Warhammer: Empire Reboot

Further in the direction of the imperial palace, the outline of the imperial palace stands against the horizon.

……

The three people walked along the road leading to the palace.

Behind them, military flags, golden armor, power armor, and mechanical legions stretched out along Lions Gate Airport.

This team thus entered into a state of shock for everyone in Terra.

After the welcoming ceremony at Lionsgate Airport, Guilliman did not take Lawson directly to the Golden Throne.

The road leading deep into the palace branched off for the first time in front of the Imperial Council Hall.

Thirty thousand heavily armored bear guards, thirty thousand flying bear motorcycles, Wolverine and saber-toothed tiger heavy armored platforms, and the cornerstone sequence legion numbering one million all entered their garrisons according to the areas designated in advance by Terra.

Three thousand battle nuns also remained on the outer perimeter.

The four living saints then entered the palace and followed them to the Great Council Hall.

As the three entered the palace from Lionsgate Airport, they saw not only ceremonial guards but also a large number of people.

High-ranking bureaucrats from the Imperial Executive Council and tens of thousands of military officers.

Commander of the Starsector Fleet, Representative of the Foundry World, Cardinal of the State Church, Inquisitor, a family of traveling merchants and ronin, and an ancient noble family.

And then there are those who are qualified to enter Terra, yet may never even see a Primarch's Sector Governor or Planet Ruler in their lifetime.

Today, they were gathered in the Imperial Grand Council Hall.

The scale of this building is exaggerated even in Terra.

It was originally used to hold the highest-level military and political gatherings of the empire, and was later expanded several times as Terra's population, institutions, and power structure expanded.

Today, the main hall alone is large enough to accommodate more than a million people at the same time.

The dome extends upwards for hundreds of meters, with layers of circular seats arranged along the walls towards the top.

Hundreds of thousands of lighting nodes are embedded between the dome and the columns.

The imperial double-headed eagle, the golden throne emblem, the insignia of the various military branches, and the marks left by successive high lords are engraved on the stone pillars and walls.

A wide aisle is left in the very center of the hall.

At the end of the road is a central platform raised above the ground, which is rarely full, but today is an exception.

From the upper tier of the viewing area to the outermost officials' area, almost every seat was already occupied.

Millions of imperial nobles—these are the true upper echelons of the empire.

Any one of them returning to their jurisdiction could determine the fate of billions or even tens of billions of people.

But when Lawson entered the hall, the whispered conversation abruptly stopped.

One layer after another, the movement of millions of people standing up produced a long, continuous rustling sound of armor rubbing against each other.

Lawson stepped onto the council platform.

Guilliman stopped in the middle, while Lane moved to the left.

Dante, the four living saints, Trajan Valoris, and several of the highest-ranking imperial figures stood at the rear, with all twelve high lords present.

The communication system in the center of the hall was activated.

Guilliman's voice was simultaneously transmitted to every seat and also sent through the palace's communication network to all districts, military camps, and public squares of Terra.

"Gentlemen."

"I have summoned you here today to confirm a fact that has already occurred and will determine the future of the Empire."

"After the Great Rift tore open the human territory, the dark side of the Empire was isolated from the Star Torch."

“Countless worlds lost contact, fleets were unable to obtain stable navigation, and legions and administrative systems were severed.”

"The Tyranid swarm, Chaos, Orcs, Xenomorphs, and Rebellion devoured the Empire's territory at the same time."

"At that time, Terra could offer very limited assistance to the dark side of the Empire."

Several Executive Yuan officials lowered their heads.

Some of the high lords' expressions also changed.

Guilliman did not cover for Terra.

The dark side of the empire at that time was indeed in a state of near abandonment, and Dante knew this best.

Guilliman continued, "The Empire needs someone there to take responsibility."

"When the Empire needed power the most, the Emperor of the Empire, Lawson, went into the shadows."

"He rebuilt the fleet, recovered lost territory, and reopened the roads."

"He reconnected one lost world after another to the imperial system."

"As of today, more than 400,000 Imperial worlds that were once out of contact, occupied, or effectively isolated have been restored to stable rule."

When this figure was announced, an uncontrollable murmur finally broke out in the upper levels of the Great Council.

