The Lion's eyes slowly opened. He still felt a throbbing in his head, but this time, he forced himself to remain calm.
His gaze swept around, finally landing on Russ and the Khan.
"I passed out again?" The Lion's voice was tinged with weakness, but his eyes still held stubbornness.
Russ managed a smile: "Yeah, Big Brother, you've taken the panacea twice in a short period.
You need to take it easy, or else Uncle Li's medicine will all be gone because of you."
Li Feng stood to the side, arms crossed, a helpless expression on his face: "The panacea can indeed save lives and treat almost all chronic illnesses.
But for an age-related condition like your high blood pressure, it can at most alleviate it; a complete cure is impossible because the deterioration of bodily functions isn't something one pill can solve."
Upon hearing this, a hint of embarrassment flashed across The Lion's face.
He was silent for a moment, then finally spoke: "Why do you two look younger than me?"
Russ and the Khan exchanged glances, and the Khan was the first to explain: "I've always been in the Webway of Commorragh, where the flow of time is completely different from the physical universe.
To be honest, I was lucky not to get completely lost there."
Russ nodded, then added: "And I've been wandering in the Warp, where the passage of time is also different from here.
That's why I look younger than you."
The Lion was silent for a moment, then sighed: "So that's it.
It seems I really am old..."
Russ gently patted The Lion's shoulder, speaking with a comforting tone: "Big Brother, aging is a natural law, but you are still our Big Brother, the The Lion of the Imperium."
The Khan also nodded in agreement: "That's right, no matter your appearance, your will has never changed.
That's what's most important."
The Lion's expression softened slightly, but still held a trace of unwillingness: "Perhaps.
But I always feel that this aging prevents me from going all out, and I hate that."
Li Feng interjected: "If you get angry again, you probably won't even live through today.
I advise you to stop meddling in unnecessary matters and learn to control your emotions first."
The Lion took a deep breath and nodded: "I will try my best to control my emotions.
However, these xenos... still make me uneasy."
As The Lion spoke, he looked up at Yvraine, Lelith, and Eliette, who were eating barbecue over there... his blood pressure suddenly started to rise again.
But... the red-haired Drukhari belongs to Chagatai, the white-haired one to Guilliman... whose is the other young Aeldari?
The Lion immediately cast a resentful gaze at Russ beside him.
Chagatai has always been wild and rebellious, it's normal for him to have some questionable girlfriends.
Guilliman! His was a political marriage, sacrificing him is fine...
But you, Russ! You, with your thick eyebrows and big eyes, have also betrayed...
Russ immediately understood the meaning in The Lion's eyes and instantly raised his hands, pointing his fingertips at Li Feng opposite him.
The Lion immediately closed his eyes in pain... Forget it! Let it all be destroyed!
Just then, a low rumble of engines echoed in the distance.
In the sky, a massive Thunderhawk Gunship slowly descended, accompanied by a dozen warriors clad in dark green power armour and hooded cloaks.
Their armour bore the emblem of the Dark Angels Space Marine Chapter, and each radiated a chilling aura.
The two leading them were Azrael, the Grand Master of the Dark Angels Space Marine Chapter, and Interrogator-Chaplain Asmodai, the Master of Repentance.
After landing steadily, they quickly walked towards The Lion, knelt on one knee, and said in a booming voice: "Father!"
The Lion looked at them with a hint of surprise, but he quickly recognized their identity from The Lion Helm on Azrael's head.
"You are the current Legion Master, aren't you?"
All the Dark Angels: "Legion?"
Azrael looked up, his expression a mix of awe and excitement: "Upon receiving news of your return, we immediately came to greet you.
This is the honour of the Dark Angels Space Marine Chapter!"
Interrogator-Chaplain Asmodai appeared even more solemn: "The Lion, your return will make our Space Marine Chapter even more steadfast in executing the Emperor's will.
We need your leadership!"
The Lion nodded, stood up, trying to appear composed and powerful: "I have returned, but the current situation is far more complex than I imagined."
His gaze swept towards the Aeldari Yvraine and Lelith standing to the side, his expression still showing a hint of distrust.
"I need time to understand this era.
Your loyalty, I will remember.
But for now, give me some space."
Azrael and Interrogator-Chaplain Asmodai exchanged glances, then simultaneously bowed and responded: "Your command shall be obeyed."
At this moment, all the Dark Angels immediately spotted Zahariel, who was looking wary in the corner, and Interrogator-Chaplain Asmodai immediately shouted:
"Fallen Angel! Judgment!!!"
Upon hearing Interrogator-Chaplain Asmodai's shout, the warriors of the Dark Angels Space Marine Chapter immediately entered combat stance.
