Emperor's Bane

Chapter 733 The World Line Begins to Move

＋How long has he been unconscious? ＋

"Nine days and nine nights: if you don't count the time in the warp."

＋Almost done, let's prepare for the final awakening ceremony, but be careful, he probably hasn't gotten used to his new powers yet, and he's not mentally or physically ready: It's a pity we don't have more time, after all, it would be safer to wait a few more days. ＋
"But you won't wait, will you?"

When he finally took off the old friend that was torn into pieces by the storm during the farce in Nikea, and changed into a brand new black monk's robe: the seal holder felt that even the sound coming out of his throat had changed a lot compared to before.

Younger, more energetic, more precious rationality and...aggression?
It's also getting colder.

He hoped it was just the robe.

The Sigillite shook his head and put aside these insignificant worries: Perhaps it was because he was busy cleaning up the mess caused by the huge losses in the Nicaea disaster these days, the Sigillite always felt that he had become a little nervous, as if a voice in his mind was yelling at him that he had forgotten something important.

It's about a Primarch...

Who could it be?

+That's right. +
Once again, the voice of the Lord of Mankind interrupted the Seal Bearer's thoughts.

The Emperor nodded, but his gaze did not shift at all towards the document in his hand: at the very bottom of the document, the name of Valdo, the head of the Imperial Guards, was clearly written.

+After all, I can't guarantee what kind of changes will happen in the warp if I let him sleep for a few more days: you know, Horus is the most important in our plan, as long as his loyalty is not shaken, the development of the situation will be within our expectations. +
"But if it were the other way around, I'm afraid you wouldn't be able to do anything to the Wolf Shepherd God, right?"

＋Worst case scenario: Yes. ＋
The Emperor did not deny it, and the Sigillite keenly discovered that when the Emperor mentioned his First Son, a flash of emotion flashed across the most secret corner of the Lord of Mankind's eyes, so illusory yet so real.

That is a treasure that belongs exclusively to Horus.

Malcador sighed to himself.

That was the Emperor's love for Horus: a love that had never faded in the past two hundred years, and had never deteriorated even a little bit. It was a unique love that other descendants of the Emperor would never be able to obtain even in their entire lives, because it existed only for Horus.

The Emperor might trust Dorn, might respect the Khan, might secretly admire Guilliman's optimism, or outwardly admire Mortarion for his similarities.

He would regard Morgan as the only comrade among the Primarchs who could march alongside him, would entrust the most important secrets to Jonson of Caliban, he was willing to give the special title of the Emperor's Children to Fulgrim's Legion, and he even repeatedly and clearly revealed that Vulkan would be the only witness to his will.

But all this trust, respect, praise and comradeship was nothing compared to what Horus received from the Emperor.

He received the remaining love of the Emperor.

After the Emperor offered his forty thousand years of rich emotions as a tiny sacrifice on the stone altar for the great rejuvenation of human civilization, he then poured as much of his remaining tenderness as possible onto the entire human race, ensuring that he could become the Emperor of [Mankind], rather than the fallen Emperor of [certain people].

This is very important.

After rounds of screening like this, the true emotions in the heart of the Lord of Mankind had long been reduced to very few. However, Horus obtained this treasure, which was more precious than all the wealth in the world, in just thirty years.

It is always said that it only took the Emperor thirty years to influence the life of the Lord of the Luna Wolf for nearly two hundred years, but most people do not think about it the other way around: it only took Horus thirty years to impress a living god who had lived for at least 40,000 years and gain true love from him.

In comparison, the latter is a miracle like a white horse passing through a crack.

Perhaps, Horus was not the comrade chosen by the Emperor for himself, perhaps, his name would not appear in the Emperor's will, perhaps, for a long time in the future, the Wolf God would have to be trapped in the power structure quietly built up behind the scenes by his genetic father.

But it is undeniable that Horus is the only person the Emperor still loves: the individual he still loves.

In comparison, Malcador and Valdor were just like-minded servants, the Ten Thousands of the Custodians were just the most handy tools, and although the Primarchs had a higher status, they could not escape the fate of being handy tools: no matter how much favor they received on the surface.

The Sigillite saw it clearly, and he knew Morgan saw it as well: it was around the end of the Randan War, when the Emperor used the Spider Queen's hand to let her kill a fallen brother with her own hands, that Morgan had already seen this ruthless truth.

Since then, the Spider Queen has become even more unscrupulous in front of the Emperor: because she knows very well that she will not get any true feelings from her father, and all she can get is a fair deal, a deal dominated by the Emperor.

