Emperor's Bane

Chapter 682 The Rebels (Part )

"That's right, brother."

"For me, at least for me now, all the power and status in the world have long become a passing cloud. The moment they are obtained, they are no longer valuable. Instead, they are replaced by a more glorious sense of mission and a strong desire to fulfill the supreme responsibility bestowed upon me by the Emperor and the people."

"Now, I have only one thing in mind, which is to stand my next shift well, not to betray the loyalty I swore to the Emperor, and not to betray the crown that is about to be crowned."

"At this point, I think I can finally empathize with you."

"I feel the same way?"

This uncommon word finally attracted the Primarch's interest a little. He removed the wine glass that was already pressed to his lips, and his smiling eyes turned along with the misty silver threads. He had to raise his head a little to see the always pleasant Wolf Shepherd God.

Phoenix nodded.

"That's a flattery: can I take it that way, brother?"

"of course can."

Horus was always so reassuring.

“It’s no secret that I like to flatter people by acknowledging the good in them.”

"Oh……"

Fulgrim laughed, his mood uncontrollably leaping with joy, and the giant emblem of the Emperor's Children Legion, composed of pale golden wings and eagle claws, clinging to his right shoulder, left a short, blurry shadow in the air.

"Though I've realized it before: you are such a pleasant person, Horus."

"Have I?"

The Wolf God blinked. His bright silver arm armor and gloves were decorated with the symbols of the Imperial Sky Eagle and the Eye of Horus. This was part of his exclusive power armor. Combined with the wolf skin that had accompanied the Primarch for decades, Horus' body looked a whole circle larger than Fulgrim's. The Phoenix's shoulder could only touch the giant eye on the Wolf God's chest.

But this did not prevent Fulgrim from naturally putting himself in a better and stronger position during the conversation. He would do this when facing anyone, and most of his brothers would not have any objection to this.

At least Fulgrim hadn't discovered it.

"Of course you do: I'll bet at least three-tenths of your good reputation comes from that."

The Phoenix Army shook its crimson cloak arrogantly. Although they were talking, Fulgrim's eyes did not linger on Horus. Instead, he kept searching the queues on the parade ground below with a faint smile, waiting for his offspring to pass by so that he could better observe how they performed.

Of course, he was not worried about anything embarrassing happening, because he handed over the management of the entire parade procession of the Emperor's Children Legion to Akudona: the leader of the two hundred court swordsmen possessed prestige and influence second only to the Primarch. He was capable of commanding the Third Legion, which was full of powerful people. As long as he was equipped with one or two calm and cautious adjutants, it would be a stable system that could operate on its own.

In fact, after the legion returned to the territory of Chemos, Fulgrim planned to set up such a dual system: even though he had no doubts about his own abilities, Phoenix knew very well that he could not handle all matters comprehensively, and it would be a good thing to let Akudona lead his men out to take charge of things on his own as soon as possible, at least allowing this court warrior to accumulate more experience and have some skills other than wielding swords.

As for his deputy, Solomon seems to be a good one, and with Tarvitz and those Terran veterans who Akudona had praised for their calmness and loyalty, he could send their men and companies under his command so that he could use them more smoothly.

Fulgrim had considered whether to let Fabius join in, but Fabius himself refused the request. As for who would take on the position of Primarch's attendant who usually followed behind him after Akudona left: Phoenix remembered Eidolon, who impressed him deeply.

He is a good officer: he should be able to fill the vacancy left by Akudona without any problems.

Phoenix nodded, becoming more and more proud of his plan the more he thought about it, and he didn't even hear Horus' whispers. When he came to his senses belatedly, Fulgrim could only put on an innocent smile and pretend to look at the formations of the legions that had not yet had time to go on the field, showing great interest.

"How long will it be before we see your Luna Wolves in action?"

The topic was a success: Horus was apparently unaware of the Phoenix's absence.

"almost."

He calculated the time.

"Just behind the Dark Angel."

"Behind the Dark Angels?"

Fulgrim raised a brow.

"Did your descendants know in advance?"

"I told them myself."

Horus seemed quite calm.

"There are indeed some dissatisfactions. For example, Ezekiel and Torgaddon, and even Aximander implicitly expressed his resistance. It took me two nights to appease everyone and make them realize that this is not a big deal: Sejanus and Loken are helping me to watch over it now, so there will be no problem if I leave it to them."

"interesting."

Phoenix nodded, and seemed to be thinking for a moment, then a sly smile slowly crept up the corners of his mouth.

"From what you said, it seems like you've let it go a long time ago, brother?"

"if not?"

The Wolf Shepherd God glanced at him, with a hint of contempt in the depths of his pupils.

"We can't dwell on a few illusions that have already passed, can we?"

"A heroic speech."

Phoenix chuckled.

"Am I to take this to be your declaration of victory after your victory over Jonson?"

"Not really."

The Wolf Shepherd God's voice turned cold.

"In fact, I talked to Jonson about it last night."

"You? And Jonson?"

"Yes, our Caliban brother is more reasonable than you think."

