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Chapter 273: It Feels Good to Have Power and Influence
🕑 Added 2025-09-04 13:38:40 +0000 UTCChapter 273: It Feels Good to Have Power and Influence
The current Ecclesiarch and a member of the High Lords, Leyster, was already waiting outside. With him were the Master of the Administratum, Irtu; the Paternoval of the Navigator Houses, Ulana; and the representative of the Chartist Captains and merchant guilds, Kanya. These four happened to be the very High Lords who were set to be ousted during Guilliman's original reforms.
Dressed in opulent robes, they maintained their dignified air even upon seeing Guilliman and Ferrus, showing no hint of humility. As the two Primarchs strode towards the group, Ecclesiarch Leyster, after exchanging a glance with the other three, stepped forward to greet them.
He bowed his head slightly and spoke in a reverent tone. "Great demigods, Leyster, the most faithful servant of the God-Emperor, welcomes your arrival. The Imperium will surely regain its glory under your leadership."
However, neither Guilliman nor Ferrus gave him a pleasant look.
Despite being ignored, Leyster's composure was impeccable; his expression did not change in the slightest.
"Four High Lords," Guilliman said, his voice cold. "This must be our first meeting."
"Indeed, my lord," Irtu, the leader of the four, replied. "We all took up our positions as High Lords after you fell into slumber. We have dedicated ourselves to our duties every single day, ruling and maintaining this vast Imperium for the Emperor. We are overjoyed at your return and believe that under your guidance, the Imperium will be restored to its former glory. We will, of course, continue to assist you in managing the Imperium from our positions."
The subtext of his words was clear: While you were gone, we were the ones who maintained humanity's rule. We were the ones who kept the teetering Imperium from complete collapse. If you are willing to preserve our power, we will lend you our strength.
Irtu dared to speak with such confidence because the four of them controlled the most important lifelines of the Imperium: faith, trade, navigation, and the bureaucracy. Over the years, he had used benefits and blackmail to control a large number of important officials. They still believed that Guilliman could not control the entire Imperium without them.
"You are the Master of the Administratum, Irtu, are you not?" Guilliman asked.
"It is my honor that a great Primarch remembers my name."
"I do not deny your contributions to the Imperium," Guilliman continued, his voice sharp. "But is the state of the Imperium today the result of your rule? Since I awoke, I have not seen a better Imperium. I have seen an empire that is stagnant and dying. I trust in your loyalty to the Emperor, but as for the achievements you wish to flaunt... I hope that at the High Lords' council meeting, which will be held after I have seen the Emperor, you can present more proofโproof that you are capable of remaining in your positions."
With that, Guilliman and Ferrus walked past the group, heading towards the Grand Cathedral.
Hearing Guilliman's words, the faces of Irtu and the others darkened. They had already stated their willingness to assist himโthat was their concession. But Guilliman clearly had no intention of negotiating. He was intent on fighting them to the end. Guilliman would much rather replace these people, whom he deemed incompetent, with those he trusted and who were more capable. Having learned about the current state of the Imperium, he was certain that the present High Lords could not support the grand plans he had for the future.
Lucan watched the thwarted High Lords. In his eyes, their actions were like the death throes of a cornered beast. Accustomed to political struggles, they still thought they could use political maneuvering and bargaining chips to maintain their rule. But Guilliman clearly had no intention of playing their game. In the face of absolute power, such tricks were futile. True political power grows out of the barrel of a gun.
The four of them had to swallow their anger. They did not dare to speak out of turn to Guilliman and Ferrus. But if they couldn't do anything to the Primarchs, they could at least assert their authority by dealing with someone they saw as a mere follower.
That target was Lucan.
After learning what he had done on Cadia, the High Lords knew that Lucan had played a vital role, but they did not believe it was his own power. They assumed it came from the Primarchs, and that Lucan was simply an administrator under their command. At the behest of the High Lords, the Administratum had, for once, acted with the efficiency of the Departmento Munitorum. Lucan's appearance and all known information about him had been memorized by them. The moment they saw him, they recognized him.
As Lucan moved to follow the Primarchs, Irtu stepped directly in his path.
"You are Lucan Mongorte? This is a celebration for the demigods. As a Rogue Trader, you are not qualified to participate. By the joint resolution of the High Lords' council, many of your actions have violated Imperial law. Even your Warrant of Trade does not grant you immunity. By our decree, you are to be taken to the Inquisition to undergo Imperial scrutiny. You must explain all of your actionsโthe technology, the xenos! Otherwise, you will be deemed a traitor and a heretic!"
Kanya, the representative for the Chartist Captains, also moved to block Lucan. Although Rogue Traders were relatively independent, as a High Lord, Kanya still held sway over them. Most Warrants of Trade had to pass through her office for review after being issued.
Just as Lucan was about to mention his status as a Living Saint, Leyster stepped forward.
"I know you hold the title of Living Saint in the Koronus Expanse," the Ecclesiarch sneered, "but it must ultimately be certified by the Terran Ecclesiarchy for you to truly possess the rights of one. As of now, your status as a Living Saint is illegal!"
The High Lords' thoughts were simple: The demigods can ignore us, but what right do you, a mere Rogue Trader, have to do the same? A Living Saint? I've seen plenty of Living Saints. Not all Living Saints were blessed by the Emperor; some were great heroes who were recognized as such. And in the vast expanse of the Imperium, there was no shortage of heroic deeds. Every sector could produce a heroic figure.
However, they saw no fear on Lucan's face.
Just as Leyster was about to order the guards to seize Lucan, they were blocked by the Adeptus Custodes. Trajann Valoris himself stepped directly in front of Leyster.
"Lord Lucan does not require scrutiny!" the Captain-General boomed. "His status as a Living Saint was granted by the Emperor Himself! Leyster, do you still believe his status is illegal?!"
"Granted by the God-Emperor Himself... this... Captain-General! This is a resolution of the High Lords' council! It is in full accordance with Imperial law!"
"I, too, hold a seat on the High Lords' council," Trajann retorted. "And I do not recognize your resolution! Now, stand aside!"
At that moment, Guilliman and Ferrus, who had been walking ahead, turned and came back.
"Ecclesiarch Leyster! Lord Kanya!" Guilliman's voice was like ice. "Lord Lucan is a hero of Cadia. All of his actions were carried out with my permission and that of Ferrus. You do not have the clearance to know about the xenos and the technology. In that case, does he still violate Imperial law? He will be attending this celebration with us."
Seeing the two Primarchs defending Lucan, the four High Lords said no more. They knew their war with the Primarchs had officially begun.
Looking at the defeated expressions on the faces of the High Lords, Lucan couldn't help but think to himself that it felt good to have power and influence.
