"Horus, did you fight to bring the galaxy to its knees because you sought glory and recognition? Or did you do it because it was your duty, the task entrusted to you by your father? If the value of your loyalty It’s only worth a few hundred tons of white marble and a little bragging
Glory, then what kind of glory did the legions win? "
Horus was furious at this, as was Alpharius, but the Khan seemed content to just listen and observe.
The Primarch of the Sixteenth Legion straightened up to his fully superhuman height and began striding decisively around the table.
"Malcador, we came here as friends, seeking truth and understanding, and yet you hurled more insults at us."
Horus roared low, like a wolf's howl, and pushed a heavy wooden chair aside like a child's toy.
"You're not content with erasing one of my brothers, my most loyal and wisest, from all record of history! Now you dare question our place in my father's great vision? If you were me, the Bearer, How will you react now? You know full well that Alpha
Any one of Raese, Jaghatai, and I could crush you and each of your co-conspirators and then be free to leave this place and return to the Crusade as if nothing happened. "
Malcador shrugged.
"Indeed, but how will you let others view you? As a powerful war lord, you have the right to strike down any lower human who questions your rule just because of anger?"
"But, dear uncle..."
Horus almost whispered as he closed in on the Markbearer.
"That's what we're waiting for."
"Do you know what you are talking about!"
"I know better than anyone that the history of the Empire cannot be modified, and we will not allow it!"
Alpharius, who was pacing around the hall, nodded in agreement.
"We know the price of destiny, Lord Regent, we know sacrifices must be made, and there will always be a chance that some of us will not live to see the galaxy unite under our father's banner."
The Primarch of the Twentieth Legion saluted with a fist placed on his chest, no doubt watching for Malcador's reaction to the old gesture.
"But is it really necessary to deny their existence? To openly insult the memory of our fallen brothers? What gives you the authority to make this decision, in secrecy and behind the scenes?"
Malcador glared at him.
"Don't mention secrets to me! Especially you, Alpharius, you are playing a dangerous game, all three of you, and my patience is limited."
Then, with a breathless gasp, the Sigil Bearer turned his back to Horus, feeling every eye in the room on him, and retrieved his eagle from its stand beside the throne. Holding the scepter, he stood grimly in the face of the monster he helped create.
He lowered himself back into his seat and stared at everyone from under his hood.
"While our great Emperor is absent from the Throne World, I convey His authority and I act in His name. We here, including the Lords and Councilors of Terra, have fully discussed this issue and have decided , the praise of a fallen and disgraceful Primarch is not
Worthy of a monument in the Place des Heroes, the statue would be removed and the marble crushed and used to fill the pathways of the ceremonial gardens of the inner palace. "
Not only did all the Primarchs freeze, but Soshyan froze as well.
Even though he had been mentally prepared, witnessing this decision still made him feel humiliated and angry, especially since he had only met his original body not long ago.
At this time, the phantom beside him spoke again.
"It was a wrong decision and I feel sad about it, but it had to be done for the sake of the Empire."
Horus stood completely motionless, except for the twitching of his fingers. There was no doubt that he was imagining cutting the bearer into pieces.
"Not worth it?"
This was no longer a roar, but a war cry containing naked murderous intent.
Malcador turned a blind eye and just leaned on the carved back of the throne.
"If you cannot see the reasons behind this decision, then you will only further convince me that this is the right move. There is nothing to discuss here. Please return to your legions. The Empire needs victory more than ever. Let this pass. The failure is buried here.”
Surprisingly, Horus suddenly laughed loudly.
"You can't even say it, can you? You can't even say his name."
"Don't say anything!"
Malcador shouted angrily, words filled with psychic power that struck the primarch's spirit like a hammer to the forehead.
Horus staggered, blinking away the pain, and his brother seemed to feel the blow as well, as did every mortal still in the room.
"These are your father's orders, boy! And you all agreed. To disobey them now is to break the trust of the Emperor himself."
The primarch gave a twisted and contemptuous smile.
"My brother's name is-"
With a speed faster than human thought, Malcador's free hand quickly made a mysterious gesture that had long been forgotten by all living things on Terra.
for a moment,
Horus froze, his limbs locked within his armor and trembling uncontrollably.
Pressure built up in his muscles as he resisted.
Malcador also used his spiritual power to continue to control the original body.
The Khan then leapt to the center of the room.
"Lord Regent."
he pleaded, spreading his hands.
"You have to understand that what he said came from the grief and shame that we all share."
The air between them resounded with invisible energy, and Malcador could still see the hateful, contemptuous conceit flickering in Horus's trembling gaze.
then
He forced Horus to his knees.
"Xue..."
The tortured primarch choked.
"Xue...Xi..."
Soshiyang narrowed his eyes. He did not expect Malcador to do this, and the phantom beside him also sighed quietly:
"That was not my intention, but the Emperor's vision cannot bear so many surprises."
The Sealbearer's face contorted into a vengeful grin, and an ancient and familiar rage began to stir, previously only buried deep within his immortal soul.
"Enough! Shut up! Or I will destroy you, right now."
Horus's windpipe closed with a weak crackle, and his right eye was red from a burst blood vessel in his sclera.
But he still hasn't calmed down and seems
So contemptuous.
Alpharius stepped back uncertainly.
"Stop, Lord Regent, you will kill him."
Tiny and spreading light particles began to slide into the edge of Malcador's vision, and he could feel the heat accumulating in his old bones, stinging his flesh.
"Handprinter!"
Khan shouted, having to use his psychic powers to fight the Markbearer.
In an instant, it was all over,
Malcador released Horus, and the Primarch fell to the tiled floor, the air in his lungs almost suffocating, and Alpharius rushed to his side.
"Breathe, bro."
Malcador was also panting violently. He was holding on to the cold iron of the scepter, feeling like a drowning man holding on to the last slippery lifeline he could find.
"If it were you, how would you make a decision?"
Suo Shiyang frowned, then snorted softly.
"I respect the Primarch's decision, if this is what he wishes -"
He turned around and looked at the erratic phantom.
"On the contrary, it was you who tried to induce me to understand Horus' thoughts from the beginning. Your purpose made me suspicious."
The phantom was silent at first, followed by deep laughter, and finally its original form was torn apart, leaving only an erratic shadow that seemed to be undergoing thousands of changes every moment, surrounded by crystal-like glitter. particle.
"Son of Xerxes, you have a long road ahead. You have to make a decision about who to believe and who to doubt. This chess game will never be finished without you."
Amidst the laughter, the phantom gradually disappeared, leaving only a sense of fear that made Suo Shiyang's heart palpitate.
For a moment, he felt as if he was in the palm of some huge creature, but he couldn't describe it if he thought about it carefully.
Then he turned his attention back to the scene that was about to end.
