Evan stepped back, feinted three times in quick succession, and raised his arms to protect his face.
The Beiwei Army stared at their Chapter Master in puzzlement.
Evan chuckled. Sure enough, Victor was gone.
By then, Victor had thoroughly explored a certain Slave Lord's palace.
He had also locked their treasury along the way, leaving a large contingent of elite guards to be killed before they could even reach their weapons.
Victor wanted to learn the Crimson Tide's offensive habits, especially how they attacked palaces. The Adeptus Custodes remained ever watchful for betrayal from anyone.
He made a circuit of the palace, then heard a coordinated alarm sound across the entire planet.
"Everyone, withdraw." An order issued under the Adeptus Custodes' highest clearance.
Moments later, the Imperial Palace exploded. Carved beams and ornate architecture blossomed in the air, and an ion storm like an overloaded void shield swept through the entire area.
Within several kilometers of the Imperial Palace, only the Adamantium Warriors and the Adeptus Custodes survived.
Victor was deeply displeased. He had actually missed this trap. The lower levels and the palace above were completely isolated from one another-not just soundproofed, but insulated against vibration as well.
Just as the Adamantium Warriors regrouped, a mechanical palace rose from the ocean on the other side of the planet. Its exterior looked distinctly Adeptus Mechanicus, but its interior was entirely palatial.
Seated upon its throne was the Slave Lord who had already been assassinated. At his rallying cry, slaves across the planet converged on the Machine Palace to "stand together against the alien invaders."
"Gohors has returned! He cannot be killed! Praise Gohors!"
But what awaited him was Victor's wrath.
The Custodian was utterly enraged.
Anyone who could survive as an independent power in this treacherous galaxy was no weakling,