Oh, look-the traitor has come out of hiding on his own!

Under the personal leadership of the Lion King, the Sons of the Forest's first Chapter was a resounding and almost one-sided victory.

Following Alvin's instructions, they annihilated the Chaos Space Marine aboard the ship while preserving as much of its life as possible.

Even so, a small number of warships suffered losses due to the intense battle, with their Daemon Engine destroyed. This caused Warp fluctuations that swept into surrounding warships, resulting in the loss of more than ten Chaos Battleship.

But the commander of the Imperial Navy, Cedric Hamilton, hurried in with an angry expression and stormed into the Governor's Mansion.

"I want to see the Lion King, the Primarch!"

His tone was quite impolite, even omitting the most basic honorifics, which showed just how angry this commander of the Imperial Navy was.

He didn't understand that since the Imperium had already won the war, the first thing to do was to completely destroy these Chaos Battleship that had been thoroughly corrupted.

However, why would he go to such lengths, even issuing a special order for the Tech-Priest to wear a sacred incense burner and expend already scarce resources, to repair these Chaos Battleship, which were all somewhat damaged?

This is absolutely ridiculous!

The brilliant and powerful Primarch cannot be Chaos, so there is only one possibility: the Primarch has been deceived. The person who made this suggestion is a complete and utter Chaos scum who should be dragged out and executed with white phosphorus!

The Sons of the Forest guarding the gate remained silent, their actions conveying that there was no order to summon them.

You are not allowed to step inside.

Get out of the way!!!

Cedric was the Commander of the Navy, whose rank was no less than that of the Chapter Master, and naturally had the right to speak disrespectfully to a Space Marine.

As he spoke, he attempted to force his way in.

However, the Sons of the Forest did not tolerate him. He took a half-step to block the way, his huge body blocking the path forward. He lowered his head slightly, and on the helmet engraved with the Imperial Aquila, a trace of indifference was revealed in the blood-red Auspex.

His fingers were already reaching for his waist.

"You dare kill me?!"

Cedric, a veteran of the battlefield, immediately noticed the other man's movement towards the Bolter. Unfazed, his gaze sharp as a sword, he declared, "I am an Imperial Navy General, the Supreme Commander of the Iron Judicator Fleet. Are you sure you want to attack me?!"

Just as the two sides were locked in a stalemate, a voice suddenly rang out. "Let him in."

Cedric found it strange and looked in the direction of the voice, only to see a young man who had orchestrated the course of the war, annihilated the Chaos Fleet in one fell swoop, and slaughtered a large number of noble Rogue Trader in the Hive City.

"Alvin Valshius." The young man extended his right hand with a gentle smile. "Nice to meet you, General Hamilton. Thank you for your fleet's precise strike, sending those damned scum back to the Hell they deserve."

"You are welcome."

Seeing the other party's gentle attitude, Cedric also put aside his bad temper, shook hands with him, and nodded, saying, "This is not my doing; I should thank you. If it weren't for your plan, I'm afraid—"

He shook his head as he finished speaking.

If it weren't for this Rogue Trader swiftly and decisively eradicated the greedy parasites in the Hive City and devised this plan, Avalon would probably already be in the hands of Chaos.

He was a very straightforward general, and naturally he disapproved of those nobles, and didn't think there was anything wrong with what Alvin was doing.

"General Hamilton is too kind. If it weren't for your fleet's tenacious resistance in the early stages against Chaos's fierce attacks, the Hive City have fallen long ago. It's all thanks to your command and coordination that we had the opportunity to make our move," Alvin said with a light, flattering remark.

Clearly, Cedric appreciated the flattery. Of course, he didn't believe that the victory over the Chaos Fleet was solely his achievement, shaking his head. "No, we merely held off the Chaos Fleet. If it weren't for you and the Lion King, we would have failed the Emperor's trust."

If Cedric knew that the person who proposed using scarce resources to repair the Chaos Battleship was standing right in front of him, he would probably be so angry that he would pull out his sidearm and kill the Chaos bastard!

Having finished his flattery, Alvin got straight to the point. "You've come at the right time. The Lion King is convening a council to discuss the Chaos Fleet and the Stone Fortress. Please come in with me."

"Good."

Cedric nodded and followed Alvin inside.

This place was originally the Governor's Mansion, but because of the Lion King, it has been converted into a temporary palace for meetings with various forces within the Hive City.

Because most of the nobles had already been assassinated by that damned "Chaos," the Ecclesiarchy archbishop stationed here...

Furthermore, he was executed for Chaos with Chaos, so the only remaining forces were the Grand Sage of the Mechanicus and the Supreme Commander of the Astra Militarum.

And then there's him, the fleet commander.

Magnificent crystal chandeliers hung down, and the dome was adorned with depictions of Emperor statues. Directly in front stood an ancient long table.

At the far end of the table sat a towering figure clad in magnificent armor, with white hair and beard, an aged face, yet whose imposing presence was undeniable.

Although Cedric had learned of the Lion King's return long ago, this was the first time he had faced the Primarch directly, as he had been stationed in the Space Fleet.

He strode forward and knelt on one knee. "By the Emperor, Cedric Hamilton, Supreme Commander of the Imperial Navy, Iron Judicator Fleet, General, pays homage to the Great Primarch!"

"Get up, Hamilton."

The Lion King's deep voice, even without a megaphone, easily filled the entire council hall. "As a high-ranking general of the Imperium, a hero who guards the Hive City, you have no need to kneel before me."

"Yes."

Cedric took a deep breath, suppressing the overwhelming emotion surging within him. To be called a hero by the Primarch was already an unparalleled honor!

After he took his seat, he looked at the members of parliament.

The local Grand Sage of Mechanicus, the Field Marshal of the 19th Expeditionary Army of the Astra Militarum, and the Rogue Trader sitting first to the left of the Lion King.

"Now that everyone is here, let's officially begin this meeting."

The Lion King tapped the table, his steady voice slowly speaking under the gaze of the three representatives, "I know you are all very confused about my orders to repair the Chaos Battleship and to block the news. That's why I've summoned you here today..."

It was precisely to resolve this matter.

As the three stood solemnly, waiting for the Lion King to explain his reasons, the Primarch suddenly turned his gaze aside. "Alvin, this is the plan you proposed, so you explain it to them."

"???"

Alvin looked utterly disgusted.

Wait a minute, that's not what you said when you came. Wasn't it already agreed that you're the Primarch? Are you going to explain this to them?!

The Lion King ignored Alvin's resentful expression and casually looked away.

Alvin smirked. He could already feel the angry glares from the three men, as if they were saying, "So, the traitor has come out on his own. It was you who deceived the wise and mighty Primarch!"