Emperor's Bane

Chapter 585 Morgan's Body and the Witch Hammer
"What are you doing, Morgan?"

【Magnus? Ah: I'm looking for my blood pressure monitor.】

"A blood pressure monitor? You're the Primarch, what do you need that for?"

[I still have to find it, brother. After all, it belongs to my personal finances. And considering that I will hold a family meeting with you and Angron in fifteen minutes, it is necessary to find it first.]

Can't understand.

Magnus was a little helpless, but he did not continue to ask.

Because he knew it was meaningless.

After all, although strictly speaking, the Great Wizard and his Avalon relatives had not spent a long time together, they both quickly figured out each other's temperament and character: Magnus had always felt that this kind of tacit understanding was a mutual admiration that only existed between top psychics.

This proves that they do not exist in the same world as their other brothers.

Because of this, the Scarlet King knew some taboos when getting along with Morgan: for example, his blood relative actually hated to be disturbed by some small problems, especially when all her attention needed to be focused on something or some things.

Even though Morgan would most likely not get angry if she was bothered at this time, but would respond gently out of his upbringing and character, this did not mean that the Spider Queen would welcome such behavior in her heart.

The great wizard abides by this because he can see through Morgan's soul at any time and anywhere and feel his true joy, anger, sorrow and happiness. This is something that neither Jonson nor Conrad can do, so they are always confused because they suddenly angered Morgan unintentionally: in fact, the Lord of Avalon's anger may have been burning for a long time, accumulating in hours or even days.

The Lion King of Caliban would probably never figure out this problem: Morgan's sudden anger at him today might have been caused by an unreasonable request a few months ago, or an offense that was not apologized for. Things like this accumulated over time and would eventually break through the Spider Queen's already high emotional threshold.

It's funny to say, in fact, if we compare horizontally, Morgan's temper is indeed among the best among the Primarchs. Her reputation for being gentle is partly due to unknown rumors, and partly it is indeed a manifestation of her nature: but no matter what the reason is that makes her so gentle, it makes the Spider Queen passively bear more negative emotions when getting along with her brothers.

The Primarchs were all greedy creatures.

However, due to the good reputation and the inherent impression, this negative emotion rarely receives an apology from the offender: except for a few people like Guilliman and Corax, the Primarchs seem to lack the skill to apologize. Even people like Jonson or Conrad will not apologize for those minor offenses, although this will indeed accumulate pressure in Morgan's heart.

So, even though Morgan's emotional threshold is already very high, her brothers tend to fill it up quickly, followed by earth-shattering rage and the various physiological problems that follow.

Except for Magnus, almost no one can figure out the rules of this soul. Instead, a negative term "getting angry for no reason from time to time" was added to Morgan's external image: In this regard alone, the Spider Queen is no different from those mortals.

In fact: there is more to it than that.

As Magnus waited patiently for his Avalon blood relatives and his nieces to finish cleaning the room and looking for things, the great wizard stared at Morgan's back, quietly tilted his head, and fell into deep thought.

In his conversations with other brothers, such as Perturabo, they had discussed the problem of Morgan, especially the fact that she was too similar to mortals: compared to the greatness and divinity of the Primarchs, Morgan had a stronger sense of humanity, which was reflected in every aspect of her life.

Even reflected in...her body.

……

"I don't know if you share my view, Morgan."

The great wizard suppressed his curiosity and waited for about fifteen minutes until Morgan found what she wanted. He then handed it to his two daughters beside him: Magnus watched Virgo's towering pink ponytails and Lynx's pale yellow cat tail disappear beyond the edge of his vision, and then he could not wait to walk towards his blood relative of Avalon.

He asked the questions that were on his mind: Magnus could never quite suppress his desire for new questions and new answers.

【Maybe. 】

To his disappointment, after a suspicious silence, the Spider Queen nodded but did not give a clear answer. She did not even look at her red brother: The Great Wizard did not think that Morgan would be as shy as ordinary women because of these questions. Maybe there were some other reasons?
"Haven't you discussed this? This involves your own safety."

