Warhammer: Starting as a Planetary Governor

Rumble rumble rumble...

Eden and his group stepped onto the platform of the Ninth Gate.

The ground of the platform was extremely bizarre, paved entirely with the eyes and teeth of countless failed challengers.

The golden face of the Guardian here was also larger than anywhere else, occupying most of the space.

Too many beings had been stumped by its riddles, lost forever within this domain, including some ancient lives.

"Hiss~ I didn't expect to see a rat here…"

Eden looked with great interest at a ragged, grey rat-man not far away. It was a relic from the previous universe era—a Grey Seer of the Skaven.

That rat-man Seer had completely lost himself in confusion, lying on the ground gnawing at the edge of the golden gate.

"Savior, do you know what that is?"

Zaraphiston was also very curious. He had never seen such a creature before, but Eden seemed quite familiar with it.

"That is one of the lost Skaven race. Like you, it is a sentient being, also a seer."

Eden didn't reveal too much information, to avoid unnecessary changes.

He pointed at the magical crystals and rune tomes on the Skaven Seer's body. "Those are all precious knowledge. Go get them—and pluck some fur while you're at it."

The magic of the Skaven was quite impressive, involving dimensional technology, genetic manipulation of fur traits and more. It was worth collecting for study, to expand his biotechnological research.

As for cloning or restoring the entire Skaven race—he had no intention of doing that.

Their reproductive ability was terrifying.

If their faith were to awaken the Great Horned Rat slumbering deep within the Warp, that would be a problem too great to amuse.

"Ah?"

Zaraphiston looked hesitant. "According to the Guardian's rules, no pilgrim may interfere with another's existence. Otherwise, they will be expelled… or driven mad…"

He had witnessed countless beings try to attack other pilgrims.

Those beings were all corrupted under the Guardian's attacks, turned into bricks embedded with eyes and teeth.

Or rather, the floor beneath their feet was made from the corroded remains of such lives.

Even worse, that attack was almost like a rule itself—embodying the Crystal Labyrinth, nearly impossible to resist.

"Sigh, Zaraphiston, why are you so honest?"

Eden shook his head in disappointment, scolding this Tzeentchian cultist. "You're thinking too small. You have to get used to your new identity. Are you still a pilgrim?

You are now the Savior's servant, one of the honored guests invited by the Changer of Ways. Be bolder—act like you're in your own house!"

These pilgrims were here to beg for scraps, but their group was different. They were guests personally invited by the Great Blue Bird. By extension, they were practically VIP clients.

If they didn't come, the Great Blue Bird wouldn't be pleased either.

In his view, the Great Blue Bird needed something from him, which granted him temporary bargaining power—allowing him more freedom within the Crystal Labyrinth, and the ability to make certain requests within reason.

These were the unspoken rules between him and the Great Blue Bird. After all, both sides wanted to maintain appearances; to discuss things directly would be too crude.

Besides, this privilege had an expiry date. Next time, there might be no special treatment—and even payback with interest.

In this situation, shouldn't he act with the confidence of an inspector? Getting some benefits was perfectly reasonable.

"Really?"

Zaraphiston was still worried. After all, this was the core territory of the Changer of Ways, and should be approached with deep reverence.

Otherwise, the fate that awaited would be extremely miserable.

Eden was full of confidence, encouraging him. "Don't worry, Zaraphiston. Be bold—keep your spirit up, don't lose face!"

Encouraged by Eden, Zaraphiston mustered his courage and went to pluck the Skaven Seer's wool. Sure enough, he wasn't punished by the Guardian.

Though the Seer's reaction was a bit intense.

Fortunately, Zaraphiston's sorcery was strong enough to subdue the Skaven Seer, successfully taking its magical crystals and rune tomes.

And some Skaven flesh as well.

Not only that, Zaraphiston's greed flared up, and he continued to strip other lost beings of their equipment and rare items.

He made quite a fortune, and his back straightened with pride.

Tears welled up in his eyes.

"Having someone backing me up really is different… I've wasted those last few thousand years here for nothing!"

Afterwards, Eden's group arrived before the golden gate, where they unexpectedly saw a Thousand Sons sorcerer.

