Demon Primarch

Voldus ' heart skipped a beat.

Special Prison Area – that's the most heavily guarded area on the entire Macragge's Honour, specifically used to detain... special individuals.

"Daemon Primarch".

He said in a low voice.

Cassius did not deny it. "Magnus has been taken control."

The master hopes you can assist in handling the relevant matters.

Voldus ' fingers tightened instinctively.

Magnus.

The Gene-Father Thousand Sons Genes.

traitor.

The Sorcerer King.

The Daemon Prince.

The Grey Knights's Codex lists "extreme threat targets" as having a priority second only to the Four Gods themselves.

Every Grey Knights, from recruit to mentor, has sworn an oath: if they encounter Magnus, they will purify him at all costs.

This is an instinct written in our genes.

But at this moment, the order came from Robert Guilliman, Imperial Regent, Primarch, and the representative of the Emperor's will.

"I will go immediately."

Voldus said.

He quickly donned the Terminator Armour.

The servo system hummed as it started, attaching the armor plates, weighing several tons, to his body.

He took the Storm Bolter from the weapon rack and inspected the ammunition—all specially made Psionic Energy bombs, their warheads engraved with anti-demonic runes.

Finally, he grasped the hilt of the Power Sword "Purification Oath" and activated the force field.

The sword hummed, and silvery-white Psionic Energy flames burned on its blade.

"Lead the way."

II. Three parties in the prison cell

The passage leading to the special prison area was breathtakingly long.

This isn't about physical length— the Macragge's Honour may be large, but its internal transportation is highly efficient.

This suffocating feeling comes from the environment itself: for every ten meters forward, the anti- Psionic Energy runes on the walls become denser; for every door passed, the intensity of the Psionic Energy suppression field in the air increases by one level.

Voldus could feel his Psionic Energy being suppressed, like the water pressure a diver experiences when diving deep into the ocean.

But at the same time, he also felt... at ease.

This level of protection means that the presence of people in the cell is indeed firmly controlled.

Finally, they reached the last door.

It was an alloy gate half a meter thick, its surface covered with flowing energy patterns.

Four Ultramarines stood on each side of the door, all of them fully armed members of the Honor Guard.

Voldus noticed subtle differences in the armor of these warriors—the servo systems at the joints were more sophisticated, the curvature of the breastplate was more aerodynamic, and there were some kind of energy interfaces on the shoulder armor that he could not decipher.

"Supreme Grand Master Voldus, come forth as summoned."

Cassius said to the guard.

The lead Ultramarines nodded and pressed the control panel.

The gate slid open silently, revealing a short passage leading to another door.

"The master is already waiting inside."

The guard stepped aside.

Voldus took a deep breath, adjusted the Psionic Energy barrier to its highest strength, gripped the "Purification Oath," and stepped into the passage.

The second door opened automatically.

The scene inside the cell came into view.

The first one we see is Magnus.

The red-skinned giant sat on the ground, dejected and broken, yet even so, terrifying remnants of Psionic Energy still lingered around him.

Voldus's fighting instincts were instantly ignited; his finger gripped the trigger of the Storm Bolter, and Psionic Energy began to gather on the blade.

"Come in, Voldus."

The sound is coming from the right.

Gentle and calm, yet carrying an unquestionable authority.

Voldus turned his head and saw Guilliman.

The Imperial Regent stood in the center of the cell, the blue and gold hues of his Armor of Fate appearing exceptionally majestic under the cold light.

But Voldus ' attention was immediately drawn to the cloak—its deep red leather, its scaly texture, and the complete demon head on its right shoulder.

Skarbrand.

Voldus recognized him.

He had seen a sketch of this head in the Grey Knights ' demon encyclopedia; it was one of Khorne's most insane Greater Daemon.

Now, it has become an ornament for capes.

The visual impact is too strong.

It took Voldus half a second to regain control of his thinking with reason.

He forced himself to look away and at Guilliman's face.

The Primarch's expression was calm, even gentle, but the depth in his eyes instilled in Voldus a sense of oppressive awe.

