One day had passed in the universe of Wandering Earth…
Kenthelion descended from the Gloriana-class battleship, clad in gleaming golden power armor. A massive golden sword hung on his back, radiating majesty. Behind him marched his loyal guards, and flanking him on both sides were two members of the Inquisition, their presence cold and commanding.
The UEG (United Earth Government) soldiers stationed nearby watched in stunned silence. To them, Kenthelion was like a god among men. Standing over 4.5 meters tall, he towered above even his elite escort soldiers—who themselves stood at an imposing 2.2 meters.
With each step, the atmosphere grew heavier as Kenthelion and his entourage made their way into the grand hall of the UEG Union.
At that moment, Rishi Sunak—representative of the United Kingdom—voluntarily renamed his post to Imperial Commissioner of the Caelestis Imperium, a symbolic act of submission to the rising galactic power.
Kenthelion stood at the front of the assembly. His gaze was piercing, and his voice resounded like thunder.
> "I am the Emperor of the Imperium Caelestis. You need not know my birth name. From now on, simply call me Emperor."
The room fell into a deep, awestruck silence.
> "I know all of you are curious about the current state of the Milky Way… And today, I will reveal its true face."
Raising a single armored hand, Kenthelion unleashed a surge of psychic energy. A massive projection formed in the center of the hall—like a celestial screen—visible to every representative in the room.
> "Long ago, humanity ruled a mighty interstellar federation. We called it our Golden Age. It was an era of prosperity where countless alien civilizations sought to join our alliance."
Kenthelion's voice deepened as the projection shifted into chaotic imagery.
> "But then… the betrayal came. Millions of alien races turned on us. They tore apart the Human Federation, leaving our kind broken and scattered. We became the lowest, most despised race in the galaxy."
Gasps and shocked whispers echoed across the hall.
Kenthelion continued, eyes burning with divine fury.
> "But now… under my rule, the Imperium Caelestis of Man shall rise once more! Humanity will return to the summit of the stars. This time, there will be no applause from alien tongues—because mankind is the perfect race in this universe!"
As his words echoed, waves of psychic energy rippled through the hall. A powerful, inexplicable rage began to swell in the hearts of all who listened.
> "The Imperium Caelestis is a human empire—by humans, for humans. Only those I personally allow may walk among us…"
"Those filthy aliens have oppressed humanity's living space! But we will not surrender! We shall wield the sword of mankind to fight for the soil—for the land—that rightfully belongs to humanity!"
"The aliens who rose above the ruins of the Human Federation… they devoured us! Enslaved us! But we shall offer our lives, if needed, to reclaim the worlds that belong to us!"
Kenthelion's voice thundered across the hall, echoing in the hearts of everyone present.
"I know... all of you live in peace and comfort now. But life is not everything! There is something far more precious than life itself—the dignity of mankind! The glory of being human!"
"As long as planets and continents across the galaxy fly the banners of alien empires… then I ask you—where is our dignity as humans?!"
As he spoke, Kenthelion slowly raised his hand, and his powerful psychic energy spread through the chamber. A massive psychic projection appeared, showing horrific scenes: aliens torturing humans, enslaving them, selling them like cattle… even eating them.
Gasps, murmurs, and trembling filled the room. Delegates from every nation stared in horror. The galaxy they had once imagined as beautiful, as full of wonder… was in truth a nightmare.
"I do not want a future where the word 'human' becomes a joke! Where alien children laugh when they hear our name, mocking us as weak flesh, blood, and prey! I will not allow it! And you should not either!"
"The Imperium Caelestis has arrived!" he roared. "We will save you! With a civilization that humanity can truly call its pride!"
"Yes, you have eaten well. You've lived in peace and smiled in comfort. But that is not the meaning of our existence! We must stand on our own! Seize our own destiny! Reclaim the living space that belongs to mankind!"
"The Human Federation has already taught us one bitter truth: There's no use in protesting. No use in begging. A nation that only knows how to protest, that only knows how to beg, is nothing but a nation of cowards!"
"True humans must rely on iron and blood to defend their true homeland!"
"Those who can only protest and beg are spineless and shameful! We must shatter the pride of the alien races! Exterminate all creatures that lack humanity! Human blood is the most sacred substance in the universe—noble blood!"
"The human skull is the purest relic in the entire galaxy! And we possess both! We are the most noble race in existence! We are the rulers of the universe!"
Kenthelion's voice became like thunder rolling through the heavens.
"Now... let me see whether you—the most noble race in this universe—have the courage to stand with us!"
At that moment, Kenthelion used his psychic powers to project the full truth—gruesome scenes of what the aliens had done. Slavery. Torture. Experiments. Genocide. A galaxy soaked in human blood.
The entire hall fell silent. Delegates and military leaders from all nations were stunned. They realized how low humanity's status truly was out there. Why did this emperor feel so familiar—like the historical figures they had studied, like someone from the pages of their old books?
Then, one voice rang out:
"Loyalty to you, my Emperor!"
The Prime Minister of France stood proudly, following the ancient etiquette of their heritage. It was no coincidence—their lineage traced back to Napoleon himself.
"Loyalty to you, my Emperor!"
The Prime Minister of Russia stood next, and bowed.
With those two declarations, a wave followed: the United States, India, Japan, and many others one by one pledged themselves to the Imperium Caelestis.
Now, only one nation remained silent—China.
Zhou Zhezhi sat in silence, torn for the first time in his life. The dilemma gripped him deeply.
Then a guard approached him quickly and whispered:
"Sir, a message from Number One."
Zhou leaned in.
"What is the message?" he asked.
The guard whispered a few words. Zhou slowly nodded, then stood and spoke with calm authority:
"China has always prioritized the survival of humanity. We are willing to join the Imperium Caelestis."
A pause.
"However, I must ask—can you and your forces help us resolve the solar crisis we're currently facing?"
Kenthelion looked him straight in the eyes and answered without hesitation:
"What may seem a crisis to you... is but a minor incident for us. And to ensure the safety of this world, we have already dispatched our forces to eliminate the rebel base the United Kingdom's representative reported."
He then stepped forward slowly, his voice lowering, yet gaining intensity as he continued:
"However... if you tell them to look for the blue-painted Space Marines, they won't mistake them, will they?"