Reborn as Humanity’s Emperor Across the Multiverse

Shortly after, in Universe 08 (Halo)—

A Phoenix-class support vessel was cruising rapidly through slipspace.

Inside a cabin on the starboard side of the ship, a group of newly recruited Imperial Marines in training fatigues had gathered near the observation window.

Most of their faces bore expressions of uncontainable wonder as they gazed out at the seemingly endless "blue waves" of slipspace.

The mesmerizing colors of slipspace reflected against the window, adding a dreamlike quality to the otherwise plain cabin.

"The scenery during slipspace travel… no matter how many times I see it, I just can't get enough of it," one recruit remarked, his voice full of awe.

"Hah, that's just because you're new," another recruit standing nearby chuckled, shaking his head in a teasing, knowing tone.

"Spend a few months staring at this bizarre, kaleidoscopic nonsense, and you'll start feeling dizzy. By then, even the pitch-black void of normal space will seem refreshing."

"Well, it's still better than those desolate regions of space with no nebulae or stars to break the monotony," a third recruit chimed in, rolling his eyes in mild rebuttal. "At least here, it's not completely dead and silent."

As they admired the view, the recruits chatted casually, their words revealing a mix of curiosity about the unknown and anticipation for the journey ahead.

These young Marines had all passed through rigorous selection and grueling training to earn their place in the Imperial Navy's elite ranks. Their physical prowess and mental resilience were exceptional.

Yet, in this moment, they were like wide-eyed newcomers, marveling at the unique beauty of slipspace.

What truly excited them, however, wasn't the slipspace journey itself but the fact that they were about to step onto their first real battlefield.

According to the original plan, these recruits were supposed to accompany the fleet on routine patrol and cleanup missions, using real combat experience under the guidance of veterans to replace their training simulations.

But just recently, fleet command had abruptly changed their orders.

What had initially been a patrol mission targeting scattered hostile forces had been escalated to full combat readiness.

The entire fleet had adjusted its course and was now heading at full speed toward the edge of the chaotic region of space, some 200 light-years away.

Their commanding officers informed them that intelligence suggested the chaotic region harbored a massive rebel force, possibly numbering in the tens of millions.

This force primarily consisted of surviving Jiralhanae (Brutes) and those still clinging to Covenant supremacist ideologies.

As such, the 36th Fleet had been given a clear directive: conduct a comprehensive "purge" operation.

In other words, these recruits had unknowingly been thrust into a large-scale military operation right as they joined the Imperial forces.

For those who had just passed stringent selection and officially entered the Empire's military, this news came as a shock.

Many of them had expected a relatively smooth acclimation period—time to gradually familiarize themselves with the rhythm of war through training and small-scale missions.

Now, however, they were about to be thrust into the front lines of a massive battle.

Fueled by youthful enthusiasm and ambition, these young Marines felt not fear, but exhilaration.

They were eager to prove themselves in the upcoming combat and to earn honor and recognition.

In their minds, they envisioned glorious battle scenes, each soldier hoping to climb the ranks of military achievement and carve out a name for themselves.

For now, however, they had been granted some free time by their superiors, allowing them to relax until their Phoenix-class support vessel exited slipspace alongside the rest of the fleet.

Sitting on one of the bunks, Charlie Horneld shook his head slightly, a faint smile on his lips.

He didn't join his comrades in their discussions or playful banter but couldn't help feeling amused by their lighthearted atmosphere.

Charlie understood well that his comrades' excitement stemmed largely from their anticipation of battle and their yearning for glory and rewards—feelings he himself shared.

He, too, was motivated by the pursuit of accolades.

Charlie knew that excelling in the upcoming operation could earn him generous bonuses.

This, in turn, would bolster his military record and bring him closer to achieving one of his personal dreams:

Customizing his own high-end synthetic companion.

Since his traumatic high school experience with relationships, Charlie had grown disillusioned—or perhaps even fearful—of romantic involvement with ordinary women. He dreaded the idea of being entangled with another "gold digger" or manipulative individual.

For him, a sincere, trustworthy synthetic partner represented a source of comfort in an otherwise solitary life.

It was a goal he had long been working toward.

Shaking off these thoughts, Charlie straightened his bed and belongings, ensuring everything was neat and orderly before rising to smooth the wrinkles in his fatigues.

Leaving the cabin, he stepped into the ship's brightly lit, spacious corridor.

The walls and floor panels, sleek and metallic, glimmered faintly under the ship's cold lighting.

Here and there, fully armed Marines patrolled the hallways, occasionally brushing past Charlie as he walked.

The ship hummed steadily, the faint mechanical vibrations adding a sense of stability to the Phoenix-class vessel.

Charlie decided to head toward the ship's "convenience store" in the central section of the ship—a popular hangout for soldiers during downtime.

The store not only sold daily necessities but also stocked snacks, comics, and other items produced by the Atlas Corporation.

Charlie had a particular fondness for snacks, especially the highly acclaimed "Energy Bars."

As he made his way, he noticed synthetic workers and engineers busy performing routine inspections on various parts of the ship. Their coordination ensured that all systems remained in perfect working order for a smooth voyage.

Among the bustling scene, Charlie's attention was suddenly drawn to several dwarves working alongside the engineers and synthetics.

The diminutive "technical overseers" wielded their tools with precision and skill, their heavy accents adding a cultural flavor to their conversations.

