"Hiss… Did something happen to the Golden Throne?"
Eden's full attention was locked on the sudden unrest around the Golden Throne. He hadn't yet noticed the changes in Guilliman's expression.
He immediately questioned the Custodians and turned his focus toward the condition of the Warp.
This wasn't some minor incident.
If, by any chance, the Emperor's divine presence had surged beyond its limits, and He was trying to get up from the Golden Throne to stretch His bones...
That would be catastrophic!
After receiving a response from the Custodian Commander, Eden realized—this entire mess was actually his fault...
...
A few dozen minutes earlier.
Himalayas. The Lion's Gate of the Imperial Palace on Terra.
After the descent of the Redemption Titan Legion, the thunderous reverberations reached deep into the palace.
Custodian Commander Laesaeus, upon receiving Eden's message, did not head to the Senatorum. Instead, following ancient protocols, he led the Custodians in establishing a defensive perimeter throughout the palace.
They had to remain vigilant against all threats and ensure the safety of the palace and the Golden Throne. No harm must come to the Emperor.
Even if the disturbance came from a loyal Primarch—His very own son.
The Custodians were never lax.
To maintain peak combat readiness, they trained in a deadly exercise known as the "Blood Games."
In these games, Custodians would suddenly abandon their posts to act as infiltrators, attempting to breach the Sanctum Imperialis by any means necessary—clashing with fellow Custodians in lethal combat to test the palace's defenses.
To sharpen their skills, they even dragged in Chaos Marines, daemons, or Tyranids to spar with in the palace's abandoned sectors.
They used every method imaginable to perfect their lethality.
Since the Horus Heresy, these guardians of the Emperor had trusted no one—not even the Primarchs or Adeptus Astartes.
In private, they even used holographic simulations of Roboute Guilliman for battle drills, just in case he ever turned.
They also kept plans on how to destroy the Sanctus Maximus, should the fortress be taken over by traitors.
"It is a fact—ironclad and absolute—that the Custodians alone can protect the Palace and the Golden Throne," said a Custodian commander once.
Now, the upheaval caused by the Savior on Holy Terra had triggered the Custodians' highest-level defense protocols.
"Activate all defense lines. All Custodians to red alert. Have the Vigilants monitor the Savior's movements. Report anything unusual immediately!"
Laesaeus inhaled deeply, barking one order after another.
Even if they trusted the Savior, protocols had to be followed in this situation.
One could never predict when betrayal would occur.
Horus had once been the Emperor's most trusted—yet he turned, didn't he?
Zzzzzzap~
???
A small insect buzzed overhead and was instantly vaporized by a laser capable of piercing ceramite. Its brief life came to an end.
The entire palace was now under full lockdown. Watch troops observed every inch of terrain.
Nothing—nothing alive—was permitted to cross the line.
In dark and unknown regions, Custodian hunters lay in wait, ready to strike with deadly precision.
Those heavy footsteps belonged to Terminators and Dreadnoughts of the Custodian Guard, who now held the choke points.
Clang—clang—clang.
A cacophony of grinding gears echoed like the breath of some ancient mechanical beast.
These were the sounds of the palace's defensive systems activating, especially the Lion's Gate, a super-heavy bastion.
Massive cannons and Void Shields flickered to life. Some forbidden macro-weapons could obliterate Titans in one salvo. Custodian psyker-Titans now lined the access routes.
No one—not even madmen—would dare assault this fortress.
Laesaeus, leading the Watchers, advanced swiftly. "What's the word from the Aquila Shield?"
The Aquila Shield Division, home to psychic prognosticators, used prophecy to guide decisions.
If a prophecy indicated someone would save the Golden Throne, even if they were a heretic or xenos, they would be protected—until they fulfilled that destiny.
If, instead, prophecy revealed someone might threaten the Throne, then the Penitent Executioners would move to eliminate them preemptively.
The Vigilant Commander paused, seemingly receiving updates.
A few seconds later, he frowned: "The prognosticators have received a vague omen. It concerns the Throne. It will be shaken... and someone will appear before it in repentance."
???
This message from the Aquila Shield only raised the tension.
If the Throne was about to be disturbed—perhaps even damaged—then something terrible was coming.
"A disturbance in the Throne... and someone will kneel in repentance?!"
Laesaeus gulped. "Emperor above... what if it's me, punished for failing to protect the Sanctum?"
If that were true—
It meant that as soon as he assumed command of the Custodians, he'd already dishonored it.
Unforgivable.
One way or another, he had to prevent harm from reaching the Throne Room.
Soon, Laesaeus and his Watchers reached the Lion's Gate.
The roar of the fortress machinery grew louder, while the psyker-Titans were now at full alert.
Their crews watched the distant smoke clouds with wary tension.
Everyone knew what this meant.
"Commander, what's the latest?"
Laesaeus asked the Sentinel unit captain.
The captain, clearly agitated, responded: "The Savior has gone too far! He's marching Titan Legions on the palace! Who gave him the audacity?!"
"Perhaps... it's a misunderstanding."
