Warhammer: Primarch's Life from the Beginning

The lights were still on in the large hall of the High Lords' Council. The people around the table had been arguing for a long time, and even the servants had learned to lower their heads and pretend not to hear. Only the quill pen was still scraping across the paper, recording yet another page of garbage conversation.

Pope Desius XXIII of the State Church, his face flushed and breathing slightly rapid, but his voice was still loud. He stared at the Inquisition representative opposite him and said, "An Primarch created and guided by the God-Emperor himself should lead the State Church. Only in this way will the people of the Empire know where to place their faith, and only in this way can the State Church better fight against the evil forces in the Warp."

Cleopatra Ers, the representative of the Inquisition, slowly tightened her gloves, her tone cold: "The State Church doesn't want to fight evil, it wants to turn him into your banner. The power that Prince Leo has shown is more suitable for overseeing the Empire and its interiors. Let the Inquisition cleanse heretics and corruption in his name. This is the most appropriate arrangement."

The Pope glared at her, his beard trembling: "You make it sound so easy. If the Inquisition had a Primarch backing it up, who could possibly control you?"

Ers's eyes grew even colder: "Then how much more noble are you than me?"

The other high lords at the table didn't bother with them. They were tired of this kind of argument. This time, however, the argument was faster and more blatant because everyone understood what a pure Primarch without Legion power meant. If he took a side, the other high lords would have no good days ahead.

The most powerful High Lord of the Interior was still troubled by the inability to collect the eleventh tax due to the extinguishing of the Star Torch, while his servants kept printing out lengthy documents.

During the Eternal Night Cataclysm, countless Star Speakers perished, and the Star Court is now nearly paralyzed. Therefore, the High Lord of the Star Court has simply given up and can only place his hopes on Lord Guilliman.

The Ambassador of Navigation sat in her seat, her magnificent robes impeccably arranged. She rested her chin on her hand, watching the two elderly men argue back and forth, her eyes devoid of emotion. When the Pope slammed his hand on the table again, she finally spoke lazily: "The meeting is almost over. If you intend to continue arguing, we'll be heading back."

The hall fell silent for a moment.

The Pope let out a sigh of relief, and Ers leaned back in his chair; both were clearly exhausted from arguing. Outside, the sky grew even darker, and the lights of Terra reflected on the glass like an impenetrable shadow.

Ers spoke first: "You also know that the two Primarchs have suspended their audience with the God-Emperor and instead focused on the corruption surrounding the palace."

The Pope snorted: "Of course I know."

"Then let's go see him together tomorrow," Ers said. "No one is allowed to make any advance moves, and no one is allowed to make contact with the Primarch before him."

The Pope stared at him for a moment, then finally nodded: "Yes."

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Meanwhile, Leo was being led by the Imperial Guards through the deep corridors of the palace. The surroundings were much quieter now, but people were still staring at him, especially the Imperial Guards leading the way. Even though their helmets covered their faces, Leo could tell their gazes lingered for far too long.

Of course he knew the reason.

That face was exactly the same as the person on the throne; walking around the palace was like deliberately making people uncomfortable.

Leo had intended to make a joke to ease the tension, but after walking for a while, the royal guards in front of him turned back to look at him again. He finally spoke helplessly, "I know who I look like. You don't need to check every now and then. I won't suddenly sit on the throne."

The imperial guard leading the way paused for a moment, then replied in a low voice, "Please forgive me, Your Highness, but such a scene is indeed quite rare."

Leo smiled and didn't press the matter further. As they walked, he remembered the monument Trajan had mentioned and asked, "Do you know where the memorial hall is for the Imperial Guards who died in the Battle of the Net Road? I'd like to go and take a look."

The imperial guards leading the way immediately agreed and led him to a different route.

The memorial hall wasn't far away; inside, there was no one else, only the silent stone tablets and the scent of incense. Leo slowed his pace as he entered. This place was dedicated to the Imperial Guards who died in the Battle of the Net Path; their names were engraved here. Some stone tablets had old holy emblems placed in front of them, while others held broken weapons and copies of oaths.

The imperial guard leading the way stopped at a spot and whispered, "Here."

Leo saw his own tombstone.

It was engraved with Leo's name, his identity, and the place where he died. When he transmigrated to the world of Warhammer, it was thanks to the Emperor's grace that his frail body didn't die instantly.

Now, his original body no longer exists.

He stood before the monument, silent for a long time.

The Guardsman leading the way didn't urge them on, but quietly stood guard behind. He watched Leo's retreating figure, a strange feeling stirring within him. Inside the memorial hall lay a Guardsman veteran, but now standing before the monument was a Primarch. He couldn't understand why this esteemed Primarch was lingering for so long. Did the Primarch, created by the Emperor himself, also feel a connection to the Guardsman?

Leo raised his hand and gently touched the name on the tombstone, whispering, "At least you didn't die in vain."

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It was late at night when he left the memorial hall. The Imperial Guards escorted him to the palace prepared for the Primarch, then stopped, saluted, and withdrew. Leo pushed open the door and went in, only to find the room full of people after taking just a couple of steps.

At first, Leo thought he had gone into the wrong room.

Pope Decius XXIII of the Church was already waiting inside, with a group of nuns standing behind him, all with respectful expressions, their armor and decorative relics arranged in perfect order.

