With Aha's nerve-wracking aura of "joy" finally gone, the atmosphere within the Throne Room did not completely relax.
Suppressing their fury toward that clown and their humiliation at the Emperor's desecration, the Adeptus Custodes began efficiently dealing with the wreckage scattered across the floor.
Under Trajan's command, the gold-armored guards split into several teams and carefully helped the survivors, still stunned and disoriented, to their feet one by one, preparing to escort them from the Throne Room for identity verification and thorough examination.
Although these people had been sent by the Hilling Empire's Arbiter, providing the most fundamental assurance, basic security checks and procedures could not be skipped. It was the Adeptus Custodes' duty, and their responsibility for the Emperor's safety.
Guilliman's gaze swept across the crowd. When he saw a group of battered Ultramarines in blue and gold armor, his pupils suddenly contracted!
He strode forward, especially after spotting Lieutenant General Kalanti being dragged by the Adeptus Custodes, seemingly unconscious!
"Kalanti?!" Guilliman cried out, scarcely believing his eyes.
Kalanti had been one of his most capable commanders during the Great Crusade. The fleet under his command had completely vanished after an extremely dangerous warp jump. Every search had ended in failure, and Guilliman had long listed them among the fallen, grieving over them for a very long time.
Yet... they were actually alive?! And had been sent back under such circumstances!
Overwhelming surprise and excitement surged through him. Guilliman immediately wanted to wake this old subordinate, separated from him for ten thousand years, and ask what they had gone through.
"Robert, wait," Kieran said, stopping him.
The headmaster of Super God Academy looked over the solemn Golden Throne and the seemingly silent figure upon it. He shook his head slightly and said in a low voice, "Don't wake them