That wasn't Psionic Energy power, nor physical pressure, but something more fundamental—like the stars themselves watching over ants.

"I need your help to handle this."

Guilliman said, "Let's go to Voldus."

The Supreme Grand Master stood at attention, right fist to his chest. "I am at your service, my lord."

Guilliman stopped in front of him, his gaze sweeping over him from head to toe.

That scrutiny made Voldus feel that everything about him—every old wound beneath his armor, every layer of his Psionic Energy barrier, even every belief deep within his soul—was laid bare.

But Guilliman simply nodded.

"Extraordinary presence, yet reserved and composed."

You are the Emperor's sword against evil, one of the most perfect Space Marines.

"It is my honor to receive your praise."

Voldus responded, his voice steady, but his heart was in turmoil.

Direct praise from the Primarch is extremely rare, even for the Supreme Grand Master.

Guilliman turned and looked at Magnus.

"Magnus."

His voice remained calm. "What do you think of this soldier?"

Voldus ' brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.

He did not want to be judged by a Daemon Primarch —in fact, according to the Grey Knights ' doctrine, speaking to a demon was a dangerous beginning.

Any conversation can become a channel for Psionic Energy contamination.

But this was Guilliman's order.

Magnus raised his head and looked at Voldus with his one eye.

In that instant, Voldus felt a massive surge of Psionic Energy sweep over him—not an attack, but merely a probe.

He instinctively reinforced the barrier, Psionic Energy flames leaped a foot higher onto the sword.

"A powerful warrior."

Magnus said, his voice hoarse but clear, "I remember them."

Grey Knights.

Each one possesses powerful Psionic Energy energy and is specifically designed to counter demons.

He paused for a moment, as if recalling something.

"Precise Psionic Energy control."

Multi-layered anti-pollution barriers.

The runes on the weapons and armor... are very ancient; some I can't even fully decipher.

The Emperor poured his heart and soul into creating you."

"How do they compare to your previous offspring?"

Guilliman continued, as if engaging in an academic discussion, "I remember the Thousand Sons also very skilled in Psionic Energy."

Magnus remained silent for an even longer period.

A complex expression flashed in his single eye—longing, pain, regret, and finally, numbness.

"Stronger than my original offspring..."

He finally spoke, his tone one of resigned honesty, "In terms of overall quality and basic individual abilities, they all need to be more perfect."

Thousand Sons's Psionic Energy talent is innate, but lacks control, making her prone to sliding into the abyss.

And these soldiers..."

He looked at Voldus as if he were analyzing a sophisticated weapon.

"Their use of Psionic Energy is restrained yet powerful."

Every rune, every spell cast, is precisely calculated.

This is not a squandering of talent, but the pinnacle of skill.

Each and every one of them... is a true Psionic Energy mage, not a wizard driven by power."

There was silence in the cell for a few seconds.

Guilliman smiled.

The smile was faint, but it was definitely there.

"You have a really high opinion of them."

I thought someone as arrogant as you would look down on other Psyker."

Magnus also twitched the corners of his mouth, but it wasn't a smile; it was just a twitch of his facial muscles.

"How could that be?"

He said that his one eye looked into the void as if gazing into the depths of the Sea of Souls, "I respect everyone who travels in the Sea of Souls."

Although it led me to depravity, it remains the final resting place for all living souls.

Those who can maintain their rationality and purpose amidst that storm... deserve respect.

There was something in his tone that Voldus hadn't anticipated: not sarcasm, not envy, but an almost sorrowful acknowledgment.

Then Magnus shrugged, his gesture revealing utter exhaustion.

"What does it matter to him?"

He whispered, more like talking to himself, "Even if Guilliman kills me the next second, at least... I need to calm myself down."

Stop torturing yourself like that.

He lowered his head again, reverting to his initial deathly still posture.

But Voldus keenly noticed that Magnus's fingers twitched slightly as he spoke.

It was an unconscious action, yet it revealed some deep-seated emotion.

This Daemon Primarch, this traitor, this being who has brought endless disaster to humanity...

Somewhere deep inside, something is still struggling.