A grand celebration was held on Terra.
Nearly ten thousand military formations marched proudly from outside the city along the Eternal Avenue, receiving the cheers of the populace.
On either side of the road, vast numbers of civilians and pilgrims formed a sea of people, packed so tightly that the Ecclesiarchy had to distribute food and water to keep them from starving.
Even God-Machine Titans took part in the celebration, their mountain-sized forms drawing frenzied cheers from the crowds.
But none of this compared to the arrival of the "Children of a God."
While the towering, mighty Adeptus Astartes and imposing war machines drew cheers, the Primarchs inspired hysterical fervor.
These figures, who had seemed like legends from ten thousand years ago, had now truly appeared before them and defeated their great, evil enemy. To the people of the Imperium, only the glorious Great Crusade of long ago could compare.
The celebration lasted thirteen full days, surpassing even Emperor's Ascension Day.
The Ecclesiarchy had already decreed that, in celebration of this great victory, every planet would be exempted from three standard Terran Months of tax quotas.
As the celebration drew to a close, the Primarchs arrived before the gates of the Imperial Palace, where Trajann Valoris, Captain-General of the Adeptus Custodes, had long been waiting.
Trajann Valoris looked over the Primarchs, confirming that everyone was present.
"Follow me. His Majesty has been waiting for some time."
With that, Trajann Valoris and several Custodians led the Primarchs toward the Throne Room.
Walking across the broad palace square, even Lion El'Jonson, the most wary among them, noticed nothing amiss. He even wondered whether he had been overly suspicious.
Security at the Imperial Palace was fairly relaxed. Although precautions had been strengthened for the celebration, they were still far lighter than under combat