Seeing this, Samuel lightly tapped the hard-light screen before him, approving the communication request from Fulgrim.
The screen immediately displayed Fulgrim's figure, his silver hair appearing even more cold and stern under the flickering light of the flames that still lingered in the ruins of New Argos Square.
Behind him lay a devastated battlefield, with scorched earth, broken walls, and burning flames intertwining to depict the tragic aftermath of the Chaos invasion.
"Father..."
Fulgrim's voice, as always, was deep and magnetic, but there was an unmistakable heaviness in his tone.
Without any preamble, the primarch of the Sons of Humanity got straight to the point:
"Approximately three thousand Chaos Astartes wish to return to the fold of humanity and the empire, but... I am unsure how to handle this."
As he spoke, Fulgrim's figure shifted slightly, seemingly to allow Samuel on the other end of the screen to get a clearer view of the situation in New Argos.
What was visible were numerous veteran Sons of the Emperor kneeling on one knee behind Fulgrim. Their armor was in tatters, and their bodies, corrupted by Chaos, displayed varying degrees of deformity and distortion.
Some had arms that resembled alien claws, while others had grotesque tentacles or horns growing from their heads.
They hung their heads low, their movements humble, but the slight trembling of their bodies betrayed the inner turmoil and unease they felt.
Fulgrim's peripheral gaze swept over these broken figures, and a complex emotion flickered in his eyes—perhaps pity, perhaps scrutiny.
When his gaze returned to the screen, it had regained its calm.
Clearly, Fulgrim had been weighing this decision for some time before seeking his father's guidance.
But Samuel did not immediately respond.
His eyes narrowed slightly, his expression so calm that it was impossible to discern his thoughts.
After a moment, he spoke slowly, countering with a question: "My son, what I want to know more is... what is your will?"
This seemingly simple question struck Fulgrim's heart like a hammer.
However, Fulgrim seemed to have anticipated his father's counter-question.
The primarch's brow furrowed slightly, and his peripheral gaze once again fell on the kneeling Sons of the Emperor. His hesitant expression and slightly clenched fist revealed the conflict and struggle within him.
Fulgrim understood that one of the simplest and most practical solutions was to execute the Sons of the Emperor who had caused such immense loss and casualties in New Argos.
Even if they were determined to return to the empire, the residents of New Argos, who had lost loved ones, friends, and their peaceful lives, would never tolerate their return.
Moreover, the empire was not lacking in top-tier individual combatants.
The return of these Sons of the Emperor would, at best, be a nice addition, not a critical necessity.
But the reason Fulgrim wanted to save these three thousand Sons of the Emperor was not just because of their combat experience and psychological resilience, which far surpassed that of ordinary Sons of Humanity, or the faint "paternal connection" he felt with them. The main reason was...
The way the main universe empire handled the execution of the Sons of the Emperor could significantly influence the decisions of other traitor legions.
After all, the Chaos Gods were now focusing their attention on New Argos.
This undoubtedly included the already ascended traitors.
If the empire were to coldly handle or even brutally execute the Sons of the Emperor who had sincerely repented and firmly sought to return, then even those within the traitor legions who were wavering might be pushed further into corruption, fully embracing Chaos.
Of course, Fulgrim also understood that, based on his knowledge of his father, his father likely held no regard for the thoughts of traitors, demons, or Chaos Gods.
Even if Chaos united or offered seemingly beneficial deals, his father would never make a decision that harmed humanity as a whole.
If the goal was to show the traitor legions, and even the traitor primarchs, that surrender and return were viable options, then abandoning the severe punishment of the Sons of the Emperor who had caused significant human casualties...
This would fundamentally contradict the original purpose of his father's founding of the empire.
After a brief silence, Fulgrim's expression grew more resolute.
His voice was low but carried an unshakable determination: "Father, I believe they still hold some value.
If we can purify their souls and subject them to strict monitoring and transformation, perhaps we can integrate them into the empire's armed forces."
Fulgrim paused, then continued:
"These warriors were once loyal guardians of another universe. Even though they were lost to Chaos, their desire to return is genuine.
Rather than exiling or exterminating them, it would be better to convert their combat prowess into an asset for the empire—at the very least, they should be given a chance."
Fulgrim's gaze was unwavering as he looked at Samuel on the screen, showing that he was prepared to bear the consequences of this decision, whether it was met with approval or rejection.
