Emperor's Bane

Chapter 284 Luther’s Rebirth

"Welcome back, my lord."

"Avalon is always waiting for its owner to come again. You have been absent for too long."

[Could it be that my absence has caused any trouble to you? 】

"No, my lord."

"Avalon is still loyal to you. Every inch of its land and every breath of air is still loyal to serve your great cause. After all, this is the only sacred thing that their lives can exist in the world and can survive here. the goal of."

[You are really becoming more and more skilled in flattery, my reliable Semiramis. 】

"You taught me well."

[I don't remember that I need these. 】

"Then you must have not stored this paragraph in your memory list, sir. My Minerva Array told me very clearly that just before your first meeting with your genetic father, you specially practiced These likes…”

【…】

The Spider Queen frowned, her displeasure flickered with the vibration of the air, as for [Cassiopeia] standing in front of her, the caretaker of the world of Avalon, slowly raised his head and looked towards His Creator showed an extremely docile smile.

There was a little panic in her pupils, obviously realizing that she had said something wrong, but she didn't know how to solve it or make up for it.

Morgan blinked, and it took her less than a second to stare at her creation, to determine what was in her smile, before finally letting out a slow sigh.

[I shouldn't have installed a humor-inducing component in your algorithm: your performance is simply terrible, and your sense of humor and actual level are not even as good as Virgo, who has the lowest sense of humor in theory. 】

The Spider Queen's words were cold, neither angry nor harsh, but it was enough to make her star maid bow her head obediently, her face was already filled with the emotion called guilt.

"My mistake, my lord, I just want to ease the atmosphere between us."

Morgan heard the sincerity in Semiramis' words, but she still snorted softly, expressing her displeasure: Fortunately, Cassiopeia remained rational, and she chose a time when no Dawnbreaker was present, and chose To say these kind words that she never really mastered.

[But the performance is not good, and I remember that in the task list I gave you, it seems that there is no such thing as creating a relaxed atmosphere. You reasoned it out by yourself, which is reasonable? 】

"I just theorized...that you might need something like this, my lord."

【…】

Morgan raised her brows, she didn't reply immediately, but walked slowly to her second creation, stretched out a finger, raised her jaw without any resistance, and looked carefully at the fairy Those pale yellow pupils in the back seat.

Cassiopeia, or Semiramis, is the second Maid of the Stars created by the Spider Queen, and Morgan's governor who supervises Avalon's common things, and is her arm.

Out of respect for the queen of the ancient Assyrian Empire with the same name and surname, Cassiopeia's face was pinched by Morgan into a typical face of a Middle Eastern beauty, with three-dimensional facial features and breathtaking eyes. She is an undoubted person who is all over the country: Although her appearance is still completely incomparable with the Morgan Gentleman, she is enough to be proud of herself among the stars.

But now, this beautiful face that is enough to drive a country into madness is being occupied by the purest anxiety and apprehension. It is guilt that is not mixed with conspiracy. The timidity of shrinking in front of parents because of making mistakes.

It is a rather real thing, which is not piled up by data and machinery, and only mortals can have it: emotion.

Morgan blinked, and there was a hint of instinctive joy in her pupils, which was a sincere pride in her own creations, just like a knifesmith being arrogant to the sharp blades he created: but this kind of pride is not much.

[Your emotional module is awakening: it's not the kind of performance-type feelings, but the feelings in the true sense that I left for you, which are no different from ordinary people? 】

"Yes, my lord, about eight tera standard months ago, I realized that these things that cannot be reasoned with the Minerva array, but they are indeed interfering with my calculation mechanism, so I have been trying to Solve them, but they are different from the observations and imitations I usually use, they don't seem to have obvious reasoning results and benefits, and I can't handle them properly."

【This is normal. 】

The Spider Queen returned to her silver throne, listening to the uneasy words of her Andromeda, she couldn't help but feel a little funny: she specially created a star maid fairy to deal with and arbitrate among various interest groups. In the back seat, when the emotion she possessed was sprouting, she would actually act so fragile and bewildered, completely lacking the adept appearance she had when playing with people's hearts before.

