As Jaghatai Khan left Qin Xin with a scar of honor, the atmosphere of the meeting immediately grew livelier.
Lox and Sanguinius took the lead in applauding, praising the White Scars for their honorable vengeance. As one of the traitor legions' senior commanders, Eidolon's head indeed carried considerable weight.
Even the meticulous Rogal Dorn and the silent Lion offered their approval.
Amid the applause, the last primarch yet to arrive, Leman Russ of the Space Wolves, finally made his belated entrance.
The towering wolf king of Fenris had long golden hair woven into a distinctive knot according to Fenrisian custom. A massive wolf pelt hung from his shoulders, and at first glance alone, Lox could feel the bold, unrestrained spirit radiating from him.
Fafnir Blood-Bond, who had just been envying the White Scars, was the first to pounce. He launched himself at his gene-father, only for Leman Russ's iron fist to come down and slam his son into the ground.
With a deafening boom, the Wolf Lord was viciously thrown down, armor and all. Even merely hearing that bone-rattling impact made Lox's teeth ache.
Was this how all Space Wolves greeted one another?
Fortunately, Fafnir was tough enough. He lay on the ground for only a second before nimbly climbing back up and dropping to one knee in salute to his wolf king.
"This is..."
Lox's attention was not entirely on the boisterous wolf king, Leman Russ. In fact, the person who truly caught his eye was an old man following behind Russ, always several steps behind him.
The man wore a pale gray hooded robe, standard attire for many Imperial officials. Half his face was hidden beneath an overly long hood brim, while his right hand rested on an Imperial Aquila staff whose head burned with flame.
At first