This figure wore jet-black light power armor, held a black staff, carried ornate force weapons and an enchanted bolt pistol, and his eyes burned with blue flames.

He was clearly a chosen of Tzeentch.

"Ahriman?"

Zaraphiston was shocked to see Ahriman the Exile, the Thousand Sons' Chief Librarian, and their greatest sorcerer.

Also one of the most powerful psykers in the entire galaxy.

Zaraphiston had once worked with Ahriman. Both were core members of the Black Legion, but later that Chief Librarian was summoned back to the Planet of the Sorcerers by his gene-father Magnus.

Together with Magnus, he laid siege to the Fenris system, attempting to destroy their bitter enemies, the Space Wolves.

Afterwards, Ahriman went around raiding ancient museums, libraries, scholams, and temples, gathering knowledge to master the true path of the sorcerer.

Last Zaraphiston heard, Ahriman had invaded the Eldar webway, plundering their ancient Halls of Enlightenment to absorb even more secrets.

He never expected to see the Chief Librarian here again, in Tzeentch's realm, aiming to enter that legendary library.

Ahriman seemed to sense something, raising his head to look over with blurred, ever-shifting features.

The Thousand Sons' Chief Librarian did not respond to Zaraphiston, simply lowering his gaze to focus on solving the riddle before him.

He seemed uninterested in anything else around him.

In truth, Ahriman no longer cared about worldly conflicts. He had only one goal now—to enter the library and find the Well of Eternity.

That legendary well contained the waters of omniscient sorcery, allowing glimpses into countless destinies.

He wished to use it to find and recover his gene-father, the Crimson King Magnus.

"Why is he ignoring you?"

Eden walked over, asking curiously.

He vaguely remembered this Ahriman as a fairly famous figure in the galaxy.

Unfortunately, he was a chosen of Tzeentch and Magnus' right-hand man—not an opponent to be casually challenged.

"Ahriman has never really thought much of me…"

Zaraphiston lowered his head in shame. In the field of sorcery, he indeed could not compare. Within the Thousand Sons, he held no particular rank either.

He only scraped by in the Black Legion as a 'prophet' with his half-reliable divinations.

Eden patted Zaraphiston's shoulder, comforting him.

"One day, you'll surpass him. The gates of the library will open to you…"

"Savior!"

Zaraphiston was deeply moved by his words. It had been so long since anyone encouraged or comforted him like this.

With newfound determination, he strode toward the golden gate.

Eden watched Zaraphiston's back and shook his head lightly.

"Sigh… these guys really are starved for love. I wonder if it's some flaw in their genetic surgery…"

From Primarchs to Space Marines, they were all the same—just a little care, and they would howl with excitement.

Some Primarchs would be so moved by a single hug, they'd remain touched for thousands of years—and even grow jealous enough to start fighting over it.

Looking at Ahriman, Eden roughly guessed his purpose. Magnus probably implanted some mental suggestion within his sons' consciousness.

This would compel certain powerful Thousand Sons to seek out their gene-father's soul, using the Rite of Return to revive the Crimson King.

After thinking a moment, Eden sent a subtle psychic message to the Chief Librarian.

Elsewhere.

Ahriman was pouring all his thoughts into the riddle. The Guardian's puzzle had surpassed even his vast knowledge base.

So complex, even a Tech-Priest's cogitator could not endure it.

Suddenly, a message echoed within his mind:

"When you find Magnus, tell him the Savior and the Emperor miss him dearly."

???

A chill of fear surged through Ahriman. His concentration shattered as he abruptly raised his head to scan for the message's source.

In the next instant—

RUMBLE!

The final golden gate swung open.

The Thousand Sons' Chief Librarian watched as Zaraphiston walked through, utterly dumbfounded.

…

Secret Library.

After passing through the portal, Eden arrived in this eternal dimensional hall, containing the collective knowledge of the entire universe.

It was nothing like an imagined library. Instead, it was far more bizarre.

Floating colossal brains, illusory projections, materialized data streams, and endless shelves filled the space.

All these were structured in a hyper-complex configuration within a single dimension.

This library preserved fragments of every piece of knowledge, every thought of every living being at every moment.

