93. Evacuation, and the Bewildered Orcs

Helbrecht had to admit, he had never imagined that the man on the vox-channel who had called himself Steve Rogers would be so tall.

No—not just that. Simply looking at him was a challenge for Helbrecht. He felt an intense warmth born from the marrow of his bones. This man named Steve only had to stand there, doing nothing at all, and for some inexplicable reason, it made people want to draw closer.

He did not say that aloud, or Sicarius would probably have agreed wholeheartedly.

The matter had already been brought up by Guilliman aboard Macragge's Honour, and the final conclusion had been Steve's Psionic potential. In other words, he possessed an extremely high affinity with anyone.

Helbrecht did not know this, so he only felt bewildered, while a few guesses he did not dare voice stirred in his mind. Opposite them, Sicarius, who had met up with Steve and the others a step ahead of him, was speaking as he led them over.

"This is High Marshal Helbrecht, my lord. He is the Chapter Master of the Black Templars."

"A pleasure, High Marshal. I am Steve Rogers. No rank, just a soldier." With a smile, Steve held out his right hand.

The gesture remained there for roughly four seconds, while Helbrecht only stared at him blankly, not knowing why he had extended his hand.

Sicarius, standing to the side, really could not watch any longer. He was not someone who enjoyed seeing others embarrass themselves, and so he gave a low cough and said quietly—though in truth, everyone could hear him—"High Marshal, please extend your right hand."

So Helbrecht did as he was told.

Steve laughed despite himself. Casually, yet with strength, he shook Helbrecht's hand, then explained, "This is... a way of greeting people from my homeland,