In her heart, the Lord of the Second Legion sneered mercilessly at her creation, but she never thought that just a few years ago, when her emotions gradually awakened, she was as dazed as Cassiopeia , and do my part.

But who cares, the Spider Queen has long forgotten the embarrassing things at that time: since she forgot those things, then those things that made her feel ashamed must have never existed, they must be hallucinations that only appeared in sleep.

Thinking of this, Morgan felt an emotion called joy.

But after feeling happy, the Spider Queen couldn't help but feel strange.

[If I remember correctly, although you are all maids of the stars, Virgo was the first to be born, and you were the second: Then why, instead, was your emotional module the first to awaken? 】

The suspicion of the Primarch blew into the room like an icy cold wind, causing a certain Primarch maid who was silently making tea in the corner of the room to point her finger, and a few drops of hot tea stained the precious tea. tablecloth.

[Do you have any idea about this, my Arnia? 】

When the Gene Queen slowly looked at her personal maid, she found that she had already run into the kitchen behind the throne room carrying the tea set.

【…】

Let her run fast.

Morgan could only turn his gaze back, and looked at Semiramis again.

[Then, let’s sort out our thoughts a little bit: About eight months ago, shortly before I set off on the expedition, you realized that the emotions I left you, which are no different from ordinary people, are gradually awakening in your brain. They bother you, you try to adapt to them, and the idea of ​​adapting to them is: Improve your relationship with me? 】

"I just deduced that... maybe our relationship should be softer."

【For example? 】

【You are my creator, I am your creator, what relationship do you want? 】

Queen Gene was on the throne, her blue pupils flickered with real curiosity: Morgan was really curious, after all, she and Perturabo decided to keep some of the human emotions of these Maidens of the Stars in order not to As for doing things absolutely, it's just a cover-up mechanism specially set up.

Neither she nor her Olympian brother knew what changes these incomplete but real mortal emotions would bring to the Maids of the Stars: in fact, if it hadn't been for Semiramis today Something was wrong, the Spider Queen almost completely forgot about it.

But nothing hinders her, she is now looking forward to the next unknown answer.

"..."

Cassiopeia was silent for a while. She seemed to be trying to adjust her breathing and stabilize her mentality. The front armor on the chest, which was stronger than Morgan, was also violently heaving together, revealing the nervousness of the Maid of the Stars.

But in the end, she mustered up her courage, looked to her Maker, and spoke out about the knot that had plagued and tortured her for an entire month of Terra.

"grown ups."

【I am here. 】

"We, whether it's me, or Virgo and Orion, are all your creations. You gave us a second life, gave us strength and mission, and didn't even deprive us of our human emotions. Questionable facts."

【……so? 】

"So, from our relationship with you, from everything we have received from you, even from the strength and great mission you have entrusted to us: we are with those who are stationed outside this room, bowing at your feet, calling The so-called Dawnbreakers whose mother you are, there is no essential difference."

【…】

Morgan blinked: she could roughly guess what Cassiopeia meant.

At the same time, the Primarch keenly discovered that Virgo, who had already left, was quietly going back and forth, standing beside her throne, and also put on an unusually well-behaved appearance, using the same Cassiopeia looked at her with exactly the same eyes.

"So, my lord."

Cassiopeia stood up straight, and she looked up at her creator, her words were filled with a kind of pleading, it was a flash of sincere emotion, no different from a child pleading with his parents.

"We can call you our..."

"Mother?"

【…】

"Can you?"

Semiramis's pleas lingered in the Primarch's ears, while Morgan maintained her silence and blinked.

[This is what you think? 】

"Yes, this is the strongest desire that my thinking array has ever had after reluctantly accepting those emotions: I long to be your daughter, to return to my true position, in a more intimate gesture and a stronger bond. It's normal to offer you everything I have, and this kind of emotion doesn't have the slightest conflict with my basic calculation logic, which proves that this is exactly what you expect from us."

