The Judgment of Nicaea

Tap, tap.

As the scepter struck the granite floor, an elderly man in black robes stepped forward, meeting Magnus's bewildered gaze.

Malcador the Sigilite, Imperium Prime Minister, Psyker.

He was also the host of this Council of Nicaea.

"Friends, we have gathered here today on Nikaea to discuss a problem that has troubled us since the founding of the Imperium."

In front of the countless dark-skinned Imperium bureaucrats and Astartes warriors, Malcador examined his speech, frowning and squinting as if inspecting a piece of parchment that was somewhat illegible.

"Now let's get straight to the point," Malcador said. "This gathering will discuss the problem of witchcraft within the Imperium. Gentlemen, we are here to address the Librarian crisis."

It's rather comical that a top-tier Wizard is presiding over this meeting in front of another top-tier Wizard whose appearance is so obscured that it's impossible to even make out his features.

If the Emperor hadn't previously revealed his intentions to those Astartes and Primarch, who would have dared to step forward and say a word against it?

Within this circular theater, Malcador's voice echoed continuously.

"Etc!"

"What exactly is the purpose of this meeting? Aren't our Librarian functioning very well?"

Seeing the intense anger emanating from the Emperor, Magnus felt a chill run down his spine.

His intuition told him that this was not a simple meeting, but a trial for him, Magnus.

Standing in the center of the circular stage, he finally understood what the Emperor meant by the trial.

This is a trial for him, Magnus!

—He finally noticed that.

But no one paid any attention to him.

Or rather, what Magnus actually thought is no longer important.

"The problem with Librarian has been bothering us for a long time: some insist that witchcraft is the greatest threat we face in our galactic domination, while others disagree and believe that the accusations are driven by fear and ignorance."

"As the Great Crusade progressed, the clash between these two ideas became increasingly intense."

"The great journey we have embarked on is of paramount importance and must not be threatened by internal strife."

As the Imperium Prime Minister, Malcador has been using various means to prevent discord within the Great Crusade.

However, the act of choosing to believe in the Weaver of Fates Carlos and regarding him as the Imperial Two-Headed Eagle is indeed quite appalling.

There's no way to save it now, even if we wanted to.

"So, who would like to be the first to speak?"

Malcador took the parchment from his hand and looked around the rotunda.

"I'll do it!"

A flickering light emanated from one of the private rooms at the front.

The alias dissipated, and only then could Magnus see the other's true appearance—thick, bluish-gray wolf pelts covered a gray armor resembling thunderclouds. And on the head was a howling wolf's head pelt.

Runepriest of the Space Wolves Legion step into the amphitheater.

"I am Oshvold Meik of the Space Wolves. I fought alongside the Thousand Sons on Bero. I fought them side by side in battle, and everything they did shocked and disgusted me!"

"I declare them to be a group of dark Sorcerer, each of them Wizard who is skilled in witchcraft and abuses unclean magic."

"I swear by the name of the son of Lemanrus, everything I have said is true."

Unlike Runepriest wield the power of nature, these Thousand Sons guys have clearly fallen completely!

It's hopeless!

Faced with the Runepriest's accusations, Magnus confidently raised his head, dismissing them with disdain.

What era are we living in?

People today are smart enough not to be manipulated by the superstitions and fears of magic held by the Space Wolves.

But when he looked around, the sight of the entire dark crowd of onlookers nodding slightly and glaring at him made Magnus somewhat uneasy.

Could it be

In fact, the majority of the Imperium of Man were wary and distrustful of Psychic Power, and Magnus, as a pioneer, was in the minority.

—That's not actually the case.

People simply don't trust Magnus, not Psychic Power.

Don't confuse the two.

Malcador stood on the edge of the platform, tapping the ground with his cane. All eyes were on him.

"You've made terrible accusations against your Brotherhood, Runepriest," Malcador said. "Is there anyone who supports your claims?"

Yes, I am.

Amidst the hushed gasps and whispers of the crowd, the mask was removed from another private room, and a lanky giant clad in olive-green armor emerged.

Mortarion.

