Emperor's Bane

Chapter 559 Scarlet Lord
Angertai was the first person in the entire Word Bearers Legion to regain consciousness.

While his 100,000 battle-brothers were still immersed in the beautiful dream of the God-Emperor's personal presence, each of them bowed their heads like the Primarch, trembling and praying on their own, the young assault company commander had already dusted himself off and straightened his back calmly.

Because of this, he became the only person in the entire legion who had the honor of witnessing the entire interaction between the God-Emperor and Lorgar, and Morgan next to him also observed it: the son of Lorgar even dared to ignore the light around him and looked directly at the face of the God-Emperor.

Such bold behavior continued until the figure of the God-Emperor disappeared into the sky. While his Primarch and brothers were still bowing their heads to bid farewell to the God-Emperor, Angertai lowered his eyelids, wondering about another thing in his heart.

He didn't know if it was his illusion, but Angletai always felt that although the God-Emperor in front of him was indeed powerful and sacred, there seemed to be a big gap between him and the omnipotent God described in the Holy Words.

This is an ambiguous gap that even Angertai himself cannot explain: but it does exist, so obvious that the Word Bearer cannot help but begin to doubt whether the God-Emperor before him is a [real] God-Emperor?

Or is it that their beliefs have always been flawed?

Although there was no evidence, a seed of doubt was planted in the heart of the young Word Bearer. He did not dare to tell his opinion to anyone around him, and he could not even come up with reasons to convince himself, but deep down, he believed it.

This was a stubborn instinct: he felt that the God-Emperor was not the God-Emperor.

Over the years, the Primarch and they might have gone astray, but the father-son relationship did not allow the Word Bearers to draw such a conclusion, so he would rather believe in another possibility: that is, for all these years, their legion had been misled by the God-Emperor and gone astray?
And the divine descent just now only made this momentum completely irreversible?

The God-Emperor is not the God-Emperor, or rather, he is not yet the God-Emperor in the hearts of the Word Bearers. The reason why he recognizes their beliefs and their perfect city is only for his personal interests, rather than the grace of a god to his believers?

"..."

Angertai trembled inwardly at this forbidden conjecture and was briefly distressed. In his heart, there seemed to be some quietly rising whispers, agreeing with his point of view in his ears: the Word Bearer could distinguish these as several completely different persuasions and a creepy distant laughter.

He originally thought that it was just his hallucination, but he soon found that he could not drive away these voices: these voices were like reflections lingering in Angertai's heart, and they came when the Word Bearer first began to have some doubts about the God-Emperor in his heart.

Although these voices have temporarily receded due to Angertai's boredom, the Word Bearer knows that they have not disappeared, but have simply hidden quietly. When he recalls what these voices said, he feels that they are not entirely unreasonable.

What they said...isn't entirely wrong?

And his guess... was correct?

Anglete shuddered again.

He hesitated for a moment whether to ask the pastor brother beside him for help, but after seeing that these people were still praying with their heads bowed, he had no choice but to shut his mouth and choose to divert his attention with other things.

For example: standing up and walking towards his original body.

He thought so, and did so. His plain warrior armor was so dazzling among the colorful robes of the believers: Angertai was the first Word Bearer to stand up. Before the Emperor's light faded, he strode towards his genetic father.

With his back to everyone, he walked alone in front of a hundred thousand kneeling people, his face hidden in the shadows: everyone was accepting the light of the God-Emperor, but Angeltai chose to refuse. He lowered his head, and the only companions were the unknown monsters in his heart.

This was not because of his pride, but on the contrary, it was because of humility: from the very beginning, Angletai did not think that he would be favored by the God-Emperor, he had no interest in faith, and what's more, Angletai never thought that he would be that special person.

While his brothers fought bloody battles for their faith in the God-Emperor and their hopes for the future, the reason that supported Angertai's fight and actions never changed from beginning to end: he was just "obeying orders."

Obey Luo Jia's orders.

The only person he would be loyal to in his life.

Halfway through the journey, his attention was temporarily attracted by another brother: Anglete saw Korpharon slowly and painfully standing up from the ground. Although his Terminator power armor made standing easier, the stabilizers at the joints were buzzing, still making the first captain's face look ferocious, completely different from the pious and fanatical look he had just had.

Angertai offered no help: just like any Word Bearer.

He did not hate Kor Phaeron as much as most of his brothers did, but he did not like him either. He agreed with the mainstream view in the Legion: Kor Phaeron had made contributions as the adoptive father of the Primarch, but he was definitely not worthy of the position of First Captain.

Look at the captains of other legions, what kind of people they are: not to mention Abaddon, Radon and Typhons who are outstanding in ability and have made great achievements, even a semi-retired figure like Marshall of the Dawnbreaker Legion was once a famous legend in the Empire. There is no doubt about his strength and achievements.

Compared to these people, old Kor Phaeron is nothing: he can't even defeat a group of greenskins by his own strength!
Angertai's eyes briefly met Kor Phaeron's, and he felt the resentment in the old man's pupils: Kor Phaeron had this attitude towards the vast majority of members of the legion, and he openly hated most of the Word Bearers Legion.

