12 Chapter 12: Aftermath

-M29. 671. Italica. A few hours after the battle-

In the heart of the manor is the Princess of Saderan sitting on the side of the table. Her knights were there, but it was partially as Colt received information that the large group was heading to italica.

The ruler of Italica wore armor marked with a golden Aquila holding a thunderbolt in its talons, proving his title as Imperial Herald.

He was glad the 5th Recon Team destroyed every bandit in the Italica. Thus, he only has to integrate Italican into the Imperial Citizen rank.

There is a significant amount of gratitude in his heart. His city is mostly intact, and civilian causality managed to suppress to a tolerable degree.

But the grandest joy for the old Lord is seeing his daughter still alive. The burden to became a Countess at that age must make her stress paramount.

Despite that burden, Myui could smile brightly. The fact her father is still alive made the entire weight on her shoulders disappear.

Right beside the Lord of Italica stands a towering figure of a golden man. He easily dwarfs even the Solar Guardians present in the room. The armor is more like artisan armor rather than a combat suit like the Guardian's.

The complexity and artistic marvel are on the level of inhuman to create. It was not gold, as it would be heavy to wear, and this man could move like there was no armor at all on his skin.

A part of the JSDF 3rd Recon Team is also there with them. Even though their role as third parties and spectators, the room's atmosphere made sweat form on their foreheads.

"It seems everyone is here. You may begin, Lord General." Colt addressed the golden man. With that, the said man stepped forward. His figure naturally radiates a fear akin to transhuman dread. But, it is unlike the Solar Guardian.

It was a primal fear when prey was faced with the apex predator.

"My name is Agral Velhico. I'm serving as Lord General Sol in the Imperium of Man. I am also responsible for the entire Falmart expedition force as the Emperor Himself declared this planet is my top priority to protect." The voice is air-shattering, giving a supernatural weight to the mortals in the room.

Despite the crushing weight, the Princess of Sadera chooses to stand defiantly. "My name is Pina Co Lada, third Princess of the Empire. I request an answer to all of this."

Her question is expected. With the immense mind of the next phase of transhuman, Agral could perfectly see the future of these events.

"You want an answer from us. But I'm afraid that answer will come at a cost." Agral stated bluntly.

Earning this answer made the entire Pina's knights to stiffened. But their bodies did not move as the sheer presence of the golden man was enough to paralyze them.

"What price?" Pina asked, did not even budge at the statement.

"Even though none of our citizens were killed during your foolish invasion. It needs to pay for this barbaric attack. Furthermore, His Majesty had put a deep interest in this world." Agral said firmly, did not leave any weakness. To Colt Formal, it was nothing compared to the overwhelming presence of the Emperor and the High Lords. But for the rest occupant of the room, it nearly caused them to kneel.

"This world? Are your Emperor mad? There is no such force that can conquer the entire world." Pina said with all of her will and strength.

At this moment, Colt Formal's body began to stiffen, which was noticed by the entire room. Myui could see in his father's eyes. Despite those eyes being calm, they emitted fear and anxiety.

Then, Agral began to chuckle. It did not show any hostility or amusement. Just an empty laughter that hollowed the entire atmosphere of the room.

"Did you forget my scout team managed to destroy the entire bandit, despite there being four people? And did you forget the flying fortress in the sky?" Agral said with a smirk.

The solid point caused Pina to open and then close her mouth. Pina's brow was heavily furrowed as she used all her brain capability to refute the statement. "Why we can't just use a peace talk about this? I'm sure your Emperor will consider it."

"What do you offer, Princess?" This question was obvious, even more with Colt Formal. The intention is bright as the daylight.

"The Empire is the source of culture and wealth. We can offer you our finest; even we can provide you with cheap labor." Pina smiled with a sign of pride. But the expression of the General made that pride shattered.

"Slaves... We forbid any slavery in the Imperium of Man. It is only punishable by death. Species enslaving their own kind is unspeakable evil that must be purged, Princess." The voice is chilling, rendering everything to a near-dead silence.

"My apologies if that offended you greatly, Lord General. But the other offers still stand." Pina persisted, putting all of her bravery into staring at the transhuman's eyes.

"And what do you think those were enough, Lady Pina Co Lada?" The General asked with his booming voice.

