"But how do we deal with the Psychneuein?" Amon asked.
Dawn was approaching. The expedition huddled around the campfire.
The newfound knowledge had left them mentally exhilarated, unable to sleep.
Vennakar frowned: "We still haven't found the 'hole' that sustains the Psychneuein."
Magnus said, "This statue is the 'hole'."
The Masters' gazes immediately focused on him.
"It allows the Warp to continuously seep into Prospero's reality in an extremely subtle manner."
"This influence is very faint, hard to detect. It's insufficient to support the descent of a powerful daemon, but it can sustain the existence of weaker entities like the Psychneuein, which exist on the boundary between the material universe and the Warp."
Amon's eyes narrowed. "That means, as long as this statue exists, the Psychneuein won't disappear?"
Amon involuntarily looked towards the statue. The tent completely blocked their view.
To prevent anyone from indulging in drawing knowledge from the statue alone, none of them could be alone with it.
Initially, Caelan had argued for destroying the statue, while they were reluctant.
Now, their positions had completely reversed. Even if they wanted to destroy the statue now, Caelan probably wouldn't allow it.
Magnus said, "I have a solution. We can isolate it with a Gellar field, preventing it from continuously affecting reality."
Amon frowned, "What is a Gellar field?"
Magnus gave an example, "The psychic array used by Tizca is a primitive form of Gellar field."
The knowledge gained from the statue had not only deepened his understanding of the Warp but also given him new insights into the material universe and the Veil.
When Imperial ships travel through the Warp, they must rely on the protection of a Gellar field; otherwise, daemons would endlessly invade the vessel.
Forcing entry into the Warp without a Gellar field is practically delivering oneself as a meal.
A Gellar field is essentially an artificial membrane. Its principle is based on a crude imitation of the Veil.
The Veil isolates the material universe from the Warp. The principle of a Gellar field is to create an artificial membrane around a spacecraft, encasing it so that the interior remains in reality, while Warp-born entities are repelled outside the boundary.
Therefore, the essence of Warp travel is actually a violent intrusion of the material universe into the Warp.
But the intruders are too weak, and instead must worry about the dangers posed by the natives, using a 'membrane' to create a safe zone to block the predators lurking in the Warp.
It's both cowardly and brave.
Every time humanity performs a Warp jump, it tears a huge 'hole' in the material universe.
And humanity only focuses on how to drill 'holes' more efficiently; the repair of the 'holes' is left entirely to the material universe's self-healing mechanism.
But some 'holes' are difficult for even the material universe to repair, forced to let these wounds continuously corrode reality.
Prospero's pioneers were rejected by mainstream society and eventually exiled to colonise this planet.
But they also understood why they were ostracised. These psykers feared the risk of psychic outburst even more than ordinary people.
Therefore, in many ancient cities, there are psychic arrays left by them.
These psychic arrays are enhanced, amplified versions of Gellar fields. They cannot defend against any physical attack.
But when a psychic disaster breaks out across the entire world, at least some cities can survive under the protection of these Gellar fields.
As long as Prospero isn't completely dragged into the Warp, the material universe can self-purify the effects of the psychic disaster. Prospero will eventually return to being a normal world.
By then, the survivors protected by the Gellar fields will become new seeds of civilisation.
That's precisely how Tizca survived.
No matter how the Psychneuein raged outside, they could never invade Tizca.
The city still had a reliable energy supply and infrastructure. Its inhabitants could maintain basic societal functions.
But the Gellar field had to be maintained by exploiting psykers. If not for Prospero's large psyker population, Tizca would likely have been drained dry.
As long as the statue can be safely transported back to Tizca, and the Gellar field isolates its influence on the outside world, the Psychneuein will die out on their own due to the loss of their sustainer.
A glimmer of understanding appeared in Mephia's eyes. "If that's truly possible, it would indeed be the best of both worlds."
Amon's brow was deeply furrowed. "We must leave immediately. There's no time to lose. For some reason, I have a persistent feeling of dread!"
Magnus looked at the lightening horizon. "It's still one standard Terran hour until dawn. You should seize the time to rest, otherwise you'll be mentally fatigued when travelling during the day."
Amon smiled wryly and shook his head. "How can we sleep with all that knowledge churning in our heads?"
Ever since contacting the statue, the nine Masters had been completely revitalised, like they were on something.
But drugs only bring temporary mental exhilaration, harming the body and causing endless problems.
The improvement brought by knowledge, however, was real and eternal. They were now incredibly powerful, beyond imagination!
"We'll set off when Father wakes up."
Amon fell silent. 'After all that, this was the real point, wasn't it?'
Amon sometimes genuinely envied the harmonious relationship between this father and son. The father loved the son, the son loved the father, leaving no room for outsiders.
He was merely Magnus's caregiver, after all, not his adoptive father.
Why was that?
Mephi said, "Amon, we should contact Tizca. Let them know when to expect us back."
