Emperor's Bane

Chapter 1007 The Emperor’s New Plan
+Do you know? Morgan. +
There is a winning strategy in this world.
It can guarantee your victory: at the very least, it can guarantee the killing of your opponent.
If you're desperate to win this game, then this is your best option.
What if I want to win everything?

+ "It is too, Morgan: Believe me, it is too."
So, which way should I go?

First of all...
……

"Take the first step."

Beneath rows of abandoned amniotic fluid tubes, the unremarkable Dawnbreaker is quietly encouraging itself.

He was huddled behind a door that had been abandoned for who knows how many years, crouching down, his eyes constantly observing everything around him.

Right above his head, tattered fascia nets hung weakly, from which hung countless dusty alchemical vials and abandoned cages. These metal artifacts, even in the deepest depths of the Comoros, still reflected a terrifying, flickering light, illuminating the Dawnbreaker's half-naked body.

His muscular, white skin was so striking in the chaotic darkness that any hungry predators roaming the area would soon spot this unarmed prey.

Even though it's just a contest of physical strength, most creatures in this netherworld city would probably be no match for even the weakest Astartes warrior. But even a minor skirmish would surely attract a steady stream of greedy predators to this Bloodlust's lair, which is extremely sensitive to blood and death.

The two unarmed Astartes warriors, who had been greatly weakened in their previous encounter, would certainly not be able to escape even if they managed to kill many enemies.

Ilion naturally understood this principle.

Therefore, he appeared exceptionally cautious.

After defeating the guards left behind by the Blood Spirits, the Dawnbreaker and the Salamander did not rush to escape. They first searched the detention location as quickly as possible, looking for anything they could use.

No real danger was encountered during this period, but the psychological trauma was considerable: after rashly kicking open some doors sealed by the Bloodlings, even Ilion, who had experienced the War of Unification, was almost vomiting from fright at what was revealed behind the doors.

It was obvious that this was where the Bloodwalkers disposed of their failed experiments. As for why the door was sealed, it was probably because even the Bloodwalkers themselves couldn't stand constantly seeing what those things looked like behind the room.

The good news is that, after suffering unimaginable psychological trauma, the two Astartes found some things that could be used: rusty weapons and metals that could be smelted, as well as a forge that could barely be restored to operation.

At this time, the advantages of having a son of Vulcan by your side become apparent.

Illion watched as if he were witnessing magic, observing how the fire lizard accompanying him used an intermittent forge and a few piles of scrap metal to forge a usable piece in just over ten minutes.

Although the armor cannot cover the entire body, it can at least protect vital areas. Although the blade in hand is not as good as the power sword that he is comfortable using, it can still cut through the Dark Eldar's fragile body with one strike.

Even after arming himself with them, the Dawnbreaker still found it somewhat unbelievable: therefore, as he continued forward, he would always subconsciously glance at the fire lizard that was following him.

Like any son of Vulcan, he was dark-skinned and taciturn, but he would do everything he was responsible for perfectly: fighting alongside him provided enough security that even in the suffocating Bloodlink lair, Ilion felt that the two of them had a good chance of breaking out.

In addition, out of mere curiosity, the Dawnbreaker took a closer look at his temporary comrade-in-arms. He could see some very distinct features on that dark face that only appeared on the faces of Terrans. It seemed that he was of a Caucasian or some other southern race.

These bloodthirsty people really know how to grab people.

Ilion couldn't help but sigh.

Arming themselves as much as possible, the two Astartes carefully left the safe zone, covering each other's backs and blind spots, and moved as quickly as possible through the silent wilderness outside the gate.

Only then could they see clearly where they were trapped.

It was a stalactite-shaped fortress: the aesthetics of the Bloodlust people seemed to be so similar.

It stood alone in what appeared to be abandoned city ruins, with dilapidated castle walls surrounded by long-collapsed buildings, interspersed with indistinct roads and piles of garbage: this place once looked like one of the Bloodlings' core research areas, but had long since been abandoned.

However, following the direction of the foul wind, at the edge of the two Astartes' field of vision, they could still see a row of blurry and magnificent shadows on the horizon: most of them were outlines of castles and spires, standing tall like arrogant giants. Clearly, they had not been abandoned, but were in their most prosperous and arrogant period.

