Rising up from a Nobleman to Intergalactic Warlord!!

---Evening---

Stopping our search for the day, as neither party had the capacity to haul away any more items, leadership requested my continued assistance until their reclamation efforts were completed. Having scoured less than a third of Commorragh and none of the adjacent subrealms, I estimated it would take them two to four weeks to thoroughly check every nook and cranny to their satisfaction. Reluctantly agreeing to lend my aid, in exchange for my services, I requested assistance with my next major undertaking.

“Given how fruitful this endeavor has been for us, I am inclined to hear the details about what you are planning next.”, Yvraine commented, grinning ear to ear.

“We owe you a great debt, so Biel-Tan is onboard with whatever you have in mind.”, Eldanial assured me.

“You already know the Imperium of Man’s forces are at your beck and call.”, Guilliman chuckled. “What crazy plan do you have cooked up this time?”

“Our next target will be a Necron Overlord’s historical galactic museum.”, I said, knowing the description was going to turn many heads. “I know it sounds like a waste of time, but please, hear me out. This museum holds over sixty million years’ worth of artifacts, people, and technological wonders just ripe for the taking. If we capture the Tomb World, the benefits to both sides would be incalculable.”

Starting to nod their heads, Guilliman and Yvraine stopped when they realized I mentioned people. Asking me for clarification on what I had just said, I doubled down and reiterated that he had captured people from across those sixty million years. Unsure why exactly someone would capture people to put them into a museum, Cegorach spoke up as he knew the Necron I was referring to very well.

“Trazyn the Infinite, that is who you are referring to, right? He and his lackeys have attempted to raid the Black Library hundreds of thousands of times over the years.”, Cegorach said, barely able to speak with his swollen black and blue face, “My Harlequins usually thwart their attempts, but on a few occasions, they managed to slip through our lines. If you plan on going to his stronghold, I would very much appreciate it if you returned the stolen tomes they took. No mortal eyes should be allowed to see what is written inside.”

“So, this Trazyn guy is a thief?”, Leman questioned. “Does he have anything of real value in his collection?”

“Thief does not begin to accurately describe who and what Trazyn is. He is a cold, calculating packrat who has the influence and power to act with nigh impunity against nearly any group in the galaxy. On numerous occasions, Trazyn has instigated internal power struggles amongst his peers so he could raid their vaults without interruption.”, I remarked, motioning for Yoma to step forward. “My intelligence team has collected some information on just a small fraction of what he has on display. Have a look for yourselves.”

Projecting a large holographic screen from her wrist-mounted computer, Yoma began divulging our findings thus far. Having been unable to physically reach Solemnace due to its very impressive security system, all the photos we had were taken with long-range cameras. Apologizing for the slightly blurry photos, she began rattling off a list of artifacts and relics we had been able to identify. When she moved on to the people Trazyn had painstakingly placed throughout millions of live exhibits, leadership’s faces darkened as they saw how their people were being treated.

Startled by the sheer multitude of people the Necron Overlord had collected over the years, tempers flared when Yoma showed images of several prominent figures standing atop ornate pedestals. Having been presumed long dead for many millennia now, these revered heroes of the Aeldari and Imperium held a special place in the hearts of the general populace and leadership. Enraged that these legends had been reduced to being Trazyn’s trophies, they wanted to immediately invade the Tomb World and free them.

“How dare that filthy xeno desecrate Constantin Valdor’s corpse!”, El Johnson roared, looking upon his old friend’s face. “Why has this bastard been allowed to continue living for so long?!”

(AN: For those who do not know, Constantin Valdor is the first Custodian and the original Captain-General of the Adeptus Custodes.)

“I never imagined I would say this, but I agree with you. Trazyn is an irreprehensible Mon-Keigh!”, Eldanial commented, looking upon the bodies of Phoenix Lord Drastanta and Farseer Kelmon Firesight.

“Uh… I think I need to clear up a misconception here. Hardly any of the people in Trazyn’s collection are dead; most of them are frozen in stasis fields.”, I clarified with a grin.

Taking a second to process this information, both parties understood now why I was getting them involved. While my interest was exclusively in artifacts and technology, they stood to gain several hundred billion researchers, soldiers, and technicians from their distant pasts. For both sides, it meant not only would they gain many powerful allies, but it also meant that the restoration of their former glory days was within their grasp.

“I think it is safe to say that we are all on board with this.”, Eldanial said, noticing the determined expressions around us. “Are you sure you want to go down this path though? While we may have an uneasy alliance right now, that could all change in the future depending on how things play out.”

“I assure you, we will not allow our children to repeat the travesty that befell the Krorks. It disgusts me to know that my children could be capable of doing something so heinous to their allies. If any of you dare to consider such an act again, I will rain down divine retribution upon you!”, Isha warned her children, ‘Last time, I could only watch helplessly as they forcibly devolved their allies to secure Aeldari dominance over the galaxy. This time, there will be peaceful coexistence or isolation… It is up to the mortals to decide.’