Magnus's brother was not surprised that this man was here.

Mortarion would certainly support the Runepriest's claim, even though the power he used was merely a manifestation of Psychic Power.

As the previous person returned to their seat, Mortarion walked toward the center of the amphitheater.

Whether intentional or unintentional, the Lord of Death took exactly twenty-eight steps from stepping out of the box to entering the center of the theater to begin his speech.

Multiples of seven.

Even the Pale King, who absolutely despises the existence of Psychic Power, seems to be guided by numerology, and he always accepts his strange laws in an obsessive way, insisting that they are science.

Runepriest, Numerology.

How many more psionic users, disguised as Psychic Power users, will stand up and criticize him at this time?

A feeling of extreme resentment grew in Magnus's heart.

Seeing that his brother's anger was still burning fiercely, Mortarion did not feel much guilt.

He seemed to be enjoying his brother's discontent and resentment, bowing briefly to the Emperor before beginning his speech.

"The problem of Wizard has plagued the Imperium of Man since ancient times."

Mortarion spoke at length, his hoarse voice like the dry hiss of hot wind sweeping across the sand dunes.

"I have witnessed the devastation that unbound witchcraft can cause: the world turned to scorched earth, the common people enslaved, and vile beasts poisoning all things. Witchcraft can destroy planets, and those who abuse it are those who are arrogant and covet the dark corners they should not touch."

As he said this, he met Magnus's extremely defiant gaze.

"We all know the horrors of the Ancient Night, but I'll ask a simple question: What triggered that cataclysm that swept across the entire galaxy? It was the Psyker. Uncontrolled Psyker. The threat they posed."

As someone who had meticulously prepared his speech well in advance, Mortarion's speech was passionate and full of his own style.

He bitterly denounced how, since the Dark Age of Technology, Psyker have abused witchcraft for their own selfish desires, recklessly venturing into extreme situations without regard for the dangers, causing immense harm to the Imperium of Man.

Seemingly to avoid negatively impacting the Astropaths and Navigator Houses, who were equally crucial in the voting, he specifically distinguished between "having to use Psychic Power" and "abusing Psychic Power in pursuit of power."

The criticism is directed at wicked Wizard like Magnus who indiscriminately unleash magic.

He then recounted his experiences fighting the sorcerous Xenos —monsters summoned by Xenos Wizard named Kayor. No power comes without a price, and with each victory, the Death Guard gradually discovered the cost of sorcery.

In the heart of every city they conquered, the Death Guard discovered a massive structure known as the Blood Sanctuaries.

It was a slaughterhouse filled with bones and death, a place that even the most steadfast Death Guard found disgusting.

After each Blood Sanctuaries was destroyed, the power of those sorcerer Xenos gradually weakened.

"They had no intention of surrendering, and thus fought to the last man, annihilated for a group of rulers who could not relinquish their power and witchcraft. To this day, Kayor's memory still makes me tremble."

"The glorious achievements of the Thousand Sons Legion are known to all. I once led my warriors to fight alongside the sons of Magnus, and we forged a deep friendship and trust. My words are not born of hatred, but from my brotherly affection for Magnus."

"I cannot stand idly by and watch his obsession lead him astray, dragging him and his legions into the cursed abyss."

"That's all I wanted to say."

Mortarion said

But soon, Magnus could sense just how strong Mortarion's last words about "brotherhood" were.

Three hours after the Runepriest and Mortarion, countless Imperium bureaucrats stepped forward to give speeches, raising one accusation or another.

Some of this is quite reasonable, a point even Magnus himself acknowledged.

After all, he had also resorted to some less-than-honorable means in his pursuit of knowledge and truth.

But some of it was utter nonsense—those stubborn, dogmatic, superstitious, and outdated people, according to Magnus, these mortals didn't even have the right to speak on stage, but they still came forward one after another to give long speeches. They insisted that Magnus was a heretic, Sorcerer, a blood mage, a troublemaker, someone who disliked the Centaur gold ring, and a virgin sacrificer.

Faced with such serious and biased accusations, it is now time for Magnus to refute them.

