Capítulo 144: Chapter 144: The Human Emperor’s Tomb – "Turning the Prophecy Into Reality"
"Queen Tinas,"
The lord of Sandsea Town, Xiheton, spoke first. "Pardon my boldness, but how do you know that the new human emperor has already descended upon Terraria?"
"Yes, how are you so sure?" echoed Dalein, the strongest and most respected of the dwarves present, his face filled with doubt.
"Are you just saying this as an excuse to make us stay?"
"Exactly."
The other dwarven lords nodded in agreement, clearly indicating their stance.
The relationship between humans, dwarves, and elves was akin to that of siblings. Humans were the "eldest" due to their control over 70% of Terraria's land through the empire, with a population of two billion.
However, humans only lived an average of a hundred years, while dwarves lived two to three hundred years. But the elves, despite having a population of less than twenty million, lived at least three thousand years.
The current elven queen, Tinas, who appeared youthful, was actually 1,500 years old. She had witnessed the transition between the First and Second Eras and the decline of the human empire.
Given the elves' longevity and tendency to speak in riddles, the dwarves often found themselves frustrated with their allies. Moreover, the prophecy about the "new human emperor" seemed to originate from Tinas, giving Dalein and the other dwarven lords even more reason to question her.
To Xiheton, who was nearly seventy, Queen Tinas was a figure of legend. She would not lead her people out of their forests without an extraordinary reason. As an imperial citizen who was willing to live or die with Sandsea Town, Xiheton naturally wanted to believe in the prophecy. It gave him a glimmer of hope for defeating Moedo and dispersing the darkness.
"How do I know? Haha."
Tinas smiled faintly, unfazed by the dwarves' attitudes.
She turned slightly, gazing through the stone pillars on the north side of the hall at the world outside, bathed in bright sunlight, and began to explain:
"My mother once told me that my mission was to guide Terraria to follow the new human emperor. She said he would lead his descendants and warriors to completely eradicate the unseen, capricious Moedo at the darkest moment before dawn."
Turning back to the group, Tinas continued:
"My intuition tells me that the emperor has arrived in the north. As for the exact location... I can't be certain."
"Intuition?" Dalein immediately retorted. "Your Majesty, we dwarves may not be skilled in prophecy, magic, or witchcraft, but we don't rely on something as vague as intuition."
"Exactly!"
"That's right!"
The other dwarves echoed his sentiment.
The surviving human commanders of Sandsea Town remained silent, not voicing any opinions.
But Xiheton, choosing to trust Tinas, asked, "Your Majesty, if the new human emperor has indeed arrived, how should we find him? Should we inform the Chancellor?"
"No," Tinas shook her head slightly and asked in return, "Such an action would only damage the relationship between the emperor and the people of the empire. Do you think the Chancellor would willingly give up his power?"
"Of course not," Xiheton replied without hesitation.
Since the death of the last royal heir, the power struggles within the empire had never ceased.
Though Sandsea Town was on the outskirts of the empire, its residents were well aware of the rumors about the Chancellor, perhaps even more so than those living in the capital.
Assassinations and false accusations were just the basics. Xiheton knew that someone like the Chancellor, who had worked tirelessly to gain control, would never willingly relinquish power.
The appearance of a new emperor would be a beacon of hope for defeating Moedo and saving all of Terraria, but it would also be a threat to the Chancellor.
At this moment, before Xiheton could ask further, Tinas surveyed the group and, with a more serious tone, said:
"My mother also mentioned that the emperor's descendants, along with three companions, will find the tomb of the First Human Emperor. This is the key to defeating Moedo."
"Ha!" Dalein blurted out, "You're emphasizing these 'three companions.' Are you trying to select three from among us?"
"Yes," Tinas responded with a calm smile.
"Uh..." Dalein, unaccustomed to Tinas' straightforwardness, hesitated for a moment before saying, "Alright! If you're so certain that a new emperor has appeared, we won't retreat to the north. We'll strengthen the defenses here. But what about these three people? Is there anything special we need to know?"
"Thank you for your understanding," Tinas replied, maintaining her smile. "As for the three individuals, my mother never gave specifics. However, in my opinion, the moment I spoke these words, our first candidate became clear."
With that, she turned her gaze to a female elven commander standing to her right.
"Aroi, my niece, I trust you will, as the prophecy foretold, join the emperor's descendants in finding the tomb."
"Yes," Aroi nodded in agreement.
"I see." Xiheton thought for a moment and said, "Sandsea Town will send Pietro Bormir, captain of the Lord's Guard."
