RWBY 40k – Salem, Mistress of Inquisition.

Episode 30: Rising of the Princesses – Ep 3.

894.M30.

In the eastern part of the Galaxy, the XIII Legion has become a seemingly invincible force. The conquests were linked at very high speed while the Xenos empires all fell under the symbol of Ultramar.

Roboute Guilliman had taken care to let veteran troops build huge strongholds on the constructed worlds.

This ensured quality logistics and the continuous influx of reinforcements and materials from Ultramar.

The numbers of the Ultramarines were greater than any legion.

In this year, they were nearly 190,000 Astartes and their number was only growing.

While Roboute Guilliman continued to fight in the Southeast of the Galaxy.

Princess Kariady Guilliman of Ultramar was in the north of the Kingdom of Ultramar.

His conquests like his father were successful and set up colonies to expand Ultramar.

But above all, it made many planets protectorates and allies of Ultramar.

In that year, she discovered two human empires that were at war.

The Fydor Empire, recognizable by its symbol of a dog standing on a mountain, was fighting the Empire of Crevans, whose symbol was that of a crow carrying wheat.

These two empires since the awakening of Slaanesh had come out of their respective planets and had spread to the surrounding planets.

Circa 870.M30s. The latter began to wage war for the control of their respective borders.

These decades of struggle bloodied and exhausted both empires.

But despite their desire to end the war, the rivalry coupled with resentment risked reigniting hostilities.

Kariady eventually arrived in 891.M30 and began building alliances between the two empires.

Seeing this rivalry between the two empires risked reigniting an unnecessary and bloody war.

Kariady attempted the impossible by reconciling the two empires.

During the next three years, the two empires signed several parleys and the relations between the two empires relaxed a little.

Finally, in this year 894.M30. Emperor Derak Fydor and Emperor Gunbero Crevans decided on a marriage between their heirs. It is also that Derak's eldest son, Dover Fydor was married to Crown Princess Vilatia Cravans.

They decided that it would be their new ally, Kariady Guilliman, to organize the wedding.

Kariady chooses the planet of Averdan, a colony of Ultramar, quite far from the two empires.

Kariady was present on the planet, observing work on a Cathedral dedicated to the Cult of the Emperor, recently installed by a Chapter of Word Bearers.

Kariady's opinion of the Word Bearers was mixed.

On the one hand, the devotion to the Emperor of Humanity as a god did not come from nowhere. Moreover, she could use religion to her advantage to subjugate the population spiritually, in addition to subjugating them politically.

On the other, her father Roboute warned her against the overuse of religion because it was against the atheist law of the Imperium. Moreover, she knew that fanaticism was a danger and it disgusted her.

The prestige of the wedding was enhanced by the presence of her grandmother Salem who had come to visit her.

As the Princess of Ultramar watched the wedding preparations from the Summer Palace...

Salem: "Hello. My little Karia..."

Kariady turns around and could see her grandmother at her feet.

Kariady: "Hello, Grandma. What are you doing?"

Salem sat down on the low wall, so that he was level with his granddaughter's head.

Salem: "Just spending time with you, my little one. Am I not allowed to?"

Kariady: "Of course it is. But is it really a good idea to have a wedding blessed by Uncle Lorgar's Imperial Light? It's against Grandfather's laws."

Salem's smile fades.

Salem: "You know Kariady. I understand why the Emperor had taken this decision to ban religions. Not only, to avoid obscurantism. But also and above all, to avoid mentioning the existence of the Gods of Chaos. I I understand this decision... But it's stupid."

Kariady: "Stupid?"

Salem: "It would be better if there was a universal Cult specific to the Imperium. Thus, those who do not know what to do with their lives could turn to absolution and wisdom. But above all, they would be prepared to counter the lies of Chaos and Xeno. Simple certainty is better than complex study."

Kariady: "But a lot of people won't think like you."

Salem: "There are always fanatical ones everywhere who will refuse to change. There will always be some across the Galaxy. Better to welcome them than counter them. The Emperor is trying the impossible countering them and I respect that. But basically it's an empty decision."

Kariady raised his eyebrow.

Kariady: "Wouldn't it rather have to do with the fact that there were the Twin Gods on Remnant? And as you grew up with their influence, you find it natural that there is a religion."

Salem remains silent for a moment.

Salem: "Maybe... Anyway, this wedding is going to be beautiful."

Kariady: "Yes... I hope so."

A few days later...

The huge party takes place on Averdan.

Kariady was dressed in her white tune bordered with blue embroidery, the style of this ceremonial dress remained the same as her usual dress.

Salem on his side had opted for a plain white dress and in one piece, going from the neck and to his feet without forgetting large drooping sleeves.

Inside the cathedral was a huge crowd. The settlers of Ultramar were present but also the nobles of two empires. But in front were the emperors of Fydor and Crevans accompanied by their wives.

Salem accompanies Kariady in front and the two sit in their assigned places. Of course, the giant size of the princess does not fail to point out but she makes herself as small as possible so that the attention is focused on the bride and groom.

