After the last unit completed its deployment, the Custodes took the lead in launching an attack, and so many units attacking naturally cut off the Harlequins' escape.
As large numbers of golden-armored Custodes charged at the Harlequins, the Harlequins instinctively wanted to notify their troupe master, Kaelix Mor, but all of this was in vain.
The Psionic dampeners cut off their communication system.
The Harlequins' notifications directly sank into the sea, receiving no echo.
They couldn't even confirm if their notifications had been sent out before the Custodes had already charged in front of them, and the Guardian Spear struck down fiercely.
Some Harlequins tried to meet the attack with their swords, but their powerful Psionic lost all its effect at this moment; Psionic could not be used.
In a physical sense, the Harlequins were simply no match for the Custodes; with just one strike, a Harlequin was split in half by a Custodes.
Trajan, even more so, took the lead, wielding his weapon, with just one sweep he cut several Harlequins in half, then with a turn, he destroyed them with the bolter in his hand.
The eliminated Harlequins didn't even leave behind ash.
This situation left the Harlequins stunned, and of course, they also knew they had no chance of survival.
Their Psionic was suppressed, the Webway could not be opened, what else could they do?
They seemed to be able to do nothing but be slaughtered like pigs and dogs by the Custodes.
The incredibly powerful Custodes, facing the flexible and versatile Harlequins, on this specific battlefield, the Harlequins could only be like lambs to the slaughter.
The battle was not a battle; rather than a battle, it was a massacre, lasting only a few seconds before it completely ended.
All 303 Harlequins were killed; the Aeldari units on Ideal city World Hephaestus now only had Kaelix Mor, who was still wandering inside the governor's Mansion.
The Aeldari's conspiracy had clearly failed.
Before Kaelix Mor knew what had happened, the laughing god shook his head helplessly.
He acted a step ahead, snatching the souls of these Harlequins into his own hands, to prevent them from being plundered and devoured by Slaanesh.
It was almost over; the main force of the Harlequins had been annihilated, and when the laughing god came to snatch souls again, he also saw the situation on Ideal city World Hephaestus.
He didn't think his Harlequins could infiltrate such a city.
Since that was the case, there was no need for further sacrifices.
The laughing god's Psionic surged, and Kaelix Mor, who was wandering inside the governor's Mansion, instantly disappeared.
This Harlequin troupe master, who had been under him since the Great Fall, could not just die like this; he still needed to be retrieved.
As for the Aeldari's plan? Anyway, out of the 108 Worlds, 107 Worlds had already been set up.
The fall of the other 107 Worlds was already inevitable; what about this most exquisite Ideal city World?
He believed that with the Chaos Gods completely frenzied, upon discovering such a human World, they would surely flock to it, and at that time, facing the attacks of the Four Chaos Gods, the Imperium of Man would still not be able to protect this most brilliant pearl among the World 108.
Although there were no devices here that would allow the armies of the Chaos Gods to attack with full might.
Yet, even if this planet's void shield and planetary energy shield still existed, the laughing god still believed that the Chaos Gods could achieve victory.
The plan itself could not be perfect; no matter how well you plan, there will always be flaws and omissions in the plan, but these are minor issues that will not affect the overall situation.
The Custodes annihilated all the Aeldari Harlequins, and the sudden disappearance of the Autarch Harlequin troupe master, who was snatched away by the laughing god from within the governor's Mansion, naturally triggered an alarm.
In the Ideal city World, unless you have registered here and explained your situation, and then slowly grown to acquire extraordinary power.
Otherwise, the sudden appearance of extraordinary power would certainly trigger an alarm, and the Custodes would immediately arrive.
Moreover, the governor's Mansion was the most strictly monitored area.
How could the sudden disappearance of a human Citizen in the governor's Mansion not trigger an alarm?
Within two minutes of the laughing god snatching away his troupe master, the Custodes arrived and conducted a detailed sweep and investigation of the area.
After calling up the local surveillance and Psionic monitors, the Custodes confirmed that there was indeed an Aeldari Harlequin here, but it had already disappeared.
This intelligence was quickly reported by the Custodes to Trajan, who then again found Noah and reported in detail to Noah what had happened in this World.
"I understand. All Worlds are to heighten their alert. If I'm not mistaken, these Autarchs should be preparing to begin their conspiracy."
"According to the intelligence you received earlier, the other 107 Worlds should have already fallen victim to their schemes. Have the local governors found anything amiss?"
"No." Although he was reluctant to admit that the Imperium of Man had not discovered any Aeldari machinations, Trajan had no choice but to report this.
"Hmm, after all, they were once the Overlords of the galaxy; it's understandable that they have some tricks up their sleeves. One cannot underestimate anyone."
"Order all Worlds to now enter a state of first-level combat readiness, preparing to deal with enemy attacks!"
"The Patrol Fleets are to increase their patrol intensity. I remember there was a new Patrol Fleet just completed at the starport, wasn't there? That Patrol Fleet is also to be put into combat readiness!"
"The two Patrol Fleets patrolling the solar system are also to be recalled, concentrating all six Patrol Fleets we have on hand to strengthen alertness."
Even though Noah's brain was truly an extraordinary existence, unmatched by anyone, without sufficient intelligence, Noah could not deduce what the Aeldari were planning.
Fate is a very strange thing; it has myriad changes.
Even Tzeentch, the so-called Tzeentch, cannot control all destinies and changes; everything will change with what everyone does in the next second.
However, even if it's impossible to figure out what the other party intends to do, raising the alert level and preparing for war is always correct; no matter what kind of attack or strike is encountered, according to the usual style of this universe, nine times out of ten it's either Chaos invasion or military attack.
Heightening alertness is definitely the right thing to do.
Trajan, of course, understood this and immediately complied after hearing the Warmaster's words.
Through the encrypted communication network, the Warmaster's supreme directive was conveyed to every corner of the Segmentum Tempestus 108 Worlds.
World after World quickly mobilized; Imperial Worlds with various contingency plans were not afraid of any unforeseen circumstances, they had plenty of plans to prepare.
All Imperial Guard canceled their leave and returned to the military; all PDF also entered a state of first-level combat readiness, and orbital defense platforms began operating on a two-shift basis.
At all posts, it was imperative to ensure that someone was present at all times; even posts handled by robots had human soldiers assigned to assist.
The World 108, like an efficient and precise war machine, began its war preparations.
However, just as the World 108 entered a state of first-level combat readiness, four standard Terra months passed, yet the Aeldari still made no move, as if everything was calm.
It was as if the Aeldari's conspiracy was merely a figment of humanity's imagination.
"It's been exactly four Terra standard months. What exactly are those Aeldari up to?"
Trajan muttered, continuing to strengthen World 108's defenses to the best of his ability.
Four Terra standard months, in the Warhammer Universe, used to be a negligible amount of time for the Custodes.
But ever since Noah appeared, four months of such silence was an extremely terrifying thing.
For some reason, Trajan felt unaccustomed to such a long period without any incidents.
"Don't be impatient, Trajan. You need to have enough patience."
"They will make their move. So many Harlequins have been dispatched and died by our hands; it would be strange if they did nothing."
Noah, who had failed to realize the concept of Psionic Custodes despite various methods, rarely left his laboratory and walked over to Trajan's side.
"Yes! I understand, Warmaster."
Trajan was not surprised by Noah's sudden appearance behind him.
This Imperial Warmaster was so powerful, beyond the imagination of ordinary people.
