Inside the massive reception hall, only Alexei and Atol sat quietly on soft leather chairs. The chairs were wide enough to accommodate even Atol's towering frame, clad in full power armor.
Exquisite food and delicious wine were set before them, but they did not eat. They simply sat in silence, waiting for something.
Heinrich had departed shortly after his brief conversation with Alexei. At Alexei's signal, Kaeder had also followed him. The Ghosts, carrying the infected, had already selected their targets and infiltrated Leopis. All they needed was the right moment, and the entire upper echelon of Leopis would join the Great Swarm family.
Alexei glanced at the silent Atol. The Fallen Angel remained motionless in his battered power armor, like a steel statue, his crimson eye-lenses staring calmly ahead. Though Atol didn't know exactly what Alexei did to people, he was aware that their attitudes often underwent a total transformation overnight. When he had asked if Atol found this suspicious, the warrior's response was indifferent.
Atol stated plainly that over the past millennia, he had seen more xenos technology than anyone could imagine. Since setting aside his hatred long ago, he had sworn an oath: until the day his life ended, he had only one task—to hunt down and execute all human traitors. Everything else was outside his concern.
The Imperium was too vast. He had seen planetary governors corrupt to the core, nobles who murdered civilians for sport, Tech-Priests who mindlessly turned people into servitors, and Ministorum priests who committed atrocities in the Emperor's name.
He had long ago realized that the Imperium of glory and light was dead, leaving behind nothing but a hollowed-out corpse.
Thus, Atol made it clear: as long as Alexei did not violate his bottom line, he would not interfere. He only remained because Governor El had suggested they might encounter many Great Enemies of Chaos on the road ahead.
There were many high-ranking officials in Leopis, and controlling them all would take time. For now, Alexei could only wait patiently. Looking around the empty hall, he decided to strike up a conversation with Atol. Since boarding the ship, the big guy had spent almost all his time practicing in the meditation chamber; it was rare to see him outside of it, and the two hadn't spoken much.
Alexei began recounting his battles on Cadia, eventually steering the conversation toward the return of the Primarch. This was the first time he heard a note of genuine shock in Atol's voice.
"What?!"
Alexei smiled. "That's right. You heard me correctly. The Lord of the Thirteenth Legion has returned on Macragge."
Atol fell into a long silence. Alexei knew what he was thinking. The Lord of the First Legion was still missing. Even if their father returned in the future, Atol could not escape his identity; in the eyes of the Imperium, he was still a damned traitor.
Alexei didn't say much more. He simply patted Atol's shoulder guard. "Once the Primarch returns to Terra, I'll find an opportunity to visit the Rock. Do you want to come along?"
Atol remained silent. Why would he go—to deliver himself as a snack? But then Alexei added:
"There might be news of the Lord of the First Legion there."
The silent Fallen Angel finally looked over. Just as Atol was about to ask for specifics, the doors to the reception hall swung open. Kaeder walked in first, dropping his cloak, followed by a trembling and uneasy Governor Heinrich.
"My Lord, the mission is complete," Kaeder reported respectfully.
Alexei nodded in satisfaction, dismissing Kaeder back into the shadows. He turned his gaze to Heinrich, who dared not look him in the eye. "How does it feel?"
The Governor of Leopis gave a bitter smile and said it was "fine."
Alexei then began questioning him about the affairs of the Hive City. After a while, the exchange stopped, and his eyes flickered as he processed the information.
"By the way, what about the Schneider family?" Alexei asked.
"I've already sent men to screen them. There might be resistance, but it shouldn't be a problem," Heinrich replied respectfully.
Resistance? Heh. I hope you try to make some waves. "My people will handle the screening; you don't need to worry about it," Alexei waved his hand dismissively. "El's army will begin garrisoning Leopis in stages. Open your permissions."
"Yes, My Lord."
Alexei turned back to Atol. "I'd like to ask you to lead my men to check the Underhive and the Bottom Hive. We disrupted the Dark Gods' plans before; they won't let it go easily. Those lower levels are the easiest places for filth to hide. There will definitely be traces of Chaos there."
"Fine." Atol stood his massive frame up and left the room with the silent Kaeder.
Left alone with the subservient Governor, Alexei tapped his fingers on the armrest of his chair. After a moment, he stopped. "Right, take me to see that Astropathic Tower."
"That is the domain of the Watson family. There might be a conflict without their permission," Heinrich warned.
"You're a Planetary Governor. Do you not even have that much authority?" Alexei asked curiously.
Heinrich smiled bitterly again. "I only sit in this seat because of the support of those Spire nobles. I cannot hold this position on my own."
"Don't worry. They won't be able to stop us. Just lead the way." Alexei stood up and followed Heinrich out of the hall.
A squad of Astartes in black power armor followed Alexei toward the white tower. He wanted to see just how much power these so-called Spire nobles actually held. He didn't mind giving them a lesson—to show them that true power comes from strength.
Due to the terrifying scale of Leopis, the Spire district was far larger than a typical Hive City. On the western side of the Leopis Spire, a magnificent fortress stood. The crest emblazoned upon it identified the owner: the Schneider family.
As an old-money noble family of Leopis, they controlled half of the Hive's military industry, making them a titan among the upper class.
At this moment, the fortress's alloy gates were tightly shut. The high walls were manned by house guards in flak armor, wielding master-crafted autoguns.
But inside the fortress, a paradise of pleasure had already descended. Flesh began to fuse, and a sickly-sweet scent filled the air. They were "feeding" on delicious treats, experiencing the ultimate sensations from the depths of their souls.
Suddenly, from the deepest part of the fortress, an angry roar erupted:
"How dare they?!"