"Commander, shall we signal him to halt this blasphemous act?"
"No."
Laesaeus shook his head firmly: "We won't send anything. If the Savior dares defy our warnings and crosses our lines, he will be judged."
This was the Custodians' principle.
They were the Imperium's ultimate shield and spear. They did not negotiate. They annihilated.
If it were any other army—traitors, heretics, xenos—they would still react the same.
"Let's hope the Savior still has some sense left and hasn't let arrogance blind him to the sanctity of the Palace."
But privately, Laesaeus feared the worst.
Perhaps the Primarch of Hope had been consumed by ambition.
Just then, reports started pouring in from the Vigilants.
And a worrying pattern emerged: Eden had summoned far too many Titans.
If the Savior truly launched a full assault now, the Custodians' lines might actually fall.
"Commander, there are at least 88 Emperor-class Titans active across Terra, not to mention hundreds more of other types."
The commander's face turned grim.
"Only orbital bombardment could deal with them... but that would also devastate the Hive sprawl and the Palace itself."
The Custodians around him fell silent. This might be the greatest crisis since the Horus Heresy.
Worse, it might surpass it.
Even during the Battle of the Lion's Gate decades ago, when Guilliman fought off 88 Bloodthirsters, they hadn't been this nervous.
And now, they received intel confirming the Savior had dispatched another Titan battalion to the Eternity Gate.
This formation included 18 Emperor-class Titans and many more of smaller classes. They were marching toward the plaza outside the Eternity Gate.
The Cult of the Ominous Sign, the psyker-Titan crews, were speechless.
They only had around a dozen psyker-Titans. That was already one of the Custodians' most elite ground forces.
But Eden's new Titan formation outnumbered them many times over—and included psyker-Titans.
"Are we really supposed to stop that?! That's suicide!"
Even with the Lion's Gate Fortress assisting, the odds were grim.
Sure, those forbidden cannons could take down a Titan in one shot—but their reload time was abysmal.
How many could they shoot before the enemy Titans were in melee range?
"How did he build so many Titans?! Did he drain the entire Mechanicus?!"
The Custodians' minds reeled.
Even during the Emperor's own campaigns, He never demanded this much from Mars!
Laesaeus finally sighed: "Contact the Savior. Tell him the Palace perimeter is off-limits. Only Custodians may cross it."
They needed to prevent disaster.
"But... Commander, didn't you just say—"
Laesaeus gave him a sharp glare. "Carry out the order, Captain."
"Yes, sir!"
The Vigilant rushed to execute the command, asking no more questions.
But the situation worsened.
The Savior could not be reached. He appeared to be caught in a Warp-energy disturbance—or more precisely, he was under heavy bombardment from the Senatorum's defenses.
He was trying to breach that area.
This made Laesaeus and the Custodians even more nervous.
Tensions were mounting fast.
If that Titan force crossed into restricted territory, the Custodians would be forced to respond.
What would the Savior do then?
The Custodians' earlier arrogance faded, replaced by genuine worry.
Fortunately, just as the Titan formation approached the Eternity Gate...
Bzzzzt.
Laesaeus received a transmission from the Titan force's commander.
"Honored Custodian Commander, we are the Savior's Titan Honor Guard. We will enter the Eternity Gate plaza and establish a temporary station there.
We shall not set foot inside the Palace perimeter. To avoid misunderstandings, we hope to maintain open communications."
The officer's tone was firm yet respectful.
As the Savior's Honor Guard, they answered to no one else—not even the Custodians.
Laesaeus let out a deep breath. A crisis had been averted.
But when he learned the true purpose of this Titan formation—he nearly lost it.
"W-what?!"
Laesaeus's expression twisted with disbelief.
"This whole battalion... is a parade unit?!"
Yes. These massive war machines were not for battle.
They were Eden's Titan Honor Guard, meant for ceremonial purposes.
He brought them everywhere.
Originally, Eden had requested that they join his Victory Parade, but the Interior Ministry and the Lion's Gate traffic authority had denied it, citing logistical risks.
But now that he controlled the situation, he landed his armies—and his parade Titans too.
They had come early to rehearse their marching formations for the victory celebration.
As expected of the Savior.
He always threw the grandest parties after every victory.
The Custodians were stunned.
They were one of the wealthiest military branches in the Imperium, and even they only had about a dozen psyker-Titans—cherished and pampered like relics.
Yet Eden?
He just rolled around with dozens of Titans for fun.
"That… that's really just his parade unit?!"
Laesaeus's voice was slightly hoarse, like he was suffering from a dry cough.
"By the Savior… Allow me to demonstrate for you."
The Titan legion commander was surprisingly polite.
"What follows is a harmless demonstration. Please, do not overreact."
He issued a command.
Through the Custodes' surveillance systems, several Titans at the front of the formation—decorated with festive ornaments and honor banners—suddenly lifted their terrifying gun barrels.
BOOM BOOM BOOM—
With the sound of the Savior's Imperial Anthem echoing through the plaza, those massive barrels fired...
Confetti. And fireworks.
