Emperor's Bane

Chapter 231 Hello, Guilliman ([-])

"So, you met your Primarch after the Randan War ended?"

"Specifically, we didn't know what we were going to encounter at first, we were assembled because of the Emperor's order, and then we learned about the Primarch."

Lana absent-mindedly answered the words of the Ultramarines on the side, with one hand resting on the gun at his waist, and his two eagle-like pupils were constantly looking for the window in front of him and on the right: the window in front of him At the end of the field of vision was the gate guarded by several warriors, and in the window to his right, there were constant laughter from the two Primarchs and Ms. Eudon.

The chief old guard listened carefully to the conversation in the room, squinting his eyes, thinking about something that made him feel strange, something about Guilliman.

"Randan..."

Beside him, Ultramar's Yingjie Valentus sighed softly.

"At the beginning, I was actually a part of the Randan War. The Ultramarines also sent a battle group to support the front lines of the Randan War. Although we did not go to the most important battlefields, we also had a battle with Basmema. Nick's aliens fought against each other, and the loss was not small, and I was a witness to that battle."

"I fought on the front line of Ran Dan for ten years... no, it seems to be five years... or ten years?"

Yingjie from Ultramar was whispering there, gradually turning from affirmative explanations to somewhat suspicious soliloquy. He touched his head, and after a few seconds, he sighed with emotion.

"A few days ago, I could remember more things, but now I can't remember those things, even those brothers who died in the Randan War, I even forgot why some of them died of."

Lana's eyes drifted briefly because of this whisper, he and Valentus looked at each other silently, and then sighed in unison.

"Yes, Valentus, and I can think of nothing more about Randan."

"I remember the war, I remember it being fought for a long time, and I remember that at the end of the war we brought back the Primarch, who had already earned herself the title of Soul Drinker in the war: but except Other than that, I have forgotten."

"Have you ever seen Ran Dan?"

"I seem to have seen it—but I'm sure I've forgotten it. If you had asked me a few days ago, I might have been able to describe it."

"It looks like we are the same, and I could have sworn I remembered more things a few days ago, and a few months ago, I could even tell vividly about my experience fighting Ran Dan, but now , I only remember that I fought them, but where, when, and even who I fought with at that time, I have completely forgotten."

"Maybe in a few days, I will even forget Ran Dan's name."

"Then I might be better than you."

Lana raised the corners of his mouth and showed a silent smile. He was still listening to the conversation in the house: most of the time it was Ms. Euton who made the statement, and her words were rational that even the warriors of the Astartes had to sigh with emotion. In other words, the voice of his genetic mother also often sounded, usually a response with a smile and a smile, which would often rekindle Ms. Euton's slightly subdued enthusiasm, and as for that Macragge's ruler Officer, his seat was often surrounded by awkward silences, often only passive responses to Ms. Euton.

"At the very least, we will definitely remember the time when we reunited with the Primarch, and Ran Dan may be remembered by the way, and the name of the Soul Drinker will definitely be sung."

"That's not necessarily true, from the battle brothers of the Dawnbreaker."

Facing Lana's swear words, Guilliman's champion warrior just showed a harmless smile, and nodded his head while pointing his fingers.

"You know, it's all Divine Terra's will, and while no mandatory paper orders have been given, we all know how firm and uncommunicative they are on this matter: Now, I've seen Too many mortals have forgotten everything about the Randan War, and they even wonder why the Dark Angels are so suddenly attrition."

"Sooner or later, we will also forget all this. I don't understand how the Holy Terra did it. It may be a powerful psychic method, from the handprinter or even the lord of mankind, but obviously ...."

Guilliman's champion grunted softly.

"They don't intend to tell us, and they don't intend to tell the five hundred worlds."

Lana didn't reply. He glanced at the Ultramarine who was muttering to himself, and felt a familiar aura: he had also clearly felt this aura when he was in Lord Macragge's gestures. Ms. Euton, or every Ultramarian he talked to, had the same aura.

