"That situation would be truly terrible."
The Emperor spoke through the speaker.
His body still lay on the Golden Throne, but his consciousness could see the data analysis charts Cortana had produced.
The Time Cataclysm was an all-encompassing disaster, a heavy blow to both the Warp and the laws of Reality.
If the Time Cataclysm could not be stopped, all civilizations in the galaxy would regress to the Industrial Age.
That is, an era where spacecraft could be launched into space, but there was no way to colonize other planets.
Because the distances were too great, and there were no means of faster-than-light travel.
"The entire galaxy will collapse."
Alex stroked his chin, looking at the projection in front of him, and asked Cortana.
"Is there any way to make the Warp collapse first?"
The Imperium of Man and the Warp were already in a stalemate.
The Chaos Gods used their authority to perform various inconceivable feats, doing things beyond the reach of mortals.
The Imperium of Man certainly couldn't compromise either; all kinds of temporal weapons, causality weapons, and star-destroying weapons had to be deployed.
War, this thing, was a test of who feared death less, and who could endure more.
As long as one could outlast the other, it was victory.
It was already fated that both sides would turn the galaxy into ruins.
Neither side would back down; only when one side completely fell could this war truly end.
If you asked the Chaos Gods to abandon their persecution of humanity forever, to stay in the Warp obediently,
and no longer devour human souls,
they would certainly be unwilling.
The Imperium of Man, on the other hand, had even less room to concede.
Conceding would mean plunging themselves back into the quagmire of eternal war,
leaving countless Imperial citizens to live in despair and suffering, never to find liberation.
In that case, it would be better to destroy the entire universe; everyone dying together would be preferable.
"Yes." Cortana nodded.
"Previously, we began the construction of the Aether Phase Engine."
"The Aether Phase Engine can draw energy from the Warp and convert it into dimensional energy for human ascension."
"If we forgo ascension and use this energy to sustain the Reality, protecting human souls, it is achievable."
"At that time, humans would only need to replenish soul energy periodically to ensure their survival."
"If the energy of the Warp were condensed into crystals and used in weapons, various advanced technologies could continue to be used."
"Although this approach is troublesome, humanity can still survive."
"However, once the Aether Phase Engine is activated, the Chaos Gods will undoubtedly launch an all-out attack on humanity, and the final battle will arrive prematurely."
Hearing Cortana's words, Alex frowned, looking at the projection in front of him, and fell into deep thought.
After a long silence, Alex spoke again, "Organize the relevant information and inform the Primarchs to prepare."
"Understood, Master." Cortana nodded.
"Wouldn't that be too dangerous?" the Void Dragon said, "I haven't even recovered my full strength yet? And we're going to war?"
"It's very likely the entire galaxy will shatter." The Nightbringer also showed a worried expression.
He realized that the Imperial Saint was utterly insane.
He really intended to smash the galaxy to pieces.
"There's no other way; this war must be fought eventually, so we might as well initiate it."
Alex also wanted to wait, for all the Players to grow to the demigod realm.
Many of them had already integrated fragments of law,
and with the passage of time, they would slowly grow into demigods with authority.
But now the situation had changed; who would have thought that the abuse of causality and time by both sides would lead to the outbreak of the Time Cataclysm?
Rather than react passively, it was better to strike proactively and seize the initiative.
"This matter is settled; you all go back and prepare."
"This war will decide whether Reality or the Warp gains dominance over the galaxy."
Alex's tone was calm as he looked at everyone.
At this time, most of the galaxy's forces had already been integrated by him.
The Space Dwarves, Eldar, Necron, and C'tan, among others, were all united.
As for the T'au, Alex had not contacted them.
This race had some commendable aspects, but it was not yet qualified to participate in a war of this magnitude.
Unlike most Imperial Players who disliked the T'au, Alex's view of them was always neutral.
He could even accept the C'tan and Necron, allowing them to become client races of the Imperium of Man.
Naturally, he wouldn't target a young race that hadn't seen the truth and mistakenly believed it could change the galaxy.
As long as the T'au didn't provoke him, he wouldn't even bother with them.
After dismissing everyone, Alex remained alone in the Throne Room.
