Capital of the Provence Sector, Provence System.
Governor Seth stood within the towering governor's palace, staring worriedly toward Mandeville Point. Ever since the crusade fleet sent to suppress the heretics had been completely annihilated in the Star Sea Galaxy,
his brow had remained tightly furrowed, his eyes filled with endless anxiety and unease. He knew that those heretics were far stronger than they had imagined, and as governor, he had to bear the responsibility of defending the Provence Sector.
Seth drew a deep breath, trying to calm the fear in his heart. He recalled that disastrous expedition from several years ago, filled with self-reproach and regret.
If he had planned the operation more carefully back then, if he had better understood the enemy's strength, perhaps the outcome would have been different.
But time could not be turned back. He could only face reality. Seth understood that the most important thing now was to act, strengthen the defenses of the Provence Sector, and prepare for threats that might arrive.
Especially after reports came from several systems near the Star Sea Galaxy that those damned heretics had begun launching large-scale attacks upon Imperial territory, with nearby systems falling one after another, Seth grew even more worried.
The Provence Sector could no longer send troops to retake those Imperial worlds occupied by the heretics. They could only watch helplessly as those heretics continued their assault on Imperial territory.
This devout fanatic loyal to the Emperor felt incomparably furious and disappointed. He believed that if he could not offer his strength to the Emperor, then after his death, he would lose the right to enter the Golden Throne.
Filled with resentment and dissatisfaction, he cursed loudly at the sky. "Damn those High Lords! They only care about their own interests, endlessly fighting among themselves.