Emperor's Bane

Chapter 906 Zhuang Sen's Return (22)

For a group of people who have survived countless near-death experiences, what is the most important thing?
The captain's question gave the first mate pause for thought.

"honor?"

"wealth?"

Or is it historical significance?

No, these are not the most important things.

Captain Franklin shook his head solemnly.

"Most importantly, I can confidently tell our lads: We can go home now."

He smugly waved his finger.

"That's the biggest temptation: even mountains of gold and silver can't compare to the sense of security of being far away from the dark regions beyond our borders."

The first mate thought for a moment and nodded.

"indeed."

When he learned that he could go home, he instinctively breathed a sigh of relief.

Even the most adventurous person cannot stay in this crazy area for long.

"So what do we do?"

"Notify the logistics department to extract the supplies from our inventory that won't delay the overall plan. Prepare to hold a banquet to give them some benefits, and then get those lazybones in the engine room moving. We need to quickly search this star system and then select a suitable world to plant the Empire's flag."

"With these, we can report back to the High Lord."

Or report to the war commander.

The captain added silently to himself.

"Understood, I'll give the order right away."

The first mate nodded, but before he could turn around and walk to the door, the iron gate was quickly pushed open by a series of hurried footsteps: a face covered in sweat appeared in front of the two men, looking anxious.

"what's up?"

The first mate paused for a moment before recognizing the young man as someone who worked in the communications room.

"Captain... First Mate..."

The person who arrived was drenched in sweat and seemed to have run over without even having time to use a communicator.

"Calm down, my child."

The captain placed his hand under the table and slowly put the pistol he had just pulled out back into the drawer.

"What happened?"

"Communications room... communications room... radar over there..."

The person who came was panting heavily, and in the end, he could only utter a fragmented request.

"You should go and see for yourself."

"Radar indicates that an Imperial fleet is present directly in front of our ship!"

"..."

"what?"

"In this godforsaken place?"

Captain Franklin jumped to his feet, unsure whether he should be terrified or angry first.

Didn't they arrive at a remote corner where even the Starbeams couldn't be seen? How could there possibly be an Imperial fleet here?

Are they really the Empire's fleet?
Before Captain Franklin could even begin to ponder the chilling questions, the entire Northwest Passage's broadcast and communication network, without permission, indiscriminately broadcast a strange message to everyone: someone had quietly taken over most of the authority of this exploration ship at some unknown time.

The voice was as cold as a blade, and his tone was more of a command than a notification.

------

"Imperial ships ahead, beware."

"This is the Sword of Hatred of the Dark Angel Legion."

"We are acting on the orders of Primarch Johnson, and we demand that you immediately disarm and submit to our boarding and investigation."

------

"This is all the intelligence we found on that exploration vessel, Primarch."

Between the thrones of the Unyielding Truth, Arachios bowed to the shadows cast by thousands of sharp blades.

"Northwest Passage?"

After a while, the king on the throne slowly spoke, his voice hoarse from the long expedition and continuous conquests: Zhuang Sen raised his head, his emerald green pupils staring directly at his offspring's torso, while his mind was engaged in an astonishingly complex thought process.

"I don't remember this name: can you find it?"

"The database of the Unyielding Truth does indeed contain documents of an expedition ship of the same name, and both the ship's outline and data performance match: moreover, Captain Franklin claimed that he had fought for the First Army and even participated in the two Danish Wars during the Great Expedition."

"Ran Dan?"

The name made Zhuang Sen frown.

Can you be sure?

"We did indeed find a first mate named Franklin among the service slots for the Abomination Exemplar and the Randan War."

"But more importantly..."

Arachnos paused for a moment.

"The captain wears a medal on his chest that was personally made and awarded by His Excellency Morgan, something that can never be faked."

"..."

Zhuang Sen nodded.

"very good."

Then he lowered his head and examined once more the letters that Arachos had confiscated from the expedition captain.

"According to him, this was the message he received during his last communication with the Empire?"

Yes: about three or four months ago.

"Perhaps I should meet that Star Speaker."

The Primarch sighed.

