The images on the screen gradually faded from the blood and fire ruins of Olympia, and the atmosphere after the transition was no longer heavy and oppressive; instead, it carried an awkwardly eerie vibe.
[Time: Early Horus Heresy]
[Location: Diamat System]
[This is the moment when the fog of war is at its thickest.]
[Warp storms have torn apart galactic communications; except for those directly involved, no one knows who is loyal and who is a traitor.]
[In this moment filled with chains of suspicion, two massive fleets encountered each other unexpectedly.]
[One is the Dark Angels, pitch-black as night and carrying a medieval knightly style.]
[The other is the Iron Warriors, iron-gray and cold, loaded with heavy industrial firepower.]
[If it were now, these two fleets would have opened fire and blown each other's brains out the moment they met.]
[But on the screen, not only did they not open fire, they were instead... conducting a friendly "brotherly meeting."]
[The scene focused on a fortress on the surface of the Planet.]
[The Lord of the First Legion, Lion ElJonson, sat regally upon his throne.]
[He looked majestic and proud, his sharp eyes scrutinizing Perturabo, who had just walked in.]
[At this time, Perturabo had just finished the Carnage of his home World; his heart was filled with fear of the Emperor and a desperate resolve to throw caution to the wind.]
[He was already determined to follow Horus.]
[But when he saw the Lion, that face always written with "I'm unhappy" actually switched instantly to an expression of... respect, humility, and even a hint of fawning.]
["Brother."]
[Perturabo bowed slightly, his tone so sincere that it gave everyone in the real-World Throne Room goosebumps. "To meet you here is truly... a pleasant surprise."]
[The Lion narrowed his eyes, his fingers lightly tapping the hilt of his sword:]
["Perturabo, I am also surprised. Why is the The Fourth Legion in Diamat? At this sensitive moment, your actions... make it hard not to wonder."]
In the Throne Room, the real-World Lion suddenly sat up straight. His face, which usually maintained a cold poker face, showed a rare crack at this moment.
"No..."
The Lion groaned in a low voice, as if sensing some extremely humiliating "Public Execution" was about to arrive. "Don't show this part... definitely don't show this part..."
But the screen clearly did not follow his commands.
[On the screen, Perturabo sighed, his acting worthy of an Oscar.]
["Brother, as you know, communications in the Warp are terrible right now. We received a distress signal from the Imperium saying that traitors were active in this area. In response to the call, I brought the fleet to eliminate the traitors and, incidentally... resupply the fleet."]
[In Perturabo's eyes, which shone like polished iron, the word "loyalty" was written clearly.]
["We were just in the neighboring sector helping our Dark Angels brothers intercept a wave of traitors. You can verify this."]
[The Lion nodded. Indeed, there had just been a report that the Iron Warriors had helped.]
[In this era of blocked information, no one would have thought that a dignified Primarch could tell such a blatant lie without batting an eye.]
["I see."]
[The Lion on the screen lowered his guard, his expression softening slightly. "You have done well, Perturabo. It is not easy to remain clear-headed in this chaotic time."]
[Immediately after, Perturabo threw out a bait.]
["Brother, I also discovered that the Night Lords are inciting rebellion in a nearby sector. That madman Konrad Curze... I don't think he has good intentions."]
[At the mention of Konrad Curze's name, the Lion's brow furrowed immediately. He had no affection for that mad brother who enjoyed flaying.]
["Konrad Curze is a threat," the Lion said coldly, "but right now, I have more important strategic considerations."]
Next, the Lion began to lay out his grand strategy to this "loyal ally"—this caused the real-World Guilliman to cover his face in pain, while Rogal Dorn stared with eyes wide in disbelief.
["When I heard the news of the Horus Heresy,"]
[The Lion on the screen stood up to demonstrate his foresight, "it became clear to me that his path would ultimately lead to Terra."]
["Even if he somehow defeated you, me, or the other Legions, as long as the Emperor remains safe in his palace, this 'Warmaster' cannot claim total victory."]
[The Lion walked to the star map, pointing out the strategic landscape with confidence:]
["For him to win, it would mean a long and expensive siege of Terra. This is a war of attrition."]
[Perturabo listened extremely intently, even nodding like a good student.]
["Brother, you have planned so well."]
[He then revealed a slightly cunning smile, which at the time seemed to the Lion like a case of "great minds think alike."]
["You didn't confront Horus directly, but instead saw through his true nature. To be honest..."]
