Emperor's Bane

Chapter 632: The Spiritual Race’s Luncheon (Part )
For now, Morgan didn't believe a word of Adalad's seemingly sincere words: it was not her fault.

After all, perhaps in this ancient and crazy galaxy, there are not many truly unbreakable truths left, but "never believe the words of the Eldar easily" is still a golden rule to this day: even for the Eldar themselves, the same is true.

Especially those Eldar prophets: such as Adalaad in front of him, and Angron's unknown enemy. They are the living proof of this truth, testing its authenticity time and time again.

These unlucky creatures who are lucky enough to see the future but unfortunately are trapped in it are always dragged by the thread of fate to make wrong decisions: their words to outsiders are naturally sinful and deceptive, but their words to their own people are also very likely to be fatal.

Aidalad is a typical example. He once instigated a wrong war because of his wrong prophecy, which eventually led to the tragic deaths of his superiors, and then he took their place: although this was really just an unintentional mistake, it was enough for the Endless One Trazyn to tell it to Morgan as a joke.

The original body naturally remembers it clearly.

So, even though Adalaad's words did sound sincere, what she ultimately received was only the indifference in the Spider Queen's heart: as for the Eldar prophet's suggestion that he was once a friend of the Emperor, Morgan turned a deaf ear to it.

This was most likely a lie. After all, no matter how depraved her gene-father was, he would not be so depraved as to associate with an alien. Perhaps the other primarch brothers would be furious at such outrageous remarks. But Morgan was too lazy to do so. The Emperor was not worthy of her doing so.

The Lord of Mankind does not have that much face.

compare to……

[Since you said this is Xigaoqi's land, why are you sitting in the main seat? ]

"Does this concern you much?"

【Where is Xi Gaoqi? 】

"You want to see it?"

[This concerns my curiosity and your lives. ]

The Spider Queen glanced around and then licked the corner of her mouth slowly.

[It’s nothing, actually. If He is really a God as you say…]

"There is no doubt about this: this is not my personal flattery or inference. Long before our race roamed the galaxy, Xigoqi was already the Laughing God of the Void. His influence on the galaxy was as far as the aftermath of the War in Heaven, when the sinful Star Gods were torn apart by his schemes."

(One theory is that the Star God Civil War was instigated by the Laughing God Xi Gaoqi.)
【Awesome. 】

The primarch snorted.

[But some people told me that the Star God was killed by them using super weapons. ]

Adalad frowned. It naturally knew who Morgan was talking about.

"What despicable words, what false words: the humble slaves of the past only took advantage of the moment when their masters happened to be dying, treacherously struck the last blow, and then they thought they were the new masters of the entire galaxy. They may have once possessed true hegemony, but their glory was long gone. Moreover, their long sleep was precisely because they were afraid of our military force."

"What you saw were just the fish that escaped our net."

(The Eldar Empire has a setting that it has been strangling the tombs of the Necrons.)
【Maybe. 】

Morgan nodded casually, somewhat glad she hadn't brought Trazyn with her.

Well, a little disappointed too.

[I don't care about your grudges, they are all a thing of the past anyway, and there is no difference between you in my eyes: my father dreamed of a pure galaxy, and he couldn't tolerate even a little heresy among the human race, let alone you.]

"This idea is actually very correct: this is the solution for long-term peace and stability."

Adalad actually agreed somewhat.

[It has nothing to do with me: I would rather have Xi Gaoqi answer a question for me. ]

The Primarch waved his hand.

[Since He is a god, a real god, He should know the strength of a demigod: Does He know how many steps a demigod needs to go through if he wants to become a real god? How many lives should be sacrificed? Or are there any special requirements? ]

[What does it have to do with the Internet? 】

"What do you ask for this?"

Looking at the somewhat surprised Adalad, Morgan just sneered.

【Given your culture, I thought I didn’t need to make it clear. 】

After saying this, the Primarch lost interest in continuing to speak. She saw that the Adalad in front of her did not have any mandatory connection with Xi Gaoqi, and it was even more impossible for her to summon the true body of the Laughing God: As for Adalad's real purpose? The Spider Queen was not so humble as to ask a question.

She was waiting for the prophet to speak.

And the Prophet…is thinking.

This is not a good thing.

Fortunately, it didn't speak immediately.

After a brief silence, the Eldar prophet stood up under everyone's wary gaze, walked to the wine rack at one end of the dining table, and personally placed food for the Primarch: scarlet liquid gems were poured into crystal clear wine glasses, the best beast meat, fruits and cheese were selected and laid out next to Morgan's hand, while only some inferior fruits were left in front of the prophet.

