Emperor's Bane

Chapter 693 Today's Guest Hannibal

"Honestly, Morgan, the more I get along with you and work with you, the more I can't figure out what's going on in your head: Why do you insist on making Leman Russ the watchdog of the Solar Realm? You know that no one involved would be satisfied with this arrangement."

【satisfy?】

The word left a trace of sarcasm at the corner of the Spider Queen's mouth. She looked at the staggering steps of her Fenris brother as he returned from the Emperor, and absent-mindedly responded to the Sigillite's confusion.

Listen to me, old man.

If your job is to please everyone, then you should be here: go find my brother Fulgrim and learn from him how to properly clean your... external gastrointestinal organs.

[You know, we are all curious about how you gained the Emperor's trust. ]

"..."

Malcador gave him a look of disapproval.

"I am serious, Primarch."

[I am serious too.]

Morgan pulled the corner of her mouth stiffly, her eyes drifting between her carefully decorated nails and Ruth's equally wonderful face: no words that humans can master can accurately describe the wolf king's expression at this moment. He jumped back and forth between joy and annoyance, ambitious for a while, and then worried again.

Even the most arrogant and self-centered Primarch could easily sense that Leman Russ was in a very wrong state. The Wolf King's closest brothers, such as Jonson, Guilliman and Konrad, seemed to want to come over and ask what happened, but Russ did not give them the opportunity. He silently shrank to the corner of the Primarch's team and actively isolated himself from his brothers.

"It's like being a prisoner awaiting the death penalty."

The Sigillite sighed softly, and his tone was inevitably filled with indignation for Russ: the Wolf King had the best relationship with the Sigillite among all the Emperor's heirs, and in his thoughts, which he had never expressed, Malcador supported the Fenrisian's role as Warmaster.

“That’s what you want to see.”

Despite this, the Sigillite did not forget who the culprit was, and his condemning gaze in the Sea of ​​Souls did not shake the Spider Queen in the slightest: on the contrary, Morgan also looked at Malcador with the same condemning gaze.

[Don't act so innocent: don't forget that you nodded your agreement.]

The primarch laughed.

[In the final analysis, weren't you Terrans the ones who caused this consequence? You greedily divided the entire Solar Universe into your own absolute territory, treating it as the direct and close territories of the Empire, and not allowing any external military forces to interfere, but you just don't have the corresponding military forces.]

[Dorn is indeed good, but you dare not deploy the Imperial Fists to the space outside Terra, so we can only find another watchdog in the outer periphery: who else can it be except Russ? ]

[Wait, you won't regret it, right? ]

"Do not."

Malcador shook his head instinctively: he was sad for Russ, but he would not waver.

"I just worry: can the Space Wolves handle this responsibility?"

"In other words, if there is a Primarch who is really ready to cross the Rubicon in the future, he will not be stupid enough to be alone. He must be fully prepared to confront the entire Empire that is unwilling to stand with him. Facing such a military force, it seems that there is not much the Space Wolves can do."

"In the final analysis, their legion's upper limit is there. Unlike the Ultramarines or the Luna Wolves, they can't expand into a reassuring large legion: Why would you choose such a guard dog? He can't scare the robbers outside the door at all."

[Because the Space Wolves Legion was never important in the first place.]

Morgan did not look at Malcador, she was staring at her newly departed brother: Ferrus, at Fulgrim's instigation, was standing upright before the Lord of Mankind. His communication with the Emperor seemed brief and concise, without any rhetoric. Just by watching, one could tell how boring the content would be.

But despite this, Morgan still stared at the situation in front of her. She was not curious about Ferrus' future: Morgan had long known that the Gorgon, as the Emperor affectionately called him, was the other side of his brain, and then placed tasks such as technological research and development, utilitarian archaeology, and communication with the Mechanicus on Ferrus' shoulders one by one.

It took Morgan a lot of effort to think about these things at the beginning.

Of course, Ferrus cannot control the Forge World on Ryza's side, but he has always had a good relationship with the Forge General of Mars, so he should not miss out on this benefit. In addition, he can also take on the defense of the human empire in the entire northwest of the galaxy.

Protect yourself from both inside and outside.

As for the equally precious other side of the Lord of Mankind's brain, it was now arguing with his even more precious Sigillite: discussing with him the division of responsibilities between the Legion and Terra.

