[My friend, are you asleep? 】

The voice of the Lord of Humanity resounded in the brightest lights of the deepest part of the Terra Palace, a loud trumpet enough to call the galaxy, and no one could remain silent in the face of such a call.

Not even Machado.

Because, when the Lord of Humanity called out to the Palm Seal with his voice, his golden flame figure had already rushed into Makado's private lounge, and by the way, he flew the heavy iron door to the other wall with great ease.

The man who had just closed his eyes on his bed felt the tonnage of doors brushing against the tip of his nose, the wind of the hunt tearing at his cheeks, and a real pain came from the roar of the hunting wind.

He opened his eyes.

For a moment, Machado really wanted to pick up his black iron scepter and destroy anything in his vision: anything.

But when his monarch came to his bed like a whirlwind, and asked him again if he was resting, and had already grabbed his arm and lifted him up, even though the face of the person who held the seal was already as pale as his black iron scepter, he could only grit his teeth and slowly spit out that answer.

"Yes, Apocalypse."

"I ...... I haven't started to rest yet. ”

Machado didn't sleep either.

[Okay, come with me, I have important information to share with you. 】

“……”

"Aren't you on the Far Eastern Frontier, why are you ...... now?"

[This is my projection, I have something very important to say to you, right now. 】

The Lord of Humanity patted his best friend on the shoulder, and disappeared like a whirlwind at the end of the hallway, seemingly unconcerned about whether his best friend would follow: behind him, the Palm Sealer sat on the bed, his old body supported by his black iron scepter that burned with psionic fire, and he bowed his head and was silent for a moment.

Then, after all, there was a sigh.

Machado slowly got up and began to follow the Emperor's long-vanished guide to the room where they used to communicate important matters, while on either side of him, the Praetorian Army was scattered between the splendid corridors of the palace, not squinting.

Built at the end of the War of Unification of Terra, the Imperial Palace of the Human Empire is an ever-expanding architectural behemoth that is still a long way before it is truly completed: its owner is so engrossed in the progress of the Great Expedition that it rarely returns to the theoretical supreme center of power.

But even so, Terra's Palace is still a behemoth that has devoured vast swaths of land, merging with Terra's once most majestic mountains and most magnificent plateaus, a behemoth that can be clearly seen even in low-Earth orbit, and is likely to be larger than any nest structure known to man.

However, for beings like the Lord of Humanity and the Palm Seal, it was only a matter of an eye to move from one side of this behemoth to the other, and it only took a moment for the Emperor's best friend to allow his body to cross a distance of tens of kilometers and accurately step into the secret room that only he and the Lord of Humans could enter and exit at will.

The room was nothing special, it didn't even have a single piece of furnishings, it was littered with papers and notes, the walls were piled up empty, and the few tables and chairs were stacked in the center of the room, and it didn't look like it was being used very often.

But only the true wise understand that even the most inconspicuous volume in this room, if circulated outside, could easily start a war capable of burning several sectors, and that the War Machine of the Human Empire would not hesitate to use all its power to capture, defend, or erase anything for the sake of information and content that could be discussed by the Emperor and the Sealers themselves.

And now, this room has welcomed one of its most important guests.

"Discord Engine ......"

The Palm Printer whispered the name, his brow furrowed, and the true number two of the Human Empire was silent, and began to search for his memories that had lasted for more than six thousand years, and began to search for the clues he needed now in the countless books and mountains of literature collected by the former [Palm Printer Organization].

He was silent for a moment before slowly shaking his head.

"I have no memories related to the so-called Discord Engine, Apocalypse."

The Lord of Humanity nodded, no more disappointed, he just paced the room with some anxiety, circling around the old wooden table, and explaining to Machado little by little what he had just witnessed.

The Palm Seal listened, silent, the story from the Emperor's mouth was not complicated, but it never soothed his brow, because when the Lord of Humanity finished talking about the demon demigod and his deal, facing the eyes of expectant recognition, Machado only chose to shake his head after hesitating.

"I don't really agree with this deal."

"Because all of this is so much of a coincidence, Apocalypse: a treasure that can perfectly solve our present predicament, has come to us on its own, and the price to pay for it is so much compared to its value...... Infinitesimal? ”

"Attract the attention of those evil gods? The moment we step into the network, we would have attracted their full attention, and in this case, it would have made no difference whether we had a discordant engine or not. ”

"In other words, we don't even have to pay extra to get paid?"

