Emperor's Bane

Chapter 563 Democratic System

Chapter 563 Democratic System
As we all know, as the undoubted beacon country and the long-awaited utopia in this harmonious and peaceful vast galaxy, the advantages of the Human Empire are as numerous as the stars. Even if the most outstanding two-headed machine slave were to write about it for nine years, nine months, nine days and nine nights, he would never be able to finish writing about it.

And for this glorious, gentle, tolerant, friendly and outward-looking utopian universal empire, which has extremely high moral standards, advocates science and reason, and is ruled by the most efficient bureaucracy, its most proud advantage is undoubtedly its democratic system that leads the entire galaxy.

[The Human Empire is a beacon of freedom and democracy]: This great theory was written by the Emperor on the first page of his Imperial Constitution. Every time he slaughtered millions of greenskins or more pocket empires, he would use this paper to wipe his bloody hands to show his respect for this principle.

As the descendants of the Emperor, the true leaders of the Human Empire and the Great Crusade, the eighteen Primarchs who are still walking in the world today are naturally the best witnesses and participants of this democratic system: it is their votes and discussions that determine the Empire's choices at every historical turning point.

Every day when something big happened, the Primarchs would gather together, holding the form given to them by the Emperor, which was filled with every possible solution: the Emperor's sons would use their profound wisdom and sharp thinking that only existed in the setting, and after a series of friendly discussions, they would finally choose an option that was based entirely on rational value, rather than on their personal prejudices and private preferences.

Then, these choices that reflect their wisdom will be handed over to the Emperor. Under the watchful eyes of the Primarchs, the Emperor will place these precious reports in an empty trash can with the utmost caution, then stand up and announce to his descendants the implementation plan that he had already decided on eight hundred years before the meeting began.

At this time, the Primarchs would often be surprised to find that this plan was not on the report in their hands: then, everyone present would applaud and cheer for the great wisdom of the Lord of Mankind, and another democratic activity of the Human Empire would come to a successful conclusion.

Everything will be perfect.

But there is just one flaw.

That is: today, more than 130 years after the Great Crusade began, the Great Emperor seems to have never convened this sacred democratic meeting to listen to the advice of the Primarchs to solve any problem.

Even if it is a problem related to the Primarch.

So, when democracy came knocking on the door, the emperor's descendants were somewhat at a loss.

……

“And this is the problem we are going to solve next.”

The Wolf King's wine glass was empty, which made him look a little melancholy. He put the rough stone creation aside, picked up a full wine bottle, cut off the lid, and drank it directly.

Not until his beard was stained with wine did Russ look at his brothers again: mainly at the Spider Queen.

"The meeting concerning Magnus will be held in the form of a tribunal of commissioners, with the All-Father himself as the final arbiter, though he will neither join in the debate nor vote: the participants will include us, the Primarchs, as well as representatives from the Imperium's bureaucracy and all the military branches of the Great Crusade."

"That means there will be many mortals participating in this meeting, brothers."

Leman Russ grinned.

"About 10,000 people."

"Ten thousand people?"

Guilliman was the first to frown.

"Have you taken down all the departments of the empire in one fell swoop?"

The Macragge's voice was sharp and went straight to the heart of the matter: As the vassal who actually controlled the Five Hundred Worlds, Guilliman knew very well how many participants were needed for a highest-level meeting. Although ten thousand people was just a drop in the bucket for the Human Empire, considering that these people were from the powerful departments of the Empire, the scale was too large.

To put it bluntly: even if the Emperor and other Primarchs were excluded, the various factions represented by these ten thousand mortals alone could force any Primarch and his Astartes Legion to surrender.

Even Horus is no exception.

"Yes, at least ten thousand people."

Leman Russ nodded heavily, causing his relatives to have different expressions: Morgan and Konrad maintained the same expression as Guilliman, they all knew what this number meant, but Corax and Lorgar were still a little confused, but they chose to listen at the right time.

"These ten thousand people will include the High Lords of the Terran Senate, the Generals of the Martian Senate, members of the various psionic organizations and psionic societies, the Arbitrators of the Terran Tribunal, the Military Lords of the Mortal Auxilia and the Imperial Navy, the Custodes, the Astropaths and the Rogue Traders, and even the Governors of selected planets and sectors, as well as the masters of ambitious expeditionary fleets."

"Gathering these people together just to listen to Magnus's debate?"

Guilliman sneered, not even bothering to blame such outrageous inefficiency.

“I don’t know more.”

Leman Russ spread out his hands, looking nonchalant.