"In your words, I seem to be accused of being an unpardonable sinner."

"But if any of us could go back to the ancient days of Terra, people would surely condemn you with the same accusations, believing that the technology we possess is evil magic and the truth I hold is heresy."

Magnus walked away from behind the podium, circling the amphitheater like a Preacher giving a lecture.

"For example, the people who once lived on Terra believed that the ancient Earth was a flat plane with oceans cascading down its sides. Can you imagine anything more absurd? Today we all know that planets are spheres."

"Long afterward, religious scholars still claimed that the Earth was the center of the universe, and that the sun, moon and stars revolved around it. Those who dared to question this foolish idea were condemned as heretics and put on trial, either forced to abandon this thought or burned at the stake."

"And now we know our place in the galaxy."

"The deepest pursuits often breed the most deadly hatred," he continued, his expression sincere. "Falsehoods are not only ugly, but they also pollute the minds of those who listen. Imagine what knowledge we will have a thousand years from now, and then carefully examine our actions in the present."

"Knowledge is the food of the soul. No knowledge is illegitimate, as long as every seeker of truth can master what he has learned."

"If I have any fault, it is my pursuit of knowledge."

Then Magnus told everyone present a story, a—uh

Okay, it's Plato's Allegory of the Cave.

(Honestly, these authors are really careless. They've used this plot point so many times. They used it on Perturabo, then on Magnus.)

In short, there were three frogs in a well. One of them jumped out of the well and discovered that the real world was not only the size of the well opening. So it excitedly went back and reported the news to its other two companions.

But the two companions remained unmoved—they lived underground, so what did it matter if the outside world was really that vast? They only wished their lives would remain unchanged.

In this story, he compares himself to someone who dares to go out and explore, to highlight his greatness in wanting to broaden people's horizons and help them understand the truth.

But he clearly suffered the same fate—distrusted and regarded as a heretic by the people in the well, yet he still would not give up bringing light to everyone.

He said it very well.

If the light he spoke of wasn't the Weaver of Fates Carlos, then Kasgar might actually have been fooled by him.

Magnus's brilliant ending swept through the entire amphitheater, and thunderous applause erupted. Even Fulgrim and Sanguinius stood up to applaud and celebrate with him.

Behind them, Raldoron and Kasgar exchanged a helpless glance, then stood up and applauded enthusiastically.

Kasgar: "."

Kasgar: "Are you really going to keep acting like this?"

Magnus was already a fool, and you're still making fun of him!

"Ouch."

At that very moment, Kasgar felt an elbow strike from the Warmaster.

Fulgrim: "Kasgar, shut up, don't ruin my plans!"

Although Magnus's speech was almost perfect, the Emperor on the high platform did not seem to be moved by it.

Emperor: "So, the knowledge and truth you brought us are the words of Weaver of Fates Carlos?"

He certainly wanted to ask that question, but at this moment he couldn't reveal too much information about Chaos to the public.

But Magnus raised his hand to silence the applause, his smile radiating confidence.

Unbearable.

Honestly, what he really wanted to do right now was to go up and slap this arrogant bastard twice, and then slap himself too.

As Primarch, they all embody some of the Emperor's personality traits.

This made the Emperor feel even more embarrassed.

It seemed the time had come for Magnus's supporters to strike back, and a warrior threw off his mask and jumped out.

"I, Borjigin Yesugei to say," the warrior said, his voice rough and hoarse, with a heavy accent, the devoicing of the final consonant and the shortening of the vowel clearly indicating Chogoris accent.

"I guide my words with truth. I swear by the honor of my tribe that if I have lied, may my brothers tear out my heart."

"The warriors chosen by the Storm Seer are not evil, nor is the power they wield. It is a weapon, like a Land Raider or a Boltgun. Psyker must be shaped and honed by skilled craftsmen, just as a sword is forged by a blacksmith. To generalize and regard Psyker as evil is to forget the original purpose for which the Imperium used Psychic Power."

Immediately afterwards, one after another, people from the boxes tore off their masks and went to the front to plead for Magnus.

Dark Angels, Salamanders, Night Lords, Ultramarines, and Imperial Fists, one after another.

