The Emperor’s Angel of Death

After Dorar's speech, Sotha Nul personally conveyed Veronica's decree, instructing everyone to appease the people after the meeting. They were to tell everyone that the Eternal Queen was with them, control speech to prevent the spread of rumors, and emphasize that the specific situation was still unclear, with all information subject to official announcements. The royal court would enter a state of war readiness, with all major webway gates under temporary lockdown, allowing only those carrying the Phoenix King's seal to pass.

After briefly pacifying the populace, Sotha Nul rushed to the Privy Council and immediately ordered the Phoenix Guard to full alert. All war engine pilots entered their vehicles and moved from the armory to join their units. Soulbinders busily awakened one wraith engine after another, and the orbital fleet remained ready to launch at any moment.

Although preparations were underway, Sotha Nul suddenly felt helpless, as the situation remained unclear. He tasked Star Disaster with contacting those in Alaitoc, hoping to learn the cause, consequences, and current state of affairs through the Pathfinder network.

In the meantime, Sotha Nul temporarily left the royal court to meet with Talos in Ulan Huda. Since the White Templars and Astral Knights lacked Librarians, the Astartes hadn't sensed anything unusual. However, Talos and Savitar clearly had.

Of course, the one truly concerned about these developments was Kayan.

"Nyphatari should be fine. She's so close to Yvraine, surely they wouldn't harm her," Sotha Nul said, gently patting Kayan's shoulder. The Thousand Son sat in his chair, his brow furrowed.

"She shouldn't be mixed up with those people. I should have sent her to the Eternal Court sooner."

He glanced at Savitar across the table, who merely smiled and slowly said, "An Eldar death god? What's that?"

Sotha Nul walked around the table and sat down in his seat.

"A god yet to be born. According to Veronica, the Eldar of the past had no concept of death. They could either choose to be reborn in flesh or have their souls reincarnated. The ancient Eldar had a worldview called 'Reincarnation.' After the War in Heaven, they had no fear or concept of death, so no god symbolizing death was born."

Talos, who had been silent with his arms crossed, suddenly nodded slightly.

"But death has always existed... It was merely ignored. Now that the Eldar have rediscovered their fear of death, this god is inevitably beginning to gestate a psychic entity. Very warp-like indeed. Is this the Yvraine we saw last time?"

"Ah, we all saw when she was chosen."

"This is no small matter."

Talos also looked at Savitar, clearly not addressing Sotha Nul.

Savitar shrugged.

"Such a big deal is beyond our concern, especially since it's an Eldar god. But if it can cause trouble for those warp scum, I think it's a good thing. Speaking of which..."

Savitar suddenly put his feet down from the table and turned to Sotha Nul.

"In many primitive beliefs, the gods representing life and the gods representing death..."

He raised his hands, his fists bumping together.

"...don't seem to get along very well."

"Life and death are both opposites and a cycle, just like the meaning represented by Asuryan's symbol of the Yin Yang fish. I think this may be the path the Eldar will take in the future."

Savitar raised his chin slightly, as if to hide his gaze.

"Sotha Nul, you seem too concerned about the Eldar."

Sotha Nul simply smiled.

"I can't help it. I was pushed to this position step by step. That's just how I am, adaptable. It's just that Asuryan pushed me so hard, pushing me to such a high position. Once you're up there, it's not so easy to get down. After all, if given a choice, who would want to be a pawn instead of their own master?"

His words were both subtle and direct, causing a slight change in the expressions of the three present. Talos smiled, Kayan lowered his eyes, and Savitar stared for a moment before sighing softly.

"You've grown up, Sotha Nul... But sometimes you have to understand that the choices you get may not be choices at all, but a trick. More importantly, we must understand why we live."

Sotha Nul looked at Savitar, and many things from the beginning to the present flooded his mind.

Suddenly, bang! His fist slammed on the table.

"I know! Of course, I know!"

Sotha Nul's roar shocked the three.

"Otherwise, wouldn't it be nice for me to comfortably be the Phoenix King! Why do I still care so much about this mess that is the Imperium! Why do I run around like this every day, pretending to be a ghost, acting as a double agent! Is it to be monitored by countless eyes! Is it for the Imperium of Man! Restoring the legions, governing the base, am I doing this to secede and become a warlord? Am I gathering so many allies to be the second Huron? Isn't it because Kayan said that Abaddon will launch an unprecedented invasion! When the real storm comes, only I can shield the Imperium! It was you who put the burden of the Imperium's five sectors on my shoulders for me to bear! If I can't bear it, let Xerxes bear it!"

Savitar pursed his lips, Kayan scratched his head, and Talos looked up and thought for a moment before saying,

"No one can force you to do what you don't want to do, as long as I'm here."

Kayan also put his hand down.

"It's all for the Imperium. Actually, we don't have any conflicts. Savitar didn't say he was against you leading the Eternal Court. After all, it's a good thing for the current Imperium. I see your hard work."

Sotha Nul didn't say anything but stood up and walked towards the door. When the automatic door opened, he stopped, turned around, and said,

"Talos, when the other companies return, help organize them. There may be new news from the royal court at any time. I have to keep an eye on it."

"Go ahead and get busy, I'm here."

Nodding, Sotha Nul turned and left.

At this point, only Talos, Savitar, and Kayan remained in the conference room.

Savitar, who had been rebuffed by Sotha Nul earlier, rubbed his forehead and said softly,

"He's in danger. It will force them to speed up their plans. The Wise Man is working hard to eliminate any interference that may occur in the plan. Some things have delayed his time, but it won't last forever."

Talos stared at the smooth, mirror-like metal tabletop, or rather, his own reflection on it, and said slowly,

"How far have you gone?"

"The key should have been delivered to that place... Once the Changer of Ways discovers the Hope, he will be taken there."