Gavriel Loken watched Lorgar, who was pounding on the glowing barrier.
Even if another ten thousand years passed, he would never mistake him.
Every primarch's face was unique; the Emperor had endowed them with unimaginable charm.
Lorgar's head was etched with numerous scriptures, and his strong physique resembled a Hercules from the age of dark myths.
In the early stages of the Great Crusade, Lorgar's loyalty to the Emperor was once praised by other primarchs.
Even though this loyalty was extremely fanatical, it still garnered considerable approval.
His talent for oratory was the most powerful among the primarchs.
He could incite a world to lay down its weapons, join the Great Crusade, and become part of the Imperium with mere words.
Lorgar's combat prowess was equally astonishing.
When a world was determined to be unyielding to words and required battle, the Word Bearers Legion, under his leadership, would also display an unparalleled heroic momentum.
But now, this once noble primarch, who prided himself on having discovered the truth, resembled a rabid dog, confined within a prison made of special materials.
Chains capable of siphoning soul energy bound his powerful limbs.
Every minute, every second, subjected him to unprecedented pain.
In addition to the torment of his soul, he also endured mental anguish.
Guilliman had become an entity capable of confronting the Chaos Gods. This turned his previously proclaimed theories into a joke.
Humanity possessed potential no less than that of the gods.
Even if they were the so-called omniscient and omnipotent, humanity had no need for worry or fear, for they possessed the same potential. The so-called great power of those gods held no meaning or attraction for humanity. The power held by the gods was indeed mighty, but it was not special.
Humans were the impoverished lower class; the gods were merely wealthy capitalists. The two were not insurmountable.
Guilliman was walking this path. The stronger human civilization became, the more Lorgar, that lackey who once championed those capitalist-like Chaos Gods, became a laughingstock.
He clung to the Lectitio Divinitatus and the Ecclesiarchy because he had nothing left to attack Guilliman with!
The former primarch of the Word Bearers, one of the founders of the Imperium, had become the Imperium's greatest joke.
Countless people rejoiced at the Emperor's and the loyal primarchs' persistence, which saved humanity from being sold to the gods by this fool.
Otherwise, they would have become livestock penned for daemons' enjoyment.
Especially after witnessing the tragic state of other universes, more and more ambitious individuals understood that if humanity failed, that would be their fate. To be penned, to become nourishment for those monsters, to become their playthings.
Fate and truth held no meaning for those who were penned.
Because those things were controlled by those behind the scenes. They had no choice but to accept the arrangements of fate.
Lorgar shrieked in agony, frantically pounding on the glowing barrier.
He wanted Gavriel Loken to prove that his words were true.
"What's going on?" Gavriel Loken asked, looking at Trist beside him in confusion.
"He's a madman," Trist said with a look of disgust. "The Lectitio Divinitatus was written by the Emperor, a book to praise the Emperor. This traitor always tries to mislead people with false truths.
Pay no attention to these traitors; every word they speak is a lie. The Ecclesiarchy was also founded by Guilliman to strengthen faith and protect humanity from the dangers of the Warp.
It was his many contemplations during the Great Crusade that allowed him to take swift action, establish firewalls, and reform the Ecclesiarchy upon his awakening."
Gavriel Loken was momentarily stunned. The Lectitio Divinitatus was written by Lorgar. There was no doubt about this.
At the time, many descriptions in the Lectitio Divinitatus conflicted with the Imperial Truth, and various legions took measures to restrict the circulation of such books.
However, the Emperor's achievements were so outstanding that many people couldn't help but revere him.
On the Vengeful Spirit, even then, believers often held small gatherings.
Speaking of which, Gavriel Loken was friends with the first Living Saint, and then official chronicler and photographer, Euphrati Keeler.
In the 203rd year of the Great Crusade, a year after the Ullanor Crusade and Horus' ascension to Warmaster,
His 63rd Expeditionary Fleet was forced to change course by an ætheric storm.
For a long time, Gavriel Loken suspected this was actually one of the gods' schemes.
Because it was practically a preview of the Siege of Terra. That storm led the 63rd Expeditionary Fleet into an unfamiliar system, where nine worlds orbited a yellow star. The ruler of this system also claimed to be the Emperor.
According to his explanation, he had resiliently led his people through the suffering of the Warp storm-ravaged era, endured the brutal trials of the Age of Strife, and consistently upheld the stable rule and strict laws of human civilization.
He had kept the flame of human civilization burning brightly during the isolated and ancient Long Night. This incredibly precious and vital fragment of civilization had survived intact until now, awaiting future reconnection with the many scattered human brethren across the galaxy.
Their arrival marked the beginning of humanity's grand moment of reconquering the galaxy. The negotiation between this ancient human civilization fragment and the 64th civilization, however, escalated into a war.
Cygnus, one of the Four Kings' Council, was killed.
That Emperor declared that the 64th fleet brought heresy and adamantly refused to resolve matters peacefully. The Emperor's residence, the High City, eventually fell to the Sons of Horus' attack.
And that Emperor was personally killed by Horus.
