Emperor's Bane

Chapter 273 Do You Want A Shield Machine?

Riddles, nonsense, vague words.

It is full of unspoken and messy references commonly used by subspace creatures: and these chaotic sentences are often necessary elements for a sophisticated lie.

When Vashtor's last babble surfaced in Morgan's ears, this was the Spider Queen's instinctive judgment of her words, and her brows could not help but frown, making the air in the hall a little bit heavier.

"Shall I destroy it, my lord?"

Feeling the displeasure of her lord, Virgo began to move her fingers. The hot plasma and electric current were running under her soft and innocent snow-white soft fingers. The fingers that were used to kneading dough and yeast were also moving at this moment. Always waiting to pull out the tiny Gauss cannon and linear particle cannon.

The red pupils reflected the appearance of countless data and observation results, revealing the whispers of the Destroyer, and the Lord of the Second Legion only needed to hum softly to activate this terrifying weapon of war.

But quite rarely, Morgan did not answer her beloved maid, but slowly closed her eyes, and was quiet for a while. When she opened her pupils again and looked at the Creator in front of her, her pair of eyes The bluish-blue pupils that had been in a daze had returned to clarity.

In Vashtor's chest, because of this rational light, there was a roar of gears that was almost admiration and joy. It still stood in place, like a steel statue that was too abstract.

Morgan spoke up.

【You broke your promise, steel demon, do you think that long speech you just made was a clear statement?This can go against your original promise. 】

Vashtor nodded, it wasn't offended by the blunt accusation.

"Regarding this point, please allow me to apologize to you, sir, I have a reason to do this: in the subspace, there are some secrets and darkness that even I cannot easily mention. You explained it clearly, and caused more damage to my interests."

【Then can you bring me any other benefits, devil? 】

[For example, that deal you've been thinking about?Do you have any leverage to impress me? 】

[The existence you revealed called Plague Heart, although it does have extraordinary value, but its name alone is enough to make me flinch. 】

"My chips are more valuable than you can imagine, Your Excellency."

Vashtor made a noise that might have been annoyed or approving.

[Then take it out, every second of your hesitation is cutting my patience. 】

"as you wish."

Vashtor was silent for a while, as if he was preparing the necessary logic for the formally started transaction. Its eyes like lamps were burning with flames without fuel, which looked extremely strange.

In its hard chest, countless gears driven by flesh and blood were constantly grinding together, and finally roared out the coherent words of the Lord of the Soul Furnace slowly.

"The Plague Heart is just a deposit I gave you. It symbolizes the sincerity basis of our transaction and the value this transaction will bring to each other. Before you finally choose to use this item, I absolutely It will not violate the treaty we signed."

【After that? 】

"We could be enemies, or partners again: it all depends on where we are positioned going forward and whether you're willing to do the deal again."

The Spider Queen was quiet for a while.

【So, what will you give me? 】

Vashtor's biomechanical limbs rubbed against the slate and made a harsh sound. The demon demigod waved his hand, and a huge screen was formed on its arched spine, high enough for the Primarch to see. Clear every inch of the content projected on it.

The content played on the screen on the devil's back is not complicated. They are three indescribable ancient devices, one of which is staying in the plague heart in front of Morgan at this time, and one of the remaining two looks like Like the engine of a battleship, the third, whose disorder and twist the Primarch hated.

"From the very beginning, the Plague Heart was not a lonely existence, Your Excellency, it has two equally ancient companions, although each of them possesses great power, but only when the three of them come together , they can play a real role.”

"Unfortunately, I can't give you the other two devices together, but I already have information about their whereabouts and the hiding place of the remaining two devices, which is my other bargaining chip in this transaction."

[What are their names? 】

"Except for Plague Heart, the remaining two are named Ouroboros and Tuchulcha Engine."

[You just said that each of them possesses powerful power, what kind of power is that? 】

"Sorry, I can't tell you the answer at this time, you can explore by yourself."

[Plague Heart doesn't work either? 】

"Yes, this will offend the Lord of Corruption."

【All right……】

[So, tell me, where are the remaining two devices? 】

Vashtor didn't answer immediately, and the cold voice it projected into Morgan's armor speaker turned into some ancient whisper.

"A long time ago, in the long river of history that you can't find, there was an extremely tragic war. That war even promoted my appearance in the subspace."

"During that great war that was enough to burn heaven, a race that was as powerful as a god fell, and they were the creators of the three ancient devices in front of you. These ancient devices were created at the end of the war, And given a great mission."

"But before these devices could fulfill their purpose, the war was over, and their creators fell, leaving only a few terrified successors, who claimed to be the new masters of the galaxy: those who feared the power of these ancient devices. Power, and that great mission, so the successors dismantled the three devices and imprisoned them in different places until today."

