Chapter 573
Everything is going according to plan.
On the Indomitable Truth, Lion El'Jonson walks into his private armory.
Four legionary servants awaited him in a room built of stone in the style of Caliban, all dressed in dark green cloaks, thick gloves, and heavy boots.
The armory walls were covered with all sorts of weapons, some custom-made for the Primarch, others spoils of war acquired after conquering civilizations.
The only thing Lion allowed to flaunt was his collection of weapons.
He believed this was a unique pursuit, similar to Nimrod's collection of unusual items, Fulgrim's love of art, and Magnus's yearning for knowledge.
During his time on the Indomitable Truth, aside from issuing orders from his the Throne, Lion spent most of his time in this cabin, racking his brains for ways to kill the enemy with weapons.
He paced along the wall, touching each of his beloved items, his fingers, encased in metal gloves, tracing the blades and tips of swords and knives, admiring their exquisite craftsmanship.
The piercing gauntlets of Roman gladiators, the machetes of primitive Germanic tribes...
Finally, Lion walked toward the center of the display with a complicated expression.
There lay the beginning of his collection, a short sword in the style of Caliban.
Lion stroked the short sword, recalling the moment when Luther Bestowal his first sword when he became a knight of the "Order of Knights".
Although this short sword has a simple design, it has always proudly occupied the central position in his private armory.
Lion heard heavy footsteps and abruptly withdrew his hand.
He walked toward the door and stared at Calth Wayne.
"Father, it has been confirmed that a legion is active on the surface, just as you suspected, it is Luther and his followers."
Lion paused for a few seconds, then strode forward.
"Announce my upcoming journey to the surface via the Legion's communications channel."
"Prepare the Stormbird."
On the Night Spear, Ulian Bendregg paced back and forth by the observation window, watching the terracotta Stormbird hurtle past.
After a moment, he sighed heavily and turned on his Communicator.
"Lord Nimrod, my father is heading to the surface, and I believe he has already discovered Lord Luther."
In order to cover up his role in keeping Lord Nimrod's secret, he had no choice but to report to Lord Nimrod.
On the surface of Thramas, Luther leads the New Life formed "Order of Knights," bypassing the A-1 Fortress area, and engages in battle in an area filled with mist and forests.
He kicked the Xenos's corpse away, connected the Communicator, listened to Lord Nimrod's message, pondered for a dozen seconds, and then replied.
"My lord, Lion has confirmed my presence; I cannot hide for long."
I will face him directly.
Luther charged at the Xenos, swung his sword with all his might, and smashed the Xenos's head.
Dozens of meters behind Luther, Seraphax heard Luther's words and exchanged a glance with Bela beside him. They read worry and relief in each other's eyes.
As the Xenos roared, Bela swung her sword to block Xenos claws. At the same moment, Seraphax appeared from the side and beheaded the Xenos with a single strike.
The roar of engines shattered the clamor of the battlefield.
The new members of the Order of Knights " stared with complex expressions at the approaching Stormbird, seeing the leader who had abandoned them in Caliban and excluded them from the " Great Crusade ".
Lion's expression was stern, with Wayne and Nemiel following behind him on either side.
Nemiel looked at Zahariel, and the cousins exchanged glances.
Zahariel once kept Nemiel's secret and persuaded him to give up on assassinating the Emperor with the other members of the Knights of the Order.
That was a secret between the brothers.
Lion's gaze swept over Zahariel, a brother he once valued.
They both killed Caliban's Lion Beast, Lion once thought their relationship was unbreakable, but now Zahariel stands by Luther's side.
Lion scrutinized the figure before him, a figure as tall and robust as the other Dark Angels.
"Luther..."
"My orders to you are to garrison Caliban and train new recruits."
As a qualified "Lawyer," Luther had already prepared his arguments.
"After the Xenos invaded Caliban and I repelled their attack, I pursued them relentlessly, witnessing world after world fall into the hands of the Xenos, with countless people suffering enslavement."
"The Xenos, like the Caliban Great Beast, has brought suffering to countless people."
