Chapter 211: Poor Raven
In an instant, Corax traversed tens of thousands of light-years, emerging upon a colossal platform within the Solar System itself.
The structure was vast beyond mortal comprehension, larger than a continent, housing innumerable grand machines and arcane devices of the Imperium's making.
The guards stationed there detected the spatial distortion immediately, weapons snapping to ready positions as combat protocols engaged.
Upon recognizing the Imperial Guard Commander, they quickly stood down. The activated turrets swiveled away, their targeting spirits quieted.
The platform's supervisor arrived swiftly. After rendering a proper salute, he arranged a transport shuttle according to Valdo's orders.
Corax stepped through the spacetime passage, and his first glimpse of the Solar System left him profoundly shaken.
Giant structures dominated the void, impossible edifices visible throughout the entire star system. Even the star itself wore a crown of massive orbital constructs.
"Come," Valdor said to Corax. "I'll take you to meet your father and your brothers."
Under Valdor's guidance, Corax boarded a massive voidcraft.
The vessel gleamed brilliant gold, its streamlined hull adorned with wings that evoked a giant Imperial Aquila preparing to take flight. The transport cabin was vast, even a Primarch would not feel confined within its generous dimensions.
Once seated, the pilot initiated the launch sequence. Anti-gravity engines roared to life. Propulsion drives spewed bright flames. The heavy hull vibrated with barely contained power as a deep hum resonated through the deck plating.
The voidcraft launched from port, banking toward Terra.
Corax gazed through the viewport. The magnificent void docks and countless ports stretched before him in full glory. Standing on the platform versus witnessing this from the void itself, two entirely different experiences.
Ships swarmed like schools of fish. Thousands of foundries and smelters operated in synchronized rhythm. Weapon platforms larger than cities loomed alongside gravity well launchers. Planet-sized megastructures arrayed themselves throughout the void in orderly progression.
Surveillance ships patrolled ceaselessly through the black, maintaining eternal vigilance like diligent worker bees guarding their hive.
Corax marveled at the Human Empire's military might and technological prowess.
His homeworld possessed remnants of Golden Age technology and industry, but compared to the Solar System? It was akin to a grain of sand beside the Milky Way itself. Utterly insignificant.
Valdor sat opposite Corax, silent. He allowed the Primarch to process everything independently.
After a long moment, Corax finally tore his gaze away and looked at Valdo. "What kind of person is my father?"
"He is the Human Lord, one of the Empire's supreme rulers, destined to command the boundless universe. He created you, but thieves stole you away and scattered you across distant regions of the galaxy."
Valdor gestured at the vista beyond. "Everything you see was forged jointly by Him and the Raven. And this is merely the beginning. You already have five brothers who have ventured into other universes. The Empire's glory will spread across all the heavens."
"What kind of people are my brothers?" Corax asked.
"You are all the Emperor's finest creations. Each of you wields god-like power and serves as vanguard and main force for the Empire's expansion."
Valdor extended a hand, opening a light screen displaying the Primarchs' information.
Lion El'Jonson, leader of the First Legion—Dark Angels. Knight King of Caliban. The Lion.
Achievements: Annihilation of the Space Yeti race. Annihilation of the Shadow Creature race. Annihilation of the Mekaron Xenos.
Corax blinked at the uniform record of annihilations. His brother seemed to have quite the murderous streak.
"Why did it skip to number three? Where's number two?" Corax noticed the gap immediately.
"Number Two's soul encountered complications requiring cognitive reconstruction," Valdor explained. "He is currently in recovery. It will be some time before he can lead the Second Legion."
Corax wanted to ask more about Number Two's condition, but Valdor didn't elaborate. He gave up and continued reading.
Fulgrim, leader of the Third Legion—Emperor's Children. The Perfect One of Chemos. The Phoenix.
Corax read through each Primarch's introduction. All were exceptional, with brilliant records of achievement. His own accomplishments seemed insignificant by comparison.
He also noticed one Primarch who resembled him greatly: Konrad Curze, leader of the Eighth Legion—Night Lords.
He also used lightning claws and favored infiltration tactics. Practically another version of himself.
A sense of frustration crept into him. On Lycaeus, as a Primarch, he'd been a guiding beacon for the rebel organization. His wisdom and strength were beyond mortal reach.
