Chapter 145: The Journey to GreenWorth
"You've piqued my interest and curiosity, brother!" Horus laughed, choosing, like Lorgar, to see for himself.
After the two finished speaking, Omega led representatives from over a hundred cities to accompany the Emperor on a tour of the planet. The group boarded gunships, entered the atmosphere, and descended directly to the planet's surface.
The beautiful planetary environment put everyone in a good mood. They arrived at a large human city, Law Enforcement City, under the rule of Councilor Reid.
As the Emperor descended with his entourage, the elderly Councilor Reid explained the city's development and establishment.
Horus questioned Reid in detail. Many of his questions concerned the prisoners, and at Omega's prompting, he brought up these concerns.
The majority of the older generation in Law Enforcement City were prisoners from various star sectors, but under Reid's rule, they had become productive citizens. They built the city with dedication, and now it was filled with skyscrapers and bright lights. Reid had initially disliked and loathed the prisoners under his rule, but he eventually accepted and trusted them. Together, they built the beautiful Law Enforcement City.
In the lobby of the council building, Mortarion looked around at the orderly surroundings and asked whether it had also been built by those prisoners.
Councilor Reid looked troubled and simply nodded, unwilling to elaborate.
He didn't want the stain on the city to displease the Emperor and Primarchs before him. That was all in the past; the present was wonderful, and that was what mattered most.
Curze was alarmed to discover that Councilor Reid's mindset perfectly aligned with that of the residents from Omega's story.
He asked, "Will the future residents of this city forget that it was built by countless prisoners, turning it into a legend, a joke?"
Councilor Reid nodded heavily. "Yes. People like beautiful things, and they gradually forget the fact that this city was built by countless prisoners. They are more willing to accept a prettier version of history, just as people are reluctant to recall their painful past. Perhaps this is simply human nature."
The Primarchs looked at Omega in disbelief. It all matched the story he had told.
Malcador the Sigillite hadn't expected everything to be exactly as Omega had predicted. He sighed as he addressed Omega.
"I never imagined you had such a deep understanding of human nature and social development. I hope you won't manipulate human nature so easily in the future, or I will not forgive you."
Omega explained, "My motives are far nobler than you think. I trust these officers and the system they've established. Every time they return to the Forge World these past years, they've been prepared to quell a rebellion. They were simply following the system I established. I have never directly interfered with this planet, let alone manipulated human nature."
Malcador chuckled softly. "I have some difficulty understanding your overall concept, but it's clear that governing this sector is not as simple as it appears at first glance. A large and crude plan is bound to encounter unexpected events."
Omega looked somewhat worried upon hearing this, but seeing Malcador walking ahead, he said with relief, "Thankfully, Sigillite, you sent people to help me watch over these planets. I've been too busy."
Malcador glanced at him speechlessly a few times and slowly walked away.
Jaghatai Khan laughed heartily upon hearing this, while the other Primarchs looked on with disbelief. You haven't done anything at all, yet you have the nerve to say you're busy.
Regardless, Councilor Reid's words drew everyone's attention to Omega's story, because the development of GreenWorth was a real-life version of the deserted island parable.
The Emperor was delighted with the prosperity of GreenWorth. He loved humanity and wanted to see them create their own happy homes.
In city after city, the Emperor, Malcador, and the Primarchs heard only about the councilors governing the cities and eventually forming the Planetary Council. They heard absolutely nothing about Omega's involvement.
Guilliman's powerful multi-threaded brain meticulously recorded information and observations from each city, constantly analyzing them.
Roboute Guilliman understood how each city had evolved from its initial establishment to its current state, but he couldn't quite figure out Omega's role in it. It seemed dispensable, yet the Omega story clearly indicated that he had planned all of this. This contradictory fact left Guilliman puzzled.
During his visit to GreenWorth, Konrad Curze set aside any calls for justice against the planet, but he insisted that this was not because of Omega. Rather, he recognized the efforts of the mayors and councilors in building better cities.
