Machines, Heal Yourselves

Brother Foteqodia piloted a nine-meter-tall humanoid mecha, the Ares Custodian.

This was a Paladin-class Knight-suit.

A destructive war machine equipped with deep blue protective armor, an energy deflection shield, a Hellfire Cannon, a Pulse Cannon, and a Missile Array.

He looked at the man before him through the mecha's observation module.

The other party was shrouded in golden light.

He looked so perfect, so divine.

He heard the other party's words but was unable to reply due to shock and excitement.

In the face of such a perfect and divine being, words became pale and weak.

The man placed his hand on the Ares Custodian's knee joint.

"Machine, heal thyself."

His voice was full of confidence and power.

It clearly reached the ears of every Knight.

Injecting new vitality into every cell of their bodies, a fusion of flesh and steel.

A soft golden light spread out from the man.

Foteqodia felt a warm current flow through the mecha's entire body.

Every part of the Ares Custodian mecha was refreshed.

As if it had just rolled off the assembly line.

The Machine Spirit hidden deep within its core let out a contented groan.

He could feel the Machine Spirit becoming exceptionally active and excited, his connection coefficient rising linearly.

"Who are you?" Foteqodia's voice was filled with nervousness and unease.

"I am the Emperor."

The man's answer was very simple.

Yet, Foteqodia heard the weight of history and the possibility of a glorious future in every syllable.

When he realized he would never hear words of such significance again for the rest of his life, tears involuntarily streamed down his face.

Responding to the call of his inner voice, Foteqodia and the Ares Custodian he piloted made a move that shocked everyone.

He knelt on one knee before the Emperor.

With the hiss of its piston mechanisms, the noble Knight-suit lowered its metallic head.

This was an act of submission, signifying the offering of loyalty and the rest of his life.

At that moment, Taimon Foteqodia knew the truth of the being standing before him.

"Welcome to Mars, Lord," he said. "All praise be to the great Omnissiah, the eternal God-Machine."

The Knights behind him, in unspoken understanding, also piloted their mechs to kneel.

Their shouts erupted from the mechs' loudspeakers.

"All praise be to the great Omnissiah, the eternal God-Machine."

"All praise be to the great Omnissiah, the eternal God-Machine."

The Emperor's arrival on Mars.

Caused a huge sensation.

He perfectly matched the prophecy of the God-Machine made by the founder of the Singularity Brotherhood, Moravec.

Countless local citizens saw him as the physical manifestation of the God-Machine, the savior of human civilization, and the sole object of faith in the universe.

During the Long Night era, after human civilization declined, Mars also fell into turmoil.

But after centuries, the Adeptus Mechanicus established dominance over Mars.

Through various Mechanicus doctrines, Mars eventually developed a powerful mechanical culture.

Mars civilization was built upon the worship of the God-Machine, the Omnissiah.

To them, science and technology were mysterious and sacred products of religion.

They were not only related to rational cognition but also closely connected to various rituals and sacrifices.

In the doctrines of the Adeptus Mechanicus, the God-Machine was the supreme existence.

Every believer of the Adeptus Mechanicus should unconditionally obey the will of the God-Machine.

The many lords of Mars, led by the Forge-General Karbo, rushed over.

Unlike the common populace, they were skeptical about whether the Emperor was the incarnation of the God-Machine.

"How could a god descend to the mortal world?"

Karbo's mechanical eyes scanned the Emperor up and down, attempting to find evidence of his impersonation.

However, no matter how he searched, the Emperor was always the embodiment of perfection.

All detection methods were rendered ineffective against him.

"Moravec prophesied My arrival, yet you question it. Does this mean you have betrayed the Machine Spirit?"

The Emperor looked at Karbo, his tone very calm.

Forticordia and the other Knights glanced at Karbo and the other Lords, a hint of solemnity in their expressions.

They activated their Knight-suit's weapon and defense systems.

Once they confirmed Karbo and the others had betrayed the Machine Spirit, they would not hesitate to attack.

The Knights all hailed from Mars.

But their faith in the Omnissiah was paramount, the one to whom they had sworn their loyalty and the rest of their lives.

They would never allow anyone to question the mortal avatar of the Machine God.

Karbo and the other Martian Lords could also feel the thoughts of the populace and the Knights.

If they denied the Emperor's identity, it would most likely cause a schism on Mars.

Those citizens and Knights would believe they were denying the Emperor's identity for the sake of their own power.

The Adeptus Mechanicus evolved from Moravec's Singularity Brotherhood, and faith in the Omnissiah was the foundation of everything.

The power of the Martian Lords was also dependent on faith in the Machine God.

"We will never betray the Machine Spirit, but we need more proof."

Karbo said, "When the respected sage Moravec departed, he left behind a vault containing his life's work, yet no one has been able to find it for years."

"If you are truly the Machine God, then you should be able to find it."

The Emperor smiled gently. "Naturally."

Under the escort of the Adeptus Custodes, the Emperor led Karbo and the other Martian Lords into the intricate labyrinth beneath Mount Olympus.

These labyrinths were constructed by humanity during the Golden Age and were once part of a magnificent city.

After the Long Night descended, the surface portions were destroyed by war, leaving only the complex underground sections.

The tunnels were filled with dust accumulated over thousands of years.

Many tunnels branched off into the darkness, burrowing into Martian rock formations billions of years old.

Hundreds of hovering servitor skulls surrounded their group, illuminating the dim tunnels.

They continued to descend, kicking up dust behind them.

Metallic footsteps echoed between the dry, crumbling walls.

They entered a highly resonant hall with numerous dark tunnels leading to the unknown ahead.

Without hesitation, the Emperor led them into one of the passages.

They passed through dusty sepulchers, empty cells, and alcoves piled high with skulls.

The group traveled for a long time, eventually reaching an ancient hall filled with dust-covered books and rusted machinery.

Karbo and the others became exceptionally excited.

The Moravec's Vault, rumored to hide the secrets of the universe's workings, was about to be revealed.

Karbo opened his data matrix and map cache memory module.

He intended to record all the tunnels they had traversed.

Upon their return, he would immediately dispatch personnel for development.

He could not wait to study the unknown technology left behind by Moravec.

After passing through a twisted tunnel, they arrived at a circular hall with a diameter of 160 meters.

The hall emitted a soft glow, but there was no discernible light source.

A grand, ancient door, inscribed with numerous runes, was embedded in the hall's wall.

A mechanical data keypad and a rotary dial were installed in front of the door.

Next to it was some text written in binary digits.

The Emperor stood before the great door and said, "This is Moravec's Vault."

Karbo and the others scanned the binary text.

[Only he who protects the Imperium, the Master of Mankind, the mortal avatar of the Machine God, may find this place.]

[All who revere the Machine Spirit must obey the avatar of the Omnissiah unconditionally, lest they be forsaken by the Machine Spirit.]

[

The Machine Spirit, the secrets of technology, are superior to the frail flesh.

Praise for the Machine Spirit is our sacred duty; guarding the Machine Spirit is the source of our peace; appeasing the Machine Spirit is the basis of your survival.

Without dogma, the Machine Spirit will not aid.

Ring the great bell once! Push the lever, start the pistons and pumps!

Ring the great bell twice! Press the button, start the engines, ignite the turbines, and breathe life!

Ring the great bell thrice! Sing in unison, praise the Machine God!

]

Confirming these words were left by Moravec in the past, Karbo and other Martian lords showed excited expressions.

They all looked towards the Emperor.

"Most esteemed Omnissiah, please open it."