"It seems this place has indeed been abandoned."

Touching the ashes on the wall and looking at the blood-red city in the distance, Ilion quickly understood the truth.

"However, this old town isn't far from the Bloodlink's core area: I think we'll have to go around there."

"Do not."

Surprisingly, the fire lizard, who had been mostly silent, suddenly rejected the suggestion.

He gestured for Ilion to look in another direction.

“Look, the brothers of the Dawnbreakers.”

"Behind us, on both sides, and above us, were impenetrable walls: this was a dead end, with only one route leading to those castles in the distance."

"...Damn it!"

After confirming that this was true, a hint of panic finally appeared on Ilion's face.

"It seems we have no choice but to go through hell."

The Dawnbreaker shook his head, while constantly devising new plans in his mind.

"We have no idea where we are, how far we are from our brother units, or even how to get out of here. But we are certain that the one who captured us is a Bloodlust, and after going to all this trouble to bring us back, he certainly won't just leave us here to starve."

"Do you have any idea?"

"I can't help but ask," the fire lizard inquired.

The Dawnbreaker pointed to the road in the distance: this road, buried in countless corpses and garbage, was as indistinct as a path in a blizzard, but even so, it was the only way to connect this castle with the distance.

"I don't think those Bloodwalkers are used to flying over garbage mountains."

"We can choose a place and ambush him."

“After killing him, not only will our own safety be guaranteed, but we will also be able to obtain more information about this place from his memories: this will help the two of us escape successfully.”

The fire lizard thought for a moment, then shook its head.

"Although I really don't want to say this, brother."

"But in our current state, and with all the things I've hastily created, we can't kill a Bloodling."

"And I don't think he'll come alone: ​​at the very least he'll bring his mindless flesh-and-blood servants."

"Hey……"

Ilion sighed; he had to admit that the fire salamander's pessimism had some basis in reality.

"Then we'll just have to figure things out as we go."

"Let's get out of here as soon as possible and get as far away from here as possible before that Bloodlust discovers we've escaped."

"Then how do we tell which way is which?"

"I don't know, but it's better than staying here."

The fire lizard nodded, agreeing with this statement.

Having reached a consensus, the two Astartes warriors did not hesitate at all. They bent over, constantly on guard, and along the edge of the road, ready to hide in the garbage mountains on both sides of the road that were even taller than knights or even Titans. In this way, they groped their way into the distance.

While keeping watch on his surroundings, the Dawnbreaker ran wildly, silently praying in his heart.

"Mother."

"If you are really watching us."

"Then please tell me, where does the road ahead lead?"

------

Aren't you going to show them the way?
After the Emperor took the first step, the Spider Queen was not surprised to see that the two white pieces that her father had touched began to move on their own on the chessboard.

However, the Emperor doesn't seem to have much interest in continuing to manipulate the white pieces: on the contrary, judging from his position next to Morgan, he seems to intend to further manipulate the opposing black pieces.

This is not a good thing.

Of course I will.

Morgan glanced at the chessboard and answered her father somewhat casually.

After all, one of them was mine.

Even so, when someone as knowledgeable as the Primarch of Genesis looks at the chessboard, their eyes inevitably fill with worry.

The difference is just too obvious.

On this somewhat irregular chessboard, only two white pieces are slowly advancing: but right in front of them, in the very center of the board, thousands of black pieces are densely packed together like a migrating swarm of ants, each of them representing a real threat, not just an individual piece like the white pieces.

【Father.】

Seeing such a huge gap, even if Morgan was deeply dissatisfied, she could only ask, with a hint of pleading, "Do we really have to do this?"

[With our abilities, it wouldn't be impossible for either of us to directly infiltrate the Bloodlust's lair, would it?]

Of course.
The Lord of Humanity nodded.

He was gazing at the distant front lines of the war, and no one knew what the emperor was really thinking.

+I can tell you right now, Morgan.
+If you wish, even if you are right here, at the very edge of the Comoros city, your power is still enough to pierce through the upper and lower realms of Comoros, displaying your might at the very heart of Comoros, making the Bloodlings hiding there pay an unimaginable price: theoretically speaking, you and I, our power can do all of this. +
What does "...theoretically speaking" mean?