Amon nodded silently and took out the communicator from his bag.
.....
"Teacher and the others have found a way to eliminate the Psychneuein. They'll be back in Tizca in three days. You can rest easy now, right?"
Khayon brought the good news to his sister, feeling a sense of relief he hadn't felt in a long time.
He had complete faith in his teacher. The expedition wouldn't speak without cause.
Izara looked up, her expression very serious. "Then, I hope they return safely."
Khayon ruffled his sister's hair, offering a reassuring smile. "Don't worry. The expedition has the nine most powerful Masters of Tizca, and Magnus and his father, who are even stronger than the Masters. They'll be fine."
Izara suddenly thought of something. "Brother, shouldn we tell the other residents this good news in advance?"
Khayon looked out the window at the brightening sky. "I've already ordered the Propaganda Department. They'll announce it to the whole city via broadcast in half an hour."
"This should keep the Libertines quiet for a while. Once the expedition returns, if anyone still wants to leave Tizca, let them."
Although the Psychneuein killed many people, beyond that, the actual harm wasn't that great.
Prospero's natural environment hadn't been destroyed. Even in the abandoned cities, the infrastructure was relatively well-preserved.
Some cities were even ready for immediate occupancy. Even for cities abandoned longer, restoration wouldn't be too difficult.
Then they could finally give the Libertines their freedom. Prospero was vast; they could go wherever they wanted.
.....
"The broadcasts are nothing but lies! What Psychneuein? They're just taking credit for themselves to continue controlling Tizca!"
In a dimly lit basement, Theod spoke in a low, stern voice of warning.
"We must expose their conspiracy!"
"Since they claim they'll return in three days, we'll move our plan up to the day after tomorrow."
"We must seize control of the Propaganda Department, shut down the psychic array, and tell the people the truth!"
What was the truth?
Freedom was the truth!
Someone hesitantly raised an objection. "Since they're willing to give us our freedom, is this really necessary?"
"We could just leave Tizca. As long as we don't live under their lies, we can find freedom in another city."
Owen's eyes burned with anger. "This is our city! Why should we leave? Bael, why do you always back down?"
"I'm not backing down. I'm just worried." Bael's face flushed.
"Worried about what?"
"What if we fail? Why can't you consider the consequences?"
"We won't fail. Those liars are gone. No one can stop us!"
"Owen is right. This is Tizca. It's not us who should leave, but those liars who deceive the people with falsehoods!"
Theod swept a sharp glance across everyone present, his voice growing more passionate.
"Once we expose their lies, what face will they have left to stay in Tizca?"
"The people are on our side. Let's act!"
.....
"Fate has revealed the future to me!" Theod stood alone by the window, murmuring to himself.
Since childhood, he had been able to predict the future in his dreams. Sometimes the images were fragmented, sometimes very clear.
Tizca had tens of thousands of psykers, but someone with his gift was one in ten thousand!
Why was he the one with this ability?
"This is no coincidence. I am the Chosen One!"
Theod clenched his fists. His past experiences convinced him he was divinely chosen, destined to lead the people!
Over the past decade, many disasters had been averted due to his foresight, and many lives had been saved by his warnings.
These people were his most loyal followers. They trusted his prophecies more than they trusted the Council.
He was the Chosen One. He could not let the people down. He had to lead them!
This idea had long since taken root in his mind, grown, and become an ineradicable obsession.
Since Magnus's arrival on Prospero, his visions had become increasingly clear.
He often glimpsed Prospero's future in his dreams. The Psychneuein had long vanished, yet the Masters still deceived the world with lies.
The Masters warned people that great danger lay hidden within power, forbidding them from freely exploring the universe's mysteries, and forbidding them from believing in gods.
Yet they themselves continuously delved deeper into the Warp, stealing the gods' power!
He saw that statue. He saw the deity weeping blood.
He too had been deceived. He had tried to help humanity, and they betrayed Him!
The greedy Masters stole the domain from Him, using the stolen power to suppress freedom and enslave their own people!
He also saw Prospero's future, filled with many armoured giant warriors, far more powerful than anyone Theod had ever seen.
Yet they were not guardians of humanity, but oppressors aiding the tyrant!
The Terrans arrived and discovered this colony founded by exiles.
They conscripted one in ten Prosperines, seizing the finest psykers who never returned.
Theod believed they must be dead.
Prospero became the Imperium's slaughterhouse. The people of Tizca faced a future thousands of times more miserable than the present!
This was why Theod didn't trust Magnus, and didn't trust the lying Masters!
Theod firmly believed fate was guiding him. Since he could foresee the future, he could prevent it.
Just like the disasters he had averted before, he would expose the Masters' lies and lead the Prosperines to resist the Imperium's tyranny!
Theod had never discussed the future he saw with anyone, because they wouldn't believe him, and it would alert the enemy.
Theod could only plan alone, in secret.
