Zuckerberg and Isel stared wide-eyed ahead, their faces tight with anxiety.
Arjinto led from the front, marching toward the Knight suits with several hundred fully armed Space Marines at his back.
The imposing formation was like a surging flood, inspiring instinctive awe.
Neither man dared delay. They hurried toward Arjinto at a jog, followed closely by the other surviving Space Marines.
The contrast between the two groups was stark. Arjinto's men were brimming with morale, their strides bold and vigorous.
Zuckerberg's group, meanwhile, was a battered remnant with no spirit left, their morale utterly crushed.
Before long, the two reached Arjinto and swiftly came to attention.
Yet Zuckerberg kept his head bowed, lacking even the courage to look Arjinto in the eye. Filled with guilt and self-reproach, his voice trembled slightly as he said:
"I'm sorry! Lord Arjinto, we failed to live up to your expectations. We didn't complete the task you assigned us, and so many battle-brothers died because of it. Please punish me severely!"
Zuckerberg's words were saturated with deep remorse. So many brave battle-brothers had fallen during this operation, and he felt that he could not escape blame.
At that moment, Isel hurriedly stepped forward as well and shouted without hesitation, "Lord Arjinto, me too! I bear an inescapable responsibility for this matter."
Isel resolutely chose to stand alongside Zuckerberg and face the Chapter Master's possible wrath together.
Upon hearing them, Arjinto slowly walked forward. He first gave each of them a firm pat on the shoulder in comfort and encouragement, then said earnestly:
"This defeat cannot be blamed entirely on the two of you. As the commander, I bear responsibility as well. Don't be too harsh on yourselves. Our most urgent task is to regroup and prepare for the even greater challenges ahead."
With that, Arjinto