"I am responsible for delivering a message to you, brothers. In fact, I am not the only one responsible for this task: Horus will set off to find Sanguinius and Fulgrim, and the Sigillite will be sent to inform Mortarion and Dorn. As for the other brothers, the All-Father will find time to explain the truth to them personally."

Having said this, a hearty laugh broke out from the wolf king's throat.

"Even Chagatai Khan, the All-Father will go to him personally."

"Is it?"

The Great Bearer of Words, who was sitting on the other side, smiled after hearing the name.

"Even Chagatai Khan has considered this: Is the Divine Emperor's consciousness so firm this time?"

"Who says it's not true? We all know that Chagatai's attitude towards the All-Father has always been very..."

“Wild.”

The brief silence seemed to exhaust the cultural heritage in Leman Russ's heart.

"And this time, the All-Father actually went against his usual practice and went to him in person to explain the significance of the overall situation to him: Based on this alone, I think you have already understood how important the meeting with Magnus is, brothers."

Leman Russ clenched his fists. He looked around at everyone, from Morgan and Guilliman who seemed to be lost in thought, to Konrad who seemed to be indifferent, to Corax who seemed to be wandering away, until Lorgar who seemed to have some sympathy for Magnus.

"Lorgar, I know you have a good relationship with Magnus: but this is not the time to be willful."

The wolf king's voice was very low.

"The reason why the All-Father summoned so many people to the meeting against Magnus is to ensure that his ruling can be implemented as quickly and thoroughly as possible. Therefore, we must be consistent with him, brothers: this is not a democratic vote, this is a reprimand and final warning to him while preserving Magnus's face."

"As a warning, this scene is too grand."

The Macragge nodded toward his Fenrisian brother, his voice neutral in both sadness and joy.

"In that case: do we all need to condemn Magnus then?"

Guilliman's voice was very soft, as if he did not regard it as blasphemous to accuse his brother against his will: this attitude made Lorgar opposite him and Corax behind him frown, but Corax's brows soon relaxed again.

"No, there's no need to be so rigid."

The wolf king took back his cup and filled it for himself.

"It's OK as long as you have a good idea of what's going on. We can act accordingly. You can also choose to vote for Magnus. Anyway, the final result of the meeting has been decided. We are just going through the motions. Also, if you find that Magnus cannot handle the situation alone, even if you don't want to vote for him, don't make the final result look too ugly."

"Like I said before, this is not a trial for Magnus after all. Brothers, since there are so many mortal representatives present, let's not embarrass our wizard brother and his cubs."

After saying this, Leman Russ did not forget to wink at his brothers.

"Of course, we don't really need to worry about this issue. According to the intelligence I have obtained so far, Sanguinius and Fulgrim will speak for Magnus, and Jaghatai will support Magnus without reservation. Everything depends on Magnus's own performance."

"That shouldn't be too bad."

Luo Jia smiled gently.

"Magnus is, after all, the most intelligent of us all."

“He knows what to do.”

The Great Word Bearer's praise did not receive much response from the Primarch: Corax leaned in his corner, looking very disgusted with this manipulated election. Although he knew that there were reasons for this, and what he saw and heard around Morgan also made him understand the necessity of this behavior, the Raven King was still unwilling to get too deeply involved.

As for Conrad, he was taking advantage of Corax's distraction to steal the bottle from his brother's hand: the abstract painting that Midnight Haunter was painting on the balcony was just short of paint.

Among the three people who actually participated in the discussion, Morgan remained silent. Since it involved Magnus and psionics, she was considered a half-party who needed to avoid suspicion. As for those parts that touched her personal interests: anyway, the Macragge people spoke for her.

At this time, the effect of the Spider Queen's running back and forth between Avalon and the Five Hundred Worlds in the previous decades became apparent: many of Guilliman's interests were deeply tied to Morgan, so even if Morgan did not speak, the Macragge people would take the initiative to speak up for their common interests.

For example:

"Since you have decided to put Magnus on trial, has the Emperor told you what will happen to the Think Tank Project after the trial? Magnus is one of the main initiators of this project. Will his fall affect the Think Tank Project?"

The Lord of Five Hundred Worlds entangled his ten fingers together, frowned, and looked at his brother unceremoniously: As one of the biggest beneficiaries of the think tank plan, Guilliman certainly did not want to see his grand blueprint torn to pieces because of Magnus's fall.

"You actually care about this?"

The Wolf King raised his eyebrows. He had never expected that Guilliman would so quickly associate the fall of Magnus with the threat to the Librarian's plan. Should he praise the Macragge man for his sharp mind or accuse him of having no brotherly love?
Could you at least worry about what Magnus himself thinks?

The wolf king smiled dangerously at his brother at the thought.