Magnus recognized them; they were the Chief Librarian within each legion, a total of twelve people.

"Twelve men stand before you," Magnus said with a smile. "How fitting. Just as all the ancient gods were served by twelve knights, so too are we."

The Chief Librarian knelt before the Emperor, heads bowed, as Ahriman observed the patterns on their respective robes.

"Elicas, Zarost, Promus, Umojan. They are the chief Chief Librarian of their respective legions."

The idea was excellent, and even the Emperor nodded meaningfully at the Librarian's pleas.

But he seemed to have forgotten that among the eighteen legions, there was also a Librarian.

That Librarian has only one member.

"I'm sorry, Magnus," Kasgar corrected, stepping forward to complete the final step of the numerology. "It's thirteen."

As for Kasgar, who proposed holding the meeting in Nikaea, will he support Magnus?

Of course I support you!

Kasgar stepped forward and explained to the group the story of how the golden Centaur Spirit had provided them with protection, defending the use of Psychic Power in a more pragmatic way.

After saying all this, Kasgar hugged Magnus with a smile, just like two brothers.

We're made with thick rice, aren't we?

Hahaha!

Meeting Magnus's grateful yet seemingly foolish gaze, Kasgar felt a long-lost sense of guilt.

I'm sorry, Fulgrim, I was wrong.

It's really fun to tease idiots.

Emperor: "."

He watched in silence as Kasgar performed on stage. This man, who had initially advocated capturing Casca directly in Nikaea and throwing him into the Black Prison dungeon of the palace to be guarded by Black Corn, was now chatting and laughing merrily with Magnus.

After both sides had finished speaking, the host Malcador, adjourned the meeting.

Magnus was escorted to a hall next to the amphitheater to rest, looking every bit the victor. He was confident that, with the help of the thirteen chief Psyker Chief Librarian, he would definitely win this meeting and ultimately lead the Imperium into a brighter future.

However, what he never knew was that everything was already destined the moment he stepped into Nikaea.

The Emperor convened this meeting primarily to gauge Magnus's attitude—how did this man view Psychic Power? How would he defend himself against accusations of abusing Psychic Power?

—The result was worse than he had imagined.

Magnus himself had not a single regret!

Even though it almost led to irreversible consequences, Magnus still did not reflect on whether he should have deepened his research on Warp.

Not at all.

Why was I deceived and had my trust taken by beings from the Warp?

What does this tell us?

This shows that his research on Psychic Power is still insufficient!

We should continue to increase our research into Warp until we can distinguish which organisms are trustworthy and which are not!

This guy... he's become more determined with each setback he faces!

While everyone returned to their respective lounges to drink water and rest, the Emperor stood motionless on the gleaming pedestal like a golden statue, pondering a plan and countermeasure to deal with Magnus.

What should we do now?

Magnus's ship is clearly a waste of its potential, so what should be done with it now?

The Emperor pondered a solution.

Kasgar's arrival did indeed bring some changes to the world, and also made him aware of more prophecies about what might happen in the future.

Magnus possessed Psychic Power second only to him, but his wisdom was insufficient to enable him to wield this power.

But could the Emperor really imprison Magnus when he had not committed any crimes?

Will the other Primarch have any objections to this?

We are a harmonious and wonderful Primarch family, but please don't ask where the Primarch of Legions Number Two, Eleven, and Fifteen have gone.

[If I ask you, you'll be next]

Even if it's shut down, who's to say this guy won't become a ticking time bomb planted on Terra?

The Emperor had no doubt about Magnus's destructive power.

This guy might break out the day after he's locked up, and then come up and make a historic breakthrough for his Webway.

It's tough.

What should be done with Magnus?

The Emperor was extremely troubled.

"Magnus, brother," Sanguinius said, his voice trembling with emotion. "I'm so sorry, I never imagined this meeting would become your trial."

During halftime, the Primarch were naturally able to communicate privately.

But... are those tear stains on your face for real, Sanguinius?

But Magnus didn't pay attention to this, or rather, his wisdom wasn't enough to see through Sanguinius's acting.

