Half a month later.
The Emperor's personal flagship, the Imperial Ambition, descended upon the star system with unparalleled majesty, like a sun driving away the cold of deep space.
Malcador, Chancellor of the Imperium and Sigillite, stood at the Emperor's side like a shadow, leaning on his ancient staff. This wise man had seen through countless plots and betrayals across the galaxy, yet even his deep eyes betrayed a flicker of profound wariness as he gazed through the viewport at the fleet opposite them, known as Dawn.
"My lord, this is far too unusual." Malcador lowered his voice, a glimmer of psychic power flickering at the tip of his staff. "Five hundred highly prosperous colony worlds, possessing many technologies that even the sages of Mars cannot decipher. Yet the moment their leader encountered our vanguard fleet, he voluntarily disarmed every warship and offered to join the Imperium unconditionally."
"In this cruel sea of stars, such lavish gifts do not simply fall into our laps. Unless that gift conceals enough poison to kill the entire Imperium."
Clad in resplendent golden power armour, the Emperor resembled an immortal god. His deep gaze rested silently on the view beyond the viewport, while his vast psychic power swept soundlessly over the fleet like a tsunami. He sensed neither the corruption and stench of Chaos nor the cold malice of xenos. All that existed there was the vibrant flame of human civilization.
"Let us meet him, Malcador." The Emperor's voice was steady as mountains that had stood since time immemorial. "Whatever may be hidden there, the fact that humanity's flame has flourished so greatly in this perilous sea of stars is itself a miracle worth celebrating."
The meeting was arranged in the central hall of the Vengeful Spirit.
When the ruler named Jian Ya