Book 8 – Chapter 51 – Into the heart of the Empire

“You seem pretty at ease just asking them to take on your speeches for you.” I noted, walking down the decorated hallways into the depth of the imperial fortress.

Ahead the Chaptermaster walked, escorted by imperial crusaders on all sides, with us following behind in the center.

Everyone stopped to bow or salute as we passed. I’d gotten somewhat used to that in the clan, especially while wearing Journey. But seeing it from Imperials was something else. Like culture shock in a way. Imperials and pilgrims were always honored guests in the clans, they wouldn’t be expected to salute to anyone other than perhaps Lord Atius himself, and not due to his Lord status but rather being Deathless.

And speaking of shocks, to say this place looked grand would be a disservice to the word grand. Staircases were built everywhere, the levels all interconnected in hundreds of locations, machinery built to draw out ammunition from deeper down into the guns all across the center.

And hundreds of people moving around all of it like ants in an anthill, everyone having their role and direction to play.

“I was never a skilled orator.” Urs said, blue camera irises in his working eyes scanning up and down the world we walked through. “I would do the same in the past; delegate speechcraft to those who were better suited to the task. It worked well. I see little reason it would not here.”

“Well, it certainly worked out. That speech even made me feel amped up.”

“I am honored to hear that, ser knight.” The Chaptermaster said ahead of us, still focused on making his way forward.

Father grunted behind me, while the other clan knights equally kept a stoic gait forward. The hallways here had some kind of black-blue marble flooring, with cracked of white all over. Sturdy enough to hold our weight, and equally massive enough in size for our party to march through without issue.

I had a feeling vehicles would pass through here.

“How different is the fortress since your days?” I asked Urs, more curious if the imperial church had always been this grand.

“The architecture remains the same, the decorations have increased significantly.” Urs answered, “Is there a particular reason for this, Chaptermaster?”

“Goals.” The Chaptermaster answered without pausing in his direction. “We are a religion. The imperial church glorifies the old empire. The people wish to see grandeur and feel connected to something greater. I consider my Chapter to be far more levelheaded than all the other Chapters and Orders within the church, however I would be remiss to not allow my brothers and sisters their sense of pride in what we do. To see the grandeur here, it inspires those who step foot, and gives us all hope in what humanity could be.”

Urs didn’t say anything, thinking. “An understandable reason. Not to dissimilar from Talen’s argument.”

“Talen’s argument?” I asked, more out of curiosity. We were already making our way directly to the lower vaults according to the Chaptermaster, but it was going to be a walk. Sprinting through here would cause some panic and we’d inevitably crash into things.

“There is not much to tell.” Urs started. “Talen forged the Empire from twelve different city states that were originally called the Alliance. He slowly built up political connections and the material support. All that was needed was something to galvanize the people. He went searching for historical examples of prior human societies. Ancient Rome was the most celebrated and powerful empire in history. It was done in homage at the start, and quickly grew popular among the people of the day. The reasoning is very similar to your current designs, although… this is far more ceremonial in nature now.”

There were urns, candles, gold, and art just about everywhere in the hallways. Even Crusaders knelt down before blades, while others in cloaks would be speaking blessings in latin, waving incense over the weapons.

Others were having scrolls attached to their chestplate with red wax imprints to hold them on. Everyone was preparing for war.

Yeah, I was not going to speak a word about Tsuya being killed. That was going to break a lot of people here.

We reached a massive platform that was waiting specifically for us to climb aboard, where it shuddered to life and began to descend downwards at a slow pace. Level by level passed.

“I do need to brief you on a few items before we begin Chaptermaster.” Urs said.

“By your will.” The man answered back. “This fortress and all who serve under these halls are at your command.”

The discussion was mostly done on private comms since we all had helmets equipped. But Urs took the time to fill the man in on all details, while the Chaptermaster responded on what the fortress could provide.

They had a massive vault of treasures and weapons, some even used by the protofeathers themselves. The sheer amount of ratshit they’d squirreled away here was rather nuts.

And the defensive capabilities of this fortress were equally vast. A shield generator built by mites for what should have been a capital ship. And installed by the center of the fortress, so it could hold off against even To’Sefit’s full arsenal from a distance.

Logistics was also a superpower here. They had access to food, water, ammunition and all that – because there was a hidden treasure deeper down in the fortress: A minor mite forge, which allowed them a lot of options.

And a mite power fountain that was fully functional.

Not to mention three entire Deathless teams, who happened to be resting up and preparing to march out. More could show up anytime at their center pillar heart.

But as we passed into the underground layers that had less and less personnel, Urs got into who we were and what we had to offer.

“I see. I admit, my grand warlock would be a better target to discuss the forbidden fractal with, as he’s quite knowledgeable about the Occult. His division would be quite impressed by this use of it. Our own Imperators required a far more physical approach.”

“What other approach would have worked? If you don’t mind me asking.” I sent back. “Not sure we’re in the era where holding secrets is worth it anymore. Not with the end of the world approaching.”

“Domine mi, do I have your blessing to reveal higher order secrets to your escort?”

Urs blinked. “They are trustworthy. And unless I am mistaken, the process for Imperators has likely not changed since my own time. Armors remain unmodified since.”

“The process has not.”

“Then do explain it if the Winterscar wishes, I do not see any issue with disclosure. Perhaps they will find some use.”

The Chaptermaster nodded, passing through the first vault. Lights and candles dim here. We were close to the inner heart of the fortress now. “We sever their spinal cords and paralyze their body. Becoming an Imperator is a near life-long undertaking. They will never leave their armors for years, possibly decades, and remain completely dependent on power cells always being supplied. Fielding them requires logistics to follow behind, their only drawback besides the high personal cost that comes to the individual.”

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“Three gods that’s brutal.” I said, eyes wide. “Had a feeling it was that, but couldn’t be certain.”

“Brutal, but effective. Imperators are our elites, the most dedicated among our religion, ser knight. This fortress has fifty nine at the ready. Capable of overwhelming even clan knights in a one on one fight, and equally besting almost any named machine roaming. A group of five is almost unbeatable to any foe. Deathless without the right tools will equally be defeated by them. The only foe Imperators cannot defeat would be Feathers.”

I could see the logic. Back before the Winterblossom technique, Imperators would be the only ones with the sheer speed of thought. They’d overwhelm clan knights by speed, same as the new lightning style of combat would on our end.

“There’s no healing them?” I imagine they already know exactly which nerve to cut so that only the muscles were paralyzed, and not the more critical things required to function like breathing.

“We do have the medical means of reattatching the nerves using a mite medical table located within our vaults here. Three fortresses have those tables. However, the operation is costly, as such it is only done once – when the Imperator is ready to retire from old age. Most never do. The few that properly retire are generally ordered to, so that they may serve as an example to other Imperators that a retirement is possible and not a cloak-and-dagger service.”

“They sound about as dedicated as clan knights would be.” I gave it some though. Wrath could heal anyone, this would be like freezing snow outdoors to her. “They might be good candidates for the Winterblossom technique, or to become Feather-hijackers.”