Seeing Fulgrim, everyone present lowered their eyes and offered the customary imperial salute.
It was the most basic courtesy when facing a Primarch.
The respect owed to a demigod.
The Astartes of the Emperor's Children slammed their right fists against their breastplates, creating a synchronized, deafening metallic crash:
"Welcome, Father!"
Meanwhile, the Imperial Auxilia, imperial officials like Darius Stanton, and the Crimson Dawn players disguised as Iron Hands all bowed slightly, placing their right hands over their hearts.
"Greetings, Lord Phoenix."
Fulgrim waved his hand dismissively. On anyone else, it would be a mundane gesture. But on the flawless Primarch of the Emperor's Children, it radiated an undeniable, unique charm.
His perfect face scanned the tense standoff in the camp. His violet eyes lingered on Lucius for barely half a second before settling on Saul Tarvitz.
"Tarvitz."
His voice was gentle, yet it carried an unquestionable authority. "What is going on here at your Tenth Company camp?"
Hearing his father's question, Saul Tarvitz quickly stepped forward and stood at attention before the purple-clad figure.
He slammed his right fist into his chest plate, lowered his voice, and quickly recounted everything that had just happened—from Lucius bringing his men to surround the camp, to the Auxilia medic's accusations, and finally Gabriel's uncompromising response. He reported it all exactly as it occurred.
He didn't embellish the story just because he despised Lucius, nor did he show any favoritism toward Gabriel. That was Saul Tarvitz's style: he only cared about the facts, fairness, and justice.
Fulgrim listened in silence, his perfect face betraying no shift in emotion.
But his gaze slowly shifted to Lucius, and then to the Auxilia apothecary assistant with the impassioned look on his face...
[Are You Sure This Melon Is Ripe] puffed out his chest, his face displaying a flawless blend of loyalty, hot-blooded zeal, and that hint of appropriate nervousness one should have when stared down by a Primarch.
But his heart was beating like a goddamn drum.
Holy shit, holy shit, holy shit.
What the hell is that look on Fulgrim's face?
Is he about to lose his temper?
No way, right?
He was a Chaos player. If he got executed on the spot by the Third Primarch, it'd be a total joke.
Sure, he wanted to push Fulgrim toward corruption, but not like this!
It took him a metric ton of effort to crawl his way to Fabius Bile's side, and maintaining this cover identity had cost him tens of thousands of Imperial Coins.
"Lucius, Fabius."
The Phoenician's voice was still gentle, but a cold edge crept into his tone.
"Who gave you the authority to make such a scene, bringing all these men to interrogate the brothers who came to our aid?"
Hearing the icy tone in his father's voice, Lucius's heart skipped a beat.
He quickly stepped forward, his perfect face plastered with a mix of submission and grievance.
"Father! This particular Iron Hands squad is highly suspicious!"
His voice carried a deliberate urgency, as if desperate to prove his loyalty.
"They just happen to drop in right when we're about to launch our final, decisive battle. The timing is far too coincidental!"
"And this soldier here..." Lucius pointed at [Are You Sure This Melon Is Ripe]. "His psychic senses definitely picked up an anomaly with this squad!"
"The Iron Hands Legion undergoes heavy cybernetic augmentation across the board. There shouldn't be any Astartes left who are entirely flesh and blood!"
"It totally goes against the traditions of the Iron Hands Legion!"
Feeling countless eyes suddenly locked onto him, [Are You Sure This Melon Is Ripe] instantly straightened his spine.
He lifted his chin slightly, the zealous look on his face practically radiating light... a picture-perfect, loyal patriot ready to lay down his life for the Imperium at a moment's notice.
–
In the [Wings of Freedom Regional Chat], the Chaos players were losing their minds laughing.
[Konnichiwa Slaanesh-chan]: "Holy shit lmfaooo!"
[Konnichiwa Slaanesh-chan]: "This guy is wasting his talents not being in Hollywood!"
[Konnichiwa Slaanesh-chan]: "That expression control, that sheer loyalty in his eyes. Ten out of ten!"
[I Just Like Sleeping In]: "Is he feeling super self-righteous right now? Like some total Inquisitorial fanatic?"
[Number One Handsome of the Soul Hall]: "Heh heh heh... it's gonna be hilarious when Crimson Dawn's cover gets blown."
[Number One Handsome of the Soul Hall]: "I bet a hundred Imperial Coins he gets ripped in half on the spot by that exposed [Paul Dawn]."
[Blue Pigeon Knows Nothing]: "Screw the bet, just grab some popcorn and soda and enjoy the show."