[If I remember correctly, Your Excellency the Sigillite, in the Russ Decree that the Emperor will issue to the entire Great Crusade soon, he will make it very clear: Anyone who dares to resist the duties of Leman Russ will be regarded as a traitor to the entire Imperium and humanity. In this case, it is only right that the armed forces of the entire Imperium and humanity should be used to fight him.]

[The Space Wolves are just one of them. From the beginning, they should not be the main force to stop Caesar from crossing the Rubicon River. Moreover, if they want to join forces with the Imperial Fists and hold out until the loyalist troops from other universes arrive, then the combat effectiveness of the Sixth Legion will not be a problem.]

[Yes, yes, I know the VI Legion isn't the best choice, but like I said: the Space Wolves aren't important, Leman Russ himself is important.]

Morgan glanced at her brother.

[Besides Russ, where else can you find a planet close to Terra that can reach a tacit understanding with you, the Terra lord, whose loyalty and character are absolutely trustworthy, whose combat power is not weak, and who will not make big mistakes in decision-making on the battlefield? ]

[The watchdog of the Solar Sector can only be Leman Russ from the beginning. 】

[As for his legion? Even if they are all dead, so what? Sending a few hundred guards to assist Russ might do a better job.]

[In short, my dear Master Seal Master: When we think about these issues, we only need to follow one principle.]

------

＋Don't treat them as human beings. ＋
＋Don't treat them as life. ＋
+To be a tool: Rather than mercy, the empire needs cold and reliable numbers. +
As he spoke these words, the Emperor could clearly hear his heart sighing at these vicious words: the Lord of Mankind had thought that he would never have to give such vicious orders to his offspring throughout his lifetime, but his children always exceeded his imagination.

This is especially true of the one before me.

The emperor's face was tense, his pupils radiating a majestic light, every inch of his skin was unquestionably harsh, and with every gesture he made, he treated the visitor in front of him with the most contemptuous and arrogant attitude, as if if this unfortunate fellow showed the slightest sign of daring to interrupt him, he would be greeted with the emperor's wrath that could burn the heaven and earth.

This is rude: but a certain Great Speaker just falls for it.

Feeling the vigorous light that was about to overflow from Lorgar's pupils, the Lord of Mankind felt that his brain would soon be unable to control his eager fists: he deliberately set his eyes a little higher, avoiding Lorgar's torch-like comments, but even so, the admiring gaze still made his chin ache. Perhaps it was a relatively wrong decision to follow Morgan's advice and not burn down the Perfect City: he should have made Lorgar and the Word Bearers Legion kneel in the ashes, maybe this would solve his problem?

Instead of being like now: continuing to pretend here endlessly, and even giving Luo Jia a position to do whatever he wants.

＋Iconoclast. ＋
The Emperor whispered this name, an extremely ancient word, the first nickname of the former Seventeenth Legion, and his true expectation for Lorgar and the Word Bearers, but this expectation has now long gone, leaving only a whirlwind with a bloody smell.

+You know what you're going to do, right? +
"Of course, God Emperor."

Completely ignoring the looks of others, the Great Speaker knelt on the ground devoutly: he couldn't be more satisfied with the title bestowed by the God-Emperor. Although he would accept with joy whatever the God-Emperor gave him, when the name of the Iconoclast appeared in his mind, he instinctively knew what he should do.

Very good: he likes this.

"I accept this name and the sacred duty it brings: from now on, my legion and I will never stop. We will start from the land you gave us and destroy every holy icon that symbolizes heresy. I will be their destroyer, their destroyer, their nightmare and death."

"When I have cleared all the dirt within my sight, my expedition will extend to the entire empire, the entire galaxy: until every despicable holy icon is destroyed, until only the purest faith exists in the entire galaxy."

＋That was a long time later. ＋
The Emperor did not respond to this sentence. Just as Morgan had warned him, he was not allowed to respond to any of Lorgar's words: lest this would cause more trouble for the fundamental cognitive differences between God and believers.

The Emperor did not take Lorgar's wild words to heart: he believed that he would be able to build the Webway at least faster than Lorgar's armed missionary work throughout the galaxy. When the time came, he would have a good discussion with the child about the issues of faith and iconoclasts.

As for the harm that Luo Jia might cause...

No matter: Malcador and Holy Terra would help him keep a close eye on the fanatics.