Now, after encountering the Human Empire, he'd been shocked first by its technology and military, and now learned there were twenty individuals as excellent as him.
Corax's reverence for the Emperor deepened. The Emperor of Mankind, capable of creating and commanding twenty god-like offspring, must possess power and wisdom far surpassing even the Primarchs themselves.
The voidcraft was swift. Terra came into view quickly.
The planet was highly developed, entirely enveloped by magnificent structures. Dozens of grand sky-piercing towers connected surface to void platforms, transporting goods and personnel in constant flow. Terra's ports teemed with ships, bustling beyond measure.
Thanks to the highest access clearance, they proceeded unhindered.
Finally, the voidcraft landed at the spaceport.
Malcador, Perturabo, and a contingent of high-ranking Imperial officials had already been waiting, having received advance notice.
The moment Corax stepped out, the band behind them struck up a piece titled 'Imperial Honor.'
"Welcome back, Corax." Malcador stepped forward first, embracing the Primarch.
"Welcome, my brother." Perturabo followed, giving Corax a firm hug.
The meeting was harmonious. Perturabo introduced his achievements to Corax, noting that most of the Solar System's megastructures had been designed and planned by him personally.
Currently, he was planning and constructing a cross-time-space travel platform for the Empire. Once built, even if the Raven slacked off, the Empire could travel to other universes independently.
This project ranked among the Empire's most critical undertakings.
Corax's expression of shock greatly pleased Perturabo. Indeed, the Primarch brothers who'd just returned to the Empire were more amiable and understood how to appreciate his plans properly.
After pleasantries, Corax was ushered into the Throne Room of the Terra Palace.
The Emperor was there, calibrating the Golden Throne, the device used to establish and promote the construction of the Webway. Webway travel remained the most cost-effective method of faster-than-light transit for the vast Empire.
Once established, starships could achieve inexpensive FTL travel even without Warp engines or hyperspace jump drives.
Therefore, the Emperor planned to extend the Webway throughout the entire galaxy and eventually the universe itself. After all, the Webway shield-tunneling machine technology had already been acquired. Letting it gather dust would be wasteful.
Corax ascended the elevated platform where the Golden Throne stood. The Emperor sat there, radiating intense luminescence like a golden sun incarnate. The closer the Primarch drew to that blazing presence, the more apprehensive he felt.
Upon reaching the platform, he instinctively knelt on one knee.
"Father," he said softly.
The Emperor opened His eyes. Bright light flowed within His pupils.
Corax's eyes widened in profound shock. Within those eyes, he witnessed the cycle of creation and destruction of all things. Saw the universe perish and restart. Those eyes were unfathomably deep, containing endless wisdom. Even looking at them gave him the sensation of being drawn into an infinite abyss.
"Nineteenth. Welcome back."
The Emperor's voice was sacred, vast, as if the entire universe echoed in Corax's ears. But there was no emotion within it. Utterly cold. It was like a god who had completely transcended humanity speaking to His creation.
The Emperor fit all of Corax's imaginings of a creator. Mysterious. Powerful. Without personal desires or emotions.
Yet it also left him feeling... disappointed.
He'd addressed Him as Father, but received no emotional response in return.
This inexplicably reminded him of Lord Raven. It was hard to imagine that the Raven, who never maintained a proper appearance, could become partners with a father as emotionally wooden as this, and even create the Empire together.
It must have been difficult for Lord Raven.
Fortunately, the Emperor was focused on the Webway and Webway projects, not fully concentrating on the meeting with Corax. Had He known the inner thoughts of this rebellious son, He would surely have been exasperated enough to vomit blood.
That damned Raven having a hard time?
The Raven was practically ready to replace the Aquila banner with his favorite fries and ketchup. Throughout the entire Empire, who enjoyed life more than him?
...
Meanwhile, the time-traveling Raven suddenly sneezed.
"Akchoo!!"
Raven paused. "Heh?"
"Ackchoo!!"
"Hehhhh??!!"
"I can actually catch a cold!"
Raven stared at nothing, questioning reality itself. He wasn't even a carbon-based life form anymore. How could he possibly catch a cold?
Had science died? How could such an illogical thing happen?
[End of Chapter]
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