It was a strong sense of independence, a kind of arrogance and dignity unwilling to be assimilated, a kind of rebellion and disregard that was incompatible with the empire and the holy Terra: this kind of breath appeared in the body of the hero of Ultramar in front of him, It's exactly the same as Guilliman's silent attitude.

We are the people of Ultramar, part of the five hundred worlds, not an empire: each of them seems to be emphasizing this kind of thing, and the Lord of Humans and his throne seem to them more like a monument that must be respected. The statue is the co-owner of the federation formed by the five hundred worlds and the human empire, but that's all.

Such silent words made the old guard from Terra very uncomfortable, but he didn't say it quickly, because Lana knew very well that as the guard of the mother of genes, there were only two things he needed to do most : To die without hesitation, and to always remember the silence.

But then again: Lanar felt an indifferent respect for the sacred Terra in almost every Ultramarian he talked to, and these Ultramarines born in Macragge Compared with mortals, Guilliman is the one who attaches more importance to the Lord of Men and the Holy Terra.

It's interesting, isn't it?
Inwardly, Lana smiled silently. He checked the left and right sides of the room again, and then almost casually answered the words of the Ultramarines.

"Let's forget about the Primarch, it's hard, Valentus, we've already written the name [Soul Drinker] in the Hall of Glory of the ship, the name of our Gene Mother The first honor we will sing about forever."

"I used to think so too, until I saw those memories about Ran Dan inexplicably disappear in the minds of mortals."

Ultrama Yingjie shook his head, he looked at the Dawnbreaker beside him, and made a small joke.

"Seriously, from battle-brothers of Avalon: maybe, I mean maybe, you'll forget the meaning and history of that name one day, just remember that it's part of a glorious history, and you might guess drinking The meaning of the name "Soulman" even allowed some fighters to inherit this name, so that it would not be forgotten again."

"A team called Soul Drinkers? Interesting, what will happen to them next? Will they become spiders? Or mutant creatures like spiders?"

"spider?"

"Our genetic mother occasionally calls herself a spider, just as the lord of the Fenrisians called himself a wolf, and maybe we're going to be attuned to that."

"Becoming a spider: that would be too bad: sounds as bad as having the fruits of the Great Crusade wiped out."

The light laughter of the two Astartes warriors echoed through the courtyard for a moment.

After laughing for a while, Guilliman's champion winked at Lana and asked a question that made him curious.

"Speaking, brother, I'm actually curious about one thing: what does it feel like to have a genetic mother? Can you describe it to me roughly?"

"Then you have to tell me first what it's like to have a genetic father."

"Um……"

The two thick lips of Valentus bit each other tightly, and he sank for a few seconds, as if contemplating how to condense the long and supreme praise of his Primarch into a short holy hymn .

"Let's put it this way: Before I met my genetic father, I felt like a blank book. Although it existed, it was full of confusion and emptiness. Then, my genetic father came to me, He picked up the pen and wrote pages full of wisdom and dreams, and it was from the moment he picked up the pen that I knew why I should live and how I should live.”

"how about you?"

Guilliman's champion warrior looked at Morgan's chief guard, and the latter only showed a faint smile, and spoke slowly, with a firm voice that did not allow any doubt or rejection.

"Our genetic mother? The moment we met her..."

"We came out of the endless night into the eternal dawn, who brought hope and the future, who dispelled division and chaos, who became our sun, our master, the whole meaning of our short life: is So simple."

"Is this the origin of Dawnbreaker?"

"This is the name she personally bestowed. In fact, it doesn't matter what the name is. What she bestows must be the most sacred and most cherished by us."

"It's really admirable."

Yingjie of Ultramar touched his chin, he thought for a while, and then looked at Lana again.

"You don't seem to have fully answered my question, though: what's it like to have a genetic mother?"

"This kind of thing is unfounded after all, and you can't feel it."

Lana fell into distress for less than a second, and then he heard another joyful joke in the room, which made his somewhat confused answering ideas see a guiding light.

"To put it simply, it's like your genetic father and his adoptive mother: but I can guarantee that our genetic mother's love for us is more intense and intense."

"Is this a provocation?"