If the story ended there, it would certainly be a slightly bitter but ultimately acceptable tale. That world was plagued by constant unrest.
To completely quell the rebellions, Gavriel Loken personally led the Tenth Company to deal with the insurgents. There, he witnessed the malevolent power of the Warp for the first time.
His subordinate, Jubal, was corrupted by the Warp's malevolent energy, possessed by the daemon Samus, and had his soul twisted, resulting in casualties for two squads.
Even after being impaled, he could still move again.
Only when he was completely burned to ashes was Jubal's further rampage stopped.
Euphrati Keeler witnessed Jubal kill her companions and was terrified, collapsing to the ground.
Fortunately, Gavriel Loken arrived in time and saved her. This incident left Euphrati Keeler in a state of panic until she strengthened her faith using the Lectitio Divinitatus, finally emerging from that terrible nightmare.
Later, when Horus was wounded on David and taken to a local temple,
she summoned the Emperor's power on the Vengeful Spirit, repelling the daemon and becoming the first Living Saint.
At that time, many primarchs, including Guilliman, maintained a distrust of the Warp. The Lectitio Divinitatus naturally couldn't have been written by them.
"Tell them, Loken, tell them the truth," Lorgar shrieked in agony.
His voice drew the attention of many people. They all looked at Gavriel Loken. To be recognized by a traitor primarch, they guessed he must also be a prominent Imperial hero.
Some knowledgeable tourists, deeply versed in Imperial history, deduced Gavriel Loken's identity from Lorgar's fragmented words.
More and more people looked at Gavriel Loken, eager to hear what he would say.
"I am indeed an upright person who dislikes lying," Gavriel Loken declared loudly, "and I also dislike telling lies."
These words brought a hint of excitement to the tormented Lorgar.
"The Lectitio Divinitatus was indeed written by the Emperor, Robert Guilliman, Primarch of the Thirteenth Legion, the Ultramarines. I was there during the Great Crusade; there is absolutely no falsehood in this," Gavriel Loken shouted. "I never lie; this is the truth."
His words were met with cheers from the crowd. They chanted Loken's name and many of his titles.
"Great Gavriel Loken!"
"Great Knight Errant!"
"Great Luna Wolf!"
"No!" Lorgar howled like a broken-legged gretchin, "You're a liar too, Loken, you're a liar!"
The cheering people spread the word, and this event would also be reported by the media, becoming another example proving the greatness of the Emperor.
As for the howling Primarch of the Word Bearers, that poor fellow only had lies.
People did not bother Gavriel Loken excessively. Trist instructed someone to tell the crowd that this Imperial hero had just awakened and should not be overly excited, needing some space. The people then respectfully made way for Gavriel Loken.
Some children were held up by their parents, who wanted them to remember this great hero who had sacrificed his life for humanity.
Gavriel Loken walked to Lorgar's cell, a playful smile on his resolute face.
"Why, why did you tell such a lie?" The tormented Lorgar stared fixedly at Gavriel Loken, his eyes filled with endless hatred.
"This is not a lie, this is the truth," Gavriel Loken said, enunciating each word. "Just like the truth you once told us."
Pushing humanity into a dark abyss and describing it as salvation.
Making humanity suffer for eternity—that was their truth, their dogma.
Gavriel Loken possessed countless noble virtues.
But those virtues were only revealed to good people, to the weak who needed help, not to a group of ungrateful individuals who betrayed their brothers and everything they stood for.
Lorgar let out an angry roar, attempting to charge at Gavriel Loken, but was blocked by the barrier. The chains suddenly tightened, a mechanical hum filled the air, and the soul siphon's power increased, causing Lorgar to scream in agony and collapse to the ground.
It was as if he had charged forward, only to suddenly kneel before Gavriel Loken. The scene was full of drama.
"It seems the return of an Imperial hero can make these wretches so afraid they kneel," Trist noted, capturing this precious moment. The truth of some matters isn't important.
As long as it serves good propaganda, that's enough.
Gavriel Loken turned and left.
Only Lorgar's roars and screams remained in the prison. The exhibits at the Atonement Star-Beacon astonished Gavriel Loken.
He saw Erebus, that utterly rotten beast.
It was this beast who stole the Anathame, secretly organized the Luna Wolves into a cult, and corrupted this noble legion.
It was his series of schemes that ultimately led to Horus' fall into the abyss.
If not for the Anathame, Horus would not have been overwhelmed by the suspicion and fear in his heart.
Nor would he have betrayed the Emperor, with whom he had fought side by side for over two hundred years. The Luna Wolves were the first legion to welcome back their Primarch. The Emperor personally taught Horus tactics and combat skills, teaching him how to become a qualified commander.
Horus became Warmaster not only because of his tactics, strategies, and martial prowess, but more importantly, because the Emperor trusted him.
Otherwise, he would not have entrusted him with the armies of the entire galaxy.
"I will kill you, Erebus," Gavriel Loken said in a cold, cruel tone, standing before Erebus' cell. "I will tear out your bones one by one."
"Loken," Erebus' face was filled with terror, "How can you still be alive?? This is impossible? This is impossible!!"
