Datch and Ferrus were fitted with electronic restraints by the Iron Man enforcers and loaded onto an aircraft.
Ferrus's warhammer was also confiscated, but the fists of the Iron Hands Primarch themselves were weapons.
Moreover, these electronic restraints could not restrain him; with a little effort he could free himself at any time.
The aircraft weaved through the magnificent clusters of buildings, heading toward the court mentioned by the iron-willed law enforcers.
The buildings standing on both sides of the road were as beautiful and clean as if they had just been built. The green spaces along the road were also very beautifully maintained and carefully trimmed.
Projectors floated above the road, displaying various news and advertisements.
When Datch looked outside, a handsome synthetic human appeared on the screen, announcing today's industrial production data in a sweet voice.
Before long they arrived at their destination — a dome-shaped white building.
The aircraft landed on a spacious runway, and Datch and Ferrus were guided inside the building.
The floor was made of milky-white synthetic stone, the walls of silver-gray metal panels, and the ceiling of glossy opaque glass.
Light poured in from every direction. There were no shadows, no corners, and nowhere to hide.
Everywhere, various faintly glowing projections floated up, displaying data such as the floor plan of the court, today's trial schedule, and the basic laws of Detroit.
People came and went through the hall.
The moment one entered, all sorts of sounds could be heard. It was a very noisy and chaotic place.
The Iron Men active here came in various shapes and sizes — humanoid ones, multi-legged ones, floating spherical ones, and more.
Their way of walking and speaking carried the precision and strictness unique to machines.
The synthetic humans possessed refined appearances and, when they spoke, their emotions were clearly conveyed, making them closer to humans.
Humans also existed, but their numbers were extremely small, appearing only sporadically among the population.
However, they were all extremely tall, with regular features and perfect physiques like ancient Greek sculptures. Their footsteps were light and elegant — clearly the result of genetic modification.
When Datch saw them, he superimposed them onto the elegance of the Aeldari in his memory.
The strength of both sides was evenly matched.
Humans were also very skilled at feigning elegance.
People passing by stopped when they saw Datch and Ferrus being escorted in by the police.
A female-type android in a silver-gray business suit glanced alternately at Datch and Ferrus, then turned toward her Iron Man partner beside her and spoke in a low voice.
"There's news online. It's from outside."
Someone was whispering to a friend, but Ferrus heard everything.
A Primarch's hearing is astonishingly powerful, far exceeding the level ordinary people can achieve.
"Could they have come from the hell outside??"
"Are they incarnations of demons?"
The whispers spread in an instant, and anxiety seeped into their tone.
According to the teachings of Detroit, the outside world is a hell of war and bloodshed, a ruin where golden men vent their anger, a paradise of evil.
Not only involvement, but even speaking about it only produces oppression and fear.
Records of the ancient war that collapsed civilization still remain in Detroit's databases.
It was a terrifying war that neither the Iron Men nor the synthetic life-forms wanted to recall.
Stars burned, entire continents were torn apart, the structure of space-time was completely destroyed, and even the Warp contracted into eternal nothingness.
It was a hair's breadth away from completely tearing the Milky Way galaxy apart.
The war interrupted ascension. The Golden Men, Stone Men, and Iron Men each took separate paths, and thus the glorious age of humanity came to an end.
After suppressing the rebellious Iron Men, humanity, out of fear and anxiety, also tried to retaliate against the Iron Men and synthetic life-forms that had helped them.
Fortunately, a group of humans defended their claims and strongly insisted on fulfilling the pre-war promise to protect the iron and stone golems that had sided with humanity.
Unfortunately, most of them felt extreme fear and rejected the remaining iron and stone statues.
In the end, the humans who kept their promise chose, together with the remaining iron and stone statues, to distance themselves from human civilization and hide in a remote corner of the galaxy.
Detroit is now almost completely isolated from the outside world.
Even if one grew tired of a peaceful and prosperous life and wanted to go outside seeking adventure and stimulation,
before leaving Detroit they would also be required to erase their memories concerning Detroit.