"Lion, do you still remember us..."
Lion heard "us" and shouted coldly, "Shut up!"
His eyes were filled with rage.
"My orders are to garrison Caliban."
"Go back now, immediately!"
"No!" Luther met Lion's gaze without flinching.
Wayne gripped the hilt of his sword, while Seraphax and Bela exchanged a glance and tightened their grip on their blades as well.
The "Barbarian" felt immense pressure and immediately entered the first level of Thelema Mindset, his gaze meeting Lion's.
"Luther!" Lion roared like a lion, his voice deafening.
He clenched his fist, about to deliver a punch to Luther, who had betrayed him in Sarosh and defied him once again.
Lion suddenly relaxed his clenched fist and looked up at the sky.
The aircraft near the ground was not the Stormbird of the 8th Legion as he had expected, but rather the Stormbird approaching the black, Shadow of Order.
A figure in black armor with golden wings soared into the air.
Lion's expression was stern as he stared at Nimrod, who had landed in front of him.
"Nimrod! I'm handling legion affairs. If you need anything, please wait a moment."
Nimrod's gaze swept over Luther and Zahariel, keenly noticing the unease and fear they were desperately trying to hide beneath their calm exteriors.
Lion really doesn't know how to handle his relationship with his kids.
If you could know the future, why bother with the present?
He knew he had to speak up for Luther and not let them be sent back by Lion like that.
"Lion," Nimrod out, stopping Lion who had turned around.
"I have no intention of interfering in the affairs of your legion, but the Xenos are a tremendous threat to the Imperium."
"Luther and Caliban's knights, also the Astartes of the Imperium, are the Emperor's Angel of Death."
"They made enormous sacrifices in the fight against the Xenos."
"Today's decisive battle is a path paved with their blood."
The uneasy hearts of Luther's followers were soothed by Lord Nimrod's words.
The recognition of their honor only strengthened their belief that they had not gone astray.
"Therefore, Lion, I request that you allow them to remain on the battlefield."
"After the war, I will no longer hinder any of your decisions."
Nimrod's earnest request made Lion fall into deep thought.
Lion looked at the Dark Angels behind Luther, their black terracotta armor covered in blood.
He keenly noticed that the cratered armor was covered with scars left by the Xenos.
"Good."
Lion left with a cold remark.
"Lord Nimrod, thank you for speaking up for me."
Hearing the sound behind him, Lion quickened his pace.
Zahariel and Nemiel exchanged a glance before heading in different directions.
Zahariel caught up with Luther, while Nemiel followed Lion.
The terracotta-colored Stormbird slowly rose, Lion, staring at Luther, let out a roar that startled the pilot, causing the Stormbird to tremble.
He watched Luther and Zahariel charge at the Xenos side by side.
Beyond the Veil, in the Empyrean.
On the vast rainbow plateau, roads made of various colored crystals constantly shift and change, crisscrossing each other.
The Crystal Labyrinth is constantly moving and rearranging.
At the heart of the Crystal Labyrinth stands the majestic Impossible Fortress, with Distortion crystal Spire and towers of blue and pink flames churning and bursting forth at its core.
They exist for only a heartbeat's time, then flash and disappear, replaced by new, even more maddening buildings.
The doors, windows, and inviting doorways opened like hungry mouths, then closed again moments later, forbidding anyone from entering.
In the Hidden Library, the being who watched the tense standoff between father and son, and the scenes of loyalty and betrayal between the Primarch and his offspring, uttered a meaningful whisper.
"Luther... fate has changed..."
His skin was covered with ever-changing faces, which would repeat his words in subtle tones as he spoke, their mocking tone casting doubt on the true meaning of his words.
"Change... interesting..."
On His countless faces, tens of Ten Thousand Eyes shone with chaotic and different lights, all focused on one person.
"Dark Angels"... Caliban... Seraphax... Everything is going according to plan..."
His gaze shifted from Thramas.
His interest never lingers on any one person for long, unless that person is the perfect being in His heart.
A red Cyclops.