Emperor's Bane

Chapter 274 Macado's Emotional Stability

【My friend, are you asleep? 】

The voice of the Lord of Men resounded in the bright lights of the deepest palace of Terra, a horn so loud as to command the galaxy, and no one could remain silent before such a call.

Not even Malcador.

Just because, when the Lord of Humanity called out to the Handprinter with his voice, his figure burning with golden flames had already rushed into Malcador's private lounge, and by the way, he gently lifted the heavy The iron door flew to the other wall.

The pawprinter who had just closed his eyes on his bed only felt that the ton-heavy door brushed against his nose, and the whistling wind tore his cheeks, and there was a burst of genuine pain.

He opened his eyes.

For a moment, Malcador really wanted to grab his black iron scepter and destroy something in sight: anything.

But when his monarch came to his bed like a whirlwind, asked him again if he was resting, grabbed his arm, and lifted him up, even if the pawprinter's complexion was as black as his iron The scepter was nothing, so he could only grit his teeth and slowly spit out the answer.

"Yes, Apocalypse."

"I... I haven't started to rest yet."

Macado also stayed up.

[That's good, come with me, I have very important information to share with you. 】

"..."

"Aren't you in the Far East border? Why now..."

[This is my projection, I have something very important to tell you, right now. 】

The Lord of Humanity patted his best friend on the shoulder, and then disappeared at the end of the corridor like a whirlwind, seemingly not worried about whether his best friend would follow: behind him, the palm-printer was sitting On the bed, using his black iron scepter burning with spiritual energy to support his old body, he lowered his head and remained silent for a while.

Then, after all, a sigh.

Malcador got up slowly, and began to follow the emperor's long-disappeared guidance, and went to the room where they used to communicate important matters. On both sides of him, the imperial army was distributed among the gorgeous corridors of the palace, and they couldn't see squint.

The Imperial Palace of the Human Empire was built at the end of the Terra unification war. It is an architectural behemoth that is still expanding today. During the expedition, it is rare to return to this theoretical supreme center of power.

But even so, the Terra Palace is still a behemoth that swallowed up a large area of ​​land. It is integrated with the most majestic mountains and the most magnificent plateau in Terra, and it is a behemoth that can be clearly seen even in low-earth orbit. It is likely larger than any hive structure known to man.

However, for beings like the Lord of Humankind and the Handprinter, it is only a blink of an eye to move from one side of this behemoth to the other. His body spanned a distance of tens of kilometers, and precisely stepped into the secret room that only he and the human lord could enter and exit at will.

There is nothing special about this room, it doesn’t even have a single piece of special furnishings, there are messy documents and notes everywhere, piled up on the four empty walls, and the only few tables and chairs are stacked in the center of the room, it looks like It's not often used either.

But only a truly wise man understands that even the most inconspicuous book in this room, if it is spread outside, can easily start a war that can burn several star regions. The war machine of the Imperium of Man will not hesitate to use all its power to seize, defend or erase anything that is discussed in person by the author.

And now, the room welcomed one of its most important guests.

"Discord Engine..."

The handprinter whispered this name, and his brows were also frowned. The real number two figure in the human empire was silent, and began to search for his memory of more than 6000 years, and began to collect all the information in the former [Paperprinter organization]. In the countless books and seas of literature, looking for the clues he needs now.

He was silent for a while, then slowly shook his head.

"I have no memory of the so-called Engine of Discord, Apocalypse."

The human lord nodded, no more disappointment, he just paced around the room anxiously, circling the old wooden table, and explained to Malcador little by little what he just said. Everything I saw.

The handprinter listened and remained silent. The story in the emperor's mouth was not complicated, but it never eased his brows, because when the lord of mankind finished talking about the deal between the demon and the demigod, facing the pair of Looking forward to the approving pupils, after hesitating, Malcador just shook his head.

"I don't quite agree with the deal."

"Because all of this is too much of a coincidence, Apocalypse: A treasure that can perfectly solve our current predicament has just come to us by itself, and compared with its value, the price we need to pay for it Is it so...insignificant?"

"Attracting the attention of the evil gods? We would have attracted their full attention the moment we stepped into the webway, and in this case, it wouldn't make any difference whether we had the Engine of Dissonance or not. "

"In other words, we don't even need to pay extra to get paid?"

"In the subspace, or even in the physical universe, when did such a good thing happen?"

