Chapter 2: Chapter 01 – Project: Nine Heavenly Realm

“While the First Contact War ended last year, mortals were only allowed to come out of their shelters a few months ago. During the war, the Human Imperium suffered 13 billion casualties. If we consider the fact that humanity has yet to spread beyond the solar system, the war culled almost half of the humans living in our civilization… At least that was what was written in the official reports and spread among mortals. Now that you’re about to become a Cultivator like us, there’s a need for you to know the truth.” Akira suddenly struck up a conversation while waiting for the elevator to stop.

Since Licht is now a Chosen, the facility needed to cater his needs was naturally special. He couldn’t be plugged-in to the same facility the other mortals used. Thus, they are now descending deep underneath the iron soil of Crimson Mars through an elevator.

“We were working our bones to the death in the shelter. Some of my friends and family have died not from the war but from the accumulated fatigue. If that wasn’t the truth, then what is?” Licht replied, his tone cold, suppressing fury. He truly just wanted to find out the answer.

“The Imperium didn’t lie about the First Contact War. It was truly the first time we’ve made contact with alien life and it was an unprovoked conflict nonetheless. Despite our best effort to cater to their needs, they suddenly attacked us, we were on the defensive!” Akira made an exhausted expression. “The truth was… those thirteen billion souls which have been lost in the war… They are not mortals. Each of them are Cultivators!”

Licht’s anger was replaced with shock that shook his core.

Cultivators are not mere mortals. They are a special type of people who cultivate themselves to gain supernatural abilities, they are the dream of any mortal. To become one, there were high requirements of talents, background and resources. For people like Licht, Cultivators are objects of worship and reverence. Yet, they were slaughtered so easily?

“You must be thinking, since cultivators are rare amongst the Human Imperium, how can we accumulate those numbers?” Akira asked. “The answer is because we actually had colonies in several nearby solar systems already. The frontiers are populated with Cultivators instead of mortals because our method of space travel isn’t for everyone, especially not for mortals. Besides, over 12 billion cultivators who have fallen are actually from the Astrales Militär.”

“I… see.” It wasn’t hard to deduce why he only knew this now. The Imperium simply judged the lack of necessity and clearance for him to know this information, just like most of the mortals. “Does the Imperium’s method of space travel is related to why the Machine Cult is doing this experiment?”

“You’re actually very sharp.” There was a glint of surprise in Akira’s black eyes. “That’s correct, all Seven Pillar organizations of the Imperium are mobilized to solve our lack of FTL travel methods before more hostile races can cause unwanted trouble to our civilization. After all, the Astrales Militär has taken the brunt of the war, the Imperium’s military has severely been weakened to the limit. It'll take quite some time for them, the shield of humanity, to recover.”

“So this is the nature of the experiment? To find the best method to turn mortals into cannon fodders, disposables that can be used for the Imperium’s agenda?” Licht’s eyes turned sharp. “Or rather, was it really the Emperor’s idea in the first place?”

Those accusations would definitely put any other mortals imprisoned and questioned by the inquisitors of the Dark Forest before being disposed of. However, Licht’s identity as a Chosen and him being a Cultivator candidate is far more precious than suppressing dissent and mere accusation. With that said, Akira’s eyes turned cold as she produced a piece of envelope from her breast pocket. “This is an official document signed by the Seven Pillars to draft you in one way or another, you can take a look at it yourself.”

The moment Licht read the content, he was surprised that it even contained the Imperial Seal, meaning this was under the direct order of the Emperor of Man himself. “I see. I apologize for running my mouth.” He passed the document back with respect, afraid of disrespecting the Emperor.

“No offense taken.” Akira shrugged. “You need to keep this in mind, the Astrales Militär did not treat their members as if they were disposable cannon fodders. They are the heroes of the Imperium, the information regarding their heroic deeds are simply not spread amongst mortals. Although you’re now chosen as a Magus seed, you won’t be registered under the Astrales Militär.”