"Our history... Our resource. I'm sure we can provide something for your Imperium with all of our territory." The red-haired Princess smiled, gesturing to allure the Lord General to agree with her.

"The resource might be tempting," Pina smiled slightly. "But the territory is nothing to us. Yet, the resource is accessible for us to take without even alarming your Empire. Your point stands for nothing."

"B-But we maybe have something-"

"What?" The Lord General cut the Princess. "I don't want to disrespect your pride or anything, Princess. But the Imperial Palace of the Cradle World, Terra. Is the same size as the entire Falmart continent."

The revelation shocked every person in the room, save for Colt Formal. A palace of that size sprung across the entire continent.

"T-that's impossible." Pina shuddered.

"May I, Lord General?" Colt's voice made the entire attention dart to him.

"Of course, Lord Herald." The Lord General nodded.

Colt Formal stands from his seat, scanning the entire room with a calculating look. The wisdom and power given by the Emperor cause the Lord of Italica able to see beyond their emotions. He can catch a glimpse of their souls.

The Princess is in a state of shock.

"The claim of Lord General is the truth, Lady Pina. His Majesty's Imperial palace is more than enough to cover the entire Falmart Continent," Colt said firmly, glaring deep into the Princess' eyes.

"There is no such power to build a palace with that size. If that was true, how can the Imperium maintain its resource?" This one is Grey. He spoke to defend his lady's claim.

"The answer is quite simple, Sir Grey," Colt interjected.

"Quite simple? It was not simple anymore. Because it was impossible, Lord Formal." Hamilton stepped forward and firmly stood beside the Princess.

"It seems our backward society and civilization blinded us." Colt mused.

"My apologies. Please, elaborate on that," Pina demanded, placing both palms on the table.

"His Majesty's realm did not limit to one world, Lady Pina. The Imperium of Man is spread across millions of worlds. Its people travel across the stars. The bastion of his Majesty's armies extends to every single planet in the galaxy." Colt Formal stated. His tone is devoid of any sentiments. It only radiated domination and certainty that could not be defiled as lies.

"Millions of worlds?" The red-haired Princess muttered. When hearing such a ridiculous statement, the Princess and her guards began to wonder if the Lord of Italica had already lost his mind when he faced the Solar Guardian.

"His words were genuine, Lady Pina." Agral's voice made the entire room give their attention to him.

"H-how?" Pina asked, her expression baffled by their words.

"I can give you the undeniable proof. But, I think it was impractical." He replied with a shrug.

"What does that mean?" The Saderan Princess looked at the Lord General full of questions.

"Lieutenant, Itami." Agral addressed the said JSDF. "You will report back to Diet, am I right?"

"U-Um. Yes, sir! I will report to diet after this mission is over." Itami saluted in reflex. Fear and anxiety were clearly plastered on his face.

"I'm not going to bite you, Lieutenant." Agral chuckled, causing the mortal JSDF to calm his demeanor.

"My apologies, sir," Itami replied, lowering his arm.

"Nothing to apologize for, young man. I need a favor from you." Agral said with a smile.

"Sir, what do you want me to do?" Itami said in an honorific manner.

"I want you to inform General Hazama that I will come to his place." The golden transhuman said with a smile.

"Of course, sir." Itami nodded in affirmation.

"Excuse me. But what is the correlation with this conversation, Lord General?" Pina asked, drawing the attention of the said General.

Lord General Agral gave a signal to Lord Herald. Colt nodded his head. He stands to gain every attention he needs.

"His Majesty's intention is clear that we, Imperium of Man. Invited representation from Falmartian and Old Earth to the Cardle World, Terra, to meet with the Emperor of Mankind directly." Colt proclaimed with his enchanted voice, causing every mortal in the room to feel supernatural charisma from the old Lord.

The JSDF widen their eyes in shock, while the Falmartian is frozen by the sheer weight of Colt Formal's proclamation.

"Travel beyond the Gates," Lelei muttered.

"Well, well. Isn't it interesting?" Rory remarked.

Tuka only lowered her gaze as her face darkened by the thought alone. The Imperium adamantly hated her. She could not imagine what kind of danger awaited her if she went there.

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"I think you can see the intention of this talk, Lady Pina?" Agral asked with glaring eyes.

Pina began to connect the entire dots. Her eyes slowly began to widen, realizing the full picture. "The Imperium did not want any peace talk?"

