The Emperor’s Angel of Death

#2246 - Loyalty does not mean submission

"Envoy Faisal, I demand an explanation."

In a reception room aboard the Eternal Loyalty, Sotha Nul, unarmored, sat on a massive and cold metal chair, his hands resting on the armrests, the index finger of his right hand occasionally tapping the cold, hard metal. Even the bright lights couldn't dispel the dark clouds on his face.

Opposite him, Faisal stood somewhat uneasily, like a subject who had made a mistake and was facing his stern monarch.

Sotha Nul had never treated him this way before, because he had always respected the other man's identity and position. Faisal had not done anything since the Minotaur incident, and at least their interactions had been relatively pleasant.

But now, he felt like he had been played. Sotha Nul rarely got angry; he had always tried to restrain his emotions, but this time he was truly angry.

"Envoy Faisal, I recall that I informed you in advance about the Mantis Warriors' matter, and I very cautiously and carefully explained the entire request. Then you indicated that Terra also agreed. Is that correct?"

Facing Sotha Nul's icy questioning, Faisal pursed his lips. He was also very annoyed now, because he had indeed reported this matter to Terra, and the High Lords had responded that it was acceptable. Now, to suddenly go back on their word, wasn't this making things difficult for him? Wasn't this trying to harm him? Although he believed that Sotha Nul would not hurt him, stuffing him into a lifeboat and throwing him out was possible.

More importantly, as a member of the Imperial Foreign Affairs Department, he really didn't want to offend Sotha Nul, because through this expedition he had seen the Chapter Master's capabilities and his prestige among the Astartes Chapters. If this matter were to be publicized, Faisal would likely be labeled as 'fooling an Imperial hero.'

He knew the Imperial bureaucratic system well. At that time, no one would come out to explain or defend him, and no one would be willing to take responsibility for others, so he would be collectively antagonized by the Astartes, and his future would be bleak.

But this matter was difficult to explain, because Terra's instructions were conveyed orally by messengers or astropaths, leaving no 'evidence' behind. There was nothing to prove that the High Lords had agreed to this matter.

Considering that one of the characteristics of Imperial bureaucratic politics was its capriciousness, and being very familiar with the internal power struggles of the High Lords and the infighting between Imperial institutions, Faisal quickly realized, after his initial surprise, that there was probably more to this than met the eye.

But how could he explain this to Sotha Nul?

Seeing that Faisal did not answer, Sotha Nul suddenly chuckled and shook his head.

"Envoy Faisal, I hope you can understand that it wasn't I who promised the battle-brothers of the Mantis Warriors Chapter, but the Imperial Council who promised the Mantis Warriors. Now, to suddenly go back on their word, let alone my personal reputation, don't the High Lords even want a shred of dignity! Do you know what promises and oaths mean to the Astartes! If they are driven to a dead end, and they become completely disappointed in the Imperium, what do you think will happen? What do you think might happen?"

Toward the end, Sotha Nul's tone was so stern as to be almost scolding. He poked the metal armrest of the chair with his finger and roared, questioning:

"Envoy Faisal! Where do you think those traitors, the Red Corsairs, came from! Ah! Tell me!"

Faisal took out a handkerchief and wiped the sweat from his forehead, then said:

"Chapter Master Sotha Nul, I am even more angry than you right now."

He knew very well that if he tried to disclaim his involvement at this time, he would only provoke deeper disgust from the other party. The more anxious he was to defend himself, the more he would appear to be in the wrong. This sounded a bit strange, since a person's natural reaction is to defend themselves.

But the Space Marines were different. Once they had a preconceived notion, it was difficult to change it, which is why most Space Marines seemed difficult to communicate with—

They were all stubborn, some even extremely stubborn.

Fortunately, Sotha Nul was not, or at least not stubborn, but his mindset was similar.

As a high-ranking diplomat, Faisal clearly realized that he should remain calm at this time, analyze the problem, not be controlled by emotions, and try to understand the other party's situation and thoughts.