–
Fabius Bile stepped forward then. His pace was unhurried, like a scholar presenting at an academic conference.
"It is true, Father." Fabius's voice was calm, carrying the steady coolness unique to an Apothecary. "We only wished to bring them in for a brief examination to verify their identities, just in case something untoward happened."
He paused, a hint of perfectly calculated concern flashing in his gloomy eyes.
"If we are mistaken, we will offer our most sincere apologies."
"This was all to ensure that nothing goes wrong tomorrow when you claim the Perfect Sword, Father. That is why we resorted to such measures."
Fabius's words were watertight.
He stated that their motives were pure... for their father's sake... while also leaving a way out... apologizing if they were wrong.
More importantly, he specifically mentioned that sword.
The Perfect Sword.
The Blade of the Laer.
The reprimand Fulgrim was about to issue died on his lips.
He wanted to loudly declare his deep bond with Ferrus, the Primarch of the Iron Hands... a fact known across the entire Imperium.
He wanted to tell the men standing before him that they could suspect anyone but the Iron Hands Legion, because those were the sons of his brother.
But...
The Perfect Sword.
Those words flashed through his mind like a bolt of lightning.
That legendary sword.
That weapon said to be capable of ending all wars.
That thing he would hold in his own hands tomorrow...
Perfection.
Deep within his heart, in some tiny, hidden corner, something fluttered.
In an instant, Fulgrim swallowed whatever he had been about to say.
The dark, brooding look on his flawless face slowly eased.
His voice echoed again, a few degrees warmer. "If that is the case, then why didn't you discuss this properly with Commander Gabriel?"
"Instead of resorting to this tense, hostile standoff?"
Hearing this, Lucius and Fabius felt their moods instantly brighten.
Did Father just... agree?
Saul Tarvitz opened his mouth, wanting to say something...
But Fulgrim had already turned to Paul, the gentle smile returning to his perfect face.
"Commander Gabriel," the Phoenician said, his voice warm and sincere. "Would you be willing to allow the Apothecaries of the Emperor's Children to conduct an examination?"
A subtle, heavy silence instantly fell over the camp entrance.
–
The Chaos players exploded in the [Wings of Freedom Regional Chat]:
[Konnichiwa Slaanesh-chan]: "Holy shit???"
[Konnichiwa Slaanesh-chan]: "Fulgrim actually agreed???"
[I Just Like Sleeping In]: "Wait, this isn't how the script goes!"
[I Just Like Sleeping In]: "Given Ferrus and Fulgrim's bromance, shouldn't he unconditionally trust the Iron Hands??"
[Blue Pigeon Knows Nothing]: "When Fulgrim first showed up, I legit thought [Are You Sure This Melon Is Ripe]'s plan was gonna crash and burn."
[Blue Pigeon Knows Nothing]: "With how tight Ferrus and Fulgrim are, he usually wouldn't let anyone question his best bro's legionnaires."
[Konnichiwa Slaanesh-chan]: "Exactly! That's what I thought too!"
[I Just Like Sleeping In]: "But now Fulgrim is doubting them himself?"
[I Just Like Sleeping In]: "And over such a bullshit reason."
[Number One Handsome of the Soul Hall]: "Did the Great Slaanesh make a move?"
[Number One Handsome of the Soul Hall]: "Is it already starting to mess with his mind?"
[Blue Pigeon Knows Nothing]: "It's possible... after all, that sword is the key prop in Slaanesh's setup."
[All According to Plan]: "Terrifying when you think about it."
[All According to Plan]: "Just because Fabius dropped the words 'Perfect Sword,' Fulgrim changed his mind?"
[All According to Plan]: "Has the obsession with perfection already started corrupting him?"
–
In the [Light of the Emperor Regional Chat], the Loyalist players were just as confused.
[Worthy of Sanguinius's Blood]: "What's going on?? I thought Fulgrim and Ferrus were tight??"
[I Eat Tomatoes]: "Really?? That's it??"
[I Eat Tomatoes]: "With absolutely zero evidence, he's doubting his closest brother's sons just because someone talked a little smack??"
[Sanguinius Is My Husband]: "Just goes to show, Fulgrim is totally unreliable!"
[For the Regent Yellow Guilliman]: "No wonder Ferrus ended up losing his head..."
[For the Regent Yellow Guilliman]: "He trusted the wrong damn guy!"
[Loyal Battle Sister of the Imperium]: "Ferrus: I treat you like my best bro, and what do I get in return??"
[Worthy of Sanguinius's Blood]: "Man, I actually feel bad for Ferrus right now, honestly."