The best way to eliminate the people's apprehension is to interact with them.
Fulgrim had learned a lot of diplomatic philosophy during her time on Chemos.
Whenever she went to a fortress-redoubt, the first thing she faced was the fear of the locals.
Fear of the unknown, fear of change.
And the best way to eliminate it was to face it personally.
Fulgrim, in her Primarch-grade purple-and-gold power armor, waved to the countless curious onlookers.
The capital of Byzas had a pleasant scenery.
It may not have been very prosperous, but it still retained the marks of its former glorious era.
In the distance, layers of houses were neatly arranged.
Lush green vines covered the brick walls of the residences. The shops along the road emitted the fresh fragrance of dried herbs. On the other side was a small fur shop with animal pelts on display. The shop owner sat leisurely on a recliner in front of the door, rocking back and forth.
The stone-paved road was not wide, but walking on it complemented the beautiful scenery around it.
Leisurely and comfortable.
"Lord Corinthus!"
The old shop owner seemed to recognize the Vizier Corinthus beside Fulgrim and came forward to shake his hand with a smile.
It seemed that compared to the high-and-mighty governor, this Vizier named Corinthus held a high position in the hearts of the people of Byzas.
The glory of humanity's golden age still remained here.
At that time, the positioning of Byzas was most likely a beautiful garden world.
"I have to admit, Vizier, the origins of the people of Byzas are far more fortunate than those on my homeworld."
Fulgrim couldn't help but sigh.
"But even Chemos, which was on the verge of death, will, under our guidance, break free from the age of ignorance and foolishness and set sail for the great sea of stars."
"And I believe that the people of Byzas can also do it."
Under the watchful eyes of the countless curious crowds, Fulgrim, with several Emperor's Children behind her, stepped onto the high platform at the end of the street.
The place where their landing craft had docked was also the best viewing platform in the entire capital city.
In front of the crescent-shaped harbor formed by the land in the distance, the fishermen who were farming algae were piloting their small boats, turning into distant stars.
She extended her right hand and waved to the distance.
"At that time, Byzas will be as prosperous as Chemos, until forever!"
The crowd behind her instantly erupted in thunderous cheers for Fulgrim's promise.
A powerful and beautiful princess from among the stars.
Just with her supreme charm, she was enough to make the whole world fall for her.
Not to mention she was going to turn the already desperate and declining Byzas back into the paradise of legend!
Feeling the tsunami of congratulations from the mortals, Fulgrim showed a smile.
Compared to conquerors like Horus or Leman Russ, Fulgrim preferred to see herself as a liberator.
And just then, a scream caught her attention.
It was Telmar, one of the Emperor's Children who had followed her.
He had accidentally tripped a child who had gotten too close. The latter, perhaps seeing such a tall and strange human and armor for the first time, had wanted to reach out and touch him.
"Don't!"
Seeing Telmar still striding towards the fallen child, the Vizier Corinthus anxiously wanted to step forward and stop him.
But it was too late.
Telmar took off his helmet and lifted the little girl who had fallen to the ground in fear.
As someone of Chemosian descent, his origin and appearance were far from ordinary. His face, covered in the marks of war, was a crisscross of old and new scars, and he looked particularly terrifying.
He looked at her with that fierce face.
And then he smiled.
"You should be more careful, child."
Telmar's actions seemed to have frightened the surrounding onlookers a little, and coupled with his fierce face, even his smile looked intimidatingly terrifying.
"Telmar, you should really consider your own appearance before showing your kindness," Fulgrim said, taking the still-trembling child from the embarrassed Telmar's hands.
She held the girl high above her shoulder and gave a kind smile to the anxious mother beside her.
And compared to the fierce-looking Telmar, the girl was naturally not afraid of a beautiful goddess with a perfect face.
She sat on Fulgrim's pauldron, clapping her hands and giggling.
"Look at them, my Emperor's Children."
"We are the highest, and they are the lowest. Your duty is to lift them up, as high as they can reach. Anything less would be beneath your dignity."
This was the consistent principle of the Emperor's Children.
To rule by fear was certainly simple and efficient, but in the end, it could never escape the cycle of resistance and eventual overthrow.
Fear can be overthrown, but love cannot. It ebbs and flows, but it never truly disappears.
Just like the Sagittarius in the sky.
"A lesson from Chemos."
Fulgrim handed the child back to her tearful mother and looked with a smile at the silent Vizier Corinthus beside her.
"And I believe that after submitting, Byzas will also follow us and join the great crusade to the stars!"
The people's cheers were endless.
The Star-Phoenix Princess had won the favor of all the people of Byzas present with her great affinity.
The Vizier Corinthus did not seem to be one of them.
"But... my lady."
"This crusade you speak of... what exactly does it refer to?"
He bent down and bowed deeply, and his long robe, symbolizing his high official status, trailed on the stone road.
"Hasn't Iterant Pyke mentioned it to you?"
"The blood tithe. The children from the planets that have submitted will undergo the Space Marine augmentation tests. The suitable ones will become excellent Space Marines and join the Great Crusade."
"And we, the Emperor's Children, generally have two origins."
She pointed to Abdemon beside her. "Either from the bloodlines of the ancient nobles on various planets."
"Or as outstanding young graduates from military academies," she turned to the Emperor's Children named Telmar from before.
This was Kasjia's suggestion.
On Chemos, he had prepared all of this.
To establish military academies in the major fortress cities to select suitable talents.
The new recruits selected through regular tests were far more militarily qualified than the strangely selected guys from other legions.
"Then may I ask... when will this crusade end?"
Good question.
Fulgrim fell silent at this moment.
War... when will war end?
She had not considered this question, nor had she ever asked the Emperor about it.
"I don't know."
"Perhaps soon, perhaps never."
"I understand."
There was no expression on the Vizier's face.
He bowed deeply to Fulgrim and slowly retreated.
Yes, the crusade.
When will this Great Crusade that spans the entire galaxy end?
Fulgrim fell into deep thought.
But just then, the whistling sound of a bullet breaking the wind interrupted her thoughts.
-------
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