"Can We Go Outside?"

Thump, thump.

The sound of the four company commanders stepping away echoed through the bridge.

Subsequently, Sui Yang's gaze swept over the mechanical arm extending from Ferrus's shoulder guard. Those precision servo joints trembled slightly to the primarch's breathing rhythm, resembling a pack of coiled snakes ready to strike.

When the Emperor's gaze lingered on the disassembler of a certain mechanical arm, the weapon automatically completed its charging calibration, and then—

"The matter of accepting the surrender of the United Earth Directorate shall be entrusted entirely to you and your legion."

The Emperor's voice triggered a resonance effect within the bridge, causing the dragon eyes of the coiled-dragon pillar to shift to iron-gray. "Remember, although the technology tree of the UED appears relatively crude compared to ours, its various technologies are still worth preserving intact."

"Yes, Father."

When Ferrus nodded, trace amounts of liquid metal leaked from the joint between his neck guard and chest armor. These were, in fact, nanorobots equipped with self-repairing functions.

Thump! Thump!

Moreover, the sound of the primarch turning and leaving carried a unique metallic texture, far heavier than those of the four company commanders.

When the hydraulic sound of the blast door closing dissipated, Athena's golden greaves swept an arc across the floor tiles. The angle at which she raised her head caused the tip of the Spear of Victory to cast a slender shadow on the dome, like the gnomon of a sundial sweeping across the inscriptions of the Human Codex.

"Your Majesty's sudden personal expedition surely cannot be merely for such trivial matters as the distribution of stellar domains."

The War Goddess's voice carried a characteristic purity, but the light revolving within her pupils exposed a deeper layer of doubt.

She deliberately used the term "personal expedition" to test the Emperor's reaction.