The Emperor’s Angel of Death

“I originally wanted to give you a medal, but Talos, you're too famous. I'm afraid of being recognized.”

Hearing Soshjan's words, Talos smiled, picked up the teacup Veronica handed him, took a sip, and shook his head.

“This thing isn't important anyway.”

Then he looked at Soshjan.

“That special envoy probably has other matters besides telling you to end the expedition, right?”

Soshjan, sitting in a chair in plain clothes, blinked.

“You saw it?”

Talos shrugged.

“No.”

“Alright, he wants me to go to Terra.”

Talos didn't seem surprised, just nodded.

“I could roughly guess that, and that special envoy also said he wanted to hang the banner of the Star Knights in Terra. It definitely can't be him taking a flag back. What else?”

Soshjan picked up the teacup, took a sip to moisten his throat, and then said in a low voice:

“The Adeptus Custodes are here too.”

Talos was slightly taken aback after hearing this, then pondered for a few seconds, and finally sighed softly, saying:

“They want you to go to the Imperial Palace?”

Soshjan nodded.

“Yes, I asked why, they didn't speak. I asked again whose order it was, and they still didn't speak. If it weren't for their size and Faisel's guarantee, I would have even thought they were fake.”

“Of course they won't say, because no one can order the Adeptus Custodes, unless...”

Talos looked at Soshjan's fingers, which were constantly stroking the teacup, and changed the subject.

“Soshjan, you're a little nervous.”

“I um...”

“You don't know what they want you to do, don't know who they want you to see, but in fact, you may already have some guesses in your heart. However, I think things may not necessarily be what you think. Besides, it's not like you haven't seen the Deceiver before.”

“The Deceiver...”

Soshjan considered for a moment, then cautiously said:

“Is it really her?”

Talos suddenly laughed.

“Definitely not.”

“Hmm?”

“Although I haven't seen the Emperor in person, judging from his style of doing things and his conversation, he is very different from the Emperor I knew and understood in the past. It's still the same question, what exactly is the factor that determines a person's personality, or self? Memory? Or the so-called soul? Or his character and worldview?”

“Then you mean...”

“Don't get me wrong, I just heard that some people on Terra are using so-called Emperor Tarot cards to communicate with a certain existence, but I think that existence is definitely not the Deceiver, because he doesn't need to use this method to find you.”

“Okay, it seems I can only find out who asked these Adeptus Custodes who don't wear armor to summon me when I get there.”

Talos stared at Soshjan, then easily exposed his feigned relaxed expression.

“Soshjan, your nervousness doesn't actually come from this matter.”

Soshjan's expression stiffened at first. After a moment of silence, he nodded and said:

“Actually, no matter what happens to me, it doesn't matter. I'm worried about the future of the Chapter... the Grey髓. I can already feel it. This power can't be easily controlled by oneself. It will even affect those warriors who have had the Grey髓 implanted.”

As he spoke, he lowered his head and stared at his palm. Faintly, he could see a flash of bright silver on the lines of his palm.

“I don't know if Terra is the end of this ancient plan. If it is, then what about the others? What will happen to those warriors? To be honest, brother, I'm now a little regretful that I let them implant this thing. Maybe... maybe... maybe it would be better if everything stopped with me? But if this is her plan, how can I, as an Astartes, not execute it? Amnak has been hinting to me that this plan is ill-intentioned, but what can I do? Everything I have was given to me by her. I can't be a traitor, but I don't want to involve others. The warriors are innocent. They don't know anything. They shouldn't be involved in this ancient plan...”

Talos tilted his head slightly after listening, crossed his arms, pondered for a moment, and suddenly turned his head and said:

“Soshjan, do you like to play chess?”

Soshjan was slightly stunned after hearing this, then shook his head.

“No... well, unless I have nothing to do, but you know that's almost impossible.”

“But you are in a chess game every day.”

Hearing this, Soshjan immediately fell into deep thought, staring at his reflection in the amber liquid in the cup in his hand.

“So you are now a pawn pinched in the fingertips of an invisible hand, unable to control yourself but unable to make your own decisions, and every decision of others may make you fall into the abyss. Unless you stop at the starting point, no one knows what will happen next... So, in a chess game, what can a pawn do?”

“Probably...”

After pondering for a moment, Soshjan said in a low voice:

“Only move forward.”

Talos raised his chin.

“Soshjan, have you ever thought about your own ending?”

After a long silence, Soshjan said slowly:

“I have.”

“What kind of ending?”

“Like those heroes recorded in history, sacrificing in a great battle, buried in the tomb of the Chapter's monastery fortress, lying with the brother martyrs.”

“What about now?”

“I became the Chapter Master, possessing incredible power, supported by everyone, the focus of attention.”

“Hmm.”

Talos changed his sitting position, appearing more lazy, then tilted his head to one side, looking at the ceiling.

“When I was a child, I longed to be a hero, which was also my mother's expectation. When I became a member of the Legion, I firmly believed that fate favored me. When Sharr died, I firmly believed that I would be killed by the Eldar on an unknown world, but now I am still alive, although I am still a heretic hated by gods and men, all alone. So you see, even if you know about fate, you can't help yourself.”

Then, he lowered his head and looked at Soshjan.

“But we can still choose to act according to our own will. So Soshjan, remember my words, even when facing real gods, we can at least be able to act with a clear conscience, regretting if necessary, but seeking no regrets. Even if you are just a pawn that can only move forward.”

A dozen seconds later, Soshjan nodded silently.

“However, what you're worried about is probably more than just this, right?”

Hearing Talos's meaningful words, a trace of embarrassment appeared on Soshjan's face. In the end, he decided to tell his most trusted friend the truth.

“There's also Veronica, she... she... she's pregnant.”

Talos didn't show any expression after hearing this, just tapped the table lightly with his fingers.

This made Soshjan feel confused.

“Aren't you surprised?”

“Surprised? Given the situation between you and her, nothing that happens now would surprise me. I just suddenly thought, isn't the timing a bit too coincidental...”

“You mean...”

“As soon as she has a child, someone calls you to Terra. Although this may also be a coincidence, it's too early to say these things. First, congratulations on becoming a father.”

Soshjan smiled wryly.

“Are you mocking me, brother?”

“I'm serious. After all, I can be considered a witness to your marriage.”

“Then what do you think I should do?”