Emperor's Bane

Chapter 204 The Shadow in the Cave
Happy people always have the same joy.

Unhappy people often experience depression in different ways.

Not even the warriors of the Astartes, not even the Primarchs, not even those who are stronger than them, cannot escape this pale and ridiculous law.

And when Ahriman figured this out, he was already standing on the wide and gloomy tarmac of the [Polaris] as an envoy of the No.15 Legion.

A steady stream of Dawnbreakers was circling around him, like a gray-white stream cut by the scarlet rock in the middle of the river, and all the Sons of Morgan revealed a physiological characteristic derived from their Primarch : The light-colored hair, and the cool-colored eyes.

The Son of Magnus looked at them, at these battle brothers from the Second Legion who also exuded psionic energy, and subconsciously counted their numbers: more than nine hundred, but less than a thousand.

The reason for doing this is because Ahriman knew that at this moment, passing by him were all the psykers in the Dawnbreaker Legion: the son of Magnus instinctively wanted to understand that he was here. How many of the same kind will there be on a battleship.

Just as the Lord of the Second Legion was making her visit to Prospero, Morgan sent all her psychic descendants to the ground of this world, and brought them all to Tizca City. The face of Gnus gave this order. At that time, they were in the Great Pyramid of Light of the Crimson King, admiring the possibility of communication and interaction with various creatures in the subspace that he wrote.

Magnus was very happy to hear that more Dawnbreakers would come to Tizca than just thirty entourages. This indecisive warp observer had a near-natural trust in his blood relatives, even In Magnus' eyes, it would be the best thing for Morgan to bring all his heirs to Tizca City to appreciate the prosperity and splendor here.

Immediately afterwards, the Crimson King immediately sent more heirs to arrange for them to receive the second batch of arriving Dawnbreaker visitors, while he himself ordered the mortal servants to prepare a room for his blood relatives to spend the night: Mag Nuss has already prepared the fantasy of Morgan staying here for a few days, talking with him at night with a light on, sleeping on his feet, discussing, learning and exploring the subspace together.

He has long wanted to do this: in the eyes of the Crimson King, academics cannot be too lonely, especially after his subspace travel with the Lord of Humanity has become a lingering fond memory in his mind, Magnus has been waiting for a good opportunity to be able to travel and study together in the warp with others.

Even Magnus knew that this was a fantasy: a powerful figure with the same wisdom and rationality as him, as well as understanding and indulging in subspace, the probability of his appearance is enough to be called even if you look at the whole galaxy. It's almost a fantasy.

But today, the fantasy has come true.

How could this not make him happy, how could it not excite him, how could it not make his beating heart thump, and wantonly accumulate infinite favor for this blood relative?
------

[My blood relatives. 】

【Being here with you really opened my eyes. I can even guarantee that each of my heirs will be shocked by every plant and tree in Tizka until they are speechless. 】

[An impressive day. 】

【but……】

[Sorry, brother. 】

【I gotta go. 】

【Right now. 】

------

But, unfortunately, Magnus' illusion was soon shattered.

When the Primarch of the Thousand Sons Legion told his blood relatives about the great future plan, he realized that he and Morgan had spent dozens of hours together. It's time for a break.

But Morgan's request goes a step further: the Primarch of the Second Legion, with a tactful, friendly but firm attitude, intends to end his trip in Prospero and return to her fleet, heading towards Sailing to more distant destinations.

For a moment, Magnus even wondered if he had accidentally offended this rare blood relative and bosom friend.

Is it because the knowledge he tells is not profound and profound enough?
Is the success he showed not enough successful and shocking?
Or... the city of Tizca isn't brilliant and great enough?Not prosperous and bright enough?Haven't revealed the mighty power of subspace yet?Isn't it enough to make his blood relatives agree with his great ideals from the bottom of their hearts?
Thousands of worries flashed through Magnus's mind, until Morgan smiled and took out a letter, a beautiful reply from others.

The letter came from Perturabo, the Iron Lord of Olympia.

The letter clearly stated: As early as when Morgan had just returned to her legion, that is, several Terra standard months before, the Spider Queen had already made an agreement with her Brothers of Steel.

They will have a meeting in Olympia to discuss the cooperation between some legions. According to the time, if Morgan delays in Prospero for a few more days, she may not be able to make the appointment on time.