Emperor Gunbero Crevans: "So you are the Witch of Terra?"

Salem: "Absolutely. And incidentally, Grandma of the Princess of Ultramar."

Emperor Crevans raises his eyebrows, rather skeptical but Salem had turned his gaze towards the altar.

Indeed, Word Bearers, dressed in priestly attire had arrived from the presbytery.

One of them who had more decorations on his costume.

Word Bearer: "My sons and daughters. Thank you for all coming on this day to celebrate a beautiful union. The Emperor of Mankind sees us proudly from Terra. May the song of joy welcome the bride and groom."

The group of children at heart began to sing lyrics in High Gothic under the cover of the cathedral organ which played its powerful and harmonious melody.

After a moment, the doors open and reveal the two bride and groom. Crown Prince Dover Fydor and Crown Princess Vilitia Crevans.

The prince was dressed in his military frock coat, with his war medals.

The princess was dressed in a large orange dress studded with jewels.

The two hold hands tightly.

Salem could see that no love was in every groom's face. But closed faces, knowing full well the duty that awaits them.

Eventually, the two arrived in front of the Word Bearer Priest.

Priest Word Bearer: "You are here my children. In the name of the Emperor who sees you from heaven. Do you swear to bind forever?"

Both: "Yes."

Word Bearer Priest: "Do you swear that your family will be beautiful, big and happy?"

Both: "Yes."

Word Bearer Priest: "Do you swear that your children receive love and responsibility?"

Both: "Yes."

Priest Word Bearer: "May your kiss seal this sacred pact."

The two embrace and the crowd in the cathedral cheers.

The two left the cathedral under the song of the children of heart. Followed by their parents, and nobles. Salem and Kariady come out last, not wanting to draw attention to themselves.

In front of her, the two bride and groom were already on their way to the palace, all to the cheers of the crowd.

Kariady: "May this marriage work."

Salem: "It will work."

In the evening...the ball in the hall of the palace was in full swing.

Kariady and Salem were seated on a table, accompanied by the two emperors and their wives.

Kariady: "I think this marriage will go down in history for both of your empires."

Emperor Gunbero Crevans: "I know, Princess of Ultramar."

Emperor Derak Fydor: "To say this is the only way to settle this stupid war."

Salem: "What's bothering you, your majesty?"

Emperor Derak Fydor: "Despite a semblance of unity. Our cultures, our histories have millennia of differences. We will have to tolerate each other to prevent blood from filling the lake again."

Emperor Gunbero Crevans: "Believe me... Even though we are in the same family. I still despise you, just like my father and my grandfather."

Emperor Derak Fydor: "Alas, some resentments are impossible to erase."

Salem: "You know...I would like to introduce you to someone who could be very important to you."

She gestured to someone. A man dressed in rich clothes with a bald head with scars sits at the table.

Salem: "This is Voris Derin. A particularly talented agent of my Imperial organization, the Corpus Inquisitivum."

Emperor Derak Fydor: "So what?"

Salem: "You know as well as I that many of the nobles of your respective courts refuse to give up the war. They want the total destruction of their enemy and will do anything to ruin the little peace that has settled between your two kingdoms. So, I have thought of a solution for you."

Emperor Gunbero Crevans: "What does it consist of?"

Salem: "Voris Derin can give you protection by securing associates from the noblest to the lowest. A chain of trust that will bind your enemies."

The Emperors are pensive but Salem's gaze assured them of his honesty.

Emperor Derak Fydor: "What do you want in return?"

Salem smiled innocently.

Salem: "Just that you ensure free exchange between your nation and the Imperium. Free cultural and economic exchange."

The two emperors stared silently at Salem for a moment.

Emperor Derak Fydor: "Voris Derin. Are you as efficient as you are told."

He just nods his head.

Salem: "He doesn't have the gift of speaking but no need to speak when it comes to such a good agent as him."

Emperor Gunbero Grevans: "I see...if it's just free trade. You're very generous."

Salem: "I aspire only to peace and harmony above all."

The ball ends without too much of a hitch. Salem and Kariady met in a private room.

Salem had a serious face. Salem: "So you're saying you're on the trail of the Psybrids of Osiris?"

Kariady: "Yes, several attacks have been reported in the Far Southwest of the Galaxy. Not far from the Ork Glortian Empire. But so far, the Warhound Legion sub-fleet has found nothing."

Salem: "Do you want to avenge your brothers?"

Kariady: "Yes. But also to avenge you and those who perished there."

Salem smirked.

Salem: "That's very kind of you. It's rare for enemies to deceive me like this. And it irritates me... I want you to show no mercy."

Kariady: "Of course grandma."

Kariady didn't show anything but was very surprised to see her grandmother showing so much coldness and contempt.

Salem smiled again.

Salem: "You will make the Imperium proud by annihilating them. Me first. Because you are the granddaughter of the Emperor and me: the Witch of Terra. There is no reason for you to lose."

To be continued... The Xenocide of Rangdan - The First Xenocide.

The Imperium faces one of the greatest challenges of its existence.

Lion El'Jonson in particular will face this terrible threat.