Morgan frowned.

It's very simple.
The emperor raised one hand.

Similarly, theoretically speaking: if an extermination order can completely destroy a world, surely it can destroy the world's air defense field?
But in reality, we all know the actual situation.
Don't underestimate the Dark Eldar, Morgan.
Although they were merely remnants of souls, at the height of the Eldar Empire, they were not lacking in powerful individuals like you and me: at least in terms of psionic power, at the Eldar's most arrogant moment, their race possessed a large number of psionicists who could rival you. Back then, extinguishing a star was merely a common form of entertainment for them.
You're being far too modest.

Morgan smiled, but her eyes remained fixed on the white pieces on the chessboard.

Within the Primarch, aside from Magnus and myself, no matter how powerful the psionic abilities of others were, they wouldn't be powerful enough to extinguish a star.

Even for the two of us, it would take some effort to achieve this effect.

The same principle applies.
The Emperor nodded.
+The Blood Spirits are probably the organization among the current Eldar that has the closest connection to the traditions of the ancient Eldar Empire. Their base was established tens of thousands of years ago, during the peak of the Eldar Empire, and they have no shortage of powerful psychic warriors who oppose the Blood Spirits. +
Therefore, do you think the Bloodlink people took into account the need to defend against attacks from these powerful beings when building their defensive fortresses?
【ah……】

Morgan nodded.

[You mean: the Bloodlust's fortress prioritizes defense against strong individuals like you and me, but has no plan to defend against "weak" individuals like my offspring.]

That's right.
After all, they never thought they could be defeated by someone of Astartes' caliber.
The emperor stretched out a hand and casually fiddled with the black pieces on the chessboard.

Just as air defense fields can stop extremely fast missiles and fleet fire, they are powerless against relatively slow-moving artillery shells and aircraft.
Therefore, we always see that the fleet's firepower coverage has no effect on the anti-aircraft field, but if the fleet crashes into it, the anti-aircraft field becomes useless.
I see... I understand.

So, your plan is to send two slower-flying "aircraft" to bypass the air defense field and allow them to deactivate the air defense button, or to allow my power to be unleashed directly inside the air defense field?

This is only one reason.
The Emperor's expression was unexpectedly calm. When Morgan tried to determine whether her genetic father was hiding anything by observing the details on his face, she only received failure and disappointment.

What is the other reason?

We need to control it.
The emperor pointed into the distance, towards the imperial army that was gradually regaining its organization and strength.

+The Bloodbringer is the Dark Eldar's most valued trump card. +
We all know how much they value their lives: and the Bloodlust is the only way to ensure their survival.
It's no exaggeration to say that Morgan...
+Don't be fooled by the fact that the Dark Eldar army still possesses fighting power comparable to ours. If news arrives that the Bloodlinkers have been completely destroyed or routed, at least half of the Dark Eldar will instantly lose their will to fight, and their allied forces will collapse in the blink of an eye. At that time, we will easily win the victory in Comoros. +
Of course I know that.

Morgan frowned, unsure whether it was because he didn't understand the deeper meaning behind the Emperor's words or because he was worried about the fate of the two white pieces on the chessboard.

Now, they are less than twenty minutes away from the first black piece.

That's why I'm curious: why don't we destroy the Bloodlust as soon as possible?

[I'll send two white pieces infiltrate, then transfer my power directly to them to destroy the Bloodling's lair, thus shattering the Dark Eldar's psychological defenses: we won't even need a second attack to advance all the way to the core of the Comoros without shedding a drop of blood.]

+It is theoretically feasible.
The Lord of Mankind seemed quite interested, but he quickly and firmly rejected the idea.

But don't forget, Morgan.
+We are quite far from the Bloodlust's lair, and destroying it would require an immense amount of power, even for you.+
Do you know what the consequences of this will be?

【Of course I know. 】

Morgan pursed his lips in disappointment.

Such a vast distance and such immense power.

[If I want to unleash my full potential, there's a high chance I'll lose control even if I try my best to.]

In other words, even if I manage to destroy the Bloodling's lair using these two white pieces, this spiritual power is highly likely to destroy the Comoros' outer barrier along with the lair, completely exposing this land to the warp.

This is exactly what I was worried about.
The Emperor moved another black piece.

