220: Betrayal before the Golden Throne! Your so-called promises are worthless.

The Gate of Eternity, forged from an alloy of Adamantium and Ceramite, began to slowly open inward at the will of Trajann Valoris.

What leaked from the crack of the door was a pure, golden radiance that defied description.

That light was not physically bright, but a vast, boundless majesty and presence that acted directly upon the soul.

Zhang Yuan subconsciously raised his hand, not to shield his eyes, but because that power almost forced him to his knees. He forcibly controlled his breathing, suppressing his violently pounding heart.

Behind that door lay the mythical heart of the Imperium of Man: the Golden Throne.

He looked forward to it—looked forward to seeing the Emperor of Mankind, who had sat there for ten thousand years, with his own eyes. He hoped to find a sliver of an answer about himself and this dark universe from that infinite wisdom.

Just as he was full of anticipation, preparing to step through this gate of destiny alongside Roboute Guilliman, a sudden change occurred.

Roboute Guilliman did not move.

His tall, blue-and-gold figure stood before the door like a mountain. The sacred golden light from within reflected off his battle-worn armor of fate, yet it could not illuminate the ten-thousand-year-old frozen exhaustion deep within his azure eyes. He stood in silence for a few seconds, as if using this time to completely separate the tragedy of fratricide on the Moon from the heavy reality of Terra before him.

The fingers of his gauntlet, covered by the hand of dominion, tightened imperceptibly, producing a faint sound of metal grinding. Finally, he slowly turned around, his gaze passing over Zhang Yuan and landing on the Captain-General of the Custodes, Trajann Valoris.

“Trajann.”

The Primarch's voice rang out; beneath its calm lay a suppressed, lingering rasp and resolve.

“Apprehend these two.”

He extended the gauntlet covered by the hand of dominion, pointing precisely at the Fallen Angel Cypher and the Aeldari Harlequin Zelander Veilwalker within the group.

“Cypher, a Fallen Angel, came carrying the Lion Sword with unknown intent.”

“Zelander Veilwalker, an Aeldari Harlequin, harbors Webway secrets and unknown schemes.”

Roboute Guilliman's voice echoed across the magnificent plaza, every word like a cold Iron Hammer shattering the fragile bond of alliance that had just existed.

“Their escort mission is complete; their presence poses an unacceptable risk to the Emperor and the Imperial Palace.”

In a single instant.

Trajann Valoris and the Custodian Guards behind him moved.

No questions, no hesitation.

Golden power armor formed an impassable wall. Several Custodians appeared beside Cypher and Zelander as if teleporting, the tips of their guardian spears erupting with lethal energy arcs, sealing off all paths of retreat.

The entire process was incredibly fast, incredibly quiet, and filled with a mechanical, absolute efficiency.

“Roboute Guilliman!”

Cypher let out a cold laugh—a laugh that held no anger, only a deep, expected mockery. He did not resist, allowing two Custodians to lock his wrists in shackles.

“You are forsaking our agreement?”

His gaze passed through the Custodians' pauldrons, looking directly into Roboute Guilliman's azure eyes.

“You promised me an audience with the Emperor in exchange for saving your life at the Blackstone Fortress. The Lion Sword is here; I am not your enemy.”

Cypher's other hand gently patted the greatsword wrapped in runic cloth at his waist, his tone shifting to a cold warning.

“You will regret this—the minions of Chaos are not just outside the gates, but by your side as well. I came to Terra to stop an even greater disaster.”

Zelander did not resist either.

The Aeldari Shadowseer simply turned her body elegantly, allowing the Custodians to approach. Her voice rang out with a peculiar rhythm, as if chanting a poem.

“O ‘Loyal’ Primarch, your eyes see only threats, yet you fail to see the path the Laughing God has laid out for you.”

She shook her head slightly, her movements carrying a sense of pitiful mockery.

“The secrets of the Webway, the truth of the Black Library—the Emperor could have discussed the future with us, yet you choose to rudely slam this door shut.”

Roboute Guilliman turned slowly to face his former 'allies,' his face devoid of expression.

“The premise of our agreement was ‘harmlessness,’ and your existence has never been ‘harmless.’”

His voice was firm and cold, like a supreme judge reading an irrefutable final verdict.

“Cypher, your status as a Fallen Angel and the unknown purpose of that Lion Sword in your hands are themselves direct threats to the Golden Throne. I do not need ‘suspected allies’; I only need the absolute security of the Imperium.”

His gaze turned to Zelander, that coldness becoming even purer.

“Zelander, Aeldari schemes and the secrets of the Webway have never been a gamble humans should involve themselves in. The Emperor's will does not require Xenos to interfere.”

“Your so-called ‘help’ was nothing more than a mutual exchange of needs. Now, the mission is over, and the risk must be eliminated.”

Roboute Guilliman gave Trajann Valoris a final look.

