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Page 295
Magnus's brilliant ending swept through the entire amphitheater, and thunderous applause erupted. Even Fugrim and Sangilius stood up to applaud and celebrate with him.
Behind them, Radoron and Kaska exchanged a helpless glance, then stood up and applauded enthusiastically.
Casgar: "......."
Casca: "Are you really going to keep acting like this...?"
Magnus was already a fool, and you're still making fun of him!
"Ow."
At that very moment, Kasgar felt an elbow strike from the Warmaster.
Fugrim: "Kasgar, shut up, don't ruin my plans!"
Although Magnus's speech was almost perfect, the emperor on the high platform did not seem to be moved by it.
Emperor: "So, the knowledge and truth you brought us are the words of Carlos the Weaver of Fates?"
He certainly wanted to ask that question, but at this moment he couldn't reveal too much information about Chaos to the public.
But Magnus, raising his hand to silence the applause, his smile radiating confidence...
unbearable.
Honestly, what he really wanted to do right now was to go up and slap this arrogant bastard twice, and then slap himself too.
As Primarchs, they all embody some of the Emperor's personality traits.
This made the emperor feel even more... embarrassed.
......
It seemed the time had come for Magnus's supporters to strike back, and a warrior threw off his mask and jumped out.
“I, Borjigin Yesugei, have something to say,” the warrior said, his voice rough and hoarse, with a heavy accent, the devoicing of the final consonant and the shortening of the vowel clearly indicating a Chogoris accent.
“I let the truth guide my words. I swear by the honor of the tribe that if I have lied, may my brothers tear out my heart.”
"The warriors chosen by the Storm Prophet are not evil, nor is the power they wield. It is a weapon, like a Land Raider or a bolter. Psionicists must be shaped and honed by skilled craftsmen, just as a sword is forged by a blacksmith. To generalize and regard psionicists as evil is to forget the original purpose for which the Empire used psionic power."
Immediately afterwards, one after another, people from the boxes tore off their masks and went to the front to plead for Magnus.
Dark Angel, Salamander, Midnight Lord, Ultramarines, and Imperial Fist, one after another.
Magnus recognized them; they were the chief think tanks within each legion, a total of twelve people.
“Twelve men stand before you,” Magnus said with a smile. “How fitting. Just as all the ancient gods were served by twelve knights, so too are we.”
The think tank directors knelt before the emperor, heads bowed, as Ahriman observed the patterns on their respective robes.
“Elikas, Zarost, Proms, Umoyan... they are the chief think tank directors of their respective legions.”
The idea was excellent, and even the Emperor nodded meaningfully at the think tanks' pleas.
But he seemed to have forgotten that among the eighteen legions, there was also a think tank.
That think tank has only one member.
“I’m sorry, Magnus,” Casca corrected, stepping forward to complete the final step of the numerology. “It’s thirteen.”
As for Casca, who proposed holding the meeting in Nicaea... will they support Magnus?
Of course I support you!
Kasgar stepped forward and explained to the group the story of how the golden centaur spirit had provided them with protection, defending the use of psionic energy in a more pragmatic way.
After saying all this, Casca hugged Magnus with a smile, just like two brothers.
We're made with thick rice, aren't we?
Hahaha!
Meeting Magnus's grateful yet seemingly foolish gaze, Casca felt a long-lost sense of guilt.
I'm sorry, Fugrim, I was wrong.
It's really fun to tease idiots.
Emperor: "..."
He watched in silence as Casca performed on stage. This man, who had initially advocated capturing Casca directly in Nicaea and throwing him into the underground dungeon of the palace to be guarded by Black Corn, was now chatting and laughing merrily with Magnus.
......
After both sides had finished speaking, the host, Makado, adjourned the meeting.
Magnus was escorted to a hall next to the amphitheater to rest, looking every bit the victor. He was confident that, with the help of the thirteen chief psionic think tank members, he would definitely win this meeting and ultimately lead the Empire into a brighter future.
However, what he never knew was that everything was already destined the moment he stepped into Nicaea.
The Emperor convened this meeting primarily to gauge Magnus's attitude—how did this man view psychic power? How would he defend himself against accusations of abusing psychic abilities?
—The result was worse than he had imagined.
Magnus himself had not a single regret!
Even though it almost led to irreversible consequences, Magnus still did not reflect on whether he should have deepened his research on subspace.
Not at all.
Why was I deceived and had my trust taken by beings from the warp?
What does this mean?
This shows that his research on psychic powers is still insufficient!
