The Emperor looked speechlessly at his eldest son. As a Primarch, with a brain far surpassing any human—or even the best computers—why was his judgment so poor at times?
Getting giant, awakening your god-soul, now you're arrogant? Rhodes' power rivals or even surpasses a minor god! And since he can give you the power of a cosmic phantom beast, he can also take it away. Where does your confidence to challenge him again come from?
Lion opened his mouth, but said nothing. Indeed, awakening his god-soul and becoming a super-lifeform had inflated his ego, making him think he could now match Rhodes.
But recalling their earlier fight, even in human form, Rhodes had crushed him. Giant or not, he was still no match.
"If you want to fight, we'll spar with you! My cosmic phantom beast is called Golza, with violent fire powers. It's a very combative beast," Vulkan offered.
"And mine is the Cosmic Black Tortoise, with ultimate defensive power—almost as strong as Rhodes, maybe even stronger," Guilliman added.
Lion's mouth twitched. Looked like he'd have no shortage of fights in the future.
"If they're not enough, I also have a group of Custodians who've undergone giantification surgery. They can fight as giants now," the Emperor said.
"What? Father, even the Custodians can become giants?" Lion asked in shock.
"Yes. Giantification is now the standard for Imperial elites—not just the Custodians. Some Dreadnoughts can also be upgraded into Titan units, able to transform freely and move flexibly. My Custodians have also been enhanced. After all, the new Astartes are benchmarked against them—if my Custodians fall behind, they'll be outclassed!" said the Emperor.
Currently, there's one slot per month for Custodian beastification. That's twelve a year, 1,200 in a century. And as time goes on, Rhodes will unlock more slots. Within 200 years, all Custodians will be upgraded.
Once beastified, a Custodian's close combat power rivals that of a Primarch, plus they get beam weapons and flight.
Cosmic phantom beasts are amazing, but the super-beasts created by Yapool are just as good, maybe even better suited as bioweapons!
"Looks like I have a lot to learn—this new era is unfamiliar to me," Lion sighed.
"There's something else you must handle—about your genetic sons," the Emperor explained the Dark Angels' situation in detail.
"So all this happened while I was unconscious… What a bunch of idiots!" Lion said, clutching his head in pain.
He had nothing to say about the punishment for the Dark Angels: 100 years' service in the Deathwatch, then a chance to return to the Chapter. That was merciful.
"As for the Fallen Angels and Luther, I leave their fate to you. However you judge them, I won't interfere—but I hope you'll be fair, not swayed by emotion," said the Emperor.
This was a test for his eldest son—to see if he could be impartial, not letting personal feelings override justice.
Will you cover for Luther? Or judge him fairly?
"Father! The Fallen were just victims of a misunderstanding. I choose to pardon them, allow them to return to the Dark Angels. As for those who fully joined Chaos, I'll destroy them myself," Lion declared.
As long as they hadn't fully turned to Chaos, the Fallen were forgiven.
Those who had, regardless of reasons, would pay for their choice.
"In the future, any Fallen Angel not aligned with Chaos who wishes to return will be welcomed as a Dark Angel," Lion said.
"I support your decision. But what about the last traitor? Luther—who betrayed you, split your legion, caused your coma, and destroyed Caliban. How will you deal with him?" the Emperor asked.
Lion fell silent, torn between forgiving his old friend and justice. He realized his father was testing him, and understood why he hadn't been made Warmaster.
"Father, according to Imperial law, what is the punishment?" Lion asked through gritted teeth.
"Death is his only fate. He doesn't even deserve to return to the Golden Throne," Guilliman said coldly.
For the one who caused his brother's coma, fractured the Dark Angels, and led them to extremism, there was no mercy.
Rhodes watched the Emperor with amusement. Didn't you ask me to help revive Horus? Was Horus' crime any less? Compared to him, Luther was nothing. But as always, the Emperor did what was useful for the Imperium.
"If you must, send him on a penitent crusade. Better to die fighting Chaos than by our hand," Rhodes suggested.
"Rhodes is right. Sending him on a penitent crusade is a good solution," Lion immediately agreed.
He hadn't expected Rhodes to speak for him. He'd been ready to kill Luther himself.
To die in battle was perhaps the best end for a knight. If he survived and returned, he'd be pardoned and welcomed back.
"Then it's settled. But he lacks an army or ship," the Emperor noted.
Having delegated judgment to Lion, whatever he decided, so be it.
"The Inquisition holds thousands of Astartes under investigation, many imprisoned. Why not select some from them?" Rhodes offered.
Some were truly guilty, but some were like Titus—victims of the Imperium's paranoia. Those proven innocent by psychic probe could be released. The rest, especially those with tainted thoughts or who harmed Imperial citizens, could join the penitent crusade.
"Very well. I'll choose over 200 for Luther's crusade. If they kill a Chaos Champion or reclaim territory, their crimes will be pardoned," Guilliman agreed.
"Then it's settled. Rest up. In a month, we'll head to Mars to slay a shard of the Void Dragon and let Rhodes' cosmic phantom beast devour it," the Emperor concluded.
Now that his eldest had returned, it was time to deal with the Void Dragon's shard.
After finishing their talks, Rhodes and Elena returned to the palace with their son.
"Rhodes, why did you speak for Lion today?" Elena asked.
In her view, Luther was unforgivable and should have been executed.
"I did Lion a favor—now he owes me big time. And don't forget about Horus. If he isn't the greatest traitor, who is?" Rhodes replied.
"You're right. Should we tell Lion and Vulkan about Horus?" Elena asked.