The Price of Fooling the Gods

When he received the Lion King's message, he felt the anger and doubt that were almost palpable even through the words, and he hesitated for a few seconds.

Not long ago, with Rosales's help, he completed the certification of the Daemon Machine Spirit, and then he received a message from the Lion King.

But then Alvin guessed that someone must have contacted the Lion King using coded language to "report" his actions, which made the Lion King angrily send a message in plain language demanding an explanation.

"Did you do this?" Alvin rubbed his temples, turned his gaze to Afkar who had been waiting by his side, and asked in a calm tone.

"Yes, Your Highness."

Afkar made no attempt to hide his intentions, his gaze sharp as a straight sword. He offered no excuse for using coded language to "snitch" to the Lion King, but instead said in a low voice, "You should know very well that what you've done constitutes a substantial act of 'betrayal' from the perspective of the Imperium of Man. I must take responsibility for the Sons of the Forest Chapter, and also for the Lion King. If you remain loyal to the Imperium and the Emperor, I am willing to pay the price for my actions, whatever the punishment may be."

After saying this, Afkar calmly removed his helmet, then knelt on one knee in front of Alvin, raised his head, and looked at him with complete composure, as if waiting for his answer.

After a moment, Alvin rubbed his temples. "I didn't mean to blame you. In fact, if we really want to delve into the details, I should thank you."

The fact that they didn't kill me on the spot shows they already have a lot of respect for me, their "Grand Master."

He knew all too well what he had done.

To complete the ascension ceremony of Chaos Space Marine in front of others in an extremely blasphemous manner, becoming a High Chaos Lord, while chanting Blood for the Blood God and Skulls for the Skull Throne —this is no ordinary blasphemy!

It's no exaggeration to say that...

Given the circumstances, the fact that Afkar didn't immediately pull out his knife and slash Alvin shows he had a pretty good temper.

If it were anyone else, even a slightly more radical person, they would have shoved Bolter into his mouth!

If it were Inquisitor, the Grey Knights would probably already be on their way, and all that awaits Alvin is Extermination Order.

Explain?

It doesn't exist. Don't even think about it.

Moreover, upon closer examination, the Lion King's greatest taboo is being betrayed by his own people. Before, because of Luther, he not only slept for ten thousand years, but even his own army split into two factions.

Instead of jumping directly through the Warp and capturing Alvin, the decision to use a pre-arranged method to make him explain himself was already quite merciful.

From this perspective, Afkar could be considered to have helped Alvin. The misunderstanding needed to be cleared up promptly, otherwise, who knows if it might escalate into another tragedy?

"I understand your intentions." With that in mind, Alvin didn't blame him for bypassing him and reporting to the Lion King: "Don't worry, I'll personally explain this to the Lion King."

Upon hearing this, Afkar breathed a sigh of relief.

This matter isn't a huge deal, but it's not insignificant either. Besides, the fact that he used coded communication means he essentially trusts Alvin; otherwise, why would he use coded communication?

He was genuinely afraid that the tragedy caused by the misunderstanding in Caliban would be repeated.

Without further ado, he wanted to take this opportunity to discuss with the Lion King the specific details of how to wipe out this group of Chaos in one fell swoop.

He quickly returned to the Hive City through the portal, and as expected, Zabriel was waiting for him in the banquet hall.

"Tan, you'd better explain this to the Lion King properly later." Zabriel lowered his voice and reminded him, "The Lion King was almost driven mad by you after he found out about this."

Alvin shrank back, could only give an awkward laugh, and then followed Zabriel to the upper-level office.

Upon entering, the Lion King cast his gaze upon them, his expression cold and menacing. He then couldn't help but let out a sneer, saying in a sarcastic tone, "Oh, isn't this Chaos Lord?"

"...

Alvin looked utterly embarrassed.

"What? Why isn't this Chaos Lord speaking?" The Lion King snorted coldly, his tone laced with a strange undertone. "In the middle of the night, I'm sorry to trouble you, the Chaos Lord, to come see a mere Primarch."

The tone of this voice sounds a bit like that of a wife suspected of cheating, caught red-handed by her husband, and then throwing a tantrum out of jealousy?

"Listen, Lion King, let me explain."

Alvin twitched the corner of his mouth, about to speak, but was interrupted again.

Bang!

"Explanation? Explain what?" The Lion King slammed his hand on the table, gritting his teeth. "I sent you to destroy the Chaos Fleet, not to become Chaos Lord! You've certainly made a grand show of it! I heard you even chopped off his head, shouting 'Blood for the Blood God, Skulls for the Skull Throne'?!!"

The Lion King practically roared out those last words.

The rain of spittle nearly hit Alvin's face from several meters away, demonstrating just how furious this Primarch!

If this had happened ten thousand years ago, he wouldn't have listened to Alvin's explanation at all; he would have just rushed over and twisted his head off!

Fortunately, after venting his anger, the Lion King calmed down again, staring coldly at Alvin: "Speak! What exactly happened! Explain yourself clearly, or I'll slap you to death!"

Alvin smiled wryly and could only tell the Lion King all his thoughts.

He did this to use this identity to wipe out the Chaos Fleet and also to set Abaddon in a trap.

Do you even know what you're doing?!

Even after hearing his explanation, the Lion King remained furious. "What if something unexpected happens and you really are 'blessed'?! Can you withstand the corruption of the Chaos Gods? What you're doing is utter nonsense!!!"

As the Primarch, and having witnessed firsthand how the once radiant and trusted Warmaster Horus gradually Corruption into Chaos puppet, he knew all too well how terrifying the corruption of Chaos was!

But what about Alvin?

One might repeatedly take risks, and while one or two such risks could be attributed to luck, no one can be lucky forever.

Chaos can fail once, ten times, a hundred times!

But if he succeeds even once, what awaits Alvin is the same as Horus before him: utterly plunged into the abyss of Chaos!

This is precisely why the Lion King was angry.

Although he didn't understand why the Emperor valued Alvin so much, he didn't want what had happened to Horus to be repeated with Alvin!

He couldn't afford to pay that price.

The now-divided Imperium of Man could never afford to pay such a price again!

"Alvin, you are a smart man, but your understanding of Chaos is not deep enough." The Lion King saw Alvin with his head bowed.

Thinking his reprimand had been too harsh, his tone softened immediately. "There are some things that absolutely cannot be crossed."

Your success once was not due to luck, but rather the deliberate indulgence of the Chaos Gods. They lure you in step by step, and by the time you realize it, it's too late to turn back.

"I... I understand, Lion King."

After being reprimanded, Alvin sobered up a bit and felt a little scared.

As the Lion King said, Chaos may fail hundreds of times, but if it succeeds just once, it will embark on the same path as Horus.

"You know now? Too late!"

The Lion King sighed deeply, looking at Alvin with a hint of helplessness in his voice. "Take off your armor and take a look for yourself!"

Seeing the Lion King's genuine expression, Alvin sensed the seriousness of the situation. He swallowed hard, quickly removing his armor while chuckling awkwardly, "It shouldn't be that bad, right?"

"Not that bad?"

The Lion King sneered, "Look down at yourself, what's on your body!"

After removing his heavy armor, Alvin looked down, but when he saw a deep red, menacing-looking line wrapped around his arm, resembling a scar, his pupils suddenly contracted sharply. "What is this thing?!"

"What is it? It's the price you have to pay!"

The Lion King, observing this, frowned deeply and said in a low voice, "This is Khorne's mark, a link in the Eightfold Blessing, meaning—you've been targeted!"