42: At this moment, a kind-hearted Martian netizen sent a friend request.

[Holy Terra - Wasteland Base - Central Plaza]

A massive shadow loomed over the land. Even the radioactive dust storms that had raged for a millennium were forced to subside before this behemoth, as if the wind itself feared the majesty of that steel.

The Ark Mechanicus hovering overhead, named the "Iron Cloud," was like an inverted mountain of metal, obscuring the pale sky.

Hundreds of heavy Lance arrays rotated slowly beneath the hull, their muzzles flickering with a dangerous red light, like the judgmental eyes of a god scrutinizing ants, ready to rain down the fires of destruction at any moment.

The Pan-Pacific Empire's land cruisers fled.

The moment they were locked onto by the Lances, that group of overbearing Deep-sea Warlords displayed an astonishing will to survive.

They directly severed the power connections of their damaged vehicles, abandoned thousands of infantrymen still wailing in the ruins, overloaded their engines, and turned to flee, their tracks kicking up clouds of sand.

Their speed was like a school of sardines fleeing from a great white shark in the deep sea—pathetic and devoid of dignity.

To these wasteland warlords still struggling in the T1.5 mire, the Adeptus Mechanicus, which possessed T4 technology and could conduct interstellar travel, were gods. And gods were invincible.

"Zzz—Vrrr—"

A tractor beam descended from the belly of the Ark, piercing through the dim haze of dust.

A strangely shaped, blunt-triangular landing craft slowly descended into the center of the scarred plaza.

Its surface lacked any aerodynamic design, for its anti-physics anti-gravity engines had no need for such things.

Its hull was inscribed with precise binary prayers. What its vents emitted was not pungent exhaust, but sacred purifying incense, instantly masking the scent of blood on the battlefield.

The hatch opened.

Accompanied by the strong scent of machine oil and sandalwood, a squad of Skitarii clad in red robes and wielding high-energy power axes marched out in formation.

Their steps were terrifyingly synchronized; the sound of each footfall overlapped perfectly, as if there were only one, heavy and oppressive. Their faces were covered by bronze breathing masks, and their eyes glowed with inorganic red light.

The last to step out was a stooped yet exceptionally tall figure.

He wore the heavy, deep-red robes of an Archmagos, but beneath those robes, there was almost no human silhouette to be found.

His feet had been replaced by digitigrade metal prosthetics, leaving deep imprints on the ground with every step.

Four mechanical tentacles, like living snakes, extended from his back, swaying slowly in the air. The end of each tentacle was connected to different scanning instruments or data probes, emitting the faint hum of servo-motors.

His face had no features, only a green-glowing visual sensor array and a vocoder grille.

Data streams refreshed rapidly across his retinas.

Scan Subject: Holy Terra - Local Armed Force

Strength Evaluation: Flesh is weak... Crude equipment... Logic is chaotic... A string of contemptuous data flashed through Magos Ul-02's electronic eyes.

His gaze swept across the scene, ignoring the trembling Mortal Auxiliary Army, and finally settled on the blood-soaked black giant leaning against the wreckage of the communication tower.

C-19 stood up straight.

Though his mk ii power armor was tattered, his left arm hung limply at his side, broken cables were still sparking, and his servo-motors were wailing, he still maintained the cold resolve and dignity unique to the First Legion.

He did not kneel.

Because his knees belonged only to the Emperor.

"Organism."

The Archmagos's vocoder vibrated, emitting a string of translated Standard Terran in a heavy, electronically synthesized voice.

"You emitted a 'Canticle.' But your organic structure... lacks the logic units to comprehend a Canticle."

A mechanical tentacle extended toward C-19, its infrared probe scanning his power armor up and down as if inspecting a low-quality product.

"A crude imitation. A sacrilegious abuse of STC technology. Are you... thieves?"

Following the Archmagos's interrogation, the power axes in the hands of the surrounding Skitarii were slightly raised, and dozens of red laser sights instantly locked onto C-19's helmet and heart.

The killing intent in the air solidified... [Holographic Operations Cabin]

Li Cang watched the oppressive red-robed figure on the screen. A layer of cold sweat broke out on his forehead, and his knuckles turned slightly white from gripping too hard.

"This is what you call heritage."

He looked at those precise prosthetics and those incense burners radiating a sacred aura.

This was the true power of a T4-level civilization.

The value of the individual equipment on even a single ordinary Skitarii was likely far beyond the total value of his entire base.

"He's testing us."

Li Cang's finger hovered over the communication console.

He knew this was more than just an inquiry.

If his answer was even slightly off, those power axes would fall without hesitation, wiping his First Legion and this base off the face of Terra.

However, even so, the Imperium of Man did not need to act humble.

In this cruel universe, only those who possess 'knowledge' are worthy of standing tall.

Li Cang took a deep breath and entered a string of pre-prepared command codes.

"Invoke base master control AI."

"Play pre-recorded message through C-19's external loudspeakers."

...[Base Plaza]

After a harsh burst of static, a cold and majestic voice, synthesized and processed, came from C-19's power armor speakers.

It was not a human voice. It was a pure, high-frequency binary data stream.