【Don’t you want to eat? 】

"Since the catastrophe, we, the people of the Ark, have been striving to make our diet as bland as possible."

“Meat is too exciting for us.”

【really interesting.】

The primarch shook his head.

[With such nutritional imbalance, how did you fight against our soldiers on the battlefield? 】

"So we have been avoiding large-scale armed conflicts with you humans."

The Eldar Prophet turned a deaf ear to the Primarch's taunts.

But it speaks the truth.

"As an expedition aimed at purifying the galaxy of all non-human species, don't you think that the conflicts between your expeditionary force and our race are pitifully few? These fellows of Commorra are beyond my knowledge and control, but almost all the Arks will try their best to avoid conflicts with your expeditionary fleet."

[Can you tell me the reason: I don’t think you are a peace-loving race. ]

"The reason is simple. We once ruled the entire galaxy. We know what will happen to those fools who are reckless enough to become enemies of a new race, even those who were once powerful. We built our empire on the corpses of such people."

The elves felt a little emotional.

“But even for me, those were incredible and legendary years in fairy tale books: we had long forgotten how we could hold the entire galaxy in our hands. The long rule of 60 million years had made the pioneers old, and their stories seemed no different from myths to us.”

The Spider Queen did not speak. The words of the alien in front of her made her fall into a moment of thought: Many years later, will everything their generation did become like this? Sacrifice and courage are regarded as incredible legends, and the next generation has long forgotten their original intentions?

When humans take galactic hegemony for granted, who can guarantee that they will not become so comfortable that they become corrupt and degenerate?

The Primarch was silent, she didn't want to continue dwelling on this topic.

Where is this place?

Morgan swirled the wine in his glass, but had no intention of drinking it.

[I can't find any information about this world on my star map, but my legion records record that every world in this star region was recaptured by my expedition fleet eighty years ago. Is this some new trick you guys are using?]

"It's just a means of protecting property."

The prophet explained simply.

"These unpolluted worlds are also a kind of wealth to us. Before we need to use them, we will naturally hide them first and don't want them to be disturbed by anyone. I hope this will not interfere with your bottom line."

【Not yet.】

The primarch snorted.

【But what I believe is: if you don’t hold it tightly, it’s the same as losing it. 】

[Also: It is always unpleasant to have someone else's treasure chest hidden in the territory. ]

The Primarch glanced at the clowns who were gradually disappearing from her perception: they were like entering the sleeves of the Laughing God: Morgan could feel that the Eldar god was wandering beside the two of them at this moment. Although he could not be seen or touched, he was standing in a dimension that should not exist, quietly observing the lunch party, and he had no ill intentions for the time being.

【IMHO.】

After thinking it over again and again, the Spider Queen just picked up the simplest-looking fruit. She lost her patience to continue pulling, and her eyes went straight to Adalaad's face: despite the thick bronze mask, the Primarch could still see the cautious face of the Eldar prophet, as well as the fear that was desperately suppressed.

This is a guy who knows how to be afraid.

Very good: something to talk about.

[I actually really want to know why you are the only Ark Eldar here: According to what my warriors reported to me, although you and these clowns temporarily belong to the same nuisance force, the people around you should all be from the Ark Eldar and the Webway Commorros, right? ]

“They do exist.”

The prophet nodded.

"However, some of them have died at the hands of your descendants. They were mainly the helpers I recruited from Komori. They were not able to suppress their own nature and refused my order to retreat during the battle. Death was an inescapable fate for these reckless guys."

【Fate...】

The Primarch laughed and asked knowingly.

[Are you an Eldar prophet? ]

"I belong to the Craft World Uswe, and once held the position of a high-ranking Supreme Prophet, but now it has long been a thing of the past: my hometown and I have gone our separate ways, and I do not want to be alone in it. Leaving is the best choice I have ever faced. Now, although I am alone, I am more relaxed, and my fate with Uswe is still connected."

Eldalad responded with a smile, but what it did not expect was that what was waiting for it was the Primarch's suddenly dangerous gaze.

[Usvi? Very good?]

Morgan giggled, causing Adalad to touch his throat for no reason.

[In this case, you should know my opinion of your kind, and their fate with me: there are many Uswe who offend me, and as a prophet, you should be familiar with them, right? ]

"of course."

Aidalad nodded.

“That’s why I came here alone.”

"I have seen the fate of our meeting three times before fate: each time it was disturbed by the companions beside me: for some very ancient reasons, they could not suppress their hatred for the things behind you. In the worst case, you even took away the souls of my three best friends to force me to talk to you in normal language."