Seeing this, Lion El'Jonson and others agreed with Curze's point of view: seeing was believing, and the planet's improvement had nothing to do with Omega.
Back on the Emperor's massive flagship, Lorgar bumped into Omega in the corridor. The two stared at each other, and Lorgar realized that he couldn't quite understand his brother.
Lorgar, his head covered in scripture tattoos, spoke calmly. "Malcador the Sigillite is right. Your grand plan was too crude, and unexpected complications arose, something you yourself didn't even realize."
Omega asked directly, "What is it?"
Lorgar chuckled. "I'm very sensitive to the religious beliefs of any planet. On GreenWorth, there's already a cult of Alpha. That's right, they worship you, someone they've never seen before, as a god."
"No way. They've never seen me before. How could this be?" Omega looked surprised.
Lorgar smiled mysteriously. "Isn't this the wonder of faith? Great beings compel us to look up in awe, and sublime faith arises from within. Faith is a spiritual need that every human being must have. I feel this way, and so do you."
Omega glanced at Lorgar a few times and said admiringly, "Your faith in the Emperor is truly unwavering. The destruction of the Perfect City has become a test of your faith. Congratulations."
With a complex expression, Lorgar countered, "Why congratulate me on my faith? It seems you don't reject faith in a great being. That's truly unexpected."
Omega shook his head and laughed. "There are many interesting things outside of religion. I won't interfere with your beliefs, and you shouldn't interfere with my enjoyment."
"Don't worry. I'll keep the matter of mortals' faith in you a secret. I believe that's part of your enjoyment." Lorgar, surprised by Omega's attitude, smiled mysteriously and walked past quietly.
The words of priests always carried that particular weight of suggestion, Omega thought.
"...."
Now, Lorgar's faith in the Emperor was so great that he didn't even dare to call the Emperor by name, only daring to use the obscure term "great being."
He had long heard of the feud between Lorgar and Guilliman. Judging from Lorgar's outburst at the time and the fact that the Word Bearers had slaughtered hundreds of millions of people on a planet within six months to vent their anger, Lorgar clearly regarded Guilliman as an enemy.
Yet after several encounters, Lorgar's demeanor towards Guilliman remained unchanged, as if he had let go of this hatred and obeyed the Emperor's arrangements.
At the previous banquet, in order to sow discord between him and Guilliman, Lorgar had deliberately used the events of the Medias sector to provoke everyone to question him
Just then, a soft, gloomy voice came from the side. "My brother, what are you thinking? Do you need me to handle matters concerning the believers?"
Omega turned around and saw the man with a wicked grin and a crazed expression.
"Curze, it's you. You shouldn't be in the mood for this kind of thing right now. I don't want to get involved in the affairs of the believers. If anything happens later, you can ask Malcador for help."
"How did you know I wasn't in the mood? You're right. I don't mind letting your followers off the hook this time."
Omega analyzed, "You said you were fighting for justice, and that killing and fear were merely means to an end. Although your methods are extreme, your ultimate goal is the same as mine. The beauty of GreenWorth has dissolved your bloodlust. Because they met your standards, you forcibly suppressed your urges and excitement, leaving you feeling listless."
Curze stepped forward and said softly, unusually quiet, "The analysis is absolutely correct. I really want to open your brain to see what it's really like."
Omega said, "I apologize for the switch incident during the last competition. War is never a game to me, so I would rather lose to you than have my men suffer unnecessary casualties."
"Hahaha! I, Curze, am not the kind of person who holds grudges. Let's not count the last match. Next time we meet, we'll have a real match."
Curze was surprised by Omega's attitude, but thinking of the Lion and Guilliman, he immediately understood Omega's desire to avoid making enemies. He smiled magnanimously, waved his hand, and left with a wicked grin.
This brother of mine actually understands me so well. It's truly amusing.
[End of Chapter]