Are you all right?

"I told him where I came from in binary code, and included an oath sworn in the name of the Machine God."

After saying this, Iax gave a perfectly casual shrug.

"I have to say, invoking the Omnissiah really works on people from the Adeptus Mechanicus. Clearly, he accepted it without questioning anything and left."

"Though I don't think machines have souls."

Calando covered his forehead with a hand, looking troubled, as though he had just heard some heretical doctrine.

"All right, stop talking. Don't say that in front of any oil-brains again—ahem, any Adeptus Mechanicus personnel. And keep your identity secret!"

Although Calando did not think an ordinary Tech-Priest could do anything to Iax, the same might not hold true for those veteran Sages or even Archmagos.

Carelessly revealing his identity would only invite scrutiny and danger.

A mysterious, ancient Man of Iron whom the Primarch had personally ordered them to find and bring back! His importance went without saying.

Even the Primarch had delivered this order in person.

If the archenemy, Chaos, learned of it, they would undoubtedly face the most troublesome interception.

As for the ultimate purpose, Calando did not know. He lacked the Primarch's abilities and dared not imagine his plans or strategies, but he knew full well that his Primarch, Roboute Guilliman, would not be wrong.

He would make no conjectures, only carry out the Primarch's orders and complete them at any cost.

Iax offered no objections. He simply nodded and continued down the broad passage.

"Sir! The ships are ready to depart. Shall we set off immediately?"

A voice suddenly came through the communications array, echoing in Calando's ear.

"Set off. The sooner we rendezvous with the other teams, the better. We still have a special passenger to deliver."

With the transmission concluded.

The