The Scarlet King smiled as he saw Morgan cleaning up the mess. Although he didn't understand why the Spider Queen didn't use her psychic powers, which were comparable to his, to restore order to the room in an instant, Magnus was willing to endure this: he bent down and began to clean up the room with Morgan.

Although he seems clumsy, I don't know whether he is helping or making trouble.

[Of course we have discussed this.]

Morgan reached out and held up a stack of books that Magnus had knocked over.

[In fact, I regularly ask my pharmacists to take X-rays for me to explore the internal structure of my body. Although they still haven't come to any authoritative conclusions, they have gradually figured out the functions of some areas: they don't know every organ in my body, but they can roughly divide which organs are used for eating, which are used for breathing, and some other key parts.]

“What a remarkable discovery.”

The great wizard nodded in admiration.

"No wonder they always say that your Dawnbreakers are the legion with the highest level of apothecaries, and only the Emperor's Children can compare with them: although my descendants often give me regular health checks, they are still confused about my body structure until now. I heard that most other legions are the same."

“Perhaps you should share Dawnbreaker’s successful experience in this regard?”

I think it’s difficult.

Morgan seemed to have something to hide. She turned around to look for other things and had to unpack many of the books and small items that had been packed. The inefficiency of all this made the great wizard frown, but he still quietly followed Morgan and put these scattered little things into order.

"Can't you use psychic powers?"

[Of course I can, but I don’t like it. ]

Morgan turned his head and blinked, leaving Magnus speechless.

[A long time ago, I also liked to use my psychic powers for many things, but now I only use them on the battlefield, or for the most important things, such as: ensuring my health and physical shape. 】

"...?"

Magnus opened his mouth and was about to continue asking questions when he found Morgan turned around and stuffed something into his hand. Looking down, he saw a medical X-ray diagram, and the bones and internal organs in it obviously belonged to the Spider Queen.

The great wizard simply recalled the perspective drawings he had taken before and soon realized the problem.

"It's totally different: at least 40 percent different."

Magnus shook his head repeatedly.

"I have seen other brothers'. Their internal structures are the same as mine. We are like replicas, without any difference. However, you are only half different from us. The 40% area cannot be completely matched, which is a serious problem. My sister, have you not asked the Emperor?"

I asked.

Morgan nodded.

【But he couldn’t explain it clearly.】

"he does not know?"

[It’s not that I don’t know: it’s that I won’t tell. ]

"Hmm... this does look a lot like him."

Magnus continued to study the wonderful picture in his hand for a while, and he soon understood where the problem lay: If the Dawnbreakers felt completely confused when they first saw Morgan's internal structure, that was understandable. After all, Morgan's organs were as complex as those of other Primarchs, and even Magnus could not explain them clearly.

But if you look more closely, you will find an obvious clue: if the other Primitives have organs that are completely different from those of mortals, like strange creatures living outside the known world, then many of Morgan's organs, or that 40% of his organs, at least have a human-like appearance, and the outlines of many of his organs have a familiar feeling.

If you look closely, you will find that these organs are similar to those of Astartes warriors and even mortals: you can also deduce their respective uses, such as the stomach and liver.

Magnus also discovered that his blood relatives actually lacked a very important body location for women, and instead were replaced by some kind of strange hybrid: they looked more like beings in the subspace.

"It's really interesting."

The great wizard nodded.

"The 40% in you is more like a mortal than us, or an Astartes?"

[I believe this was not the Emperor's original plan for me, otherwise he would have said it.]

This incident did seem to cause the Spider Queen a little trouble.

[What do you think, Magnus? Our father cannot explain the abnormality of my body from the perspective of biological science, but perhaps your knowledge of the warp can help me: this distortion is not too much for the warp. ]

"indeed."

Magnus thought about it.