…
The Custodians and the Cult of the Ominous Sign fell utterly silent.
They couldn't begin to comprehend the logic of the Savior's territory.
But one thing was undeniable—those bastards were filthy rich.
To use mighty God-Machines like this—for a ceremonial parade—was nothing short of sacrilege.
Envy and bitterness twisted their expressions.
After negotiations and clarifications, the ceremonial Titans of the Savior's retinue were granted access to the Eternity Gate Plaza.
They marched in synchronized steps, forming formations and occasionally saluting the Hope Primarch by raising their intimidating weapon barrels in a show of mechanical homage.
This absurdly surreal scene stood in stark contrast to the ongoing war visible on the Hive City skyline.
Laesaeus and the Custodians monitoring the feeds were dumbfounded.
"Maybe… this is just how things work in the Savior's dominion?"
"Every holiday they roll out Titans to greet guests?"
They were beyond words.
In reality, Titans were commonly used in the Savior's domain as high-powered construction equipment.
Suddenly, a violent tremor rippled through the palace and surrounding artillery installations.
???
"Red alert!"
Laesaeus sprang to his feet in alarm. Surveillance systems quickly confirmed that the tremor originated from the Eternity Gate Plaza.
Had the Savior's Titans used some sort of weapon?
Senatorum.
"Whew… at least the Golden Throne's fine."
Eden finally relaxed after speaking with Laesaeus.
As long as nothing blew up, it was all good.
Now, there was only one thing left to worry about:
How did the Emperor feel about the coup and reforms?
After all, Eden had tampered with the very system the Emperor had built. He even ordered bombardments on Holy Terra, and now the big guy was awake.
"Ah! A divine miracle from the Emperor!"
The Ecclesiarch dropped to his knees, trembling with fervor as he felt the Emperor's will.
The other High Lords also bowed in reverence.
They were well aware that the Emperor's will was real—and that He sometimes intervened in dark moments.
"Hiss... I think He's a bit upset."
Eden was about to initiate communication when he suddenly felt the Emperor's presence burst forth.
He immediately sent Webby to explain everything on his behalf.
Surely the Emperor, after reviewing the data, would understand.
"F-Father is angry?!"
Guilliman was still seated on the Emperor's throne—sweating buckets.
He had been trying to figure out a dignified excuse to get off the seat.
Then the Emperor's consciousness surged through the Throne.
Due to lingering trauma from his youth, Guilliman jumped to the worst conclusion:
Father must be furious that I sat in His seat!
Surely He wouldn't tolerate any Primarch challenging His authority.
In truth, the Emperor didn't care about the chair. He was worried about Terra.
But the High Lords had already turned to stare at the Lord Regent.
Was the Emperor's wrath directed at Guilliman or the Hope Primarch?
Guilliman panicked.
He remembered how Magnus and Vulkan got whipped. He didn't want to join that club.
If Father lays even one hand on me… my image is ruined!
Sure, He wouldn't kill him—but even one lecture would be humiliating.
ZOOM—
Guilliman instantly sprang from the throne, expression firm and resolute—like nothing had happened.
He grabbed Eden and shoved him into the seat.
"Brother, you called this meeting. You should sit."
This was his tiny revenge.
If Father was mad, let them face the music together.
"Uh, sure. I'll sit."
Eden was still distracted, but he figured Guilliman had a point.
After all, it was his meeting.
No need to be overly formal. It's not like they were exchanging red envelopes during New Year.
And the moment he sat—
The Emperor's fury vanished.
A sense of approval even radiated from the Throne.
Webby had already calmed down her grandpa, who now agreed with the reforms.
Everyone in the room fell silent.
They looked at Eden. Then at the throne. Then back again.
The message was clear.
The Emperor approved.
He supported Eden—the Hope Primarch.
He even permitted him to sit in His own throne.
Perhaps Eden… was the chosen successor.
The High Lords immediately became more respectful.
No one dared oppose the Emperor's will openly.
To do so would invite total destruction.
"Huh??!"
Guilliman was stunned.
He didn't even care about power right now—just fairness.
Why the hell does Eden get the throne treatment?!
The Emperor's presence hovered over him.
It almost felt like He wanted to explain—but got tired of talking to a psyker-illiterate Primarch.
He just gave Guilliman a little shoulder pat with psyker energy.
Guilliman thought it was a warning.
He sighed, his spirit broken.
Maybe I should go to the Throne and confess about the Second Imperium…
It was something he'd always buried.
"What's up with old G today? Why so twitchy?"
Eden coughed softly, drawing everyone's attention back.
Sitting on the Emperor's throne, his presence was commanding:
"Alright. Let's discuss how to manage the current situation on Holy Terra.
I'll propose several policies. If anyone has objections, feel free to speak."
"I agree!"
Grand Master Corwin, silver-armored Grey Knight, stood tall—his voice grating and deep through his vox-grille.
"I agree as well!"
Father of the Navis Nobilite followed immediately, annoyed he hadn't spoken sooner.
Though the Savior had yet to reveal details, two High Lords had already declared their loyalty.
(End of Chapter)
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