The golden silk curtains blocked out the light from outside.
Making the entire room extremely dim, but it didn't prevent Emrys from seeing the furnishings inside the room.
A thin layer of dust had settled on the table, indicating that after he left, Elsa had strictly enforced the ban, not allowing anyone to enter the room.
"Eighteen days exactly, and I'm finally coming home." Emrys pinched his brow, and after the 'dizziness' symptoms subsided a bit, he focused on the present: "The room is intact, and there's no sound outside, so it seems no major events should have occurred while I was away."
This was an inference based on the current situation, and it was also the confidence he had to leave for so long.
However, after more than half a month, Emrys had to quickly understand the current situation in the Siluria Hive, so that he could make correct judgments in time.
Thinking of this, he casually took out his long-unseen communicator from his private space.
Beep beep beep.
Amidst a slight vibration, over a dozen messages scrolled past.
Upon closer inspection, they were all messages sent by Rosales, and judging by the anxious tone, he had most likely been unable to find him anywhere, which is why he tried using the communicator, and the most recent one was from just yesterday.
The general content was that some of the Dark Mechanicum's Crusader Corps had infiltrated Vigilus.
At the same time, a new message was brought: in the lower levels of the Iron Continent in the Macro-North Sector, the Tech-Priests of Styx Eight had found what was suspected to be a 'Necron' ruin, currently confirmed as 'Blackstone Construct'.
Rosales had delayed for several days, truly unable to wait for his reply, so he independently contacted the Crusader Corps and a High-ranking Tech-Priest.
Just yesterday, they had quietly infiltrated the lower levels from the Siluria Lower Hive, along the mine shafts excavated by Styx Eight, preparing to investigate.
If there was any progress, Rosales would contact him in time, and also included was a secret mine shaft map excavated by Styx Eight.
Looking at the intricate mine shaft map, Emrys pondered for a moment: "If I really can't find a way out, then perhaps... this mine shaft map could be a last resort."
Of course, this was a method that could only be chosen if the situation was irreversible.
The mine shafts excavated by Styx Eight would only delve deeper into Vigilus's surface; getting in was easy, but getting out might not be so simple.
Don't forget, besides the Tech-Priests of Styx Eight, the lower levels of this Iron Continent also contained unknown 'Space Necron' ruins, and countless gene-infected genestealers, entrenched in the spiderweb-like, interconnected tunnels!
After browsing Rosales' letter, Emrys contacted Elsa using their unique secret code.
About four or five minutes later, hurried footsteps were heard outside the door.
Immediately after, the room door, which had been sealed for over half a month, was finally pushed open, and a beam of sunlight, in the rising dust, seemed to take on a concrete shape.
The sunlight shone on that graceful shadow, revealing it to be Elsa, whom he hadn't seen in half a month.
She was still wearing her familiar clothes, with light golden, slightly curly long hair, smooth like a waterfall, simply tied and draped over her shoulders, and her beautiful eyes, like autumn water, perfectly reflected the figure of one person.
"Welcome home, lord Emrys."
Elsa's eyes held a smile, like a spring breeze.
But her voice, trembling despite her best efforts to suppress it, and the moisture welling in her eyes, undoubtedly betrayed her inner feelings.
Looking at Elsa, leaning against the door, seemingly relieved, with tears in her eyes but still trying to appear strong, Emrys' heart was slightly touched.
This scene truly resembled a husband going on a long journey, and his wife waiting at home for his coming home; after many days apart, finally seeing her husband return safely, and thus the wife feeling relieved and relaxed.
Especially that one sentence, "Welcome home," made Emrys feel deeply.
He always felt that he didn't have a sense of belonging, more like a wanderer traveling between various Worlds.
But in that very second, Elsa's tear-filled yet affectionate 'Welcome home' made him suddenly feel as if he had found a place to belong, no longer a prodigal son wandering abroad.
"I'm home, Elsa."