Pietro stepped forward at the order, revealing himself to the group—his chin covered in stubble, black hair slicked back, and a face and gaze filled with determination, the very image of a seasoned soldier.
"The first candidate, huh?" Dalein scratched his head and then asked Tinas, "There's no time limit on this prophecy, right?"
"It's best not to delay too long," Tinas replied with a sly smile.
"I got it!" Dalein sighed, as if he had made a tough decision. "I'll send my cousin, Thorjan! He's a great fighter, though a bit stubborn. Let's hope he gets along with the emperor's descendants."
——
April 8.
Six days later.
In a deep forest in the northern hemisphere, at the forward base;
"Father..."
In an office, Dorn raised his hand in confusion, pointing at himself, then at Vulkan beside him, and finally toward Samuel Young in front of him.
"You want us to infiltrate River Creek Town?"
The two Primarchs had just returned from training and were ready to watch their father work as usual, but to their surprise, Samuel had told them to "head to the operations center and get some gear for infiltration."
Dorn was thrilled. Ever since he learned that the Zero-Seven Universe was a world with magic, he had been eager to explore the local culture.
Vulkan, on the other hand, remained calm.
Standing by the open observation window, Samuel smiled slightly and didn't rush to explain. Gazing at the forest outside, he said, "Not infiltration, but rather, exploration. I want you two to go out and look around."
"Look around?!" Dorn couldn't hide his excitement.
"Yes," Samuel turned back to face them, placing his hands on their shoulders.
"You've both always told me that you want to go to battle like your elder brothers or handle abnormal situations. Now's your chance. The Zero-Seven Universe seems perfect for the two of you to have an adventure."
"Adventure?" Vulkan, who had been silent, asked, "Father, does this mean Dorn and I will be executing... scouting missions?"
"Sort of," Samuel didn't deny it. He gave them heartfelt advice: "Remember, we're outsiders here. Don't start conflicts. And since the bio-center's tests show that the humans here are our kin, make sure to protect yourselves and each other above all else. Understand?"
At this stage, Samuel's psychic perception extended about 900 kilometers, and with concentration, up to 1,200 kilometers. Within this range, the emotions of ordinary people grew faint with distance.
However, when it came to sensing the state of his sons, as long as they were on the same planet, Samuel could track them perfectly.
That was why he felt comfortable letting Dorn and Vulkan explore.
Besides, the fragmented visions that had flashed through his mind in recent days convinced Samuel that his sons could act as a bridge to communicate with the dwarves and elves while gaining valuable experience.
"Understood!" Dorn replied enthusiastically.
"We understand, Father," Vulkan added with a nod.
"Good, then off you go."
"Yes, sir!"
With the two young Primarchs gone, Samuel was left alone in the office.
The shouts and chants of the soldiers training outside filtered in through the open window, drowning out the ticking of the old-fashioned clock Samuel always kept nearby.
Staring out at the forest once more, Samuel fell into deep thought.
The intelligence gathered by agents in River Creek Town had provided him with insights into Terraria's history, its races, and the existence of the First Human Emperor and Moedo.
For some reason, Samuel couldn't shake the feeling that the First Human Emperor bore an inexplicable connection to the Emperor of Mankind from *Warhammer 40k*.
Then there was the prophecy of the "new human emperor."
Considering Terraria's current situation and the opening of the warp gates, it was hard for Samuel not to think that the "new emperor" could be himself.
Lastly, there was Moedo.
Based on the story of "Moir, a royal descendant, sacrificing his soul and offering his body," Samuel had reason to believe that the Moedo ravaging southern Terraria was a similar type of Warp entity to those he had encountered before.
However, the orcs' hatred for intelligent life and their desire for revenge on the emperor's bloodline, coupled with the use of that bloodline as a perfect sacrificial material, had given Moedo far
greater power in this material universe.
With these thoughts in mind, Samuel returned to his desk and sat down, bringing up an aerial view captured by Ernio-007.
Though Moedo's territory was obscured by clouds with shielding effects, the drone had still managed to observe numerous fallen cities and ravaged villages.
Only a handful of towns had survived Moedo's initial expansion, including Sandsea Town, which was now heavily fortified by dwarves and elves.
"..."
Samuel frowned at the aerial view.
He then issued an order to the bio-center at the forward base: "Prepare forty Thunder Warriors for deployment."
He also gave instructions to the armed units, air squadrons, and logistics stationed at the base.
If the prophecy stated that "the new emperor would descend from the heavens with his descendants and warriors to save Terraria from destruction," then Samuel would make sure to turn that prophecy into reality.
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