"This place is so remote that even Lady Seralyn Fianna of the Nioosin family couldn't give us accurate directions, yet the Star Speakers on their ship are able to maintain communication with the galaxy?"

"According to him, the navigator and star talker on his ship were directly assigned to him by the Marker."

That makes sense.

The Primarch thought about it for a moment.

"Let him in, I have something to ask him."

"I'll do it right away."

Arachios nodded and left.

A few minutes later, the Grand Master of the Ninth Knights led in a timid old man.

Upon entering the room, Captain Franklin had barely taken a few steps when he knelt down in reverence, for he saw the Lord Caliban seated on his throne.

"Homage to you, great Primarch."

The inexplicable fervor on the expedition captain's face made Zhuang Sen raise an eyebrow with curiosity.

"You ever met me?"

"I had the privilege of fighting with the First Army Corps and participating in two Randan Wars: but please forgive me, perhaps due to my limited authority, I have forgotten many of the details."

"This is normal."

Zhuang Sen nodded; he seemed to be in a very good mood and even offered an explanation.

"Please don't be surprised: this is a necessary measure taken by the Empire to ensure your mental well-being."

"Now, please rise, sir."

The tone of his words was so gentle that Arachios's brow twitched slightly.

The Primarch, disregarding all this, had already stepped down from his throne and strolled over to Franklin, still clutching the letter tightly in his hand.

"first."

Zhuang Sen spoke slowly, almost as if uttering each word carefully: it was clear that he was seriously considering how to say each sentence.

"Please forgive me, Mr. Franklin, but for necessary security reasons, I have had to order my men to examine all documents concerning you and your crew and to inspect the interior of your ship. Please believe me, none of our actions were malicious: in this place far from the galaxy, this is a lesson learned in blood."

"I understand, my lord."

Franklin was so excited that he trembled all over.

“I have explored the darkness beyond this realm many times, and I know just how dangerous it is here.”

"I also know how heroic your expedition to this place was in wiping out the enemies of the empire."

"Thank you for your understanding."

The Primarch managed a weak smile.

Then, he did something that surprised both Arachios and Franklin: Johnson slowly walked to a counter on the side of the room, bent down, and took out some glittering objects. The lion smirked: he had never been so grateful for the good habit he had developed with Morgan.

Immediately afterwards, the Primarch took out a bottle of bright red wine and two crystal glasses. Under the astonished gaze of Arachios, who stared wide-eyed, Johnson personally filled the bottle for the captain named Franklin and placed it in his trembling hand. Then he poured himself a glass and smiled as he clinked glasses with the mortal.

"Homage to the valiant explorers of the Empire."

"Ah...ah...I am so grateful, sir."

The captain nodded blankly, looking somewhat like he was having an epileptic seizure, and nearly choked as he gulped down the drink.

The Primarch, however, did not touch a drop of alcohol. His mind was clearly not on these fine wines. After carefully observing the most subtle facial expressions of the mortal before him, Zhuang Sen seemingly unintentionally made another request.

“I noticed a detail.”

"Your ships appear to be severely damaged."

"After all, this is the darkness beyond the realm, my lord."

Franklin smiled bitterly.

"It's already quite an achievement that we made it this far alive. We were originally hoping to..."

He paused here.

Franklin had originally envisioned them as the discoverers and conquerors of this distant star, recorded in the annals of future generations as pioneers of the farthest frontier of the human empire. But it was clear that long before their ships arrived, the Dark Angels' fleet had already existed in this star system representing the empire.

He certainly wouldn't be so crazy as to steal his credit from a Primarch.

Even the Lord of Caliban could easily see through this awkward little thought.

Please don't worry about this kind of thing.

Zhuang Sen smiled at him.

"Our fleet is only responsible for expeditions, and our duties do not include exploring and conquering distant frontiers for the Empire, so we are not actually the discoverers of this star system: please do not mind our existence, Mr. Franklin. You and your sailors have unquestionable courage and loyalty, and your feats must be recorded in history books. This is the reward that those who are willing to dedicate themselves deserve."

"May I ask: what did you originally intend to name this newly discovered galaxy?"

"what……"

Franklin took a deep breath.