As far as this is concerned, Magnus did not force his blood relatives to stay.

Morgan held the letter between his arms, and slowly came to Magnus, took his hand, and patted it. The sun hanging down from the west clearly cast the shadows of the two Primarchs on the Great Pyramid of Light. On the white stone wall, it looks like Goethe and Mephisto in mythology.

【Actually, I really want to stay here for a few days, Magnus. 】

[The shock I felt during these dozens of hours surpassed my ten years in the Randan War. 】

[During the Randan War, I witnessed the power of the Emperor. 】

【He is the ruler who can control the sun and the stars. 】

【He is the king who can decide the empire and the world. 】

[He is St. George. 】

[He is King Asa. 】

[He is Hercules who walks in the mortal world, grabbing Hydra's snake head. 】

【He is the one who slaughtered the gods and monsters, the anthropomorphic personification of dusk, with a raised hand, he cut down the Leviathan from another empire, another hegemony, and another throne in blood and madness, Turning it into one of the countless corpses under his throne. 】

【He is so great, so powerful, he dared to dream about grand plans and great achievements that thousands of people dare not dream of, and set off an expedition across the galaxy. 】

[In the galaxy, there are not many things our father dared not do. 】

【But what you have done is still beyond our father's imagination. 】

[Do you know what this means? 】

[Whether it's Tizka City or your army, it's an eye-opener for me. I never dreamed that in this era, I would see these scenes in front of me with my own eyes. These shocking existences, these Enough to make me cry silently, speechless beautiful melody. 】

[But you did it, Magnus, you did it all and aspired to do more: I don't think I have the wisdom to judge what you've done, but I believe in one thing, Magnus s. 】

[When you succeed, when Prospero really becomes the bridge between the subspace and the real universe as you said, and the day when the psionic awakening becomes the shadow of human beings. 】

[Trust me, Magnus. 】

[Whether it is our father, or most of our brothers, or even their followers and heirs, and those who are enough to represent the endless mortal auxiliary army, enough to represent the fleet of the entire galaxy, enough to represent the will and strength of the entire empire figure. 】

【They will all come to your Prospero, they will bring endless flames and shocks resounding throughout the world, and the whole Prospero will be completely submerged by the waves they set off. 】

[Everyone will whisper the Thousand Sons, all will whisper Prospero, and all will whisper your Magnus name: Then, in the long time to come, maybe no one will be able to call your name directly, and you will be A certain code name and symbol has become a special existence that even the bravest people will not easily mention. 】

【You... do you understand what I mean? 】

------

Morgan looked at Magnus.

Those blue pupils were shining with a dangerous light, staring straight at the brother who was stupid enough to make people helpless.

Driven by a certain inner emotion, in a certain minimum of pity, and in the pursuit of the ultimate benevolence, she looked directly at her blood relatives, and gently uttered this almost revealing language.

"..."

"..."

"..."

Magnus was silent, thinking. For a moment, he seemed to really listen to Morgan's words, and he could really grasp the evasive truth in these words.

The Spider Queen even felt that she had a hallucination: in the stupidly clear pupils of her blood relatives, there seemed to be a ray of real wisdom shining.

But in the next moment, with that familiar and disgusting smile returning to Magnus's face, Morgan knew: this is just an illusion after all.

Yes, Magnus figured it out.

He "figured it out".

The Primarch laughed. He took a step forward, grabbed the hand of his blood relative, and patted it with relief and gratitude.

"You're right, Morgan."

Looking at the smile in front of her eyes, Morgan suddenly felt very uneasy: her instinct was telling her that the string of words just now didn't seem to have any effect.

Or, they don't seem to work as she imagined?
Before she could finish thinking about it, Magnus's clear emotion slowly came to her ears.

"They won't call me by my first name anymore, it's true, Morgan, I really wouldn't have thought of it if you hadn't reminded me."

"Our brother Horus is revered as the Wolf Shepherd, and our other brother Sanguinius, everyone will call him an angel or an archangel, they are worthy of this, because their reputation has surpassed Their original names, their strength and feats made it all."

"If that day really comes, the day when my great ideal is realized, I will be like them. People will no longer call me by my name, but a title, a title that symbolizes respect and love."