After integrating fully into the Empire, dwarves had leveraged their natural talent for engineering and construction to achieve rapid advancements. Within just a few years, they had surpassed even Atlas' top engineers.

As a result, dwarves now served as technical overseers within many legions and fleets.

Continuing his walk, Charlie soon encountered several Sangheili (Elites) dressed in tight training attire.

Tall and imposing, yet proportionally balanced, the Sangheili exuded an aura of confidence and strength.

Traveling in groups, they appeared to have just finished their daily sparring sessions. Their deep voices carried snippets of humor, and their hearty "hooah!" laughs echoed through the hallway, injecting vibrancy into the otherwise utilitarian environment.

This naturally combative species needed no Inquisitor's serum or costly genetic modification procedures to operate at the level of a "super-soldier."

In fleets stationed in Universe 08, Sangheili often comprised around 30% of combat personnel.

Before long, Charlie arrived at the ship's central recreational area, a hub for soldiers to relax and make purchases.

The large space was divided into sections: on one side was a cafeteria serving hot meals, while the other side housed a convenience store with shelves packed full of goods.

Most noticeable, however, was a modestly decorated bar.

Inside, Sangheili could be seen chatting animatedly with their human comrades, hoisting oversized mugs of beer and tearing into roasted meat with gusto. The atmosphere was lively and cheerful.

Some dwarves joined the merriment, though their antics occasionally escalated into drunken shoving matches or loud bickering among themselves.

This was a common sight, and most soldiers simply ignored it, knowing the dwarves would soon pass out and sleep it off.

When that happened, cleaning crews would carry the unconscious dwarves to the nearby public rest area to let them recover.

Mixed among the crowd were members of another species—the Elves.

Tall, elegant, and strikingly beautiful, the Elves stood out sharply from the Sangheili and dwarves.

With their graceful movements and refined demeanor, they brought a touch of sophistication to the ship's rugged atmosphere.

Whether browsing items in the store or sipping drinks in a quiet corner of the bar, the Elves exuded an aura of effortless composure.

Charlie, however, paid little attention to the lively surroundings. After glancing briefly into the open bar, he walked straight into the convenience store.

Heading to the snacks section, he quickly grabbed pineapple and strawberry-filled energy bars, along with a few bags of tomato-flavored roasted potato chips.

He then picked up two cans of energy drinks and a few newly released physical comic books.

Despite the Empire's highly developed digital entertainment networks, physical comics still held a special place in people's hearts.

Charlie understood this well.

While digital formats were convenient, they could never replicate the tactile satisfaction of flipping through printed pages or the joy of seeing a complete collection neatly arranged on a shelf.

As he was about to leave the comic section and head to the self-checkout kiosk, a soft, melodic voice sounded behind him:

"Oh? You're a fan of the Star Marines series too?"

The voice was pleasant and carried a playful curiosity.

Charlie stopped in his tracks and turned slightly, surprised and curious about the person addressing him.

Standing not far behind him was a female Elf, also dressed in Marine fatigues. Her fiery red hair cascaded down her back, and her eyes seemed to focus more on the comics in his basket than on him.

When Charlie caught

sight of her, he was momentarily stunned.

She was about his height—if not a bit taller—and carried an air of gentle elegance rather than the fierceness one might expect of a warrior.

Her refined demeanor, coupled with her striking appearance, left Charlie slightly flustered.

Fortunately, he quickly composed himself, suppressing his nerves and pretending to be unaffected.

"Yeah, I like it," he replied, a hint of confusion in his tone. "Why do you ask?"

"No reason~," the Elf replied with a smile, her voice light and cheerful.

"I just noticed you're a fan of Star Marines. My friends and I were just discussing the plot—it's such an interesting series. I couldn't resist striking up a conversation."

She paused thoughtfully before adding, "Which part of the story is your favorite? Personally, I found the final battle on Mars fascinating, especially the protagonist's ultimate decision."

Her casual and genuine tone put Charlie at ease, making the conversation feel natural and unforced.

"The protagonist's choice to dive into the Warp's vortex for humanity's sake was admirable," Charlie nodded, his voice tinged with respect and sincerity.

His response seemed to resonate with her.

"Haha, looks like we share the same perspective!" the Elf said with a hearty laugh. Then, her tone turned surprisingly candid:

"So… do you have any plans right now? If not, would you mind joining me for a drink? We could chat more about the series. What do you think?"

…

"Uh…" Charlie's mind went blank.

Her sudden invitation caught him completely off guard.

After all, he'd never experienced something like this before.

In the Prime Universe, an invitation like this—whether from a man or a woman—often carried unspoken implications or ulterior motives.

But this Elf's behavior seemed utterly genuine, devoid of pretense.

Was she trying to trick him? Perhaps she'd lost a bet and was fulfilling a dare?

Or maybe… she thought he was an easy target for some kind of prank?

Countless thoughts raced through Charlie's mind in the span of a few seconds.

Noticing his hesitation, the Elf arched an eyebrow slightly and prompted him again:

"Hello? Are you okay?"

"Ah—uh, I don't have any plans," Charlie blurted out reflexively. "Sure, I'd be happy to!"

… And just like that, he inexplicably found himself agreeing.

[Check out my Patreon for +200 additional chapters in all my fanfics! Only $5 per novel or $15 for all!!] [[email protected]/Mutter]

[+50 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter]

[+5 Reviews = +1 Extra Chapter]