"Don't worry, sisters. I believe the Emperor will give us a fair judgment."

Magnus comforted the other person.

So what if that old dog Leman Russ and Mortarion oppose him?

The Chief Librarian of the thirteen legions, as well as the two Primarch present, Sanguinius and Fulgrim, were all on his side!

Best friend, so loyal!

With the support of his two best friends and Kasgar, his great friend, how could he possibly lose?

Magnus could not imagine why he would lose.

"Don't you think so, Ahriman?"

He smiled happily and patted the Chief Librarian next to him on the shoulder.

Ahriman: "."

Never mind.

He gave up struggling.

Before the absolute power of Emperor, nothing more can be said.

Let the Primarch be happy for a little while longer.

—Although this period of time will not be too long.

For once, Kasgar actually felt a tiny bit of sympathy for the Crimson King.

He desperately wanted to go up and tell him something crucial, something he often overlooked.

Beware of bad women

His mental disability is simply a problem he was born with; it's not his fault.

"Kasgar Sherlock of the Third Legion."

It was an Adeptus Custodes in Golden Armor. After knocking on the door, he peeked into the lounge and said, "His Emperor invites you in."

Emperor?

With doubts in their hearts, Magnus and Ahriman, who was numb and no longer wanted to say anything, watched as the Adeptus Custodes Guard escorted Kasgar away.

A minor incident.

Perhaps the Emperor wanted to ask him about what happened in Interes.

Magnus was still somewhat uneasy about this.

After all, that incident caused quite a stir, and judging from Kasgar's reaction at the time, Magnus had gotten himself into trouble.

But, after all, Kasgar is his good rice!

How could he betray Magnus?

The break time is over.

After discussion and voting, the Emperor rose from his throne.

So far, the God-Emperor of Mankind has been observing the proceedings of this council with a detached eye, listening to everyone's opinions, and weighing the options without revealing his true feelings.

Aside from a brief discussion with Kasgar during one of the breaks, he remained silent and listened to everyone's opinions.

Now he stood at the edge of the platform, where the starlight shone brightly once more, making his armor gleam.

This was the moment he read out the verdict.

"I have walked paths no one knows, and faced nameless beings in the void. I know the secrets and dangers hidden in the darkness. Such things are beyond the comprehension of inferior minds, no matter how powerful or learned they may be. The secrets I have already shared are warnings, not incentives for further exploration. For those who excessively pry into secrets that mortals should not tread, only death and curse await them."

The entire room fell silent. Apart from Kasgar, no one believed that the Emperor would actually cut off all the Legion's Librarian personnel without showing any mercy.

All previous defenses were in vain; the Emperor's verdict still fell on them.

"Those who disregard my admonitions and break their promise to me will surely suffer calamity as retribution. I will regard them as enemies and bring upon them endless destruction, destroy their followers, and imprison their minds in regret, to mourn their foolish acts of turning away from my Radiance, until the day of the end of all things."

It's over.?

It's over.

After this, all research on Psychic Power will cease, except for navigators and Astropath, and all Legion Librarian will be immediately disbanded.

For Magnus, his Psychic Power research would now come to a complete end.

"No, this shouldn't be happening."

He still finds the Emperor's ban unbelievable.

As for whether he will break the rules later and treat the ban as a piece of paper.

Uh... need I say more?

He wouldn't be Magnus if he were to follow the rules!

Of course, still in a daze, he boarded the Stormbird to return, just like the other legions' Chief Librarian and Imperium bureaucrats.

They returned to their respective posts by their own means of transportation.

But for the Emperor, what he just said was only the first half of the trial.

His other verdict has not yet been delivered.

Inside the arena, only the executioner who understood the Emperor's will— Leman Russ —remained, standing motionless alongside the Imperial Talons (the Adeptus Custodes and the Sisters of Silence).

"Leman Russ, seven days."

The Emperor's expression remained unchanged as he announced another verdict.

"Seven days later, Prospero was reduced to ashes."

"Magnus will kneel in the ashes and reflect on his actions."

The Emperor said ruthlessly.