"In the passing of the years, the Plague Heart has passed into my hands; and the Tuchuercha Engine has successfully escaped from prison a long time ago, and it is looking everywhere for the one it is waiting for, because it is eager to be needed and used .”

"That person can be you."

"Also, it's very close to you, very close."

【You don't want to tell me that the engine is on my Avalon? 】

"Not really."

"But it is in the land that you rule, called the Far Eastern Frontier: I may remind you that the Tuchuercha Engine is a cold and cruel creation, it has only its mission in its eyes, and it Possesses the power to enslave other beings, and it often does."

"As for your Avalon: there are also very interesting things on it, but that has nothing to do with your deal with me. If you want to find out, I suggest you prepare all the power you can."

【Thank you for reminding. 】

"After all, our transaction will be very long. For the time being, your death will do me more harm than good."

【very good. 】

【So, what about ouroboros? 】

"Ouroboros is the only device that has not been able to escape its cage, although it is actually the most terrifying, depraved, and powerful of the three ancient devices, and because of this, its cage is the most powerful. strong."

"Its cage bound its spirit, although Ouroboros was tirelessly corroding its cage, turning the world where it was imprisoned into a terrible hell, but just a few decades ago, a creation that fell from the sky made Its efforts are nearly in vain."

【…】

Morgan frowned, and the most obvious hint in Vashtor's words made the Primarch realize something quickly.

【Where is it?tell me. 】

"A name you are very familiar with."

"Caliban."

"Ouroboros, on Caliban."

【…】

Morgan was silent for an extraordinarily long time.

The demon demigod did not disturb the Spider Queen's silence. Along with Morgan's contemplation, the steel statue also temporarily fell into dead silence. Only the loud sound of a war engine in its chest could reveal its existence.

The Lord of the Second Legion lowered her head. She used half of her will to guard against the possible sneak attack of the devil at any time, while the other half gathered in her mind, setting off layers upon layers of huge waves of thoughts, and the number Tens of thousands of inferences and possibilities are mixed together, and every loophole that may have a trap is carefully selected and checked until Morgan's deep-rooted cautious attitude is slightly satisfied.

Although Vashtor's words were as sincere as his body, and even though the spider queen's psychic power had never detected any concealment, when the Creator slowly finished his bargaining chip, Morgan still immediately fall into……

doubt.

...this is not right.

Coincidence, too coincidental.

Three ancient artifacts, one is right in front of him, the other is also in his own country, and the last one sounds far away on the other side of the galaxy, but it is Caliban...

Does her lion brother have any reason to refuse her visit?

At first glance, it seems that she can easily obtain these three ancient devices and their powerful unknown power, which is really...

Too easy.

What was in front of her was a powerful unknown power that was easily obtained.

【…】

Morgan wasn't sure if Vashtor's words were really undisguised, but one thing she was sure of: the last Primarch to face such a powerful, mysterious, yet easy force was Mag nous.

Thinking of this name, most of the spider queen's slowly burning flame was extinguished in the blink of an eye.

"Do you have any concerns?"

Perhaps it was because the Spider Queen's silence lasted for too long, and even the demon demigod, who had always maintained an icy attitude, had no choice but to ask questions.

Morgan glanced at the Creator, and in return for its sincerity, she didn't hide her true thoughts.

[I don't trust you, devil. 】

[The things you gave me are really too beautiful and powerful, and they are so easy to get, it doesn't seem like I need to pay more. 】

[This condition is so good that it is already suspicious. 】

"indeed so."

Vashtor nodded.

"But you overlooked one point: you just heard what you will get, but you haven't heard what I need you to pay. Your judgment only refers to half the truth, so it doesn't have real value."

"Do you want to continue listening?"

【Let me think about it. 】

Morgan casually dismissed Vashtor's questions. Her main will had already left this conversation, and came to the depths of her heart that had just gained some order and stability.

Although she really didn't want to admit it, the Spider Queen knew clearly: when faced with the existence of this kind of subspace that she didn't quite understand, she had to get a guarantee, a promise that was absolutely trustworthy.

She knows where to go to get promises.

After a long absence, Morgan's soul landed on the territory of her mind. She raised her head and looked at the golden light in the distance: the golden sword was inserted there, and it was as clean as new. attitude, until eternity.

Morgan walked to the side of the big sword, put her hands on it, closed her eyes, and listened quietly. In a trance, a ridiculous idea popped up in her mind.

From this point of view, her genetic father is not useless.

------

When Morgan opened her pupils again, the Creator was able to capture a ray of golden flame flashing across her eyes, although it was fleeting, it did exist.

