Then, He Closed His Eyes (I)

After the Sulfa people were completely wiped out in that battle, the scavengers, having lost their leader, could no longer pose any threat to the emerging fortress cities.

The greatest obstacle to Chemos's unification had thus been resolved almost by chance.

With the biggest problem eliminated, under Fulgrim's exceptional diplomacy and governance, the entire planet was soon united once more.

Then, countless engineering teams departed from Karax Fortress, returning to and reactivating those most remote and inaccessible abandoned outposts, transforming them into fortress cities like Karax.

And dedicating their youth—and even their entire lives—to this cause.

Railways were gradually laid, and lush green plants returned to the earth. Countless minerals once again flowed steadily into the factories, while an endless stream of mechanical creations poured forth from them.

And so, the cycle repeated.

This mining planet, scarred by countless wounds, was returning to life just as everyone had hoped.

Thirty years.

Thirty years had passed since the two of them met.

The pollutants that had soaked into this land were reclaimed, vegetation once more covered the barren surface, and the oceans' ecosystems gradually improved. The water cycle, absent from Chemos for several centuries, was restored.

Cryogenic gene vaults buried deep underground were unearthed once again. Birds and beasts reappeared upon Chemos's land and skies.

Only when granaries were full did people understand propriety; only when clothed and fed did they understand honor and shame.

With both ecological and material needs greatly fulfilled, countless facilities for the humanities and arts rose throughout the cities. Education, healthcare, and creative pursuits all returned to the heights of the former golden age.

Humanity, and humanity's great spirit, appeared upon this land once more.

Thirty years.

From a weathered, dying planet to a paradise brimming with humanities and art.

They had spent thirty years accomplishing it all.

Kasgar and Fulgrim spent those wonderful thirty years together on this planet, wearing the Centaur gold rings on their hands.

By all rights, under Chemos's intense radioactive contamination, few people could live past fifty.

Even those lucky enough to survive should have aged far more severely than people on uncontaminated planets.

But Kasgar was an exception.

Not only was he lively and perfectly unaffected, even his appearance had barely changed.

Time seemed to have stopped upon him, leaving him without the slightest trace of aging.

Even Fulgrim was curious about Kasgar's unchanging state.

Using Karax's medical supplies and knowledge, she gave Kasgar a comprehensive examination.

The result was even more surprising:

There were no abnormalities whatsoever.

Every one of Kasgar's readings was at the average level of a normal twenty-year-old human. No matter how many times they tested him, nothing changed.

He had simply remained twenty forever.

Just like Fulgrim.

Although Kasgar himself had not changed at all, he knew many things in this world were changing.

For example, the Warp Storm that had long hung over Chemos was gradually calming as time passed.

The time is almost here, Kasgar thought silently.

The Warp Storm was about to dissipate. The Emperor would arrive on Chemos before long, and Fulgrim would return to the Empire at that time.

Everything was proceeding according to plan.

But... Kasgar had never been part of the plan!

Who could have imagined that he would actually become a Primarch's spouse?

Back then, he had never considered that the Emperor would be his father-in-law!

And now, how was he supposed to introduce himself to the Emperor?

"Oi, old man! Is it safe if I park my anti-gravity ghostfire bike outside your palace?"

If he actually dared to say that.

Today would be an extraordinary day.

Under everyone's wary gazes, several landing craft from beyond the world pierced Chemos's atmosphere and descended upon the spaceport of this world's most prosperous city—Karax.

For the first time since its revival, visitors from beyond the world had arrived on Chemos.

Their hulls were covered in bullet holes and battle scars, yet regardless of their form, the golden double-headed eagles upon their bows still shone brightly.

"Wait. I... I think I remember something."

Fulgrim, standing beside Kasgar in full readiness, suddenly bent forward slightly and clutched her forehead with one hand.

"Lower your weapons and clear the way. They are not our enemies."

She gave the order.

Is he coming?

Kasgar, standing behind Fulgrim, felt uneasy about the person who was about to arrive.

He seemed to understand the literal meaning of the Old Terran proverb, "An ugly daughter-in-law must meet her in-laws sooner or later."

Clang—

At Fulgrim's order to disperse, the hatches of several nearby landing craft opened with a muffled boom.

Dozens of Adeptus Custodes in auramite armor swiftly filed out, their steps orderly as they formed ranks. Their movements were practiced and crisp, without the slightest hesitation.

Their armor and weapons were exquisite and advanced, their banners and decorations magnificent and beautiful.

Like stars surrounding the moon, they stood in orderly formation around the largest and most splendid landing craft at the center, waiting guard.

Kasgar knew that this was most likely the Emperor's vessel.