【…】

Morgan's pupils flickered, and she noticed something was wrong: the emotion she left for her star maids can be roughly divided into two parts, the first part is the main emotion common to all maids, that is, the basic emotion that can communicate with them The calculation logic completely matches [loyalty] and [fanaticism], etc., and the second part is their respective personality characteristics, which may not be completely consistent with the basic calculation logic.

In other words, since [desire to be her daughter] is an emotional product that can be consistent with the logic of the basic calculation, it should be common among all the star maids, so, except for Cassiopeia...

Reluctantly, the Primarch turned his head slowly, and looked at the taciturn, quiet and petite pink-haired maid beside her, facing the pair of red pupils of Virgo who were as cold as the Primarch. watching.

This time, the Spider Queen finally saw it clearly, in the depths of Virgo's pupils that seemed to be like a millennium-year-old ice, it seemed that some kind of blazing heat that was too hidden flashed past.

"grown ups."

Virgo spoke slowly, tilted her head slightly, and then showed a rather calm smile. Her fourteen-year-old or fifteen-year-old cheeks and her soft twin tails still looked so well-behaved and trustworthy.

She smiled.

"What about your decision?"

------

【Do you have any other demands, my dear daughter? 】

"No, mother."

[Then let's talk about business. 】

"As you wish."

Morgan snorted softly, expressing her satisfaction at Semiramis' unchanging obedience, as she always sat reclining on her silver throne, a kind of laziness that no Dawnbreaker would ever be blessed with. and relax.

Virgo is quietly embraced by her creator and mother, even though her long hair is shaped by the somewhat bored Spider Queen from the Fist of the Empire to a space wolf, there seems to be a faint smile on the corner of her pursed mouth .

If coupled with the slightly narrowed pupils of the Maiden of the Primarch, the whisper of the Spider Queen, and the focused gaze of Virgo looking at her Creator, then even the calmest wise man can't help but fall into genuine doubts : Which one is the mother and which one is the daughter?

Of course, these are minor issues, insignificant issues: at least compared to the information recorded on the electronic board pulled out by Cassiopeia, they are indeed not very important.

"In fact, Mother, just about one Terra standard month ago, several envoys from the White Scars Legion came to the Avalon sector and asked to see you: after learning that you were not there, they declined Marshall. Your invitation did not stay, only a few books and letters were left behind."

Morgan frowned.

【My eagle brother actually wanted to communicate with me: This is really beyond my imagination, I thought he would never want to discuss anything with me in his life. 】

The Spider Queen laughed. Her words were not a joke, but the true thoughts recorded deep in her heart: After all, Morgan had and only had one exchange with Chagatai Khan, when she was still in the First Legion. Once lost due to a subspace storm, he eventually served as an unofficial envoy of the Dark Angels, helping the Primarchs such as Horus and others he encountered to win a war.

And Jaghatai Khan was one of the three Primarchs at that time, so he had a relationship with Morgan, who was still a mortal: In fact, overall, the attitude of the Lord of the Fifth Legion towards Morgan was not that serious. Okay, but the last Primarch present was Mortarion...

The Lord of Death's malice towards Morgan and all psychics has reached an unreasonable level. Instead, out of absolute rationality and public welfare, Jaghatai Khan said a few words for Morgan in a disguised form: Although he may Just wanted to curb Mortarion's paranoia.

But in comparison between the two, Morgan's impression of Jaghatai Khan is not very bad, but he is not very close: anyway, they are just strangers after all, and the Spider Queen never thought that she could be with all her brothers. They are all good relations, and she can't see a way to extract surplus value from Chagatai.

Can't think of now... Hey...

Morgan was overjoyed, and she was immediately aroused in interest: Is there anything else we can talk about between the eagle and her?
[Did you bring the book? 】

"It's all here, mother."

