Zabriel's words were like a giant rock falling into a calm lake, stirring up a violent tsunami in the hearts of Avkar and the other Fallen Angels!
Especially Horok and Kay, Emrys specifically noticed the change in their expressions.
From initial murderous intent, to shock, then to final horror, mixed with an undisguised, intense jealousy and envy.
"You—you mean, it's all true?!"
After the initial shock, Avkar still found it hard to believe, his eyes showing a hint of panic as he asked Zabriel in a trembling voice.
At the same time, Horok and Kay also cast their gazes, their fervent, burning eyes as if they wished they could pry open Zabriel's head and crawl in to see for themselves whether it was true or false!
The Fallen Angels did indeed hate Lyon.
However, the reasons for their hatred were slightly different; some Fallen Angels were from Luther's faction, already harboring ulterior motives, while others were purely caught up in the events!
It was precisely for this reason that, despite hating Lyon's ruthlessness, these Fallen Angels also yearned for redemption.
Just like Olson, they resented Lyon, but they hadn't completely abandoned their former honor, still loyal to the Imperium. If they hadn't been cornered by the Inner Ring inquisitors, they wouldn't have considered cooperating with Chaos.
To be pardoned meant that they would no longer have to hide, constantly fearing being found by those inquisitors and dragged back for repentance!
Who would want to be a fugitive if they could live a good life?!
This was also the truest thought in Horok and Kay's hearts, of course, all on the premise that Lyon was truly willing to pardon them, and not that those inquisitors were using this trick to lure them into a trap!
Don't think the inquisitors wouldn't do such a thing.
When it came to hunting Fallen Angels, the Inner Ring inquisitors had always been shameless, these trivial things. As long as there was a dirty trick or a malicious scheme they could use, they would never hesitate!
Over the years, the Fallen Angels had long seen how shameless these inquisitors were in order to deceive them!
Imperial special permits, Lion King's pardons, feigned surrenders—there was nothing these bastards couldn't think of or wouldn't dare to do!
Now, hope was within reach!
And with Lyon's sword as proof, how could they not be excited?
Perhaps the power of the inquisitors was too strong, making even the mentally resilient Zabriel feel a chill down his neck from the terrifying gazes of his former comrades, including his mentor. He hastily replied, "Of course it's true, I swear on my life, Lyon—he has truly returned, and he is willing to pardon our 'sins'!"
He deliberately emphasized the word "Sins" to convey his implied meaning.
When facing these former companions, Zabriel himself was once a Fallen Angel, how could he not understand how shameful and detestable this unwarranted blame, placed upon them, truly was!
Fundamentally, during the Caliban rebellion, only Luther's faction of the Dark Angels was the main force; more were coerced into it and were indiscriminately ordered to be bombarded by Lyon, thus becoming innocent groups of Fallen Angels with bitter resentment.
And his mentor, Avkar, once hailed as the elite among elites in the Dark Angels' six great legions and the trainer of countless talents, was absolutely innocent!
If it wasn't explained clearly, with Avkar's proud personality, he would never accept being forgiven by Lyon while still bearing the stigma of a Fallen Angel.
And the situation was just as Zabriel expected.
Avkar understood his implied meaning, frowned slightly, then turned his gaze to Emrys, took a deep breath, and calmly asked, "What exactly is going on? We need a reasonable explanation."
Yes, even a pardon needs a reason!
How could someone as proud as Lyon so easily forgive these descendants who were once deemed traitors?
Emrys turned to look at Zabriel.
The latter understood the meaning in his gaze, and then recounted everything he had encountered and experienced since meeting Emrys and Lyon, in full detail.
It wasn't until he mentioned that another group of Fallen Angels had also been pardoned by Lyon that Avkar and the others' stern expressions softened slightly.
"I believe what you're saying, but—
Avkar knew Lyon too well. After listening, his face was calm as he stared at Emrys.
"How can I believe that Lyon has truly pardoned us, and isn't just newly awakened, desperately in need of power and an army, and seeing us as sacrifices for his ambition?"
Lyon?
To put it nicely, he was a born king.
But to put it harshly, he was a ruthless, unscrupulous, silent, solitary, and extremely paranoid warlord!
How could they trust such a person?
Wasn't the rebellion on Caliban a tragedy ultimately caused by Lyon's obstinacy?!
If he had listened to his advice earlier, or if Luther had straightened out his mindset and position, none of these subsequent events would have happened!
Looking at Avkar's aggressive gaze, Emrys knew he couldn't answer directly, but he also couldn't not answer.
But if he answered, he would fall into a self-proving trap, because he couldn't explain whether Lyon truly saw them as "pawns," nor could he make them believe Lyon's sincerity.
So, after a moment of thought, Emrys chose a third option from the two (A and B) Avkar presented, throwing the question back at them.
"The conditions, I've made very clear; now the choice is in your hands."
Avkar frowned.
"Boy, you still haven't answered my question!"
"I have already answered you."
Emrys said nonchalantly, glancing at them.
"Whether you believe it or not is up to you. I am merely informing you that if you agree to join the Sons of the Forest, any sins you committed previously, as long as they don't involve actual acts of rebellion, can be wiped clean. This is a promise from Lyon, and it is my promise to you."
Avkar's gaze suddenly darkened.
"What if we refuse?"
"I'm sorry, you have no room to refuse."
At this moment, in the depths of Emrys' eyes, a thunderous storm seemed to brew, and his voice suddenly deepened, accompanied by the cold winds of the Warp, filling the entire bar.
"Avkar, I will reiterate, this is not a negotiation, nor is it persuasion, but—
An announcement!"
"Just you?"
Avkar's eyes were defiant, staring coldly at Emrys, but then he turned to Zabriel.
"I may be old, but that doesn't mean—I can't kill you."
Finally, this negotiation reached its final stage.
No matter how sharp their pain was, ultimately, they still had to demonstrate corresponding strength. The principle of the carrot and the stick, even tens of thousands of years later, would still be true.
Just like now, even if Emrys persuaded them ten thousand times, it wouldn't be as effective as a single display of force.
If Lyon were standing here today, even with ten times Avkar's courage, he wouldn't dare to ask that question, the reason is simple... Lyon could truly kill them!
But Emrys couldn't!