This Is No Longer Humanity's Home

The Solar System is the birthplace of humanity.

It is also the oldest of the many star systems controlled by humankind.

Interstellar travel and Warp navigation were born here.

To enhance the cohesion of the race, humanity in the Golden Age constructed numerous miraculous colossal structures within the Solar System.

The most eye-catching colossal structures were the Gates of Hades on Pluto and the Gates of Elysium on Uranus.

They were also known by the world as the Twin Gates.

Starships must be beyond the Mandeville Point at the edge of a star system to leave the Warp.

If they get too close to a star system, the conflict between reality and paradox will put the warships at risk of disintegration.

The existence of the Twin Gates broke this rule.

They allowed starships to return to real space from deep within a star system.

Attempts to do so elsewhere at the same depth would result in the ship's destruction and the crew's death.

These two permanent warp entry and exit points were strategically vital locations in the Solar System.

After departing from Mars' orbit, the fleet headed directly for the Gates of Elysium on Uranus.

Near the Gates of Elysium, in an open space approximately three thousand kilometers across.

Small particles gathered into a ring, emitting a soft light.

Since humanity created the Gates of Elysium, starships entering and exiting the Warp in this location have produced and scattered a soft gray substance that emits a faint glow.

It had a pleasant name: Siren's Dust.

These faintly glowing dust particles surrounded the Gates of Elysium.

Like floating smoke encased in a glass sphere.

The Star Gate was constantly under guard.

Several magnificent fortresses hovered in the vast, boundless Void, guarding the Gates of Elysium.

The clan members residing within had, for generations, undertaken the responsibility of guarding the Gates of Elysium.

Preventing the emergence of alien armies and those Iron Men who had betrayed their oaths of loyalty.

Even as other parts of the Solar System fell into chaos due to the Eternal Night Crisis, degenerating into constant infighting.

These hereditary clan warriors maintained their vigilance.

The Human Empire's grand fleet appeared within the detection range of the major fortresses, causing great panic.

The Iron Men rebelled, and the Eternal Night era descended; the clan guards residing in the fortresses had never seen a fleet of this magnitude.

The chieftains of the various clans united and sent a message of inquiry to the Emperor.

The wording throughout was very cautious, yet it also revealed a hint of defiance.

If the Emperor was unwilling to explain his intentions, they would activate the weapons left by their ancestors.

They would resist the invaders to the death.

Until the last drop of blood of the various clans was shed.

"I come with peaceful intentions, only for the glory of humanity to shine upon the galaxy once more."

The Emperor was not a rash or bloodthirsty individual.

He patiently communicated with the guards.

Claiming that worlds like Terra, Luna, Mars, and Venus had all submitted to the newly formed Human Empire.

The Empire had also assembled an unprecedented expeditionary force, vowing to restore the former glory of human civilization.

Following this, the Emperor requested the guards to swear allegiance.

Under the dual influence of the powerful fleet and his personal charisma.

The guards of the Gates of Elysium expressed their willingness to swear allegiance.

The expeditionary force held a grand and solemn ceremony, warmly welcoming the local clan envoys.

As they docked their ancient-style spacecraft on the deck of the Imperial Grand Plan, the accompanying band began to play a carefully arranged piece—the Heroic March of Humanity.

Its tone was majestic, conveying the idea of humanity facing dire straits yet bravely and unyieldingly persisting in its struggle.

The Emperor, clad in solemn golden armor, wore a long sword and a pistol.

Behind him were numerous Terra bureaucrats and the Adeptus Custodes.

The Raven stood on the Emperor's shoulder, watching the clan envoys emerge from their spacecraft.

Their faces and bodies were generally pale.

Perhaps it was due to the lack of sunlight.

Uranus is 19.8 astronomical units from the Sun.

Nearly twenty times farther than Earth.

It takes sunlight over two hours to reach the vicinity of Uranus.

The envoys were led by a tall man in a crimson robe.

Half of his face was flesh, the other half mechanical, and his eyes were two gleaming emeralds.

He leaned on an exquisite golden scepter, etched with ancient guardian totems.

He walked up to the Emperor and bowed.

"It is a great honor. You must be the Lord of the Human Empire. Please accept our humble praise and loyalty."

