A Passing Dark Prelate

When the bitter war ended, the southern bank of Dennis City, which straddled the Formica River, was reduced to ruins. Repeated and prolonged heavy bombardment and shelling left behind massive craters and trenches filled with the remains of mutated Infested Terran, their various postures mingled together, piled high like mountains.

UNN correspondents fainted several times because they had never seen such a horrific scene.

Whether commoners or entrepreneurs, whether born beautiful or ugly, they have all become bloated monsters with proliferating limbs and covered in chitinous shells and wormholes. As for how they dealt with their former brethren, one only needs to look at the spread-out rotten flesh and pulp to understand.

Anyone who witnessed all of this might not be able to eat meat for a long time, while the Imperial veterans were largely unaffected. If others thought it was hell, it was only because they hadn't seen anything far worse.

On the Formica River, the steel bridge that once spanned the river has sunk into the water, left to be washed away by the shallow river. The other half of the city is also devastated, bearing the scars of a brutal war.

Summer days are long and nights are short, and the forests and vegetation are lush. If left unattended, it won't be long before everything here is naturally reclaimed.

On the 14th of that month, the Imperial army used solid gas to burn the land, which had been ravaged by Creep and disease, repeatedly with flames, and then sprayed medicine on the scorched earth to prevent the plague from reigniting beneath the soil.

On the 15th, good news came one after another. According to the tracking and detection reports from the science ship, the Griffin Swarm began a large-scale withdrawal from the invaded planet, and the Psi Crusher was the direct cause of this action.

That afternoon, Emperor Augustus announced that the crisis on twelve planets, including Formica, had been resolved, and the Empire would send more troops, scientists, and engineers to help these planets complete their reconstruction.

A series of victories earned the emperor widespread praise from the people.

On the 16th, the new Formica immigration government and Senate were reorganized at the behest of Emperor Augustus, with former Formica chief senator Paulson appointed as Imperial Governor. Paulson was already the leader of Formica, so this appointment was widely expected.

Clearly, the Emperor had no intention of placing his trusted confidants in Formica. As long as an army was maintained in Formica, Formica there remained within manageable limits.

On the 17th, the Governor of the Formica Empire amended Formica law, declaring the Imperial Shock Troopers the official primary armed force of the colony, replacing the Formica Confederacy Planetary Defense Force. To ensure the security of local star systems, the construction plans for two Imperial Marine Corps military bases and a naval airport were also approved by the Senate, and bidding was opened to all Formica construction companies.

At the same time, conscription was enshrined in Formica's laws in accordance with the principles of the Imperial Constitution. Every Formica citizen was required to serve sixteen months in the Imperial Shock Troopers, and would be conscripted again after their discharge.

It is important to note that the Imperial Shock Troopers are not militia, but a regular army. They are not part of the Marine Corps or Navy. They are independent of the Imperial Marine Corps and are funded by additional grants from the Imperial Treasury.

The difference is that Marines are contract-based professional soldiers. They have better equipment, serve longer, and face more dangers. It is an extremely dangerous profession. Besides internal separatist forces and terrorists, the Empire's enemies may one day find themselves fighting in a bug pit or a Protoss temple.

Generally speaking, the Imperial Marine Corps ' main battlefield is the stars and the sea, while the Stormtroopers stay behind. However, if the Emperor of the Terran Empire deems it necessary, the Imperial Shock Troopers recruited from all over the world will become an unparalleled and massive armed force.

Warfield was the undisputed leader of the Imperial Navy, Raynor the Marines, and Londerstein served as Chief of the General Staff. The commander of the newly formed Imperial Shock Troopers was the renowned Prince Arcturus Mengsk, making it hard to believe that the Emperor did not favor personal relationships in this appointment.

Both the Stormtroopers and the Imperial Marine Corps established a recruit training camp on the scorched earth, recruiting local soldiers to build Formica's future defense forces. On the first day alone, about three thousand new recruits enlisted, mostly from the Marines.

The formal incorporation of Formica into the Terran Empire did not cause a major uproar, after all, the people there owe half their lives to the Empire. Even if they had objections, they dared not speak out now.

By the 22nd, the Griffin Swarm had completely withdrawn from the invaded planet.

After that, Emperor Augustus faded from public view. However, he remained in Formica and was in no hurry to return to Korhal. Some claimed that the compassionate emperor was visiting the various cities of Formica, which were in dire need of reconstruction, and he always appeared worried.

On the 23rd, when Augustus arrived in the southern part of Denis in casual clothes, a light drizzle had just passed, and the cobblestone streets and alleys were instantly clear.

Dennis City is a city built amidst tranquil forests and rivers, seemingly perched atop a garden. Dennis is the name of one of the Formica's ancestors, who may have simply been a taciturn farmer from another nearby colony.