"An unknown power that is easy to obtain in front of us, and has the greatest benefit to our plan? Don't you think all this is too coincidental?"

"I don't think there is any god of luck in this world, and even if there is a god of luck, I don't think it will take care of us, because it is very likely to be another evil god in the subspace."

"You know, Apocalypse, even if the demon demigod is limited by its power and cannot weave lies and traps everywhere like its kind, it is still a demon in the final analysis, a demon that cannot be trusted."

"Any word that pours out of its mouth is to be treated with suspicion, as an absolute lie: there is absolutely nothing wrong with a demon."

Malcador said his suggestion with a serious face, but he also saw that such words did not shake the face of the Lord of Humanity even the slightest, and the Emperor's projection only showed a smile. When he looked at it again When it came to the palm printer, there was a trace of emotion.

[Do you know, my friend, that your words are exactly the same as a person? 】

"Who?"

[Morgan, my No. [-] creation, when she heard these transactions from the mouth of the demon and demigod, her words were almost a replica of yours: The unknown power that is easily obtained must be dangerous, because the subspace Never a generous place. 】

"I hope that your descendants can have the same awareness."

[From this point of view, my shaping of No. [-] was even successful. She was originally built with you as a template, and now she does have some shadows similar to you in her gestures and gestures. 】

"At least in this matter, I will be her invisible ally."

The handprinter coughed a few times. He felt his throat was inexplicably dry. When he grabbed the documents handed over by the Emperor and carefully read everything about the dissonant engine, he still did not forget to continue to ask the Emperor. ask a question.

"So, you agreed to this deal."

[I have no reason to refuse. 】

"Isn't the reason I said enough? Apocalypse, this is very likely not a transaction, but a trap. In the eyes of the demons in the subspace, is there any essential difference between these two words?"

[Anything will be accompanied by risks, my friend, if we want to be absolutely safe, then we can't do anything at all: just like everyone knows that subspace navigation will be accompanied by risks, but that What can be done, is it necessary to give up this most efficient mode of transportation? 】

"..."

[And, my friend. 】

【Do we have other options? 】

"..."

Malcador took a deep breath, and he didn't refute, because he knew that it was pointless to continue entanglement on this issue. The Emperor's decision was unshakable, and even he only had the right to make suggestions.

But even so, he decided to ask as much as he could.

"You believe so much in the power of the Engine of Dissonance because you know it exists?"

[I have traveled in the subspace for a long time, and I have seen a lot in the broken pieces of those times. I know which existences are correct and useful, and which ones are tricks used by fate to play tricks on me. 】

[In a sense, I am actually a half-prophet, my friend, but this identity has not brought me any benefits, because all the predictions are just another way to reveal those terrible futures? 】

"How did I not know you'd done these things in the Warp? Is it safe?"

[Before I met you, I have spent hundreds of centuries of life. During those years, there are still many things you don’t know now: even if I tell you some of them, you don’t know. will believe. 】

[As for the safety issue, you don't have to worry about it, my friend, I know it well. 】

"That doesn't seem like a reason for you to wander alone in the depths of the Warp: don't tell me you don't know your present responsibilities, Apocalypse, and that a Galactic Empire exists because of you."

[It’s okay to do it once in a while, my friend. Reasonable use of subspace is indeed the most efficient method at certain times. I can ensure that what I see is true, and I can ensure that I will not be corrupted and misled, Then I can use this method: for efficiency. 】

"……hope so."

What else could Malcador do? He could only lower his head and carefully read all the information about the Discord Engine, although these instructions written by the Emperor himself told everything clearly. From the Battle of Heaven to the identity of this demon and demigod, everything seemed to be expected by the Lord of Humanity, but after knowing all this, there was still the last sliver of worry in the palm of the hand.

However, this worry has turned into a worry about reality: After confirming that he could not hinder the determination of the Lord of Humanity, the Handprinter changed his identity in time, and began to look at this ambition from the perspective of the actual manipulator of the Human Empire Vigorous plans.

So, his brows were quickly wrinkled again.

"According to your thinking, you want No. [-] to be in charge of the transaction with that demon demigod, and you will only meet with it once from a distance, but intervene too much in this transaction?"

【Yes. 】

"why?"

[Because the current No. [-] is equal in strength to it, if I contact it personally, it will shrink back instead, fearing that he will gradually lose the initiative due to the gap in strength. 】

"Is there another possibility: you made too much trouble in the subspace, which made this demon and demigod have a very bad... positioning for your name and image?"