"I can only say that if the Emperor did add a large amount of Warp elements when creating the Primarch as I thought, then the part of the Warp elements targeting you is very likely to have fluctuated, ultimately causing you to be highly similar to mortals. But within the scope of my known knowledge, I can't imagine what kind of existence could cause such a fluctuation?"

"They must be very powerful. This is like something a god would do."

【…】

"Combined with this picture and the meaning of the subspace behind it, I can roughly deduce what kind of impact this fluctuation will have on you: Physiologically, you are more likely to be troubled by various mortal diseases. We Primarchs are immune to all poisons, but you may feel the pain of mortals due to some extreme environments or situations, although this pain is not worth mentioning to you."

Morgan said nothing, glancing over to where the blood pressure monitor once stood.

"And psychologically speaking..."

The great wizard's expression was a little subtle.

【What's wrong? 】

"No, this is just a guess. I'm not sure if "He" is right or not, but based on the performance of some of your organs, your gender is very likely the product of this distortion: some organs change your gender, while other organs affect your psychology, allowing you to empathize with mortals while enjoying some of their pleasures."

[Impathize? Do you think this is how I show my kindness? ]

"No, not that, I mean when I'm having fun."

“Or more addictive.”

"And...degeneration?"

“Is extreme addiction considered depravity?”

Magnus shook his head helplessly.

"Well, you may regard my opinion as some kind of anecdote, but if my guess is correct, Morgan, then it is very likely that in your case, when the Emperor shaped each of us, some powerful Warp entity may have worked together to change your body."

[Subspace entity? Together?]

"Yes, they may be related to concepts such as disease or sensory stimulation. I have been looking for the existence of such entities in the subspace. Your picture will be strong evidence. Maybe I can make a breakthrough in this direction."

"Can you give it to me?"

【Take it.】

Morgan waved his hand.

[But according to what you said: I am more likely to be addicted to things in the outside world?] "About the same."

The great wizard gave a comforting smile.

"No need to worry, it's not a big deal, Morgan."

"You can understand it this way: mortal diseases have no effect on us, but they may have some impact on you, such as fatigue and physical feedback after long-term work, or abnormal blood pressure and other body indexes, but you don't need to go to the hospital, and these minor problems can be solved by resting."

"On the other hand, you may be addicted to some insignificant hobbies, just like you always have a dessert plate in your room. Few of the Primarchs pursue such appetites, or have so many hobbies: but you can have a few more pieces of cake without any problem."

"Can there be some god of disease or pleasure who is pointing to this to bring you down?"

【…】

Morgan said nothing.

But the gifted wizard soon thought of some other problems.

"But, if that's the case."

"I think I've figured out the cause of your Witch Hammer."

【Witch's Mallet?】

Morgan raised a brow.

【what are you saying? 】

"Don't you know?"

Magnus was a little surprised.

"On Terra, they use it to refer to the genetic disease of the Second Legion: Witch Hammer, just like the Bloodthirst of the Ninth Legion or the Black Mark of the Nineteenth Legion, but people generally feel that you need a more refined term."

【It's really troublesome for them. 】

"It doesn't matter. Mortals are always willing to think a little more about you, the lady holding the lantern."

Magnus pretended not to hear the dissatisfaction and sarcasm in Morgan's tone.

【Is there any story behind this name? 】

“A sad history.”

The Primarch waved his hand. He was always enthusiastic about sharing new knowledge.

"A long time ago on Terra, about thirty thousand years ago, there was a popular activity called witch trials or witch hunting: people in certain areas would murder innocent mortal women out of religious superstition, to maintain their rule, or simply out of greed for property, and call them witches."

"This barbaric act itself is extremely inhumane and merciless, and the accusations are ridiculous and desperate, leaving no chance of life for the accused: it is absolutely conspiratorial and outrageous from the beginning."