Paper tomes, parchment scrolls, codices, and data-storage units were arranged into dazzling strings by colored sorcerous flames.

Scroll upon scroll, bookshelf upon bookshelf, and even more forms of knowledge were laid out within this hidden space.

He couldn't even describe how vast this place was. Perhaps… it was infinite.

The library was far from empty. In fact, it was bustling.

Eden saw beings from countless eras here, all completely engrossed in absorbing knowledge, paying no attention to the outside world.

They would remain here forever, using their limited lives to pursue infinite knowledge.

This was also why the Changer of Ways was so generous. He knew that the vast majority of beings who entered here would never leave with any knowledge.

Instead, they would become part of the library itself.

Among the shelves and spaces, countless pink and blue Horrors crawled about.

They were the library's caretakers, like deranged gardeners pruning stray branches, tending to this knowledge.

Some incessantly muttering black magic tomes even used their whispering incantations to set traps, devouring and digesting the Horrors guarding them.

Eden glanced at the Warp Surgeon and Zaraphiston. The two were already struggling to contain their thirst for knowledge.

No scholar or researcher with ambition could resist the universe's deepest and richest trove of knowledge.

"Go search for what you need."

He reminded them, "But don't stay too long. We must leave as soon as possible…"

Eden had already assigned missions to the Warp Surgeon and Zaraphiston.

They needed to absorb as much knowledge as possible regarding biology, pathology, sorcery, dark forging technologies, and especially Necron blackstone technology.

Particularly, they had to find a way to counteract the corrupted machines forged by Mortarion, the Death Lord.

Afterwards, Eden looked at Bar'u.

He signaled for this infiltrator to protect his subordinates, ensuring they didn't fall into madness or misfortune while seeking knowledge.

The Changer of Ways' generosity was never without cost—and there were plenty of Lords of Change lurking in this library.

Once everyone dispersed—

"What a place…"

Eden concealed his aura, wandering alone through the library to search for secrets.

If he could seize this library and transform it into a public library for humanity…

Then mankind would have endless knowledge and technology, and their scientific level would skyrocket.

Sadly, he didn't have that power yet.

At the very least, he'd need enough strength to beat the Changer of Ways himself before he could even think of taking it.

He casually picked up a book on humanoid silicone simulation lifeform construction and flipped through it, only to find he understood almost none of the complex diagrams and terms.

As expected, obtaining knowledge required a foundation.

He, who had coasted along all the way here, was roughly at the level of a mid-tier Imperial Schola student in general academics.

Even here, he wouldn't be able to learn much.

Despite his knowledge already surpassing most humans.

It was just like the internet back home: though it contained almost all knowledge, things like quantum physics, partial differential equations, or nuclear bomb design principles—

Even if they were placed in front of him, he wouldn't be able to learn them.

In truth, most people after graduation, if they revisited their old textbooks, could only exclaim "Damn, this is insane."

Eden sighed.

Unless he was willing to spend years here learning from scratch, he'd never absorb these lost arcane knowledges.

"They say this library preserves every creature's thoughts at every moment…"

Eden pondered.

"No wonder Tzeentch has so many plans. It's like having mind-reading and map-hacking enabled.

Could it be… those mysterious books even record my thoughts? Doesn't that mean Tzeentch has seen through everything I am?

Perhaps my supposedly free and independent actions are merely part of His guidance and arrangement.

Every step, every decision… carried out along His preordained path??!"

At that thought—

He sucked in a cold breath. "Hiss… terrifying…"

Eden grabbed a pink Horror, commanding it to lead him to the bookshelves about the Primarch of Hope and the Savior.

Soon, he arrived at a shelf bearing his own name.

Everything about him was recorded here.

"There's not much here…"

Eden frowned at the few lonely tomes radiating mysterious energies on the shelf.

He picked one up and flipped through it. The contents were sparse, mostly about his original self's past and some widely known deeds since his arrival.

There were vast blanks in the records, with almost none of his secrets revealed.

So, this library wasn't as terrifying as imagined. Otherwise, no being would have any chance against Tzeentch's manipulations.

He grabbed the Book of Thoughts next and found it nearly completely blank.

He flipped through page after page, finding almost nothing.