+You are like my liver, Luo Jia. +
The Emperor raised a hand and placed it upon the trembling shoulder of the Great Bearer.

+ If you walk the right path and go in the right direction, then one day you will become a powerful assistant to the empire, able to reconcile conflicts within the empire, erase the differences between countless worlds without bloodshed, and let the strong centripetal force become the foundation of the empire's pride in the galaxy. Perhaps one day in the future, we will need a unified belief to maintain the entire empire. +
but not now.

＋More importantly, you are the immune system I chose for this empire. In the area you are responsible for, I hope your enthusiasm can resist the real evil and prevent others from suffering from it: you are a line of defense I carefully selected, Luo Jia. ＋
"Until death, my God-Emperor."

Luo Jia prostrated himself on the ground, knocking his smooth forehead heavily against the ground.

The disgust revealed by the Emperor at this moment made Morgan just want to laugh.

And the oath of the Word Bearers has sounded.

"I swear to use all of our lives to forge your true greatness."

"The Word Bearers are here for this."

"The Word Bearers will die for this, too."

------

"Until the moment we fall apart and turn to ashes."

“We will all fulfill our responsibilities.”

+ I never doubted this: my Grand Master of Terra's Guard. +
The firm voice like a rock brought a smile to the Emperor's face. After seeing off the Great Embitterer who reeked of fanaticism, he was pleased to see that the one passing by Luo Jia was the Lord of the Imperial Fist, whose steps and soul were equally firm.

Dorne stood before him and saluted like a subject in the army: the conversation between the father and son that followed was very brief, for neither of them loved flowery words, nor did they need to measure interests with the victory of language, or to soothe their fragile moods.

But more importantly...

+ We have more time to discuss the future, right? +

The Emperor looked at Horus, and he was pleased to notice that the Wolf-God and the Lord of the Imperial Fist greeted each other with smiles. There was a friendship between the two brothers, although it was inconspicuous, it was very sincere. In the Emperor's view, this was a good thing for the future of the Empire.

He moved closer to Dawn and expressed his concern in a hushed voice.

+ We still have a long time to go, so there is no need to make it clear here: you knew from the beginning that I would give you the duties and title of Terra Guard, my child. If you did not refuse this responsibility, there would be no need for me to come here again. +
+As for the rest: Terran Guard is indeed a difficult and complex duty, and I cannot fully describe it here, as it would cause others to doubt. +
+ Then, after the Great Crusade is over, you will board my warship and return to Terra. We will have a long time to discuss whether you deserve any special treatment, Rogge. +
Dorne lowered his head. He was not proud of such obvious favor, nor did he humbly resist the Emperor's favor. He simply nodded and waited for his lord to issue the order to dismiss him.

But before that, the emperor looked at his child quietly.

Such a reliable child.

+You know what, Dorn. +
His voice was incredibly gentle.

+ I have never regretted considering you as my most reliable backbone: the support of my body, the foundation of my empire. I know that steel and sharp blades may decay one day, but stone will eventually support our common cause. +
＋When the idea of ​​Terra Guard popped into my mind, I knew it would be yours: I have always believed in this and I have never regretted it. ＋
"Me too, Father."

In Dorne's icy tone, which was as undefeated as the Invert Glacier, there was finally a hint of warmth.

"I have never regretted following you into the territory of the Great Crusade."

+Even if it means bloodshed? +
"Yes: even if I have to die for it."

+...+
For a moment, the emperor's figure seemed to shake unnaturally, and he glanced away quickly, as if he didn't want anyone to see what he was thinking: his throat rolled at a subtle frequency, and in the end, he only uttered a simple sentence.

＋Say less such discouraging words. ＋
"This is a vow..."

＋Stop talking! ＋

"clear."

Dorn lowered his head, and before leaving, he received the Emperor's last order.

+Go to your brothers and call me both Jonson and Perturabo. +
"Two of you together?"

+That's right. +
The Emperor nodded, his eyes moving between Horus and Dorn.

＋After...my own careful consideration. ＋
+ I have confirmed one thing: I will indeed hand over the entire Great Crusade army and command power to my warmaster, but this does not mean that I will be unreserved. At least, I need to reserve two legions for special requests that may arise between me and Holy Terra at certain times. +
+Two legions directly under my command that are independent of the Warmaster's command system. +
+So: call Jonson and Perturabo to my presence. +
+Call my left and right arms over here. +
(End of this chapter)