"In the subspace, or even in the physical universe, when did such a good thing happen?"

"An unknown power that is in front of us, easily obtainable, and which is of greatest benefit to our plans? Don't you think it's all too much of a coincidence? ”

"I don't think there is any god of luck in this world, and even if there is, I don't think it will take care of us, because it is very likely to be another evil god in the subspace."

"You know, Apocalypse, even if that demonic demigod is limited by its power to weave lies and traps everywhere like its kind, it is still a demon in the end, a demon that cannot be trusted."

"We must be suspicious of any words that come out of its mouth, and treat them as absolute lies: it is absolutely not too much to deal with the devil."

Makado said his suggestion with a serious face, but he also saw that such words did not make the face of the Lord of Mankind shake even the slightest, and the emperor's projection only showed a smile, and when he looked at the palm seal again, he actually had a hint of emotion.

Do you know, my friend, that these words of yours are exactly the same as those of a person? 】

"Who?"

[Morgan, my second creation, when she heard these deals from the mouth of the demonic demigod, her words were almost a copy of yours: the unknown power that is easily obtained must contain danger, because subspace has never been a place of generosity. 】

"I hope your children will have the same consciousness."

[In this way, my portrayal of No. 2 is even successful, she was originally built with you as a template, and now she does have a shadow similar to you in her gestures. 】

"At least in this matter, I will be her unseen ally."

The Palm Printer coughed lightly, he felt his throat feel a little dry inexplicably, and he didn't forget to continue to ask the Emperor as he grabbed the document handed by the Emperor and carefully read everything about the Discord Engine.

"So, you agreed to the deal."

[I have no reason to refuse. 】

"Isn't that enough? Apocalypse, this is most likely not a transaction, but a trap, in the eyes of the demons of subspace, is there any essential difference between the two words? ”

[Everything comes with risks, my friend, if we want absolute safety, then we can't do anything at all: just like everyone knows that subspace navigation comes with risks, but so what, should we give up this most efficient mode of transportation? 】

“……”

[And, my friend. 】

Do we have any other choice? 】

“……”

Machado took a deep breath, he didn't argue, because he knew that there was no point in dwelling on this issue, the emperor's decision was unshakable, and even he only had the power to advise.

But despite this, he decided to ask as much as he could.

"You believe so much in the power of this discordant engine because you know it exists?"

[I have traveled in subspace for a long time, and I have seen a lot in the fragments of those times, and I know which ones are correct and useful, and which ones are the tricks that fate uses to play tricks on me. 】

[In a sense, I am actually half a prophet, my friend, but this status has not brought me any benefit, because all prophecies are just another way to reveal those terrible futures?] 】

"How did I not know you had done these things in subspace? Is it safe? ”

[I have lived hundreds of centuries of my life before I met you, and there are many things that you do not know now: even, even if I tell you some of them, you will not believe it. 】

[As for security, you don't have to worry about this, my friend, I know it. 】

"That doesn't seem to be a reason for you to wander the depths of subspace alone: don't tell me you don't know your current responsibilities, the apocalypse, and a galactic empire exists because of you."

[It's okay to do it once in a while, my friend, the rational use of subspace is indeed the most efficient means at some point, I can make sure that what I see is true, I can make sure that I am not corrupted and misled, then I can use this means: for efficiency. 】

“…… I hope so. ”

What else could Machado do, he could only bow his head and carefully read everything about the Discord Engine, although these instructions written by the Emperor himself told everything clearly, from the Heavenly War in ancient times to the identity of this demon demigod, it seemed that everything was expected by the Lord of Humanity, but after knowing all this, there was still one last trace of concern in the heart of the Palm Sealer.

However, this concern had turned into a concern for reality: after determining that he could not stand in the way of the Lord of Humanity, the Palm Sealer reversed his identity and began to see the ambitious plan through the eyes of the actual operator of the Human Empire.

As a result, his brow quickly furrowed again.

"According to your idea, you want Number Two to be in charge of the deal with the demon demigod, and you will only meet him once from a distance, but too much to meddle in this deal?"

[Yes.] 】

"Why?"