"For those women who were accused of being witches, if they were promiscuous, they were communicating with the devil; if they were pious, they were disguising themselves; if they were afraid, they were definitely guilty; if they were not afraid, they had received the devil's guarantee; if they appealed, they were quibbling; if they did not appeal, they had already confessed; if they could withstand torture, it was the devil protecting them; if they died directly under torture, it was the devil who let them die to prevent their confession from exposing the devil's existence."

"What's more, if they looked around during the trial, they were looking for the devil among the crowd, and if they looked straight ahead, they saw the devil and stared into his eyes: in short, women who were tied to the stake could never survive."

"This cruel act is represented by a book called the Hammer of Witches, written by two notorious missionaries. It was used to identify various witches. Almost everyone had a copy at the time, which led to a massive trial. All the crimes just mentioned were extracted from it."

[So, Terra thinks this is the right term for my genetic disease?]

"At least the performance is consistent."

Magnus spread his hands.

"The Witch Hammer has countless reasons to kill women who are infected, and your genetic disease also has countless causes, which can kill those seeds that are not pure enough. Just like the only way to escape the witch trial is to not be accused of being a witch, the only way for your gene seed to survive is to not carry any genetic disease elements at all. Only complete purity can survive."

【I think there is another solution. 】

Morgan laughed.

【That is to be a real witch. 】

“That’s a great idea.”

Magnus smiled.

"Why, you plan to solve the genetic disease by improving your own structure?"

[A good dreaming lesson: Are you going to help me with this? ]

"Please give me your orders."

Magnus saluted exaggeratedly, and the laughter of blood relatives echoed in the room.

But the laughter was short-lived, for Magnus soon began to speak again.

"In fact, I have always wanted to make great efforts in the field of genetic diseases, or at least to help you overcome various problems, whether it affects the Legion or not: I have made corresponding efforts in the field of Angron."

[Angron...]

The name made Morgan uneasy.

Angron was really here, after all: they were about to meet.

and so……

What efforts have you made?

Morgan moved closer to Magnus and stood on tiptoe with all his might to hook his shoulder: this scene made Magnus laugh, and he proudly revealed himself to his blood relative.

"It doesn't hurt to tell you first."

"See this, Morgan?"

The Prospero produced a psychic object that looked like a pendant.

【…】

[How much spiritual energy did you add to it: This amount is enough to fight a battle. ]

Morgan frowned.

"After all, it was prepared by Angron: the dosage should always be sufficient."

What is it good for?

"Do you want to experience it for yourself?"

[…Just say it directly.]

Morgan hesitated.

"Ok."

Magnus nodded.

"The function is actually very simple: we all know that Angron is called the Void King because all he cherished in his previous life were the brothers who fought alongside him in the long-destroyed wild world. Losing them made him the Void King, right?"

[That's right: Can your necklace bring them back to life? ]

"almost."

Magnus's smile made Morgan feel the hair on his neck stand on end.

Because the Spider Queen knew that she was raising the most terrifying point: Magnus could actually say "almost"?

"Although I cannot revive those gladiators physically, I can revive them in Angron's spirit. This necklace can directly read the most precious memories deep in Angron's heart, and then allow his gladiator brothers to appear before his eyes and in his life as if they were real."

【……phantom?】

"Real enough: if you touch it, you will even feel the corresponding sensation. The function of psychic power is to make illusions come true, to turn those fantasies that exist on paper into reality."

"As long as Angron carries this, those gladiators will fight beside him and bleed together in the Great Crusade. He can pretend that they have never died. He can once again feel their gazes, their emotions, their breathing, and, most importantly, their love for him."

“They will rise from the dead.”

"And he will no longer be nothing, will he?"

【…】

"What's wrong Morgan?"

[No...it's just...I just...]

Morgan looked a little shaky, as if she didn't know what to say.

【I……】

She took a deep breath.

【I just have one question, bro.】

"explain?"

[Have you... never experienced the separation of life and death? ]

"……What's wrong?"

【It doesn't matter. 】

【I think I'm about to experience this. 】

(End of this chapter)