Starting from the Planetary Governor - Chapter 734

Chapter 731, Gate of Triumph

Gate . A grand triumphal ceremony was underway on Holy Terra.

This ceremony wasn’t simply to welcome Gu Hang, but Gu Hang was undoubtedly the most important guest of honor.

It had been eight days since he arrived on Holy Terra, but he hadn’t yet visited the surface. Instead, he was first dispatched to Holy Terra’s natural satellite, the Moon, to tour and wait.

Here, Gu Hang met many of his former comrades.

From the Western Front and the Northern Front.

Space Marines, Marines, Astra Militarum, Inquisition… all were present.

Marshal Leroy, now in his Dreadnought,—oh, he had relinquished his title as Grand Marshal of the Black Crusade’s Second Fleet. The current Grand Marshal of the Second Fleet was Marshal Xi Rui.

Xi Rui’s Fourth Fleet had been completely merged into the Second Fleet.

It was said that both fleets had been crippled in the previous war, with even Leroy having been consigned to the Dreadnought. The Second Fleet was already in name only, with only a few remaining.

The Fourth Fleet was in better shape.

Given that, there wasn’t much point in retaining two units. The two were merged, their battle histories combined. Marshal Xi Rui, who should have been commended for his flawed record, was promoted two ranks to lead the Second Fleet.

Even after the merger, the new Second Fleet was still not fully staffed.

However, the Black Crusaders Chapter replenished its ranks at a remarkable pace. They soon had enough troops to fill the Second Fleet, bringing both its manpower and fleet to full strength. Simultaneously, a new Fourth Fleet was established.

Su Lie of the Phoenix Chapter was also present.

Internal Space Marine communication had been completed, and he had been virtually confirmed to succeed Orgallon of the Angels of Death as the new Space Marine representative. This would facilitate his efforts to secure resources from the Imperium and accelerate the restoration of the Phoenix.

Lu Salilius of the Ortopis Chapter was also present, as were several Grand Admirals and Grand Admirals of the Astra Militarum, the Grand Admirals and Grand Admirals of the Navy, the Magi of Mars, the Battle Sisters of the Inquisition, and the Inquisitors.

The numerous people present included some who had arrived months earlier, while others had only just arrived.

But no matter who it was, there was only one person waiting: Mr. Gu Hang, the undisputed Supreme Commander, the most meritorious figure, and leader of the Alliance during both the Ironclad War and the Zerg War.

On Gu Hang’s side were not only him, his wife, and his family, but also the two Chapter Masters of the Phoenix and Blood Sharks.

Not to mention Martins, the Blood Sharks’ Chapter Master, Alma Ewing, was quite overcome with excitement.

In the past, the Blood Sharks had trod in the dark, unknown and unwilling to be known. But since he was determined to change the Chapter’s status quo and return to the glory of the Imperium, this occasion was exactly what he had longed for.

The Chapter had shot to fame, had the Alliance as a formidable partner, and now, on the most honorable and glorious stage of the Holy Terra Triumph, they could play a role.

While not the main character, they certainly weren’t in the spotlight, but their weight was no small matter.

How could he not be thrilled?

This triumph ceremony was held for them, to celebrate their victory in the Ironclad War.

It’s a bit awkward. News of the Ironclad War’s victory has been circulating for two years, yet the triumph ceremony has been delayed until now.

But there’s no other way.

There’s no set time for the triumph ceremony. In fact, even after the news of victory arrived, the rulers of Holy Terra were initially reluctant to hold it.

Such a grand ceremony would cost a fortune. Furthermore, the triumphant army, having returned to the Imperial capital for a triumph, couldn’t possibly return triumphantly without some token of appreciation from the central government, right?

While adequate rewards were supposed to be provided—reinforcements, equipment, promotions, resettlement for retired soldiers, and bonuses for active troops—

if these troops weren’t sent to Holy Terra and allowed to return home, there would be a question mark over when these rewards, reinforcements, supplies, and grants would arrive. They

weren’t saying they wouldn’t!

It’s just that the central government is struggling right now. Just wait, they’ll arrive.

Delaying war rewards, especially during financial hardship, is perfectly normal.

However, the masters of Holy Terra still had to maintain some dignity. They couldn’t possibly hold a triumph ceremony on Holy Terra without paying, could they?

