Chapter 49: Return to the Golden Throne

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If the crowd below could be likened to a tide, then the cheers that erupted at this moment were a spreading tsunami. For the denizens of the underhive, this was undoubtedly a miraculous manifestation.

Of course, among these people were seasoned mechanics and professionals who had some knowledge in this field. However, caught in the overwhelming wave of emotions from a million souls, even though reason told them it might be achieved through technical means, their emotions had already fully immersed themselves in the atmosphere.

Convincing one person might be difficult, but if a hundred out of ten thousand began to cheer, this ripple would quickly spread like waves in water. This is precisely the necessity of gatherings for organizations.

Amidst the jubilant sea, Zhang Ge realized that he must suppress this fervor of deifying himself, otherwise, if they filled the regiment, where would he find the dead?

Thus, he spoke his second sentence:

"This war will not be won because of me. Like you, I am just an ordinary person. This is a people's war. Only by relying on you, only with the support of countless ordinary people, only when you realize that this war is fought for yourselves and for everyone you know, can we achieve ultimate victory."

The tone of this sentence was not impassioned, as if what the other party wanted was not to continue stirring up emotions. The content was even more unexpected for the crowd below.

They were not unfamiliar with other speeches, but usually, the high and mighty nobles and officers liked to talk about glory, the Empire, the starry sea, and long, convoluted sentences.

It wasn't that they didn't care about these things; listening to those speeches could indeed stir up passion. But in comparison, the colonel's words on the stage... seemed more like he genuinely wanted to make them realize the situation they were facing through ordinary language and tell them how to achieve victory.

The crowd was still surging, but compared to the previous emotional outburst, it now seemed more like they were supporting something—something we might call... an ideal?

Zhang Ge, looking at the momentarily less fervent crowd, felt quite pleased with himself. In a situation where heroes step up when needed, the Empire usually emphasizes individualism. Trying to push this narrative now would certainly be out of place, as it was completely different from the values these people from the lower hives had grown up with.

However, he overlooked one thing: in the eyes of those present, he was the "hero."

One of their own, which fundamentally changes the nature of this statement, transforming what should have been an arrogant act of insubordination into a humble teaching.

According to legend, that awakened Primarch often said that the Emperor is not a god. Do you believe that too? It must be that these heroes share the virtue of humility, and this statement expresses that he needs the strength of each and every one of us.

This is how the logical loop is formed, and the first person to grasp it, seeing their companions still in ignorance, naturally feels a sense of superiority and without hesitation uses their own words to help others complete this loop.

The discussion spreads, as previously mentioned, "Although equally guided, the people prefer to believe the part they have confirmed in their minds."

However, Zhang Ge, standing on the podium, naturally cannot hear what the people below are saying and thinks his words have had an effect, so he proceeds to say the third sentence:

"Those who follow me will die with me, to defend the hope of others to live, and we will all return to the Golden Throne."

This statement seems grand and righteous, but upon closer inspection, it's clear there's a trap: why should I be the one to die, while others get to live? Is it simply because you, Zhang Ge, will die with me?

Such statements are not unheard of, but they are usually used in situations with a lot of buildup. His abrupt insertion of it in the third sentence is sure to...

Below, someone was the first to shout, "Return to the Golden Throne together," followed by a second, then a third voice. The cry quickly spread, erupting from every mouth and echoing from every direction.

This wave of sound amplified and concentrated the emotions of everyone present. People raised their arms and shouted, their voices shaking the heavens, causing the windows of nearby buildings to tremble. Even the soldiers who were supposed to maintain order joined in the fervent chorus.

Such a gathering, where so many were willing to face death, even caught the fleeting attention of a certain Chaos God of the Warp.

It must be known that this entity is not merely the embodiment of negative emotions but also symbolizes courage, determination, boldness, and honor. As long as it pleased Him, He did not care who provided these emotions, and thus, He bestowed His blessing upon the one who had brought about this gathering.

Since the emotions provided were inherently positive, the blessing itself could only be entirely positive. People often couldn't distinguish this blessing from that of the Emperor's—otherwise, if extraordinary courage were marked with a sign, everyone would already have rabbit ears.

Amidst the overwhelming chorus of "Return to the Golden Throne together," Zhang Ge, filled with questions, suddenly felt his equipment become weightless. A sense of unprecedented strength and boundless energy surged through his body.

Damn it, stop talking. I've fallen into a trap.

Zhang Ge's vision went dark. He had originally planned to summarize, but now, seeing the situation, he didn't dare to say another word.

He took a step back, signaling that his speech was over, trying to make a last-ditch effort with this impolite act of skipping the usual thank-you formalities. However, the people below were in no mood to think about such things at this moment.

Soon, some even refused to let him continue as the mascot. Fearing that Zhang Ge might face a second assassination attempt, voices urging him to step back behind the scenes began to rise.

Feeling more exhausted than if he had been beheaded ten times, Zhang Ge chose to comply. He retreated backstage, met with the increasingly reverent gazes of the honor guards.

Upon entering the side door, it was as if double trouble had arrived. A familiar figure entered Zhang Ge's sight at that very moment—it was Amelia, now clad in a new set of force-feedback powered armor.

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