This Is Heresy

The Ultramarines gathered around, craning their necks to listen.

They were all genetically modified super soldiers, but at this moment they looked like a group of elementary school students listening to a teacher tell a story.

Sergius stroked his chin thoughtfully, his gaze falling to his crotch.

He imagined himself now having those hands that could tear apart the carapace of Tyranids bare hands, and then slapping it across the face.

His body shivered uncontrollably, the chill shooting from his tailbone all the way to the top of his head, making his back teeth chatter.

It will break.

It will definitely break.

"The wisdom of the Gene-Father is always so profound," Sergius exclaimed sincerely.

"A single sentence from him was like a bolt of lightning, enlightening me."

He solemnly withdrew his fist and wiped non-existent sweat from his Power Armour.

Valentinus, the company commander of the Third Company, was standing on a protruding piece of ruins, hands on his hips, overlooking the entire battlefield.

His Power Armour was stained with Eldar blood and dust, but he stood like a general inspecting his troops.

His chin was slightly raised, and his eyes gleamed with a "I know you don't know, but I'm not telling you" kind of light.

"So," he cleared his throat, his voice ringing out over the communication channel, "If I'm not mistaken, our Gene-Father, or rather, the Ancestor of Humanity, the Great Emperor, the Supreme and Benevolent God of Humanity, persuaded that Eldar of War to surrender, right?"

Every title he uttered felt like a step on a tightrope.

His voice trembled slightly, for he knew all too well that in the years before the Emperor awoke, if he uttered even a single wrong word, he would be taken away by the Inquisition and burned at the stake like a medieval witch.

"Just as you think, that's the truth." Lieutenant Octavius nodded firmly, his expression like that of someone giving final testimony in court.

"Then, that heretical Eldar of War—" Octavius hadn't finished speaking.

"Smack!"

A large Power Armour hand slammed into the back of Octavius's head.

The force was so great that Octavius's body flew out like a cannonball, tracing a graceful parabola in the air before plunging headfirst into a pile of rubble in the distance, leaving only his legs sticking out, his Power Armour boots swaying slightly in the wind.

Given the physical capabilities of today's Ultramarines, casual skirmishes are no longer sufficient to qualify as "casual skirmishes."

Sending someone flying dozens of meters with a single punch can only be considered a "friendly pat on the shoulder".

Valentinus withdrew his hand and blew away non-existent smoke from his fist.

His eyes gleamed with a "I'm saving you" kind of light.

"Watch your mouth, you bastard!" His voice exploded over the communication channel.

"Our most benevolent and virtuous Emperor has already confirmed the other party's identity, so from now on please call him— the Primarch of the Eldar!"

He stood with his hands on his hips, chin held even higher, his posture like a statue, as if someone in the audience would shout "bravo" at any moment.

The moment he uttered the words "Primarch of Eldar," a golden light descended from the sky and landed precisely on Valentinus.

The golden light was not the cold, knife-like gold of the Emperor's previous light, but a warm, motherly embrace.

It flowed across Valentinus's Power Armour like liquid sunlight, coating each of his armor plates with a warm luster.

All the Ultramarines stared wide-eyed.

Their mouths were agape in an "O" shape, so big that a bomb could fit inside.

"The Emperor has blessed us! The Emperor has blessed the Third Company Captain!" someone exclaimed.

Valentinus looked down at the golden halo around him, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, but it was quickly replaced by a smug sense of "I knew this would happen."

His lips curled up slightly, revealing a mysterious smile.

The Emperor's voice echoed in his mind, carrying an appreciative tone that said, "You're a real talent, kid: I've always thought you were a genius, kid. I like you!"

Valentinus's mouth nearly stretched to his ears in a wide grin.

He tried hard to control his expression, but the smile seemed to be welded to his face, and he couldn't take it off.

"Holy shit!" one Ultramarines couldn't help but blurt out.

"Are you kidding me?"

Golden light exploded on his face.

A Psionic Energy psionic punch landed precisely on his face, the force just right, leaving him stunned but not mentally damaged.

The soldier spun around three times on the spot, then plopped down on the ground, his eyes filled with confusion.

"The Emperor has acquiesced! The Emperor has actually acquiesced!" another warrior exclaimed.

The golden light exploded again.

Another Psionic Energy big shot.

"No, this isn't tacit consent at all! This is clearly telling you—" Before a soldier could finish speaking, Jin Guang interrupted him, cutting him off completely.

Valentinus cleared his throat and announced loudly, "From this day forward, the Eldar are a subspecies of humanity! This is the Emperor's decree!"

The golden light burned even more intensely on him, as if stamping each word with the seal of Emperor.

The Ultramarines looked at each other, their faces filled with grief and indignation, as if to say, "I was willing to fight to the death, why did my lord surrender first?"

Whenever someone displays this expression, a burst of golden light explodes precisely, leaving a bright red handprint on their face.

"Wait a minute! I suddenly have a question!"

A young Ultramarines —his name was Ignatius, a recruit who had just completed his transformation this year—raised his hand high.

His movements were as precise as a good student asking a question in class, but his expression was as hesitant as a child who wanted to ask, "Teacher, am I your biological child?" but dared not speak.

Unbelievable, this war machine is actually speaking with a slight stutter.

"It's alright, brother!" Valentinus said cheerfully, the golden light emanating from him so intense it was almost turning into tangible flames.

"The Emperor is above, he will listen to your questions and answer them for you."

I can feel the golden light emanating from me right now—it's gentle, kind, and it encourages you to ask questions.

Valentinus felt he had to take on the responsibility of explaining things to the Emperor.

Otherwise, who knows what kind of words these guys might utter that would defy the Emperor's will?

He had already rehearsed more than a dozen explanatory statements in his mind, each one citing classical texts and supported by the Emperor's original words.

"It's that..." Ignatius scratched his head, his Power Armour fingers scraping against his helmet with a harsh sound.

"Just now, when our Gene-Father was fighting that Eldar... no, Eldar Primarch, it seems the Great Emperor blessed the Eldar Primarch, right?"