It was precisely these considerations that had initially driven them to hesitate between holding it and not holding it.

Then, hadn’t they discussed a new tax plan with the Alliance? It was expected to generate a considerable amount of revenue. Furthermore, with the war over and a year or so of respite, the Imperial central finances had recovered somewhat.

Their minds became active.

The headquarters of the Navy and the Astra Militarum were eager to do so.

So was the Ministry of Military Affairs. So were the

Space Marines .

Then there were the Inquisition, the Martians, and others.

Those who had directly fought the war, who had paid great sacrifices and won, always wanted to show their faces.

This kind of event was a way to accumulate political capital and expand influence. Furthermore, it could be used to secure subsequent budget approvals through the triumph ceremony.

Naturally, they were very enthusiastic.

The Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Taxation, the Ministry of Justice, the Ecclesiarchy, and the Assassin’s Court were less concerned, and some even expressed some opposition.

After all, these things had little to do with them, and would have cost them a fortune.

The attitude of Zibodu, the arbiter, was paramount.

For the Prime Minister, staging a grand triumphal ceremony was quite appealing. After all, he had, in a sense, initiated this war. He had even, against all odds, committed a significant portion of the Solar Segmentum’s forces, centered on Holy Terra, to the expeditionary campaign.

At the time, to garner support for the war effort, he had clearly told people of all walks of life on Holy Terra that this war was not a distant, indifferent matter. It was not just part of the Empire; it also concerned the very safety of Holy Terra itself.

If left unchecked, the enemy could potentially break through from the east and reach Holy Terra.

Initially, the people of Holy Terra were skeptical, but after the Western Legion’s first collapse, the threat seemed more substantial.

And the man who had quickly rebuilt the Second Western Legion and ultimately won the war, Prime Minister Zibodu, could easily be credited with the wise leadership of this victory, further solidifying his position and authority.

He was motivated to hold this triumphal ceremony.

Especially if finances allowed.

Furthermore, he needed to meet with Gu Hang to determine whether this de facto battlefield hero, the rising “big man” of the Eastern Empire, was a man capable of serving him or a treacherous tyrant. Thus

, the triumphal ceremony was decided.

However, even with this decision, there were problems.

The entire preparation for the ceremony would take a long time and cost a considerable amount of money.

Furthermore, the main characters of the triumphal ceremony had not initially received the news that they would be attending. Many had fought the final battles in the Spider Web Realm for several months, while others had returned to their home regions. Now, all of this group had to regroup and return to Holy Terra, which would undoubtedly be arduous and time-consuming.

For example, Gu Hang had already spent nearly a year traveling here.

Others, even those from further afield, would have departed even earlier than Gu Hang.

Overall, however, most were willing to attend, despite the long journey.

Putting aside all practical benefits, the sense of honor alone was enough to motivate the warriors to make the trip.

This was the honor they had earned with their own hands, earned through the sacrifices of countless comrades. They had to make the journey, to pass through Holy Terra’s most famous triumphal gate, the very same gate through which the Emperor’s expeditionary forces had marched ten thousand years before. Only then would their service be worthy. For

this very reason, the soldiers who responded enthusiastically arrived before the scheduled time.

Of course, the triumphal ceremony couldn’t be attended by every single army that had participated in the war.

Otherwise, would the Alliance Army’s multi-billion-strong force and hundreds of warships have to come?

How much would the travel expenses be? And who would defend the Alliance’s territory?

Even putting these aside, would Holy Terra agree? Would the Imperial Guards responsible for security at the Imperial Palace agree?

Gu Hang and his family had come, Martins had come, Ewing had come, along with a few Alliance army and navy generals, and some units that had made outstanding contributions during the war. All in all, they didn’t exceed fifty thousand men.

For example, the Alliance Army could only send one representative per division.

The same principle applied to the other armies.

Only the Second Western Front Legion, already in the Solar Segmentum, was present.

Approximately 300,000 people would attend the triumphal procession, half of them locals.

In the days awaiting the ceremony, former comrades toasted together in celebration.

Gu Hang was the undisputed centerpiece.

After reconnecting with these individuals, the grand triumphal procession officially began.