“Quite unfortunate.” If what Akira told him was true, then the Astrales Militär should be filled with heroes. It’ll be great if he could join them, but the arrangement of the Seven Pillars must have a deeper meaning, what he needs is to just just follow them to the best of his abilities. “Then, the missing people and those who have ‘perished’ in the war… What happened to them?”

“The Imperium’s spaceships… Do you think they’ll use precious Cultivators to man them? Of course, the ships of Machine Cult have no need for human operators, but it isn’t the case for the ships of other Pillars.”

"Ah…” Licht has no need for more explanation. The actual number of casualties in the First Contact War were far higher than 13 billion if the mortals that fell were counted.

“Licht-sama, please be at ease. There’s no need for you to feel down. Isn’t this experiment one of the methods of the Imperium to find out how to take revenge on our enemies?” Akira noticed the heavy aura that Licht radiates so she tried to cheer him up. “You are not the only victim in this war.”

“I’m sorry, I’ve been insensitive.” Licht apologized. In his fury, he forgot that Akira is a member of the Imperial Sword Sect, one of the Seven Pillar organizations of the Imperium who have lost their leader in the recent war. They must’ve felt far more vengeful towards the xenos who caused the unprovoked first contact war.

“It’s fine… We shared the same pain, all of us did.”

“This… enemy. The enemy of mankind… what are they?” Licht asked. “All this time, we’ve been talking about the enemy, but you’ve never told me what they look like, their motives, or anything at all.”

“There’s no need for you to know them right now. Some information are so sensitive that mere knowing it could alter one’s fate or tip the balance of wars. All that I can tell you is that they are unrelenting, powerful, and there are an endless number of them.” Just as Akira replied, the elevator stopped. “We’re here. If you may, Licht-sama.”

What Licht saw beyond the elevator door was a white metallic corridor with many men and women busy doing their own thing. Who awaited their arrival was a pair of petite girls whose body height barely reached 1.4 meter tall from top to bottom. 

The two girl’s tight black bodysuit highlighted their flat chest and slim waist and round buttocks, they looked extremely erotic. If one were to look at their figure alone, they literally looked like children. If not for the black headgear that covered half of their face and the insignia of the Astrales Militär on their chest, Licht would’ve thought they were really children who’ve lost their way in this labyrinthian facility. He wouldn’t know where to look as their small visage made him feel like mere looking at them is a crime.

“Officer Akira, we’ve been waiting for you. Welcome to Manufactorium Primaris!” One of the petite girls beckons them to follow her. 

“Are they some sort of genetically engineered human?” As Licht and Akira followed the two girls, Licht couldn’t help but ask after seeing that their petite figures aren’t actually unique. There were also other petite girls walking around, their bodies were extremely small and fragile-looking, every single one of them was eye-catching because the average Martians are almost 1.8 meter tall. 

“Be respectful! They are known as Eldian, one of the warrior-caste human variants of the Astrales Militär which are specialized for piloting MEKAs. Despite their small size, every single one of them are natural born Cultivators, combatants trained en masse to fill in the manpower of the Imperium.” Akira reprimands Licht’s careless question. 

Although the Imperial Sword Sect and the Astrales Militär are both one of the Seven Pillars of the Imperium, their positions are not equivalent. From the name alone, the Astrales Militär held the greatest military power over the Imperium, far more than all the remaining Seven Pillars combined. 

“Just so you know, the Eldian’s contribution in the war allowed us to deflect the enemy’s attack before they were able to reach Sol System.” Akira added, which made Licht shut his mouth.

Naturally, they continued their walk in silence, following the pair of Eldians whose expressions are as cold as the glaciers in the poles. Since the Seven Pillars have sent their cultivators to participate in the experiment, it grants Licht the opportunity to check out the myriad types of cultivators in the Imperium.