[Because the current number two is equal to its strength, if I personally contact it, it will retreat, and will fear that he will gradually lose the initiative because of the difference in strength.] 】

"Is there another possibility: you made too much trouble in the subspace at the beginning, and this demon demigod had a very bad ...... for your name and image Positioning? ”

【……】

[It's not impossible.] 】

"Alright, let me move on: the Plague Heart is in hand, and the Ouroboros and Tuchulca engines look like they have very clear clues, and on top of that, we'll need to find some additional subspace devices, which could be scattered all over the galaxy."

"Are you going to give this mission to Number Two and her legion as well?"

[Yes, she can't always be in her Far Eastern frontier, and she has a certain talent for finding these treasures, and fate favors her in this regard. 】

"Fate?"

[Have you forgotten, it's not just a god watching her, the Changeler's gaze on Two, though faint, has always been there, I'm not sure what it's going to do, and it's not the time to think about it. 】

"The best way to deal with the Muters is not to speculate, and to be clever in finding a solution will only fall into its trap: you are doing the right thing, Apocalypse."

"And the number two ......"

[What's wrong?] 】

"There have been some voices in Terra's government lately, and there are concerns that Second may become a second Killiman, whose Far Eastern Frontier looks more and more like the Five Hundred Worlds, and is expanding at an alarming rate."

"If the Great Expedition takes about a century, I'm afraid that the land and volume belonging to the Far Eastern Frontier will not be too far behind the Five Hundred Worlds, and considering some of the characteristics of the Second herself, the strength she has accumulated may exceed that of the Lord of the Ultramarines."

[Do you think this is a problem worth worrying about? 】

"It's not a worry, but I think we need to pay attention: although we all know that Killiman will be a vassal king limited by his five hundred worlds, and will be an [uncrowned king] who is content to rest on his laurels, but now that we have sent the second to his side, everything may go in a different direction."

"Don't forget, her name is the Monarch Slayer."

[yes, I'm looking forward to it.] 】

“…… What? ”

[No, nothing.] 】

[You want to say that you are worried that Number Two may affect Killiman and even make the power of the five hundred worlds available to her?] 】

"Yes, although she will also be influenced by Killiman, but we are not sure what will lead to the outcome of their intersection, but the worst we can think of is that one of them has taken that wrong path, and with the bond between the two of them, the other is very likely to follow the same path under its influence."

"Referring to their respective experiences, I am afraid that it will be the Far Eastern Frontier that has affected the five hundred worlds."

"And once the Far Eastern Frontier unites with the Five Hundred Worlds, then even if they don't do anything but divide one side and resist the rule of Holy Terra, it will be a catastrophe even more terrible than the War of Zandan: they will occupy at least eight hundred, if not more, core worlds, two powerful Astarte legions, countless mortal auxiliaries, a primordial who is unrivaled in terms of coordination, and a powerful psyker second only to you."

[Eight hundred? 】

"Judging by the speed of expansion of the Far Eastern Frontier and the methods used by Number Two to rule over mortals, I believe that by the moment the Great Expedition ends, there will be at least three hundred, if not more, core worlds under her command."

"If we look at it territorially, once a huge union created by the five hundred worlds and the Far Eastern frontier is out of the control of the Empire, then we will lose one-third of the Far Eastern star field in that instant, that is, at least one-seventh of the galaxy: this is still under the condition that only the two primordial bodies and the legion join forces, without any other factors."

"If they choose to fight in the civil war at the end of the Great Expedition, or even take the opportunity to turn over to the side of the rebels: I am really worried about whether we will be able to solve this problem."

Are you worried that I will be able to protect this crown of mine in the ambition of my heirs? 】

The Lord of Humanity pointed to the top of his empty head, and the Palm Printmaker read a few familiar hints of banter in his smile, and he just nodded as an old minister.

"Sort of."

Then you are wrong, my friend. 】

[I don't care about this crown, even if it represents an empire that can span the entire galaxy, but all this is not what I want, I will not draw my sword to protect this crown, if the greatest ambition of my heir is to inherit my throne, it will even be good news for me. 】

If he comes to my throne as a temporal challenger, not a puppet of Chaos, then I will be happy to tell him that the throne is his. 】

Whoever happily takes this throne will soon discover what a mistake he has made: it will not even hinder my progress in making mortals truly the supreme power of this kingdom. 】

[Maybe at that time, we can all retire, I can take you to the resort villa area on Venus, we can fish in the artificial lake there or something, I forgot to tell you, a long time ago, my fishing skills were quite good. 】

"Don't joke around with these things, Apocalypse."