[Perturabo lowered his voice, speaking in a heart-to-heart tone:]
["I am starting to think that Father chose the wrong person for the title of 'Warmaster' in the beginning."]
[This sentence was like a precision-guided nuclear bomb, detonating directly in the weakest part of the Lion's mental defenses.]
[On the screen, the Lion paused for a moment, and then the corners of his mouth, which were usually tightly set, curled upward at a visible rate until he was beaming with joy.]
[That expression of "finally someone is telling the truth" and "you certainly have good taste" was captured clearly by the high-definition resolution of the screen.]
[*Cough*... The Lion tried to hide his pride, but he clearly failed.]
["Horus... he indeed has his strengths, but he is too impatient, too eager to prove himself. This personality is fatal on a strategic level."]
["Indeed."]
[Perturabo continued to fan the flames, "If we talk about seniority, combat records, and the ability for overall coordination... who can compare to you, the Firstborn?"]
[This flattery was incredibly satisfying. The way the Lion looked at Perturabo now was as if he were looking at a long-lost biological brother.]
["Do not let the other brothers know we are here."]
[The Lion was in high spirits and began to reveal his hand to Perturabo. "The Dark Angels are preparing to return to Terra, or to cut off Horus's retreat at a critical moment."]
["I do this not for honor, nor for power, but for the interests of the Imperium."]
[The Lion puffed out his chest, his face full of righteous indignation. "Horus becoming our Father's most favored son was entirely predestined, a kind of political compromise. But if I had been the first Primarch discovered..."]
[He paused, a flash of pride in his eyes:]
["Then the position of Warmaster would surely have been mine, because I am the finest of the brothers. Don't take offense, brother, I am merely stating a fact."]
In the real-World Throne Room, there was a deathly silence.
Russ was stunned for a few seconds, and then he erupted into a World-shaking roar of laughter, slapping his thigh so hard his tears were flying out.
"Hahahaha! Oh, I can't take it! 'I am the finest'! Hahahaha!"
Russ pointed at the Lion, whose face was as black as the bottom of a pot, laughing until he was out of breath.
"Lion! It turns out you're so narcissistic in private!'Surely would have been mine'! Do you have to kowtow to yourself in the mirror every morning?"
The Khan also couldn't help the corners of his mouth twitching, looking at the Lion as if he were a rare animal:
"Brother, confidence is a good thing, but... to boast like this in front of a 'traitor', isn't it a bit..."
Guilliman sighed helplessly: "Lion, you... how could you tell him your strategic intentions so easily? Although you didn't know he had defected then, you were too... too easily hoodwinked by a few nice words, weren't you?"
The real-World Lion now wished he could find a hole to crawl into. His proud secrecy and his deep shrewdness had all become a joke at this moment.
He had been played by that thick-browed, big-eyed fellow Perturabo!
But the "execution" on the screen continued.
[Perturabo became even more respectful after hearing this, even adding a hint of admiration to his tone: "Of course, brother. Your talents are obvious to all. If you were commanding the Great Crusade, perhaps there wouldn't be the current mess."]
[The Lion nodded with satisfaction and then threw out his true intention—he was canvassing for votes.]
["Then when the time comes, I can count on your support."]
[The Lion looked at Perturabo and said meaningfully, "I feel that if the Great Crusade is to continue, if this rebellion ends, the Emperor must choose a new, more competent Warmaster as soon as possible."]
[This was practically a blatant hint: Once I take out Horus, remember to vote for me.]
[Perturabo immediately nodded solemnly, his expression more sincere than when swearing an oath before the Emperor:]
["Of course, brother. This is beneficial to both of us. The Iron Warriors will forever support the strongest and most rational leader."]
[He added in his heart: Of course, right now I think Horus is much stronger than you, at least he isn't as gullible as you.]
["Very well."]
[The Lion was clearly moved by this statement.]
[He felt that Perturabo, although a bit gloomy usually, had truly good vision and high loyalty.]
[And so, the most "generous" and "blackly humorous" scene in the history of the Great Crusade occurred.]
["To support your operations and to reward your loyalty."]
[The Lion waved his hand and said magnanimously, "It so happens that our First Legion recently received a batch of special heavy equipment."]
[The scene switched to the hangar.]
[Rows of massive Siege Cannons, emitting a terrifying aura of destruction, were impressively arrayed.]