"No, just a rational statement about the gap between a Primarch and a mortal."

The Ultramarine snorted lightly, but didn't delve into the words. He also turned his head and glanced at the room where laughter was constantly coming out, and suddenly realized something.

"maternal love?"

Lana smiled.

"It's a strange word, isn't it, but it's an extremely familiar word, after all, we revisit it every moment: whether it's us and our genetic mother, or Lord Guilliman and his Mothers are telling us the meaning of maternal love."

"Books can also tell us these things, Lord Lana."

"Books are unreliable."

"Unreliable? What should I do?"

"See it with your eyes, or experience it yourself."

Lana pointed to the room.

"Just like what your Primarch said just now: Father's love and mother's love are the most basic things. Any normal person, even a mortal, will have it and know it, including how they are without parents. What came into the world?"

"It's true, which normal person doesn't have parents? Although we have largely forgotten the things of the mortal period, we still remember these most basic things."

"Yes, which normal person would not have a mother and a father."

"Do you remember too? Your Excellency Lana?"

"A bit vague, but of course I remember it."

"It's true. After all, can a person without parents be considered a normal person? Could it be a wild child who jumped out of the soil, or crawled out of the laboratory?"

The two Astartes smiled at each other and lightly bumped their fists.

""Pitiful. ""

------

Before the laughter dissipated, a burst of hurried footsteps interrupted their conversation.

All I saw was Auguston holding an electronic board, his already solemn face was now like a tight rock, full of anxiety and urgency.

Yingjie of Ultramar instantly became serious. He took the electronic board, and just glanced at it, his pupils were filled with the cold light of death.

------

"My lord, it's an emergency."

Valentus' voice summoned Lord Macragge out of the room, Guilliman closed the door solemnly, and walked into the courtyard with his champion warrior, the Dawnbreaker who seemed to be the chief of Morgan's guard After saluting him, he retreated into the corridor.

"What is it, Valentus?"

The Primarch knew that the champions he had hand-picked were no one to make a fuss about.

"We have received news about the Osiris psionic species."

In just a few words, Lord Macragge's eyes widened instantly.

"give it to me!"

The unquestionable and serious order allowed Guilliman to obtain the electronic board. He carefully looked at the communication full of words, as if a dedicated teacher was checking the test paper, and Valentus and Auguston There was no element of astonishment on their faces at all. In fact, the chilling aura on their bodies even surpassed that of Guilliman.

Osiris psionic species.

This name is enough to make Lord Macragge and each of his heirs recall those darkest years, and rightly ignite the burning flame of vengeance deep in their hearts at the next moment.

And all of this stems from a tragic defeat, a dark legend that happened before Guilliman returned to the empire.

In the first few decades of Terra standard years when the Emperor started his great crusade, the No.13 Legion, known as the "Sons of War" at that time, was a model of siege. Their courage and glory made them quite sacred. Terra's trust, so when the eleven galaxies of the Osiris star cluster joined forces to rebel for no reason, the No.13 Legion, led by Legion Chief Vosoto, was assigned the mission of countering the rebellion by the War Council.

At the beginning, the No.13 Legion saw this as an ordinary rebellion, and they developed a quick beheading tactic, determined to minimize the impact of the situation: but this compassionate idea was like a bubble in the face of reality It was generally broken, and the mistakes in the intelligence battle made the Astartes fighters not think about who their real opponent was, and when they realized this mistake, the No.3 Legion, which had only 13 people at that time, had already Overwhelmed by endless mind-controlled slums and suicide attacks.

A alien race that has never been noticed by the empire has long used their vicious brain control technology to master the entire Osiris star cluster. They squandered the lives of billions of mortals at will, forcing them to use continuous suicide attacks Breaking through the Astartes' front line, the original beheading strike quickly turned into a tragic breakout operation.

The No.13 Legion swallowed their bitter fruit of failure: Legion Commander Vosotho died on the spot, and the flagship of the Legion [Sutherland Thunder] also sank together, and the loss of large and small personnel and materials was not counted. In short, all the glory and pride became extremely dim in the face of this failure, and the entire legion took a big step forward on the path of decadence.