Even he, the supreme commander of the Custodes, could not compare to this Imperial Warmaster who claimed to be a scientist.
"No matter what schemes these Aeldari have, we only need to heighten our vigilance and do what we need to do."
"Has anything happened in the galaxy recently? How far along is Angron's Atonement Crusade?"
"Where has that fellow Lion run off to mess around? Is Guilliman telling me again that he needs more manpower?"
Having just left his laboratory, Noah needed to understand the current state of the galaxy, so he questioned Trajan.
No one in the Imperium had more comprehensive intelligence than the Custodes.
Answering Noah's questions was also a duty of the Custodes. Trajan searched his mind before replying.
"Angron has already begun his Atonement Crusade. Thanks to your assistance to him, he possesses far more military strength than during the Great Crusade era."
"The two Patrol Fleets you assigned him are sufficient for him to traverse this galaxy without encountering formidable foes, and the vast number of Space Marines has made his journey of reconquest almost identical to that of the Great Crusade era."
"In these short few months, Angron has already reconquered over 200 Imperial Worlds!"
"Not needing to rely on the Warp is enough to change humanity's destiny."
Speaking of Angron's changes, Trajan couldn't help but sigh. The Imperium of Man's current achievements, being able to escape the Warp's clutches, were all thanks to Noah's help.
The Imperium of Man currently has several methods of faster-than-light travel. The first is relying on the warships' inherent speed to achieve thousands, tens of thousands, or even hundreds of thousands of times the speed of light.
If not for material constraints, speeds of several million times the speed of light could even be achieved. Such speeds allow humanity to travel unimpeded throughout the galaxy, but these warships are expensive and not numerous, so this method is merely supplementary, usable by only a few legions.
Another method is the Webway. Noah has already given the Imperium the method for establishing the Webway.
The Imperium's scientists can also build one Webway after another using the methods taught by Noah to accelerate interstellar travel.
With Terra as the core, the Webway is constantly being rebuilt.
Due to years of disrepair, the Aeldari's Webways were not directly used by the Imperium of Man. The Imperium at this time preferred to build its own complete Webway system.
The construction of the Webway system requires a large amount of resources and time, so this matter cannot be rushed.
In addition, the Imperium of Man also received the Stargate construction method taught by Zhou Xing, but Stargate technology is even more complex than Webway technology, making it impossible for them to directly master it.
While the Webway might still require travel within its paths and cannot reach destinations instantly, Stargates are different; they can almost reach the other side in an instant.
Unfortunately, Stargates require more energy supply, so only a few wealthy star systems can build them with the help of scientists, and Stargate construction takes longer. A usable Stargate requires at least 60 years to complete construction.
Moreover, according to the current Imperial energy supply system, the appearance of one Stargate requires a dedicated energy planet to supply it, making the cost extremely high!
Besides these, there are also Hyperspace Lanes. This lane is cheaper, and many Imperial Worlds have begun to build this in various star systems. It is like ordinary highways or national roads.
Noah held nothing back; he provided the Imperium of Man with various faster-than-light methods, allowing the Imperium of Man to more easily control the entire galaxy.
Although the current Imperium of Man, apart from Hyperspace Lanes and Webways, can only apply other methods on a small scale, the dawn of the Imperium of Man has already appeared.
Compared to the Great Crusade era, the current 40k era is far more glorious.
The former Imperium of Man was a half-dead, dying corpse.
The current Imperium of Man is a newborn giant, gradually mastering its decaying body and radiating greater vitality.
"Angron's progress is not bad. Tell him not to advance too quickly and to focus on the governance of the conquered planets."
"Blindly pushing forward furiously should not benefit the Imperium at this time, after all, Guilliman's affairs are already busy enough, so don't continue to burden him."
Noah was still Noah. After hearing that Angron had reconquered 200 Imperial Worlds, he still felt a pang of sympathy for Guilliman, who was frantically governing the Imperium in the background.
Millions of Imperial Worlds have not yet been fully brought under the jurisdiction of the Department of the Interior.
The Department of the Interior still hasn't tallied whether the Imperium of Man consists of millions of worlds, several millions of worlds, or is already approaching ten million worlds; no one knows these things.
"Angron's matters are concluded, how are Guilliman's affairs? Can Guilliman still handle it? How is the Imperium's Department of the Interior operating?"
With Angron's matters discussed, Noah was now more concerned about Guilliman, as he needed to govern the entire vast Imperium.
Speaking of Guilliman, an expression of admiration appeared on Trajan's face.
"Although he needs to inject himself daily to enhance his work efficiency."
"But as of now, he has handled matters in an orderly manner, and the Imperial Worlds reconquered by Angron have also been managed by administrative personnel dispatched by Guilliman, unlike during the Great Crusade era."
Guilliman's administrative abilities, after Noah appeared and the Custodes learned of the Emperor's true intentions, no one doubted his ambition.
Without that layer of filter, the Custodes felt more admiration for Guilliman, after all, such a vast Imperium of Man was truly a challenge for this Primarch.
With both familiar Primarchs already diligently at work, Trajan shifted his attention to the last Primarch.
"What about Lion?"
"How is he? Has he made any contributions during this time?"
"Le-on…" Even Trajan, the commander of the Custodes, fell silent at the mention of Leon.
"We are unaware of Leon's situation. Ever since he awakened his Warp essence, he has been elusive, appearing and disappearing without a trace. It's difficult for us to confirm his exact whereabouts."
"However, based on the intelligence we've received, we know that Leon typically appears on the battlefields of the Imperium's most critical worlds, subsequently leading local Imperial forces to victory."
Trajan tried his best to explain Leon's movements to Noah, and upon hearing this, Noah's expression instantly crumbled.
"What is he doing? Saving the most dangerous Imperial worlds, appearing on the most perilous battlefields, leading local Imperial forces to victory?"
"A Primarch is doing such things? Shouldn't this be handled by you, the Custodes? What's a Primarch doing getting involved? He should be properly commanding armies, not engaging in these petty skirmishes!"
Noah reprimanded sharply.
Even though he was a scientist and not a military commander, he also understood that the role of an excellent military commander leading a large army in reconquest operations was far from being comparable to Leon's current erratic movements.
What good did it do for him to suddenly appear in dangerous areas with his Dark Angels Legion? At most, it saved one Imperial world, but what was the point of that?
"I remember the human compatriot sitting on the Golden Throne once told me that if necessary, I could also command the Primarchs, right?"
"Yes, Warmaster. The Emperor did say that you could command the Primarchs before appointing you as Imperial Warmaster."
Noah nodded.
"Good. In that case, issue an order to Leon, the Primarch of the First Legion. Tell him to either lead his army without running around aimlessly, and instead push through to reclaim Imperial worlds, or return to Terra to assist Guilliman with administrative affairs."
"What's the use of constantly fighting guerrilla warfare? He did save that one Imperial world, but is it meaningful?"
"I'm not unaware of the Imperium's mess. Those corrupt governors of the Imperium?"
"Will things be any better if those fellows continue to rule their local worlds? It's only marginally better than falling into the hands of Chaos, pretty much the same."
"Tell Leon that if he's going to save, he needs to save thoroughly. He's merely rescuing them from one cesspit and throwing them into another. Such behavior is extremely irresponsible!"
Having been the Imperial Warmaster for so long, Noah naturally understood the true state of the Imperium.
The Imperium's rule was also a cesspit, only slightly better than Chaos. In any normal world, the common people would have long since revolted.
Because of this, Noah could not allow the local human citizens in the newly reclaimed Imperial worlds to continue living such miserable lives.
