Chapter 533: with translation of chapter title

Not only that.

Rus, with excellent eyesight, also discovered among these Astate equipped with extremely outdated ceramic steel armor nearly ten thousand 'brothers-in-arms', because they were equipped with Thor's Hammer Mark II or III, or reserve-specific ceramic steel armor.

!

Seeing this, Rus no longer failed to understand that the hundreds of thousands of Astate stationed at the island's edge had already perished in the various conflicts, wars, and civil wars of the main universe and the Zero Three Universe.

Thus…

The coordinates given by Father—are they not the Sea of Souls that remains a pure region in the alien space??

Rus speculated that not only the deceased Astate, but any heroic souls in the long river of human history should have gathered on that island.

"Sir!"

"At this very moment, a communications clerk suddenly reported: 'It is an invitation from His Majesty, and it requires you, the commander, together with eight other OriginalBodies, to hold a private holographic meeting.'"

"Good, I understand. Have the fleet draw near the island's edge, keep a certain distance from the beach where the Astate heroic souls are gathered, do not lower your guard, and wait for my further orders."

"Yes, sir."

"Hmm." Rus, who had given the order, nodded lightly, then turned and left with a wave of his hand, activating the transport device as he walked; with a flash of blue light, his five-meter-tall figure vanished instantly.

And at this moment.

The top-floor office of the Earth-core world.

Once again, a blue light flashed, and Rus, having completed the transport, used his own authorization to enter his exclusive holographic communication channel.

Soon, the father seated on the golden throne, together with eight other brothers each wearing their own power armor, 'appeared' in the office.

However, the father sat in the chief position behind the desk, while Rus and his brothers stood in the center of the office.

"I won't say any more unnecessary words." At this point, Sui Bian, no longer acting as a riddler with his sons, spoke directly: "You must have already guessed that this 'Heroic Spirit Island' is the Sea of Souls where those departed heroic spirits rest."

Given the nature of the alien space, every region is extremely dangerous; many places I cannot even observe, so the Heroic Spirit Island will be your base for launching a crusade against the evil gods and demons, to give them a lesson.

If necessary, I can directly open a Space Gate on the Heroic Spirit Island to pull you back to the Solar System of the main universe.

Finally…

Stay vigilant, but don't be overly timid; although you are on the riffraff's home turf, that doesn't mean you are weaker than those riffraff.

Speaking, Sui Bian turned his gaze to Helusi, who was equipped with Spiritual Energy claws, wore Mjölnir hammer at his waist, and bore a World-Breaker war hammer on his back, and smiled lightly:

"Ten Earth years ago, Helusi single-handedly opposed those two lovebirds of lust and deceit—color and illusion—who always teamed up in the dark dimension."

What's more, you are now nine brothers, and I, watching and protecting you from the throne…

"What is there to fear?"

"Exude the same aura as A-1999; every time you go into the alien space, it should feel like coming home—only then can you intimidate the riffraff, understand?"

By the end of his speech, Sui Bian's voice gradually rose.

And those void whales that had just been escorting them were merely one of the many pets he kept in the alien space.

The Heroic Spirit Island, too, was created after he inherited all the Spiritual Energy of the Zero Three Emperor; in the alien space, it is a 'paradise beyond the world' forged for the warriors and heroes who sacrificed and died for humanity in the main universe and the multiverse, and it is the closest approximation to what the Sea of Souls ought to be.

As for the heroic souls of Ares, Achilles, Heracles, and others who descended into the physical universe, although they are not truly human in the strict sense, they were once beings born of Earth.

Especially since these heroic souls have made outstanding contributions to humanity throughout history, Sui Bian made an exception and brought them to the Heroic Spirit Island to receive the blessings of pure Spiritual Energy.

Including Rus, the nine OriginalBodies were also reassured by those words, their last reservations instantly dispelled, and they replied in unison:

"Yes, please Father, rest assured."

"Good, then go hunt well; I will not disturb you."

Sui Bian finished speaking and directly dissipated the holographic screen, leaving only the nine silent OriginalBodies in the top-floor office.

As a marshal, Rus did not stand on ceremony, after all the highest-ranking few OriginalBodies were his 'close' brothers who had eaten, drunk, and played together since childhood; as for the other few brothers…

Naturally, he also wanted to give them face, so he spoke first and directly assigned tasks:

"Kelakesi and Conrad, your two legions excel at guerrilla and infiltration; therefore, please, with the Heroic Spirit Island as the center, covertly scout nearby demon planets; if there are any valuable targets, especially evil gods or great demons under their command, report immediately."