It knows what that is.

"I suppose you've been given permission?"

[It's a promise. 】

The Spider Queen corrected herself, and her posture seemed much more relaxed. Compared with the cautiousness before, she had a kind of vigorous self-confidence. When she raised her head and looked directly at Vashtor's pupils like lamps, This kind of self-confidence is lit up to the maximum.

She spoke, her voice more like an order.

[Go on, devil, I will consider agreeing to this transaction. 】

【Now, tell me, what do you desire in the transaction? 】

The Creator nodded.

"So much the better."

"I'll make it clear to you."

"As I told you before: these three ancient devices, you can also call them the three artifacts of the subspace, they have a great mission, and this mission is: when they come together, they will Be the key to a treasure house."

[Another key? 】

"It's just words with similar meanings, don't care about these details."

[You said that this key can open a treasure house, what's in it? 】

"Heritage, a powerful legacy that can subvert the galaxy. Those ancient races as powerful as gods have sealed their power and creations in the treasure house, and these three ancient devices are the only key to the treasure house."

"The inheritors of the ancient race are afraid that the existence in the treasure house will be seen again, because it is enough to overthrow their fledgling empire, so they imprisoned three ancient devices respectively."

[You don’t need to be so mysterious, Vashtor, I know what you mean: as early as in the battle of heaven, the ancient race, the ancient saints, created a batch of terrible weapons and sealed them in a treasure house, and you The three ancient devices you want me to get together are the keys to this ancient treasure house? 】

"That's it."

[Then, let’s get to the point: Your request in this transaction is to let me collect three ancient devices, and let them recombine into the key to open the treasure house, so that you can obtain the destructive power inside. 】

"I have more purposes, but you can understand it this way, because in essence, there are no more problems with your inference, and it will indeed be the case."

Morgan listened carefully, her brows were not relieved from beginning to end.

[Then why don't you do all this with your own strength?Now that you have mastered their traces, you can collect them by yourself to open the treasure house of your heart. 】

[Is there any reason why you can't do all this yourself?Or, you hid some of the dangers from me. 】

[Answer me, devil, or we terminate this transaction. 】

There was a roar like a sticky quagmire in the Creator's chest. For the first time, a hint of urgency flashed in its eyes, which was easily captured by Morgan.

"Okay, I'll answer you."

[This time, won't it include some subspace secrets that embarrass you? 】

"No, because the person behind you understands my words and sincerity better than you."

The Spider Queen raised her brows, Vashtor's words made her a little uncomfortable, but she couldn't refute the correctness of this sentence, because in her heart, the buzzing golden sword was indeed It is her greatest confidence to carry on the conversation till now.

[Let's talk. 】

"Although the great mission of the three artifacts of the subspace is to open the treasure house of the Old Sage, for you young, overwhelmed races, its other role is more important. The person behind you fancy."

[Speak clearly. 】

"I will tell you a way, or give you a blueprint, as long as you arrange the three artifacts again according to the above method, and place them in a specific cage, they will be reorganized."

[What is the specific cage? 】

"A world needs to be broken enough, and it has been completely saturated by subspace."

[Then after they are reorganized, besides serving as keys, do they have other abilities? 】

"Yes, they can form a dissonant engine, and together with the cage itself, they can freely come and go between the subspace and the physical world."

【…】

[I can't hear it, what more value does it have. 】

Vashtor was silent for a moment, it seemed to struggle for less than a moment on whether to continue to confide, but it quickly resumed its indifferent narration.

"Webway."

[Network Road? 】

"Yes, the Discord Engine is one of the greatest traversal engines, it can be used as a powerful piercing tool, like a stubborn worm, biting through the third space hidden between reality and subspace .”

[The third space you mentioned, do you mean the Internet Road? 】

"Don't you know it?"

Morgan did not answer the question from Vashtor, but in her heart, she was sure of the answer to this question: no idea.

She'd heard of the Webway, as the shattered memories of countless Eldar would bring it up, but she'd never really paid attention to such things, as she couldn't see the value of such broken passages.

The Spider Queen paused for a moment, then continued to ask questions.

【What do you mean by this so-called dissonant engine that can bite through the webway like a worm? 】

"literal meaning."

[A webway shield machine that can excavate new webways? 】

"That's understandable."

"The Webway is an ancient garbage dump. Although it contains inestimable value and wealth, for young races like you, most of its passages are either too dangerous or cannot be used at all."

"However, with the help of this engine of dissonance, you can continue to build on the foundation of the old webway, and dig your own new path among those ancient walls. As long as you all go well, you can even have It belongs to its own network."

