Warhammer 40K in a box

Chapter 700 The Lion King is Here
Cassius took a deep breath, his voice noticeably lower, each word carrying an air of unbelievable caution: "This... is an extremely serious claim, Inquisitor."

The Lion King Leon Aljonson disappeared ten thousand years ago. All official records indicate he has long since fallen into a deep sleep, or... perished. How can you prove it?

“We are not asking you to believe us immediately,” Chen Xi said. “But I request that you send interstellar communications in two directions. First, send a message to Baal, the home planet of the Holy Blood Angels, to confirm my identity and status as Judge Chen Xi.”

Second, send a message to the Dark Angel Legion, or to the Star Speakers as close as possible to their area of ​​operation, containing only four words: 'The Lion King is here.'

Cassius exchanged a glance with the think tank director.

The think tank director nodded slightly, indicating that no obvious deceptive glint was detected in Chen Xi's words, but such a significant event could not be trusted by words alone.

“We will verify according to procedure,” Cassius finally said. “Until we receive confirmation from Barr, the three of you will need to remain in the designated lounge under our protective guard. This is a necessary security measure.”

“Okay,” Chen Xi agreed.

The Lion King remained silent, but his very presence was like a mountain, making the atmosphere in the entire hall heavy.

The three were led into a fully equipped but clearly surveillance-inducing lounge.

Two soldiers from the Crimson Crescent Moon Guard were on duty outside the door, and there were also hidden surveillance devices operating inside.

Chen Xi didn't seem to care. He found a place to sit down and began to close his eyes to rest.

Leona sat quietly in the corner, her face hidden beneath her hood.

The Lion King stood by the window, gazing at the sky above Kamas, seemingly lost in thought.

Time passes while waiting.

Several standard hours later, the door to the lounge opened, and the Chapter Leader of Cassius and the Director of the Think Tank reappeared, their expressions even more serious than before.

“Judge Chen Xi,” Cassius began, “Baal’s interstellar communications have received an initial response. Commander Dante has personally confirmed your identity and stated that you are indeed a trustworthy ally of the Blood Angels.”

He even mentioned how the 'Loyalty' wine you provided helped suppress thirst and awaken dark fury.

His tone softened somewhat, but the scrutiny in his eyes did not lessen: "This explains why your name carries weight among us. However, it does not prove that the man beside you is the Lion King."

“Then, please send the second message I requested,” Chen Xi said.

“We have already tried to send it,” the think tank director interjected, his voice carrying the unique resonance of a psionicist, “but the Dark Angel Legion’s movements are always secretive, and whether the interstellar communication can be delivered accurately, and whether they will respond, are all unknowns.”

Just then, Lion King Leon, who had been silent all along, slowly turned around, his gaze falling on the think tank director.

“You can verify it for yourself.” His voice was deep, yet carried an undeniable power. “Use your psychic abilities to probe the surface of my thoughts. You don’t need to go deep; just perceive the ‘scale’ and ‘essence’ of its existence.”

The think tank director was clearly taken aback for a moment, then looked at Cassius.

Cassius pondered for a moment, then nodded.

Exploring the mind of someone who might be a progenitor of genes is extremely dangerous, but it is also the fastest method available.

The think tank director stepped forward, focused his mind, and his eyes shone with psychic energy.

He cautiously extended his psionic tendrils toward the Lion King. However, just as his psionic energy was about to touch the Lion King's consciousness, a vast, ancient, and imposing barrier of will, as hot and majestic as the core of a star, naturally blocked his probe.

That was not a hostile retaliation, but a fundamental difference in status, like a stream trying to probe the depths of the ocean.

The think tank director grunted and quickly retracted his psionic tentacles, his face turning slightly pale.

He looked at Cassius, his eyes filled with shock and a hint of awe: "Chaptermaster... I cannot penetrate it, I cannot even accurately perceive its boundaries. The scale of that will..."

Far surpassing any Astartes, even far surpassing any psionic being I've ever encountered. This... this could indeed be a Primarch-level consciousness..."

Cassius's expression became extremely solemn.

He looked at the Lion King again, his eyes filled with complex emotions—doubt, shock, and a growing sense of reverence for the supreme being.

Just then, a communications officer strode into the lounge and reported to Cassius: "Chapter Commander, we have received a star-language signal from an unknown source. The content is fuzzy, but the key words are... 'confirmation' and 'location'."

Everything pointed to that unbelievable truth.

Chapter Master Cassius took a deep breath, as if he had made up his mind.

He stepped forward without hesitation, knelt on one knee before Lion King Leon Eljonsson, and lowered his head as the leader of the warband.

The director of the think tank behind him, as well as the honor guard at the entrance, followed suit and knelt down on one knee in unison.

“Primarch,” Cassius’s voice was filled with barely suppressed excitement and respect, “please forgive our previous offense and doubts. The Crimson Crescent Chapter, the Sons of Saint Gilles, salute you.”

Although they are not the offspring of the Lion, any member of the Order of Astartes, regardless of which legion they belong to, should show the highest respect to a Primarch, a demigod created by the Emperor himself, a being that should only exist in legends and epics.

His return was a miracle in itself, a signal that could change the fate of the empire.

Lion King Leon looked at the crimson crescent warriors kneeling on the ground and nodded slightly.

He stepped forward and gestured with his right hand: "Rise, warriors. The empire is in turmoil; there is no need for excessive formalities. We have a common enemy and need a common strength."

Cassius and the others stood up as instructed, their eyes filled with trust and expectation.

The initial wariness and doubts vanished in the face of multiple verifications and the undeniable pressure of his position.

“Primarch, Your Excellency Inquisitor,” Cassius said, “Crescent Castle and all its resources will be at your command. Tell us what we need to do.”

Chen Xi stepped forward. "First, we need to use your Star Language Array to establish a stable connection with the 'Rock' Fortress or any known Dark Angel forces."

Secondly, we need to understand the current state of the star system, especially any activity related to the Tyranid swarm, the Chaos forces, or the gene-stealers.

He paused for a moment and looked at the Lion King, "And Your Majesty the Lion King needs some time to fully adapt to this... galaxy ten thousand years from now."

An encounter spanning millennia has been temporarily paused within this fortress known as Crescent Castle. Trust has been established, but the real challenge has only just begun.

(End of this chapter)