The atmosphere on the bridge, which had become alluring following Fogremia's shy and devout 'Big Sister,' rapidly condensed and turned serious and solemn upon Leticia's subsequent sternness.
The sweet, cloying ambiguity in the air quietly dissipated, replaced by an intangible heaviness, like that before a strategic meeting.
Fogremia immediately reined in all her outward emotions, her breathtakingly beautiful face regaining the composure befitting a demigod, though a trace of lingering attachment to the previous intimacy remained deep within her violet eyes.
Sit.
Leticia's voice was calm as she took Terrania by the hand and led the way to the massive holographic star map console in the center of the bridge.
With a thought, she awakened the dormant console, projecting a deep blue light upward that constructed a slowly rotating, three-dimensional model of The Galaxy, containing billions of stars.
This was the first true strategic briefing of the Genesis Sisterhood.
Fogremia adjusted the hem of her silk gown and sat down opposite Leticia with impeccable elegance.
Terrania sat obediently beside Leticia, her small head tilted upward, looking curiously at the brilliant galaxy composed of points of light, her small hand unconsciously clutching Leticia's sleeve.
Leticia's gaze swept over these two family members whom she would spend her life protecting.
One was her initial beacon upon descending into this dark universe, the source of all her will to protect.
The other was the first follower she had personally pulled from a tragic fate, her sharpest sword of the future.
She held nothing back, keeping no secrets.
Fogremia, I know you have many questions.
Leticia spoke, her voice echoing clearly and steadily within the silent bridge.
About me, about this ship, about why we appeared on Isstvan III, and... where we are heading in the future.
Fogremia nodded slightly; she did indeed have countless questions, but she chose to wait, waiting for her goddess to reveal everything to her personally.
First, you must understand a concept.
Leticia reached out and tapped the holographic star map.
I call it the [genesis system].
She concisely and clearly explained how she bound the system, how the system granted her power, and the system's core functions.
The history of this universe is filled with too many tragedies and regrets. Heroes fall, ideals are tarnished, and countless souls that should have shone brightly ultimately head toward destruction amidst the whispers of Chaos and the Decay of the Human Empire.
What the system gives me is not just power, but an opportunity.
Leticia's fingertips glided across the star map, lighting up dim star sectors—places that had been or would soon be stages for epic tragedies.
An opportunity to enter 'historical possibility slices'.
The Isstvan III we experienced is just such a solidified 'historical slice.' There, your fate was meant to be a complete fusion with that magic sword, becoming a slave to Slaanesh.
Fogremia's body trembled almost imperceptibly.
Even though she had been reshaped, that fear and loathing of corruption, rooted deep in her soul, still existed.
What I did was to save you from that possibility.
Leticia gazed into her eyes.
I cannot change the tragedies that have already occurred in the main universe, but I can extract a brand new, perfect {you} from that inevitable tragedy.
A you who should have belonged to the light.
The sheer volume of information was overwhelming, like a tsunami crashing against Fogremia's newly reborn soul.
Her powerful mind, belonging to a Primarch and capable of simulating an interstellar war in an instant, was operating at an overload.
System... historical slice... correcting tragedy... creating a home where all Sisters can live in peace...
This was no longer war.
This was... creating history.
No, it was more arrogant than creating history.
This was challenging a predetermined, decaying fate of ten thousand years, forged from the blood and bones of countless gods and mortals!
This plan, so grand it bordered on madness, made her feel a shiver from the depths of her soul.
That was not fear.
It was excitement!
It was the true, ultimate [Perfect] cause that she, Fulgrim, had pursued all her life yet never touched!
But after the fanaticism, the absolute rationality rooted in the Primarch's marrow quickly gained the upper hand.
She realized the terrifying risks hidden within, risks capable of crushing them ten thousand times over.
Big Sister.
Fogremia spoke, her voice no longer possessing its previous tenderness, but filled with the coolness and sharpness of a strategic decision-maker.
I understand your grand vision, and this is also the glory I am willing to offer everything to pursue.
However, how should we deal with the consequences of this plan?
She stood up and walked to the holographic star map, her slender fingers precisely pointing out several lethal threats.
First, Chaos. Everything you are doing is tantamount to snatching food from the plates of the four Dark Gods. They will not tolerate such plagiarism and blasphemy. Once we are exposed, we may face the endless wrath of the entire Subspace.
Second, the Human Empire. How do we conduct ourselves? We are Primarchs who have betrayed the Human Empire, traitors whom the Imperial archives are desperate to eliminate. Our small fleet is fragile and vulnerable before the Human Empire's massive war machine.
Third, resources. Maintaining the voyage of this [genesis], supporting a constantly expanding army, and even establishing the 'home' you spoke of in the future, all require astronomical resources. Where will we get them?
Every question she raised was precise, profound, and lethal.
This was no longer a young girl who had just gained a new life and was infatuated with Big Sister's scent.