0101... [Identification: Noctis Labyrinth - Bottom Seal - Opening Key (Fragment 2/10)]

0011... [Inquiry: Forge Temples of Mars, do you still uphold the ancient oaths?]

As soon as this data stream was released, the previously arrogant Magos Ul-02's mechanical tentacles instantly stiffened, as if frozen by some invisible force.

His logic core, modified countless times, nearly overloaded in that instant.

This was not just a set of coordinates.

This was a key.

It was the highest-level authorization code capable of opening the seal that imprisoned the entity they called 'Knowledge in the Abyss'!

It was a forbidden realm that Mars had dreamed of for thousands of years but had never been able to touch.

"Praise be... the omnissiah!"

Ul-02 let out an exclamation like leaking steam.

His cold mechanical claws even trembled slightly—a physical tremor caused by data overflow.

The Skitarii behind him immediately lowered their weapons in a perfectly synchronized motion, as if receiving an irresistible divine decree.

Ignoring C-19, he performed a standard Mechanicus Gear-salute directly toward the ugly communication tower.

"Reception confirmed."

"Logic determination: This data is authentic and valid. Priority: Alpha-Plus."

"Request: Full data transmission."

He was like a seeker of knowledge who had been starving for thousands of years, tasting a sip of the sweet spring of truth just as he was about to die of thirst; that longing nearly burned through his logic circuits.

At this moment, Li Cang's voice rang out again. This time, it was in Low Gothic.

"The full data is located deep within my database."

"But as you can see, my database... is currently facing the risk of destruction."

The broadcast voice paused pointedly, seemingly hinting at the recent attack by the Pan-Pacific Empire, as well as Ul-02's own blatant threat just moments ago.

"The data is bound to my vital signs. Once the logic lock detects the host's death, it will execute an irreversible formatting procedure."

"For the sake of the data's integrity, it is suggested... that you assist in maintaining the carrier."

This was a blatant threat.

It was also a subtle gambit.

If I die, don't even think about getting the rest of the blueprints. This was a blackmail attempt with his life on the line, betting that the Adeptus Mechanicus's greed for knowledge outweighed their hatred of heresy.

Ul-02's visual sensors blinked several times.

His logic circuits calculated at high speed, with billions of possibilities being born and dying within milliseconds.

Calculating... Option A: Forced seizure -> Success rate 12%

Option B: Provide technical assistance -> Exchange for data -> Success rate 98%

As the absolutely rational Adeptus Mechanicus, the choice was obvious.

"Transaction... established."

The Archmagos turned around and waved a mechanical tentacle.

The Skitarii behind him immediately cleared a path.

Several hovering heavy engineering Servitors, carrying massive metal containers stamped with the Martian gear emblem, rumbled forward.

The heavy sound of them landing was like the sound of gold coins hitting the floor.

"This is the down payment."

Ul-02's voice carried a sense of condescension from a superior.

"T2-grade military fusion reactor core x 1."

"Standard Bolter STC production module x 1."

"And... a Tech-Priest maintenance team."

He pointed to the Servitors currently unloading the cargo.

"They will repair your defenses. They will also repair your laboratory."

"In exchange... I want the next segment of the key."

C-19 looked at the supplies being moved down.

These were the things they had dreamed of.

That fusion reactor was only the size of a fist, but its power output was ten times that of the geothermal core that had been stolen!

That production module would ensure their Bolters no longer jammed or misfired, making every round a precise death sentence!

He turned to look at the communication tower, as if waiting for a divine verdict... [Holographic Operations Cabin]

Diplomatic Event Settlement - Treaty Signed: Olympus Treaty (Incomplete Version)

Technical Assistance Obtained: Adeptus Mechanicus Unlocked Technology Tree Branches: Imperial Military Industry / Advanced Biology / Energy Technology

Resources Received: Materials: T2-grade military fusion core, Standard Bolter blueprints

Li Cang watched the large area of technology nodes light up on the screen, his mouth twitching slightly.

He didn't smile.

This was clearly walking a tightrope.

Using a map stolen from someone else that was temporarily useless to him, he had traded for the industrial production capacity of all of Mars.

This was an extremely dangerous balance, like dancing on the edge of a cliff; one wrong move and he would be dashed to pieces.

—Especially when the 'Emperor,' who was supposed to be the core of the Imperium of Man, did not currently exist in this material universe.

"Deal."

Li Cang pressed the confirmation button.

A final short binary signal was sent through the broadcast: 0110... Magos Ul-02 received the data with satisfaction.

He did not leave. His "Iron Cloud" Ark remained hovering overhead.

From this moment on, this was no longer an ordinary wasteland warlord base.

This was the Mars Representative Office on Terra.

Anyone wanting to attack this place would first have to ask the hundreds of Lances overhead if they agreed.

Li Cang watched the high-level Servitors starting to get busy in the base, and the fusion reactor being rapidly installed into place.

The indicator light of the Primarch Gene Laboratory, which had been in 'standby' mode due to insufficient energy, instantly turned a vibrant green.

Energy Sufficient - Biological Theory Library: Updated - Logic Conflicts Resolved

Restart 'Astartes Project'?

Li Cang's finger slowly hovered over the button that was finally no longer gray.

"Arik..."

"Your sacrifice was not in vain."

"Now, let us create a god."