Moreover, as Fulgrim spoke, his peripheral gaze once again fell on a nearby Son of the Emperor, and Samuel's eyes followed.
The Son of the Emperor in question was hunched over, his armor riddled with cracks and rust, as if it might crumble at any moment.
The parts of his face and shoulders that had been corrupted by Chaos were now visibly peeling away, revealing twisted, festering flesh.
What had once symbolized supreme power and near-immortality had now become a shackle of life. The price of voluntarily abandoning Chaos was manifesting as irreversible agony in this Son of the Emperor.
Samuel saw through the essence of the situation at a glance—
Although these Chaos Astartes had chosen to return from their misguided path, their souls and bodies were now constantly being rejected by the rules of the material universe after losing the protection of Chaos.
The excruciating pain tormenting their souls and bodies was like an invisible blade, slowly cutting away at their existence until they completely disintegrated and vanished into the river of time.
Fulgrim, whom the Sons of the Emperor regarded as their "father," could also sense the unbearable suffering these wayward "descendants" were enduring.
"Father..." Fulgrim's tone grew even more earnest as he continued:
"Although I am the primarch of the Sons of Humanity, I must admit that my mastery of psychic energy is not as refined as Magnus's.
The pain these Astartes are enduring is beyond my ability to handle. Therefore, I request that Magnus and the Thousand Sons be dispatched to Universe 08 (Halo) to assist us, the Sons of Humanity, in managing this matter.
Magnus's expertise in psychic energy is sufficient to purify the remnants of Chaos on them, and he can also heal the damage to their bodies and souls."
"..."
Upon hearing this, Samuel did not rush to respond.
In fact, this proposal did not surprise him. As the primarch of the Sons of Humanity, Fulgrim had always been known for his calmness and pragmatism.
His request seemed simple on the surface, but it was filled with far-reaching considerations and a deliberate "stalling tactic."
For those Chaos Astartes who had chosen to return, Samuel's stance was neither to reject them outright nor to hastily accept them.
Fulgrim's proposal to accept and treat them was, in essence, a strategic move. If the three thousand Sons of the Emperor could be properly handled, it would not only weaken the forces of Chaos but also send a signal that could sow discord and internal strife among the other traitor legions and primarchs.
However, Fulgrim was also well aware of the complexity of this matter.
By standing up and pleading for the Sons of the Emperor, he would be placing himself in the crosshairs of the discontent of New Argos's citizens.
After all, the city had just endured a Chaos invasion, and countless families had been torn apart. Fulgrim's request could easily provoke a strong backlash, potentially severely damaging his public image within the human empire.
Moreover, the various legions that were fiercely loyal to the empire, as well as the Custodians and Grey Knights, might also question Fulgrim's loyalty.
But Samuel keenly detected another "hidden intention" in his son.
Fulgrim's "volunteering" had, in fact, alleviated a significant amount of pressure on Samuel.
If Samuel had followed his original plan and dealt with the transformation of the Combat Knights and Sisters in the Trench Crusade universe before addressing the issue of the Sons of the Emperor, then by that time, the empire's citizens, public opinion, and internal conflicts within the legions would have all been directed squarely at Samuel himself.
But now, with Fulgrim bringing up the matter first, he had skillfully shifted the scrutiny and anger onto himself, willingly "drawing fire" and even "taking the blame" for his father.
Samuel looked at Fulgrim's resolute and calm face on the screen, and a complex emotion stirred within him.
Finally, his tone carried a hint of barely perceptible approval, mixed with a touch of helplessness, as he said:
"Fulgrim, I see your intentions, and I understand that you are trying to share this burden with me. But you must know that this is not just a strategic compromise—it is also a test of faith and justice."
Fulgrim nodded slightly, his face showing no change, but a glimmer of deep respect flashed in his eyes. He replied in a low voice:
"Father, I am willing to bear this cost. If it can help stabilize the empire, no matter how the people view me, it will be worth it."
Samuel fell silent for a moment, then let out a soft sigh, as if pouring all his words into that brief breath.
Then, his tone became softer and more profound: "My son, since you are determined to give these once-fallen warriors, who now wish to return to the right path, a chance at redemption, I will respect your decision.
This is not an easy task, especially given their betrayal and sins, which may not be easily forgiven by everyone."
He paused briefly, his gaze seeming to pierce through Fulgrim's inner struggles and resolve, before continuing: "However, redemption does not mean forgiveness.