"We originally planned to name this galaxy the Apollonia Galaxy."

"Then let's do it."

Johnson nodded, interrupting Franklin's subsequent modesty in an unquestionable tone.

"The Apollonia system, the farthest frontier of the Empire in the northern part of the galaxy, is also powerful evidence of the Empire's zenith: discovered by Captain Franklin and his Northwest Passage in the fiftieth year of the Great Expedition, and I, Primarch Johnson, and my Legion of Dark Angels are witnesses to this great miracle."

"From now on, if anyone has any doubts about the great achievements of you and your sailors..."

"Just have him come find me."

"Sir...sir..."

Hot tears began to stream down Franklin's face, which had not shed a tear for over a hundred years.

"Thank you so much... I'm extremely grateful..."

"Don't get so worked up: you deserve this."

Zhuang Sen smiled kindly.

Not far from him, Arachios rubbed his eyes in confusion, then tapped his temples, wondering if he was in some kind of illusion.

"Furthermore, please allow me to make a suggestion."

The original tone became harsher; it was supposed to be a suggestion, but it sounded more like a command.

But nobody there cared about that.

"I have noticed that your ships seem to have suffered serious damage during the previous expedition. It would be irresponsible to send you, such valiant subjects of the Empire, on your return journey in this way. Therefore, if you do not mind, please travel with my fleet for the rest of the journey. I will order them to make proper arrangements for you and your crew."

"..."

Franklin hesitated for only a second.

"Thank you for your help, sir."

"do not worry about it."

Finally, Zhuang Sen picked up the letter.

"Well, if it's convenient for you."

"Could you explain to me what exactly has happened in the Milky Way over the past ten months?"

------

After escorting the grateful Captain Franklin back to his temporary resting place, Arachios returned to the throne room on the Primarch's orders.

He pushed the door open again and was greeted by the familiar-looking Zhuang Sen.

The Primarch remained silent, like a sword ready to be drawn and drink blood at any moment. He exuded a terrifying aura that made Arachios want to kneel down in reverence. At the feet of his black armor, the glass that had once been used to express friendship and goodwill had been shattered into pieces: this was the Primarch's true state of mind at this moment.

"Arachios".

Zhuang Sen's voice was calm.

"What that mortal said is true."

“In the time we were away, they actually messed everything up.”

"Horus and Terra: I originally thought they could at least fulfill their most basic responsibilities, but I was wrong."

"They are not Morgan; they are far inferior to Morgan."

"Horus and Macado have disappointed the Emperor."

"They've let us all down."

Arachios lowered his head: There was no need for any further mental probing or technological means; the Primarch had already verified the authenticity of the information through his own methods.

"What should we do, sir?"

"Summon all troops and set off immediately to return to the Milky Way as quickly as possible."

"At the same time, prepare for battle."

Zhuang Sen looked at his throne.

In his silhouette, Arachios saw a fury and fighting spirit powerful enough to incinerate the galaxy.

"Let's see."

"What on earth is that madman Horus up to?"

"And what about those useless trash from Terra?"

------

"So, which route shall we take, sir?"

"East or West?"

"..."

"Go to the Far East."

Zhuang Sen hesitated for only a moment.

Horus is certainly not trustworthy.

"But if the Emperor really is missing, it only shows that Holy Terra is not so pure and innocent after all."

"Let's go to the eastern part of the Milky Way."

“Go find Morgan, Conrad… and Guilliman.”

"They should be reliable."

"If we want the galaxy to return to stability, we need to unite the forces of the Far East countries."

"If we go directly back to Caliban, we are very likely to be separated from Horus and the Far East."

"Why not try to support Terra?"

"You mean supporting Dorn?"

The lion burst into laughter.

"No, and as I said, Holy Terra is not entirely trustworthy now either."

Arachios lowered his head and stopped arguing.

"So, we're going to Avalon?"

"That's right: go find Morgan, Conrad, and Guilliman."

"At least, they won't truly betray humanity: nor will they truly betray the entire human empire."

"..."

"Even Lord Guilliman?"

"..."

"Yes, even Guilliman: even Guilliman."

(End of this chapter)