In the gaps between walking, Mephisto found, to his surprise, that he was a little nervous. That was rare in his long years of service.
He had thought he had already cast aside that emotion, just like the fear, uncertainty, and weakness he had thrown into the depths of The Void. The latter three had never appeared again. But nervousness...
It had attacked him many times over these past few days.
Over the long years that had passed, he had believed he had forged himself through willpower into a hard, cold blade. Now, he realized something.
There were some things a blade could not touch.
"I hope you understand, Mephisto, that this is a private meeting—so you don't need to be nervous, all right?"
A gentle voice sounded beside him, and Mephisto's thoughts could not help drifting a little. He could not stop himself. Sanguinius's warm voice was like an anesthetic to anyone who heard it. Mephisto did his best to suppress his emotions, then spoke calmly and expressionlessly.
"I do not understand, Primarch."
"Call me Father, or simply call me by my name. I do not much like the title Primarch right now."
".San—Sanguinius," Mephisto said dryly, and immediately began hating himself for it. "Why has the Captain summoned me?"
They strolled across the First Bridge, where many people came and went. Astartes, Astra Militarum, naval personnel, even civilians. Sanguinius's appearance naturally drew a great deal of attention, and Mephisto also noticed that many of them showed a familiarity with Sanguinius.
Greetings came without end, and his father patiently answered every single one. This made the Chief Librarian's expression complicated in a way that was difficult to describe.
"Strictly speaking, he did not summon you, but all of you, Mephisto."
Sanguinius turned his head and answered with a smile,