"I can say it like that. But it also depends on the Emperor's will." The Lord General replied as his eyes met the Princess.

Pina felt a slight hope begin to emerge from her chest. Though overwhelming despair exists, ready to swallow her whole.

"Very well. I accept your invitation, Lord General." Pina said with determination.

"Milady!" Hamilton shouted in objection.

"I must too, Hamilton. The Empire's fate is on my hand right now." Pina said reassuringly, smiling to calm the young knight.

Agral only closed his eyes. He was muttering in the sound only Colt Formal's enchanted ears could hear. "Blind, naive, and green. But that was the best choice to remain like that, Princess."

Colt placed his hand on the Aquila symbol on his chest. His eyes closed in understanding.

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The city began to rebuild in seconds; Omniphages devoured every material it needed from the Capitol to create the necessary fortification. The entire wall of steel was erected from the ground, completely encompassing the whole city.

A Void Shield generator is placed in the heart of the city. It roared as a flash of invisible psychic manifestation enveloped the city in its protection.

Hundreds of Solar Guardians were teleported to ensure the safety of the Italican people.

The Falmartians were beyond amazed by them. The creation of perfection is the tangible symbol of the Solar Guardian. Beauty beyond mortal's reach, gorgeous as it causes many hearts to fall on them.

However, the Solar Guardians were not alone. They came with thousands of battle automata. The robots towering over the Solar Guardians. They patrolled the area, putting intimidating pressure on the local population. Yet, they know. The robots will not cause any harm to them, as the Solar Guardian has already informed them.

Not only do they provide protection, but hospitality is also the major one. Dozen of the medical facility has been installed across the city. One by one, the Italica population was checked to ensure no infectious diseases in their body—further check-up was conducted by scanning their entire DNA and gnome. If genetic defects were detected, even if they would affect future generations, it was a sin for every Apothecary and medical personnel within the Imperium of Man.

So far, the Apothecaries have only encountered primitive diseases that could be cured in seconds. Genetic defects were present, yet they would not cause any major mutation leading to their transformation into mutants.

In this world, human is fragile. They are vulnerable to any mortal injuries; they are powerless to defend themselves from age.

Enigma would be a perfect word for the present Apothecaries in the facility.

Mal is working with a patient. She lay on the metal table, unconscious, as anesthetic full take over her body. The patient before he suffered from Tuberculosis, a deadly pathogen in this pre-medieval era. Dead sentence for anyone who dared to approach. Yet, it did not apply to another patient in the room. It was this woman's daughter. She is so young, barely ten years old.

"Please, safe, my mother." She begged, tears dropping from her eyes.

The Apothecary did not reply. As medical personnel, he cannot give any of his patients hope.

But that is a very different situation than now. In the M29, horrors beyond measure could easily kill even the transhuman power of Solar Guardian. Now, it was different. It was in all of his ability to heal.

"Don't worry. I will cure her." He replied with a smile.

"Promise?" She asked in between her sobbing.

"I promise." He replied with determination. As the girl began to relax, Mal pressed his hand on the table. Omniphages began to take the shape of various tools to perform the medication.

Panacea STC will do its miracle.

An automatic syringe pierced her chest, pumping a blue substance into her bloodstream. With the scanner, Mal can witness the entire process.

The bacteria were killed almost instantly, and damage caused by the disease completely healed at the same time. It did not stop there; the Panacea began rejuvenating all her cells and organs. It is like when her body began returning to its prime condition.

The girl watched her previous nearly dead mother return to like what she used to be—a beautiful young woman with brown hair and sapphire eyes.

"Mother!" The girl runs for her mother.

"Is that you, sweetie?" The mother asked, caressing her daughter's hair.

"Mother..." The child is weeping into her mother's dress. The heartbroken child had recovered.

The mother weakly turned her head to the Solar Guardian. She did not stare at him with fear, only utmost gratitude.

"Thank you." She said.

"It is my duty, ma'am," Mal replied fondly.

"What... I can do to repay you." The woman tried to sit. She expects her body to be weak due to her initial disease. Yet, she could feel the power surge in her body.

"There is nothing to pay, ma'am. It is our responsibility. The Emperor's decree that every Imperial Citizens must live flourish with all of the Inperium's wealth. As it was every right to mankind to prosper." Mal said, smiling tenderly.