We should continue to increase our research into subspace until we can distinguish which organisms are trustworthy and which are not!
This guy... he's become even more determined after each setback with this little pony he absolutely has to raise!
While everyone returned to their respective lounges to drink water and rest, the Emperor stood motionless on the gleaming pedestal like a golden statue, pondering a plan and countermeasure to deal with Magnus.
What should we do now?
Magnus's ship is clearly a waste of its potential, so what should be done with it now?
The emperor pondered a solution.
Casca's arrival did indeed bring some changes to the world, and also made him aware of more prophecies about what might happen in the future.
Magnus possessed psychic power second only to him... but his wisdom was insufficient to enable him to wield this power...
But could the emperor really imprison Magnus when he had not committed any crimes?
Will the other Primarchs have any objections to this?
We are a harmonious and wonderful Primarch family, but please don't ask where the Primarchs of Legions Two, Eleven, and Fifteen have gone.
[If I ask you, you'll be next]
Even if it's shut down, who's to say this guy won't become a ticking time bomb planted on Terra?
The emperor had no doubt about Magnus's destructive power.
This guy might break out the day after he's locked up, and then come up and make a historic breakthrough for his online community.
...That's difficult.
What should be done with Magnus?
The emperor was extremely troubled.
......
“Magnus, brother,” Saint Gilles said, his voice trembling with emotion. “I’m so sorry, I never imagined this meeting would become your trial…”
During halftime, the Primarchs were naturally able to communicate privately.
But... are those tear stains on your face for real, Saint Gilles?
But Magnus didn't pay attention to this, or rather, his wisdom wasn't enough to see through Sanguis's acting.
"Don't worry, sisters. I believe the Emperor will give us a fair judgment."
Magnus comforted the other person.
So what if that old dog Lemanus and Mortalian oppose him?
The chief think tanks of the thirteen legions, as well as the two Primarchs present, Saint Gilles and Fugrim, were all on his side!
Best friend, so loyal!
With the support of his two best friends and Casca, his great friend, how could he possibly lose?
Magnus could not imagine why he would lose.
"Don't you think so, Ahriman?"
He smiled happily and patted the think tank director next to him on the shoulder.
Ahriman: "......."
Forget it.
He gave up struggling.
Before the absolute power of an emperor, nothing more can be said.
Let the Primarch be happy for a little while longer.
—Although this period of time will not be too long.
......
For once, Kasgar actually felt a tiny bit of sympathy for the Red Lord.
He desperately wanted to go up and tell him something crucial, something he often overlooked.
Beware of bad women
His mental disability is simply a problem he was born with; it's not his fault.
"Kasgar Sherlock of the Third Legion."
It was a royal guard in golden armor. After knocking on the door, he peeked into the lounge and said, "His Majesty the Emperor invites you in."
Emperor?
With doubts in their hearts, Magnus and Ahriman, who was numb and no longer wanted to say anything, watched as the Imperial Guard escorted Casca away.
A minor incident.
Perhaps the Emperor wanted to ask him about what happened in Interstate.
Magnus was still somewhat uneasy about this.
After all, that incident caused quite a stir, and judging from Casca's reaction at the time, Magnus had gotten himself into trouble.
But...Casca is, after all, his good rice!
How could he betray Magnus?
......
The break time is over.
After discussion and voting, the emperor rose from his throne.
So far, the Emperor of Man has been observing the proceedings of this council with a detached eye, listening to everyone's opinions, and weighing the options without revealing his true feelings.
Aside from a brief discussion with Casca during one of the breaks, he remained silent and listened to everyone's opinions.
Now he stood at the edge of the platform, where the starlight shone brightly once more, making his armor gleam.
This was the moment he read out the verdict.
“I have walked paths no one knows, and faced nameless beings in the void. I know the secrets and dangers hidden in the darkness. Such things are beyond the comprehension of inferior minds, no matter how powerful or learned they may be. The secrets I have already shared are warnings, not incentives for further exploration. For those who excessively pry into secrets that mortals should not tread, only death and curse await them.”
The entire room fell silent. Apart from Casgar, no one believed that the Emperor would actually cut off all the Legion's think tank personnel without showing any mercy.
All previous defenses were in vain; the Emperor's verdict still fell on them.
“Those who disregard my admonitions and break their promise to me will surely suffer calamity as retribution. I will regard them as enemies and bring upon them endless destruction, destroy their followers, and imprison their minds in regret, to mourn their foolish acts of turning away from my glory, until the day of the end of all things.”
......
it's over......?