【…】

【…】

【so what? 】

Morgan was in confusion: this was real confusion, because even though she searched every corner and territory of her mind in an instant, even if she raised her hand and placed it on top of Virgo's head, and with the same She searched the Virgo database as fast as she could, but she still couldn't find anything about the webway.

In addition to the few words of the Eldar, this thing in Vashtor's mouth seemed to be important enough to be the final bargaining chip: it was completely out of Morgan's cognition.

She even deliberately searched for the memory left by her No.11 brother, but still found nothing.

Webway, is it important?

In Morgan's mind, such words kept popping up, but on the surface, she still organized her thoughts, letting her cold face conceal the anxiety in her heart, and after a short shallow thought, she spoke again.

[Let me speculate: the treasure house you mentioned is in the webway, and you want me to build the Discord Engine to help you dig out the location of that treasure house. 】

"You don't need your help: the moment you magically merge the three subspaces, our transaction is over. You can dispose of them as you like, and they are yours."

Morgan nodded, she temporarily suppressed the confusion about the webway in her heart.

[But even so, you still can't seem to answer my question: You can do all these activities yourself, why did you come to find me to make a transaction, and what I'm responsible for is something you can't do what? 】

【Can't you find them?Or can't you just put them together and drive the Discord into the webway? 】

"I can't do the second point."

After a brief silence, Vashtor's voice flickered like its pupils.

"My country is in the subspace, and in the furnace of souls, I can maintain a corresponding balance with the gods. Although their power is stronger than mine, they also have their own concerns, so I am not afraid of them .”

"But in the webway, or in the physical universe, I will lack enough power to protect myself. If the engine of dissonance is in my hands, then unless I have a powerful ally, I will definitely not be able to protect myself." Smooth sailing in the webway."

"And you may be strong enough, but you can't be my allies. You can only become my trading partners and help me complete these dangerous tasks."

[Why did you choose us? 】

"Because of some reasons you don't know, but the one behind you is very clear."

In the roar of Vashtor's flesh-and-blood gears, there is an urgent mood of approval and evil fear.

"The gods are very sensitive to the existence behind you, especially when he involves the webway, the attention of the four gods will be highly concentrated, and that will be extremely rare for them, when they have no time for others .”

"So, I gave you this artifact related to the webway, because only you can attract all the attention of the four gods and create a safe enough opportunity for me: such an opportunity may only be possible in ten thousand years. There will be a fleeting one.”

"And this is the real core content of our transaction: I will get the way and opportunity to open the treasure house, and you will get the artifact related to the webway. This may be the best chance to change the destiny of your race."

"It's fair to trade one opportunity for another, isn't it?"

"So now that I've said everything I need to tell, it's time for me to ask you."

"You, do you accept?"

【…】

【I……】

Morgan fell into hesitation: she didn't know how to choose, Vashtor seemed to have constructed an extremely fair deal, but it didn't expect some things, for example, the Primarch in front of it was very important to the Webway. This kind of existence can be said to be ignorant.

And at this moment, a kind of unprecedented earthquake shook the Spider Queen's heart, it was the golden will.

------

[Promise it, my daughter. 】

【Morgan, my most important heir, agree to its deal and hold those ancient existences tightly in your hands. 】

[I will answer the doubts in your mind, but now, execute my order: you need to agree to its deal, my Morgan, this is a crucial step. 】

------

【…】

【…】

If I happen to go against the Emperor's desire, what kind of expression and anger will appear on his face when we meet again?

For a moment, Morgan even looked forward to the answer to this question.

So she blinked and smiled.

【I……】

【I accept. 】

------

"Among my brothers, there are only two whom I am ashamed of."

"One is Horus, and the other is Jonson. They are the most powerful commanders, with the longest and most glorious legion. Their deeds are enough for anyone to look up to, because they stand on the ground that no one can surpass. height."

"I admire them because they are better individuals than me."

In the sacred but not extravagant command room of [Makragge's Glory], the lord of five hundred worlds is standing between countless documents and reports. He easily handles these scattered information, and also I can spare time to chat with the few children around me.

On the star map in front of them, the southeast corner of the entire Storm Star Field has been divided into countless rigorous grid squares, a small half of which have been painted over, symbolizing the purity and safety there, while the remaining grids are like The hunting net gradually tightened, step by step, besieging the opponent he hadn't met yet.

The hunt went smoothly, and the Primarch predicted that he would be able to wipe out the shadow over the Legion himself within two months, which made him feel much brighter. When he was chatting with his closest son, He made a rare mention of his blood relatives.

"But apart from Horus and Johnson, there is only one brother that I can reverence, and that is Gorgon from Medusa. He is simply a natural calculation machine. My reason and logic are in front of his aesthetics. Not worth mentioning."