Angeltai was too lazy to get angry with him. He just sighed secretly in his heart while looking away: In his heart, the position of first company commander was actually more suitable for another person, a person who had long been erased from the legion sequence.

That was Erebus, the former chief priest of the Word Bearers.

His half mentor and guide.

Few people know that Erebas was Angortai's guide. It was he who chose Angortai from the countless children of school age on Colchis and absorbed him into the Word Bearers Legion. Erebas originally planned to train Angortai to be a priest, but he finally chose to become a warrior.

(Yes, this is official history, not something I made up. Erebas was indeed Angerte's guide and former teacher. This relationship also affected Angerte's later judgment of Erebas. Angerte's death in the original book was not unrelated to this.)
Not long after he made this choice, Chief Priest Erebus disappeared during a private operation. Because this was an extremely private operation that was not even reported, the Word Bearers Legion did not even know where the final burial place of the Chief Priest was.

The death of Erebus was a loss to the entire legion. Although he had not been the chief priest for long, no one could take his place. His statue still stands in the core square of the Law of Faith, and no one could take over the position he left behind.

Luo Jia also considered Angertai, but the latter insisted on the path of a warrior.

The Primarch did not force him and respected his opinion from the bottom of his heart, which made Angertai grateful to his father: he vowed that whenever he was present, he would protect his Primarch.

Even though there were two other Primarchs standing next to Luo Jia at this time, this was no exception.

Angertai was not reckless. He waited patiently for the Primarchs to finish their conversation before he went up to them. He was joined by Kor Phaeron who arrived later. The old man was obviously afraid of the other two Primarchs, but after seeing his adopted son Lorgar, he still went up to them.

But while he was hesitating, Angertai had already stood in front of Morgan and Guilliman, and bowed to them neither servilely nor arrogantly, because he noticed that the two men seemed to want to help Lorgar up: in such an occasion, such an action would inevitably undermine Lorgar's dignity.

Is their father so weak that he needs someone to support him?

Angertai stood up, seemingly saluting, but in fact he was using his body to block the two Primarchs. He was sweating inwardly because of this reckless action. He knew that he was gambling on the tolerance of these two Primarchs who had a good reputation.

Fortunately, the situation was as he expected: Morgan, who was always known for his gentleness and kindness, saw through his intention but just laughed it off. As for the worrying Guilliman, he was not very concerned about supporting Lorgar, but instead looked at Angerte with a little interest.

"Are you Anglete?"

the Macragge asked.

"Yes, my lord."

The Word Bearer bowed again.

"I had not thought you had heard of me: I am only a nobody in the Legion."

Guilliman smiled but did not respond.

The Word Bearer was not willing to delve into how the Lord of Five Hundred Worlds knew of a little-known company commander like him. Although his legion did have some military fame, it would not have spread to such a faraway place.

No...I can't think about it...

The Word Bearer turned around and helped up his genetic father. He did not dare to actually touch Lorgar's shoulder, but just bent down, glanced at the scrolls covered with scriptures, and asked his father softly.

"Aurellion, my Primarch."

"Come, the Legion awaits you."

Luo Jia raised his head and cast a grateful glance at Angertai. His face was calm and perfect: Angertai, who dared to look directly at the God-Emperor, did not dare to look directly at his genetic father at this moment. It would be an offense.

Moreover, every time he gazed upon his Primarch, Angertai would be thrown into a genuine fantasy, in which he would recall the day when he was eleven years old, had just participated in the Astartes selection, and had the honor of meeting Lorgar for the first time.

The first meeting with the Primarch is an impression that no Word Bearer can forget, and it is also accompanied by pain: when the Primarch appeared, Angertai's senses could not even process what he saw, and he fainted for a long time. When he woke up, the words he uttered became a vow that would be made from then on.

“I want to serve him.”

"I will serve him, I swear."

This was a promise, a promise that Lorgar would never know, but one that Angortai would fulfill until his death: when the Primarch stood up, he no longer paid attention to his offspring, but started chatting with his brothers. Taking advantage of this opportunity, Kor Phaeron took Angortai's position, and the Word Bearer just took a step back, silently performing his guard work on the edge.

But someone still noticed him.

[Are you Anglete? ]

Exactly the same inquiry, but this time it came from the Spider Queen's mouth: After Morgan carefully observed Kor Phaeron, which scared the old man so much that his whole body was covered with hair, he turned his attention to Angortai, but unlike Guilliman, Angortai found that the Lord of Avalon's gaze seemed to be deeper.

The Primarch was sincere in wanting to dig something out of him.

And she obviously dug it.

"Yes, my lord."

"You've heard of me, too?"

【Conrad told me about you.】

The Spider Queen pursed her lips, her expression was hard to describe.

"..."

Anglete was silent.

Is he so famous?

Then, neither of them spoke. Angletai just watched quietly as Morgan's gaze towards him kept changing.