"As you said, Morgan, I really should think about it. What should I be called by then?"

【…】

【…】

Morgan raised an eyebrow, and she gave her blood brother a serious look.

【Are you serious?My Magnus?]

The Crimson King smiled, and there was a hint of shyness in his laughter.

"Oh, Morgan..."

"Although as a scholar, in theory, I shouldn't care about this kind of false name, but you know, it also symbolizes the glory of the Thousand Sons Legion in a certain sense. I should pay attention to it, not to mention, Scarlet The title of king is really not satisfactory..."

Magnus smiled. He lowered his head and touched his neck, like a researcher who is a little shy but embarrassed by the most straightforward praise.

【…】

She wanted to sigh.

She wants to take a deep breath.

She even missed the lion a little bit.

The Spider Queen blinked her eyes. She looked at the Primarch in front of her who was self-serving and immersed in the beautiful fantasy of the future, and once again fell into a momentary doubt: Is this Magnus' true feelings? Or is it his acting skills that are so superb that people can't tell them apart?

Is he playing tricks on her?

Regardless, Morgan decided to make one last call.

[That sentence is not the point, my Magnus. 】

Morgan's words seemed to be accompanied by some kind of sigh.

【You should listen carefully to the part in the middle of what I just said. 】

[My Magnus, the title is not the real problem. 】

[It's them.Our fathers, our brothers, and those mortals. 】

[They will come to Prospero: When you realize your great ideals, they will come. 】

【They will bring flames, they will bring shock, they will bring waves, that may...】

She hesitated.

[Harming your legion, and everything in front of you. 】

【…】

By Morgan's standards, this sentence is too straightforward.

But even so, before the Spider Queen's self-condemnation for her reckless behavior came out, Magnus' hearty laughter had replaced his previous shy whispers, crackling in Morgan's ears. The bomb went off.

"You don't have to worry, Morgan."

"I've seen all this coming."

The Primarch's chest cracked as he slapped it.

"When I decided to start this plan a long time ago, I had expected all of this, and they were already in my expectation!"

"As I told you, even among our brothers, even among the best of our father's own creations, there are some hopelessly foolish ones who defy psychic power. Power, ignoring the real future, is using their superficial knowledge to act like a cart."

"I know what they will do, and I know that when my great plan is finally realized on Prospero, when this world becomes a passage and a bridge between the warp and the real universe, a safe eyeball, they will Things to do."

"flame?"

"of course."

"Of course they will come, and they will carry the flame, the flame in their hearts that burns with endless jealousy, barbarism, and fear, the flame that has killed countless great explorers."

"They will let their flames, let their savage roars, let their waves of ignorance sweep over Prospero, and they will have great desire to devour this kingdom of reason leading to the real future."

"They may confuse others, they may spread rumors, they may, as those tyrants in the age of strife did before, force the psykers to the opposite side of the masses, and pour vicious slander into the ears of our emperor, Tell my grand plans as a vicious and stupid sad sacrifice, before all witnesses."

"This is their fire, the vile fire of their hearts."

"Thank you for your reminder, Morgan, the word flame is indeed suitable to describe the gossip I will encounter."

"But I expected it."

"It's going to be a meeting, a meeting that they're calling, and they're going to want to put me on trial in there, put me on the back of what they've written, kill my great ideals In the belly, let the despicable flames in their hearts devour the truly beautiful future of mankind, and let their bones be turned into ashes."

"Just as those conservatives on Terra burned so-called witches with their flames in the farthest past, they will do the same to me."

"Don't worry, Morgan, I've already made plans for all this. I've made plans to face the flames in their hearts and mouths. I'm fearless!"

"I will fight them!"

"I will win!"

"Then start a new future!"

When it comes to this.Magnus raised his head, his face was so solemn and composed, like a forerunner who wanted to sacrifice for the truth.

"Meeting!"

"debate!"

"Even sending those barbaric little troops, trying to burn my library, trying to terrorize my people, trying to scare my actions back."

"I've expected it all."

"Whether it is me, the Thousand Sons, or everyone in Tizca City, we will not be afraid of these actions. We will hold high the banner of truth and the future, and use irrefutable speeches and truth to dispel those shadows. The hidden ones in the world are exposed incompletely."

After that, he raised his head, as if he remembered an old story.