"No need for such formalities," the Emperor replied. "It is my honor to receive your loyalty."

His humble attitude eased much of the tension on the other man's face.

"Allow me to introduce myself. I am Aymore, War Consul of the Ancient God's Eye Guardian Alliance. I welcome you on behalf of the great clans."

The Emperor said, "I, too, welcome your joining on behalf of the Human Empire. In the name of our ancestors, humanity's glory will once again shine upon the stars."

The talks between the two sides went very smoothly.

Aymore signed the alliance treaty to join the Empire on behalf of the great clans.

The Human Empire recovered the Uranus sector without firing a shot.

The situation at the Gates of Hades was even more relaxed.

They were farther from the sun.

Every settlement was covered in ice and snow year-round.

After the Eternal Night Crisis descended, the various colonies fell into internal strife, unable to pay attention to the guardians of Pluto.

They lost their supply lines, and coupled with technological regression, even self-sufficiency became difficult, barely managing to survive.

The heavy mission of guarding the Gates of Hades was sustained entirely by faith.

It was fortunate that no xenos invaded, otherwise, they would have surely seen a group of ragged humans wielding dilapidated weapons.

The Empire's arrival brought a sigh of relief to the guardians of the Gates of Hades.

Regardless of the Empire's motives, at least they belonged to the human faction.

With the Twin Gates under control, there were no more important strategic targets within the Solar System.

Under the torment of the long dark age, the residents of the various colonies yearned for unification.

Wherever the Imperial forces went, they were warmly welcomed.

Of course, there were some rulers of Space Cities and colonies who did not wish to accept the so-called new era.

For these individuals, the Empire mercifully enlightened them.

The Adeptus Custodes and Astartes easily crushed the local armies.

They dragged those fools out of their luxurious palaces and executed them in public.

The Empire's stance was clear: either submit and be loyal, or be destroyed.

Under the terrifying offensive of the great army, the resistance forces within the Solar System were swept away.

The chaotic Solar System was unified once more.

Such a glorious achievement would be the peak moment of ordinary people's lives.

For the Emperor, however, it was merely the beginning.

The Empire began large-scale conscription in its various colonies within the Solar System.

The mining equipment built in the Asteroid Belt, among the Gas Giants, and in the Oort Cloud was reactivated.

They efficiently mined various resources from the void.

As a species capable of space travel, even after tens of thousands of years, humanity had only consumed a minuscule portion of the Solar System's vast resources.

Large quantities of minerals were extracted, smelted into metallic materials, and sent to Mars.

The foundries on Mars also operated at full capacity, roaring day and night.

They ceaselessly produced weapons, equipment, and warships.

Under the Emperor's will, a magnificent expeditionary force was quickly formed.

Thousands of ships gathered near Uranus, creating a formidable presence.

When the army was ready, the Emperor once again instructed Malcador.

"Take care of Twenty, and take care of this nascent Empire."

"I know," Malcador nodded. "I will never disappoint you."

The Emperor nodded and, under the protection of the Adeptus Custodes, boarded his flagship via a hovercraft.

He stood before the command console and addressed all the prepared ships.

"Set sail. The Great Crusade begins now. Humanity's glory will once again shine upon the stars."

Under the gaze of countless eyes, the massive fleet set sail.

Entering the Warp through the Gates of Elysium.

Perhaps it was because the Emperor himself was guiding the fleet with numerous navigators.

The fleet's journey was exceptionally smooth, with no ship suffering damage.

A week later, they arrived at their first star system.

After comparing it with star charts left from the Golden Age, the expeditionary force identified the system's name as the Petacanas System.

"Your Majesty, we've received a message," the chief of communications reported to the Emperor.

"What message?" the Emperor asked.

"A warning message."

"A warning message?"

The chief of communications nodded and sent the received message to the Emperor's personal database.

As the Emperor reviewed the warning message, the Raven perched on his shoulder also saw it and read it aloud.

[

To our human brethren who receive this message, please do not proceed further.

Petacanas has become a hellscape, overrun by twisted and wicked things. It is no longer a home for humanity.

]

Thanks to the following readers for their tips: Five Elements Delusional Demon Realm, One Wei What, Emperor's Herald, Annihilation Light Domain, and Chaos Chosen Azaan. Thank you very much.