[I'm not kidding, my friend, I'm serious: sooner or later I'll step down from the throne, and as soon as I've put everything in order, this throne will be an absolute burden to me, and I'll avoid it.] 】

[Actually, I can't avoid it now.] 】

“……”

"I don't care what you think about your power, Apocalypse, but as long as I'm still sitting in the position of the Palm Seal, you must take your responsibility seriously: right now."

[Well, I will.] 】

The Emperor laughed, a smile that Makado knew and hated, because every time the Lord of Humanity finally showed such an expression, the Palm Seal, who had lived for more than six thousand years, would have a deeper insight and feeling for the word "oppression".

[But I want to warn you, my friend, that you seem to be digressing: we should be talking about the Discord Engine, not about the future of Two.] 】

[That's not something we can change, even I, for the future of Number 2, can only exert guidance and flanking, and can't really intervene in it: that's why I'm so indifferent to her, I don't have the authority to be closer to her or even have contact for a long time, we belong to different realms. 】

"I don't think I have time to listen to your bitter parenting scriptures, the apocalypse, and you actually dodge a lot of my questions when it comes to number two: just like before."

[Don't be so harsh, my friend. 】

"Then you should be merciful to me first."

Makado pointed to his cheek, which had been weathered for more than 6,000 years, and even the most excellent rejuvenation surgery could not inflict youth, was now full of furrow-like wrinkles and aging, especially on the place under the eyes of the palm printmaker, there was a faint layer of dark marks.

Machado pointed to the marks, his tone somewhat dissatisfied.

"To sustain your Great Expedition, your Galactic Empire, and your children of marvelous deeds, I've spent less than a hundred Terra Standard Hours in total in a Terra standard year in the past Terra standard year."

"If you want to give me any extra work, my majesty, maybe you're ready to lose your head of the Terra government, and maybe I should give you a roster of malleable talents who can barely succeed me?"

[No one has the ability to truly succeed you, my friend, you are unique. 】

In the face of the somewhat angry joke of the Palm Sealer, the Lord of Humanity could only bow his head, cough lightly, and then pat his best friend on the shoulder as a comfort.

[My children, have you been troubled again?] 】

"There's nothing too serious lately: but I'd like to remind you that, according to my intelligence sources, a basic training manual for think tanks has recently become popular among most legions, and in fact, no legion has chosen to reject it except for the Thousand Sons and the Death Guard."

"Even space wolves, war dogs, and dark angels."

[I know, it's a book written by Number Two, have you read it?] 】

"I've read it, and if you look at it purely for educational value and caution, this book is priceless, and I even think that we can promote the popularity of this book in an official manner, and most of what it has written can even be applied to mortal psionics, which is extremely valuable."

[Your rating is high?] 】

"Your sons, Dorne, Chagatai Khan, and Magnus, have openly proclaimed the superiority of this book: though Magnus's proclamation seems somewhat reluctant."

You know my attitude towards psionics and psionics, my friend. 】

"Of course I know, but the current situation is that the empire is far from being separated from the power of psionics, and the large number of psionics is a problem that all worlds and legions must face, and in this premise, this book can help us to a great extent to control the proliferation of psionics, and every psionic who passes the basic education will bring much less danger."

"If done well, we can even temporarily change our attitude towards psionics and the Astarte Think Tank, it turns out that most of the legions can still coexist with the Think Tank, and the existence of the Think Tank may not be as bad as we thought, although they involve subspace, most of them can still control themselves."

[Well, I'll consider having a problem with the Think Tank, as long as all the legions don't cause trouble with psionics, then I think I'll be able to put up with this formation: I've put up with too much, haven't I?] 】

"Wise choice, Apocalypse, maybe you can implicitly convey this attitude to your children, if the think tanks know that their existence stands tall on your endurance, the probability of them causing trouble will also be subjectively smaller."

[I'll think about it.] 】

[Anything else?] 】

The Lord of Humanity looked somewhat absent-minded, and he kept flipping through the material in his hand about the Discord Engine, causing the palm printer's eyelids to flutter from time to time.

"Not for a while...... So, what would you like to discuss with me? ”

Machado narrowed his eyes.

What should have come is still coming.

Hopefully this time...... It won't be such a surprise topic.

[I would like to discuss something with you, my friend. 】

Here it comes!

The palm print's eyelids jumped.