Now, the citizens of Dennis City have decided to name the city after Emperor Augustus.

Walking through the city streets, one sees bustling scenes of houses being repaired or neighborhoods being expanded. The construction workers are all from Formica, and among them, one can also spot Imperial engineers.

The Formica people are highly talented in architecture and wood carving. They are generally hardworking, resilient, and creative, and they always do things well and quickly.

Soon, the new urban area began to take shape. Around the well-connected main roads, residential blocks, shops, banks, schools, and gymnasiums were springing up. There was a thriving scene here, but there were also gloomy corners.

People had barely buried their family and friends when they wiped away their tears and began building new homes. Compared to those worlds reduced to ruins by the invasion of the Griffin Swarm, Formica was undoubtedly fortunate.

Many people resolved to leave this place of sorrow and seek a way out elsewhere on the planet. Formica is fertile land, and people can always survive if they work hard.

The city took in the remaining people, but it was still overcrowded, and the local health authorities were deeply concerned about the dense population gathering under the shadow of the Zerg plague.

But until new homes are built and new farms and ranches are cultivated, the Formica people have no choice but to accept this cramped and impoverished life, which resembles a slum. In the past two weeks, Formica has lost almost everything: a generation of young people aged 16 to 20, and their homes.

In the words of the first generation of pioneers in Formica, when they first arrived here, all they had were axes.

Augustus and his entourage headed straight for the western part of Dennis City, where refugees lived. It was a dangerous place, teeming with all sorts of homeless people and those looking to make an ill-gotten gain.

However, the emperor's security was handled flawlessly. At the slightest sign of trouble, a group of ghostly figures of the Führer would leap out from the left, and plainclothes Ogrub agents would appear from the right. Dark Templar would even rain down from the sky.

In general, Narud, who is close to Augustus, is the biggest threat, but he is actually the safest until he achieves his goal. Narud will definitely scheme against Augustus, but it's not time to completely break ties yet.

In fact, Narud has believed until now that he has perfectly concealed his true identity.

"Displaced, lacking food and clothing." Augustus walked along the streets filled with sewage, looking at the dilapidated red brick houses and clothes drying on rusty iron railings. "Why haven't they gone to the refugee camps we set up?"

This area was no different from the slums that Augustus had seen in Tarsonis, where people lived in dilapidated shacks or even cardboard boxes, except that at least here they could see the sunlight.

Most of the people living here come from the southern part of Dennis City and were forced to flee here.

In the past, although both were part of the same city, the south was much wealthier than the north. Now, the Zerg have completely destroyed the entire southern city, while the north has not only been preserved relatively intact but has also gained a head start in the era of economic recovery.

Many people died in the south, and the survivors were almost destitute. Even though the people in the north took them in during the most critical time, their inner imbalance caused the conflict between the two sides to grow stronger.

It was nearing noon, and the able-bodied men had long since gone out to find work, leaving behind only women, children, and the elderly. Their quality of life was terrible; they ate only muddy protein distributed by the Imperial Army and were covered with cheap military blankets.

But these people hadn't lost hope; in fact, they were more energetic than anyone Augustus had ever seen in any slum. Everyone was busy, and strangers were constantly coming and going. Apart from those eyeing the thieves, no one really stared at Augustus.

There are many people here: an old butcher selling canned goods, a young lumberjack preparing to bundle firewood for a barbecue restaurant, and women wearing headscarves who sell their bodies.

It wasn't difficult for them to recognize Augustus. This was no longer the era of rebellion, when he was a fugitive hiding in exile. Augustus long since stopped wearing his easily concealed mask. The emperor believed that he didn't need to hide himself when traveling on the lands he ruled.

No one expected the Emperor of the Terran Empire to come to this impoverished little place at this time; he should have been sitting in an exquisite chair, sipping tea and exchanging pleasantries with politicians and bureaucrats.

In the eyes of the Formica, the Terran Empire no longer seemed like a newly established regime, but a true empire with a powerful army. The Mengsk Family was not a newly emerging royal family either; they seemed to have ruled the empire for many years.

"Refugee resettlement sites aren't a long-term solution; ultimately, the people here don't trust us," Kerrigan said. "Besides, there are many jobs in the city; those who can endure hardship can find a way out after a while."

"That's only human nature." Augustus knew that human nature was complex; even in the past, there were many who opposed the Mengsk Family in Korhal. Most people surviving on the Edge World didn't trust the government or the military because they had already suffered enough from them.

"But that's good too. An empire should be built by those who believe in their own hands."

As the empire expands, Formica's position on interstellar shipping routes will become increasingly important. Long ago, water transport brought trade; now, interstellar caravans are bringing prosperity in the same way.