Gu Hang, half visible, rode a chariot on a long red carpet, under the scrutiny of countless cameras, flanked by Lunar Defense Forces. He slowly advanced, half visible, as the vanguard of the 300,000 expeditionary forces under review.

He waved to the crowds on both sides. With each passing turn, soldiers on either side lowered their weapons and stood at attention, saluting.

Those farther away, those who could only see Gu Hang’s silhouette, or whose clearer view depended on large screens, erupted in cheers.

Within the life support bubble enveloping the entire moon, the roar was even more deafening than on a normal planet.

Thus, Gu Hang, as the first vehicle, entered the lunar orbital elevator, entered the lunar starport, and boarded an Emperor-class battleship that had been assigned as a vehicle.

The battleship departed the lunar starport, and more representatives boarded the following ships. They circled the human homeworld, Holy Terra, again and again, each lap drawing ever closer.

In this image, numerous warships of the Solar Fleet stood like guards on either side of the trajectory, their bows pointed toward the parade fleet led by Gu Hang, a gesture of boundless respect.

Every time a ship passed by them, their artillery fired upwards and downwards, setting off magnificent fireworks across space.

The fireworks were so conspicuous that, looking up from those on the other side of the night, the sky seemed to be ablaze with color.

As Gu Hang’s Emperor-class battleship gradually approached low Earth orbit, a magnificent triumphal arch came into view.

It looms like a colossal metallic behemoth, gleaming with a brilliant golden light, forged from a special alloy. Its boundless radiance is imbued with glorious power.

Atop the Triumphal Gate, a massive energy crystal radiates a dazzling light, a beacon guiding the returning heroes.

Both sides of the gate are covered in relief carvings, depicting humanity’s glorious journey through interstellar conquests, from the arduous initial wars of Terra’s unification to the Emperor’s Great Crusade, bloody battles against various alien races; and beyond, some of the most significant battles. Each relief is vividly portrayed, telling these magnificent stories.

This massive structure was constructed at the triumphal conclusion of the Great Crusade, led by the Emperor himself.

This is Holy Terra’s Triumphal Gate, also a massive satellite-class defense platform. Its circular shape allows even the largest Queen of Glory-class warships to pass through it, allowing the victorious troops to pass through it during their triumphal journeys.

This is the highest honor for Imperial soldiers.

And if there was anything more glorious than passing through this Arch of Triumph, it would be to have one’s own glorious deeds inscribed upon it.

The Iron Armor War held this honor.

Though it was only an 80-by-30-meter relief, inconspicuous on the entire Arch, at this moment, the 2,400-square-meter relief shone with the brightest light. As

the battleship slowly passed through the Arch of Triumph, Gu Hang, standing at the bow, gazed upon the approaching, increasingly awe-inspiring structure. Even he could not help but feel a surge of passion in his heart.

This was more than just a magnificent building; it was a testament to the glory of humanity. Not

only he, but every victor of the Iron Armor War, following him and approaching from behind, was struck by it and felt a great sense of honor.

Died for the Empire, died for humanity, a death well-deserved!

As the fleet continued its advance, it finally arrived at the starport of Holy Terra. The vast port was filled with warships of all kinds, like a forest of steel. After Gu Hang’s vehicle docked safely at its designated berth, the 300,000 expeditionary representatives quickly and orderly began to form their ranks. The warrior representatives, clad in brand new uniforms, their armor gleaming coldly under the starport lights, lined up neatly, their footsteps echoing throughout the empty starport.

Gu Hang disembarked from the warship and stepped onto the passage leading to the mainland. Behind him, the 300,000-strong army, like a giant steel dragon, slowly advanced along the red carpet. On either side of the red carpet stood officials and civilian representatives from various parties, holding flowers and flags, their faces brimming with reverence and joy. From the

starport, they took the space elevator to the sacred land of Terra. The red carpet stretched for 5,000 kilometers all the way to the Terra Imperial Palace.

Under Gu Hang’s leadership, three hundred thousand people will travel by vehicle, covering a distance of one-eighth of Holy Terra’s circumference in about a month, arriving at Holy Terra.

They won’t be traveling day or night, and their speed won’t be particularly fast.

Along the way, they will pass through countless areas of Holy Terra, receiving the enthusiastic cheers of the vast majority of Holy Terra’s people.

(End of this chapter)