Chapter 128: Celebration

Ninglu, accompanied by Arsena Dunn, boarded the shuttle sent to welcome the Primarch.

One Order Shadow from each of the twelve Chapters of the Eleventh Legion, serving as excellent representatives of their respective Chapters, were also the finest Astartes among the Honor Guard members for this trip to Terra.

Clad in armor and wearing bright red cloaks, they stood behind the Primarch.

Ninglu stood before the observation window, looking down at the human home planet beneath his feet.

The planet below was completely different from the blue planet in his memories; if one were to describe it by color, it was closer to gray.

The oceans had vanished without a trace, and countless steel Hive Cities rose from the desolate land, piercing the clouds.

Among the many structures, the most dazzling was that massive psychic lighthouse—the Star Beacon; it was the foundation that allowed the Imperium's ships to navigate the Warp.

This enormous device was essentially a focuser, projecting vast psychic power into the Warp.

And even though the Emperor was not on Terra, the Warp was not bound by physical laws; he could still guide the "signal" released by the Star Beacon while leading the fleet, utilizing his powerful psychic abilities.

Ninglu's eyes flickered with the shadows of light and dark as he gazed at the brilliant pillar of light invisible to ordinary people.

Gradually, through his "Warp Insight," he discovered a golden, familiar radiance within the rainbow pillar of light.

That radiance was like a conduit leading to the Empyrean, channeling boundless power.

【When I met with Huang Laohan, I did not see any traces similar to this brilliant pillar of light within the golden radiance he emitted; only after arriving on Terra could I discover their connection through the Star Beacon.】

Ninglu could not help but sigh: 【Huang Laohan's psychic power is just too strong!】

As Ninglu pondered, the light and dark shadows in his eyes gradually faded, and he looked toward the building that stood even taller than the Star Beacon—the Imperial Palace.

It occupied a vast area, a city sprawling across the entire landmass, grand to the point of suffocation, as if it were an ancient marble scab on Eurasia, extending from the dried-up eastern coastline to the empty western ocean.

The stones used to build it came not only from Terra; the Moon, Mars, and the numerous satellites orbiting the gas giants of the Solar System had also made their contributions.

There was even marble from other star systems, hauled all the way back to Terra from those rediscovered and conquered worlds.

Polished, refined, and processed, it fermented in the architects' conceptions, became reality in the hands of laborers, and became a fortress under the feet of soldiers.

It was a towering complex of buildings, composed of countless Gothic structures.

It was not yet finished, but the framework had been erected, and it was already the largest and tallest building complex on Terra.

Today, the countless laborers who had dedicated themselves to this city temporarily stopped their busy work; they were permitted to stand within this marble city to witness this great moment.

The celebration of the return of the Primarch Ninglu.

This was both a reward from Malcador for their hard work and a tool he used for propaganda.

The laborers would tell their families, their relatives, and their friends about this moment.

Ninglu's gaze swept over the crowd and looked toward the Lion Gate Starport; it and the Eternal Wall Starport were the two major orbital facilities of the Imperial Palace.

The busy starport had temporarily ceased the arrival and departure of other ships because of Ninglu's arrival.

The cleared docking area was now filled with welcoming vehicles.

As soon as Ninglu looked there, he was drawn by a familiar, dazzling radiance.

His body appeared aged and frail, yet it emitted a dazzling light, like a star.

【Malcador actually came to welcome me in person; with his status, there is no need for this, he really has given me plenty of face.

When one lowers oneself to others, there must be a request; I must be on guard.】

Ninglu narrowed his eyes, secretly growing vigilant.

The shuttle landed slowly, and the numerous Servo-skulls hanging with loudspeakers and silk ribbons all around began to chant loudly in unison.

"Lord Ninglu, scion of the Emperor, Primarch of the Eleventh Legion..."

"Lord Ninglu, restorer and ruler of Vostonia... ruler of the Triken system..."

"Welcome, Lord Ninglu, scion of the Emperor, Primarch of the Eleventh Legion, has come to your side."

Low-to-mid-level Imperial officials, wealthy merchants, and the families of Solar Auxilia officers had gained Malcador's favor and formed the welcoming party; they immediately erupted into thunderous cheers.

The Imperial ceremonial band played a beautiful melody composed by a musician to welcome the Primarch, which mixed with the hymns continuously looping from the Servo-skulls' loudspeakers and the cheers of the populace.

The sounds were noisy, yet they strangely fused together, blending into a peculiar and harmonious "piece of music."

Malcador, wearing a hooded robe, walked toward Ninglu amidst the "music."

"Ninglu, I represent my master in welcoming his scion."

"Welcome back to your place of birth, your home."

Malcador's voice was not loud, yet it contained a certain peculiar power that drowned out the surrounding noise.

"Malcador, greetings to you."

Ninglu bowed slightly, greeting the Perpetual.

After exchanging greetings, Malcador glanced at Arsena behind Ninglu and immediately discovered that he was a psyker.

After matching him with the Primarch Attendant from the intelligence reports, he nodded slightly in greeting.

The silver-haired Arsena felt the boundless power surging within the frail old man and could not help but bow in salute.

After Malcador nodded, he looked at the giant before him.

"Ninglu, you have recovered over thirty worlds for the Imperium, including the Knight World of the Daxuosu Twins."

"You have driven out the Xenos and brought lost human brethren back into the embrace of the Imperium."

"You have achieved great glory; please allow me to pin the medal of honor upon you."

Malcador took the Golden Oath Knight Medal from the attendant who held it in both hands—a medal the Imperial Chancellor had ordered designers to create to be bestowed upon those who recovered Knight Worlds.

The golden medal was inlaid with rubies symbolizing courage and blue enamel symbolizing loyalty, with green inscriptions engraved upon it, symbolizing the conquest of the Vix Trix Knight House.

Ninglu leaned down, allowing Malcador to pin the palm-sized golden medal onto his left chest, while a thought surfaced in his mind.

【The Eleventh Legion should also establish its own system of medals and honors.】

After he straightened his body, Malcador stepped aside and gestured.

"Ninglu, please board the vehicle and begin to enjoy the journey of honor that belongs to you; the people of the Imperium look forward to this moment."

Ninglu then boarded the armored vehicle; it was a vehicle matched to his massive stature, like a land-ship, with the Imperium's Golden Double-headed Eagle carved on its side.

Malcador boarded another smaller vehicle, yielding the position of protagonist to the Primarch.

Ninglu boarded the armored vehicle, his face beaming with a smile, and moved forward amidst the welcoming crowds lining the path.

The cheers of the Imperium's citizens rose wave after wave; they looked at the shining Primarch and surged forward with all their might, all wanting to get closer to the Emperor's offspring.

Security forces and the temporarily conscripted Solar Auxilia struggled to maintain order.

Ninglu, wearing a smile, completed the journey to the Imperial Palace and walked into the Golden Banquet Hall together with Malcador.

(End of chapter)