An Agonizing Choice

On the front lines of the Great Crusade, aboard the Unyielding Truth.

"Luther, where will the Imperium go from here?"

As the Imperium's Warmaster, he was well aware of his brothers' actions.

But he did not stop it.

From a rational perspective, the Uncle's existence was extremely important to the Imperium.

My Uncle is now missing, and his disappearance has a huge impact on the entire Imperium.

At first, Lion El'Jonson's idea was very simple.

He wanted to appease his brothers first, and then go find his Uncle, but his brothers soon forced him to make a choice.

The news of my Uncle's disappearance spread throughout the entire Imperium at some point.

Immediately afterwards, this news came like a depth charge, shaking everyone from the rear of the Imperium to Imperium front lines.

This had a huge impact on every aspect of the Imperium and on everyone involved.

With the Imperium Chancellor Malcador in the rear, things could be somewhat stabilized, but what about the front lines? The entire burden of the Great Crusade rested on the shoulders of this Warmaster.

As Warmaster, Lion El'Jonson knew this was a responsibility he should bear, but this sudden change was not like a wave, but rather like an undercurrent on the seabed.

If he makes any mistake in his operation, the entire Great Crusade front will face mutiny.

After all, his Uncle's influence on the front lines of the Great Crusade was no less than that in the rear.

For this reason, Lion El'Jonson's final choice was simply to Great Crusade Frontline.

They ceased actively advancing the battle lines, and at the same time, they merely defended against any invading traitors and Xenos.

This was a choice he was forced to make.

If possible, Lion El'Jonson would prefer to discuss this matter openly and honestly.

According to the information he has received, the Legion Coalition have already begun their advance towards Terra.

Although it is foreseeable that the intensity of the impending war will not be too high, if the Imperium does not provide a reasonable response, it will be a catastrophic disaster for the entire Imperium of Man.

At this moment, Lion El'Jonson realized that the only person he could confide his doubts to was the Knight Grand Master of the First Legion.

"Lion El'Jonson, you made the right choice in this matter. There's no need to worry about it."

"We must believe that the Eighth Legion Primarch is rational."

"I wish he were rational, Luther, but you don't know him."

"After Curze returned, I studied all the information about Old Nostramo. I know very well what Curze would have become without my Uncle."

"Now that Uncle is missing, if the Emperor cannot provide a satisfactory answer to the Eighth Legion, it's hard to imagine how far the Imperium's fate will slide into."

Looking at the pitch-black universe, Luther finally uttered only one sentence.

"The only person we can trust now is the Father of Night. Whether he is in the Imperium or not, we must believe that his influence on the Eighth Legion is profound."

As the two talked, silence fell over the Flagship's command center. Shortly afterward, a Communications Frequency proactively connected.

"Lion El'Jonson, can you hear me?"

"Magnus? Are you here to negotiate, or do you have other intentions?"

"We're here to offer assistance."

"Assistance?"

Lion El'Jonson didn't understand. His brothers should have been gathering forces to head to Terra, so why were they suddenly at the front lines?

What kind of aid?

"My greatest show of sincerity is that I will not participate in your actions."

"Lion El'Jonson, there's no need to be so wary of us. I've come to give you a secret order from my Uncle."

"Vulkan?"

Hearing the voice on the communication channel, Lion El'Jonson relaxed his guard a little.

If there was anyone he could still trust at this point, it was Russ.

Although the two of them always seemed to be arguing, Lion El'Jonson knew very well that he and Russ were both doing the Emperor's dirty work.

The only difference was that one wore a black glove and the other a white glove.

Besides, Vulkan and the Great Angel were his top choices.

As for Horus, he has now returned to defend Terra.

Now that Vulkan is mediating, he is willing to trust him.

"What are your orders, Uncle?"

"I don't know, Lion El'Jonson. Compared to our Evernight Secret Edict, yours is blank."

Blank?

He had indeed heard about the Evernight Secret Edict through some channels, but this was the first time he had ever heard of a blank Evernight Secret Edict.

Just as the atmosphere between the two sides fell silent, a thick fog rose unexpectedly over Magnus's fleet.

The white mist obscured the view, and the scent of forest and earth filled the nostrils as the air moved.

Just as the group was on guard, a hand suddenly appeared from the fog.

"Vulkan, give me the secret order."

"You are... Lion El'Jonson?"

"This is the result of your Uncle's teaching. Now, give me the secret order."

Lion El'Jonson looked at the other three, and finally handed over the Evernight Secret Edict and the Dawn Protocol together.

After that, only the sound of the wind remained on the entire warship.

Not long after, a faint golden light flashed and disappeared, the mist vanished completely, Lion El'Jonson appeared before everyone.

"As per the Evernight Secret Edict, I will be stationed at the front line of the Great Crusade, leading the existing forces and the Dawn Army Group that has come to support us, to guard against any problems that may arise on the front lines of the Imperium."

Lion El'Jonson looked at his brothers, his heart filled with mixed emotions, but he was still relieved.

"I'm so glad we're not on opposite sides."

These days were both peaceful and torturous for Lion El'Jonson.

Being on the front lines of the Great Crusade, he didn't need to worry about the problems at home.

Regardless of whether the other party is demanding accountability or defecting, he only needs to state his position and withdraw from the conflict.

But he was still tormented inside.

He couldn't be sure what choices his brothers would make.

In recent days, Lion El'Jonson has mobilized almost all the secret weapons and hidden forces at his disposal.

He has also prepared the fastest route back to defense, and if any problems arise, he will face the outcome he least wants to face.

Fight against Curze.

But now it seems his worries were unnecessary.

"It's all for the Imperium of Man, Lion El'Jonson. No matter what choices we make, the outcome will be the same."

"Just like during the Anti-Corruption campaign, weren't there people saying that Uncle was going to Horus Heresy?"

"Welcome." Lion El'Jonson smiled and extended his hand to Lorgar.

"Everything is for the sake of humanity. After we leave a portion of our people behind, we will immediately move on to other regions and will not stay any longer," Lorgar said.

"I know. The Evernight Secret Edict already states that Uncle's next instruction is for you to go directly to Macragge to find Roboute."

"My Uncle has already had his Private Guards deliver the contents of his secret order."

"Macragge? Alright, let's set off now. Tu'en, you stay behind with the men."

"Clear."

Watching his brothers leave, and reflecting on the contents of his secret order, Lion El'Jonson closed his eyes in anguish.

"Aequus might be right; sometimes I do have a soft heart."