Cassiopeia respectfully handed over a few books and letters. These books made of animal skin and hemp rope of unknown material look so rough, but if you carefully identify them, you will find , although these seemingly barbaric books do not seem to be worthy of any noble words, they are indeed a kind of art.

Morgan didn't open it right away, she just gently stroked the covers that were softer than expected. Although there were no complicated author introductions and gold-edged patterns, she could still feel the manufacturing process of these books from the delicate touch. The ingenuity buried deep in the heart.

Even before she opened the book, the Spider Queen already knew: this book was worth reading. Its seemingly rough appearance was just because its author did not bother to spend energy on these superficially gorgeous events. I firmly believe that the true value of books lies within them.

The Lord of the Second Legion laughed. She didn't have any more hesitation or feelings. After randomly casting a probing spell, Morgan chose to turn one of the pages.

With just a cursory glance, the Spider Queen couldn't help but widen her eyes: the page that appeared in front of her was divided into two completely symmetrical parts, and the left half contained the contents of her Psionic Code, which was written with the most The elegant notes were engraved bit by bit, and the profound sense of art exuded between the lines even made the Primarch feel moved.

On the other side, the Spider Queen discovered an even bigger surprise: in the places corresponding to the original words of the Psionic Code, one or more masters in the field of psionics displayed their common wisdom on it, Some are admiration for the exquisite parts of the code, some are merciless doubts and criticisms, but more are a kind of discussion, a question, a rational statement to be answered, a valuable The brand-new path of the future seems to be waiting for the Spider Queen to think about it and improve it.

Such words are so precious, sometimes they are better than the original words in the Psychic Codex, and they are so many and so detailed that the Psychic Codex, which was originally only one thick book, is divided into four whole books. Five equally heavy books are enough to arrange all the words of Storm Prophet and Chagatai Khan.

【…】

For a moment, even the air in the throne room stopped flowing. The two star maids clearly saw the concentration and enthusiasm on their mother's face, and they chose to quietly retreat to the side, waiting for Morgan's book after book. Flipping through the priceless classics in front of her.

The Spider Queen looked through the books arranged in front of her, quickly and attentively. She counted the [Comments] of the White Scars one by one. In terms of word count, it was almost the size of three psychic codes, although most of the opinions in it were They are just arguments and incomplete ideas, but the value in them is enough to support the leader of the Second Legion to pick up the pen again and completely upgrade her masterpiece.

Thinking of this, Morgan felt an emotion very close to "grateful". With this kind of enthusiasm, Spider Queen picked up the last book, which was slightly different from her colleagues, because the first The Lord of the Five Legions wrote some words on its cover.

The discourse is short and concise, almost summing up the content of the whole book in a few sentences: Out of gratitude and as a result of some reflection, Jaghatai Khan wrote this book, telling how his legion used The power of psychic energy, tells about the traditions and operating methods of the storm seers on Chogoris, how he refers to the actual situation of the Fifth Legion, and improves the content of the psychic code to suit the situation of the White Scars Legion itself Beneficial volume.

And at the end of the words, it is the Eagle Khan's thanks to the Spider Queen: Actually, this sentence is not a thank you at all, but in Morgan's thinking, its meaning is more important than any gorgeous words of thanks for powerful.

Morgan read it slowly.

【Morgan, I still don't like you, my hypocritical blood relative. 】

[But, but only on the road to this goal: if you can maintain your current cautious attitude, if you can continue what you have started, if your works will also benefit humans and psykers, then, No matter what difficulties you encounter, you can contact me and I promise I will do my best. 】

[Finally, I hope that you can maintain your current thinking. I hope that you can continue to recognize the storm in the subspace. I hope that you can stick to your path. This is very important, and it is very important to many people. 】

【Good luck, my blood relatives. 】

【…】

Morgan watched the words.

Watched it again.

She stroked, meditated, and flipped through it over and over again.

Finally, laugh.