[Those were the 'grand edict cannon'. They were the top masterpieces of the Mars Adeptus Mechanicus, ultimate siege weapons capable of shattering a Hive City's shields and leveling mountains with a single shot.]
[This was also one of the privileges of the First Legion as the 'Emperor's Secret Arsenal'.]
["You may use them," the Lion said generously.]
["You can take them to deal with those traitor fortresses. I believe that in the hands of the Iron Warriors, these weapons will realize their greatest value."]
In reality, Rogal Dorn's face turned pale instantly, then shifted to a grim iron-gray.
He knew very well what the consequences would be if these things were used on Terra.
"Lion..."
Dorn's voice was trembling, a low pressure before extreme rage, "You... those cannons... you gave them to him?"
"You handed the keys capable of blowing open the Imperial Palace gates... personally to the traitor who is best at sieges?!"
The Lion was also stunned now. He looked at those grand edict cannon on the screen, feeling as if his breathing was about to stop.
He just wanted to win over Perturabo, just wanted to show off the demeanor of an elder brother.
Who could have known this guy would turn around and point the cannons at Terra!
[On the screen, the Lion still didn't know how much trouble he had caused. He even grinned brightly at the Lord of the The Fourth Legion, revealing what he thought was a charming, brotherly smile.]
["Of course, there is one condition."]
[The Lion patted the cold armor of one of the massive cannons, "You must promise me that they will be put to good use at the critical moment."]
[Perturabo looked at those massive cannons.]
[At that moment, his eyes truly shone like polished iron. It wasn't the light of being moved; it was greed, mockery, and the ecstasy of a windfall.]
[With these cannons, he wouldn't even need to spend months casting new siege rams. He could directly demolish the walls Dorn had built at the Terra Imperial Palace.]
["No problem, brother."]
[Perturabo smiled with utter bewilderment—he was likely bewildered by how such a cooperative 'enemy' could exist in this World.]
[He took the Lion's hand and shook it firmly:]
["You can rest assured on this point."]
["I promise you, they will certainly be used in the most 'critical' places. They will perform in a way that will shock you and the entire galaxy."]
["Very good." The Lion nodded with satisfaction.]
[Then, the two Primarchs looked at each other and shared a knowing smile.]
[One smiled because "I've secured a powerful ally; the Warmaster title is in the bag."]
[One smiled because "This fool actually gave me guns; Terra is as good as taken."]
[The screen froze on this image of "deep brotherly affection" filled with irony.]
The real-World Throne Room completely erupted.
"Lion ElJonson!!!"
Rogal Dorn let out the most uncharacteristic roar of his life.
"Not only are you a narcissist! You are a sinner who aided the enemy!"
"Those are Siege Cannons! They are specifically for tearing down walls! You gave them to Perturabo? Why didn't you just give him the blueprints of the Imperial Palace as well?!"
"I... I didn't know..."
The Lion tried to defend himself, but his voice was weak and powerless. "His acting was too convincing then... and those cannons were just gathering dust in the warehouse anyway..."
"Gathering dust?!" Dorn was so angry he nearly fainted. "So you gave them to the enemy to blow my head off?!"
"Oh, don't be so angry, Rogal."
The Perturabo on the side (in reality), though he felt complicated about his future betrayal, couldn't help but feel a surge of secret satisfaction seeing Dorn humiliated.
"I have to say, my future self... indeed kept his promise."
Perturabo delivered a parting shot.
"I did use them in the most 'critical' places. You see, if it weren't for those cannons, you might not have been able to hold the Imperial Palace for those few days, and Horus might not have won; maybe that would have even been a kind of relief."
"Shut up! Traitor!"
Dorn turned and roared.
"Hahahaha!" Russ was still laughing, rolling on the floor. "The Lion delivering cannons! This is too classic! Is the First Legion's'secret weapon' just delivering express packages to traitors?"
Guilliman rubbed his temples, feeling his blood pressure exceed the threshold of his Power Armor.
"Well, this is great."
Guilliman said helplessly, "From now on, if anyone says the Lion has low social intelligence, I'll get angry with them. This isn't low social intelligence; he's just... too 'honest'."
And the Emperor, at this moment, was sitting on the Golden Throne with one hand supporting his forehead.
Although he had no expression, everyone could feel that wave of Psychic energy known as "weariness."
[My Firstborn...]
The Emperor sighed in his heart.
[You should just go back to the forest and hunt monsters. Politics and socializing... really aren't for you.]