"Do you remember that fable we discussed earlier, Morgan?"

[...The shadow in the cave? 】

"You still remember?"

A smile curled up at the corner of his mouth.

"The flame burned outside the cave, scattered the light, and shone into the cave, making the people living in the cave have shadows, but those people couldn't see the flames outside the cave, so they regarded the shadow as It’s something that already exists.”

"And now, I am the one who walked out of the cave, and I am the one who picked up and understood the flame. I will take the flame and return to the cave to tell them the truth of the world and the falsity of shadows."

"Of course they will be terrified, of course they will attack me with vile language, and they will even want to throw flames on me to verify their vicious thoughts: I have known these things for a long time."

"I know them, just like I know all the truths of this world, and all the fate of the world, so I have nothing to fear, Morgan, because the flame cannot hurt me, nor can it hurt my legion. "

"After all, even the most vicious flame in the world is so insignificant compared to the devastation brought by fate, and under my leadership and rescue, my legion has already overcome the test of fate. Needless to say, of course."

"Even if they really force me to go into the flames, I will go to Nirvana in the flames, and use iron-like facts to crush those hypocritical lies and stupidity."

The words of the Primarch were light and confident, and there seemed to be something completely different from Morgan's thoughts in his vision and brain, and his tone was blown into the sky, and never fell again. I can't come down.

Facing Morgan's words, which were so clear that even ordinary people could feel something was wrong, Magnus just couldn't understand the profoundness in them.

In other words, some of his arrogance and thoughts made him understand Morgan's words in his own way, as he should. Yes, the words of benevolence and righteousness.

At this moment, Morgan even had a little insight, and she even wanted to understand why.

At the end of the day, Magnus is just a scholar.

And scholar, in many cases, is not actually a commendatory word.

The Primarch of the Thousand Sons has returned to the Empire for 30 years, but he has never really fought a war in the strict sense. His experience of blood and fighting, and his understanding of the cruel and ruthless truth of this world are not even as good as Morgan just returned.

His cognition of the world, his despicableness between people, and the test he will suffer in the future seem to be limited to the flames in his heart and the grand debate he imagined.

Yes, in Magnus' mind, the worst situation he encountered was just that his father listened to the slander, held a grand trial meeting, and gave him the rightful opportunity to debate.

His words can overcome all this.Therefore, he has nothing to fear.

------

At the end of the day.

Accompanied by the long rest and replenishment of the Thousand Sons Legion, accompanied by Magnus's smooth sailing experience since his birth, accompanied by his innate, most powerful power.

The current Crimson King is just a child who has never even fallen over.

Morgan raised his head, and when Magnus didn't see her, but looked towards the distant city of Tizca, expressing his ambition, the Spider Queen's face returned to its original coldness and rationality for a moment.And that natural indifference.

------

So be it.

She has done her best.

------

For the current Morgan, her only expectation for this Prospero brother is to see what kind of wonderful drama he will play for herself in the future.

but……

Some things still need to be done.

------

Ideas are ideas,
Work is work.

------

Magnus heard a sigh, that sigh came from his blood relatives, and from that short and slight sigh, he heard some kind of sincere admiration for his endless knowledge and ambition, and he couldn't help but aroused Lip corners.

[That's it, Magnus. 】

【You convinced me. 】

Magnus giggled.

"Don't be so depressed, Morgan, my dearest blood."

"Actually, to be honest, over the years, you are the only person who can talk to me so deeply, and also the only person who can raise your concerns so clearly, even my proudest descendants, they also I can no longer maintain a clear mind after such a long communication and exchange."

"Of all our brothers, your wisdom and knowledge are second only to mine."

She thought about it, she seemed a little shy, but also a little grateful.

[This is actually your credit, the credit of the Thousand Sons, my brother, after all, the period of time my Thousand Sons lived allowed me to possess and understand these wisdoms. 】

Magnus smiled.

"You make me a little embarrassed. Morgan, I don't dare to covet this credit. You have only stayed in my army for less than two years. No matter how you say it, this is not a long time. .”