A fair trade guaranteed by the Emperor.

Morgan was to serve as an assistant, as the most useful tool of the Primarch of the Lord of Mankind, or to put it more nicely, as the only comrade-in-arms of the Emperor's descendants, to help him solve those things that might be crucial but not worthy of the Emperor's personal efforts. In the great plan of the Lord of Mankind, he would become an abrupt but increasingly prominent weight.

In contrast, as long as she did not try to remove the shackles around her neck, as if she risked escaping the Emperor's control, the Lord of Mankind allowed his daughter to dance with them, enjoying the seemingly endless freedom before the prosperity before her eyes collapsed.

Morgan could become the most domineering princess in the galaxy, or interfere in the future of the human empire at will, and transform at least part of the galaxy into what she wants. Even if she really has a sudden idea one day to establish a military group to compete with Terra, it is within the tolerance of the Lord of Mankind.

It's ok.

Anyway: The Emperor doesn't care.

This was just a piece of candy thrown by the Emperor to comfort his daughter who was angry because her toes were sore after dancing in shackles for too long: Morgan would not be more grateful for it, nor would the Emperor trust her more.

This unspoken tacit understanding reached its peak in the previous Warmaster incident: Morgan could stir up trouble, even embarrass the Emperor in front of everyone, and the Lord of Mankind would not be angry about it.

But on the other hand, even if the Spider Queen won all the votes, even if she had the power to change fate and make Horus personally support Jonson's attempt to become the Warmaster, she could not change the final result. The Emperor would only let Horus take over his power.

Malcador was well aware of this: the Lord of Mankind had revealed to him afterwards that if Horus failed to become Warmaster, the Emperor would temporarily create a higher office, and give his beloved Horus to it, and leave the galaxy to the Lord of the Luna Wolf after his departure.

In any case, the only one who can guard the galaxy for the Lord of Mankind is the Wolf God.

There is no reason.

If I must say it: Horus is the only person the Emperor loves now.

This is different from respect and appreciation, and it is also different from trusting Jonson and Dorn: to a certain extent, the Lord of Mankind has never doubted the loyalty of the Lion, and his trust in Jonson exceeds that of Horus, but he will never give the position of Warmaster to Jonson.

In other words, he would never hand over the galaxy he had built with his own hands to Zhuang Sen for supervision.

Even the Emperor himself could not explain clearly what kind of emotion this was. Instead, Malcador, who had heard him complain about this matter, had some clear thoughts from an outsider.

It's simple to say, it's just like those ancient emperors, or other generations who laid the foundation: they may particularly appreciate one of their subordinates, or a younger generation with blood relationship, and therefore give most of the power to him, or even place his status above that of their own biological heirs.

But then again: no matter how much trust and closeness he has with outsiders, as long as the emperor has a biological son, a descendant with whom he has a harmonious relationship, then, no matter how mediocre his son is, he will ensure at all costs that after his death, only his son can sit on the throne.

There has never been a shortage of cases like this in human history, and this is especially true in some long-standing feudal countries, where monarchs would not hesitate to kill their popular heirs, risking national turmoil or even overthrow, in order to let their offspring with an uncertain future take over the crown: Isn’t this very similar to the choice of the emperor?
Well, let’s keep things simple.

It is nothing more than this: except for Horus, the other Primarchs are nothing more than...

Malcador gave it no further thought.

But in his heart, there was another question echoing.

why.

Why is Horus the only one so special?

Because those thirty years: this is not the answer that can solve all the problems. There must be something else, whether it is the thirty years of father and son together, or the shadow of some old friends that the Emperor saw in Horus wearing pearl white armor, it cannot explain his too strange behavior: unless, the answer is not hidden in the real universe.

"..."

The Sigillite was silent: he was silent because of a message in his mind.

This message was left by the past Sigillite holder to the present Sigillite holder: To be more specific, this is some thoughts that Malcador wrote down when he remembered the Dark Lord's existence for some reason last time and cooperated with the Emperor to erase the relevant memories, leaving it for the next time he remembered the Dark Lord.

The words were so simple that Malcador could even recite them in his mind.

------

"Everyone can see that the Emperor's treatment of Horus was somewhat inappropriate. He concentrated too many chips on the Wolf God. If the Wolf God made a mistake, then the Emperor's entire plan would begin to collapse completely: this is not a low-end mistake he would make."

"So, what exactly is the reason that makes the Emperor believe in the Wolf God so firmly? In other words, what kind of unique connection exists between the Wolf God and the Lord of Mankind? Is it so powerful that the Emperor can ignore the laws of the real universe and make his plan have such a fatal flaw?"

