Chapter 206: The Assistance of the Custodes
Another extremist...
Lucan really wanted to just start yelling. The people being sacrificed were too innocent. But he had to admit, the other man's ability to sway people's hearts was something he needed right now. Lucan was a newcomer to this place; the Dynasty had no popular support here, and the urgency of the situation did not give him time to slowly build up his own prestige on these planets.
And this fellow, Cypher, had been active in the Agripinaa Sector for a long time. The name of the "Emperor's Voice" had appeared on many planets, and the number of people he had swayed to follow him was not small.
With Lucan's status as a Living Saint to endorse him, the "Emperor's Voice" would become more legitimate. And the Dynasty's armed forces would deal with the external threats to the planet, reducing the losses that might be caused by this extreme faith.
In any case, the people Cypher had swayed had indeed benefited from their faith. Even if the Emperor had not deliberately blessed them, they had a stronger resistance to the plague. The majority of the Imperium's populace, unlike the priests of the Ecclesiarchy, only held a general faith in the Emperor. But the existence of Cypher had turned them into something akin to fanatics, thereby gaining the boons of that faith.
Lucan was only one person, and the mere twenty artificial Untouchables he had now were not enough to purify so many people.
"So, why did you want to see me?"
"Because the grace of the Emperor has truly appeared on you. I have never seen any living mortal receive this power and survive unharmed! I have also seen those xenos... the power of the Emperor should not appear on them."
"Why be so surprised? Xenos are not permitted by the Imperium, and what you are doing is also not permitted by the Imperium. You have even been assassinated by the Assassinorum, have you not? But I am more legitimate than you. I am both a Rogue Trader and a Living Saint. Using xenos is a right granted to me by the Emperor and the Imperium. And the Emperor himself has said nothing, and is willing to let His power descend upon them. Even if He sits on the Golden Throne, is He not still the master of the Imperium? Is there any law in the Imperium that can supersede Him? Cypher, the power of the Emperor does not deceive. You can choose to help me, to let the Imperium pass through this crisis together. Use your abilities, and those Fallen Angels who follow you. I am willing to believe that you have not truly fallen to Chaos. You can also use the followers of the Emperor's Voice to help me integrate and consolidate the nearby star systems."
"Pass through this crisis? Rogue Trader, you have no idea how much strength Abaddon has gathered this time."
Cypher knew better than the Imperium just how powerful the Black Legion was this time. He did not believe that the Imperium could defeat Chaos with its existing forces. Among the Fallen Angels who seemed to have turned to Chaos, there were also those who followed Cypher. They were carrying out their own redemption in their own way and had brought back intelligence.
"How will we know if we don't try? If you are willing to help me, I can give you the reward you deserve."
"A reward? No. You do not have what I want."
"What if I told you that I can awaken the Lion and have him return to your side?"
Lucan said this without any burden. Even if his abilities and technology could not awaken the Lion ahead of schedule, it didn't matter. The Lion would wake up on his own eventually, even without him.
"On your word alone?"
At the mention of the Lion, Cypher's tone also became heated. Lucan's flippant tone felt like an insult.
"You have nothing to lose. You will just be doing what you were already doing. And you will soon know if I have this ability. I plan to go to Macragge to awaken the gene-primarch of the Ultramarines, Roboute Guilliman."
Lucan's words made Cypher laugh derisively. He only thought Lucan was making some outlandish boasts.
Just as Cypher was about to leave, the voice of the Emperor came from within Lucan's warp projection. The Custodes He had sent via dream-visitation had arrived in the Lorysia system.
"The Custodes are here?!"
Lucan looked at Cypher, who was standing to the side.
"Interested in meeting a few people with me? Perhaps you will soon believe what I say."
With the endorsement of these representatives of the Emperor, the next step of Lucan's plan could begin.
Ten golden corn-heads boarded Lucan's Stellar Pioneer. Lucan sized up these Custodes, and they did the same to him. And Cypher, under his hood and surrounded by the Night Sentinels, was no longer so calm. His eyes flickered. No one could underestimate these Custodes.
These were the Custodes. How many years had it been since these personal guards of the Emperor had stepped out of the Imperial Palace? And before him were a full ten of them. And they were all here to find this one human?
At this moment, Cypher was already starting to believe what Lucan had said before. No one could command the current Custodes. Only the Emperor could. He did not believe that others could awaken a Primarch, but if it was the Emperor, then he was willing to believe He had the ability. Even if the Emperor did not do it personally, then He must have told Lucan the method.
However, Cypher did not know that the key to awakening the Primarch would be Lucan himself, and had little to do with the God-Emperor.
The Custodes were also very curious about the Lucan before them. This special warship, those soldiers in combat suits, and those Night Sentinels. And the Custodes also noticed Cypher, with the Lion Sword on his back.
"This person is from the First Legion? Why is he carrying the weapon of a son of the Emperor?!"
This was the first time Lucan had seen the legendary Custodes. Every one of them was an all-around development of virtue, intelligence, and physical fitness. Any one of them could cut down an ordinary Astartes like grass... but despite being so strong, they were always being used as a stepping stone for others... And their dazzling golden power armor almost blinded Lucan's eyes. This was auramite, which was even stronger than adamantium!
He had originally thought there would be at most one or two Custodes, but he hadn't expected so many to come.
And the Custodes also found that they could truly feel the power that belonged solely to the God-Emperor on Lucan. No one was more familiar with this feeling than them.
The lead Custodian took off his power helmet.
"Rogue Trader, you may call me Dius. We have come to find you under the orders of the Captain-General, Trajann."
"A pleasure to meet you, Dius! It seems you may have to take a long trip with me. I will need your help with many things."
"Rogue Trader, our mission is to bring you back to Terra to meet the Captain-General. According to the compact, we are not supposed to leave the Palace, let alone interfere in the affairs of the Imperium. Our only mission is to protect the Emperor."
"Don't talk to me about that compact. It's not like you haven't secretly come out before. And what is more important, the compact or the Emperor's command? He told me that the oracle given to you was to assist me, correct?"
"You can hear the Emperor's voice clearly?"
In the eyes of the Custodes, this should be the privilege of the Speakers for the Emperor.
"If you have any doubts about what I say, you can ask your Captain-General, Trajann. But I hope you can be quick. For every moment you delay, countless of the Emperor's people will be devoured by Chaos."
Dius exchanged a look with the Custodes beside him. One of them quickly returned to the warship to ask the Captain-General about the Emperor's original words via astropath.
When they received Trajann's affirmative reply... they did not hesitate to agree to Lucan's request. Just as Lucan had said, no compact could supersede the will of the Emperor.
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