It was a rather sincere, relieved, and even relaxed smile. When it hung on the Spider Queen's flawless face, it actually seemed a bit dazzling and inappropriate.

"..."

The two star maids looked at each other.

"What are you laughing at, mother?"

【…】

【No, nothing. 】

Morgan shook his head, and closed the book seriously. With a rather careful gesture, he put these ancient works of art together and placed them on the armrest of his throne, and then respectfully picked up the first book , ready to begin her most serious and careful reading.

[I just... saw a rather rare and interesting smart person. 】

[Really smart people. 】

The Primarch raised an eyebrow at her two cheap daughters, and was about to plunge into her own boundless wisdom world, and at this moment, Cassiopeia raised her hand.

"Mother, you forgot those letters."

【……letter? 】

"Yes, according to the visitors of the White Scars Legion, those letters were entrusted by their recipients, not the works of them or their genetic father."

【Entrusted by whom? 】

"Um……"

"I remember it was: Space Wolves."

------

"It's been a long time, Lord Luther."

The friendly voice made the Caliban knight who had just boarded the ship raise his head in astonishment, and then he saw the smiling acquaintance not far away.

"Erwin?"

"It's me, Lord Luther: it's really not easy to see you now."

The old knight laughed, and the two mortal commanders hugged each other. Their friendship had sprouted and grown since a side-by-side battle a few years ago.

Luther's smile was filled with a hint of real pride: because he knew very well that Erwin was not lying at this time.

As one of the highest-ranking mortals on the [Goddess of Dawn], Erwin, who is the lieutenant general of the Queen of Avalon's Legion, was able to get the honor of being the first batch of veterans of Caliban after passing through some personal relationships.

After all, Luthor is now a popular figure in the entire Far Eastern frontier: After several years of trust and indulgence and constant conquests, even the most obtuse officials in the entire Avalon sector have already known about their uncrowned queen , Boundless trust in this old Caliban knight.

All along, Luther's request has never been rejected. His army has the highest priority supply sequence and transportation route. The conditions are good enough to make the most open-minded mortal general secretly envious. He will never lack new troops. And allies, the only thing to think about is how to use this steady stream of power reasonably.

On the other hand, the answers submitted by the Caliban knights were perfect enough to dispel any doubts: Luthor's fleet has carried out fanatical recovery operations over the years, and his conquests have spanned hundreds of galaxies. , Turning countless resisters into dust, whether it is the fallen human pirates or the heinous alien kingdoms, they were all annihilated under Luthor's aggressive offensive in the end, and their kingdoms made Avalon's ever-expanding The volume supports new great conquests.

The performance of the aged Caliban knight in this process was holy: with unimaginable dexterity, he successfully adjusted the warriors of the different legions under his command, the mortal auxiliaries of different worlds, and the different naval fleets. He can maintain a friendly relationship with any force, he can be respected by the Astartes, respected by the jungle warriors of Catachan, treated equally by the knights of the Empire, even those Omni The taciturn friendship of Saiyan followers.

Compared with this great ability to coordinate the various factions, Luthor's sophistication and composure in war, and his frugality without greed for any spoils, even seem a bit overshadowed: the accompanying Dawnbreaker once worried The mortal would eventually become lost in victory and ambition, but they soon discovered that their worries were pure misery.

Rather than worrying about Luthor's ambitions, it is better to worry about his daily aging body. Even the sages of the Reza casting world who accompanied the army bluntly said in the communication with the Caliban knights: If he continues to devote himself so crazily In the midst of endless warfare, even if he is transformed, he may not survive the arrival of the next century.

The Caliban accepted with a serious face the hint that he had less than twenty Terran standard years to live, so he returned to his command post: more frantically devoted to almost never-ending battles.

Many times, the military adjutants around him and even the Astartes had to drag Luther away from the command post with full respect and let him rest: it was only at this time that Lian and Luther accompanied him. The Dark Angels will choose to turn a blind eye to everything.