In the face of warp space, time has no meaning.
And what we need most is time.
+That's right. Once the Bloodlinkers are destroyed, no matter how many Bloodlinkers survive, the Dark Eldar army will inevitably collapse: because the Bloodlinkers need enough spare parts and equipment to resurrect them, and once these things are destroyed, they will be difficult to restore. +
+And no Eldar would want to die until the Bloodlings are able to rebuild their lair. +
In other words, the destruction of the Bloodlust's lair marked the collapse of the Comorians' will to resist.
But the problem is, even if the Comorian army collapsed the next moment, victory wouldn't come immediately.
+We want to move our troops and machinery to the heart of the Comoros, completely pacify the region, establish stable mining areas, find what we need, extract it, and then transport it out of the Comoros: each step of this will take a significant amount of time. +
+If, at the same time the Bloodlings collapse, your psionic powers also shatter the outer defenses of the Comoros, releasing the demons from the warp, then they are highly likely to disrupt our work in the Comoros: the Dark Eldar army may have collapsed, but if replaced by a demon army, it will only be more troublesome.
Honestly, given the capabilities of the warp, I wouldn't be surprised if the demon army appeared directly in the core area of ​​Comoros the moment you broke through its defenses.
Therefore, this step is not feasible.
+The Dark Eldar are at least controllable adversaries, but the demons are completely uncontrollable.
So what are your plans?

The Primarch nodded, then asked.

It's very simple.
The emperor stretched his hand forward, as if trying to grasp something that belonged to him in the boundless void.

We need to destroy the Bloodlust, but we must time it precisely.
In short: when our army has routed the Comorian coalition forces head-on, breached the core city, secured our strategic dominance, and then found and extracted what we need, that will be the time for the complete annihilation of the Bloodlink.

【Um? 】

Morgan frowned.

At this point, do we still need to demoralize the Dark Eldar?

Of course.
The emperor smiled.

Once they realize what we want, they won't let us go so easily.

Therefore, we need a reason to shake their morale: for example, the destruction of the Bloodlust.
+And by then, even if the demons reappear, it will be too late to stop us. +
This is my plan.
+Only when we've finished the war and need to figure out how to extricate ourselves from the final madness of the Dark Eldar can we destroy the Bloodlink: don't let these damned aliens struggle against the demonic army on their own.
【Um……】

The Primarch nodded, narrowing her eyes as she slowly processed the Emperor's grand plan.

how to say……

That does sound very reasonable.

However, upon closer examination, one can quickly discover that there are many hidden dangers involved.

This is a typical imperial-style plan.

"You should know, Father, that the devil is unlikely to let us leave unscathed."

At least the four masters behind them must have been watching our actions in the Comoros all along.

I know.
The emperor was not surprised at all.

But this is our only chance, and the safest option of all.
We will inevitably face the devil; I can only try to minimize the threat.
【All right. 】

The Primarch nodded.

At this point, she couldn't say anything more.

In other words, I need to ensure that our two white pieces survive long enough in the Blood Elf's lair?

I know this is a challenge.
The emperor turned around, a slight smile on his face, and quietly observed his daughter.

But I know you can do it.

Why do you think that way?

The Spider Queen felt a chill run down her spine at the Lord of Man's unfounded confidence.

It's very simple.
A slight smile appeared on the emperor's lips.

+Because you are Morgan.

You may lack enthusiasm for anything, or feel powerless to do anything.
But there's one thing you'll definitely do your best at.
You mean...?

I mean...
+The master of the Dawnbreakers would never allow any of her offspring to be harmed under her nose, right?+
In this respect, you are far better than me, a father who has never been a good one.
【…】

【Humph! 】

At least you have some self-awareness.

Morgan lowered his eyelids, his tone sharp.

But the smugness on his lips was impossible to hide.

She reached out and casually pressed down on the black piece closest to the two white pieces: when her finger moved away, the black piece that symbolized danger had already disappeared from the chessboard without her noticing.

【Do not worry. 】

I will naturally take good care of my child.

However, don't forget the compensation you promised.

Don't worry.
The emperor nodded firmly.

+If he returns alive, I guarantee: the reward he receives will make any Astartes envious.
(End of this chapter)