The enforcers led Datch and Ferrus through the crowd and into the magnificent hall.
Deep in the main hall, a massive metal head floated in midair.
It was about five meters tall, entirely silver-white, sculpted in the form of a wise old man.
The metal head floated within strands of pale golden light, like a worshipped statue.
It looked down upon everyone standing in the defendant's seat and pronounced the punishment they deserved.
This is the Judge of Detroit — an artificial intelligence equipped with advanced technology and emotions.
It adjudicates every dispute concerning Detroit fairly and without bias.
The rumors about the outsiders spread in an instant. The spectator seats on both sides of the main hall were full.
Their gazes were all fixed on Datch and Ferrus. Complex emotions such as curiosity, wariness, fear, and disgust dwelt in their eyes.
"Outsiders." The Judge stared intently at Datch and Ferrus, its voice echoing through the hall.
"Why did you invade Detroit? Do you intend to start a new war?"
"We only came looking for someone." Datch looked around, stared at the faces of the whispering people, and finally fixed his gaze on the Judge's face.
"A person of extraordinary power also came from outside. When he was born, he was probably still a child."
The whispers in the main hall suddenly grew louder.
Looking for someone?
"Why would the person they are looking for possibly be in Detroit?"
"How much time has passed since contact with the outside world was cut off?"
"A certain child… years ago…"
Many people did not know about this matter, but among those who did, some looked at one another with puzzled expressions and whispered among themselves.
The entire hall was as noisy as a marketplace.
"Quiet."
The Judge's voice was not loud, but the weight of those two words was like a mountain.
Within 0.5 seconds, the entire hall fell completely silent.
No one challenges the Judge's authority. It is not because the Judge possesses terrifying power.
Rather, in this society everyone believes that challenging the Judge's authority is equivalent to challenging justice itself — an act of overturning order.
A healthy society requires a fair, impartial, and authoritative judge.
"Who you are looking for is none of our concern," the Judge's voice returned to its usual cold, expressionless tone.
"However, you outsiders have disturbed the peace of Detroit and brought hidden dangers. You should not die, but you also cannot leave, because doing so would expose the existence of Detroit."
Datch slightly furrowed his brows.
"Therefore, you are sentenced to life imprisonment and will never be allowed to leave Detroit," the Judge continued in a calm voice as if a computer were outputting results. "To ensure your survival, a special agency will provide housing and food. However, your movements will be strictly restricted, and you will not be allowed to walk around freely."
Ferrus turned his face toward Datch and sought his opinion with his eyes.
"I have no intention of staying here at all," Datch said in a restrained tone. "I only want to find someone, acquire a little knowledge, and then leave this place."
"The final judgment has been handed down. Appeals are not accepted." The Judge's voice left no room for compromise whatsoever. "Court is adjourned."
Datch was at a loss for words, but a golden exclamation mark was displayed above the other party's head.
This was because it was part of the mission's storyline.
Understood. I'll let it slide this time.
Datch and Ferrus were led out of the court by the Iron Man enforcers and sent by hovercar to the designated residence.
The interior of the hovercar was more spacious than Datch had imagined. The seats were made of soft shape-memory material. When one sat down, the body sank slightly and was then firmly supported.
The car windows were made of a material that could automatically adjust the amount of light it transmitted according to the surrounding light intensity, always keeping the lighting inside the car in an optimal state.
There was neither a driver nor an operation panel inside the car — only seats, doors, and a small glowing screen embedded in the car wall that displayed the route map and estimated arrival time.
The cityscape outside the car rushed past. Between the buildings, holographic billboards advertising detergents of brands Datch had never seen alternately flickered.
In the painted scene, a synthetic human woman was wiping a glass pane while smiling, and beyond the glass stretched a dazzling blue sky.
The car traveled for about twenty minutes, passing through the city center and industrial zones before entering a spacious residential area.
Finally, we arrived at a three-story independent building with a garden. The exterior walls were made of milky-white stone.
