The Ethereals, meanwhile, were far older.
Even Commander Shadowsun was only awakened at the most critical moments.
Although the Tau Empire had been cultivating commanders as exceptional as Shadowsun, Farsight, and Qingxi,
even commanders as outstanding as them were still exceedingly rare within the Tau Empire.
As the Tau Empire's influence expanded, the struggles between the hawks, the doves, and every other faction grew increasingly intense. Though Aun'Va was an Ethereal of the Tau Empire, he did not believe that his prestige alone could keep every faction in the Tau Empire from making a move.
The future predicted by the Greater Good might arrive very soon.
Aun'Va had no choice but to make a series of plans for the Tau Empire's future.
"Shadowsun. I need to tell you some secrets about the dark curse—no, I should say, Chaos."
An Inquisition acolyte
stood before a window adorned with lavish decorations.
Behind him, three enforcers and a powerfully built high noble knelt trembling on the floor.
The silk goods laid out before him were clearly not among the Imperium's luxury products. Mixed in with them were gaudy yet loathsome xenos crafts, as well as a large number of heretical books hidden away in secret, all blaspheming against the Imperium.
Their contents included vast amounts of heretical doctrine and disloyal rhetoric opposing the Imperium.
They were the finest evidence.
"Governor Leons, you colluded with the Tau Empire and hoarded so many blasphemous items. It seems you have long been dissatisfied with the Imperium."
"I didn't! You're framing me! I can't even read! I'm only an heir!"
"Inquisitor Lorne, you should take a look at this."
Listening to Governor Leons's excuses, the Inquisitor's assistant knew these planetary governors' character all too well. Only when they knew they were about to die did they display