Except for a few governors who were still somewhat humane, most of those who trampled on human lives would be summarily executed!
These abstract governors were all the same, with or without them.
They couldn't just change the medicine without changing the prescription, continuing to retain these idiotic ruling classes. Since a change had been made, it had to be thorough.
"Yes, Warmaster, I understand. I will convey your orders to Leon. Also, will the local governors be appointed by the Custodes?"
The last sentence was spoken with a questioning tone, but Noah affirmed his words.
"You will temporarily appoint people to serve as governors. I remember the Custodes are supposed to be proficient in everything. Given that, I can be sufficiently at ease."
"Professional governors will be arranged by Guilliman once he is free. Until then, the Custodes will be responsible for local planetary security and administration."
"When it's time to purge, purge mercilessly. Six-legged toads are hard to find, but two-legged people are everywhere."
"With their level of intelligence, even a Space Wolf would do a better job than them!"
Trajan bowed respectfully: "Yes, Warmaster. I will immediately arrange for the Custodes to take over the governance of the newly reclaimed worlds."
"Mm," Noah nodded in response.
"The Custodes are still very excellent. I truly don't know why that human compatriot on the Golden Throne doesn't send you all out.
If you were to govern the Imperial worlds, then the snowball should be able to roll. Keeping you in the Imperial Palace to guard the gates is ultimately a waste of talent."
"I can feel the Psionic of that human compatriot, like an ocean. Having you protect him is somewhat absurd."
Facing Noah's words, Trajan could only offer a wry smile. After all, how could they refute what this lord said?
Throughout the entire galaxy, the only ones who dared to speak to the Custodes like this, apart from the Emperor, were Noah.
Seeing the wry smile on Trajan's face, Noah reached out and patted his shoulder.
"Don't be so upset. After all, your appearance is also majestic. As an honor guard, you are absolutely qualified, as the highest commander of the Imperium must always have a presence."
"You will become stronger in the future. Once my research is complete, your strength should be able to advance another level."
Noah promised Trajan thus.
In response, Trajan could only offer a grateful bow to Noah. He didn't know what else to say, as in the entire universe, the only one who could genuinely enhance the combat power of the Custodes was the person before him.
As the two were conversing, Noah suddenly had a very bad premonition.
It was an extremely strange premonition, as if something was about to devour all his hard work in one gulp.
"No, something bad is about to happen recently. I have a bad premonition!"
As a Great Psyker, Noah's premonitions were no joke. If he felt something bad, then it was highly likely to happen, because this was the Psionic prophecy unique to Great Psykers.
"I need to perform a psionic prophecy now to foresee what will happen next. All worlds are to enter a state of full alert.
All Webways are to be closed immediately, all void shields on all worlds are to be activated, and all world energy shields are also to be activated. Now is not the time to conserve energy."
"Notify all Imperial citizens to return to their homes. Those Imperial citizens who do not yet have their own homes will be accommodated by the local planetary government.
In short, send them all to shelters and relief stations. It is imperative to ensure that not a single citizen is exposed on the surface of the planet."
"The Bastion Fortresses in every star system are also to enter a state of readiness, prepared to respond to any potential enemies that may appear. I fear the enemy comes with ill intent."
Trajan carried out this order.
Over the past three months, a higher level of combat readiness began in the Segmentum Tempestus 108 Worlds.
Large numbers of Imperial citizens, with the help of Imperial officials, began to enter evacuation zones.
Planets that had been fully modified could easily accommodate their entire population, but those that had not were different.
Although Noah had tried his best to design shelters for all planets, this was not actually the case.
The rate at which Imperial personnel increased on planets far exceeded Noah's budget; a large number of Imperial people continuously converged from various planets to the Segmentum Tempestus 108 Worlds and set up camp there.
According to incomplete statistics, before Noah issued this directive, each of the Segmentum Tempestus 108 Worlds already had at least tens of billions of people without housing.
They simply lived in the wilderness or on the plains, surviving on the high wages they received.
No one was willing to leave these rich worlds, because here no one would starve to death.
The government would do its utmost to help any human Citizen who was not fed.
Each region of the Imperial Planetary Government established a large number of refugee resettlement points and food distribution points to ensure no one would starve to death.
Precisely because of this, after Noah's order was issued, many worlds had numerous refugees who could not be resettled, and such situations were constantly reported to Noah.
Noah, who had originally issued these directives, was once again troubled by such news.
He was a scientist of the Terran Federation, and his high moral standards and bottom line did not allow him to so easily abandon those refugees, but if he did not abandon them, what method could he use to resettle them?
None... The refugee resettlement points on every planet could no longer accommodate the number of people they were originally designed for; a resettlement block designed to accommodate 1 billion refugees was now actually accommodating over 5 billion.
This was already operating at overcapacity, but even with such overcapacity, each World still had over tens of billions of refugees who could not be resettled.
During this period, in the Segmentum Tempestus 108 Worlds, even the World with the smallest population had a human Citizen count that had exceeded 200 billion.
And this number was still increasing at a rate Noah could not comprehend... Noah looked at the data before him and fell into deep thought... The Imperium of Man had shocked Noah several times, but this time it still shocked the top scientist from the Terran Federation, Noah, who helplessly found that he had no technology in his mind that could solve the current predicament.
"Trajan, what do you think? Is there any way to save them?"
Trajan had been by Noah's side all this time because Noah was researching the concept of the Custodes.
Noah asked for the opinion of the Commander of the Custodes, but the Commander of the Custodes shook his head helplessly.
"I apologize, Warmaster, I have no way to save those Imperial citizens..."
Trajan was very apologetic; he had no way to solve Noah's current problem, because the act of fully protecting Imperial citizens was almost unheard of in the former Imperium of Man.
Even just protecting the residents of the upper hive was a rare sight for the Imperium, let alone an act like Noah's, attempting to protect the citizens of an entire Imperial World.
"Indeed," Noah was not surprised by Trajan's answer.
After all, if even he couldn't come up with an effective solution, then it was even more so for Trajan, the Commander of the Custodes.
"Sigh, first, order all Worlds to tighten supervision and strictly prohibit all Imperial citizens from entering World 108 again."
"PDF, pay attention to searches. Absolutely no more people can appear on these 108 Worlds. We don't know what difficulties we will face, so it's hard to guarantee their safety if they come to these planets."
Although Noah didn't know how to solve the problem of unresettled refugees, he first issued an order to refuse refugees from continuing to enter World 108.
He couldn't even handle the current number of people; if it continued to increase, it would be a joke, and that was absolutely unacceptable.
"For those refugees already on the planets, immediately arrange transport ships to move them out of World 108."
Since they couldn't be settled on World 108, the natural choice was to move them away, which was also for their own good.
"Trajan, you go and supervise the actions of the Imperial officials. I'm always uneasy about them."
"Although they were all trained by me, people... the human heart is the hardest thing to deal with,"
Noah said with a sigh.
"Understood, Warmaster. I will handle this matter. I will order the Custodes to supervise them."
Trajan readily agreed to the matter, as it was quite easy for the Custodes to resolve, and upon hearing this, Noah's face showed great satisfaction.
Military units like the Custodes were truly useful; they were almost omnipotent, and although not industry-leading, wherever they were needed, they could often perform the task well.
Considering how useful the Custodes were, and that both his Worlds and the Worlds under the Imperium needed these all-rounders, Noah uncharacteristically became concerned about the number of Custodes.