After putting away his handkerchief, he looked solemn and fearlessly met Sotha Nul's gaze.

"I have seen the performance of the Mantis Warriors in the expedition, and I am also sympathetic to them, and I am willing to help them clear their past sins."

Sotha Nul frowned slightly. He couldn't flare up again now that the other party had said this, so he leaned back and supported his chin with his fist.

"Then what exactly is going on? I don't even know how to face them now."

"Chapter Master Sotha Nul, please be patient. This matter may not be so simple. I am willing to swear on my soul that I did report to Terra and received a reply."

"I believe in your integrity. I just want to know what's going on? Terra dismissed us with a single sentence, without any explanation! The fact that I can sit here and talk to you properly proves that I am a very good-tempered person. What do you think the situation would be like if it were someone like Seth or Korsarro Khan?"

"Yes, yes, Chapter Master Sotha Nul, I know that you are a reasonable person. Actually, based on my personal speculation, it is possible that there was a difference of opinion within the High Lords. I mentioned in my report why the Mantis Warriors came, and it was the Inquisition that presided over the Mantis Warriors' trial back then. Regarding whether the Mantis Warriors have atoned for their sins, I don't think most of the High Lords have much of an opinion, after all, it is something that is far away from them and not related to their interests, so the only one that might have gone back on their word is the Inquisition."

Sotha Nul narrowed his eyes.

"There are a total of twelve members of the High Lords Council. Can the Inquisition alone sway the decision of the entire Council? Are the other eleven just yes-men?"

"They can't, but they can use various reasons to sway the thoughts of others, such as such as"

"Such as what?"

"Such as such as demonstrating the authority of the High Lords Council, or making the Mantis Warriors resent you because of this matter."

Sotha Nul was stunned for a moment, then suddenly burst out laughing, which made Faisal's hand tremble, and then he cautiously asked:

"Chapter Master, why are you laughing?"

"I laugh that those who manage the Imperium are such foolish and ignorant people! Don't they realize who the Mantis Warriors will truly resent? Perhaps they will harbor resentment towards me, but their true resentment will be directed towards the Imperium! Is it worth it! Is it more valuable to them to create a little trouble for me, Sotha Nul, than to have a Chapter!??"

"Chapter Master, please don't be agitated, actually…"

"I am not agitated. Sorry, Envoy Faisal, I said some harsh words to you just now."

"It's okay, it's okay, I can understand…"

Sotha Nul sighed softly, then straightened his back.

"Is there any way to persuade those shortsighted little people?"

"Uh…"

To come up with a solution, this was difficult for Faisal. After all, he was just a high-ranking diplomat, at most he could send a report. More importantly, perhaps someone wanted to take the opportunity to make things difficult for him.

Every institution and department in the Imperium was filled with internal strife, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was no exception.

Seeing the other party's embarrassed expression, Sotha Nul took a deep breath through his nose.

"If that's the case, then I won't move forward for now. You send a message to Terra that if the Mantis Warriors cannot go to Terra, then the Star Phantoms will not go either. Three days later, I will hang the laurels and banners they gave me on the Gates of Ecstasy, and then leave. Some words I shouldn't say as an Astartes, but now I have to say them: loyalty does not equal blind obedience."

"This Chapter Master Sotha Nul, you…"

Faisal's heart trembled. If this were sent, it would be equivalent to publicly tearing apart their facade. The High Lords Council would not accept this humiliation. If it went to an extreme, even if it didn't erupt into armed conflict, the Star Phantoms might become the next Space Wolves. This victory would turn into an awkward conflict.

No matter whose face this slap landed on, Faisal himself would probably bear the blame.

When people are forced into a desperate situation, they usually come up with brilliant ideas.

As Faisal's thoughts raced, an idea suddenly popped up, and then he said:

"Chapter Master Sotha Nul, I have an idea, perhaps…"

"Hmm?"

Several hours later, the Star Phantoms' fleet left Jupiter's orbit and headed for Terra, while the Mantis Warriors' ships remained in place, as if everything was developing according to the High Lords' design.