"Yes, I am alive. I have crawled out of hell, and now it's your turn, Erebus. Pray to your gods, your good days have just begun."
If this body weren't still in its adaptation phase, Gavriel Loken would have already requested a duel of honor. To pin down Erebus, that idiot, and beat him savagely. To make him feel the power of truth!!
If he didn't cry and beg for mercy, it would mean he had been slacking in his training.
"Guilliman's path is wrong, he will only bring about your demise," Erebus said, trembling. "You don't know how many terrifying enemies he has provoked, powerful beings who can easily destroy a universe. You still have a choice, Loken."
"Go eat shit, traitor," Gavriel Loken spat at him. The fury in his eyes was undisguised.
"No matter what, when I leave Terra, I will request a duel of honor. Erebus, I will beat the shit out of you."
These words made Erebus' face turn pale.
He knew the Imperium would heavily publicize such an event.
By then, he might become an even greater laughingstock. There was nothing more humiliating in this world than that.
Gavriel Loken walked to the next cell.
It was the cage of the Primarch of the Emperor's Children Legion, Fulgrim, the Phoenician.
He, too, was controlled by those special chains and soul siphons. The entire radiance of the Star-Beacon was formed by their suffering.
Fulgrim's face was twisted in agony.
Gavriel Loken had seen the old Fulgrim, that demigod Primarch who pursued perfection.
At that time, he was so noble. The Emperor's Children's pursuit of perfection was not only a demand for tactics and strategy but also a strict requirement for their own thoughts. They received the most favor from the Emperor, who bestowed upon them the special title of Emperor's Children. This was an honor no other legion had ever received.
Yet, the atrocities committed by the Emperor's Children during the Siege of Terra were the most horrific. The massacres during the Siege of Terra were primarily carried out by the Emperor's Children. They reveled in various twisted, horrifying acts of slaughter. Their cruel brutality is difficult to describe in words.
During the Siege of Terra, the rebels lost all their logistics. The Emperor's Children would roast and eat the corpses. They impaled large numbers of loyal Imperial citizens who couldn't escape on sharp barbed wire.
On the battlefield at that time, countless corpses and living people were impaled like that, along every fallen defensive line. The Emperor's Children were the most cruel and brutal in their methods.
At that time, death was the best option, even a blessing, when facing desperation.
Putting a bullet in your own head was better than falling into the hands of the Emperor's Children.
Gavriel Loken gazed at the twisted, mutated Fulgrim.
His face had elongated, becoming narrow and gaunt.
He had a pair of curved daemonic horns on his head, like a crimson crown.
His upper body had an extra pair of arms, and his lower body had transformed into a scaly serpent's tail.
"A pathetic monster," Gavriel Loken remarked mercilessly. "Ugly to the extreme."
"Loken," Fulgrim naturally wouldn't forget Loken.
After all, he was a Luna Wolf who dared to defy Horus, who had already gained the power of the gods, on the Vengeful Spirit.
Fulgrim's narrow eyes showed endless hatred.
If he had the chance, he would surely tear Loken to shreds.
No one could insult Fulgrim.
"Don't speak my name, monster," Gavriel Loken said with disgust.
"Don't get cocky," Fulgrim showed a cruel smile. "Guilliman used his little tricks to bring you back to the living world, but he won't always succeed. When he fails, I promise you, you will be utterly miserable."
"Worry about yourself first, monster," Trist said, then looked in another direction, "Increase the power to this fool."
The mechanical hum instantly intensified, becoming dense.
Fulgrim, who had just been smiling, let out a scream, trembling in his cell, his writhing limbs pulling the thick chains taut.
He truly felt the Emperor's past suffering. That soul-draining agony made him unable to think.
"How pathetic, you'll have to live to see that day first," Gavriel Loken mocked. "Look at you now, Fulgrim, where is your arrogance from the Siege of Terra? Where is that rampant swagger? Why has it all vanished?"
"Why are you cowering like a wretch? Where is the great power you gained? Why don't you display it for us mere mortals to see?"
Fulgrim screamed and raged, his eyes wide, his hatred palpable, as he stared at the one who dared to mock him.
He could do nothing but rage impotently, earning more mockery from Gavriel Loken.
"What a pleasant tour," Gavriel Loken's tone became cheerful. Seeing these once arrogant individuals, who committed boundless crimes against humanity, meet such an end was truly gratifying. Trist recorded Gavriel Loken's every word and action, including his smiling face. These would all be valuable propaganda materials for the Imperium in the future.
After watching Fulgrim's impotent rage for a while, Gavriel Loken turned to Trist and asked,
"Who's next?"
"I suggest we see someone you know very well."
"Someone I know? Another Primarch? I know all the Primarchs very well; I've spent time with almost all of them."
"Not a Primarch, but the former Chief of the Four Lords, the Captain of Horus' First Company, and the Dark Warmaster, Abaddon. This fellow took Horus' place after the rebellion, becoming the number one minion of the Chaos Gods, launching thirteen Black Crusades against the Imperium and creating the terrifying Great Rift, almost plunging humanity back into the Long Night."