Hearing Alex bring up the matter, Captain Galadon and Grand Marshal Mordred also turned their gaze to Chapter Master Jolandiel, and the atmosphere in the room grew a few shades heavier.
Although they didn't know much about the public case between the Heavenly Lion Battle Group and the Inquisition, they generally understood what was going on.
Especially because of the Gene-Seed issue, the Imperial Fists had summoned all reachable successor Chapters to discuss countermeasures, and the Heavenly Lion Battle Group naturally wouldn't conceal such critical information.
Not to mention, the Heavenly Lion Battle Group still had a company serving in the Expeditionary Force, which had been crippled.
Facing Alex's renewed inquiry, Chapter Master Jolandiel of the Heavenly Lion Battle Group showed clear hesitation and indecision in his eyes.
This was very rare for Dorn's Sons; they were often as stubborn as rocks, rarely showing hesitation or indecision. Once they recognized a goal, they would relentlessly pursue it, even if it meant breaking through a wall they hit.
But this time, for the Heavenly Lion Battle Group, it was not so easy to make a choice.
As Jolandiel himself, he naturally hoped to continue upholding the Chapter's honor and never compromise with the Inquisition.
Even if this would lead to the complete demise of the Heavenly Lion Battle Group, Dorn's Sons would never tarnish their honor.
However, the Heavenly Lion Battle Group now owed Alex a favor, or, to put it in a more Astartes way, they owed Alex a debt of honor.
With this, Alex could demand that the Heavenly Lion Battle Group do something, even if it might lead to the Heavenly Lion Battle Group paying a heavy price.
During the Badab War, among the Astartes Chapters that sided with Huron, there were Chapters that participated due to issues of honor debts, almost being wiped out for it.
They even went missing during the subsequent Penitence Crusade, almost entirely lost.
From this perspective, even if Alex genuinely demanded that the Heavenly Lion Battle Group apologize to the Inquisition, under the constraint of honor debt, the Heavenly Lion Battle Group could only obediently comply.
However, Alex did not use this honor debt; he merely asked Jolandiel if he would be willing to consider his proposal.
This undoubtedly gave Jolandiel and the other two Dorn's Sons a great impression, and also forced Jolandiel to seriously consider the matter.
"If the Heavenly Lion Battle Group is unwilling to yield, what will you do, Your Excellency?" Jolandiel looked at Alex, staring directly into his eyes, and asked tentatively.
Jolandiel hoped to make a careful choice, so he naturally wanted to understand Alex's attitude towards this matter.
Although the intelligence Anatoly sent back to the Heavenly Lion Battle Group had already made it clear, Jolandiel still hoped to confirm Alex's attitude once more, especially since their parent Chapter and the strongest successor Chapter among Dorn's Sons were also present, which gave the Heavenly Lion Battle Group the courage to say no.
Facing Jolandiel's question, Alex shook his head with a slight regret and sighed, "If you choose that, I will do nothing. I will neither persecute you nor save you when the Inquisition destroys you."
Jolandiel was relatively satisfied with this answer.
Although Alex said he wouldn't save them, at least he wouldn't persecute the Heavenly Lion Battle Group, which was already considered friendly for the Heavenly Lion Battle Group, who had offended the Inquisition.
As for the rest? The Heavenly Lion Battle Group, who had already prepared for sacrifice, did not mind dying to defend the Chapter's honor.
However, just as Jolandiel was about to reject Alex's previous proposal, Alex added another sentence before he could speak: "Although I can understand your choice, I still want to advise you, at this critical juncture when the Imperium is in turmoil, I hope you can preserve your useful lives and dedicate yourselves to more crucial moments, instead of wasting them on meaningless Imperial infighting."
"The Imperium is in turmoil?" Grand Marshal Mordred suddenly spoke, looking at Alex curiously, "Can you explain more clearly?"
"The Emperor has entrusted me with a sacred mission, but I cannot speak of it until the fated day arrives." Alex sighed, seemingly helpless, then pulled out a strangely shaped dagger from his person: "I can only tell you that the Sons of God are about to return, and not just one. For the mission the Emperor has entrusted me with, I need to gather all forces that can be united."
Facing Alex's unclear words, Jolandiel still wanted to say something, and Grand Marshal Mordred was even more confused, but Captain Galadon's expression suddenly changed, and he asked Alex, "Which Son of God will return? Our father…"
"The first to return is ambitious, the second to return hides secrets, and more I cannot reveal. Many things, once spoken, will become known, and I must ensure that some critical information remains confidential." Alex shook his head, refusing to reveal more information.
"Understood. Then what can the Imperial Fists do?" Galadon stared at Alex... at the dagger in his hand, asking very seriously.
As Terra's defenders, the warriors of the Imperial Fists had the opportunity to make pilgrimages to Holy Terra, and Galadon had seen weapons identical to the dagger in Alex's hand on the Emperor's Custodes guarding the Imperial Palace.
After thinking for a moment, Alex said, "When the Phalanx leaves Holy Terra, send more people to the Moon."
"The Moon? Why?" Galadon felt puzzled, but Alex did not answer that question again.
Vague and mysterious words—if it had been in the past, Dorn's Sons would have found a way to pry Alex's mouth open, but now they could only suppress their curiosity and inquiry, keeping Alex's words in mind, preparing to discuss them later.
And Jolandiel, after careful consideration, said to Alex, "The Heavenly Lion Battle Group is willing to accept your proposal, but publicly apologizing to the Inquisition is truly too insulting to the Chapter's honor. Is there another way?"
To this, Alex merely spread his hands and said, "If the Imperial Fists are willing to intervene and mediate with the Inquisition on your behalf, then the matter is not entirely out of the question."
Hearing Alex say this, Galadon quickly stated, "Before coming, the Imperial Fists had already discussed it internally. We will send a note and inquiry to the Inquisition headquarters. We will intervene in this matter."
"In that case, if the Heavenly Lion Battle Group can establish enough honor in the upcoming Expedition, then I can also give an explanation to the Inquisition." Alex considered it for a moment, thinking that if the Imperial Fists intervened, the problem shouldn't be too big.
Grand Marshal Mordred also spoke up, "I have already reported this matter to the Grand Marshal. The Black Templars will also intervene in this matter and will not let the Heavenly Lion Battle Group suffer this injustice."
"Alright, but I still advise both of you, don't let the Inquisition lose face, otherwise, none of us will have an easy time." Alex couldn't help but add another word.
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