And when a year later, when the revived Sons of War returned to the Osiris star cluster again, they suddenly found that the entire star cluster had been abandoned, and there were sad corpses everywhere, or walking like zombies. Civil Warlords in general, those vicious xenos have long since fled, leaving behind only one profane name that makes the sons of Guilliman gnash their teeth: Osiris Psionic Seed.

A few years later, the No.13 Legion reunited with its original gene, and Guilliman, of course, shared this hatred with his descendants, vowing to greet and destroy these aliens one day: In the following decades, they once caught news of the Osiris psionic species, but missed it repeatedly.

"But this time! We're pretty sure!"

Auguston bit these words word by word, his pupils flashed with a light of common hatred.

"Several exploration fleets sent similar information at the same time: They discovered several galaxies in the same condition as the Osiris star cluster in the southwestern part of the Milky Way, at the southernmost end of the Storm Star Field, and found similar traces: It is certain that those Alien must be active nearby in the near future."

"Southern Storm Starfield..."

Guilliman held the electronic board and couldn't help muttering to himself.

"I remember...there hasn't been a large-scale exploration by the empire?"

"Yes, the southernmost junction of the Far East Starfield and the Storm Starfield has always been a blind spot for the empire to explore. The empire has very few footholds there. The only known ones are the death guard's home star Babarus and the foundry world. Zhao—Akada."

"However, as long as we gather our fleet and start from Talsar, the westernmost point of the five hundred worlds, we will only need a short time to get there. There is a high probability that there will be no danger in the middle. According to a few reports from the exploration fleet Judging from the intelligence, most of the worlds there are immigrants from the ancient times. They lack the technology of void navigation, and their technology and social culture are also different. culture."

Guilliman listened quietly to his son's excited words, and his big hand gently brushed over Auguston's unfolded star map, brushing over those border worlds that the empire has explored but has no energy to recover and rule for the time being: Ryan, Monsgel, Nuceria, Antagonis, Mortant...

Finally, he shook his head.

"No, Auguston."

"Don't go for now."

"But! My lord..."

"Have you forgotten, Auguston? The reason for the failure of the first Osiris War?"

"High probability, possibility, maybe, how can such words appear in the planning and discussion of a war? Are we going to entrust victory to illusory luck?"

Guilliman's voice rose slightly.

"Intelligence! A mistake in intelligence! Let the No.13 Legion fall into a trap! We can't repeat this mistake... Send out all the exploration fleets and scouting fleets we can, and continue to explore along the routes we have learned before. Find a safe path."

"At the same time, let the five hundred worlds of Ultramar enter the primary combat readiness state, cancel all temporary missions and vacations of the naval fleet, I need them to be able to gather urgently when necessary, if it is really the Osiris psionic species, this time I will I will bring a hundred thousand Ultramarines to crush them thoroughly!"

The Primarch's slight reproach and firm promise made the two Ultramarines nod yes, and after they each took their assignments and hurried away, Guilliman stood where he was for a while, digesting what he had seen.

Osiris psionic species, of course he will destroy these bastards, even if it is to erase the last dark cloud in the mind of the Ultramarines: but on the other hand, the Primarch quickly remembered the information he had collected over the years, and remembered The terrifying psionic power of these xenos, remember how easily they manipulated the minds of tens of billions of people, overwhelming the formations of the Astartes with endless human wave tactics.

It's not something he can ignore.

Maybe……

Guilliman glanced at the window: behind it, sitting with Lady Euton, was one of the most powerful psykers Macragge had ever known.

In a safe thinking environment, the brain of the Master of Ultramarines was functioning quickly and correctly. When he heard the chatter and laughter behind the window, a plan for joint operations was formed in Guilliman's mind. .

Joint Operations: This may be a pity for the honor of the Ultramarines, but it is not too serious. If the cooperation with Dawnbreaker, and Morgan in particular, can be used in the terrible witchcraft of Osiris psionic power Next, if more lives of the Ultramarines are saved, then Guilliman doesn't mind a joint battle at all.