"Ah, that's true. After all, you have a lot of interests in it, Robert. If I remember correctly, in your Ultramarines Legion, the regular think tanks that have been officially incorporated into the legion, plus those warriors who have initially mastered psychic combat methods, should already have a total of 20,000 people, right?" When this number came out, it was like a meteorite falling into a pond, causing silent waves. "From Lorgar to Corax, all the Primarchs could not help but look at the Macragge sitting among them.

"Not so much, bro."

Guilliman scratched the back of his head humbly and shook his head in denial.

“I don’t have 20,000 people on the think tank staff: I’m still 3,000 or 4,000 short of that number.”

"..."

silence.

Silence is Cambridge tonight.

"It seems that I guessed wrong..."

The Wolf King gritted his teeth, trying his best to maintain his smile, but he was no longer willing to discuss too much with Guilliman: and since the topic of the think tank was mentioned, Russ naturally turned his gaze to the Lord of Avalon who had been silent all the time.

"But speaking of think tanks..."

The wolf king raised his chin.

"That's why we need you, Morgan."

【Please explain it in more detail.】

The Spider Queen opened her eyes: she had vaguely guessed it.

"Then I'll make it short."

Leman Russ drank the wine in the glass and wiped his chin.

"All-Father's meaning is simple: Magnus will be reprimanded, but since the think tank plan has been formed and is being implemented well in most legions and fleets, it will not be affected by Magnus, but Magnus must be removed from this plan."

【Completely eliminated? 】

"Yes."

There was a cold light flashing in the wolf king's pupils.

"This is for the Think Tank Project. If Magnus continues to stay in this project, or has anything to do with it, it will only make the promotion of the Think Tank more difficult: even Sanguinius and Chagatai Khan, the two people who joined hands with Magnus to launch the Think Tank Project, agree with this."

"Allfather has told me that Chagatai will argue for Magnus, but that is for the sake of their friendship. Chagatai supports the suggestion to remove Magnus from the think tank plan."

"Remember: don't tell anyone."

The Wolf King warned his brothers.

【Then go on, Ruth.】

Morgan nodded.

【what do I need to do?】

"It's very simple."

The wolf king grinned.

"You don't need to do anything, Morgan. You just need to summarize the plans you have made for the think tank over the years, all the results you have achieved, and the preliminary prospects for the future. Add some of your best and gorgeous writing skills to make this plan sound sacred and reliable, with a bright future."

"And at that time, before the Emperor issues a verdict on Magnus, you need to report the results and future of your think tank plan in front of everyone present, that is, in front of all the military departments and bureaucratic systems of the Empire, and make them believe that even without Magnus, controllable psykers can still bring more far-reaching benefits and influence to the human empire."

【……I see. 】

Morgan blinked, a hint of anger flashing in her pupils.

[Do you want me to deal the final blow to Magnus? ]

"..."

The wolf king was silent.

"That depends on him, Morgan..."

[Stop joking! ]

The Spider Queen rudely interrupted her hesitant Fenris brother.

[We all know, Russ: No species in nature will become extinct because of the strength of predators. What can really make these species extinct is a competitor that can replace them in the ecological niche: only herbivores can extinct herbivores, and only carnivores can extinct carnivores. ]

[In other words, only I, a controllable psychic and think tank representative who can bring more benefits to the Empire, can completely kick out Magnus, the former representative who has lost control and cannot bring benefits to the Empire: to ensure that the Empire can still embrace the benefits of psychic power while replacing Magnus.]

"..."

"indeed so."

Guilliman nodded.

"No matter how brilliant the words of Leman Russ and Mortarion are, they cannot deny the role of psykers, nor can they deny Magnus's position among psykers. Unless there is a better psyker who can completely replace Magnus' role, this will truly spell the downfall of Magnus."

"This……"

"That's what Morgan needs to do."

"Is that the reason for her to...become a conservative?"

As Guilliman spoke, everyone's eyes focused on the Wolf King.

As for the Fenrisians, they just sat there and took a deep breath.

"It's more than that, guys."

"It's... just... I mean..."

Although Leman Russ seemed to want to explain the whole thing to his blood brothers very much, the Wolf King obviously lacked this ability: he just sat there, scratching his ears and cheeks for a while, then sighed a little decadently, and then simply focused his attention on Morgan.

"Forget it, I'd better tell you straight out, Morgan."

【I'm listening.】

"To put it simply, one sentence."

The wolf king raised his finger.

"In this meeting, Magnus's opponent is me, but your opponent is not me."

【……What's the meaning? 】

"it means……"

"You, me, and Mortarion must defeat Magnus first."

"Then……"

"You join forces with me again."

"Defeat: Mortarion."

【…】