This was Holy Terra.
Although it was just like the Earth where Kei once lived…
The similar cultural background, similar literary heritage, and similar historical process made him feel that this place could become, as in the original story, a living hell.
He hadn't done much, he'd only given these people a small push.
A simple gesture of help, why not do it?
Led by Steel Legion medical officer Apothecary Quintanus, numerous medical personnel rapidly advanced into Solenfar Outpost, extracting Steel Legion personnel for comprehensive medical evaluation.
The standard Astra Militarum forces who had previously secured Solenfar Outpost initiated salvage operations regarding xenos vessel debris.
Chief Commissar Severina, currently serving as tactical coordinator for the Steel Legion and attired in standard Commissariat uniform, approached Kei and rendered appropriate salute.
She extended her right hand, encased in regulation gloves.
"I am Chief Commissar Severina, current tactical coordinator for the Steel Legion. Gratitude is expressed for your assistance to Holy Terra and the Steel Legion. Your alliance shall be remembered."
"No problem." Kei briefly clasped Severina's fingertips with his right hand, then released contact.
Observing Severina's appearance, he comprehended the current disposition of Terra's Imperial command.
Courteous interaction, cautious engagement, pursuing cooperation, while maintaining absolute autonomy.
The knowledge foundation of the Astra Militarum and Adeptus Mechanicus provided contemporary Terra's leadership with confidence and capability to confront threats from other civilizations.
Following the Eldar survival path would certainly protect them from catastrophes caused by xenos forces.
However, Terra would simultaneously forfeit developmental autonomy.
Though he had demonstrated no desire to conquer Terra or propagate personal ideology, his capabilities remained evident—no entity could disregard such power.
After all, Terra, currently among the militarily inferior factions within numerous galactic civilizations, required careful strategic navigation.
"May I inquire regarding your purpose for visiting Holy Terra?"
Severina's tone maintained courtesy, and she communicated directly, paralleling Celestine's approach.
It was clear, Terra's strategic analysts had thoroughly evaluated his psychological profile.
"I arrived on Terra for her. Assisting your forces occurred because I found Celestine, Captain Sicarius, and Commissar Yarrick personally appealing," Kei indicated with his left thumb toward Jain Zar positioned nearby.
"Once again, gratitude for your assistance to Holy Terra, and we hope your presence here proves satisfactory. Should you require anything from Imperial resources, please establish communication without hesitation." Severina provided appropriate, formal acknowledgment and rendered salute again.
"Alright. Take care." Kei recognized the individual had obtained their desired intelligence.
Since he didn't really want to engage with the higher-ups either, he had no intention of keeping her.
Severina departed.
After saying their goodbyes to him, Steel Legion personnel were transported aboard medical service vehicles and returned to Astra Militarum headquarters. Celestine demonstrated reluctance to depart, yet couldn't abandon her tactical unit, thus followed with evident disappointment.
Not long after, the previously active vendor area became quiet again.
Only near the distant vessel wreckage could one observe continued Astra Militarum and heavy transport vehicle activity.
"Your actions... appear inconsistent with Dimensional Demon God classification." Jain Zar exhibited subtle confusion.
According to the arcane knowledge Kei had previously transmitted to the Black Library: Dimensional Demon Gods amplified their capabilities through two methodologies, one involved lending to lifeforms in alternate dimensions, the other through assimilation or consumption of dimensional spaces.
Most lawfully-aligned Dimensional Demon Gods employed the lending methodology, granting power to their adherents and collecting specified compensation, gradually increasing personal strength.
Most chaotically or malevolently-aligned Dimensional Demon Gods directly invaded and consumed alternate dimensions.
Kei likely belonged to the lawful classification. However, lending required establishing an adherent foundation. Yet no entity acknowledged his designation, nor comprehended his capabilities, how could such processes initiate?
But this entity... appeared to maintain no intention of propagating faith throughout known space?
"Compared to Dimensional Demon Gods, my followers more frequently designate me the 'God Who Refutes Fate.' That represents an entirely different power system."