【…】

[It's not impossible. 】

"Okay, let me continue to see: Plague Heart has been obtained, and Ouroboros and Tuchuercha Engine seem to have very clear clues, in addition, we need to find some additional Warp artifacts, they may be scattered throughout the galaxy."

"Are you going to give this task to number two and her legion?"

[Yes, she can't always nest in her Far East frontier, and she has a certain talent in finding these treasures, fate favors her in this aspect. 】

"destiny?"

[Have you forgotten, there is not only one god watching her, the mutant's gaze on No. [-] is weak, but it has always existed. I'm not sure what it's going to do, and I'm not thinking about it yet when. 】

"The best way to deal with mutators is not to speculate. If you think smart enough to find a solution, you will only fall into its trap: You are doing the right thing, Apocalypse."

"And number two..."

【What's wrong? 】

"There have been some voices in the Terra government recently. Some people worry that No. [-] may become the second Guilliman. Her Far Eastern frontier looks more and more similar to the Five Hundred Worlds, and the speed of expansion is very alarming. .”

"If the Great Expedition continues for about a century, I am afraid that the land and volume belonging to the Far East will not be much different from that of the five hundred worlds. Considering some of the characteristics of No. might surpass the Master of the Ultramarines."

[Do you think this is a problem worth worrying about? 】

"It's not really a worry, but I think we need to pay attention: Although we all know that Guilliman will be a vassal king limited to his five hundred worlds, and will be an [uncrowned king] who is content with standing still, But now that we have sent No. [-] to his side, everything may go in a different direction."

"Don't forget, her name is [King Slayer]."

[Yes, I am looking forward to it. 】

"……what?"

【No, nothing. 】

【You want to say that you are worried that No. [-] might affect Guilliman, and even let the power of the five hundred worlds be used by her? 】

"Yes, although she will also be reversely influenced by Guilliman, we are not sure what the outcome of their intersection with each other will be, but the worst outcome we can think of is that they One of them has taken that wrong path, and by virtue of their almost fateful bond, the other will most likely be influenced by it to take the same path."

"Referring to their respective experiences, I am worried that the Far Eastern Frontier will affect the five hundred worlds."

"And once the Far Eastern Frontier is united with the Five Hundred Worlds, even if they will do nothing, just separate one side and resist the rule of Holy Terra, it will be a more terrible catastrophe than the Randan War: they will occupy at least Eight hundred or more core worlds, with two mighty Astartes legions, countless mortal auxiliaries, a Primarch unrivaled in co-ordination, and a second only to you a powerful psychic."

[eight hundred? 】

"Based on the expansion speed of the Far Eastern frontier and the various methods No. [-] displayed when ruling mortals, I believe that at the end of the Great Crusade, there will be at least three hundred core worlds under her command, or even more .”

"From the point of view of the territory, once a huge union created by the five hundred worlds and the Far East border breaks away from the control of the empire, then we will lose one-third of the Far East star field at that moment, that is, at least seven One part of the galaxy: this is only on the condition that the two Primarchs and the Legion join forces without any other factors."

"If they choose to fight in the civil war at the end of the Great Crusade, and even take the opportunity to fall to the side of the rebels: I really worry about whether we will be able to solve this problem."

【Are you worried, can I protect this crown of mine from the ambitions of my sons? 】

The Lord of Humanity pointed to the top of his empty head, and the stamper read some familiar jokes from his smile, but he just nodded as an old minister.

"That's it."

【Then you are wrong, my friend. 】

[I don't care about this crown, even if it represents an empire that can span the entire galaxy, but all of this is not what I want at all. I will not draw my sword to protect this crown. If the biggest ambition I have raised is to inherit my throne, then it is even good news for me. 】

[If he comes before my throne as a secular challenger instead of a puppet of Chaos, then I will happily tell him that the throne is his. 】

[No matter who is the one who happily takes over the throne, he will soon find out how big a mistake he has made: this will not even hinder my process of letting mortals truly grasp the supreme power of this country. 】

[Maybe at that time, we can all retire. I can take you to the holiday villa area on Venus, where we can fish in the artificial lake and so on. I forgot to tell you that a long time ago, my fishing skills were quite good. not bad. 】

"Don't make fun of these things, Apocalypse."