"Trajan, how many Custodes are there now?"
Trajan bowed slightly: "Thanks to the orders you issued before you left, the current total number of Custodes is 1.6 million. Although it still cannot reach the 3 million standard you mentioned, our numbers are still increasing rapidly."
"It is estimated that in two years, all 3 million Custodes will have completed their modifications and can be put into service."
1.6 million Custodes... This number, if placed in the former Imperium, would undoubtedly be terrifying, exceeding any Space Marine Chapter, but to Noah, it was too few.
"Not enough! This number is far from enough! And your replenishment speed is too slow. After all this time, there are only 1.6 million Custodes. When will humanity's manifest destiny be fulfilled?"
"The Custodes are very effective. The Imperium needs you, so 3 million Custodes is too few.
My requirement is that you need at least 5 million, and completing 3 million in two years is also too slow!
I need you to complete this 5 million by August of next year!"
"And it must be done with quality and quantity. Do not let any garbage join the Custodes forces and lower the threshold for the Custodes. Can you do this?"When Noah told them to expand the Custodes by 5 million, Trajan's expression was initially joyful.
However, upon hearing that Noah wanted them to complete the expansion of 5 million Custodes by next year, Trajan's expression turned sorrowful.
Especially when he heard that Noah also demanded quality and quantity, Trajan's face became even uglier.
Who understands, my friends? How are they supposed to fulfill such a request?
The selection of the Custodes is different from that of Space Marines; Space Marines can be recruited as illiterates and then given time for training, but the Custodes are different. They are almost strictly arranged for training and learning from the moment they are a fertilized egg.
Although the success rate of Custodes surgery was extremely low, leading to a very small number of Custodes, now with Noah's help, the success rate is close to 100%.
However, the number of test subjects has not increased significantly because the current time is too short.
The Custodes never imagined they would have such a day, so the total number of all Custodes test subjects has not yet exceeded 10 million... Many of them are only just being cultivated because Noah wants them to expand to 3 million, so the number of test subjects naturally needs to continue increasing.
However, the number of qualified test subjects at this stage is only over 3 million. Expanding to the previous 3 million Noah requested is certainly enough, but 5 million... Trajan really wants the Custodes to expand to 5 million, but there aren't enough people.
Noah saw Trajan's grim expression and asked,
"What's wrong? Are there any difficulties? If there are, just tell me, and I will help you."
"It's like this, Warmaster, it's not that I don't want to continue expanding the number and scale of the Custodes. The main issue is that the number of test subjects is so limited. The trouble with the Custodes is that they need to be cultivated from a fertilized egg.
At the same time, they are taught a series of knowledge about art, technology, culture, and so on.
Only in this way can they grow into a qualified Custodes test subject."
"But in the past, the scale of the Custodes was not large, and the number of test subjects was also limited. To meet the expansion demand of 3 million, those people from before were enough, but now..."
Trajan didn't finish all his words, but Zhou Xing could already understand what he meant.
"Are you trying to tell me that we don't have enough volunteers?" Although this was undoubtedly bad news, Noah's face was beaming with a smile.
Having been in the Imperium of Man for so long, this was the first time he had heard that the Imperium of Man would actually have a shortage of people.
He didn't know why he was laughing, but he felt that the Imperium of Man having a population shortage genuinely struck his funny bone.
Looking at Noah, who was smiling, Trajan's face was full of black lines. He didn't know what this Warmaster was laughing at, nor did he know if he should laugh along, but he felt that it would be impolite if he didn't.
"Warmaster?" Seeing Noah's smiling expression, Trajan initially didn't intend to speak, but later he couldn't help but interrupt Noah's smile.
"Warmaster, there's nothing funny about this. The requirements for the Custodes are completely different from others. Also, let alone the Custodes, the number of Space Marines was insufficient even before you arrived."
"Although the High Lords and we have factors limiting the Space Marines, even if we didn't restrict the Space Marines of the Imperium, the total force would not exceed ten million, unlike you, Warmaster, who speaks of millions and tens of millions of troops at every turn."
Noah reined in his smile, but his eyes still held a hint of amusement: "Trajan, this problem is still easy to solve. I can solve the problem of the Space Marines, and of course, I can also find a way to solve the problem of the Custodes."
As he spoke, Noah did not remain seated in his position but directly stood up and led Trajan to the back.
"Follow me, I'll show you something."
Seeing Noah move, Trajan naturally hurried to follow. After all, anything this top scientist brought out could greatly benefit the Custodes.
Now that Noah indicated he had a way to solve the Custodes' problem, Trajan naturally rushed to follow. Who wouldn't want to be the Commander of 5 million Custodes?
Trajan followed Noah into a biological laboratory, where various documents and equipment were displayed, along with various organs and even organisms being cultivated.
The entire atmosphere, if seen by others, would make them think this was definitely a horror movie or that Noah was a mad scientist, but that was not the case.
In biological research and experiments, some biological carriers are indeed needed for experimental research; otherwise, the speed of biological research would become very slow, and at such times, cloning becomes the best method.
At the same time, to protect humanism, all scientists choose to erase the consciousness of the organism. As long as the organism does not develop consciousness, then it is a toy, and how to prevent the organism from developing consciousness? On this point, federal scientists have long had corresponding methods.
After the ethical issues were resolved, biotechnology began to usher in rapid development. The rapid development of Custodes technology now is naturally inseparable from this.
Noah led Trajan to a Custodes body being cultivated and had him look at the body.
"Look closely, what is the difference between this body and a regular Custodes?"
Trajan heard this and stepped forward to carefully observe the body in the culture dish. This body was almost identical to a regular Custodes in appearance, looking like a perfect creation.
"This... This looks almost identical to the body of a regular Custodes!"
"Right? But just looking at it like this, you might find it hard to experience the significance of this technology."
"However, just seeing it like this is already enough. I will give you this technology. Didn't you say that every Custodes is cultivated from a fertilized egg? Then go cultivate them, cultivate them as quickly as possible. All the knowledge your Custodes need has already been recorded in it."
"Trajan, I trust you, and I hope you don't disappoint me... You must hold onto your original intention."
Noah casually handed this technology to Trajan, but at the very end, Noah once again reminded the Commander of the Custodes.
What the technology for mass-producing Custodes meant was naturally self-evident.
If Trajan had even a hint of rebelliousness, he could immediately escape with this technology. He could build a powerful Custodes army for himself and conquer the galaxy.
Regular Space Marine troops could never be a match for the Custodes. This was an immense temptation, and human hearts have always been unable to withstand tests.
However, human hearts being unable to withstand tests only applies to certain ordinary people; the Custodes are actually not among them.
"Warmaster, there's no need to enlighten me like this. I understand what you mean, Warmaster. I will not make such a mistake."
Trajan calmly expressed himself to Noah.
"Please believe in my loyalty, my loyalty to the human race."
"That's good, Trajan. I'm just giving you a reminder. After all, no matter how firm your loyalty, a reminder is indispensable."
"Appropriate reminders can effectively help you not go astray."
"Thank you, Warmaster," Trajan bowed slightly to Noah. He clearly understood Noah's meaning.
At the same time, he also believed that Noah had no ill intentions, as this scientist simply had no need to do such a thing.
Trajan solemnly put the information into his pocket and preserved it properly.
After he had properly preserved it, Noah reminded him once more.
"Remember, it's five million Custodians. Don't expand the army too much.
An army can sometimes be beneficial for a civilization, but if military power expands endlessly, it becomes meaningless for a civilization."