That's the tone: the last time the Emperor spoke to him like this, Machado had somehow become the sole ruler of the Terra government and even the Human Empire, and his rest time had jumped from hour to second in an instant.

Macado coughed, and he struggled to steady himself.

"What are you discussing?"

[About the Discord Engine: Although you have been avoiding the talk of it, my dear dear friend, we have to face such a reality. 】

[When Two succeeded in bringing back all the core parts so that we could master the Discord Engine, our original plan for the network would have been completely nullified: thankfully we didn't invest much irreparable cost in it. 】

Machado nodded, he knew that the Lord of Humanity's attachment to the Internet was an imperial dream that he could not give up.

"In our original plan, you intended to activate a lost portal to the heart of the palace, and then build a ...... Barely qualified network tunnels, connecting to the main network channels left by those ancient races, and after patching those vulnerabilities, allowing it to restore some of its operational capabilities. ”

[It's equivalent to installing a new connector on a rusty water pipe, although the condition of the joint is very bad, and the water pipe itself is already crumbling, but for us at that time, this is the only option. 】

[But now, the situation is different, my friend, we have a new way. 】

"What are you going to do?"

[It's very simple: I intend to use the Discord Engine as a spearhead to dig a new path in the hard walls of the third dimension where the network is located, a path that is free from any demons and ancient creations, and it will be far away from other ancient networks and become an exclusive passage for us humans.] 】

[As soon as all this is done, my friend, all our dreams and ambitions are at hand, and mankind will truly control their destiny forever. 】

Machado was silent.

Although thousands of stars were far away, the person holding the seal could still clearly see what a high and unquenchable flame flickered in his pupils when his lord said this great cause word by word.

For a moment, Machado was even truly touched: a long time ago, he was touched by this flame, and he did not hesitate to choose to follow in the emperor's footsteps.

But now, such a touch can only last for a moment, because as the great steward of the entire human empire, after the initial excitement and hatred, the palm seal holder quickly realized a completely new problem.

"A new ...... Channel? ”

"Apocalypse."

"Have you considered the cost?"

"It's not about tinkering with old roads and cities, or creating a small section of barely working interface: it's about building a new network, and just stabilizing the path dug by the discordant engine will probably cost an astronomical amount of money."

"Have you calculated?"

Of course I calculated, my friend, that's why I've come to you. 】

Once again, a smile appeared on the Human Lord's face, and his smile made the Palm Printmaker feel as if his blood pressure was a little high.

"You...... Figured it out? ”

[Approximate estimate: Judging from our previous investment in the network, the materials needed for our new plan will probably be the same as the previous ......]

[Double.] 】

“！”

[At least twice as much.] 】

“！！！”

As soon as his lips touched, he could gently spit out terrible words, making the palm seal almost faint, and he clutched his black iron scepter tightly, and he could even hear his own voice squeezing out from between his teeth.

"Twice? Or at least? ”

"Did you know that the eleven tax levied on those worlds just to fully supply the Great Expedition and the previous network plan has already caused strong resentment in a large number of worlds: what are you going to do now? Delaying the Great Expedition? ”

[The Great Expedition must not be delayed? 】

"What then? Raise the amount of the 11th tax again? Do you know what this can do? ”

【……】

【……】

The emperor didn't reply, he just walked in front of the palm printman, nodded solemnly to the somewhat stunned Machado, and then patted his shoulders with both hands, looked directly into the cloudy eyes of the palm printmaker, and slowly spoke in the most serious tone.

[I believe in your abilities, my friend! 】

“……”

“……”

"I don't believe it!"

[It's okay, I'm sure, and even the worst won't be a surprise to me, my friend.] 】

"Have you really thought about the outcome of making all the world unhappy?"

Were these worlds subjugated to me in the first place? Machado, since I can conquer them once through a great expedition, I can do it a second time, or even more. 】

[But, my friend, an opportunity like the Discord Engine that can change our predicament is something that even I have to sigh about, and it is unavoidable: we must seize this opportunity, no matter what we lose because of it. 】

"Even the entire empire?"

Machado's inquiry was almost an instinctive impulse, and in the face of this unthinking question, the Lord of Humanity only smiled, as if he had been amused by this genuine question.

He looked at the palm printman and answered his questions word by word.

[Machado, my friend. 】

The Human Empire has never been something I wanted. 】

[Not before, not now, and never will be.] 】

(End of chapter)