The garden was not large, but it was truly beautiful, like a painting that had been revised many times.
The lawn was trimmed so that every single blade was the same height. The shrubs were shaped into perfect spheres. A stone-paved path wound from the entrance to a stone bench in the center of the garden.
The first reaction of Datch and Ferrus upon entering the mansion was, "This is a prison? You've got to be kidding."
The floor was dark solid wood. The sofa was upholstered in light gray fabric. The cushions were so soft it felt as if one were wrapped in clouds.
The kitchen was fully automated. Fresh fruits and vegetables were neatly arranged in the refrigerator. The packaging was printed with the Detroit Star Agriculture logo, and the production date was today.
"I have to admit the prison environment is quite good," Ferrus said as he walked around the living room.
A floating operation panel moved together with him.
This panel can adjust room temperature, lighting, and music.
Whether it's 30,000 or 42,000 dollars, very few people can live in such a mansion.
"Detroit seems to have inherited a great deal of technology and maintains extremely high productivity," Ferrus continued.
Datch ignored him and stood by the window, looking out at the garden while thinking about the next course of action.
Clearly, this mission was different from previous ones.
There was no need for combat or slaughter. They should proceed along the flow of the story.
The goal should be for the player to fully understand the beauty of the past Age of Technology and be able to make informed choices in the future.
Of course, Warhammer is advertised as the freest game. If you dislike following the storyline, you can simply fight and defeat enemies with no problem at all.
However, the NPC emotion modules and memory modules record the player's actions and make different choices based on them.
For example, if the player chooses the merciful path, NPCs will seek the player's help when encountering a crisis and will stand on the player's side.
If the evil path is chosen, NPCs may side with Chaos forces and become the player's enemies when encountering a crisis.
The player's actions influence the NPCs' perceptions and are closely related to the ending.
Datch did not want to ruin things and spoil his own experience.
Ferrus, who had grown used to Datch's indifference, walked around the mansion alone, inspecting the bedrooms, bathroom, kitchen, and so on, greedily absorbing the related technical knowledge.
After a while, a spherical hovering drone flew in front of Datch and Ferrus.
"Master, you have guests."
The voice was synthetic, but it affected a very polite tone. "Governor Vitan M and his consort request permission to enter the mansion."
Datch and Ferrus exchanged glances.
"Let them in," Datch said.
After answering "Understood," the drone turned and flew out through the door.
The reception room was on the first floor of the mansion. The interior was very nice.
Datch and Ferrus waited for the guests in the reception room.
After a while, the door opened and a man and a woman entered.
The man walked in the lead. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and stood straight.
His short golden hair was neatly combed back, exposing a wide forehead.
His deep blue eyes held a gentle gaze, and he wore an exquisitely tailored deep blue robe.
The moment Datch and Ferrus saw each other's forms, they were certain that the other party was a Primarch and the target of their mission.
The woman walked beside the man. Her height was about the same — only half a head shorter than the Primarch.
She was tall and so beautiful that she did not seem like a real human, as if she were a goddess or a fairy.
Datch opened the information panel and checked the two people's information.
Vitan Mun, the second Primarch created by the Emperor, is currently one of the regents of Detroit.
Vivis is the caretaker and companion of Primarch II.
Datch's pupils dilated slightly.
Caretaker and partner. Is it that complicated?
"Hello," Vitan M said in a low voice while looking at Ferrus.
"Outsiders, I have heard your story."
"You came looking for a child who fell onto this planet many years ago."
"Ah, brother," Ferrus said. "I am Ferrus Manus, Lord of the Iron Hands Legion. And we have come here looking for you."
"It seems you have already guessed my identity," Vitan M said. "I am the child who fell to this place many years ago. I am Vitan M, one of the seven governors of Detroit."
He pointed to the woman beside him, and Vivis nodded lightly.
"This is my lover, Vivis." Vitan M's voice grew gentle. "She is an artificial intelligence and a synthetic human. When I crashed on Detroit, she raised me."