Kei was indeed a Dimensional Demon Gods, not a fake.
However, whether absorbing or consuming dimensional space for enhancement... Or propagating faith and gradually accumulating power... Both likely proved inferior to altering the fate of a "key universal figure" and thereby modifying cosmic trajectory—such rewards would be superior.
And within singular universal contexts, the protagonist group, supporting elements, and antagonist factions, dozens existed.
How to act for maximum benefit?
Was that even questionable?
"God Who Refutes Fate? Fate, as in outcomes calculated by dimensional apertures?"
Jain Zar's curiosity intensified.
Throughout known space, "fate" more frequently referenced high-probability outcomes calculated by dimensional apertures.
To refute fate? Did that represent yet another power system, distinct from genetic sequences and arcane systems?
"Do you desire knowledge?"
"Interest remains absent." Jain Zar decisively suppressed her curiosity.
That "Living Saint Celestine" recently demonstrated complete infatuation, clearly prepared for immediate romantic engagement.
Yet she maintained superior judgment!
Observing that he didn't pursue the topic further, she quickly modified conversational direction.
"You've imprisoned Lelith, and you've already observed Captain Sicarius. What constitutes your subsequent objective?"
"...Almost forgot." Kei's eyelid twitched as he waved his hand and opened a shimmering golden magical portal about a meter away in midair.
Boom!
Lelith plummeted from the portal at extreme velocity in spread formation, impacting directly with terrestrial surface. She created a humanoid impact crater several meters deep in rockcrete pavement.
"You bastard! I've endured free fall for ten complete hours! Ten hours! Do you find this amusing? Do you?! Argh, observe! Just observe! Solar illumination approaches dawn! Argh!"
Clutching her torso, which nearly sustained compression, she hissed in pain while extracting herself from the crater.
Observing Jain Zar positioned with crossed arms and mocking expression, regarding her condescendingly... Her fury nearly manifested from cranial extremity.
"Jain Zar, you sanctimonious witch! Don't assume superiority merely through association with powerful entities! Once I regain operational status, you inferior being will maintain peripheral positioning! I'll subject you to full diurnal free-fall!"
"Indeed, regarding this operational domain, we Eldar must acknowledge our limitations." Jain Zar tilted her head, directing amused observation over Lelith's curvaceous physiology.
"I cannot tolerate your nonsense! You lack qualification!" Lelith directed disdainful glare toward Jain Zar and reoriented toward Kei.
Inhaling deeply, she forcibly suppressed seething fury.
During those ten hours... She had attempted countless methodologies, analyzing strange forces constraining her, colliding space-time energies, even attempting contact with the Dimensional Aperture and that deceased manipulator Cegorach.
None proved effective! She could only fall. Repeatedly. Until she could comprehend the opponent's attack methodology or obtain equivalent warp control capability...
An adversary of this classification, required endurance!
"Your designation?"
"No need for formality. Just call me Kei."
"You refrained from termination, suggesting I retain value. Proceed, what do you require me to accomplish?"
"Haven't decided yet."
"...What? Yet you still engaged me?! I performed no actions against you!"
"True. It was Yvraine's recommendation to raid your assets. I thought it wasn't a bad idea, so I came for you."
"What a magnificent Eldar she represents!" Lelith expelled words through compressed dental structure, her bloodshot optical organs nearly protruding.
She finally comprehended!
This probably represented Yvraine experiencing boredom, directing complications toward her for amusement, and it succeeded!
Curse Yvraine?
If verbal condemnation resolved problems, she'd maintain it for complete annual cycles.
"Indeed, when good things happen, she always forgets you." Kei couldn't suppress amusement.
These two entities, whether they maintained affection remained unclear, but they had engaged mutual hostility for a very long time. Such connection wasn't something ordinary beings could replicate.
"...Can you communicate normally? You already appropriated my assets! My Torture-class Raider is gone, my warriors are gone, and now you're aggravating the wound, don't you experience guilt?"
"Absolutely not. In fact, I find it mildly satisfying."
"Void take you! I'm going to fight you to the death!"