The final battle with the Chaos Gods was imminent. He had some questions he wanted to clarify with Yellow Old Man; he couldn't be fooled by this guy again.
"My Crossing to this universe was your doing, wasn't it?"
"Perhaps such things can be discussed after the war." The Emperor wanted to change the subject.
"I think it's better to talk about it now; it's good for both of us." Alex was persistent, insisting on asking.
Seeing Alex's persistence, his determination to get to the bottom of it, the Emperor had no choice but to patiently explain the whole story.
"Actually, it wasn't my doing, but rather you responded to the call of the beings in this universe, arriving here as a high-dimensional entity.
Our souls merged, forming a trinity. You created a channel, allowing high-dimensional lifeforms to continuously enter this universe."
"And I used you as an anchor to influence the high-dimensional universe, thereby allowing high-dimensional beings to enter this universe as Players. Sending you into the Imperial Glory, however, was my idea."
"Couldn't you have chosen a better place?" Alex remembered being killed by Mutants at the start, and his brows furrowed. "Do you know how painful it is to be torn apart?"
"My thoughts were a bit chaotic at the time, as you know." The Emperor lowered his voice. "To be honest, I didn't expect that as a high-dimensional being, your initial strength would be so weak."
"I thought you could at least fight your way out, but you died before I even had a chance to bestow a blessing!"
Alex:
: ".....
So, my weakness was my fault?
"You really deserved to be stabbed by Oll."
The Emperor:.... —. —.
A burst of static came from the speaker.
"Where are the GW people? Where did you put them?" Alex asked about something.
"To prevent them from using high-dimensional power to affect the Reality, I sent them all to a mining world to dig for minerals." The Emperor said, "After digging for so long, they are very well-behaved now."
"You truly are a talent." Alex looked speechless. "When do you plan to let them go back?"
"After the final battle, because of your existence, this galaxy is ascending in dimension, and soon they will no longer be able to influence the fate of this universe."
"Then send them back after the final battle." Alex nodded. "What will happen after the final battle? Can those Players still descend?"
"Of course they can. As long as you and I don't perish, this channel will be maintained until the universe's demise. I'm counting on them to help me fight enemies beyond the galaxy."
"Enemies beyond the galaxy? Those Extradimensional Old Gods the Old Ones once mentioned?" Alex asked in a low voice.
"Yes. When the faith of all humanity was bestowed upon me, I gained extraordinary power and vision. Before, I only saw the Chaos Gods, but later, I understood that they were merely out-of-control weapons."
The Emperor's voice was calm, "The Old Ones organized the Warp and created the Eight-Pointed Star, intending to forge nine Chaos Gods from it, gathering the strength of the entire galaxy to fight those Extradimensional Old Gods."
"But they didn't succeed before the Chaos Eight-Pointed Star went out of control. The Chaos Gods, who were supposed to protect the galaxy, instead became the greatest enemies of its many races."
"The Extradimensional Old Gods haven't even invaded yet, and the galaxy has already been greatly harmed by them. If we starve the Chaos Gods and reshape the Chaos Eight-Pointed Star, we will have enough capital to fight the Extradimensional Old Gods."
"At that time, with the help of Players possessing high-dimensional power, we will surely sweep away those Extradimensional Old Gods. Then, humanity will be able to break out of the galaxy and venture into the universe."
"(.○)—" Alex interrupted the Emperor, "How about we first consider how to win this final battle for the galaxy?"
"Of course, I am already prepared," the Emperor said. "Head-on, we certainly can't defeat those four guys, but if we just hold out long enough for the Aether Phase Engine to activate and drain the Warp, once the Time Cataclysm erupts, they will become incredibly weak."
"At that point, we can easily defeat them."
"It seems you've been prepared for a long time too." Alex looked surprised.
"Nonsense, I'm already eager to cripple those guys. They made me suffer so much; I can't just let it go." The Emperor's tone was full of eagerness; clearly, he had been looking forward to the final battle for a long time and was impatient to get his revenge.
This surprised Alex, "Aren't you going to destroy them completely?"