[I'm not kidding, my friend, I'm serious: sooner or later I will step down from the throne, and as soon as I get everything in order, this throne will be an absolute burden to me, and I will avoid it . 】

[Actually, I can't avoid it now. 】

"..."

"I don't care what you think about your power, Apocalypse, but as long as I sit in the seat of the Sealer, you must take your responsibilities seriously: now."

【Okay, I will. 】

The emperor laughed, it was a smile that Malcador was very familiar with and hated, because whenever the Lord of Humanity finally showed this expression, the handprinter who had lived for more than 6000 years would give a [squeeze] a smile. words, with deeper insights and feelings.

[However, I want to remind you, my friend, that you seem to be digging a little bit: we should obviously discuss things about the Discord Engine, not about the future of No. [-]. 】

[That's not something we can change. Even I can only give guidance and side attacks on the future of No. [-], but I can't really intervene in it: this is why I am so indifferent to her. We belong to different fields for the authority of close or even long-term contact. 】

"I guess I don't have time to listen to your bitter parenting lessons, apocalypse, and you actually avoid a lot of my questions about number two: just like before."

[Don't be so harsh, my friend. 】

"Then you should be merciful to me first."

Macado pointed to his cheek, which had gone through more than 6000 years of wind and frost, and even the most outstanding rejuvenation surgery could not be applied to the face of youth, and now it is covered with ravine-like wrinkles and old age, especially in the handprint. Below the eyes, there is even a layer of faint traces of darkness.

Malcador pointed to those traces, his tone somewhat dissatisfied.

"To support your Great Crusade, your Galactic Empire, and your heirs full of wonderful actions, I have spent less than a hundred Tara-hours of deep sleep in the past Tara-standard year .”

"If you want to give me any extra work, my lord, maybe you are going to be ready to lose your steward of the Terra government, maybe I should give you a roster now, recording those who can Reluctantly succeed my malleable talent?"

[No one's ability can truly replace you, my friend, you are unique. 】

Facing the somewhat angry joke of the handprinter, the lord of humanity could only lower his head, coughed lightly, and then patted his best friend on the shoulder as a comfort.

【My sons, have you caused any trouble again? 】

"There hasn't been anything too serious recently: But I want to remind you that according to my sources, a basic training manual on think tanks has become popular in most legions recently. In fact, except for the Thousand Sons Legion And the Legion of the Death Guard, no Legion has chosen to reject this book."

"Even Space Wolves, War Hounds, and Dark Angels."

【I know, that is a book written by No. [-], have you read it? 】

"I have read it. If you look at it purely for its educational value and prudence, this book is invaluable. I even feel that we can use an official posture to promote the popularity of this book. Most of the books it writes It is extremely valuable that the content can even be applied to mortal psykers."

【Your evaluation of it is very high? 】

"Your sons, Dorne, Jaghatai Khan, and Magnus, have professed the superiority of this book: though Magnus's declaration seems somewhat reluctant."

[You know my attitude towards psychics and psychics, my friend. 】

"Of course I know, but the current situation is that the empire is still far from being free from the power of psykers. A large number of psykers is a problem that every world and every legion must face. Under this premise, this book can To a large extent, it helps us control the proliferation of psykers, and every time a psyker passes basic education, the danger he brings is much less."

"If it is done well, we can even temporarily change our attitude towards psykers and Astartes think tanks. Facts have proved that most legions can still coexist with think tanks. The existence of think tanks may not be what we thought That's too bad, they're involved in the Warp, but most of them are still in control."

[Okay, I will consider the question about the think tank, as long as all the legions don't make troubles in terms of psychic energy, then I think I can also bear this establishment: I have endured too many things, haven't I ? 】

"Wise choice, Apocalypse, maybe you can implicitly convey this attitude to your heirs, if the think tanks know that their existence stands on your enduring, the probability of their troubles will also be reduced subjectively. "

【I will think about it. 】

[Is there anything else? 】

The Lord of Humanity seemed somewhat absent-minded. He kept flipping through the material about the Discord Engine in his hand, making the eyelids of the handprinter twitch from time to time.

"Not for now...so, what do you want to discuss with me?"

Macado narrowed his eyes.

It's time to come.

I hope this time...it won't be such a shocking surprise topic.

[I want to discuss something with you, my friend. 】

coming!

The handprinter's eyelids twitched.