[No, Magnus. 】

[True wisdom, true teaching and enlightenment, have never had anything to do with the world. 】

[The flicker of a wise man at the moment of comprehending the truth is enough to surpass the decades of useless work of the wasted. 】

【I and the Thousand Sons Legion, every moment I spent with you are more precious to me than gold, gems, and all treasures in the world. 】

[Whether it was at dawn or now, you have given me an unforgettable impression, some truths that may take me decades, hundreds of years or even longer to discover, in the Thousand Sons Legion, in the By your side, I only need a moment to see them clearly and clearly. 】

[After all, for true wisdom, the most important thing is never the passage of time, nor is it how much material value it can bring. 】

[It's about whether it can light up the light in people's hearts at that truly important moment and open the way forward. 】

【Enlightenment is an instant thing. 】

[As you did here in Prospero, my brother. 】

[Just like the city of light you built for everyone. 】

[At least, you really helped me a lot here, Magnus. 】

[When I saw what you did with my own eyes, I thought, I was finally sure and understood. 】

【What is real wisdom? 】

[What is real rationality? 】

【What is, what I should strive to practice, what I should try my best to abide by, the real worldly truth. 】

[I saw it on you. 】

------

She didn't lie.

It was all true in what she said.

Every word, every note in her shocking speech is the most sincere speech from the bottom of her heart.

Magnus stared closely at the face of his blood relative, deciphering the words, and he finally came to this conclusion.

This is what Morgan said from the bottom of his heart.

This conclusion is unquestionable.

Because, what Morgan said was really all words from the heart.

------

Magnus's laughter had never been so high, so cheerful, so exciting.

For a moment, there was even a sincere tear rolling in the eyes of the Crimson King. It was the tear that any wise man would shed when he saw his light finally shining on someone else.That is the sincerest joy of not being alone anymore.

What more do I need to say?

There is nothing more to say.

In excitement and joy, Magnus bid farewell to his blood relatives, and ended this brief exchange between legions with some regret.

Almost without thinking about it, he complied with Morgan's request, and the first company commander Ahriman became an official envoy of the Thousand Sons Legion. He was about to pay a visit to the Dawnbreaker Legion and learn from each other for a long period of time.

The Primarch of the Thousand Sons Legion even waved his hand, promising Morgan's next hint: Ahriman would stay under Morgan's command, and he would stay in the Second Legion.Until the Thousand Sons Legion once again returned to the Great Crusade.

Until then, he will fight side by side with Morgan, and with Dawnbreaker.

That's going to be a long time.

And this is the last question discussed by the two Primarchs.

With the end of this question, those psykers of the Second Legion wandering the avenues of Tizca City, stunned, widening their eyes, looking at the wonders in all directions, were killed by their mothers. They grabbed them back one by one and stuffed them into the fighter planes returning to the battleship.

Magnus was sent all the way to the space station, and on the tarmac where he and Morgan met again on the [Sunshine], he bid farewell to his blood relatives.

Although the Thousand Sons didn't seem to have anything to support the legion, King Prospero still tried his best to draw a group of people who he thought would be able to help the Dawnbreaker from the Tizica Library. Psionic books.

These books are all the painstaking efforts of him and his heirs. Now, they are donated to the Second Army as a batch of the most important materials in Masi's heart.

The Crimson King was satisfied to see that both his blood relatives and her heirs accepted these precious gifts with the most serious expressions.

And at the last moment when the two parties separated, Morgan was chanting a spell lightly.When she was about to return to her battleship, she turned her head, looked at the smiling face of her blood relative, and hesitated for a moment.

Still said the last words.

[Maybe, you should think about it, Magnus. 】

"Considering what?"

[Consider some dangers. 】

【Do you still remember what Perturabo said back then?At that time, there were only three of us present. 】

[If there are places in the warp that even the Emperor dare not explore, then why should we go? 】

[Our father may not really want you to explore some places in the subspace. 】

Magnus smiled.

In his pupils, a layer of radiance flashed.

Morgan could see clearly.

It was a form of irremediable arrogance.

That's a pathetic stupidity.

It was a kind of indescribable ignorance and madness that was formed in the smooth sailing protected by a higher level of existence when he was deceiving and playing tricks.

"If our father really didn't want me to explore all that."

"Then he will tell me, and he will tell me plainly."

"After all, his love for me is unique."

"But the truth is..."

"He didn't tell me."

"He doesn't think it's a cause for concern, Morgan."

"And me, too."

(End of this chapter)