Daga, Kotu Walu

Tzeentch once again invited The Emperor to become a god, laying the contract before him. As long as he signed his name, the fifth divine throne would be his.

"Then you will exist in the past, exist in the present, exist in the future, exist in every destroyed and undestroyed universe. In this Milky Way that is about to shatter, this is the best ending..." Tzeentch said meaningfully.

It sounded incredibly tempting, but The Emperor merely looked at Tzeentch expressionlessly and replied, one word at a time.

"But I refuse."

"Oh~ How romantic~ A god whose authority is to destroy all things decides to protect humanity? You have successfully caught my attention~" Slaanesh said blissfully, covering her mouth. "Come to my palace? Or should I move here? We will become wonderful neighbors. Intimate friends who can talk about anything and do anything together~"

"Hahaha..." Tzeentch seemed to have expected that answer long ago. He smilingly withdrew the contract and said meaningfully, "You can refuse now, but how much longer can you hold out?"

The four gods vanished, and the darkness shrouding The Emperor's eyes receded. He could now see Rogal Dorn, Vulkan, and Valdor standing beneath the throne in a daze.

Rogal Dorn suffered because he had failed to help The Emperor. Vulkan suffered over his brother Magnus's helplessness. Valdor suffered because he had learned too many secrets of darkness.

"You may withdraw first... Let me speak with Valdor..."

The Emperor's voice was like a storm, yet this was already the result of him doing his utmost to control his power. Countless sufferings were pushing The Emperor toward godhood, and to prevent that power from spiraling out of control, Malcador's contingency plan had to be carried out.

Religion would anchor what little humanity remained in The Emperor. A god who