Starting from the Martial Artists of the Imperial Sword Sect, several types of Variant Human of the Astrales Militär, MagoMagos = Singular. Mago = Plural of the Machine Cult, Psykers of the Adeptus Psykana… and many others. Despite merely the outskirts, this labyrinthian Manufactorium Primaris is truly the capital of the Machine Cult!

 

…

“What do you know about the word ‘Magus’, Licht-sama?” Akira asked while Licht was lying on the bed. Multiple robotic drones are working on sticking tubes or other medical instruments onto his body to measure the parameters. In the background, multiple Mago are working on analyzing whether or not Licht’s body would be able to endure the procedure.

“Aren’t they cultivators?” Licht answered back.

“Hahah, no.” Akira started to elaborate. “Magus is not an occupation, it is a state of mind.”

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“I don’t understand. So are they cultivators or not?” Licht inquired.

“Technically, yes. Every Magus is a cultivator, but not every Cultivator is a Magus. Only those who have the mind to pursue the absolute truth are revered as Magus. Therefore, the Imperium will only acknowledge you as one after proving yourself with a certain amount of intellectual contribution or accomplishment.”

“Considering I’ll be one of the Machine Cult’s mass-produced Cultivators, do I want to be a Magus?” Licht asked Akira, unsure of what this conversation is heading. He couldn’t see the benefit of being acknowledged as a Magus at all.

“It’s not about what you want, Licht-sama. Your presence here was thanks to the forceful ‘suggestion’ of Dark Forest. Amongst the Seven Pillars, men of the Dark Forest are typically unreasonable, but each of their arrangements are not simple. Sooner or later, one of the Seven Pillars would acknowledge you as a Magus, it’s only a matter of time.”

“Fate, is it?” 

“Indeed.” Akira nodded naturally. “The ranks of Adeptus Psykana are filled by Psykers who harbor special disciplines and supernatural abilities. There are those among them who can peer into the future.”

“Didn’t you say my presence here is the arrangement of Dark Forest, why is it suddenly the Psykers of Adeptus Psykana?”

“Hahah, why do you think the Seven Pillars who have different jurisdictions, systems, and ideology agreed to participate in the Machine Cult’s experiment by sending their members? Even us MagiMagus = Singular. Magi = Plural have no clear answer, how can you, a mere mortal, get the answer?”

In other words, even Akira herself was unqualified to know the schemes of the Imperium’s higher ups.

“Officer, subject has seen no rejection towards the procedure. It is possible to proceed to the next step.” One of the Mago reported, which cut off their conversation.

“Excellent. Then proceed.” She ordered.

While the robotic drones and Mago worked on removing the medical equipment on his body, Licht couldn’t help but ask. “What is the procedure?”

“Oh, we haven’t debriefed you about the procedure yet. I almost forgot.” Akira replied with a tint of guilt.

Licht frowned, “You’ve almost forgotten the most important part of the experiment?”

“The orders from above are to share the information regarding the experiment as little as possible to not leak intel and contaminate your path. As I stated beforehand, some information is so sensitive that mere knowing it would affect your fate. If you know some secrets before the correct time, your point of view would be embedded with that information, not allowing you to have a broad perspective. Since you’re one of the chosen subjects selected amongst mortals, telling you too much would contaminate your perspective, thus betraying the purpose of choosing you in the first place.”

Licht gets what she was trying to convey, but understanding it does not equal agreeing. “I feel like you’re a mother-bird who ruthlessly put her chick into the wild right after hatching.”

Akira reveals a difficult expression, “I am merely following the arrangement of the higher ups. It is not my intention to… Ugh, fine.” Thinking that those soothsayers have yet to send men to stop her, telling Licht what she knows wouldn’t hurt. She beckons one of the Mago in the background to give her an Omni-gear. 