Occasionally there were lines like, "Fuck you, you old fart" or sarcastic insults at the Chaos Gods and other powerful beings.

"What a mess…"

Eden flipped to the most recent page and saw his insult calling Tzeentch an old bastard recorded right there.

He could imagine Tzeentch's expression while reading this.

Perhaps because he came from a higher dimension, this mysterious library simply couldn't monitor or record him. Even the Changer of Ways' powers had little influence over him.

Following the index, he found books related to people connected to him, discovering that many entries were similarly blank.

Perhaps, in Tzeentch's eyes, he was just a mass of fog, completely unreadable.

However, some Primarchs' and powerful beings' books had blank sections too, though far fewer.

That might be the library's limitation.

Then he browsed some books recording the thoughts of Space Marines or ordinary humans, finding the contents meticulously detailed—down to their exact thoughts in the present moment.

It was terrifying.

This was why Tzeentch could sow so much chaos in the galaxy, set so many traps, and yet still maintain the greater order.

Perhaps to him, the Changer of Ways seemed average, but in the eyes of others, He was an unstoppable terror.

Once targeted by Him, most beings had no hope of escape.

They would never even realize it, until they fell into madness or death.

Eden began reading books about familiar mortals, like Linda and Karina.

At that moment, Linda, his head maid, was making pastries.

She was thinking about how the Savior used to love her pastries. Then she felt sad that he hadn't tasted them for so long.

She hadn't even seen him in ages.

As she thought of this, tears fell.

Karina, meanwhile, was thinking: "Mm… ah… Savior, don't… that's my new dress…"

Eden quietly closed the Book of Thoughts. That woman was clearly dreaming.

He stopped spying further, realizing these books couldn't leave the library anyway and weren't that useful.

He had gotten the information he needed, resolving his doubts and strengthening his confidence against the Changer of Ways.

A new worry arose in his mind.

Everything here could be an elaborate illusion by that old bastard to trick him into lowering his guard.

True or false, it was impossible to tell.

But Eden didn't fall into that trap. The more one doubts and fears, the more one sinks into the snare.

Better to just charge ahead!

He stopped overthinking and left the area.

Under Bar'u's secret guidance, Eden quietly approached the Eternal Well at the heart of the secret library.

This was his true goal.

The Eternal Well existed at the boundary between reality and illusion, yet it also possessed a physical form. Its space overlapped upon itself endlessly.

When Eden arrived, he saw numerous powerful Lords of Change gazing into the well's sorcerous waters, seeking traces of destiny.

Yet none interfered with the others.

He too looked curiously into the deep well, seeing the bottomless magical waters within, feeling their mystery and chill.

Legend said they led to the true core of the universe.

Eden steadied himself, never daring to even think of diving in.

That place was too dangerous.

Even Tzeentch Himself would never descend into it.

In His attempts to probe the Eternal Well, Tzeentch had tricked and tossed in countless Daemon Princes, yet almost none returned.

Nor had He found the final secret.

"Let's look for any traps the giant moth bastard set up first…"

Eden peered carefully into the well's waters. Within the visions of the future, he saw a familiar planet—Martira.

That planet was gradually being covered by plague. There, he found traces of the corrupted machines.

It seemed that was the key to cleansing his territories of plague.

With this information, he felt confident. This was far more useful than any divination.

He then explored the future of the Ultramar war zone, finding some vague intelligence.

Those clues were constantly shifting.

The future wasn't fixed, but filled with countless variables—likely also due to interference from other Chaos Gods.

Finding key threads of fate was never easy. Otherwise, there wouldn't be so many Weavers staring into the Eternal Well day and night for millennia.

Those shifting clues weren't of much use and could easily mislead.

The knowledge within his own memories of the future remained the most precious in the universe.

Eden gazed into the silent, deep well, an uncontrollable curiosity rising in his heart.

He asked softly, "Do you know about GW—"

"Caw!"

Suddenly, all the Raven-like Weavers observing the Eternal Well shrieked.

At the same time—

The Eternal Well, Tzeentch's most prized treasure, seemed to explode in agitation, its surface roiling with terrifying, violent tremors about to erupt.

Eden's scalp went numb.

"Shit—it's gonna blow?!"

(End of Chapter)

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