The Wolf Shepherd God lowered his head slightly, as if he was recalling what happened a few hours ago. The corners of his mouth slightly raised, then quickly straightened.

"In any case, all disputes regarding the Warmaster have come to an end. Jonson and I have reached a consensus. If we continue to argue about meaningless matters, it will only affect the responsibilities entrusted to us by the Emperor. Moreover, there is no conflict between us."

This sentence is said sincerely.

"Whether Warmaster or not, I have never thought of ruling over any of my brothers, and there is no deep-seated rebellious sentiment in Jonson's heart: he even promised me the attitude of Morgan and Conrad, although I don't think his guarantee is very reliable."

"How to say?"

"Do you think Ferrus can fully represent your attitude and opinion on a matter?"

Phoenix was stunned.

Then he stopped talking.

Fulgrim was silent for a long time, longer than Horus had imagined: the wolf god's question obviously made him very uncomfortable. The Phoenix seemed to want to find a reason to fight back, but his silence revealed his inner thoughts.

"It's hard to believe: you can actually reach a peaceful agreement with Jonson?"

"We never went to war."

Horus shook his head, but his puffed chest told another story.

"In fact, Fulgrim: once you begin to take your responsibilities more seriously, you will find that many things that were unimaginable before are actually so easy to overcome. In the past few nights, the Lion of Caliban is not the only one I have interviewed. I have learned to sit down and talk with many guys who I avoid or even hate."

"You mean..."

"That's right: Malcador."

The Primarch spoke each word with emphasis, this mortal's name made him feel like he was cursed.

"That old thing."

"The Emperor's most trusted servant."

Fulgrim whispered: This is also what most of the Primarchs think of the Sigillite.

"That's all."

The Wolf Shepherd God snorted.

"Just like decades ago, his old bones were still trembling and fragile, but his shrewdness and viciousness had never changed. Negotiating with him was like looking for a straw in a pile of needles. But we finally came to an agreement and signed it reluctantly."

"Disgusting as hell."

"let me guess."

Phoenix stroked his chin, his brows furrowed sharply, because the sudden sound of military music as the next legion's column steadily entered the venue woke his ears. The military music arranged by the Lord of the Imperial Fist was indeed passionate and magnificent, and it was perfect for a nascent Galactic Empire: if you ignore the heavy tones that were enough to deafen the ears of the Primarchs present.

"Are you planning to get some benefits from Malcador for your Wolf Nation?"

Phoenix had to increase the volume.

"Not intending to: already done so."

Horus sighed softly, and with just a little force from his palm, cracks appeared on the bluish-white terrace railing.

"If there is no other way, I really don't want to say another word to that old dog."

"Is it bad?"

"It's worse than I thought."

Horus's eyes turned cold.

"When my father handed over the entire territory of the Wolf Kingdom to me, he told me frankly that this was not just a reward, but also a responsibility and a test for me. In the years before Ullanor, I spent a long time and traveled through every inch of the Wolf Kingdom. Facts have proved that what my father said is true."

"The land north of the Great Whirlpool is all my personal fiefdom. It sounds magnificent, but it is too barren. In the past few decades, a large part of the territory of the Wolf Kingdom was the main battlefield of the three Randan Wars and the subsequent Ullanor Orc Empire War. A large number of civilized countries and human colonies that originally lived here were directly turned into death worlds. Although the land is vast, the population on it is pitifully small."

"I have identified at least a thousand worlds where extermination orders have been imposed."

"Jonson is really crazy..."

"Okay: at least not all of them."

Phoenix nodded, indicating that he was well aware of Horus' current predicament.

"How does it compare to the Five Hundred Worlds?"

"In terms of territory alone, my Kingdom of the Wolf is more vast than Guilliman's Ultramar, but the population and level of civilization are completely incomparable. It is even inferior to the Far Eastern Frontier that Morgan has never stopped cultivating. This is why I have to find the Sigillite. I must seek help from Holy Terra." "Did you ask him for privileges?"

"Specifically: neglect."

Speaking of this, Horus watched Fulgrim's gaze carefully.

"I hope Holy Terra will remain oblivious to some of my next moves."

"What does it mean?"

Phoenix frowned.

"Horus, don't tell me that you want to tolerate mutants or other garbage that trample on the bottom line of the empire."

"That's not the case."

The Wolf God swiftly rejected the suggestion. His good reputation and persistent attitude prevented Fulgrim from noticing the twinkling in Horus' eyes: the Wolf God actually had reservations about this issue.

"I have only reached two major agreements with the Sigillite. One is that in the future, once those rebellious worlds that dare to resist the Empire are sentenced to hard labor for generations, some of them will be exiled to my kingdom, and I will execute their punishment on behalf of the Emperor. Malcador agreed to this without hesitation, and I could even hear him breathe a sigh of relief."

"Of course he would: who wouldn't want a landfill that they have nothing to do with?"

Phoenix blinked.

"Maybe we can come to a verbal agreement about that, too, bro."

"I am glad to."

The Shepherd God nodded.

After a moment's hesitation, he added.

"You don't need them to go back?"

