"Father!!! Repent!!!!"
The voice echoed throughout the entire courtyard, as if an invisible bolt of lightning had struck, instantly freezing the atmosphere that had been slightly restless due to tension.
Every person in the courtyard, whether Dark Angels warriors or the Primarchs watching from the side, felt an irresistible majesty and fury in that roar.
Behind the curtain, Magnus slowly pushed his wheelchair closer, hesitating for a moment, but finally pulled back a small gap. He had just heard Lion's return, but he didn't dare to go out… because little Magnus was afraid his big brother would beat him up immediately. His blue single eye peered through the curtain, observing the situation outside, as if anticipating what might happen next.
Although he held Lion, his elder brother, in awe, his heart also held a hint of complex, inexpressible emotions—worry, curiosity, and a touch of schadenfreude he wouldn't admit.
"If Lion beats that child to death… then he won't hit me as hard later, right?"
All the Dark Angels warriors in the courtyard bowed their heads, knelt on one knee, and almost held their breath. They were both afraid that their Primarch would unleash his thunderous wrath, and shocked and perplexed by Interrogator-Chaplain Asmodai's bold action. After all, Lion's reputation as a Primarch was deeply ingrained, and his punishment of "disobedient children" had become a cautionary tale for countless generations of warriors in the Space Marine Chapter's history, discussed over tea.
Especially that one time when he famously sent a disrespectful senior flying 540 degrees, helmet and all, with a single slap, which remains one of the most famous "family discipline scenes" in the Space Marine Chapter's annals.
At this moment, Russ and Chagatai stood not far away, their eyes meeting in a silent understanding. Russ raised an eyebrow, seemingly asking Chagatai: "Should we step in and stop him?" Chagatai, however, shook his head slightly, a meaningful smile playing on his lips: "Wait a bit longer, see how it goes."
They, of course, knew Interrogator-Chaplain Asmodai's character. Although this child was stubborn, he was indeed loyal and righteous. The reason he roared "Father, repent" was not because he harbored hostility towards Lion, but because he could not accept the clash between faith and reality.
This anger stemmed from the collapse of his faith, from his habitually black-and-white moral compass being shattered by his elder brother's words.
However, Lion did not immediately act. His tall figure appeared exceptionally steady in the courtyard's breeze, his hands clasped behind his back, his armored silhouette like a towering mountain.
His gaze coldly swept over the kneeling warriors, finally resting on Interrogator-Chaplain Asmodai, who was still standing, gripping his chaplain's crozius, his face filled with indignation.
"You think I should repent?" Lion's voice was deep and stern, carrying an undeniable power. He slowly took a step, each step like a heavy hammer striking everyone's hearts.
Lion's gaze fell coldly on Interrogator-Chaplain Asmodai. His figure in the center of the courtyard was incredibly majestic, and the longsword "loyalty" at his waist vibrated slightly, its power field emitting a low hum, as if responding to its master's emotions.
The entire courtyard fell into a dead silence, only Interrogator-Chaplain Asmodai's furious voice still echoing:
"Father! Your decision betrays the Emperor's will! Pardoning the Fallen Angels? This is a desecration of the Emperor's glory! You were once The Lion of the Imperium, but now you choose to forgive these traitors! This is unforgivable!!!"
Lion slowly took a step forward, his voice steady and deep, yet containing an undeniable power:
"child, I know you are loyal to the Emperor, and I know your faith sustains your every action. But I tell you… your loyalty is worthy of respect, but your obsession is wrong."
Russ and Chagatai exchanged glances, ready to intervene should Lion's wrath ignite.
However, Lion did not get angry. He stood before Interrogator-Chaplain Asmodai, looking down at the loyal chaplain. His gaze was not as sharp as usual, but held a hint of sorrow.
"Interrogator-Chaplain Asmodai, have you ever considered why I was summoned back to this era by the Emperor at this time? Is it for us to continue our vengeance, or for us to atone for past mistakes? I have made countless mistakes in my life, but what I regret most is that my stubbornness led to tens of thousands of loyal warriors bearing the stigma of 'Fallen Angels'."
Interrogator-Chaplain Asmodai tightened his grip on his crozius, gritting his teeth: "Father… even so, their rebellion is a fact! Is Caliban's betrayal not irrefutable proof?"
Lion was silent for a moment, then slowly spoke: "Caliban's rebellion was Luther's ambition, and my dereliction of duty. Those warriors were merely following orders; they are children of the Imperium, and like you, once swore allegiance to the Emperor! I once destroyed Caliban in my anger, but now, I cannot allow my mistakes to continue to destroy the Imperium's future."
The atmosphere in the courtyard eased somewhat, but remained tense. Interrogator-Chaplain Asmodai's eyes flickered, seemingly struggling internally. He looked down at his crozius, then up at Lion, his eyes revealing deep contradiction.
"Father… if I am wrong, then how can these ten millennia of pursuit, and the sacrifices of countless brothers, be explained?"
Lion took a deep breath, his voice tinged with undeniable pain: "All these sacrifices are my sin. As your Primarch, as The Lion of the Imperium, I am responsible for all of this. I cannot change the past, but I can guide the future."
He glanced at the kneeling Dark Angels warriors, then continued: "From today, you are no longer pursuers, but Guardian. You must use your strength to mend the wounds torn by misunderstanding. We no longer need to exhaust ourselves internally, but must unite to fight the true enemies threatening the Imperium."
Interrogator-Chaplain Asmodai's hand trembled slightly. He gritted his teeth, and finally knelt, bowing his head and saying: "Father… I still cannot fully understand your decision, but if this is your will, I am willing to obey."
Lion nodded, the expression on his face finally softening somewhat: "Very good, Interrogator-Chaplain Asmodai. loyalty never means blind obedience, but understanding and executing correct orders with your conviction. I hope one day, you will truly understand my difficulties."
At this moment, Russ and Chagatai finally breathed a sigh of relief. Russ quipped: "Big brother, you're truly merciful this time. If it were before, he would have been sent flying by you, wouldn't he?"
Lion glanced at Russ, and said indifferently: "If it were before, I might truly have done so. But now… my temper seems to have improved somewhat."
Russ's eyes suddenly dimmed at this, as if recalling something: "Just like second brother…"
Lion sighed at this moment: "Alas… just like Sarradin."
The atmosphere in the courtyard finally returned to some calm; the warriors put down their weapons and began to reform their ranks. Zahariel, meanwhile, stood to the side, unmoving for a long time.
He looked at Lion's back, the complex emotions in his eyes gradually turning into a sense of relief. He softly said: "Father, thank you for being willing to believe in us."
Lion turned his head, patted Zahariel's shoulder, and whispered: "From today, you are no longer lonely wanderers, but Guardian of the Imperium. Remember this, Lions Guard."
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