Well, maybe those heirs under his command who have a blood feud with the Osiris psionic species may not feel too comfortable, because it will discount the holy revenge in their eyes, but the Primarch always has to think more: the last At least in Guilliman's view, the loss of a little honor is really nothing compared to the lives of hundreds, thousands, or even more Ultramarines, and the dissatisfaction of the heirs is not too serious. not to mention……

If he really wants to have a good cooperation with his blood relatives, then it is obviously a better idea to fight side by side with blood thicker than water than to allocate stars full of calculations and considerations on the star chart, which can even make There is a closer relationship between the two legions, and there will be a tacit understanding when necessary.

This can even be regarded as a kind of favor to the holy Terra...

……

Guilliman shook his head and stopped his somewhat divergent political thinking. The laughter from the window interrupted him, making the Lord of Ultramarines a little curious: in his impression, Ms. Euton had already I haven't smiled so happily for a long time.

The Lord of Macragge hesitated for a moment. He should have opened the door and returned to the room, but he did not do so for the time being: prompted by a certain curiosity, the surprise of the few Ultramarines guarding the courtyard In his eyes, Guilliman tiptoed to the window and looked into the room curiously. He knew that the window was a blind spot in the room, so his observation was safe.

The Lord of Macragge saw the information in the house at a glance: Ms. Euton and his blood relatives were still sitting on the bench, and Morgan's height had unknowingly turned into a level that was no different from ordinary people. , which allowed the lord of the palace affairs to hold her hand intimately, put their hands on each other's knees continuously, and pat them lightly, matching their continuous whispers.

The two ladies whispered and chatted in this way, showing tacit smiles from time to time, pulling on one topic after another in each other's soft promises and curious inquiries. They even put their ears close to each other's ears, and from such a mysterious A few words revealed in the words are enough to arouse Guilliman's inner curiosity, even anxiety.

He vaguely heard words: Avalon, pen pals, and Kelly Fanny.

In this way, the two ladies sometimes sat on the bench, sharing their experiences and knowledge with each other, and sometimes leaned forward, leaning their arms on their knees, sharing the drinks and pastries on the table. The topic seems never-ending, and the bright smile on Ms. Euton's face never seems to stop.

At the very beginning, Guilliman could still raise the corners of his mouth, feeling the joy of sympathizing with his adoptive mother for the long-lost sincere joy, but when the leader of the Invincible Iron Guard slowly approached his genetic origin out of curiosity, When he was naked, he could already see the sourness after a kind of joy on Guilliman's face.

Yes, sour, only for a moment, but it really exists.

"She's smiling, Glod."

Guilliman called softly to the head of his invincible iron guard. The voice was like a deep emotion, and it was like a young man with an indifferent face complaining about his mother in a low voice.

"It's been a long time since I saw her smile so happily. In Macragge, in front of me, she was always so serious, rational and formal, as if I couldn't make her happy anymore."

The Lord of the Ultramarines muttered, and he took another look at the scene in the room, and then looked back with some disgust, as if he had lost interest, and turned his gaze to the sun that was gradually sinking.

"It's so late?"

The Primarch asked softly questions that no one would answer, and he slowly turned his face seriously, as if nothing in the world could affect him anymore.

Then, there was a new burst of laughter in the house.

The Lord Macragge muttered something under his breath, and then fell silent, before glancing inside again.

"...you may go in, my lord."

"...I know, Glod, I know."

------

The good times ended at the moment when the sky darkened. Although Ms. Euton still seemed full of energy, both the Lord of Macragge and the visiting Queen of Avalon all tactfully but firmly hoped that the old man could Have a healthy work and rest schedule.

And after Ms. Euton finally went to rest, Guilliman did not choose to continue today's agenda: there is still plenty of time, Morgan's visit to Ultramar is destined to be a journey that lasts for a few days or even longer, Guilliman He is not in a hurry for one night, not to mention, he does need some private time to deal with government affairs from all over the five hundred worlds.

