge, there was deathly silence.
The immense pressure brought about by the direct confrontation with the Imperial Regent made every Sister feel a little heavy.
That night.
In the huge observation hall, only a few dim floor lamps were lit.
Leticia stood alone in front of the huge floor-to-ceiling window, looking at the slowly flowing galaxy outside, with a trace of fatigue between her brows that even she herself had not noticed.
The sphere of influence was growing larger and larger.
The responsibility was also becoming heavier.
Every step was like walking on thin ice.
Every step concerned the life and death of countless people.
This kind of pressure was heavy, even for a god.
A very slight sound of footsteps came from behind.
Leticia did not turn back; she knew who it was.
Terrania was wearing a loose white nightgown, her little feet bare, walking silently to her side.
She did not speak, just imitating Leticia's manner, quietly looking at the stars outside the window.
She could feel it.
She could feel the fatigue in Sister Leticia's heart at this moment.
After a long silence.
Terrania suddenly made a decision.
On her pure little face, a faint, yet incomparably firm blush appeared.
Before Leticia could react.
The Blonde Girl gathered all her courage and suddenly stood on tiptoe.
Then, she gently pressed her soft, slightly cool lips onto Leticia's lips.
Inexperienced.
Soft.
Yet incomparably serious.
It was as if she were completing the most sacred of rituals.
It was a fleeting touch.
Terrania's little face was already red as if it were about to bleed. She dared not look into Leticia's eyes, only burying her head low, and in a voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz, she whispered:
"Sister..."
"Don't be tired..."
"I am here... to accompany you."
Boom!
This kiss, this simple sentence.
It was like the most powerful, most pure force of Vitality, instantly injected into the depths of Leticia's soul!
All the fatigue!
All the pressure!
At this moment, it vanished like smoke!
Leticia's heart had never beaten so violently.
She slowly reached out her hand, just about to embrace the little one before her who brought her endless warmth and strength.
Just then.
A gentle, yet complex-sounding voice quietly rang out at the entrance of the observation hall.
Sanguinia had already been standing there, who knows since when.
On her angelic, perfect face, one could not tell if she was happy or sad.
She just used those sky-blue eyes, quietly looking at the two embracing, and asked softly:
"My Goddess, my Majesty..."
"Have I interrupted you?"
------------------------------
I hope you're enjoying the fanfiction so far! If the fanfiction has you hooked and you can't wait to see what happens next, you can unlock 30 or more chapters in advance over on my patreon: patreon.com/FTLGenBen
Also every bit of support means the world to me so if you're loving the ride, don't forget to drop a Power Stone, Thanks.