Greatest Legacy of the Magus Universe

Chapter 1942 History of Mankind

Adam's conversation with Luca had been very fruitful.

Although the Lone Wolf hadn't gone into the specifics of each of the epochs of the world, Adam was still able to glean a lot of information, filling in many gaps within his library of memories.

Besides, the history of mankind wasn't something that could be explained in a single night.

The Zero Epoch was the era before the Great Winter, largely buried beneath the waves of history. The First Epoch, also known as the Dawn Age, began when the glaciers melted, and the First Races emerged.

The Second Epoch, known as the Age of Titans, saw dragons and giants rise to dominate the world, each vying for supremacy. The Third Epoch, known as the Age of Elves, marked the rise of the elven kingdoms as they waged war for dominance.

The Fourth Epoch, also known as the Age of Man, began with the rise of humanity. Led by the God-Emperor and His First Sons, mankind took to the stars and colonized countless galaxies.

Myrrandor had now entered the Fifth Epoch, known as the Age of Reclamation. Twenty thousand years had passed since the beginning of this era.

Adam couldn't help but wonder: if every Epoch began with a defining event, then what event marked the beginning of the Fifth Epoch? And why was the current era called the Age of Reclamation? Just what was being reclaimed?

Just what exactly was human reclaiming?

Upon hearing that question, Luca fell silent for a few moments, recalling his early education. But judging from the gleam of passion burning in his grey eyes, it looked as though he couldn't wait to answer.

"Good question, Constantine," he began.

"The Fourth Epoch was the Age of Man. Under the God-Emperor and His First Sons, mankind sailed across the sea stars and forged the greatest civilization in history."

Adam resisted the urge to roll his eyes. It seemed like Luca just needed an excuse to repeat what had already been said and emphasize the glory of the God-Emperor.

But he didn't interrupt. He patiently listened, as he, too, found it very fascinating.

"When the Holy Crusade reached its glorious conclusion, the God-Emperor entrusted humanity with the stewardship of the Imperium and departed to pursue His divine purpose beyond the known universe."

Adam's brows furrowed slowly. Though he still did not interrupt.

Luca continued, "The First Sons continued his sacred work. Thus began the Fifth Epoch, the Age of Reclamation."

Adam now had even more questions. But he started with the one he was most curious about.

"Yes, but what are we reclaiming?"

Luca answered matter-of-factly, "We are reclaiming humanity's divine destiny."

As someone new to the Greater Universe and not indoctrinated in the ways of the Imperium, Adam did not take that answer at face value.

He couldn't help but give birth to a series of theories in his mind:

Humanity used to possess more territory than it does now, it seems. It once held greater political and military power.

It could also be that the Imperium believes it has a rightful claim to worlds outside its control.

Or…

Something significant happened in the past that reduced humanity's influence.

But what?

Seeing Adam slip into deep thought, Luca felt that he should offer some more information regarding the current epoch.

"Over twenty thousand years, cosmic storms, invasions by other species, and the sheer vastness of the universe have isolated many human worlds," he said solemnly.

"The Age of Reclamation is our sacred mission to unite our people."

Adam knew that cosmic storms were, as their name suggested, violent tempests that swept through the cosmos. They appeared without warning, devastated everything in their path, and vanished just as suddenly.

The explanation seemed reasonable to him. Such storms could indeed isolate countless worlds.

"Also," Luca continued, hesitating only for a brief moment.

"The God-Emperor's absence has also played a crucial role in this."

"Where has He gone?" Adam couldn't help but ask, his eyes narrowing.

"Who knows?" Luca shrugged. "Can mere mortals like us hope to understand His divine plans? But if I had to make an educated guess, or rather, what most of my… the people I know believe…"

Adam could already see where this was going.

"He's secluded Himself to advance to the next arcane rank?"

Luca's eyes lit up.

"Precisely!" he nodded, his eyes barely containing the excitement dancing in them.

"I don't know how many realms lie beyond the Emperor Rank, but it stands to reason that our God-Emperor, who ascended to the Emperor Rank in the Second Epoch, has spent all these years pursuing even greater heights."

Adam nodded in agreement. The higher a Magus or Paladin climbed, the more their lifespan increased. With the increase in their lifespans, it only made sense for them to work toward climbing even higher.

He summarized what he'd just learned from Luca, then said:

"So, as humanity spread across countless galaxies, communication with distant colonies was inevitably lost, correct? And that the current epoch is dedicated to reuniting humanity."