“Custodes, take them away. No more words are needed.”

“As you command, Primarch.” Trajann nodded slightly, tapping the axe of horus lightly on the ground.

The Custodians hesitated no longer, escorting the two toward the other side of the plaza.

Zhang Yuan stood to the side, completely stunned by the scene.

He scratched his head, his brain working at high speed.

This plot... was this in Longxia's videos? Or Colonel Dutch's? It didn't seem to be in either, right?

Killing the donkey once the grinding is done? Burning the bridge after crossing it?

No, that’s not right.

Looking at Roboute Guilliman's profile, as hard and cold as a sculpture, Zhang Yuan understood instantly.

This wasn't a betrayal of trust; this was an absolute ‘security protocol’ devoid of any personal feelings. In the face of the Emperor's safety, any verbal agreement was pale and powerless.

He could not, nor was he qualified to, stop Roboute Guilliman.

But as he watched Cypher's lonely receding figure—the Fallen Angel who had borne ten thousand years of infamy, about to be cast back into a dark prison—a strange emotion welled up in his heart.

He took a step forward and shouted:

“Cypher!”

The Fallen Angel, being escorted by the Custodians, paused and turned his head, looking at him with eyes hidden in the shadows.

Zhang Yuan didn't know what to say, so he could only speak of the distant future he knew as a form of consolation that wasn't quite consolation.

“Loyalty will eventually be rewarded, and sins will one day be forgiven.”

His voice wasn't loud, yet it spread clearly across the deathly silent plaza.

“In the near future, when the Lion returns from his slumber, the glory of the First Legion will reunite. At that time, the loyal angels will surely receive final absolution and redemption.”

Cypher's eternal, cynical expression froze for the first time.

He looked at Zhang Yuan, a light of extreme complexity flashing in his eyes—surprise, doubt, and a sliver of... hope that even he himself hadn't noticed being ignited.

Roboute Guilliman turned his head sharply, his azure eyes locking onto Zhang Yuan like the most precise scanner.

The Lion... returns?

This mortal advisor had once again uttered a ‘prophecy’ capable of overturning the structure of the Imperium!

Cypher gave Zhang Yuan a deep look, then let out an ambiguous chuckle in Roboute Guilliman's direction before ceasing all resistance and being completely led away from the plaza by the Custodians.

Zhang Yuan breathed a sigh of relief. Just as he was about to look away, he noticed Zelander had also stopped on the other side.

The Aeldari Harlequin turned back and gave him a strange smile.

Zhang Yuan had no fondness for these riddlers and instinctively wanted to avoid her gaze.

But what he feared most happened.

A slender and elegant psychic message, like an invisible thread, drilled directly into his mind.

“Intriguing mortal, your soul radiates the fragrance of ‘possibility.’”

It was the voice of Zelander Veilwalker.

“Cegorach is very interested in you. He invites you to visit the Black Library one day in the future. There are more ‘truths’ there than you can imagine.”

Zhang Yuan shuddered, his scalp instantly going numb.

The Laughing God? The Black Library?

You've got to be kidding me!

He was already risking his life just to meet the Emperor. To go and provoke an ancient Aeldari god on the level of a Chaos God? Did he have a death wish?

Zhang Yuan remained expressionless, completely shielding all responses on the psychic level, acting as if he had heard nothing.

Zelander seemed to sense his resistance, and her smile became even more meaningful. She said no more, turning and disappearing behind the magnificent pillars.

Silence returned to the plaza once more.

Only Zhang Yuan, Roboute Guilliman, and the Custodians, who stood like golden statues, remained.

“advisor.”

Roboute Guilliman's voice rang out as he walked up to Zhang Yuan, his massive frame casting a giant shadow.

“Regarding the Lion... how did you know?”

Zhang Yuan looked into those blue eyes burning with the fire of inquiry, knowing how much of a shock his words had just caused the Primarch.

But he couldn't explain it now.

“My Lord, this information is all recorded in my ‘STC.’ After I have met His Majesty the Emperor, I will report to you in detail.” He could only use that all-purpose excuse again.

Roboute Guilliman stared at him for a few seconds, as if trying to read something from his face.

But ultimately, he looked away, gazing toward the open Gate of Eternity flowing with endless golden light.

“You are right. For now, meeting my Father is the most important matter.”

The Primarch's voice once again carried ten thousand years of exhaustion and heavy responsibility.

He hesitated no longer, stepping forward and walking into the gate.

Trajann Valoris made a “please” gesture to Zhang Yuan, while he and the rest of the Custodians remained outside.

Cawl, Celestine, and the SCV all waited quietly in the plaza.

Only those specifically chosen by the Emperor were qualified to enter this door.

Zhang Yuan took a deep breath, adjusted his magistrate armor, and followed Roboute Guilliman's pace.

One after the other, the two stepped into that pure, vast golden radiance.