"I can't even imagine how I would face him on the battlefield. Ferrus is synonymous with invincibility on the battlefield. Just associating his name with defeat, I think it would be a kind of blasphemy."

Such exaggerated words made the high-ranking officers of the Ultramarines look at each other in blank dismay, and soon some people took the courage to take a step forward and questioned their Primarch.

"You mean: Master Ferrus can never be defeated, father?"

Guilliman laughed.

"As far as I know, Ferrus himself has always wanted to experience a failure, but his strength does not allow such a thing to happen, and for me, no matter how much time is given to plan and prepare, I will not The slightest chance of defeating Ferrus and his legions."

"For him, the plan is invalid?"

"Yes, my child."

The Primarch nodded.

"There are only two kinds of characters who can invalidate the most elaborate plans. One is a genius like Ferrus, whose wisdom and logic can make the most rigorous plan have loopholes, while the second is just the opposite. They fight No brain organs will be carried in the blood at all, and no amount of careful planning can prevent such a group of people."

The Ultramarines fell silent.

"Is there really such a person?"

The Lord of the Five Hundred Worlds scratched his neat short golden hair.

"I'm not sure, like Russ? Who knows, he looks almost the same as the second state. I really don't know if he did it on purpose or not."

"..."

"You always seem to like to mention Lord Leman Russ in various questions, father?"

"Because in a way, he's really...representative."

Guilliman coughed lightly, rolling his eyes, thinking of some kind of supplement.

"But despite this, Russ is not without merit. He has his own charm. He and his wolves are unstoppable on the battlefield. Only death can stop their footsteps, but they never Contempt for death in their bones, this barbaric thinking allows them to tear through any line of defense."

"If Leman Russ and his wolves are my allies on the battlefield, then I will have the confidence to defeat any opponent: the premise is that he will listen to me, even if he listens occasionally."

"Then, my lord."

Among the audience, the face of the high-level field commander Auguston was already covered with the most savage and expectant smile.

"You mean, as long as we can join forces with the Space Wolves, we are invincible?"

"Are the Space Wolves so powerful?"

"..."

Guilliman was silent for a while, then shook his head towards his son.

"This is a very complicated issue, my Auguston, I can't explain it to you in a few words, but what I can tell you is: Yes, joining forces with Leman Russ is enough for me to have Conviction and odds against any opponent in the galaxy."

"Is this the unique charm of Leman Russ?"

"No, not really."

Guilliman shook his head.

"Besides Leman Russ, there are four other blood relatives. I believe joining forces with any one of them is enough to give me a destined victory on the battlefield."

"Who is there? My lord?"

"Horus? Or Jonson?"

Even among the rigorous and dutiful Ultramarines, this issue was like a boulder falling into a pond, setting off a wave of low-pitched but heated discussions. Doubt is the one mentioned the most, but there are Primarchs who are not mentioned once.

For example Rogar.

But in the end, it was Guilliman who waved his hand lightly, suppressed the discussion, and solved the short-lived mystery himself.

"Without Horus and Jonson: Although I admire them immensely, I don't think I would be compatible with them on the battlefield. Excellence and fitness are two realms, and there is no real distinction between them. "

"Who is there? My lord?"

Guilliman thought for a moment.

"Ferrus must be one: By the throne, I'm willing to fight by his side at any time."

"Sanguinius is also included in it. He has a unique charm, a powerful legion, and is stronger than me. Although there is no real difference in strength between us Primarchs, Senge Les is indeed stronger than that."

"Dorn is also a good choice. The Imperial Fists are the best allies at all times. Dawn will not be disturbed or attacked by any factors in battle. If there is a terrible catastrophe at the galaxy level, then Dorn is the most suitable commander, his firmness and will surpassed even Horus and Ferus."

"There is one more, my lord, who else?"

Facing his son's questioning, the Lord of the Five Hundred Worlds was silent for a while, and then showed a knowing smile. He touched his thin lips lightly and said the name.

"Morgan."

"My blood relatives."

"She has qualities that I trust and even envy: her rationality, her prudence, her kindness to her subordinates, and the blazing fire of mission in her heart all show that she is a reliable comrade-in-arms who can work with comparable to a cornerstone of an empire like Dorne."

"As for other factors..."

"Her psychic powers, her planning, her versatility in governing and ruling, and her ever-expanding, ever-rising wonderful kingdom are unique strengths."

"How can I get her help, if the power we two possess, the legions we command, and the territory we manage can be united for one purpose."

"I will even be brave enough to face a whole galaxy that is burning."

(End of this chapter)