Not only Bona but even Amarkun, standing behind the Silent King, was stunned.
Only the Triarch Praetorians present faithfully dropped to one knee and pledged their allegiance to the new Silent King.
Seeing Bona frozen in place, the Silent King frowned slightly and held out his scepter.
"Take it. This scepter symbolizes the supreme authority of the Necrontyr."
"My king, please reconsider," Amarkun tried to dissuade him.
"My mind is made up, Punishment King," Szarekh said sternly.
"Now, submit or die. Those are your only choices."
Szarekh looked at Amarkun. After a moment's hesitation, Amarkun made his choice.
He had always believed in the great Silent King, whatever decision he made.
"The Punishment King pays his respects. May the supreme king endure for eternity."
Bona accepted the scepter after all. He glanced at it, only to discover, to his surprise, that the orb at its tip seemed to contain a miniature planet.
"Within it lies the homeworld of our Necrontyr. Whoever holds this scepter is the supreme ruler of the Necrontyr," Szarekh said, seemingly noticing Bona's confusion.
"Understood, Szarekh. I'll prioritize your living-body conversion."
"No."
To Bona's surprise, Szarekh shook his head.
"I have laid down the burden that weighed upon my shoulders for hundreds of millions of years. Now it is time for me to atone."
"Now, I hope you will permit me to exile myself and travel to dangerous lands to atone for my race. Only when the Necrontyr grow strong once more will I be able to rest easy."
Bona fell silent for a moment. He could not tell whether the Silent King feared that remaining would undermine Bona's rule, or whether he truly wished to atone.
Still, Bona agreed.
"Then I will respect your choice. Should you wish it, there will always be a seat for