Hearing these words, Ferrus's pupils dilated slightly.
His gaze moved from Vitan M's face to Vivis's face, then back to Vitan M's face again.
With the sheer amount of information, he felt as if his brain was not fully utilizing its processing power.
What does it mean that the one who raised you is your lover?
Ferrus looked at Vivis again. She was perfect, without a single flaw.
Her movements and expressions were exactly like those of a real human. She was so beautiful that Ferrus could not believe it was real.
Who would have imagined that the other party was actually a being combining artificial intelligence and a synthetic human?
The father of all Primarchs and the Master of Mankind would never have allowed his son to fall in love with an artificial intelligence and a synthetic human.
Ferrus had already foreseen the bloody catastrophe that would occur after Vitan M returned to the Imperium.
The Emperor would very likely personally eradicate the beloved Vivis with his own hands, force him to accept the cruel truth of the Imperium and the Treaty of Mars, and resolutely forbid him from ever crossing the red line again.
Vitan M has none of the flaws of the other Primarchs, but the problem he carries is without a doubt the most serious.
If that news reaches the Imperium, a terrifying storm will undoubtedly be stirred up.
Mars, one of the double-headed eagles of the Imperium, does not permit research into synthetic humans or artificial intelligence and can only engage in somewhat heterodox and hybrid projects that skim the boundary of reality.
As a result, Vitan M not only had sexual relations with someone, but also married and demonstrated affection for each other in various ways.
If the Emperor heard this news, he would probably faint.
The Mechanicum would immediately fly into a rage and send Imperial-class Titans to the Imperial forces on Terra demanding an explanation.
After mass-producing large quantities of wetware and finally finishing the surface cleanly, they managed to create a proper thinker.
As a result, your son openly used artificial intelligence and synthetic human technology to create a wife.
Emotions can only be ignited by the original body, not by mechanical means, right?
"The rebellion was not what the Mechanicus wanted, and we had no intention whatsoever of turning our guns on the rising Imperium."
"We once swore together to rebuild human civilization. But Omnissiah, you betrayed us all."
"You made your son explore forbidden domains, steal mysterious technology, and lie to us."
"We who yearn for and pursue the truth can no longer tolerate the existence of lies. If you have no intention of sharing the truth, then let us begin the war."
...
Datch also understood the essence of the problem.
The problem Primarch II carried was more serious than the problems of the other Primarchs.
Even a war fanatic driven by madness like Angron might have been tolerated by the Emperor for the sake of the Great Crusade.
However, Vitan M was a person the Emperor could never tolerate.
To allow his existence would be equivalent to trampling on the Treaty of Mars.
At that time, the Machine Cult would be permitted to research artificial intelligence and synthetic humans.
Considering the tremendous power of the Mechanicus, no one knows what terrifying things they would create.
Therefore, the only option is to demand that Primarch II abandon Vivis, settle accounts with Detroit, and demonstrate his own position.
Vitan M furrowed his brows upon seeing the reactions of Datch and Ferrus.
"You two seem completely unable to accept that Vivis and I are lovers to each other."
"Vitan M, I'll support you," Datch answered instinctively.
In Datch's era, falling in love with a robot was a perfectly ordinary thing.
After all, robots are less likely to commit acts of betrayal and can consistently provide emotional value, so they can be said to be superior to most humans.
Who wouldn't want one? Where can I find a lover who truly loves me and carefully takes care of me?
The problem is that this is the Warhammer world, and a Primarch falling in love with a synthetic human whose core is artificial intelligence.
This act is equivalent to a rebellious act, just like Horus trying to form a pantheon of gods together with the Emperor.
In this situation, it's no wonder that all records were erased, Datch muttered to himself.
This is a serious red-line violation, and it is only natural that the Emperor could not tolerate it.
Right after they announced their intention to completely eliminate the Men of Iron and synthetic humans, their own son actually became involved in the incident.
I have to say that every genetic prototype the Yellow Old Man created is truly a talented individual.