"Correct." The Lone Wolf nodded, taking another large mouthful of ale.

"The God-Emperor has withdrawn from public sight to, what we believe, advance to greater arcane ranks. However, He still watches over humanity. His physical presence is no longer required, for His will guides the Imperium forever.

"And though many distant colonies were separated over the years by war, disaster, and the vastness of space, humanity endured. Today, under His eternal light, the Imperium enters the Age of Reclamation, restoring every lost world to the embrace of mankind.

"The Fifth Epoch is the fulfillment of the God-Emperor's vision: bringing every human world back under one banner!"

Though Adam displayed a look of understanding on the surface, inwardly, however, he couldn't help but frown a little.

This sort of conditioning is…

It made him uneasy.

He had noticed several times already. Nearly every conversation with Luca eventually circled back to the God-Emperor. Every triumph was attributed to Him. Every hardship was explained through Him. And every hope for the future rested upon Him.

To Adam, it felt less like history and more like doctrine.

Not that he necessarily doubted the God-Emperor's accomplishments. If even half of what Luca had described was true, the man had undoubtedly changed the course of human civilization.

Still, as someone who had only recently arrived in the Imperium, Adam found the unwavering devotion unsettling. It left little room for doubt, debate, or alternative interpretations.

Everything seemed to revolve around a single figure, as though the entire history of mankind had been distilled into one unquestionable truth.

Perhaps, it truly was as Luca had claimed, and the God-Emperor was the single most important figure in the entire history of mankind.

Or perhaps, Luca was simply a zealot who worshipped the God-Emperor with all his heart and saw nothing wrong in exaggerating His accomplishments.

Either possibility could be true.

After a long moment of deliberation, Adam asked, "You mentioned the invasion of species. Just what kind of enemies are we dealing with exactly?"

Luca didn't hesitate.

"Anyone who isn't human is an enemy, Constantine."

Adam raised an eyebrow but remained silent, allowing him to continue.

"There are many spacefaring species scattered throughout the Magus Universe. Some are ancient, while some are young. Some command empires spanning thousands of star systems. And almost all of them are at war with the Imperium."

Luca's expression turned utterly grim.

"They covet our worlds, our resources, and our future. Humanity didn't conquer the stars and then enjoy an age of peace. No, Consantine! We conquered the stars and have been fighting to keep them ever since!"

Adam's expression turned serious. If what Luca said was true, then he was even more confused. He couldn't help but ask:

"If the current epoch is one of constant wars and space exploration to reunite every lost human world… then why is Myrrandor so quiet and peaceful?"

Luca's lips curled into a wry smile, and he let out a dry chuckle.

"Well, isn't that the question of all questions?"

He paused for a moment before continuing:

"Myrrandor has enjoyed an unprecedented era of peace since the latter half of the Fourth Epoch. That peace has endured to this day. It is widely believed that it exists because of a single decree issued by the God-Emperor.

"As for why He made that decision?" Luca shrugged. "As I said earlier, we can only speculate. We, mortals, cannot hope to understand His divine intention. What matters is that every species native to Myrrandor has honored His decree.

"As you already know, Myrrandor, despite being the cradle of mankind, isn't inhabited by humans alone. You'll find all kinds of species here, even those we wage war against beyond Myrrandor's skies.

"And somehow… we've all lived peacefully beneath the same sky because of a single decree from the God-Emperor."

Adam fell into deep thought.

Even after tens of thousands of years had passed, no one had been willing to test the consequence of defying the God-Emperor's command.

That realization sent a chill down Adam's spine.

Just how powerful is the God-Emperor?!

This level of influence seemed to transcend even the Emperor Rank! Or so Adam speculated. Whatever the truth, he knew one thing for certain.

The peace of Myrrandor was no accident.

"And what of the First Sons?" He suddenly asked. "Where are they now?"

"Honestly," Luca began, "no one knows."

"The First Sons are also known as the Angels of the God-Emperor. Truth be told, they are nearly as mysterious as He is. Some say they're dead. Others believe they still live, silently watching over the Imperium. But one thing is certain - they all left behind enduring legacies."

"What legacy?" Adam quirked a brow, suddenly intrigued by what the sons of the God-Emperor must have left behind.

Luca grinned unconsciously.

"The Great Noble Houses of the Imperium," he said.

"They are descended from the twelve Angels of the God-Emperor!"