Just Cause

Deep beneath the Holy Terra, in the Emperor's secret chamber.

Several days later, Malcador composed himself and returned to the place.

Looking at the empty bed, where Han Mingxuan should have been lying, she realized that the bed was bare.

If everything had gone smoothly, Han Mingxuan should have woken up by now, but now an accident has occurred, and nothing is left.

Malcador sighed and went to another place, a place known only to him and the Emperor.

That room contained all the unscientific and irrational things that the Emperor had been able to collect since his time.

Neoth, are you there?

"I'm here, old friend."

Malcador followed the sound and found the Emperor, but looking at the Emperor now, Malcador was filled with mixed emotions.

Have you found a solution?

"No, that gentleman refused to answer me."

During this time, the Emperor had been trying to contact the Will of Earth, but no matter what sacrificial methods he used, he could not find it.

The other party simply refused to respond to him.

"Is this the source of your confidence in cooperating with the Chaos Gods?"

"Yes, but now there's no other way out."

Malcador didn't say much; he simply approached the Emperor.

"You made many choices out of necessity, Neoth, from the moment I found you and urged you to stand up, to becoming the Emperor of Mankind and establishing the Imperium."

"Old friend, I... I'm so sorry."

The Emperor said nothing; he simply looked at Malcador.

"It wasn't you who found me, old friend, it was fate that found me, so I don't blame you."

"And this choice wasn't made out of necessity."

"It's rare that you took the initiative to make this choice."

Malcador's statement was devoid of emotion; it was simply stating a fact.

But this time my choice was unwise.

Upon hearing this, Malcador looked at the Emperor.

This is the first time you've said that.

"Because this is the first time I've personally thrown away my hopes."

Normally, neither the Emperor nor Malcador knew whether the fate and future of the Imperium and humanity were bright.

They were simply following the remnants of the Dark Age of Technology, trying to reunite all of humanity.

However, with the appearance of Han Mingxuan, things that were previously uncertain became certain.

But it was precisely because of this that the Emperor himself squandered the future that was so clearly visible.

What are you planning to do?

"Wait."

"Wait for what?"

"I await the destiny I anticipate," the Emperor said.

"Then what?"

"Have no idea."

The two sat in silence for a long time before Malcador finally chose to leave.

Just as Malcador was about to leave, the Emperor asked a question.

"Old friend, is it right or wrong to follow the dictates of fate?"

Upon hearing the Emperor's question, Malcador turned to look at him.

"We are not Old Han."

The Emperor nodded, stood up, and prepared to leave the secret chamber.

What are you planning to do?

"Move forward according to your predetermined destiny, and face them."

At the same time, in Nostramo, Trazyn, having learned that Curze was interrogating the Perpetual, found him.

Seeing the current state of the scene, he didn't hesitate to give Curze a good beating.

"Curze, what are you doing? Taking revenge?"

"This is the retribution they deserve."

Old Han will be very disappointed to see you do this.

"He never taught you that your first instinct when faced with a major accident is to vent your anger."

"Your brothers are risking their lives for you, ready to fight to the death, and you're just venting your anger here?"

I am interrogating you.

"Is this normal interrogation tactic? If you ask, won't they tell you?"

"But my father is gone, so am I just supposed to keep everything bottled up inside?"

"As a son, your actions are understandable, but you are not only his son, you are also the Primarch, the head of the entire Peaceful Star System."

"At this time, emotions should not override rational decision-making."

"What you're doing right now is dangerous. Sadness and anger will consume you. Is that what Old Han taught you?"

Curze remained silent for a long time before activating a Temporal Reset Device.

The Perpetual, who had been tortured beyond recognition, were all restored to their original state, and even the Perpetual he had killed was unharmed.

Before leaving, he tossed the Ritual Dagger onto the table; the dagger was sheathed in a metal scabbard.

"Uncle, please take good care of the Peaceful Star System."

What are you planning to do?

"Go do what I have to do."

After saying that, Curze immediately began to organize his troops.

"Aequus, Talos, Pusilock, Madian, Agrid, you stay behind to oversee recruitment."

"The rest of you reorganize the troops; we're going to Terra."

"The Boss, we..."

"Talos, don't forget what your Dad planned for you. If I get into trouble this time, the Legion is in your hands."

"Yes!"

"The Boss, there's a letter from another Legion." Shen said, holding an urgent document.

"The Old Sixteen?"

"Yes."

Curze didn't even look at the contents; he just burned the file.

"Shen, issue the document."

What is the content?

"The Father of Night disappeared after performing Life-Extension Surgery on Terra, and now Eighth Legion Primarch Konrad Curze is holding Terra accountable."

"This mission is solely to uncover the truth; during this time, the Eighth Legion reserves all possible means."

"This is not betrayal, this is accountability."

"Kaisoron."

"Exist."

"Issue a document, in the name of the Third Legion, to hold those responsible accountable."

"Yes."

Then the Primarch planned to work with Curze all followed suit.

When the people in the Adeptus Administratum received the news, they fainted.

Except for the First, Sixth, Seventh, Ninth, Thirteenth, Sixteenth, and Salamanders, all Primarch issued statements of accountability within a single day.

Moreover, the statement made it very clear.

Reserve all possible means!

This is Horus Heresy!

This is absolutely Horus Heresy!

The news quickly reached Malcador's desk.

Upon seeing this news, Malcador smiled.

The Administratum, seeing Malcador still able to laugh at this moment, could only think that the Chancellor was probably out of options.

In fact, Malcador quite pleased.

Old Han's teaching of Curze was worthwhile.

Combining those Legion deployment documents with Curze's current actions, it's quite clear that the other side also wants to keep the intensity of the war to a minimum.

Very good, Curze's approach is very mature.

If it were Old Han, he would do the same.

To put it nicely, it's a wise choice.

But to put it bluntly...

Cunning.

A very cunning tactic.

This tactic is so ancient that it predates even the existence of Imperium of Man, but it works very well.

Even if it's clearly Horus Heresy, as long as there's a legitimate reason for it, everything is negotiable.

"Chancellor Excellency, we..."

"What's the panic? The statement clearly says they're here to hold people accountable, not to fight a war. Just let them come."

"Moreover, the front lines of the Great Crusade are safe and sound."

"Let's go through the formalities."

After speaking, Malcador disregarded the rest, and ultimately the document could only be sent to the Throne Room and the Departmento Munitorum.

The wording in Terra's internal documents is different.

The content can be summarized in just two words.

Suppressing the rebellion.