More normal?

Aidalad spoke up, repeating his previous words.

But this time, it was Avalon's accent.

【It's really gratifying. 】

The Primarch smiled with all his face but not his heart.

(Note: In the Ark Eldar tabletop rules, there is a special ability called Ancient Scourge, which is a special attack against Slaanesh. This means that these white bean sprouts are really not afraid of Slaanesh. On the contrary, they will fight Slaanesh like crazy, which is indeed full of martial virtue.)
[You are right. I always like to increase my advantage in negotiations. As for the specific means, I don't care much. Strangling your friend's soul is a very good plan for me, and it is also very feasible. Another important point is that I prefer to be able to hold things in my own hands rather than relying on the power of others.]

After saying this, the Spider Queen silently glanced at the statue of Xi Gaoqi.

[Like you, although you relied on the power of this Eldar God of Laughter to negotiate with me, it was indeed a very smart move, but since you are not a believer of Xi Gaoqi, how can you be sure that when the situation is irreversible: this god can really bless you? ]

"I certainly can't be sure."

Aidalad thrust a piece of fruit.

"In fact, I did not actively ask for Xi Gaoqi's help, but Xi Gaoqi directed my fate to this dining table. I am not sure if this will be of any benefit to His plan, but I do have something I want to discuss with you, and I do have a way to make you show more respect and tolerance to me."

[Relying on the friendship you mentioned? ]

The Primarch raised his eyebrows, and the breath of psychic energy lingered on his index finger.

【Then you'd better take it out now. 】

"as you wish."

Adalad was very calm. He slowly took off his helmet, revealing a very handsome face with a smile on it. However, Morgan didn't like this smile very much: because this smile made the Eldar prophet in front of him look like an elder, a distant elder who indulged Morgan, a naughty junior.

But in the next moment, all the Primarch's thoughts disappeared, because the Prophet's slender fingers reached into his lining, and then took out an old gadget: it was a thing that looked like a pendant, and was solemnly pressed on the dining table by Adalard. Morgan stared at it closely with his eyes wide open.

【This is……】

"Imperial Sky Eagle." The Eldar prophet smiled, a rare hint of nostalgia showing on his face.

"This friend of mine gave it to me. He had just designed this emblem and was going to use it for the empire he was about to establish. He said that he would start his army from the highest peak of Holy Terra, and one day he would meet me in the Milky Way, so that I could witness what he could accomplish."

【…】

Morgan felt a chill on the back of his neck at the implication of Eldarad's words: What was this Eldar talking about? Was it trying to say that the Genetic Father of the Primarch, the Emperor himself, was a friend of this Eldar? Was it a friend who had been established hundreds of years ago?

Earlier than Makhado?

【you……】

"If you don't believe me."

Adaladh slowly took back the Imperial Sky Eagle carving that exuded a strong imperial aura into his palm. The Spider Queen stared at this thing until the last moment, and confirmed very reluctantly that the aura on it did indeed belong to the Lord of Mankind, and it was even exactly the same as the golden giant sword in her mind.

"You can also go find your father. You can probably call him father, right? Ask him to teach you swordsmanship. If he trusts you enough, you will find that he not only knows the swordsmanship of our race, but is also quite good at it. To be honest, he is one of the most talented swordsmen I have ever seen."

(Eldar did know the Emperor, and the two had a good relationship. The Emperor did know the swordsmanship of the Eldar, and had used it in the Webway War or some other war, and was described as being extremely skilled in it: it seems that Old Man Huang had lived a very extravagant life in the past.)
【All right. 】

Morgan had to restrain his spiritual power.

In any case, she really couldn't smash the Eldar's head here: God knows what big plan her gene father has in mind: But, from this point of view...

The ruler of the human empire has a close Eldar friend?

If I tell anyone, I feel like I can make Luo Jia run naked around his perfect city...

That bastard dad could always be a little more depraved than she thought: at least she only considered Trazyn a partner.

The Primarch snorted softly, but she still maintained her authority in front of the Eldar.

【Well...Friends of the Empire.】

The second half of the sentence is extremely ironic.

[So, are you here to ask for my help this time? ]

"That's it."

Eldalad put his helmet back on.

"For some reason, I can't go directly to my old friend now. I can only pass it on through someone we both can barely trust. It's hard to imagine that the contact he introduced to us would be his only daughter."

【…】

contact person?
When did this happen?
How come she doesn't know?

When did that bastard Emperor assign this side quest to her?
【Convey...what? 】

"Destiny, and the future."

Adalad coughed lightly.

"The turbulence of time tells me that your father longed to start a grand war."