"…"

The two OriginalBodies, who are not fond of communication, merely nodded in response, saying nothing more.

"Magnus, Helusi, and Fu Ge Rui Mu, you three lead your own elites deep into the Heroic Spirit Island for reconnaissance, and don't forget to select a suitable location for stationing."

"Good."

The three OriginalBodies with the greatest combat strength also responded in unison.

"Peturabo, after Magnus and his team have selected a suitable site, you Steel Warriors, together with the accompanying engineering division, shall construct a fortress that can perfectly adapt to and perfectly resist the alien space environment."

"Motarian, you and your Dusk Strikers are to assist the Steel Warriors and also handle the fortress's early defense work."

"Hmm."

Peturabo gave a slight nod with a "stinky face," not sure if he was genuinely displeased or if this OriginalBody is just like that.

"No problem."

Motarian, on the other hand, readily agreed because he had been granted a batch of Terminator armor, with no complaints.

"Dawarichi, Fogureim, your Scythe Bearers and Sons of Humanity, together with me and the Space Wild Wolves, will ensure the safety of the expedition fleet, while also attending to whether any units need support."

We also need to personally go to the Heroic Spirit Island to make contact with the brothers waiting below who have already passed away.

The Sons of Humanity are actually the continuation of the unreborn Imperial Princes in the Zero Three Universe.

"That's right." Rus said, turning his gaze toward Conrad to remind him:

"On this side of the fleet we have the Gang Ge Nie er ship holding the line; while you carry out your scouting mission you also need an advance base, so let your Bloodwing Bat King accompany you, no need to stay behind on this side of the fleet."

"Hmm." Conrad nodded lightly.

In total, two homeworld ships participate in this expedition: one is the Gang Ge Nie er ship, and the other is the Bloodwing Bat King ship of the Midnight Lord.

Currently, the Umbrella has a total of twenty legions (twenty-one OriginalBodies), but the forging star region under Feilusi's charge has, within half a century, equipped each legion with a homeworld.

Even newly formed legions are no exception.

Furthermore, Arks 001, 002, and 003 will, after completing their respective missions, be handed over in turn to the Extreme Warriors, Sparta, and Dark Angel legions.

Within the next hundred years, all twenty legions will each have their own ark.

Of course, as the father of the numerous OriginalBodies and Astartes, the Imperial Guard, the personal troops of the Human Emperor, will also possess Ark 000 and Shield World 000.

"Any more questions?" Rus glanced around.

"..." All the brothers lightly shook their heads.

"Very good!"

Seeing this, Rus slapped his hands together, seemingly eager to tear apart demons, "Since that's the case, let's proceed according to the plan!"

Especially Kelakesi and Conrad, stealth is stealth, but don't be too cautious; it's best to first find a great demon and give it a good beating.

Hahaha!

Rus was filled with heroic fervor.

As for the solemnity before entering the alien space, it has long been replaced by present excitement.

His eight brothers merely replied with a "yes" or "okay," and then their holographic projections immediately dissipated.

It seems the eight OriginalBodies are equally impatient, waiting for Kelakesi and Conrad to send over the "intelligence."

———————

…

Within the alien space.

Twenty-four hours later.

The expeditionary force has already established an "Absolute Ridge Fortress" on Heroic Spirit Island, and the expeditionary force also made contact with the heroic spirits of the Astartes.

However, possibly due to being forcibly "awakened," or because they have passed away for not less than a hundred years, even several hundred, the Astartes heroic spirits are not particularly welcoming to these living people, nor do they converse much, at most merely nodding or shaking their heads.

Actually, after shedding their bodily bonds and leaving the physical universe, these souls only wish to rest well, sleep, and enjoy a genuine "life."

If they were not the Emperor's heirs (Sui Bian and the Zero Three Emperor), they would never want to give up their freedom to come here and deal with you lot who enjoy the fruits of victory while living well in the physical universe.

Like the mortal heroic spirits Andre and Lin Shunsheng, not having received the summons of the Human Emperor, they simply continue to enjoy themselves on the island's beaches and hot springs.

Moreover.