Morgan is also happy to enjoy the luxurious bedroom prepared by Guilliman. She doesn't mind keeping the mortal work and rest time at all, and she also wants to try the feeling of spending the night on the home planet of her blood relatives: originally all this will be done in Prospero, but Magnus' brilliant performance made the Lord of the Second Legion feel that he was really out of luck.

And in order to thank the blood relatives for their hospitality, Morgan took out a book from his arms in the corridor of temporary farewell, a book that shone with unnatural and illusory colors against the night and marble. It looks like a bound volume of several books.

After seeing the gift from Guilliman, Morgan led his guards to his bedroom, and when Lana turned the last corner, he suddenly heard a question from Mother Gene .

【What do you think of my brother? 】

The Old Guard blinked.

"He is not a bad man, my lord."

【Is it? 】

Even without turning around, Lana could imagine the smile on Mother Gene's face.

[But during a certain period of time today, my child, I can feel your fierce attitude towards him. 】

"That's true, mother, I once thought that he was as ambitious as the rumors said, and that today, in front of you, he has completed a series of campaigns in which he dismounted with a strong army, threatened with a sphere of influence, and displayed his ambitions." Disrespectful move."

"but……"

[But you later found out that you were actually wrong. 】

"Yes, my lord."

The two continued to walk, and their figures left shadowy traces on the wall.

"But after seeing his division and processing of the star chart, and after hearing his and your conversation with Ms. Euton, I have come to a new conclusion in my doubts."

"His so-called severance may really be a grand welcome ceremony, to welcome his blood relatives with the best attitude."

"Most of the worlds he pointed out that were close to the Avalon star area were also abandoned by him, which means that he may have simply explained and reminded us at first that he can provide help anytime and anywhere."

"Although his behavior of demarcating the national border is indeed inappropriate, it also shows that he has a natural trust in you and sincerely intends to cooperate with you, so he decided to reveal the psychological expectations and bottom line of both parties first."

"So, after thinking about it all, I have a new guess."

"Master Guilliman is indeed not malicious, but his kindness is something that ordinary people can hardly accept: because all his kindness actions contain almost instinctive political thinking, and a kind of aristocratic arrogance and reserve that is beyond words. .”

"That was clearly good intentions, but what he showed was more like giving and rewarding."

"I think that's probably part of his bad reputation."

Lana's soft words quickly dissipated in Hera Castle in the middle of the night, followed by Morgan's deep laughter.

[Lana, my child. 】

[I have always been right about you: you have the two rarest talents, you have the eagle eye that can see through the truth of things, and you have the courage to speak the truth. 】

【And the latter is infinitely more precious than the former. Even among my brothers, I only know one person who possesses such courage and stubbornness. 】

"Does this bother you, my lord?"

[No, no, no, on the contrary, in front of me, you should keep your talent, I will need it very much, but you must also know that in front of outsiders, cover it up, especially hold back the second point. 】

"Yes, my lord, as you wish."

Lana stood where he was, saluting, until Morgan closed the door to the bedroom, where he stood like a statue in front of the door.

He will be in charge of the vigil for the first half of the night.

------

The Lord of Macragge sat down in front of the brooder left behind by his adoptive father, rubbing his temples, thankful that there wasn't much work to do today.

Therefore, after a little thought, Guilliman decided to look through the books given by his blood relatives: According to her, this is only the first gift, and the rest are still on the ship.

The Lord of Macragge didn't really care about presents, but the kindness from his blood relatives still made him happy. Therefore, he decided to read a few pages first, treating it as a pastime before official work.

The thick book was easily held in the palm of Lord Macragge. He first glanced at the cover, and then sniffed the fragrance of ink that hadn't completely dried up with satisfaction.

The cover of the book is made of a simple cloth, it looks like it has been maintained by psychic power, it is decorated with bronzing heraldry, and several large characters are written in silver light.

The Holy Book of Psychics

Guilliman saw the name.

He touched the words again and felt the coldness on them.

Finally, when he opened the book, he couldn't help but nodded.

holy scriptures

holy scriptures

Very nice name.

(End of this chapter)