"Genetic biotechnology is for emergencies; you cannot rely on it for all troop expansion."
"Under normal circumstances, you still need to diligently increase the number of Custodian test subjects and cultivate them, as they have infinite potential, and this is also an ethical and appropriate course of action."
"Genetic technology can only be used in emergencies. This is an ironclad rule for humanity's long-term survival. Do you understand?"
Genetic technology must not be abused; it can only be used under controlled conditions in emergencies. This was Noah's intention, and in fact, it was also the Emperor's intention.
For example, the Emperor actually had the capability to mass-produce Astartes Space Marines.
The Super Raven Guard was precisely such an existence.
And Trajan would not go against the Warmaster's and the Emperor's will.
"I understand, Warmaster. I will use this technology appropriately, and after this expansion, I will immediately seal it away and never use it again unless absolutely necessary."
"Good, then. Trajan, go do what you need to do now."
Trajan turned and left Noah's laboratory.
He planned to return to Terra to conduct a large-scale military expansion to meet Noah's requirements.
The Custodians would never be inferior to any army.
Watching Trajan depart, Noah once again resumed his research. He still hadn't figured out how to enable the Custodians to acquire Psionic.
After all, the Custodians were not merely products of genetic engineering biotechnology; they were also products of the 'Psionic great brick fly'.
When the Custodians were created, their creator, the Emperor, had considered the issue of Warp corruption, and thus, strictly speaking, he had placed a huge impediment on the Custodians.
It was not easy for the Custodians to acquire powerful Psionic; it was a long process and a highly challenging research endeavor.
In addition to previous research, there was also the issue of the federation's military technology. He still hadn't unlocked the permissions for military technology, but he was steadily continuing to unlock them, and that was fine.
This was not the Terran Federation; this was Warhammer Universe.
In the Warhammer Universe, there was no urgent timeline like in the Terran Federation; no one was holding a gun to the Terran Federation's back, forcing it to become the strongest civilization in the galaxy.
Everyone's research speed was equally abstract.
In this universe, Noah alone was already worth the sum of several civilizations. He could take his time, not rush, as it was only a little over a hundred years. He could afford to spend that time.
As Noah re-immersed himself in research, the number of Patrol Fleets in the Segmentum Tempestus 108 Worlds once again increased.
Excluding the two Patrol Fleets already assigned to Angron and those recalled from other locations, the total number of Patrol Fleets in the entire Segmentum Tempestus 108 Worlds reached six!
Furthermore, due to Noah's order for every world to enter top-level combat readiness, the number of all Chapters was effectively expanded again. Each Space Marine Chapter stationed on a planet had its strength increased to 50,000 men.
Every Space Marine was a warrior modified from the most elite fighters on that planet; they were the most powerful force on these planets.
As for the PDF and Imperial Guard armies, they also underwent more rigorous training and comprehensive combat preparation.
Although the Aeldari seemed to have done nothing for such a long time, this did not prevent Noah's World 108 from entering full-scale combat readiness.
Because in the Warhammer Universe, war itself is omnipresent. Waiting for only half a year, what was that?
Peace did not make these Imperial citizens lower their guard; instead, it made them more vigilant. They had to defend the good life they had so painstakingly achieved!
Of course, the Aeldari not directly attacking the Segmentum Tempestus 108 Worlds for such a long time also allowed more Imperial citizens to receive shelter.
Since Noah had already ordered to no longer accept any outsiders, in the face of the powerful productivity on various worlds, all Imperial citizens quickly acquired their own homes or shelters for refuge.
Everyone also gained a certain level of security. What remained was to await the enemy's true plot.
Inside the Aeldari Mournival —
Yvraine was carrying out one final task: withdrawing the Wild Aeldari still present in the Segmentum Tempestus 108 Worlds.
While these Aeldari could be said to be merciless towards the Imperium of Man and other xenos, they were remarkably friendly to their own kind.
Especially the Mournival, an Aeldari faction composed of various combined forces.
The prosperity of World 108 attracted not only ordinary Imperial citizens but also a large number of Aeldari.
Some were Aeldari from Craftworlds, who came to do business and purchase items, while others were Corsair Aeldari.
There were even some Wild Aeldari existing on remote planets in the World 108 sector that Noah didn't care for. World 108 was too prosperous; it attracted all sorts of people to this new sector.
Similarly, this sector was too vast, and its scope also encompassed some Wild Aeldari.
Because of this, this sector could be said to have everything. Although the Mournival was eager to eradicate humanity, they were also doing their best to ensure that the Aeldari would not suffer too many losses in this upheaval.
With the advent of the Warp, Slaanesh would inevitably appear. To prevent Slaanesh from hunting down the local Wild Aeldari and strengthening Slaanesh's power,
Yvraine felt it was necessary to evacuate all the Wild Aeldari from here.
At this moment, he was watching the last batch of transport ships carrying Aeldari enter the Webway.
Once all these Aeldari compatriots were sent away, he could mercilessly activate the instrument and completely turn this, once the most prosperous world in the Segmentum Tempestus, into a ruin!
The last Aeldari transport ship was at the vortex of the Webway. Now, only some members of the Mournival remained.
Yvraine turned his head to look in the direction of World 108 and said softly.
"The resurgence of humanity is impossible. Now, let me personally interrupt your resurgence and set you on the true path."
Yvraine abruptly activated the instrument in his hand, and then he led the remaining members of the Mournival into the Webway. As the last Aeldari figure disappeared, a Warp anomaly appeared!
As the Warp vortex quietly closed behind the last of the Aeldari, the very fabric of the universe seemed to tear open.
Initially, the edges of the World 108 sector merely rippled imperceptibly, like a stone cast into a still lake, but what followed was not the spread of waves, but a violent distortion of space.
The structure of reality began to grow fragile and unstable under the onslaught of Warp energy.
Eerie glows and colors were the first to replace the cold backdrop of the starry sky.
It was not the magnificent sight of a nebula, but rather something alive, pulsating with color, like living oil paints flowing freely in the vacuum, emitting mind-confusing whispers.
Wherever these colors reached, the sensor screens of ordinary Imperium of Man warships were instantly overwhelmed by distorted data and incomprehensible images, and even through the hardened viewports, the crew could feel a chill that pierced their very souls.
Immediately thereafter, in the physical universe, matter began to mutate in ways that defied logic. Rocks in some asteroid belts silently melted, reforming into indescribable, bizarre shapes, seemingly wriggling in the vacuum, emitting an ominous aura.
All of this should have only happened in the Warp, but now it was happening concretely in the real universe.
When such a mutation occurred, Noah, who was in the laboratory, noticed it immediately.
Although his Psionic was completely different from the Psionic of the local Psykers, and there was even the obstruction of a dark matter shield.
However, as a scientist, his senses were also the keenest, and despite so many obstructions, he immediately discovered the changes in the universe.
And upon noticing the changes, Noah immediately stood up.
"It's here!"
"Custodes, come in!"
Noah loudly called out to the Custodes outside. At Noah's call, Trajan pushed open the door and entered.
Yes, it was him again. He had just returned, so upon hearing Noah's call, he immediately came to Noah's laboratory and was the first to enter.
"Trajan, why is it you? Didn't you go back to Terra?"
"Has the training of the Custodes already been completed?"
Seeing that it was Trajan who pushed open the door, Noah felt a little confused and surprised.
"No, Warmaster, we have not completed the training of the Custodes, but the Emperor ordered me to return first. He has foreseen that something is about to happen."
