The Past of Lycaeus (1)

More than three years ago, Lycaeus.

That day was an unforgettable one for the Lycaeus people; it was an apocalyptic day, a day that felt like the end of the world.

On that day, the golden giant, with his golden army, took away their leader of rebellion.

But a few days later, their leader returned.

For the Lycaeus, the moment Corax returned, their shattered ideals were rekindled.

However, unlike before, this time when Corax returned, he was accompanied by another person.

He was a man as tall as Corax.

Like Corax, he was dressed in a full set of black armor.

The only difference was that the black-armored giant had a red armband on his shoulder.

The armband has eight square patterns drawn on it.

Some people say that it is written language.

But they didn't know each other.

Meanwhile, there is also a gold scale embroidery on the armband.

On that scale, a heart rests on one side, and a sword on the other.

At first, they thought it was reinforcements that Corax had found outside.

Or rather, they were minions sent by that evil, golden-armored giant.

But as time went on, they discovered that everything was not as they had imagined.

As long as Corax didn't speak, the black-armored giant did nothing and said nothing.

The black-armored giant would only speak when Corax made a request.

They were incredibly economical with words.

Fortunately, everything returned to normal with Corax's return.

As for that black-armored giant?

He was as if he didn't exist.

The other party will only be present when Corax goes to dangerous places or faces dangerous enemies.

Usually, the other party remains silent and simply observes how things unfold.

Some say the other side is considering the Planet and their leader.

But nobody believed it.

It's important to know that their leader is a unique, wise, and powerful being.

Until one day three years ago.

The black-armored giant spoke for the first time.

His very first words were sarcastic.

Yes, mockery.

He mocked every aspect of Lycaeus.

From the economy and culture to the political system and the law.

That's right.

It's the law.

He mocked the Law that Corax had revised from the very first sentence to the very last.

Ultimately, a conclusion was reached.

"The vague pronouncements on governance concerning people's livelihoods and the hesitant, ambiguous handling of criminal cases are nothing short of a Frankenstein's monster, and the most useless of all."

The language was not harsh; it was calm and objective, but the problems it pointed out went straight to the root of the issue.

Everyone at the meeting was furious.

This is because it is the first and largest meeting since Lycaeus's rebirth.

But their anger was not directed at Samir.

It's about themselves.

I hate my own powerlessness.

"Samir, new things take time to learn and grow."

"Corax, this Planet is new, but you are different. You are the Primarch, Demigod. Use the wisdom in your mind and think carefully."

Then, the meeting turned into a debate.

Or rather, it was a simple rebuttal.

Yes, refuted.

Samir's one-sided rebuttal to Corax.

"Alright, Samir, according to the current Evernight Code of the Imperium of Man..."

"Blindly copying won't solve the problem, Corvus Corax."

Full name.

This was the first time Samir had called him by his full name since arriving in Lycaeus.

Corax looked at Samir.

His eyes looked strange.

Doubt, resentment, and a hint of anger.

"You know what, Corax, you're just like the Grand Inquisitor, practically identical."

Grand Inquisitor?

This was the first time this taciturn veteran of the Shadowbat Guard had mentioned this title.

"The Grand Inquisitor of Nostramo, Scions of the Father of Night, his only true successor, Minister of Imperial Department of Justice, the most rational and impartial Judge in the entire Imperium."

Hiss!

Such a high rating!

Although Samir didn't talk much, Corax knew him.

He has an arrogant and disdainful attitude.

As for why the other party was so arrogant, Corax had no idea.

The only thing we can know is the source of his pride.

Father of Night.

And yet again, the Father of Night.

The young man who let him leave without a word, who had the Imperium IV Legion wait outside Lycaeus, and who had Samir follow him.

The young man who even the Emperor of Mankind who forcibly took him away did not stop.

"What does this have to do with your current nitpicking criticism?"

Is this nitpicking?

Certainly.

Extremely nitpicky!

"I told you, you and the Grand Inquisitor are very similar, like twins cut from the same mold."

"I know you don't like me comparing you to the Grand Inquisitor, but I want to tell you that the Father of Night has high hopes for you."

"Whether as the Primarch of the Imperium or the Chief Archon of Lycaeus, he has always had complete faith in you."

"Throughout the entire Imperium, you are the only Primarch who, after arriving on Terra, was allowed to leave by the Father of Night himself. He values you highly."

But your performance was less than satisfactory.

"Then... what should I do, Mr. Samir Thrans?"

Hehehe, Corax has learned his lesson.

It seems the little bit I learned from the Father of Night is quite useful.

You need to learn, starting with the basics.

Study?

The most basic?

You want me to govern Planet?

"I'm not teaching you how to govern Planet; I'm merely offering advice based on what I learned from the Father of Night."

"The first point of this suggestion can be summed up in three words."

"What?"

"The Scouring."

"Ideals are far more important than violence; I'm not one of those scumbags in the Tech Guild."

"Haha! Do you know why the Father of Night values you so much?"

Why?

"Because I am the Primarch, I am Demigod of humanity?"

"No, no, no, Your Excellency Corvus, you are exactly like the great Father of Night; you are both idealists!"

Idealist?

"I can't tell."

"Because you are not mature enough yet, you naively believe that ideals and beliefs are the pillars of everything."

Isn't that so?

"Then let me ask you, which is more important, the throne or one's beliefs?"

"It's about belief, of course."

"Then why do you want to destroy the person sitting on the throne on this Planet?"

"Why expel the overseers of the Tech Guild?"

"This is a victory for ideals and beliefs."

"That's one answer, but more importantly, only when you stand tall and have a strong enough fist can you spread your ideals and beliefs, and only then can you protect that faint flame."

"So, which is more important, the throne or one's beliefs?"

Corax fell silent; he didn't know how to respond.

It seems you haven't been paying attention in class.

"Those idealistic politicians taught you lofty ideals, but they didn't tell you that the fertile ground for ideals is always reality, and you haven't figured that out."

"This is not a good thing."