A single Lance strike leaves not a blade of grass alive!
This is not an exaggeration; as the most threatening, terrifying, and destructive weapon in the Imperium of Man's navy, even a "Titan of Emperor-class" pales in comparison!
If it weren't for the fact that the CEC headquarters in the North U.S. division held research data on the 'Marker', Emrys wouldn't have hesitated to uproot this "cancer" from the very beginning.
Witnessing the islands instantly shattered, a tsunami engulfing several square kilometers, and magma and rising black rock churning like a scene from hell, the CEC company executives and the coalition government (United Government) were immediately scared witless.
What's going on?
In the blink of an eye, all was directly annihilated?!
At this moment, inside the spaceport.
The staff, including Meyer, had long lost their previous arrogance, their faces filled with despair and fear.
Their eyes were full of horror.
The destructive power displayed by the Lance far exceeded their imagination; such a terrifying weapon, even to wipe out all humans on the entire Earth, probably wouldn't take very long, would it?
This, is this the 'Imperium'?!
"This, is this—your so-called strategy?!" Meyer's lips were white, his pupils trembling slightly as he turned to glare at these staff members, who prided themselves as clever people and human elites.
"Is this the result you wanted, huh?!"
The staff were already consumed by fear, each one cowering like a quail, trembling, wishing they could bury their heads in the dirt.
Although they had the authorization of the CEC and the United Government, they were also the culprits behind all this!
"We, we didn't know—it would be like this!" The staff member cried, his voice trembling.
"It shouldn't be like this, negotiations—it shouldn't be like this—",
The difference between this and the negotiations they had imagined was a bit too great!
A disagreement, and a nation is destroyed!
This is not some "Imperium"; it's clearly extremist terrorists!
No, compared to them, terrorists would probably seem as kind as honest people!
These people are too terrifying!
"You still have ten seconds to consider." Galahad's cold voice dragged them from their fear back to the cold reality.
"In one minute, we will execute the second wave of the 'Holy Conflagration' protocol. This time it will be ten countries, next time a hundred—until you agree."
That hoarse voice, seemingly mixed with mechanical electronics, contained an unshakeable resolve.
The usually stern Galahad looked at everyone and suddenly let out a sneer, making the staff and Meyer present feel a deep fear from the bottom of their hearts, and a chill that permeated their bones.
"Of course—"
From Galahad' mechanical android eyes, a deep red light emanated, as if reflecting a bloody ocean, churning and surging with thick bloodlust, shaking everyone's minds.
"If a hundred countries also cannot make you decide, then it can only prove that you are not ordinary heretics. At this point, we must strike hard and use the 'Exterminatus Protocol'."
Exterminatus?
The name itself didn't sound like a good thing.
Meyer and the staff's hearts immediately skipped a beat, knowing that the other party was absolutely not joking. If they couldn't give an answer within ten seconds, then a new round of extermination awaited them!
"No, esteemed Magos Galahad, please wait!" Meyer cried in terror.
"We need to apply here, please give us a little more time!"
One minute, not even enough time for communication!
"Rejected."
Galahad' unyielding tone plunged Meyer into an ice cellar, filling him with despair.
"Your foolish actions have already disappointed the esteemed Lord Merlin, so this time there is only one minute, counting from now."
He casually had the servo-skull behind him begin to count the time.
59, 58, 57...
Looking at that mechanically modified object, like a human skull, counting down like the death knell of the God of Death.
Meyer completely panicked, a mix of fury and terror, he turned and roared at the still-dazed staff.
"What are you waiting for? Hurry up, do you still want to see ten more countries destroyed?!"
The staff, as if waking from a dream, frantically ran back, shouting loudly to the United Government and CEC, reporting the situation here.
The reactions of CEC and the United Government were also extremely swift; almost by tacit agreement, after witnessing the power of the Lance, they immediately sent their demands to the spaceport.
They were willing to surrender unconditionally!
Politicians are like this; they wouldn't mind letting tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, or millions of troops fight the enemy to the death, but they would absolutely care about their own lives.
Clearly, the destructive power of the Lance made these shameless politicians, who not long ago were clamoring about fighting to the bitter end, completely recognize reality.
Resistance?
That's impossible!
If the army dies, they can recruit again, but if they die, won't their glory and wealth be gone?
Thus, the United Government and CEC knelt at light speed, completely abandoning their so-called bottom line, and no longer insisting on any human civilization, their obsequious attitude before and after was truly ridiculous.
Upon receiving the news, the staff, wishing they could crawl, used every ounce of strength they had, rushing back to report the news.
"Surr-surrendered!"
"We surrendered!"
They swore that in their lives, they had never had such an experience, running and shouting "Surrender," almost out of breath.
"10, 9, 8. —"
However, the countdown continued.
Meyer panicked. He stepped forward in terror, trying to stop the still-counting servo-skull.
"Don't, don't count anymore, we've already surrendered!"
But before he could touch the servo-skull, he was struck on the shin by the cog-wheel staff, falling and rolling, his face harshly scraping against the deck.
Galahad remained standing, his gaze cold, silently watching Meyer on the ground, surrounded by the servo-skull's death countdown.
"3, 2, 1..
"We surrender!!!!"
Meyer was filled with deep fear, using all his strength, veins bulging on his forehead and neck, he shouted these words.
Finally, the countdown stopped.
Galahad lowered his head, his gaze like a sharp blade, tearing apart Meyer's pride and dignity.
"This is the first time, and it is the last time—please engrave the name of Merlin in your hearts, remember the grace of the Emperor and the Lord Commander,
It is they who have forgiven—your sins."
Meyer gasped for air, cold sweat soaking his clothes. He knew very well that this bastard had no intention of keeping his word from beginning to end.
In other words—this Magos Galahad truly wanted to continue executing the 'Holy Conflagration' protocol, but was only stopped at the last moment!
And the one who stopped him was, without a doubt, the "Lord Commander" mentioned by this Mechanicus Magos .
At this moment, Meyer's self-esteem and pride were completely torn apart and trampled underfoot, as humble as dust, he lowered his head, tears streaming down.
"Thank you—God-Emperor and Lord Commander—"
He didn't know who the Emperor was or who the Lord Commander was, but he had to do it!
Galahad snorted coldly.
In fact, he had acted on his own accord. These audacious heretics dared to disregard the Lord Commander's mercy and even provoke them. This had already violated the Imperium's laws!
If they weren't given the necessary shock, wouldn't they once again ignore the Lord Commander's orders in the future?
He had to make these people understand what it meant to—revere and fear, and deeply engrave it in their hearts!
"Very good."
Galahad took a half-step forward, looking down at Meyer kneeling on the ground, and said coldly.
"Now, no matter what method you use, send all information about the 'Marker', including fragments, to this location. Within seventy-two hours, if this unit discovers that you are hoarding—destruction of the nation!"
The light words "destruction of the nation" felt like a ten-thousand-pound hammer dropping on Meyer's heart, making him breathless.
"Yes!"
Hearing this, how could Meyer not guess the reason for their sudden misfortune?
His eyes already revealed a mad, fanatical, almost tangible, dense killing intent.
After all that, it turned out these were people provoked by CEC. These damned cancers, it was time for them to pay the price for their arrogance!
Soon, the great purge began.
The CEC executives and the people of the XX cult were all rounded up by the indignant and furious United Government, including the people and the army.