The State Religion is the ruling group of the Imperial Order, upholding and propagating Imperial Doctrine, the sole official religion of the Empire. Although interpretations of State Religion rituals and doctrines vary across the Empire, any serious deviation from its strict regulations is considered heresy and severely punished. Based in Terra, its city palaces cover almost the entire southernmost part of the continent.

Upon seeing Leo enter, the Pope immediately bowed solemnly: "Your Highness, on behalf of the State Church, I express my heartfelt joy at your return. For the past ten thousand years, the High Lords Council has been struggling to keep this dying empire afloat. Now that the Primarch has returned, the empire is finally saved."

Leo didn't slack off, and after returning the greeting politely, asked, "Is there something important that you've come to visit so late at night?"

The Pope hesitated, even lowering his voice: "I have something to tell Your Highness that I am here so late. It is a very offensive matter, and it may even be somewhat blasphemous, but it is a necessary ritual procedure for the sake of the Empire."

Leo didn't understand: "What ritual procedure is so important that it's worth offending a Primarch?"

The Pope looked up at him and finally spoke: "I hope Your Highness can demonstrate the power from the God-Emperor and prove that you are indeed the Primarch created by the God-Emperor."

The Pope then added, "This may be difficult for you to understand, but for the state church, this symbolism is important and doesn't need to be too difficult."

Leo didn't answer immediately after hearing this. He had never actually used that power, but since the Emperor had said that he could use it, he couldn't keep pretending that he couldn't.

He stood up, and the room fell silent. The nuns present held their breath, and even the Pope looked serious.

Leo closed his eyes and tried to feel the connection.

This time it's not difficult.

Previously, he had subconsciously considered himself someone without psychic abilities, but when he truly sensed something, that power immediately responded to him. It wasn't unfamiliar; on the contrary, it felt reassuringly familiar, as natural as blood flowing through his body.

The nuns seemed to be hallucinating that someone was singing in their ears.

The next moment, Leo's palace was filled with golden light.

The light first flowed along the armor plates, then grew stronger, finally covering the entire power armor. The golden psionic energy was so thick it clung to his body like a flowing liquid, and his eyes lit up. The icons, rosaries, and reliquary adorning people began to respond, emitting low hums.

Almost all the nuns present knelt down at the same time. Their faces showed no fear, only overwhelming excitement.

The Pope's lips were trembling.

Leo turned and walked up to the Pope, placing his hand on his shoulder. The Pope froze for a moment, then his eyes widened. He could feel strength returning to his aging body; his shoulders and back straightened, even his breathing became easier, and the heaviness dragged down by the years briefly subsided.

Soon after, the golden light slowly dissipated.

Leo withdrew his hand and asked, "Does this prove it?"

The Pope nodded repeatedly, his voice filled with joy: "Yes, of course, this is enough, this is definitely it!"

Having witnessed all of this, the Pope spoke almost without pause: "Since a part of the Divine Emperor has descended to earth in your stead, it is only right and proper that you should lead the state church. I request your consent that the Supreme Council of the state church summon the cardinals of all star sectors to Terra as quickly as possible to complete the papal appointment."

The Space Marines applauded the fact that no faction in the Imperium could resist the allure of a Primarch.

He did not refuse directly, but said tactfully, "I do not know much about the state religion, and I am newly born and need time to understand the empire."

The Pope smiled and said, "I can introduce the State Church to Your Highness. It is not part of the Central Government, but a completely independent organization, so you don't need to worry about being under the jurisdiction of the Imperial Government."

"Its leader is the Pope, who, according to tradition, has always been one of the High Lords of Terra, but now that you, the Primarch, are here, it's a different story."

Leo seemed thoughtful. This sounded like an organization that served the Emperor directly, so his succession didn't seem out of place.

The old pope continued, "The ruling body of the state church is the supreme synod of bishops of the organization. The state church divides the empire into thousands of dioceses, and many imperial planets are directly ruled by the state church."

Leo felt increasingly uneasy as he listened. He wasn't Guilliman; this kind of thing would be too troublesome for him.

He quickly interrupted the Pope's introduction, saying, "Excuse me for interrupting you, but this sounds quite complicated. I have more important matters to attend to right now, so please allow me to consider it."

The Pope was not disappointed; instead, he showed an expression of expectation. "This is already a great step forward. At least His Highness is not opposed to the state religion. I only ask that the people of the state religion assist you."

"Furthermore, I can see that you currently do not have your own subordinates; you need your own forces to assist you in your work, such as the chaotic threat you are facing."

That's not wrong.

Leo thought for a moment and nodded: "Okay, I need someone to help me understand the Empire."

The Pope breathed a sigh of relief, beckoned with his finger, and gestured for a nun behind him to step forward slowly: "Then let her follow you for now. Her name is Kara, from the Sisters of the Martyrs under the jurisdiction of the Saints' Monastery on Ophelia Satellite 7. She is currently a court lady. She is here to report to the Saints' General Convent in Terra and will soon be serving as the head nun. I have chosen her, and I think she is very suitable for you."

The nun immediately got up and walked over to Leo.

She barely reached Leo's chest, her white hair was neatly styled, her black power armor was impeccably tailored, and her face, though youthful, showed she had already been through countless battles as a battle nun. However, as she approached Leo, she couldn't help but feel a little nervous, her fingers slightly tense.

She raised her head and knelt before Leo, saying, "Your Highness, I am Kara, and I am willing to serve you."