Everyone was stunned.

They didn't dare to imagine what they had just heard, and they never imagined that the surprise would come so quickly that they were completely unprepared for this sudden surprise.

【… Mother? 】

Karn's voice trembled slightly, and no one could have guessed that the cold, silent Blood Finger would make such a sound.

The Astartes who accompanied them also fell into a stupor, their superhuman reaction only a split second to know what had just happened, and the cabin suddenly fell into an indescribable silence.

This voice was too familiar to them, but it had not been heard for too long, and in an instant, the feeling of being separated from the world swept through the minds of each of the Origin Guards, so that the technical priest who was still debugging on the side couldn't help but cast a puzzled gaze.

[It's me.] 】

The cold female voice sounded again, instantly detonating the excitement contained in the hearts of these space marines.

The familiar and majestic figure also resurfaced in front of their eyes.

She stepped into the sea of the mind.

A faint streak of water slowly spreads, and her plump and rounded toes sink slightly into the white sand, dotting her ankles like pearls, and the healthy skin of wheat can be seen through the clear water.

The flowing red hair like a flame is scattered freely, the loose fabric like the Roman robe of Gutera sets off the burly and plump body of the lord of the red sand, and the fabric texture that spreads obliquely also vaguely outlines the outline of some strong tendons, like a proud empress, and the bronzing hair tips floating in the wet breeze are dyed with a little wet color, and you can vaguely glimpse some of the blood-like scarlet highlights.

At this moment, the former hard and heroic eyebrows of the Lord of the Red Sand were full of softness and kindness at this moment, and the scarlet eyes that had been soaked in ferocity and indifference were already extremely soft, and the corners of his lips were floating with gentle curves.

[I'm back, kids.] 】

Elaine has always been a kind mother to her children.

[Is it really you!] Mother... Please、Please forgive me for being rude... It's been a long, long time since we've heard from you. 】

[I can't believe it... Unexpectedly, Karn's prophecy dream turned out to be right. We have really met you again in this land...]

[Hah! Greer must be very sorry now that he didn't come to reunite with his mother as we did. 】

[Greer needs to keep the legion in order, I think my mother will understand him.] 】

……

The Astartes, who were strict and cold in the eyes of ordinary people, are now as noisy as chirping sparrows, constantly revolving around Elaine's side, or simply throwing themselves into her wide and warm arms, or joking with their companions, as if the tension of being chased by the demon world has been completely dissolved at this moment.

However, this is only what Elaine's perspective shows, and the Astartes who are bound by blood are no longer spoiled children, and their minds, tempered by harsh training and brutal warfare, will not allow them to display any weak qualities.

It's just that the reflection of these warriors reflected by the pure water of the sea of hearts is indeed full of strong longing for the mother of genes.

Elaine looked at the heirs around her with relief, and her heart, which had been through many brutal battles, couldn't help but warm a little.

[It seems that you have experienced a lot of things during this time. 】

[Hard work, my children. 】

【… I miss you for a long time since the war. 】

The gentle voice echoes in the sea of hearts, and also symbolizes the official return of the Lord of the Red Sands.

[We've been looking forward to your return for a long time, Mother. 】

[During this time, we have not stopped looking for you, but the galaxy is too big, and our contact with Terra has been inexplicably good and bad. 】

[Until a while ago... I had a prophetic dream about where you were, about your experience, and then we had the help of Mr. Machado... Finally found here. 】

[Everyone in the Legion misses you very much, whether it's a mortal or an Astarte, or a techno-priest of the mechanical paganism...]

[Nukeriya needs you, please come back to us...]

Karn was trembling with excitement at the moment, and an indescribable sense of joy filled his heart, and if it was the last time it was true, it was probably the time when the original gene returned to the Empire.

Since that war, the Children of the Mountains have been separated from the Genetic Prototype, they don't know where Elaine has gone, they don't know if she's still alive, until the good news from the Emperor reassures the Children of the Mountains, but the hanging hearts haven't been completely settled, because they don't know when Elaine will return to the Legion again, or if she's still safe.

Doubts, thoughts, unknowns, and entanglements haunted Karn's complex mind like a mess.

It had been too long since he had seen the Genetic Mother in trust—the fear of living in fear was rife with the Legion, and the pressure on Karn, one of the two pillars of the Legion today, was unimaginable.

For Astarte, the bond of blood means everything.

They are loyal to the humans, they are loyal to the Emperor, but the existence they are most loyal to is the genetic protoplasm with which they are connected by blood.

It could be said that it was an instinct that was burned in the genetic seed, or it could be said that they were born with a longing for the Lord of the Legion who was much larger than them, but the link was undeniable.

Only when the genoplasm is officially returned to the Empire can an Astarte legion be considered complete. Otherwise, it is a waterless grass and a tree without roots.

And now, the burly figure of the Mother of Genes has finally appeared in front of their eyes.

This long-suppressed joy cannot be ignored, and all the speculations and worries that have been left behind at this moment.

【…… Alas. 】

"I thought my father would tell you most of the things... However, he is not to blame. I should have expected this a long time ago...]

[It's my fault, kids.] 】

Faced with the worries of her children during this time, Elaine couldn't help but feel a little guilty.

[During my time in Colchis, I tried to contact Nukeria - however, the Star Teleportation received no reply.] 】

[I knew there was something that was blocking me from you—but while I was trying to fix that, another subspace storm brought me here. 】

[Now, he has been found by his own child... It was my dereliction of duty as a genetic protologist and a dereliction of duty as a mother. 】

[All the way... Really, thank you guys. 】

……

……

(End of chapter)