But this kind of behavior is just a drop in the bucket after all. The face of the Caliban knight is gradually haggard due to his persistence and the worries of others. Although his brows and eyes are always filled with a passion that is no different from that of a young man, anyone with a discerning eye knows that this It's more like an extremely unhealthy state of hyperactivity, even a flashback.

And this kind of situation finally attracted enough attention from the Lord of Avalon through countless reports: in front of Morgan's personal letter, even Luthor had to really leave his command post and come back to meet the leader The Primarch he truly trusted.

He still doesn't know what Morgan will do when he finds him: but no matter what it is, Luthor will not choose to violate it. He has obtained too much from Morgan, as many as the hundreds of galaxies he conquered. In his eyes, there was no way to repay the trust of Queen Gene.

So, when he bid farewell to Erwin, led by the two Dawnbreakers who respected him very much, and came all the way to the center of the [Dawn Goddess], frankly speaking, Luthor still had a few threads in his heart. curious.

"This is it, Your Excellency Luther."

Lana, the chief old guard leading the way, looked up at the door, then turned around, and nodded at the mortal behind him with a seriousness second only to meeting the Emperor and the Primarch. nodded.

"Ah, okay."

The Caliban looked at the surrounding environment, but the same seriousness and strangeness made him unable to distinguish clearly. In the end, he chose to shift his gaze to Lana: Even Luther, who was concentrating on war, heard that Pass Lana's name, and his position and weight.

Chief Guard of the Primarch: No matter which legion you are in, this name cannot be viewed simply by title and status.

"is there anything?"

Sensing Luthor's gaze, Lana tried his best to make the expression on his face as easy-going as possible: Although he was used to seriousness, as his combat brothers said, if he is in a situation like Luthor and Erwin If such an outstanding mortal still puts on the noble airs of a so-called Astartes warrior, then this behavior itself is a joke.

"I'm just... not sure."

Luther touched his cheek, he could feel the age and dryness that was a world of difference from a few years ago, but he didn't feel the slightest regret for it.

"After all, I think you know, Lord Lana, I have already undergone a transformation operation when I left Caliban, so I am a little skeptical: my body that has been transformed can still perform a second surgery." Is it a remodel?"

Lana nodded.

"Theoretically, this is very difficult, but..."

[However, I am here. 】

The door danced, and a pale figure with silver hair walked out of it. She was wrapped in a white coat, white gloves and goggles. She looked the same height as Lana, and she was clearly the Primarch who was ready to go.

[Your friend, Morgan is here. 】

The Spider Queen looked at the old knight of Caliban, at one of her pen pals, and at this mortal friend whom she had slightly recognized at some point, showing a smile that could make anyone feel at ease .

[I am here, Luther, your friend Morgan is here, I bring the transformation surgery that I wrote and innovated specially for you, I bring the safety accumulated from at least a hundred clinical trials, I bring The most cutting-edge and the best medical supplies in Avalon. 】

[Finally, I also brought a Primarch, that is the Lord of the Second Legion, your friend, myself: I will personally be responsible for this transformation operation, and personally be responsible for its entire process and operation steps, until I watched you come off the operating table safe and sound. 】

Such words made Lana raise his eyebrows involuntarily. He instinctively looked at Luther, but after seeing the weather and wrinkles, the chief old guard finally fell silent. He chose not to say a word. This respect for devotion finally quenched his anger.

Like a gust of cold spring wind, the Spider Queen slowly came to Luthor. She patted the Caliban on the shoulder. She cleverly responded to the indescribable and inexplicable emotion on the old knight's face, as well as trying to control the distortion on his face. The choice of overthrown.

She just looked into Luther's pupils, speaking with her most sincere tone.

[Believe me, my friend, I will try my best. 】

[Let you be able to regain your life. 】

[You should never be bound by anyone or anything, my Luther. 】

【You are worthy of any greatness. 】

(End of this chapter)