You will face doubt and resentment from the empire's citizens. Your decision will affect the trust and cohesion of the other legions.
Therefore, what you must consider is how to resolve the anger and fear of the people. Do not forget that Prospero is the 'home' of the Sons of Humanity and the foundation of all your actions.
Moreover, there is no need for the Thousand Sons to assist the Sons of Humanity. Soon, I will personally go to Universe 08 (Halo) and grant these individuals so-called redemption and punishment."
Upon hearing his father's response, Fulgrim's expression showed unmistakable resolve, and he immediately replied:
"Yes, Father. I understand my responsibility."
"Good."
With that, the father and son exchanged no further words, and Samuel ended the communication with a wave of his hand.
As the screen went dark, the throne room returned to silence, and Samuel patiently awaited Magnus's arrival...
---
Not long after, New Argos, which had been shrouded in shadows, finally welcomed the long-awaited dawn.
Beams of sunlight pierced through the thick clouds, illuminating the earth as if bringing a glimmer of hope to the devastated city.
The morning light refracted through the dust and mist, casting a dazzling glow that resembled a path leading to "heaven."
From a high vantage point, New Argos looked like a ship that had weathered a catastrophic storm.
As a metropolis capable of housing tens of millions of residents, it had once been a symbol of prosperity and vitality.
Now, however, the scene was one of widespread ruins. The towering buildings and facilities that had once stood at the city's core had been reduced to rubble.
Countless structures had collapsed into debris, and massive craters from bombardments were visible everywhere. The central square where Fulgrim had clashed with the demon Fulgrim was particularly devastated, with a crater over a hundred meters in diameter scorched into the ground, resembling an entrance to hell.
Although the fires caused by the war had been extinguished, the air was still thick with smoke and the lingering smell of gunpowder.
However, with the arrival of the 1st Company of the Sons of Humanity and the main forces of the primarch, post-disaster reconstruction was underway in an orderly manner.
Temporary shelters had been quickly erected on the city's outskirts to house the citizens who had been successfully evacuated. These shelters, though simple, were sturdy and comfortable, providing basic safety and refuge for the victims.
The citizens no longer needed to worry about safety or the loss of their property, as Atlas Insurance would fully compensate them.
However, their deceased loved ones had already "ascended to heaven."
Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of automated mechanical units were busy throughout the city, clearing debris, conducting emergency repairs, rescuing survivors, searching for the missing, and restoring infrastructure.
The Astartes of the Sons of Humanity, the auxiliary forces, and the clone troops personally participated in rescue operations and the distribution of supplies.
These towering giants and elite soldiers moved through various shelters and disaster zones, delivering food, water, medicine, and essential supplies to every victim while comforting them and encouraging them to rebuild their homes.
Based on this trend, it would take at least 5 to 10 Earth days for New Argos to return to normal, meaning the citizens would no longer need to worry about daily necessities like food, clothing, shelter, work, or entertainment.
However, fully restoring the city to its pre-invasion state would still take years.
As for the three thousand Sons of the Emperor who wished to return to the embrace of their "father" and the empire, they were gathered in the ruins of New Argos's central district.
The hundred Custodians who had arrived earlier to provide support, along with Fulgrim and his Phoenix Guard, were tasked with guarding these Sons of the Emperor, awaiting the arrival of the Emperor...
------------------
Enjoying the story? Support the author and get early access to chapters by joining my Patre@n!
Find me at: patre@n*com/Mutter
You can read each novel for $5 or get them all for just $15.
Fairy Tail: Igneel's Eldest Son (Chapter 256) — $5
I Am Thalos, Odin's Older Brother (Chapter 336) — $5
Reborn in America's Anti-Terror Unit (Chapter 542) — $5
Solomon in Marvel (Chapter 924) — $5
Becoming the Wealthiest Tycoon on the Planet (Chapter 1284) — $5
Surgical Fruit in the American Comics Universe (Chapter 1289) — $5
American Detective: From TV Rookie to Seasoned Cop (Chapter 1316) — $5
American TV Writer (Chapter 1402) — $5
I Am Hades, The Supreme GOD of the Underworld! (Chapter 570) — $5
Reborn as Humanity's Emperor Across the Multiverse (Chapter 660) — $5
Get access to all of them for just $15 on Patre@n!
[+50 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter]
[+5 Reviews = +1 Extra Chapter]