173: But We Can Make Everyone Feel Pain

"Please tell me the truth, Father."

He was not surprised by those words.

The Emperor regarded him calmly, gazing deeply at Guilliman—only Roboute Guilliman would have initiated this conversation.

Guilliman knew what might happen after asking that question, but the primarch asked it nonetheless, with genuine resolve.

It was the determination to face a painful future, the courage to confront a pallid life.

Then... what would Neos's answer be?

"I prepared a little surprise for the Emperor."

Malcador stared intently at Neos below. The old man's toothless mouth moved slightly as he murmured.

Hades glanced at Malcador and silently extended the Null Field—Hades seemed to have realized something.

"He still listens to you?"

Hades asked casually. Malcador gave a mocking chuckle.

"Of course he no longer obeys my commands. After all, he has already broken free of the dog collar around his neck—but I think he will be quite willing to go mad here."

The corner of Hades's mouth twitched.

"Are you sure?"

He asked uncertainly. Malcador gave him an exceedingly assured look.

"He will. Don't worry."

Malcador spoke frankly, then turned his head and fixed his gaze upon Neos. Seeing that Malcador was no longer paying him any attention, Hades could only look down again.

He blinked and waited curiously for the Emperor's answer.

Neos sometimes felt sorrow.

He was puzzled that his children were not as perceptive as he was. The primarchs, molded purely from Warp-fire, were instead constrained by the shackles of human society—this was their anchor, but also their chains.

They still could not be as adaptable as the Emperor.

Perhaps this was the limit of genetic technology.

Yet every one of these primarchs had inherited some part of the Emperor's will.

For example, Roboute Guilliman.

The Emperor felt a measure of compassion enter