"The Emperor said you would need us, so I came back first."
Trajan truthfully reported to Zhou Xing the reason for his return.
"Hmm, that fellow human was right, I do need you."
"Did you notice the changes in the universe when you came back? The Aeldari's conspiracy must be this. I can feel the separation between the Warp and the real universe rapidly shrinking."
Hearing that it was arranged by the fellow human sitting on the golden throne, Noah readily accepted and naturally began to ask the Commander of the Custodes if he had noticed the changes in the real universe.
"Yes, Warmaster, I saw it."
"The real universe has undergone earth-shattering changes. It seems as if the Warp has directly descended upon the entire universe, and the original laws of the universe are no longer applicable."
"Now the Aeldari's conspiracy must have emerged. They want to use the chaotic war of the Chaos Gods of the Warp to destroy our World 108. Warmaster, please withdraw for now."
For Trajan, ensuring Noah's safety was paramount.
This place was about to become a battlefield, even though Noah possessed immense power.
Just like the Emperor, he didn't need the protection of the Custodes, but he still offered this suggestion.
The Warp descending upon the real universe—it was still unknown how large-scale this Warp descent would be, so it was impossible to know if the Chaos Gods of the Warp could also act in the real universe, especially with the influence of the Great Rift, this possibility was quite high.
Under such circumstances, Noah absolutely could not stay here. As the Warmaster on whom the Imperium of Man now pinned its hopes and the only existence the Emperor had always relied on, Noah absolutely could not suffer any mishaps.
Trajan's words were clearly practical and also for his own safety, but Noah was very displeased after hearing them.
"No!"
"I reject your proposal, Trajan, your proposal is unreasonable!"
"Do you see me as a coward in your eyes? The first to flee when there is danger?"
"Do you know how many human citizens and fellow humans are here? I tell you, the number of human citizens and fellow humans on each planet is no less than 200 billion!"
"Even the least populated worlds have at least 200 billion fellow humans here.
If I leave, what about them? Can they leave?
We don't have enough transport ships and warships to cover their departure. They can only stay here!"
"108 worlds, do you know how many fellow humans that amounts to?"
"This is equivalent to at least 20 trillion fellow humans and citizens here! Their numbers are immense!"
"Is my life precious, and theirs not?"
Noah retorted to Trajan.
Trajan could actually answer Noah's rhetorical question very easily, after all, it was just a mere 20 trillion fellow humans and citizens, how could they compare to an existence like Noah?
If it were an ordinary Imperium of Man personnel, Trajan could even reply to him without hesitation:
Yes, that's right, you are more precious than these 20 trillion fellow humans and citizens!
The lives of 20 trillion fellow humans and citizens, if they could bring back one of you, then they would be supremely glorious, they would be worth it!
This was the true reality; the Imperium of Man had never had a sacrifice too great to accept. But Trajan couldn't say that, because standing before him was Noah, an existence with a perfectly full sense of morality.
He couldn't and had no way to say such words to Noah!
If he said such words, he might just infuriate the scientist in front of him, and the difficulty of persuading Noah to leave would undoubtedly skyrocket.
But how could he persuade Noah to leave? Trajan was in a difficult position.
"Alright, Trajan, don't try to persuade me anymore. I know what you mean, and I know what you wanted to say." Noah saw through Trajan's intended meaning and what he had initially wanted to say at a glance.
"This matter actually concerns our moral concepts and interests, so there's nothing more to say. I can understand your thoughts, but even if I understand, I cannot agree to them."
"In my opinion, they are also fellow humans. They are humans just like me. I cannot abandon them, nor can I give up on them. I will stay here with them!"
"Furthermore, with a war of this scale, can you command it, or can those Primarchs command it?
No! None of you can. Only I can command this war."
Noah's words left Trajan unable to refute, because, as he said, there was only one person qualified and capable enough to command this war.
That was Noah himself.
No one else could command this war.
World 108 was created by Noah, and any other commander would ultimately be inferior to Noah.
"What's more, I also have reasons why I must fight. Besides protecting these human citizens, the most important thing is this, come and see."
As Noah spoke, he brought up the star map. Besides World 108 and other peripheral worlds, he had his own core 28 worlds.
Among these 28 worlds were ideal cities, Gaia worlds, and even ideal stars and Ringworlds.
Furthermore, there was a black hole system where some megastructures were being built, preparing to mine minerals from the black hole.
This was Noah's absolute core. If these 28 worlds were attacked by enemies, then the research Noah was currently conducting would inevitably be interrupted.
Because the Imperium of Man would not be able to provide him with sufficient resources.
At the same time, if these 28 worlds were destroyed, all of Noah's efforts would be in vain.
He would have to start over, which was absolutely unacceptable. Noah was still hoping to contend with the Chaos Gods of the Warp.
If he had to start over, when would he be able to punish those Chaos Gods of the Warp?
It was precisely because his core star sector was located at the innermost part of World 108 that Noah could not retreat.
Trajan was already unable to refute Noah's earlier reasons, and Noah's later reasons made it even more impossible for the Commander of the Custodes to offer any rebuttal. Noah had his reasons for doing this.
"Alright, I understand. But please, Warmaster, make your own life your highest priority. If the situation turns bad, please return to Terra immediately through the Webway. We can start over."
"The Imperium can easily abandon trillions of Imperial citizens and compatriots, but the Imperium can never abandon you."
"Warmaster, you now carry the future of the entire human civilization on your shoulders. If you encounter any danger, then the Imperium of Man will be in jeopardy, and the human race will be in jeopardy."
"To say something you might not like, if the war truly turns against us, and even threatens your life, then the Custodes, even at the cost of their lives, will bring you back to Holy Terra. As long as you are alive, we have hope!"
Trajan showed no trace of joking when he said this. His face was full of solemnity, and Noah could tell that Trajan was truly serious.
He had reason to believe that the Commander of the Custodes truly dared to forcefully bring him back to Terra with the Custodes in a crisis, even if the power of the Custodes was so insignificant compared to his own.
"Alright, Trajan, I promise you. Of course, I understand what you're saying. Don't worry, I'm more afraid of death and value my life more than you imagine."
To reassure Trajan, Noah even claimed to be a coward, but this statement did not receive Trajan's approval. He still looked at Noah very seriously.
"Warmaster, please don't joke with me like that. The Warmaster cannot be a coward. If you were truly such a person, there would be no need for you to step forward. You are an existence who will fight for humanity."
"Although I don't fully understand you, I can guarantee that if you had the chance, you might even do exactly what the Emperor did, because you also deeply love the human race."
Looking at the solemn Commander of the Custodes before him, Noah also put away the smile on his face.
"It's truly you, Trajan. It seems you haven't followed me for so long for nothing; you understand me so well."
"Alright, let our conversation end here. Now, let's prepare for the coming war."
"Let me see what we will face next!"
During the time Noah and Trajan were conversing, the projection of the Warp in the real universe began to become more and more real, more and more tangible.
In at most a few dozen standard Terran days, the Warp would completely manifest in the real universe.
Unless those Aeldari devices were destroyed in the war, or their effectiveness worsened, and the Chaos Gods of the Warp did not intervene, then the Warp would continue to appear in the real universe.
It might even expand outwards like the Eye of Terror due to being open for too long.
This was a replica of the Eye of Terror.
Due to the Great Rift already being open, such an expansion would be even more terrifying than the Eye of Terror. This entire section of space might permanently become part of the Warp.
The Aeldari's actions this time could be said to be a grave mistake.