She interacted with the wrist-computer before a holographic screen manifested. “With our underdeveloped FTL technology, sending an army of flesh and steel across the Boundless Astral Plane is economically unfeasable. Mortals with their weak fleshy body wouldn’t be able to endure the most advanced faster-than-light travel methods of the Imperium, so seeding worlds in the frontiers is extremely slow and costs too much resources. Thus, the Seven Pillars proposed a joint-experiment led by the Imperium’s technocrats, the Machine Cult!”

Project Nine Heavenly Realm.

“As one of the Chosen experimental subjects of Project [Nine Heavenly Realm], you have the clearance to have this information…” She began elaborating.

“The Grand Archmagos of the Machine Cult is extremely specialized in information-path. Rather than sending armies of flesh and steel, she proposed a method to send streams of information across astronomical distances instead, thus achieving Faster-Than-Light. This pioneered the spark that eventually gave way to Project Nine Heavenly Realm, which was to militarize the Imperium’s mortals.”

“The idea behind Project Nine Heavenly Realm is to convert the physical body of cultivators into pure streams of information before being transmitted into the specified location light years away. After a brief success with high-rank information-path cultivators, the Astrales Militär urged the research so that low-rank cultivator or even mortals are capable of being sent with the same methods.”

“Unfortunately, this procedure isn’t that simple. Unless one is an information-path cultivator, it is almost impossible to convert their flesh-and-blood body into information and then transmit them somewhere else, especially light years away. The cosmic disturbance in the material world would make the 'teleportation' inaccurate. If we consider a 0.000001% margin of error in the scale of light years distance, we might be sending men into stars or black holes instead of habitable planets.”

“After thorough deep research, the Cult had found a new solution. Rather than converting flesh-and-blood cultivators which would take too much resources and time, why not put their minds into information-path mortal shells? This would definitely remove the need to permanently sacrifice the Imperium’s already-low numbers of cultivators.”

“Cultivators would be treated with certain procedures before their minds are linked with information-path mortal shells located in other facilities. The connection of the host and the mortal shell utilizes the concept of quantum entanglement particles so they wouldn’t experience any delay even if they are hundreds of light years away from Crimson Mars. Do not ask me about the technicalities, I am not a Magos.” Akira emphasized on her last words before continuing her explanation.

“Now that the methods to send men across astronomical distances have been found, it is time to find more experimental subjects. To cater the need to militarize our mortals and push this research further, the Imperial Administratum has drafted mortals like yourself into the project. In the eyes of mortals, this project is simply a ‘virtual reality game’ that can be used not only as leisure, but also to earn money. It’s a win-win solution for everyone.”

Licht interjected. “In a sense, this ‘virtual reality game’ is not a game, but actual human beings, mortals or cultivators, being sent into distant worlds in some sort of puppets?”

“Precisely.” Akira confirmed his conjecture. “However, some special experimental subjects like you are different compared to others. Unlike mortals where their minds are connected to information-path mortal shells while their true body sleeps, you on the other hand, would be directly converted into one.”

“So that's what you mean by not being able to log off…” Licht muttered.

“Indeed. Chosen Ones like yourself are going to be sent into distant worlds without the ability to take a break. As an agent of the Machine Cult, the mission would be your whole life.”

He wanted to ask the question ‘why me?’, but he already knew it was the arrangement of the higher ups. “Those soothsayers of Adeptus Psykana… how good are they?”

Hearing the question, Akira smiled. “Let’s see… without them, the First Contact War would probably reduce the Seven Pillars into Three Pillars, and the Human Imperium would’ve probably pushed back into Holy Terra… or worse: enslaved.” She shrugged. “There are various versions of their deduction, none of them are good. You need to put your trust in the Emperor for making this arrangement possible!”

“Fine.” Licht’s body has been freed from the myriad medical instruments. He is now ready to leave.

“Alright, the next phase would be the conversion of your flesh-and-blood body. Are you ready?” Akira asked.

“Natürlich.” Licht’s eyes gleam in blazing confidence, not fearing what the future holds for him.

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