"we do not know."

“But maybe we should ask ourselves.”

"If, if we have tried every possible way in the real universe and still cannot uncover the secret of Horus in the Emperor's heart, then shouldn't we turn our gaze away from the real universe and observe the secrets of the Emperor and Horus in their souls, and see their connection in another world?"

"Go take a look in the subspace."

"Go and take a look in the shadows of Chaos."

"Go to the Dark King's corner, in front of his empty throne, maybe there is an answer."

"Future Sigillite: If you feel that this matter has become urgent, then you should take action to deal with it, but you cannot disobey the Emperor's memory cleansing. It is good for you to forget the Dark Lord temporarily, even if it means that you cannot personally investigate the secrets of Horus and the Emperor in the warp."

"That is to say: maybe you should find an ally who can help you."

“An ally who can be trusted in terms of ability, character, and common goals.”

"As of the time I write these words, I have not found such a person."

"I hope you've found it."

“Finally: Wish us good luck.”

------

"ally."

The seal bearer chewed on the word.

He felt very lucky: the current seal holder knew the answer.

Although it may not be the standard answer.

Malcador shook his head, modified the words slightly in his mind, and then stuffed them back into the ocean of memory. However, he did not stuff them back into the part that was to be cleared, but secretly hid them in the deepest part to ensure that the newly written message would never disappear.

However, to be on the safe side, he should go meet his ally later.

Thinking of this, Malcador turned his gaze to his lord: The Emperor of Mankind was carefully examining the documents in his hands with unprecedented concentration, and from time to time he asked Malcador questions and made final assurances.

After all, this concerns the fate of an army.

+Has the fleet set out? +

The Emperor did not say which fleet, but this minor flaw was insignificant: nine full days had passed since the Lord of Mankind had used his might to re-fix Nicaea into orbit in the real universe, and since his orders could once again be transmitted through the real universe, the Emperor had issued a death order not to allow any ship in the Nicaea system to leave without permission.

The Custodians were almost mobilized in full force to ensure that the order was carried out thoroughly: all ships were ordered to remain on guard, the Mandeville Points on both sides of the system were temporarily sealed using technology brought from Terra, the Emperor's gaze was wandering in the Warp, and any capable astropaths were respectfully taken away, and any outside communications about Nikaea they had previously sent out were regarded as distorted noises of the Warp.

In short, when the Lord of Mankind used his power, he ensured that what happened to Nike would never be remembered by anyone who was not qualified to know it.

And only one fleet can leave the Nikea system within these nine days.

"As you instructed, Valdor, Jonson, and Leman Russ have been reporting to me regularly. Their fleets are sailing in the Warp and are expected to arrive at Prospero in thirteen days. Your blockade order will be fully implemented: Valdor guarantees that no outsiders will know about this matter, and all Astartes and mortals involved in the operation will be subject to the strictest confidentiality regulations."

＋This is not a long-term solution. ＋
The emperor shook his head and slowly put down the Imperial Guards file in his hand.

＋We have to find a way so that Nikaea can't become the next XI Legion.＋
"what do you mean……"

+I've got an idea. +
The Emperor waved his hand.

＋But don't rush: I need to go check on my Horus first to see if he has woken up. ＋
"..."

So striking was the Sigillite's sullen silence, as the countenance of the Lord of Mankind once more shone like the sun at the mention of his most beloved child: even the Emperor took note of it.

+What's the matter, my friend? +
"Well... I'm just a little worried."

＋What are you worried about? Are you worried that Horus won't be able to adapt to his psychic powers? ＋

"That's right, my Lord. That is a spiritual power that is at least comparable to mine. I am not saying this to brag, but even if you want to give the Wolf Shepherd God spiritual power, you can't let him stand at such a high level from the beginning. This is very likely to make him lost..."

+Don't worry, Malcador. +
The Emperor shook his head.

+ I believe Horus knows how to use this power, and I have faith in him. +
＋Besides... I don't have time. ＋
"That's not a good reason, my friend."

+I know. +
The Emperor laughed, patting Malcador on the shoulder before walking away.

＋Don't worry, old friend. ＋
Don't forget to blink.

+ I have a backup plan. +
+Don't forget: no matter what, it was the power I gave to Horus. No matter how exaggerated his psychic power is, the source of his power always comes from my soul. +
+ This cannot be changed: I will always have room to maneuver. +
"I hope so."

Malcador laughed and said nothing more.

------

But he knew.

His next private meeting with the Spider Queen should be scheduled as soon as possible.

(End of this chapter)