"The Chaos Gods are highly bound to the Eight-Pointed Star. To destroy them, we must first destroy the Eight-Pointed Star. But the Eight-Pointed Star is linked to the galaxy's survival; once it shatters, the Extradimensional Old Gods will immediately invade, and we will be instantly crushed by them."
"For this reason, we can only continuously suppress and reshape them; we cannot truly eliminate them."
"As long as we can obtain the knowledge from the Black Library and the relics left by the Old Ones, achieving this will not be difficult."
Alex and the Emperor talked for a long time, resolving all the confusions that had bothered him.
At the same time, the two also discussed the issue of the Primarchs.
"Perhaps it's time for them to meet you." Alex said, "I never told them about collecting humanity to resurrect you, fearing some problems. But now that you have successfully resurrected, it's time to tell them."
"It is indeed time to meet. By the way, send Konrad Curze back." When speaking of his sons, the Emperor's voice was noticeably low.
Treating his twenty sons as tools led to Erda's complete break with him, and ultimately resulted in the betrayal of nine Primarchs.
The Emperor had also wondered if, had all twenty sons been by his side, the other Primarchs would not have betrayed him.
But then he thought, if he had raised them personally, perhaps not nine, but all twenty would have betrayed him.
Alpha was never sent off Reality, raised by him and Malcador, but was still swayed by a Cult to betray him.
Horus, he had spent the longest time with him, dedicating the energy meant for twenty Primarchs to him alone.
As a result, this fellow led the betrayal.
Erda's act of scattering the Primarchs was precisely why they did not all completely rebel.
Dorn had a grandfather who loved him; he always kept the blanket his grandfather gave him, and when sad, he would sleep under his grandfather's blanket, then wake up the next day full of motivation again.
Lion was guided by the Knightly Orders on Caliban, becoming a knight who strictly adhered to rules.
Leman Russ was forged on Fenris, choosing loyalty to humanity.
Jaghatai Khan's experiences on Chogoris made him keenly aware of the depravity of Chaos, leading him to choose loyalty to the Imperium of Man.
Guilliman, needless to say, had loving adoptive parents.
Even when he was lost, it was his adoptive mother's will that guided him out.
Angron was a tragedy, but was this tragedy truly caused by Erda?
The Emperor recalled many of his past actions.
Many things were too aggressive, arrogant, and overbearing.
He always thought he was absolutely right, unable to listen to criticism or advice from others.
As a result, it led to the betrayal of his own sons.
Many sacrificed for his plan.
Those who he once thought betrayed him ultimately died to redeem him.
"Cortana, open communications with the Primarchs." Alex finished speaking, then exited the Throne Room, leaving the space for the reunited father and sons.
"Imperial Saint, do you really intend to activate the Aether Phase Engine plan?" Guilliman's projection formed first.
He had already received the information sent by Cortana, learning about the Time Cataclysm and Alex's plan.
"I still think it's too reckless." Lion spoke, "We should be more cautious."
"You really should have seen Mortarion before he was expelled." Jaghatai Khan was in a good mood.
He had beaten Mortarion until he doubted his existence.
That guy was probably crying his eyes out in that fat old Nurgle's arms right now.
He had been annoyed with that guy since The Battle of Terra, and now he dared to jump out again; he wouldn't kill him, but he'd beat him soundly.
"Brothers, please be quiet for a moment and listen to what the Imperial Saint has to say." Sanguinius's voice was as gentle as ever. "After we discuss serious matters, I'll share a few funny stories; you'll never guess how peculiar those Eldar's thought processes are."
"I really want to maintain my respect for them, but I just can't help it, you know—"
"Where is the Imperial Saint?" Corax looked around, not seeing Alex's figure.
The Emperor:
"....
Do your eyes only see the Imperial Saint?
What about me, your old father?
This is the Throne Room, so at least look at your old father on the Throne.
"It is not he who summoned you, but I."
The Emperor spoke through the speaker.
The many Primarchs immediately widened their eyes, and once they confirmed this was true,
they exchanged glances, their attitudes becoming reserved, their voices serious,
completely unlike their easy and humorous conversations with Alex.
This made the Emperor even sadder.
Why are you playing favorites?!