But as long as he could overthrow the Tizca Council, expose the Masters' lies, and reveal the truth to the public, the Prosperines would awaken!
The nine Masters' psychic abilities were indeed far beyond ordinary, but what were they compared to tens of thousands of Tizcan psykers uniting?
"This was never what I wanted. I never intended to start a rebellion."
"But you betrayed us all!"
"You stole the power of the gods and lied to your people!"
"The Prosperines have only one chance to rise again. If you won't seize it, then let me do it!"
"Even if it costs my last drop of blood, I will see Prospero liberated once more!"
Theod's eyes were unwaveringly resolute. A divine voice whispered in his ear, "Yes, child. Yes. Do it."
His voice held an unmistakable sorrow.
"They stole my power. I do not blame their greed. But they can never truly control this gift."
"That power will eventually consume them, and all of Prospero along with them."
"Only you, the child chosen by fate. Only you can wield this power."
"You will lead the Prosperines to explore the mysteries of the Warp. You will attain true freedom!"
The god's whisper was crystal clear. Theod's heart pounded violently. A burning desire ignited within him.
"Yes, I can!"
This was not blind confidence. He had divine revelation!
He was not only the leader of the Libertines, shouldering the mission to guide the people, but also the chosen emissary of the gods. He would lead the people to ascension!
People would scorn the Masters' lies. Their ugly faces, having stolen the divine domain, would finally be exposed.
Theod would judge their crimes and reclaim the domain for the gods.
He would wield the Sword of Truth, severing the cage woven from lies and ignorance!
He was the sole saviour of the Prosperines. He was the lighthouse through which the gods revealed themselves to mortals. He was the master of the world!
"We will win!"
Theod clenched his fists. "Fate is on my side!"
"Yes. I am on your side." He chuckled softly.
....
Amon frequently glanced up at the rearview mirror, checking if the statue in the cart bed was still there.
Compared to the outward journey, their return trip was very short.
Coming here, they had needed to explore every city along the way, understand what had happened in those cities, and dig for clues to the truth of the disaster.
Returning, they had only one goal: get the statue back to Tizca as quickly as possible.
The statue was wrapped in faded cloth, tied tightly with ropes.
Only when people saw it with their own eyes could they gain knowledge from it.
Wrapped in cloth, its wonders seemed completely concealed.
But even so, Amon couldn't help looking back at it.
It was utterly captivating, a deadly temptation for any psyker!
Beneath that cloth seemed to hide infinite wisdom and truth, containing answers for everything in the world.
No one could blame Amon, because all the Masters were the same, unsettled by the temptation.
Only Caelan was completely unaffected, and Magnus's strong will allowed him to restrain his inner greed.
So they had to be the ones to transport it.
"Little Mag, promise me one thing. If I'm not there, don't actively explore the secrets of this statue on your own."
This statue was indeed precious beyond measure, a fragment of Tzeentch's staff, containing truths capable of radically transforming any psyker.
But that was precisely why it was so dangerous.
Caelan remained uneasy about it.
When Magnus studied it, having Caelan watch over him at least offered some reassurance.
I promise you, Father. Please trust me as well. I will not succumb to knowledge!"
Restraint is a virtue.
The more he craved it, the more he needed restraint.
That Magnus the Red had failed. He was weak, ignorant, and foolish, yet extremely arrogant. No wonder he was disliked, had poor relationships with his brothers, and could only stick with other conflicted individuals who also had poor social skills.
But he, Magnus, would not be like that.
He was Father's 'Little Magnus', not that 'Magnus the Red'.
He wouldn't fall out with his brothers, because Father wanted to see them get along harmoniously.
Like that other Magnus, he craved knowledge. It was his nature.
But he understood the risks of knowledge better than that Magnus.
He wouldn't indulge without restraint like that Magnus. He would set boundaries for himself, and Father was that boundary.
Without Father's permission, he would never touch the statue, lest it corrupt his mind.
The difficulty of digesting too much was only part of the reason. Magnus was also wary of the statue.
Tzeentch's miscalculation this time was too great, making one wonder if He had another plan.
He always had a plan, always toyed with fate.
All gifts of fate come with a hidden price tag.
So what was the price tag for this statue?
"Forgive my nagging. Of course I trust you. I just can't help but worry."
Magnus gently explained for Caelan, "Because you are my father. Even when children grow up, in their parents' eyes, they are always children."
"If you weren't concerned about us, why would you nag?"
"And I will never find you long-winded, because a father's nagging is a father's care for his child."
Caelan's gaze fell on Magnus, his eyes filled with complex emotions.
He had put immense effort into educating the Primarchs. If it were a stranger, he wouldn't waste his breath.
But Magnus's maturity left Caelan feeling both gratified and somewhat loss.
Caelan sighed. "I still can't let go of my role as a father. I always feel like I should teach you something."
"Then teach me. I will always listen to you."
"Even if my other brothers find you long-winded, I never will."
....
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
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