Emrys' tone was gentle, and he stepped forward lightly to wipe away a tear from the corner of her eye: "I'm sorry, I made you worry."
Gentle sunlight, passing through the doorframe, fell upon Emrys' face.
Elsa was slightly shorter than him, so she looked up a little, gazing at his face, countless thoughts scattering in her mind, finally merging with the surging longing in her heart; as love deepened, she instinctively hugged Emrys.
Emrys was caught off guard by her sudden 'attack' and froze in place.
However, upon realizing her 'inappropriate behavior', Elsa not only didn't let go, but hugged him even tighter, her cheek pressed against his chest, as if listening to his heartbeat: "I'm sorry, lord Emrys, please forgive me. Just this once, just this once will do."
Hearing this, Emrys stopped speaking, wrapped his arms around her, and hugged Elsa tightly.
He could hear Elsa's heartbeat, smell the faint fragrance of her golden hair, and felt that Elsa in his arms seemed a little off emotionally, so he lowered his voice and asked, trying to soften his tone: "What happened, Elsa?"
The scene of that day flashed through Elsa's mind again.
What Morgana called a 'nightmare', as a retainer of a Rogue Trader, she knew very well that it wasn't a 'nightmare', but a glimpse of the future in Morgana's premonition.
What is premonition?
It is a glimpse into a corner of the future, a fact that is bound to happen!
It's laughable that all your actions, whether or not they are to change fate, will ultimately become the force that pushes you towards that fate.
Once, in the legends of the Imperium, there was a holy and pure Angel, He had a perfect face that captivated even the Four Gods, but He ultimately could not escape the judgment of fate, even though He also had the ability to foresee the future.
So she knew very well that she couldn't change fate; the best choice was to let fate run its course.
Morgana's prophecy said she would die, but Emrys would live!
That was enough!
"Elsa? Elsa? Elsa!"
She suddenly awoke from the calling, and looking up, met Emrys' anxious, worried gaze.
"What exactly is wrong?" Emrys stared at her very seriously, as if trying to find some clue on Elsa's face: "If something's wrong, just tell me, I can definitely solve it, trust me, okay?"
But unfortunately, Elsa was very skilled at managing her expressions and didn't reveal a single flaw.
She wiped away the tears from the corner of her eyes, as if she had transformed back into that assistant with a cold exterior and a gentle heart, a smile on her lips, and softly said: "Nothing, lord Emrys, I was just worried after not seeing you for so long."
"Really?"
Emrys eyed her suspiciously, wanting to reconfirm.
"Would I lie to you?" Elsa gave him a white eye, pouting: "Don't forget, I swore to you that I would never deceive you."
Except, this time. She silently murmured in her heart.
"It's okay, don't worry too much." Emrys said gently: "Don't worry, the matters of Siluria will be resolved soon, and then I'll take you somewhere for you to properly relax."
"Where?"
Elsa blinked, asking curiously.
"A... very beautiful place." Emrys' eyes were gentle, and he said softly: "There, you can see seas of flowers, snowscapes, sunrises, sunsets, the air is fresh and peaceful, a place far from strife and chaos."
Listening to him describe the beautiful scenery, Elsa's thoughts seemed to drift away, imagining those landscapes in her mind.
She had been to 'Garden Worlds' and was deeply attracted by the scenery there, but none matched the place Emrys described, like a dreamlike utopia.
"Is there really such a place?" A hint of longing appeared in Elsa's eyes, but she couldn't quite believe it.
"Have I ever lied to you?"
Emrys smiled, tousled her hair, and said softly: "I promise you, once things here are over, I'll take you to see all the beautiful scenery there, from sunrise to sunset, from the sea to the snow mountains, from the desert to the flower fields."
Elsa lowered her head and gently nodded.
However, what Emrys didn't notice was a glistening tear sliding down her fair cheek.
Looking at the figure that had already left the room, Elsa murmured to herself in a voice only she could hear: "I'm sorry, lord Emrys. This time, perhaps I will have to break my promise."