"You should all withdraw for now. We need some privacy to discuss important matters."
"Set up a perimeter. No one is to approach without permission."
Guilliman waved a hand, and the Ultramarines present immediately withdrew in orderly fashion. The Black Templars, however, did not budge, remaining where they stood as they waited for Dorn's orders.
The atmosphere suddenly became rather awkward, and Dorn's expression turned stern.
"What are you still doing here? Why are you ignoring Guilliman's orders? I have heard that during my absence, you have been unusually passive in obeying the Imperial Regent's commands."
"This is not loyalty. This is a lack of organization and discipline."
"I never imagined such a thing would happen among my sons."
"We will discuss this matter properly later. But not now."
Dorn had also learned much from his sons' behavior. The Black Templars simply did not obey Guilliman's orders, stubbornly continuing to follow only their primarch's instructions.
Dorn could even imagine how troublesome his brother must have found it when dealing with the Black Templars before this.
Perhaps the Black Templars were indeed loyal, but this was not the kind of loyalty Dorn wanted.
Having learned from Horus's betrayal, Dorn had become exceptionally wary of the Astartes' fanatical devotion to their primarchs.
For once a primarch went wrong, that fanatical loyalty would make the remaining Astartes follow him without hesitation.
Upon hearing Dorn's rebuke, the Black Templars, who had feared neither Heaven nor Earth until then, immediately began to panic.
They could all sense the dissatisfaction hidden in their primarch's voice. To the Black Templars, that was more terrifying than any dreadful enemy or mortal danger.
"Yes, my lord."
The leading Black Templar immediately bowed his head and withdrew, anxiously wondering what he should do.
*It seems I can only have Sigismund