"Who is this benevolent Emperor, sire?" The mother asked with a weak smile.

"No one knows his real name, ma'am. He was known by many titles. One of those is the Master of Mankind. A man, not a God, guides us to ascension. For us, His Majesty is simply known as the Emperor." Mal said with pride in his voice, only inviting a confused look from the mother.

"Master of Mankind? Pardon my rudeness, sire. But to be a man held such a title is unbelievable." The woman said slowly, trying not to invite any anger from the Solar Guardian.

"It because His Majesty had led us since the dawn of humanity, slowly guiding us to ascension. Now he had stepped out from the shadow, claiming the title of Emperor for more than two thousand years." This made the mother's eyebrow rise.

"Two thousand years?"

Mal smiled as he replied. "If you want it. I will gladly inform you about your new country and Emperor."

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The last contingent of the Imperium of Man is Imperial Truth Iterators. They have arrived to enlighten the entire Italican population.

The Iterator could not sit still when they heard about the religion that plagued every Falmartian. It was utterly disturbing when the Psycant Astra revealed to them that every god Falmartian worshipped was a genuine Empyrean entity.

If they let this continue, they could not imagine the horror those self-proclaimed gods would unleash.

The Iterators themselves were selected Solar Guardians to bear the true meaning of the Imperial Truth, came from the most charismatic Solar Guardians to spread the Emperor's dream of ascension.

Slowly but surely, they managed to draw the majority of the population.

They speak with supernatural charisma, spilling the true meaning of the gods and their religion. But it was part of the entire truth due to their primitive mindset.

Even though it accelerated in rapid success in a short period of time, obstacles still stand. Some of the hardened followers still resisted the Imperial Truth.

Debates were uncommon because of the sheer volume and power held by the Solar Guardians. They are no fools to oppose a being far superior to them.

Of course, it did not apply to everyone.

"The gods are kind to us. They gift us this world and everything within it. They blessed us with a miracle, knowledge, and even childbirth safety. And now you want us to betray their kindness?" A man shouted to the robed Iterator.

"Let me ask you one question. Are you aware of the true nature of your gods?" The transhuman asked neutrally.

"Of course. If they helped us like what I've said prior. They are benevolent. They blessed us!" He did not back down. Instead, he took a step closer to the towering man.

"I see. Then your view of the gods is very much limited than mine. As someone who despises gods and religion, I know very well the nature of every god. They are the same, indifferent." The Iterator said sternly.

"Explain yourself, unbeliever." the man snarled.

"They are indifferent. If they are truly gods, they did not operate at the same level of emotional thinking as us. They are not bound to any rule like us. And you want to worship them? A creature that demanded worship to give you their blessings? But at the same time, we. The Imperium of Man managed to reach even further without their blessings. They who demand worship is no god." The Iterator declared bluntly.

"Then they will destroy us!" He shouted back.

"Because they were afraid of us!" The transhuman aura began to manifest around his presence. "They were afraid we managed to surpass them. They were sickening their twisted joy on us. The proof is pretty straightforward. Look around you. Are the blessing of gods capable of replicating our... Miracle?"

"I'm sure they can! They are gods with a reason, after all." The man shouts with anger mixed with certainty.

"Then what do you want to give them in return?" The Iterator said sternly

"... What?"

"You worshipped them. Thus, they gave you their blessings. If you want a miracle, what do you want to provide? Your child? Your wife?" The transhuman asked with a booming voice.

The man did not answer. He stared at the ground with an unreadable expression.

"I've read the entire holy scripture of your religion. They restrict you from a certain path of advancement, rendering your progress of innovation. Guess what, mister. Our power, miracles, and might come from everything your gods forbid. We can cure any disease and build an everlasting civilization. Your gods are nothing more than parasites that want their prey weak. Indifferent yet arrogant." His voice is loud enough to be heard by other people.

"If your wife and children were sick by unknown diseases. They forbid you from finding the cure because of the strict dogma. Are you want to accept their death like that? Are you want your future ruined because of their rule? Instead, you have the power to change that result instantaneously?" He continued, only burying the man further into his desperation.

"That is when Imperial Truth came to save us. The Majesty created it to guide us to ascension. A power to help those who need us, an ability to understand anything beyond, and a strength that surpasses those self-proclaimed gods."