During this period, many demons caught the scent of living people, but upon discovering the source was Heroic Spirit Island, the vast majority of demons voluntarily retreated, after all they had all experienced the scorching flames of pure Spiritual Energy.

Yet some individuals remain unwilling to give up, wanting to taste and devour the living beings who dare to come into the alien space.

The result…

All are rather "tragic."

Before the expedition fleet and the Astartes heroic spirits could act, the void whale pod wandering near Heroic Spirit Island had already devoured those clueless demons.

But the various events erupting on Heroic Spirit Island also successfully attracted the attention of high-ranking demons, great demons, and evil gods, among whom…

It also included many who, during the reign of Helusi Lupercal, had slaughtered and sacrificed untold living beings and aliens, successfully ascending to demonhood as fallen Astartes.

Though unknown how far from Heroic Spirit Island, it should belong to the "relatively near" side of the Void, where a demon planet sits whose surface radiates brilliant, dazzling light, possessing countless exquisite buildings, sculptures, and artworks.

Zoom in the view.

At the planet's north pole stands a magnificent and solemn palace complex, far more luxurious than the palace originally crafted by the demon OriginalBody Fulgrem on Cuternos.

Yet the style is extremely similar.

Around this palace exterior are countless beings whose bodies and physiques resemble humans, with no outward alteration, wearing bright clothing and delicate accessories, either playing or admiring.

In short, this seemingly peaceful scene is truly at odds with the chaos within the alien space, utterly mismatched.

Inside this palace, there exist numerous beings whose physiques have swollen to three meters tall, likewise dressed in extremely bright and exquisite Astartes.

Most importantly, these Astartes all have silver-white hair like Fulgrem's, handsome features, and their behavior and deportment are constantly filled with elegance.

At the center of the palace.

Within the hall, marble pillars stand on both sides.

A being no less than five meters tall, an OriginalBody, lazily leans back and reclines upon the throne, eyes closed in rest.

On either side of the hall stand two rows of Terminator-armored squads, their armor painted deep purple and dark gold.

Although these squads all wear helmets, judging from the Astartes and residents outside the palace, their faces beneath the helmets are surely not much different.

However…

Beneath the throne sits a "physician," or rather an "apothecary," who is utterly out of place among the OriginalBodies and squads within the hall.

The tau steel armor is twisted beyond repair; although it likewise has silver-white long hair, it cannot remedy its Mediterranean Sea, and its visage is twisted and askew.

In fact, this rather bleak presence is precisely the apothecary of the fallen Emperor's son, Fabius Bile.

Its surname is the same as that of a company in the main universe that specializes in producing cockroach poison, and its appearance is as nauseating as cockroaches.

Before the Emperor's son had even rebelled, Fabius had already begun conducting various insane experiments.

After the rebellion, his methods became even more mad and evil.

Moreover, when Fabius, in the main universe's expeditionary force, clashed with the New Human Empire, he judged that the New Human Empire was doomed, and so he fled with his experimental equipment and some elite followers into the relatively "safe" Eye of Terror.

Over the next half-century…

No, it should be said over the course of hundreds of years.

After all, time flows differently within the alien space than in the physical universe.

And indeed, over those hundreds of years, although Fabius did not worship any evil god, yet having received funding from all the evil gods, he lived up to expectations, using the Wokan provided by Tzeentch, he relentlessly conducted torment and experiments to gather data, and stubbornly succeeded in breeding Astartes exclusive to Chaos.

Furthermore, Fabius also traded this technology with many remnants of the Empire, thereby obtaining sufficient materials to gradually perfect and expand the Emperor's Children.

Most importantly, it also cloned a perfect phoenix—

Fulgrem.

Fabius, exerting all his effort in his mad experiments, made the cloned OriginalBody and the Emperor's Children appear increasingly "normal" on the surface, yet deep within they had already fallen into endless corruption and depravity.

"Mmm…ah~!"

The cloned OriginalBody Fulgrem let out a yawn, still in a lazy posture as he opened his eyes, glancing down at Fabius Bile and asking:

The nearby riffraff seem a bit excited; did something happen?

Yes!!

Fabius was about to explain something, but because behind the cloned OriginalBody, a black silhouette suddenly appeared out of thin air, interrupting him.

Whoosh!

Immediately after, came the sound of a blade slicing through the air, echoing throughout the hall.

(End of chapter)