This is a fan translation of Emperors of Illusions (Императоры иллюзий) by the Russian science fiction and fantasy author Sergei Lukyanenko. The novel is a sequel to Lukyanenko's Line of Dreams (Линия грёз) novel and can be considered a fan fiction of the original Master of Orion game.
Chapter 3
The psycho-breaking hadn't left Gray the same.
Something elusive had shifted in his mind, which had been around for nearly a third of a millennium.
He no longer met with Curtis. It would have been pointless. Until Shegal returned with Arthur, who agreed to take his father's place, he would be speaking from a position of weakness.
He didn't wish to address the Empire regarding Curtis's speech, which was now on everyone's minds, either, preferring to let his press secretaries sweat.
After the cruiser had left for Gorra, a planet indispensable to the Prostration, Gray flipped lazily through the situation report and then just sat, staring at the wall.
Life was indeed a gray desert. Except there had turned out to be nothing tragic in that.
When the Patriarch of the Unified Will requested a video audience, Gray didn't immediately give his consent. Not because he wanted to humiliate the other person by the delay, as he did with Curtis. He simply didn't see a reason to talk. But the Patriarch waited, not cutting the direct link, which was lavish even for the Church, and Gray finally gave in.
The image was pronouncedly low-quality: grainy surfaces, colors that were too bright and monotonous. Even the three-dimensional aspect didn't seem lifelike.
"Emperor…" The Patriarch was sitting at a low table, in front of a small steaming cup. "My joy at the failure of the attempt on you is immeasurable."
"Thank you, Overlord," Gray tried to feel his habitual curiosity at meeting the Patriarch and couldn't.
"Forgive me for the quality of our meeting…" The Patriarch didn't even make an attempt at rising. "But the Church has to be an example of modesty and frugality."
"Even towards the Emperor?"
"All are equal before the Unified Will, Gray. What is the luxury of your palace or the beauty of our temples to the Creator of the world? What do the extraneous colors of the image mean to our gift to communicate and understand one another?"
Gray nodded.
"I understand, Overlord. But, at times, such vanity helps us understand one another. To forget about the distance."
"We are always far from one another, Gray. You speak of illusions. Just like wine gives us the illusion of happiness and sex the illusion of intimacy."
"All right, Overlord. To what do I owe the pleasure of seeing you?" Gray looked away from the overly bright colors of the image.
"The Line of Dreams, Emperor."
"Unfortunately, I have learned the truth about it at the same time as my subjects."
"I am not reproaching you. The only thing the Church would like to know is what the Emperor is going to do."
"What are you going to do, Overlord? Curtis promises to make people equal to God. Does that not disturb you?"
The figure in the dark cloak shook his head.
"It does not, Gray."
"Why not?"
"I would prefer not to answer."
"And I am hoping to hear your answer."
The Patriarch lifted his cup to his lips. Once again, Gray tried to make out even a part of his face… unsuccessfully.
"Do you believe, Emperor?"
"Yes."
"In the reward for righteousness and the punishment for sins, in eternal life and higher power?"
"Yes."
"For millennia, people believed that no deed would remain secret to God. That the righteous would be rewarded and the sinners punished. That there are Heaven and Hell. They believed… and still they sinned. Why?"
"People are weak."
"I know that more than anyone, Emperor. But why is a person prepared to trade eternal bliss for a momentary pleasure?"
"Paradise is far away, Overlord. Its flowers and grace are an illusion compared to the world around us."
"And there it is, Curtis promises paradise to people."
Gray was silent for a moment.
"Crowds are gathering at aTan facilities."
"You should peer into their faces, Emperor."
The Patriarch reached for his cup again.
"I don't know what I'll be able to do," Gray said quietly. "Curtis is invulnerable and insists on continuing. If I get an opportunity to influence it, the Line of Dreams will be destroyed."
"No need to rush, Emperor. Thank you for the conversation… and I await your return to Terra."
The image vanished. Gray was left alone… as always.
"Peer into their faces," he whispered. "They all want to be Emperors, Overlord…" he chuckled to empty space, the best conversation partner in the world. "Emperors of Illusions."