The Emperor was inside!

At that moment, the central hatch slowly opened.

A blazing light instantly robbed Kasgar of his sight.

Wow!

So bright!

When he opened his eyes again, that incomparably dazzling figure immediately entered his view—the one Kasgar had been anticipating—

Uh... a bald man?

The first to step down from the craft was a tall, guileless-looking man.

He stood nearly four meters tall, clad in Pearl White power armor. He surveyed the surroundings and personnel arrangements around the landing site, then gave a slight nod, seemingly approving of the place.

This man had to be Horus.

The first Primarch to return—at least by his own claim—the leader of the Sixteenth Legion Lunar Wolves, the Lupercal—Horus Lupercal.

He was powerful.

Kasgar believed his deduction was correct.

So long as he had not acquired the Black Rage.

Good.

He was still male, and still looked very much like Horus.

Seeing that the other man still had the familiar appearance and gender from his memories, Kasgar could not help but let out a sigh of relief.

If Horus had also been turned into a woman like Fulgrim—while still remaining bald!—

He might as well put a blast straight through his own forehead.

"Hey, brother! It seems our other sister is also a master builder."

Following behind Horus was a somewhat disheveled blond giant. He was about as tall as Horus, wore blue-gray power armor, and laughed with a roar that shook the heavens.

He leaned close to Horus, looking around without the slightest formality, and excitedly slapped him on the shoulder.

"Russ, we represent the Imperium."

"Watch your image."

Though the other man clearly did not seem eager to be overly familiar with him.

The Primarch of the Sixth Legion Space Wolves, Lord of Winter and War, the Wolf King, Leman Russ.

He was powerful too.

Not only was he powerful, but he also possessed the largest Warp stomach in the entire universe.

He could eat and drink like no one else.

This time, it was real.

Kasgar gathered his thoughts again and stared intently at the landing craft.

Then, after them, the last person within the landing craft slowly set foot upon the surface of Chemos.

He was a giant clad in gleaming golden armor.

Taller, stronger, more beautiful, and more glorious than the previous two Primarchs.

A heartfelt urge to worship rose at once within the hearts of every person of Chemos in the square.

Yet for some reason, whenever Kasgar tried to make out his features, a haze always veiled his face, preventing him from seeing clearly.

The God-Emperor of Mankind.

That name finally surfaced in Kasgar's mind.

And it was the only name that could surface.

"Father."

Fulgrim stepped forward and called out softly.

He nodded.

"Welcome back, my child."

"Your success on this planet greatly pleases me."

They seemed to be having a pleasant conversation.

After all, transforming Chemos from an abandoned mining world into a paradise without outside assistance was no easy feat.

For her to become the planet's leader and accomplish so much, her combat prowess and governing ability needed no further explanation.

Especially with Chemos's pervasive culture and art, coupled with its incorruptible government controlled almost entirely by ordinary people—

It could be said that this was precisely the ideal form of governance the Emperor sought.

Only the Guilliman who would be found in the future could compare to her.

As a lost Primarch, Fulgrim's administrative ability and political acumen far surpassed those of her earlier-found brothers.

The Emperor greatly admired this daughter of his.

Seeing this, Kasgar, hidden among the police guard, secretly let out a breath of relief.

Good, good!

The Primarch and the Emperor were having a fine chat. No one cared about a mere mortal like him!

He could get through this!

As long as Fulgrim did not deliberately mention it, no one would think that she was actually married!

Of course, that depended on her not deliberately mentioning it.

For someone like her, so full of theatrical flair, that was truly rather difficult.

". . . I am grateful for your praise. But such achievements were not the work of myself alone."

"Here!"

"Please allow me to introduce my husband—"

The uneasy Kasgar suddenly felt an immense force yank him from the crowd and shove him before Fulgrim.

No!

No!

No!!!

Sis! Stop, stop it!!!

Kasgar struggled desperately.

But before the strength of a Primarch, that resistance was scarcely any different from flirting.

Fulgrim smiled as she pushed him forward to receive everyone's gazes.

He felt the world fall silent in an instant.

He felt the puzzled stares of those golden-haired Adeptus Custodes.

He felt Horus's frowning scrutiny, and Russ's widening O-shaped grin, full of surprise and amusement.

As for the God-Emperor of Mankind before him, whose expression he could not make out—

He could feel nothing at all.

"H-hello?"

His lips trembled as he greeted him.

He had been there.

If anyone ever asked what happened when Fulgrim proudly introduced her spouse to the Emperor and the rest of her family, Kasgar would certainly grit his teeth and tell them: he had been there.

And then?

Then, he closed his eyes.

Thanks to the reader with a name reeking of freedom for the tip!