At first, the Spider Queen just hated talking to her two blood relatives, and on a whim, she observed the silent Word Bearer beside her, but when she emptied her pupils and her eyes passed by Angertai, her brows wrinkled unconsciously. Angertai could even see Morgan's nose move slightly, as if he was smelling something from him.

Finally, the Primarch raised her head, a complex expression emerged on her face, one that looked like both pity and ridicule. She was obviously more interested in Angertai, and even stretched out her hand and patted the Word Bearer's shoulder lightly.

【Here’s a piece of advice for you. 】

Morgan's voice was disjointed.

[In the future, when you don’t know what to do, remember to listen to your own voice: except for yourself, no one will think of selling you at a good price. No matter how many benefits those things promise you, they will definitely default in the end.]

[It really doesn’t work. ]

The Primarch lowered her voice and her body, leaning closer to the Word Bearer's ear.

【Death may not be salvation. 】

【Mark my words, darling.】

……darling?
This strange word left Angertai completely puzzled, but the Spider Queen obviously would not give him an explanation. Morgan turned around and rejoined the meeting of the Primarchs. What they were discussing was nothing more than how the Perfect City should be dealt with in the future. This topic was not serious, and even Malcador could join in.

……

"What did you say, Morgan?"

Luo Jia's eyes lit up.

"Do you want to accept some of the residents of Perfect City to your Far Eastern border?"

【It's just a suggestion, if you don't agree, forget it. 】

Morgan waved his hand.

[After all, my fleet and legion have been here for quite some time, and it is inevitable that some extra things will happen among those mortal troops.]

"For example?"

Guilliman spoke up, looking more interested than Lorgar.

【how to say……】

Morgan scratched his cheek.

[Just a few hours ago, my auxiliary army headquarters submitted a report to me: I have more than 500 mortal soldiers under my command, and I hope to bring their families away from here and return to the Far East border together.]

"Your soldiers bring their families to fight?"

[It wasn't there when I came. ]

The Primarch blinked.

[However, during this month, after these soldiers who served as guards had long-term contact with the locals, it was inevitable that some... bonds would develop between them.]

"I can understand that."

Guilliman laughed.

"After all, the mortal soldiers who are able to follow you in this operation have good personal conditions in the galaxy. Do you have any opinions, Luo Jia?"

"Absolutely not."

The Great Speaker smiled gently.

"The Perfect City has never restricted its residents from moving in or out, whether for their own livelihood or to spread the holy faith. Since they think the Far Eastern Frontier is more suitable for them, what reason do I have to restrict their hearts? And I believe that your Far Eastern Frontier will not restrict their freedom of belief. Right, Morgan?"

【certainly. 】

Morgan was noncommittal.

This matter has been revealed.

Over the next period of time, the three Primarchs talked about some other things, but none of them were important because the unwelcome Sigillite was standing not far away, recording their every word and action.

During this period, the Word Bearers finally stood up, and under Lorgar's command, they were leaving here in an orderly manner, proudly puffing out their chests, as if they had won a battle worthy of being written into an epic: even the Imperial Guards who left with them were amazed at the pride of these warriors and showed contempt on their faces.

This noisy process lasted for two full Terran standard hours. As for the subsequent settlement of the immigrants from the Perfect City and a series of messy administrative work, it would take at least a few days. But now, these things are not important. What is really important is...

"Meeting new brothers?"

Luo Jia laughed.

"Of course: I've been looking forward to meeting Corax."

【Have you also heard about his return? 】

"I am not an ignorant person, Morgan: in fact, when you and the Emperor welcomed back our brother Corax, my fleet and I were in the nearby star system, but the Emperor did not summon us there, and we had an important mission at hand at the time."

"Of course, there is also a little selfish motive on my part."

Luo Jia was a little shy.

"I don't think I'm ready: I've always felt that when I meet my brothers, I have to be different every time and impress them, even if it's the first time, because they must have heard the story about me."

【A novel idea. 】

Morgan nodded.

【Are you ready now? 】

"Not actually."

Luo Jia smiled and shook his head: When it comes to faith, he is indeed a likable person.

"Just the four of us?"

[In fact, more: at least Leman Russ has been waiting for us. ]

"That's good."

The Great Speaker breathed a sigh of relief.

"Ruth, at least Ruth is a reassuring guy."

“I’m glad we’ve reached an agreement.”

Before Morgan could speak, Guilliman was the first to respond to this conclusion.

"Ruth is really good."

After saying this, the Macragge man turned around and smiled at Morgan.

"Just don't compete with him in drinking: we're not going to compete with him in drinking, are we?"

【of course not. 】

Morgan shook her head, and a gleam of light flashed in her pupils.

[It's rare to have so many brothers here, so of course we have to talk about some important things. ]

After saying that, the Spider Queen walked quickly to Luo Jia's side.

【Especially you, brother.】

Morgan tapped Rogar's chest.

[I have many things that I want to hear from you: whether it is psionics, or the Warmaster, or the situation of the Great Crusade after the Emperor returned to Holy Terra, as well as your evaluation of our other brothers...]

"Like Corax?"

【……right.】

【For example, Corax. 】

【I hope you can live in peace. 】

(End of this chapter)