“Your deeds were indeed heinous, but I must say, the aftermath is very amusing. Watching the Orks fight on the battlefield is quite a sight to behold.”, Cegorach laughed, before Isha drove an elbow into his gut.

“Do not make us beat you a second time…”, Isha growled, still upset about his earlier comment.

“Next time, we will use something harder than wooden planks.”, Lileath added, wearing an angry smile, “Maybe a crowbar or baseball bat.”

Giving them a thumbs-up, the Laughing God hobbled aboard my ship to lick his wounds. Walking away to help his nephew, Vaul bid the Eldar a fond farewell and promised to maintain regular contact with them. Realizing their deities, aside from Yncarne, had elected to stay with me for the time being, Eldanial and Yvraine asked me to take good care of them.

“I promise to treat them like honored guests.”, I said, handing over copies of the Necron data we collected from Van Horne. “Use this information to prepare your forces accordingly. We launch our assault on Solemnace in five days.”

Nodding their heads in confirmation, we said our goodbyes as we returned home for the day.

---Victor’s Homeworld---

Bringing the Aeldari and Asgardian deities, Hesperax, Malys, and a handful of Cegorach’s Harlequin bodyguards back to my residence, I gave them a brief tour of my home before offering them some booze while I made everyone dinner. Noticing that my homeworld seemingly lacked the technology necessary for interstellar travel, the deities were eager to learn how I managed to become one of the foremost powers in this region of space from such humble beginnings. Having ignored that glaring fact initially, Ahsoka, Bo-Katan, and Samus were also equally interested in that answer. Telling them about our ancient civil war and the magical awakening that sparked it all, they were startled by how vastly different our reaction was compared to how the Algrand Empire handled it.

“So then, your society is basically running off of what remained after the dust settled.”, Samus said as my family and friends hobbled down the stairs, “Jeez, it makes everything you have done until now even more ridiculous. For you to go from junk parts to a prominent galactic power in just a few short years, it is safe to say you are a genius of unparalleled intelligence.”

“Hehe, and he did it all just to traverse the heavens with us. Is it not romantic?”, Mylene giggled, walking over to me. “Good evening, my darling husband. Who are all these people?”

Before I had a chance to properly introduce everyone, Amallyn snapped to attention and bowed her head.

“I bid you welcome, Lady Isha, Lord Cegorach, and Lord Vaul. It is a pleasure to see the three of you in the flesh!”, Amallyn said, embarrassed to be caught in just an old sweatshirt of mine, ‘Victor, why did you not tell me you were bringing more deities home?!’

“Calm yourself, Amallyn Shadowguide; there is no need to act so stiffly with us. We are mere guests in your home right now, though my daughter and I are interested in making ourselves permanent residents.”, Isha giggled, waving her over, “Come, have a seat with us.”

“You… you want to join the family…”, Amallyn gulped, doing as she was instructed. “Lady Lileath is one thing, but you are Lord Kurnous’s partner, are you not?”

“Ha, Kurnous is and always has been a lone wolf. He only had a child with Isha because Asuryan commanded him to. After completing his task, the guy only came around every few centuries to check in on his daughter.”, Cegorach explained, taking a sip of whiskey, “The truth is, Kurnous goes out of his way to avoid Isha because of the suffering they endured at Khaine’s hands. If that is what you call a loving partner, you need to get your head checked out.”

Having been unaware of this fact, Amallyn immediately apologized for her insensitive question. Telling her not to worry about it, as those old wounds had long since healed, her sights were now squarely upon Victor. Having already been interested in him due to Amallyn’s fervent prayers, the moment their eyes met, something inside told her he was the destined partner she had been searching for. Eager to experience the thrill of courtship for the first time, she fully intended to cherish every second they spent together.

“So, are all these lovely women your wives?”, Vaul questioned, surprised to see so many beauties around him. 'Maybe Cegorach was right; the Aeldari's population troubles may be a thing of the past in the not-too-distant future.'

“No, these four are my childhood friends.”, Lucoa elaborated, motioning toward Elma, Fafnir, Ilulu, and Tohru. “If they do something to offend you, please do not hesitate to smack them upside the head. Especially Ilulu and Tohru.”

“HEY!!”, the two dragonesses snapped.

“As for us, we are Victor's concubines.”, the Lethan Twi’lek spoke, giving our guests a warm smile. “It is a pleasure to meet all of you.”

Bowing their heads respectfully, the other women greeted our guests warmly as well. Noticing that all the women were wearing one of my sweatshirts or t-shirts, there was no room for me to deny their words at this point. Choosing to let the matter go for today, I finished making our side dishes and moved on to the main course, dragon ribeye steaks.