Chapter 21: Yet One Must Persist in Doing Good Deeds
“Ah?”
Watching Arthur, who had been so clever and quick to save lives just moments ago, Rameses sighed.
He was actually quite compliant, following the Emperor’s orders without hesitation, never considering that the Emperor didn’t regard them as truly human.
Then he spoke with a hint of helplessness.
“Are we really going to just leave these people behind?”
At the edge of the square, the Thousand Sons strategist in red armor asked the three cousins.
“Of course not,” they answered in unison.
Wasn’t their primary purpose here to protect people?
“Since we won’t abandon them, why would the Emperor give up on us for free? Can we go to the Warp and cause trouble for him? Or just ignore these people?”
Rameses’ triple question silenced the three present.
Damn!
Everyone’s faces turned sour.
Should they say it was no wonder that this guy, who’d been beaten by four creditors into the ICU for freeloading, was like this?
It took great patience not to punch him for doing things this way.
“That hits the mark.”
Romulus finally understood what it had felt like for most of the original Primarchs to interact with the Emperor back then.
That pure, born-from-utility vibe of being used as a mere tool was overwhelming.
Although compared to Rogal Dorn, the rebellious Primarchs seemed almost ridiculous, there was a reason Horus’ Great Rebellion managed to bring half of them along.
“Let’s just say doing good deeds doesn’t always earn you rewards.”
Garnar couldn’t help but rub his forehead.
The few who had been dealt with by the Emperor inevitably suffered some psychological blow.
They had all viewed the Emperor through the lens of a guardian of humanity, but witnessing the Emperor’s actions shattered that illusion.
Because of their understanding of this world, the travelers’ first thought was to seek the protection of this human guardian deity for their own people. Morally, they didn’t mind making sacrifices.
But forcibly shoving the very humans you want to protect into others’ arms—wasn’t that a bit heartless?
Moreover—
Listening to the prayers and melodious hymns to the Emperor behind them, even though they were mentally prepared, a sense of loss welled up in their hearts.
After all, a few hours ago, they had all been ordinary young people from an ordinary world. They had risked their lives to save a group of foreigners, only to hear them give thanks solely to God—it was disheartening.
They were human too, and when they made sacrifices, they naturally wanted some positive recognition.
Even if it’s just a compliment.
“Sir.”
A voice called out, breaking the somber mood.
Once everyone tidied their appearance, Rameses waved his hand to remove the psychic barrier.
“Sister Arabella.”
Arthur squinted, looking at Sister Arabella before him, flanked by Commissar Alex and Colonel Kowek, slightly puzzled.
“May I ask what business you have?”
“Commissar Alex and Colonel Kowek request an audience with you.”
Why would they come to me now?
A flicker of doubt passed through Arthur’s mind, but he agreed.
“That’s fine.”
Upon hearing this, Arabella bowed devoutly and stepped aside to allow the two behind her to speak.
“What is your matter?”
Arthur asked calmly.
“Honorable Astartes,”
Standing in the central hall bathed in the Emperor’s holy radiance, Colonel Kowek carefully took out a somewhat aged but well-maintained laser pistol, holding it with both hands while suppressing his excitement.
He had never dreamed he could escape death in such dire circumstances, much less fight alongside such a noble Astartes who cared for mortals.
“...”
Arthur nodded gently in response and assumed a listening posture.
“In Cadia, when each of us reaches the age to open our eyes, we receive a gift—a weapon given by our elders. When our fingers first grasp it, the beams it fires protect us from the gaze of heretical entities.”
Kowek began recounting, gently stroking the weapon, his eyes filled with nostalgia.
“It has witnessed my growth from infant to man. It has borne witness to every Cadian’s life becoming a coin for the Emperor. It symbolizes how Cadia stands strong against countless Chaos onslaughts.”
As he spoke, Kowek’s gaze grew more affectionate, as if trying to imprint the weapon’s image in his heart.
“Now, I wish for it to become a gift, one that carries the gratitude of myself and the 2,600 warriors of Cadia’s 43rd Regiment, the ‘Broken Sword,’ thanking you for granting us the chance to keep fighting for humanity.”
Those who rise to lead the Imperial Guard are not necessarily the fiercest fighters, but certainly the most socially adept.
They could see the constant kindness the Emperor’s angels showed them.
And in their own way, they sought to repay that kindness.
“I sincerely hope you will accept this gift. May you and your battle brothers stand unyielding, like Cadia.”
At last, his voice trembled slightly—afraid that his gesture might offend the Astartes’ culture and desecrate this sacred token of gratitude.
Silence stretched for about ten seconds before Arthur reached out and took the laser pistol.
A very ordinary model, seemingly manufactured on an industrial world.
“Thank you for your gift.”
With three pairs of admiring eyes upon him, Arthur expressed his gratitude: “I will keep it safe.”
The three immediately relaxed.
“But—”
All three fixed Arthur with serious gazes.
No matter what the angel requested, they would surely fulfill it.
“You are not the only one offering help.”
Arthur called the three behind him forward, including Rameses, who had camouflaged his armor psychically.
“Without the support of my comrades, we might have long since been lost in the waves of the Warp. Without their support, I would lack the confidence to assist you.”
“Just as every victory you achieve is built alongside your comrades, if I lost mine, I could no longer witness the honor we share today.”
“Therefore, I hope we all may receive the blessings of the Cadians.”
Arthur asked gently.
“Colonel Kowek, may we be worthy?”
“Certainly, sir.”
Colonel Kowek’s face flushed with excitement.
“It is our honor!”
-----------------
Carrying the angel’s hopes, Colonel Kowek swiftly returned to the Imperial Guard ranks.
“So, what’s your take?”
Watching a group of men freshly off the operating table begin to stretch and prepare to spar for honor, Arthur glanced at his companions.
His idle hand still fondly toyed with the laser pistol, which was far too small for his palm.
“Well, although doing good deeds doesn’t always earn rewards,”
Garnar turned his face to the ceiling and shrugged again.
“But doing good deeds is still worth persisting in.”