The Emperor’s Angel of Death

Chapter 3428: Ryza's Return

"Living space?"

Hearing Solarian say this, Skarman grinned.

"The human-occupied worlds now probably account for less than one-millionth of the total number of colonizable planets in the galaxy. Like the Storm Wastes we are in now, at least 80% of the space on the Imperium's theoretical map is empty. Hive Worlds are indeed crowded, but not because there's no space. For the governors and the Imperium, people are just property. Where they are doesn't matter, but it's certainly better if they are concentrated, as it's harder to manage them if they run around. For the average Imperial citizen with a living space of about five square meters, space is a luxury."

"That is to ensure the safety of the Imperium."

"No, not really, but you're half right."

"Oh?"

"It's to make them believe that the Imperium is safe and absolutely inviolable."

"Aliens?"

"Ha, of course not, because Orks or Tyranids don't care about our diplomatic strategies. It's about humans, to allow our naive and simple Imperial citizens to shuttle between factories, mines, sewers, or other heartbreaking places, including the scholars at the top, the Tech-Priests, the governors, and their officials, to make them feel safe and secure from the bottom of their hearts, as if only humans are left in the entire galaxy. See, this seemingly impossible declaration, like a magic wand, can achieve a similar effect. Few people know how many non-human races there are in the galaxy, only that they have all succumbed or been destroyed under the Imperium's iron fist. By constantly propagating this, everyone can relax! But! Once an alien race appears that has not been crushed by the Imperium, can communicate, can interact, and even possesses a relatively high level of civilization, and is known by the Imperial masses, do you know what will happen?"

"What?"

"People will begin to doubt, to consider, to try to look back at the past. Some will gradually realize that there is a problem, possible flaws in the once unquestionable theories. Then more people will become anxious, turbulent, questioning, criticizing, and finally... change. Do you know that there is an alien race called the T'au in the Ultima Segmentum?"

"I've heard of them."

"In a sense, their existence is the root cause of the Imperium's xenos extermination order. Every Imperial world that has understood or contacted them has fallen into the anxiety and questioning I mentioned."

Solarian frowned in feigned confusion.

"Is it because they possess some kind of evil witchcraft or mind control?"

Skarman shook his head.

"That's the official line. Here, we all know that it's simply because of themselves, because they exist. What the Imperium wants to exterminate is not aliens, but possibility."

Solarian looked at Skarman, then slowly picked up the bolt pistol on the table.

"Inquisitor Skarman, any Astartes who heard what you just said would immediately put this bullet into your head."

"Chapter Master Solarian, that's what I admire and worship most about you. You are a person who acts based on realistic interests, rather than being driven by the Astartes' inherent sense of honor or convention, so I would say these things to you. The galaxy is changing rapidly, and no one knows how long the Imperium's current iron box policy can be implemented. We have to plan for the future. We must correctly view threats and benefits, and choose appropriate diplomatic means, instead of simply relying on violence."

"I understand. Then I will transmit the message to the Confederation of the Suffering, but whether the Penitent accepts it depends on the performance of your friend. Also, speaking of saving Lord Mazal, what are his thoughts?"

"Communication is limited due to the distance, but roughly, um, this may be an opportunity to ease relations between the two sides."

Solarian narrowed his eyes.

"The Eternal Court?"

Skarman nodded.

"The Imperium doesn't understand the weapons of Commorragh, but the Eldar there might understand them better."

"Your friend is playing a very dangerous game. This is colluding with aliens. If discovered, the Ordo Xenos will immediately hunt him down, and even you, and even I, will be suspected."

"Rest assured, he is not a reckless person and will definitely give you a reasonable plan."

"Not me, but the entire Confederation of the Suffering, and the Penitent."

"Of course, of course."

"Alright, let's leave it at that for now."

The information returned from the Confederation of the Suffering now includes some opinions from the Penitent. They seem to also acknowledge the Ordo Xenos Inquisitor's investigation results and are starting to find ways to hunt down that Commorragh pirate prince, but this is not an easy task. In addition, regarding the matter of awakening Lord Mazal, Arcturus is indeed very cautious, only saying that he will find a way and will stay on the Victory Scar for a while. This is a very smart choice, to first familiarize himself and then slowly gain the trust of the Penitent.

Although the progress is slower than expected, things are at least moving forward, which Solarian is quite satisfied with.

There is also a message from Ryza. After a series of tactical deceptions and deployments, the Mechanicum, combined with the Astra Militarum and Astartes Chapters' massive armed forces, finally caught the main force of the Ork Warboss Gorax. The two sides broke out in a world-shaking battle on a desolate planet. Ryza's Titan Legion was almost entirely committed to the battle. That battle can be said to have been earth-shattering. The final result was that the Ork group was mostly annihilated, and the Ork Warboss's life and death are currently unknown, but even if he didn't die, he would not be able to organize forces to launch an attack in a short period of time.

The war on Ryza can also be said to have entered a turning point, achieving a phased goal, with the subsequent task being to recover some of the occupied star systems.

The Fabricator-General expressed gratitude for Solarian's assistance, especially the valiant performance of the Star Phantoms' three companies in this operation. Ninth Company Captain Tyrsak single-handedly fought two Ork Kommando bosses who attempted to lead Kommando Boyz to sneak attack the Mechanicum general's artillery positions, killing one and wounding the other. Fifth Company Captain Oscar also led his company in several important raids, destroying the Ork group's hidden ammunition depots and eliminating the Mekboy controlling the teleportation machinery.

To thank the Star Phantoms for their support, Ryza will send a portion of the inventory that was originally supposed to be sent to the Damocles Gulf to the Star Phantoms under the guise of "combat losses." This includes a large number of tanks, aircraft, and artillery. In addition, all of the Space Marine equipment produced in the ten-year batch will be transferred to the Star Phantoms Chapter in one go. Although this is a bit like giving away someone else's property, it will ultimately end up in their own pockets.

Of course, more importantly, the dispatched companies can finally be recalled.

Solarian is now so eager to recall the various companies mainly because of concerns about Armageddon and Cadia, with the main focus being on Armageddon. After all, Cadia has the High Lords to worry about and has deployed so many forces. Even if a Krootox is in command, Abaddon will not be able to cause trouble so easily. On the other hand, Armageddon, decades have passed since the last Ork invasion, and there has been little fighting during this period. Yarick is also old, and after the defeat on the World of Suffering, his status and authority have declined. The planet's defenses are visibly not too optimistic and may even be very lax.