【He is in Ullanor now.】

"Not these tricks."

The prophet shook his head.

"The real war: the Nexus of the Webway is clearly haunting him now."

【…】

What a first-class confidentiality measure...

The Primarch's brow twitched.

[So: Are you here to help your people get rid of misfortune and ruin their lives? ]

"Do not."

Adalad showed no mercy.

"Whether Comoro is destroyed or not has no effect on us wanderers. Our country has long fallen and dissipated in the screams of ancient enemies. Comoro is just a distorted afterimage of its former glory and corruption, a piece of dirt that survives and expands tenaciously: its prosperity will not make us happy, and its fall will naturally not make me sad."

"I have no feelings for my fellow countrymen who live there. Pride and complacency have destroyed our former empire, and now they are planning to allow these evils to return and destroy them once again: Morgan of the Dawnbreaker, you do not have to worry about the power of the Ark intervening in the next war of the Lord of Mankind, but it is this reckless military adventure that we are talking about."

"I hope you'll remember my words."

The Prophet lowered his voice, causing the Primarch to unconsciously increase his concentration.

"Tell your father."

"He can't destroy Comoros, let alone take it away completely."

"He was too greedy and his plans went far beyond his capabilities."

Morgan narrowed his eyes slightly.

She wasn't surprised at all.

[What makes you say that? Did you foresee that my father would be defeated in Comoro?]

"No, quite the opposite."

The prophet replied somewhat bitterly.

"He succeeded."

"I saw the black sun and spire of Comoros turned into dust in his palm: Comoros is, after all, just a larger city in the king's way, and they also lack a powerful king, a leader who can fight against your father."

(The rise of Vect would not come until four or five thousand years after the Great Crusade.)
“But he failed, too.”

"He has fanatically invested too much power in this non-lethal battlefield. Instead, he has ignored the real war situation in the galaxy. He thinks he can manipulate and win all the battles at the same time, but he can only win one victory at most: don't let his greed blind his eyes, because his subordinates will all betray him."

【All?】

Morgan found it a little ridiculous.

[Including me? ]

"not at all."

[I didn't betray? ]

"You are not considered one of his subordinates."

【…】

For no reason, Morgan felt that the words of the elf in front of him became more credible.

So, what are you going to do?

Morgan's tone was heavy, she put her hands behind her back, and her psychic energy surged again: Adalaad's next words will determine whether this will become a banquet, a battlefield, or something worse?
[Are you going to let me persuade my father to stop the war against Comoros? ]

“I can’t do that.”

The Prophet's clean and decisive rejection made the Primarch raise his eyebrows in surprise.

“You can’t do that either.”

“But there’s another thing we can do.”

【Would you like to hear about this? 】

"I can tell you……"

"How are you going to help your father win the Comoros War?"

“This is the only way.”

"It takes a strong will. Endless loyalty. And great sacrifice."

【Let me sacrifice myself? 】

"No: let everyone be sacrificed."

Adalad's eyes were firm and his voice was distorted.

"Especially your genetic father."

"He will sacrifice everything he has."

"Except for the Throne."

"He will be left with nothing."

------

[How can there be victory if one has nothing in hand? ]

“It is precisely because we have nothing in our hands that we can embrace true victory.”

"Embrace... the real world."

"Then he was able to control ..."

------

Adalard's voice stopped at this heroic declaration. Although he wanted to continue speaking, at this moment, the initiative of time and space was no longer in his hands: not even in Morgan's hands. When everything fell into absolute silence, the Primarch noticed that he seemed to have walked into a still world.

She…no…it’s not her problem.

Morgan blinked and looked carefully at Adaladh in front of her: through the dust and traces between his eyebrows, the Primarch could easily find that time was still flowing, but at an unbearably slow speed.

In other words, everyone present, whether Astartes or Eldarad, or the Harlequin Troupe, trees and rivers, warships and clouds, were dragged into an extremely slow dimension in the blink of an eye.

Except... the Primarch himself.

But it wasn't her doing: not even she realized it.

Morgan took a deep breath and looked away from Aidalad.

Then, listen.

From far to near...

From small to large……

From mild to loud...

From vanity to heaviness...

【applause?】

After repeatedly confirming what the strange noise was, Morgan's expression suddenly became complicated: What kind of character's appearance requires continuous noises?

Actor... or...

【clown?】

The moment the voice came out, the Primarch felt himself falling into an abyss of wild laughter.

The monarch of Avalon only had time to utter a few brief complaints before falling.

【All right. 】

【…】

[I hope these guys don't catch me telling jokes.]

(End of this chapter)