No wonder their prophecies foretold Noah pursuing and eradicating the Aeldari, even those who fled beyond the galaxy.
They were not only destroying humanity's hope and Noah's trump card, but they also wanted to destroy large swathes of humanity's real world!
If their plan succeeded, the Imperium's Segmentum Tempestus would be completely lost, and the situation in Imperium Nihilus would completely collapse.
The Imperium of Man, having lost the entire Segmentum Tempestus, would inevitably be greatly weakened in national power. humanity would be forced to ally with the Aeldari to resist the increasingly powerful Chaos Gods and Chaos threats.
Even if such a situation was caused by the Aeldari.
It was precisely because of the Aeldari that humanity had to face such a situation.
But with a great enemy before them, humanity could only choose to put aside their differences.
The schemes of these Aeldari remnants were very reasonable, and their plan indeed had a chance of success.
However, their actions were simply too grand, even causing some of the sleeping Necrons to turn their gaze towards the Segmentum Tempestus.
The Necrons are the physical pinnacle of existence in the Warhammer Universe. They only lack souls, but it is precisely because of this lack that their technology has reached a level unmatched by others.
The blackstone fortresses around Cadia were built by these Necrons, used to block the expansion of the Eye of Terror.
And now these Aeldari are causing such a massive disturbance within the galaxy; it would be strange if the Necrons didn't turn their attention to it.
The Necrons are also Overlords of the galaxy. In their view, the galaxy should rightfully be the territory of the Infinite Empire. The Necrons naturally would not allow these foolish long-ears to mess around in their territory.
Although the Silent King, Szarekh, of the Necrons has not yet returned, Tarason the Immeasurable has appeared many times.
Facing this Warp incursion, he has already sensed that an unprecedentedly massive war will occur here, and he will not be absent.
The Aeldari can be said to have made a grave mistake.
Their actions will inevitably be resented by the Necrons, and also firmly remembered by Noah, who will pursue them to the ends of the earth.
Just as Noah and Trajan concluded their conversation and redirected their gazes to the star map, which resembled a boiling oil pot, a non-physical ripple quietly spread from the distant edge of the starfield.
It wasn't a tide of warp filth, but a cold, absolute, tomb-like stillness of a wave.
Deep within a void never marked by any Imperial navigator, a colossal metallic structure—a Space Necropolis World-Fortress large enough to envelop a planet—had countless eerie green lights illuminating sequentially within its interior.
Trazyn the Infinite, the ancient collector, though his metallic face lacked flesh, expressed an almost "playful" emotion through the flickering light of his ocular sensors.
One of his metallic claws gently brushed over a suspended holographic star map before him, which clearly marked the rapidly expanding zone of warp contamination centered around World 108.
"Ah... the scent of spirit circuits, mixed with the wails of despair. These descendants of the Aeldari always repeat the mistakes of their ancestors, and each time they try to drag more into their graves."
Trazyn's synthesized voice echoed through the empty hall, carrying a mockery honed over millions of years.
His sensors had detected the unique traces left by the Eldar Craftworlds as they traversed the webway within the warp.
"They believe they are playing a grand game, and seem to have great faith in their own prophecies, but they don't realize that this very prophetic action is leading them to their doom."
His gaze, or rather, the focus of his sensors, penetrated layers of void, as if directly seeing where Noah was.
"This newly risen human Warmaster Noah—an interesting variable.
Worth collecting, whether his failure or his victory."
Trazyn could already foresee that when the barrier between the warp and the real universe was completely torn open here, it would not only unleash a carnival for Chaos Daemons but also awaken more dormant Necron Tomb Worlds beneath this starfield.
The Eldar's actions were tantamount to setting fire to the former courtyard of the Infinite Empire.
"It's time to add some new exhibits to my gallery," Trazyn muttered to himself, his own fleet lingering in the cosmic void, preparing to bring this matter to a perfect conclusion. He was willing to help the Imperium.
However, his help would come at a price, requiring time and patience.
Only when humanity had fallen into a complete disadvantage would he emerge to assist them, collecting his desired payment. As for what that payment was, that was not for humans to concern themselves with.
Trazyn, who had always enjoyed collecting various figurines, had Noah as his next target.
This scientist, a truly heaven-defying existence among humans, was the being Trazyn most desired to collect.
And Trazyn was merely one of the entities that had arrived from the awakened Necron Dynasties. Below Istam VI, a world undergoing a Gaia world transformation in the vicinity of Mistsphere World 108, a smaller Necron Dynasty was also being roused by these events.
This was the Solantek Dynasty, one of the many minor Necron Dynasties.
Its Phaerakh was "The Voidweaver" Oberon.
Oberon was the supreme ruler of the dynasty and a scholar obsessed with the study of reality's structure.
One of its Overlords was "The Iron Stele Commander" Seraphis.
Seraphis was the military commander of the dynasty, a pragmatic, tenacious warrior with an absolute sense of responsibility for the dynasty's survival.
Another Overlord was "The Silent Architect" Nemonthet. Nemonthet was the chief Cryptek, controlling the dynasty's technology, fleet, and awakening process.
Thanks to Istam VI's once abundant deposits of living metal and blackstone, the Solantek Dynasty's military strength far surpassed that of typical minor dynasties.
This dynasty, thanks to its Phaerakh's research, possessed powerful countermeasures against certain entities and phenomena within the warp.
The dynasty commanded an elite fleet centered around a single Tomb Ship.
A modified "Tomb Ship" named "Eternal Silence." It was not only a mobile command fortress but also a powerful stasis field generator, capable of stabilizing the battlefield's reality within a small range.
Three "Scythe-Sword class" light cruisers served as the fleet's main force, responsible for core strikes.
Several squadrons of "Jackal-class" raiding craft carried out high-speed assaults, reconnaissance, and harassment missions.
In addition to having a stronger fleet than ordinary minor Necron Dynasties, they also possessed some unique variant combat units.
Solantek Guard: A variant of the Lychguard, their shields could generate powerful localized stasis fields, effectively delaying or even freezing Psionic attacks and daemon entities.
Void Weavers: An Immortals unit equipped with specialized gauss weapons, their shots could effectively disrupt Psionic connections, making them particularly effective against Psionic races like the Eldar.
Null Stalkers: Deathmarks optimized for hunting psykers, capable of perfectly concealing themselves using background radiation in reality-warping areas.
Wailers: Warriors within the dynasty who had unfortunately contracted the Flayer Curse. Due to severe warp shock during their awakening, these Flayers were even more bizarre, their attacks sometimes accompanied by fleeting null phantoms.
It was precisely because this Necron Dynasty was almost specialized against the warp that they reacted immediately when the situation at World 108 underwent a sudden change.
This Necron Dynasty, which had not awakened even during the Gaia world transformation, now stirred.
Due to the sudden appearance of the warp, Phaerakh Oberon, who was forcibly awakened, experienced some slight confusion in his memories upon rousing.
However, for him, none of that mattered, as all memories pointed to one conclusion: the great Silent King Szarekh said the Silent King would reclaim the souls of the Necrontyr.
And there was the decree from the Triarch, the Silent King's command:
"The Solantek Dynasty initiates the Great Slumber Protocol."
As the memories concluded, Oberon felt that an era of glory would return, not as a powerful Phaerakh.
Among the Necrons, his dynasty was an ordinary, even unremarkable, small dynasty.
But that didn't matter; a Phaerakh was a Phaerakh, and his status still far surpassed that of ordinary Necrons, common Necrons, and nobles.