"..."

Fulgrim was silent.

"of course."

He smiles.

"Who cares about them: what was the second agreement you and Malcador made?"

"As for the second reason, it is because of the special nature of my fiefdom."

The Wolf Shepherd God was somewhat pleased: the next victory was his proudest achievement.

"One of the reasons why my father gave me the Kingdom of the Wolf was that this land is actually the area least visited by the Empire's expeditionary fleets during the entire Great Crusade. At least half of the universe in the entire Kingdom of the Wolf still has not been hoisted with the double-headed eagle flag of Holy Terra. Countless pocket worlds and alien civilizations are hiding there, waiting for us to destroy or colonize them."

“A huge fortune.”

Fulgrim had only briefly grasped the vastness of the Wolf Realm: half of the land was open and unexplored, with considerable prospects.

"Yes."

Horus nodded.

"I told Malcador that I have full authority over these unexplored cosmic regions, and Terra cannot ask me how I want to deal with them. I don't need to report to Terra about my gains here and how I plan to use them. Makaro was a little dissatisfied with this, but after several negotiations, he agreed to my request."

"What's the price?"

"Taxes."

It was easy for the Wolf Shepherd God to say.

"He needs me, the Warmaster, to be the model for paying taxes to Terra."

"You know it even if you think about it."

Phoenix laughed, his eyes flicking over to the Salamanders who were walking across the reviewing stand.

"Malcador must be not optimistic about his future in the Maelstrom."

The Phoenix Lord did not notice the Wolf God's slightly narrowed gaze.

"The Great Whirlpool, you always mention it: What on earth is going on there?"

"It's nothing."

Fulgrim waved his hand.

"If nothing unexpected happens, Malcador's agents or Guilliman's Ultramarines will probably shed some blood. At this point, neither side is willing to back down, and we can't find anyone who can mediate between them."

Having said that, Fulgrim seemed to suddenly think of something.

"Hey, wait..."

He looked towards the Wolf Shepherd God.

"Horus: You seem to be very suitable to talk among them."

"Do not make jokes."

The Wolf Shepherd God quickly took a step back.

"I don't even know what's going on in the Maelstrom."

"Too."

Phoenix's interest faded, and he then sighed.

"In fact, you should make some friends in the Maelstrom, Horus. The geographical location of the Maelstrom is quite important. It might be good for you to have a friend who can talk to you about things here. After all, we are the Primarchs, and our promise is enough to earn the sincere friendship of mortals."

"Yes."

The wolf shepherd god responded casually.

His pupils were glowing.

In the next few minutes, neither of the two Primarchs spoke. They watched in silence as the phalanx of fire lizards passed by. The dark faces looked unfamiliar to them. However, the Wolf God, who was more familiar with the Lord of Fire Dragons, was keenly aware that there were many new faces in the phalanx that he was not familiar with.

"Are the Salamanders also expanding their military?"

"It is said that it is related to Vulkan's governance strategy for his fiefdom."

Phoenix knew this very well: the Salamanders were his neighbors.

"Vulkan has guaranteed the absolute safety of his people. He is trying his best to expand his army, ensuring that there are fortresses and garrisons on every world, as well as sufficient patrol fleets and void stations. I heard that the Salamanders' military strength has exceeded 100,000 and is still rising."

"But..."

Phoenix changed the subject.

"I also heard that Vulkan intends to imitate Corax's method and hand over the governance of his kingdom to mortals. The communes on each world will elect leaders, and then these leaders will form a huge communal council to govern. He will be a figurehead. It is hard to imagine how weak this government will be."

"I heard that he doesn't even plan to continue expanding his direct mortal auxiliary army. Instead, he encourages the various communes, or worlds under his command, to train their own defense forces and provide corresponding subsidies. This means that his universe is relatively stable."

Phoenix shook his head, obviously disdainful of such a weak method.

"Fortunately: he at least knew how to expand the army."

"It's just the situation."

Horus has his own opinion.

"What? Fulgrim? Are you not going to expand the Emperor's Children?"

"Of course we need to expand: my various Pronian generals will do the job."

"You handed over the military power to them?"

"safe."

Phoenix raised his head arrogantly.

"They will not defy my will."

"My ultimate plan is to expand the entire Emperor's Children Legion to 150,000 men."

"What about you, Horus?"

"I..."

The Wolf Shepherd God tilted his head slightly, and his voice sounded sincere.

"You know, Fulgrim, the pressure on my defense here is great."

"So, according to my plan..."

"My Luna Wolves will need at least 300,000 battle-hardened warriors."

……

There are more reserves.

Horus added silently in his heart.

He felt no guilt: his sources had already told him so.

Every brother is doing this.

------

That’s all I’m going to write today. I just took my temperature and found out that I have a high fever, so I’m going to bed first.

By the way, readers should also pay attention to keeping warm in the next few days. Here in Dalian, the temperature switches seamlessly between 6° and 16°. This is the third time this month that I have had a high fever. In two days, the temperature will drop again. I just want to wrap myself up in the quilt like a ball.

(End of this chapter)