Some Regrets

"..."

Buz remained silent, eyes lowered in perfect composure. Across from him, Hades held the list and frowned as he read down it.

Hades looked down, then further down, then kept looking...

"We have to kill this many?"

Hades suddenly asked, his brows furrowing.

"Those hereditary nobles breed far too much," Buz said calmly. "Terra's bureaucratic system has become bloated as a result."

Hades paused. "And the vacant positions... we give them to the Ultramarines?"

"Precisely," Buz said. "I imagine our cousins will love the job. They are naturally fond of politics, especially meetings."

Buz raised a hand and sent Hades an essay titled "Why the Ultramarines Are Suited for Work on Terra."

Hades looked up. The two exchanged a knowing glance.

"...If only Guilliman were still around."

Hades spoke slowly.

"Since he isn't dead... after consulting the Ultramarines, we could make a grand show of searching for Roboute Guilliman—while also recruiting other administrative talent, such as the Ultramarines stationed elsewhere."

As Hades spoke, he suddenly felt as though some gaze had fixed itself upon him. His expression remained unchanged as he expanded the Null Field, but found nothing.

...Perhaps it had been an illusion.

At least in Hades's memory, Guilliman was not a primarch who would willingly abandon his duties and leave... At least, as long as there was even a sliver of hope, Guilliman would not give up.

After all, he was one of the rare primarchs who still harbored hope.

Hades pondered for a moment.

"Kirkland just informed me that Mars has sent Fhaos's fleet an application for an academic exchange—not aimed at me, but because they want to compete with Kirkland's people for the title of academic holy land."

Simply put, they were competing over who was the Underking's chosen.

"I do not particularly wish to