Although he wasn't as mighty as other great Phaerakhs, he believed his wisdom was in no way inferior to those great beings.
After all, he specialized in studying and countering the warp, and his current reawakening was precisely because of the warp.
Due to the changes in the real universe, the newly awakened Oberon was unsure of the exact time, as the display inside his sarcophagus had become a jumble of garbled data.
Too much time had indeed passed, and even Necron constructs, though legendary, were not immortal and subject to wear and tear.
Oberon didn't care about this.
"Open the sarcophagus," Oberon commanded with a hint of authority... The system responded with silence... Couldn't get out?
The Solantek Dynasty, one of the many minor Necron Dynasties, was located beneath Istam VI, a world undergoing a Gaia world transformation in the vicinity of Mistsphere World 108.
Ch.
#187Chapter 187 The coffin door was a little too good.
"The Phaerakh has authorized the activation of the awakening protocol." The unease in his heart grew stronger, but Overlord still prepared to make one last effort… The system hummed silently, still without any reaction or use, as if his words had been spoken to thin air.
"Well, it really came true," Overlord muttered to himself, a hint of resignation in his voice.
Talking to himself was nothing unusual for him; after all, he was the only machine in the entire sarcophagus.
But it didn't matter. Before the Great Sleep, he had kept a trick up his sleeve. To prevent those damned orks from grave-robbing his place, he had some alternative solutions, such as opening it directly from the inside.
Although this operation was a bit troublesome, it was entirely feasible.
Overlord lifted his mechanical leg, which hadn't moved in ages, and then kicked it hard.
Bang—
A tremendous sound echoed, but the lid of the sarcophagus remained unmoved.
"It's nothing; this only proves the excellent quality of our products, doesn't it?" Overlord comforted himself in his mind, then gathered his strength and kicked again with full force.
Bang… A louder sound reverberated throughout the sarcophagus, but this time it had some effect: the sarcophagus lid was slightly ajar, just a tiny crack.
"Excellent! As long as it works, that's good. After all, my body is already a mechanical one; a few more kicks will surely do the trick!" Overlord continued to silently reassure himself in his mind.
Bang bang bang—
One after another, loud thudding sounds echoed continuously. After kicking for a full thousand times, the sarcophagus lid was finally kicked open by him.
However, Overlord did not immediately step out. After all, he was the Phaerakh of the Necron Dynasty; a Phaerakh must have the proper rituals and honor guard.
"System, authorize the awakening of the Phaerakh's Guard—
Summon Overlord Nemontet, the Architect of Stillness, and Commander Seraphis. Have them come here to greet me.
Also, tell him that the sarcophagus door he built is too sturdy. Our dynasty shouldn't waste so many resources on building sarcophagus doors. Next time, tell him to make it a bit easier to kick open."
Having to kick the sarcophagus door open over 1000 times made Overlord a bit annoyed.
The system, which had been unresponsive inside the sarcophagus, finally responded to him at this moment.
"Command received. Executing your order."
"Activating Phaerakh's Guard stasis protocol Release procedure... Program in progress…"
"Connecting to Iron Stele Commander Seraphis. Connection complete. His awakening protocol has been initiated, and he is now awakening."
"Attempting to connect to Overlord 'Architect of Stillness' Nemontet. Connection complete. His awakening protocol has been initiated."
Overlord, who had been quite normal until then, added another command upon hearing that Nemontet's awakening had begun.
"Lock Nemontet's sarcophagus door. Seal it tightly there. Make him kick his way out, kick by kick, so he can truly experience the quality of the things he builds."
"Let him experience it firsthand, so he can make improvements next time."
Overlord gave the order with a hint of resentment.
"Your command has been received. Locking 'Architect of Stillness' Nemontet. He has received your order and states that he knows his mistake and requests to be released."
"Useless, ignore him. Make him kick his way out, kick by kick!" Overlord didn't care about any of that; he still firmly gave his command.
"Command confirmed. Additional restrictions have been applied to Overlord 'Architect of Stillness' Nemontet's awakening protocol. Physical opening mechanism locked, forcing manual opening procedure."
"Additional command: Ignore all opening requests from Overlord Nemontet until he successfully completes physical disengagement."
Phaerakh Overlord stood silently beside his sarcophagus, his metallic face unmoving, yet his internal audio receivers subtly increased their sensitivity, focusing on a deep part of the tomb, a stasis area belonging to the Chief Tomb Technician.
Initially, there was a deathly silence.
Then, an extremely faint but unusually muffled "thump" sound, faintly transmitted through the heavy tomb structure and layers of decking, drifted over.
"Thump…"
Another sound. The interval was a bit long, as if the other party was gathering strength or checking if his mechanical joints were functioning normally.
The eerie glow in Overlord's eyes flickered slightly, like a human raising an eyebrow.
Then, the thudding sounds began to become rhythmic.
"Thump! Thump! Thump!…"
"Satisfying!" Overlord was secretly delighted. If even he, the Phaerakh of the Necrons, needed to kick the sarcophagus door over 1000 times to open it, his subordinate Overlord would need at least 5000 kicks!
Overlord felt a small surge of pleasure.
Listening to his Overlord continuously kick the sarcophagus door, he had never been in such a good mood. This was the first happy thing he had encountered since waking up.
"5096 kicks, 5097 kicks, 5098 kicks, 5099 kicks, 6000 kicks!"
Overlord silently counted in his mind how many kicks his Overlord would need to get out.
It wasn't until he had counted to 6000 that he heard a heavy sound, the sarcophagus door being opened.
It was clear that the door must have been kicked open by him, and that fellow actually kicked it over 6000 times, which was even more than he had anticipated.
This proved that his Chief Technician needed to properly repair his own body.
Soon, the figure of Overlord "Architect of Stillness" Nemontet appeared at the entrance of the hall.
His originally slender and elegant metallic body now looked somewhat disheveled; one mechanical leg was clearly not moving smoothly, and there were new scratches at the joints.
The eerie glow in Nemontet's eyes flickered intensely, indicating that his internal processor was under extremely high load.
He quickly walked to Overlord, knelt on one knee, and as he bowed his head, one could even hear the faint hum of his cooling system working hard.
"Your… Your Majesty!" Nemontet's synthesized voice carried a distinct crackle and a very obvious sense of grievance.
"Your loyal servant, Nemontet, answers your call. Thank you… for making me deeply realize… the room for improvement in the sarcophagus structure… in terms of user experience."
Phaerakh Overlord looked down at him, silent for a few seconds, deliberately not allowing his good subordinate to stand up, making him kneel a little longer, until the other party was already somewhat unsteady on his knees before finally speaking.
"Rise, Nemontet. It seems firsthand experience is indeed more intuitive than any data report. I hope this 'deep realization' will inspire your future 'Architect of Stillness' work."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over Nemontet's somewhat disheveled body.
"As for now, rather than discussing the quality of sarcophagus doors, we have more pressing matters to attend to. Where is Seraphis?
I hope his awakening process… wasn't as 'educational' as yours."
No sooner had the words fallen than heavy, rhythmic, and powerful footsteps came from another direction.
It was "Iron Stele Commander" Seraphis, clad in heavy armor and much more robust than Nemontet, leading a squad of the Phaerakh's Guard.
In fact, he could have arrived much earlier, as his sarcophagus door could still be opened, but his Phaerakh was busy teasing his colleague.
Seraphis, being very perceptive, did not teleport directly. This was called understanding human nature.