The most difficult task was establishing a unified system across such a vast territory, ensuring that everyone recognized the empire's legal system.

"Everyone believes that under your rule, the Terran Empire will prosper forever." Dr. Narud was dressed in a well-tailored black suit, and his leather shoes were polished to a shine.

Each time he stepped through the dirty mud and puddles of the streets, the Doctor would roll up his trousers high and walk carefully. Narud never hid his disgust for it; if he were in Tarsonis, he would definitely be a born nobleman.

Besides, Narud was indeed a gentleman of great taste, with high standards for his life and a disdain for the vulgar Tychus and his ilk.

"This is the most unquestionable thing in the world, Doctor." Tychus Finley wasn't smoking; instead, he was chewing gum. It wasn't that he had quit smoking, but rather that he had run out of money again.

"Gentlemen, look! This is the cane that Governor Pasha used, this is the handkerchief he used, this is the wooden pipe he used, and here is a piece of his skull." At this moment, a small child who was setting up a stall caught Augustus's attention. He was probably eleven or twelve years old, small in stature but quite sturdy.

Dennis's factory didn't want child laborers like that, but the carpenters who made furniture liked to take on such apprentices. Formica's craftsmanship was mostly passed down from generation to generation in this way.

He had grey eyes and light-colored hair, a look that reminded Augustus of his nephew Valerian. But that boy had now moved into the palace of Korhal and, as the son of Prince Arcturus, was adored by the palace servants.

"You're lying. You must have picked this up from the junkyard to fool people here." Tychus Finley looked it over and shook his head. You couldn't see a trace of sympathy in those fierce blue eyes.

"If I were you, I would definitely run into the rich neighborhoods and steal something valuable, then sell it to Imperial Army officers outside."

"We don't see any soldiers, they never come here, big guy." The boy was wearing a dirty, tattered plaid shirt and seemed completely unafraid of Tychus.

His eyes were filled with wariness.

The boy is right; the Imperial Army is not allowed to be stationed in cities. Although you can see Imperial soldiers on leave in bars, cinemas, and opera houses, their garrisons are always clearly separated from residential areas.

"I'll tell you the way." Tychus himself was no good, and he would never teach anyone to be good.

"Tychus, you never do anything that involves people." Augustus walked up to Tychus.

"What about your parents? Have they been registered in your household?"

The child stared at Augustus for a moment without speaking. "Why should I tell you?"

"Here's a bag of chocolates, take it and have some." Dr. Narud handed the child a piece of dark chocolate wrapped in a handkerchief.

"The Tarsonis property is very valuable."

"I am Mai (an Imperial agent from the Valerian era in the official novel Evolution). My whole family died, and then I chopped their heads off one by one. Do you understand? Back then, everyone in the building turned into one of those monsters, and they all wanted to eat me," the child said.

"That was a nightmare." Augustus looked at him intently.

"Why not go to the settlements in the Terran Empire? They provide shelter and food for children like you, and they'll do everything they can to ensure you get an education."

"I've been there, but I ran away. It's full of people like me, and I don't like it." Mai must be very individualistic; his eyes are actually very beautiful, but also dangerous.

"I think the most crucial point is, why are these monsters chasing after you to bite you? Child, perhaps there's some alluring scent on you that attracts them," Dr. Narud said meaningfully.

"You are looking for your kind."

"A Psionics," Kerrigan said.

"Hey kid, where are you going?" Tychus grabbed the boy who was trying to run away.

"Let me go! You bastard!" Mai shouted.

"Shut up if you know I'm a bad guy." Tychus thought he was pretty good at disciplining kids, "Watch out or I'll flick your little dick."

"Hmm, wait a minute." Augustus still wanted to ask him some questions:

But then, a Dark Templar wearing a tattered purple robe appeared before Augustus. Upon closer inspection, it was none other than the long-lost Dark Prelate Zeratul.

Only Zeratul could move so freely.

"What brings you here, Elder Zeratul?" Kerrigan was quite used to this; theoretically, she was practically Zeratul's student.

"You... you... you--" Dr. Narud was startled, his face turning ashen.

"Hello, human." Zeratul glanced at Narud.

Augustus received no word that Zeratul was looking for him. Of course, the Dark Prelate would never give prior notice if he wanted to find someone.

"Alright, Zeratul, you need to tell me first whether you have good news or bad news."

Thank you for your concern.

To give you an update, I'm suffering from severe insomnia, and I recently had a fever for a day, which has completely disrupted my usual sleep schedule and routine, making things quite bad.

Of course, if I had a draft saved up, this situation wouldn't have happened; I brought this trouble upon myself.