This is the tone: after the last time the emperor spoke to him like this, Malcador inexplicably became the sole helm of the Terra government and even the human empire, and his rest time jumped from hours to seconds in an instant Falling off a cliff.

Macado coughed, and he tried to stabilize his mind.

"Discuss what?"

[About the Discord Engine: Although you have been avoiding the topic of it, my dear friend, we have to face such a reality. 】

[When No. [-] successfully brings back all the core components so that we can master this dissonant engine, our original plan for the webway will definitely be completely abolished: fortunately, we did not invest in it How many irrecoverable costs. 】

Malcador nodded, he knew that the Lord of Humanity was obsessed with the Webway, and this was an imperial dream that he could not give up.

"In our original plan, you planned to activate a lost webway entrance at the core of the imperial palace, and then create a section... a barely qualified webway channel to connect to the webway masters left by those ancient races. channel, and after those vulnerabilities are patched, bring it back to partial operational capacity."

[It is equivalent to installing a new joint on a rusty water pipe. Although the condition of the connection is very bad, and the water pipe itself is already crumbling, for us at that time, this was already the only option. 】

[But now, the situation is different, my friend, we have a new way. 】

"What are you going to do?"

[It's very simple: I plan to use the engine of dissonance as a pioneer to dig a brand new road on the solid wall of the third space where the webway is located, a road that will not be disturbed by any demons and ancient creations, and it will be far away from other The ancient webway has become an exclusive channel that only belongs to us humans. 】

[Once all of this is done, my friend, all our dreams and ambitions will be within reach, and human beings will truly control their own destiny forever. 】

Macado was silent.

Even though it is thousands of stars away, the person who took the seal can still clearly see how high-spirited displeasure flashed in his pupils when his lord said this grand plan word by word. The flame of extinction.

For a moment, Malcador was even truly touched: a long time ago, he was touched by this flame, and he chose to follow the footsteps of the Emperor without hesitation.

But now, such a touch can only last for a moment, because as the big steward of the entire human empire, after the initial excitement and common hatred, the handprinter soon realized a brand new problem.

"A new...webway?"

"Apocalypse."

"Have you considered the cost?"

"This isn't about tinkering with old roads and cities, or creating a barely usable interface: it's building a new webway, and just stabilizing the road dug out by the engine of Discord will probably require An astronomical expense."

"Have you calculated?"

[Of course I calculated, my friend, that's why I came to you. 】

A smile appeared on the face of the human lord again, and his smile made the handprinter feel that his blood pressure seemed a little high.

"You... figured it out?"

[Just a rough estimate: Judging from our previous investment in the webway, the materials we need for this new plan now will probably be the previous...]

【double. 】

"!"

[At least twice. 】

"!!!"

When the lips touched and closed, they could spit out such terrible words softly, which made the handprinter almost faint. He tightly grasped his black iron scepter, and he could even hear his own voice chattering through the gap between his teeth. Squeeze out little by little.

"Twice? Or at least?"

"Did you know that the tithe tax levied on those worlds just to fully fund the Great Crusade and the previous Webway project has caused a lot of outrage on a large number of worlds: What are you going to do now? Delay the Great Crusade? "

[The Great Expedition must not be delayed? 】

"Then what should we do? Increase the amount of the [-]th tax? Do you know what this will cause?"

【…】

【…】

The emperor didn't reply, he just walked in front of the handprinter, nodded solemnly to the dazed Makado, then patted his shoulders with both hands, looked directly into the muddy eyes of the handprinter, and used a With the most serious tone, he opened his mouth slowly.

[I believe in your ability, my friend! 】

"..."

"..."

"I do not believe!"

[It's okay, I believe, and even the worst situation will not be unexpected, my friend. 】

"Have you really considered the result of making all the world dissatisfied?"

[Did these worlds surrender to me from the very beginning?Malcador, since I can conquer them once through the Great Crusade, then I can do it a second time, or even more. 】

[However, my friend, an opportunity like the Discord Engine that can change our predicament, even I have to sigh, this is a rare opportunity: we must seize this opportunity, no matter what we will lose because of it . 】

"Even the entire empire?"

Malcador's inquiry was almost an instinctive impulse, but facing this unthinking question, the Human Lord just showed a smile, as if he was amused by this real question.

He looked at the handprinter and answered his question word by word.

【Macado, my friend. 】

[The human empire has never been what I want. 】

[It was not before, it is not now, and it will never be in the future. 】

(End of this chapter)