Only those who truly understand imperial administration know what this number means.

Many have realized that the return of the dark side of the empire will fundamentally alter the existing trade, shipping, and resource structures.

Guilliman did not give them time to discuss.

“Those worlds belonged to the human empire from the beginning. Today, I am here to confirm that they have been reconnected to the empire as a whole.”

"The administrative, military, and transportation systems established by the dark side of the empire will be formally incorporated into the empire's overall strategy."

"The war responsibilities borne by the dark side of the empire will also be incorporated into the empire's central decision-making system from today onwards."

Guilliman looked at the millions of imperial dignitaries in the hall.

"During the most critical period of the Empire's dark side, the responsibility for its governance was assumed by the Empire's Seal Holder, Lawson."

"He has proven himself to fulfill this responsibility through war, order, and the restoration of more than 400,000 worlds."

"Therefore, in response to the needs of the empire, in response to the needs of war, and in response to the needs of the survival of all humanity..."

Guilliman turned to face Lawson: "Lawson, the Sealholder of the Empire, has officially arrived in Terra today."

"From this moment on, the one who holds the seal officially enters the highest decision-making system of the empire."

"There are no longer two separate war command systems between the Dark Side of the Empire and Terra."

"The Sealholder possesses the authority commensurate with his duties for all supreme decisions concerning galactic wars, the survival of the Empire, and interstellar strategies."

This is practically a public declaration of power.

Many of the nobles below didn't even dare to exchange glances immediately.

Among the twelve High Lords, some truly realized what today's ceremony meant.

Guilliman raised his right hand: "Everyone, stand up!!!"

In fact, the vast majority of people in the hall were already standing.

The few remaining people who were seated in special seats due to their status and age also stood up with the help of their attendants.

The sage of the mechanical cult adjusted his mechanical body, the elderly nobleman straightened his body, the high lord rose from his seat, the soldier straightened his back, and a million imperial nobles faced the central council platform together.

Guilliman proclaimed: "Salute to the Sealholder of the Empire!!!"

Lawson accepted the greeting without hesitation.

After the hall quieted down again, he only said one sentence.

"Many issues concerning the dark side of the Empire have been resolved. Now, as a newcomer, I need your cooperation in many matters."

Guilliman turned and glanced at him.

Those who knew the inside story of the Golden Throne heard a completely different meaning.

The ceremony has now concluded.

But today's itinerary is not over yet.

The central doors of the Great Council Chamber reopened, and the million dignitaries remained where they were.

At this moment, the number of people following him forward decreased significantly for the first time.

Dante stopped outside the Great Council Chamber, and the duties of the four living saints and the three thousand battle nuns came to an end.

The vast majority of high lords remained in the hall.

Nobles, governors, military generals, and representatives of various institutions were not qualified to enter the inner palace.

Only a small number of people are able to continue.

Guilliman, Lane, Lawson, Trajan Valoris, Leontus, and a few other core members of the empire with special privileges.

The group passed through the portico behind the main council hall and entered the inner palace.

Upon arriving here, the atmosphere of the palace was completely different.

The cheers and cannon salutes outside gradually faded into the distance.

The decorations on the walls also changed from the gold and silver reliefs favored by nobles to war relics left over from the Great Expedition and the Horus Rebellion.

Further ahead, the Imperial Grand Procession Corridor.

As Lawson stepped into the corridor, he slowed his pace.

There are only flags here, one after another, some tattered, some burned.

Some still show bullet holes left thousands of years ago.

They come from legions, warbands, expeditionary forces, and heroes that have vanished from the history of the Empire.

For thousands of years, the names displayed here have all borne some kind of responsibility during the empire's most dangerous times.

Lawson passed a tattered battle flag, the one of Markarius, the Sun Lord. His flag was old, yet it was still placed in a prominent position in the corridor.

As they continued deeper into the region, the number of followers dwindled again.

When they reached the final inner palace inspection area before the Gate of Eternity, Raskian took a step forward.

"Your Excellency, the Master of the Seal."

The mechanical casting general said, "I have ordered people to compile the fault records, maintenance files, and all the technical data we exchanged with Comoros regarding the Golden Throne."