They drew their power swords in unison, their eyes coldly fixed on Zahariel.
Zahariel, however, did not flinch.
He quickly drew his Bolter and said coldly: "Come on, I'm waiting!"
The air was thick with tension, and just as sword and bolter round were about to clash, The Lion's form flickered, his longsword "loyalty" in hand.
He moved with lightning speed, blocking Zahariel, and with astonishing swiftness, swept his sword, knocking away all the power swords of the Dark Angels warriors.
The blade sliced through the air, emitting a low hum.
Russ and the Khan, who were watching the show, exchanged glances and raised their eyebrows.
The Lion was indeed older, his speed and explosiveness had slowed considerably, but his swordsmanship was still at a T0 level among Primarchs, even better than it was ten thousand years ago.
"Stop!!!" The Lion roared, his voice like thunder, instantly freezing everyone's movements.
Azrael and Interrogator-Chaplain Asmodai exchanged a complex look, but still lowered their heads and said: "Primarch, he is a Fallen Angel! They are traitors! We cannot let him live!"
The Lion's gaze swept coldly over Azrael and Interrogator-Chaplain Asmodai, his voice low but carrying an irresistible authority: "There have never been any Fallen Angels!
Everything you believe is based on misunderstanding and my mistakes!"
"Misunderstanding?" Azrael looked up, staring at The Lion in disbelief, "Father, how can this be?
The rebellion on Caliban is a hard fact, we spent ten thousand years purging these traitors, are their crimes false?"
The Lion slowly sheathed his sword, his expression a mixture of guilt and pain.
He took a deep breath, then said in a deep voice: "I know it's hard for you to believe, but you need to know the truth.
The rebellion on Caliban was not what you think."
Everyone held their breath, quietly listening to The Lion's account.
"There was indeed a rebellion on Caliban, but only my foster father Luther and a few high-ranking Commanders who remained behind participated in it.
Those warriors... those ordinary warriors caught in the war, most of them did not know Luther's plan.
They were just following orders, their eyes blinded by the schemes of their superiors."
The Lion's gaze grew heavier, he slowly raised his head, his voice filled with deep regret: "Ten thousand years ago, when I returned to Caliban and saw Luther's betrayal, I was consumed by rage and lost my reason.
My anger blinded my eyes, causing me to launch an indiscriminate attack on the entire planet, leading to fratricide.
I did not try to distinguish between loyalty and betrayal, nor did I give those innocents any chance to explain."
A profound silence fell over the scene; even Azrael and Interrogator-Chaplain Asmodai were too stunned to speak.
The Lion continued: "Those warriors who escaped... they were not traitors, they were innocent.
Because of my mistake, they were branded as Fallen Angels and hunted for ten thousand years.
This is my fault, my sin."
Upon hearing this, Zahariel's usually stern expression softened slightly.
He looked at The Lion, and his eyes seemed to hold a hint of complex emotion.
The Lion took a deep breath, his voice firm and resonant: "From now on, the accusations against all warriors mistakenly identified as Fallen Angels no longer exist!
They are now—the 'Lions Guard'!
They are warriors pardoned by the Imperium and by me, no longer hunted, but my sons, loyal Guardians of the Imperium!"
Azrael and Interrogator-Chaplain Asmodai stared at The Lion in shock, seemingly unable to accept this decision that overturned their beliefs.
"But, Primarch..." Interrogator-Chaplain Asmodai tried to argue.
The Lion's gaze was as sharp as a hawk's, directly interrupting him: "No 'buts'!
I am the instigator of all this, and I bear all the blame!
Your mission changes from hunting to identifying and accepting.
Is that clear? I swear! I will not watch my sons die before me again."
Azrael hesitated for a moment, then finally knelt and bowed his head: "Your command shall be obeyed, Father!"
Zahariel stood rooted, silent for a long time, then whispered: "Father, thank you."
The Lion did not respond, but walked to Zahariel and patted his shoulder: "Zahariel, from today, you no longer need to flee.
You and your brothers, return to the embrace of the Imperium."
Zahariel nodded slightly, a complex emotion in his eyes, tears already streaming down his weathered face, but finally, he softly said: "Yes, Father."
However, at this moment, Interrogator-Chaplain Asmodai suddenly stood up, tightly gripping his crozius arcanum.
Azrael saw his old partner's state and inwardly cried out in alarm!
He immediately wanted to rush forward and pull Interrogator-Chaplain Asmodai down, but Interrogator-Chaplain Asmodai was now glaring at the Primarch himself... "Father!!! Repent!!!!!"
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