This was a true Legion Master, using her extraordinary wisdom to examine the path ahead.
Leticia listened quietly, a hint of approval appearing in her eyes.
This was the Fogremia she had expected.
Not just a sharp sword, but a wise woman who could stand by her side and plan for the future together.
You asked very well.
A confident smile appeared on Leticia's face.
She walked to Fogremia's side, looking into her violet eyes, which were flashing with the light of wisdom from high-speed thinking.
Regarding your questions, my answer is—
We do not conquer.
Fogremia was stunned.
We heal.
Leticia's voice carried an unprecedented, gentle power, like a spring breeze bringing rain.
Why is Chaos powerful? Because this universe is full of pain, despair, anger, and numbness. The negative emotions of all living beings are the food that feeds them. What we must do is heal the source of these emotions.
When a world is full of Hope, when people no longer struggle for survival, when the warrior's anger has a glorious destination, when every soul can find its own value... the foundation of Chaos will collapse without being attacked.
As for the Human Empire, a flash of complexity crossed Leticia's eyes, it is terminally ill, rotten to the core. We will not oppose it, nor will we cling to it. We will be like the most brilliant surgeons, finding the tissues that still have Vitality, carefully separating them from the necrotic body, and transplanting them onto our brand new, vibrant soil.
We will absorb those warriors who still hold loyalty, those craftsmen oppressed by bureaucrats, those mortals praying for light in the darkness. We will give them a true Human Empire worth fighting for.
And resources...
Leticia chuckled lightly, as if speaking of a trivial matter.
A goddess capable of creating life—do you think she would lack the means to create bread?
Fogremia was thoroughly shocked.
Leticia's answer contained no specific tactics, yet it pointed entirely to the ultimate, singular strategic core.
It was a civilization concept of a higher dimension, transcending war and conquest.
Not destroying the old, but creating the new.
When the new world is good enough, the old world will naturally be eliminated and forgotten.
This is an open conspiracy.
It is a righteous, world-creating undertaking.
Fogremia felt her soul sublimating because of these words.
She understood.
What Leticia needed was not a general who only knew how to kill.
She needed a companion who could understand her concept of 'healing' and 'creation'.
Leticia looked at the ever-changing light in Fogremia's eyes; she knew the time was ripe.
She reached out and gently took Fogremia's hand.
And you, Fogremia, Leticia gazed into her eyes, her voice solemn and full of expectation, your perfection should not only bloom on the blade. That pursuit of ultimate beauty should shine even more brightly on the grand blueprint of creating a brand new world.
You will be my First Knight, guarding me and guarding our shared ideals.
You will also be this new world's...
Chief Designer.
Chief Designer. This title, like a divine thunder of creation, precisely split the deepest barriers of Fogremia's soul.
She had pursued perfection all her life, built countless magnificent palaces, and composed countless gorgeous war poems.
But those were just meaningless patching on the ruins of the old world.
And now, what Leticia gave her was a brand new universe, a blank canvas, the ultimate stage where she could start from scratch to design and create a truly [Perfect] kingdom!
This was more than just redemption.
This was... a gift.
It was the ultimate meaning of her existence as Fulgrim—no, as Fogremia!
She could no longer suppress the excitement in her heart; that tsunami-like loyalty, fused with rational agreement and emotional fanaticism, completely engulfed her.
She broke free from Leticia's hand and took a step back.
Then, once again, on this silent bridge, she knelt on one knee toward her goddess, toward her ideal, toward her future.
This posture was heavier than on the ruins of Isstvan III.
It was more resolute than the pledge of allegiance at her cabin door.
She pressed her right hand tightly against her chest, over the heart that was beating violently for the brand new mission.
Her head hung low, her long silver hair pouring onto the floor like a waterfall formed of moonlight.
Her voice trembled slightly from extreme excitement, yet it carried an unprecedented, indestructible power.
I, the Phoenix, Fogremia...
With the soul you bestowed upon me, with all my wisdom and loyalty, I hereby swear—
She suddenly lifted her head, her violet eyes, misted with moisture, burning with the fire of creation that could light up the entire sea of stars.
I shall for you, for our home, forge a...
Most Perfect Kingdom!
The vow was made, striking the ground with a resounding thud.
A relieved smile appeared on Leticia's face.
She knew that from this moment on, Fogremia's loyalty had truly become complete.
It was no longer just gratitude based on redemption and the attraction of Divine Charm, but an unbreakable alliance based on shared ideals.
She helped her proud knight up.
Then, she turned around and looked at the massive holographic star map.
Her fingers traced a cold arc across the star map, finally pointing to a star sector stained by countless wars and blood, representing endless pain and anger.
That star sector presented a disturbing, dull, blood-red color.
Leticia's tone became serious.
Then, my knight, my Chief Designer.
The first thing we must do for this new world...
Is to go and drag a lost, most angry soul out of hell.
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