Emperor's Bane

Chapter 810 Comrade Zhuang Sen in Poland [II]

Frankly speaking, letting Horus meet the woman who could be his father so early was definitely not in Morgan's plan.

The reason is also very simple.

She didn't trust Horus yet.

They could neither trust his character nor his strength, and even less trust the bond between Horus and the Emperor, which could not be named but definitely existed.

If the Warmaster really recognizes who the so-called Miss Lucy is because of these ties, then the scene will definitely become very ugly: although the possibility of such a thing happening is not too high.

But...it's better to be safe than sorry.

Who can be sure that the Wolf Shepherd God will not mutter about thirty years and the Sagittarius ring while taking a closer look and being 100% sure that the little girl in front of him is his biological father?

And who can guarantee that a certain human lord whose partiality is always written on his face, when facing his most beloved son, will not throw away all his concerns and simply nod in acknowledgement?
The father and son were going in both directions, but it would be very difficult for her as the mother, daughter and sister caught in the middle.

This is not groundless worry. In the hundred years since she joined the empire, the most reliable piece of knowledge the Spider Queen has learned is how unreliable her father and brothers are: as long as they dare to plan a worst-case route in their minds, they will rush down this route and would rather die than look back.

And when it comes to the Emperor, Horus is the epitome of stubbornness.

【…】

Thinking of this, the Spider Queen slowly swallowed the last sip of wine and quietly looked at her brother: Although the friendly conversation atmosphere was interrupted by Gataslin outside the door, Horus' face was still full of smiles.

Obviously, he was immersed in the sense of accomplishment that the two of them had just reached a consensus.

Morgan could understand this sense of accomplishment: after all, in the eyes of Horus, or in the eyes of most people, ever since the silent Primarch's stance on Ullanor, half of the Emperor's children had shown that they would not be easily moved or won over by Horus.

They chose to support Jonson and formed a loose mutual aid group, but everyone knew that Jonson could not be the leader of this group. The real spokesperson was the Queen of Avalon who would stand beside the Lord of Mankind at that time.

It's ridiculous: the vast majority of Astartes warriors have a blind worship of their Primarchs. For example, the Night Lords firmly believe that Konrad is qualified to be the Warmaster, and the descendants of Guilliman and Lorgar have claimed more than once that their Primarch is the most powerful among all the brothers.

But with the Dark Angels, the situation was somewhat different: few in the First Legion seemed to truly believe that Jonson could win the Warmaster election, and even when the Lion on Ullanor pulled out a base that seemed to be on par with Horus, the Dark Angels never believed that their father would really be the one supported by these Primarchs.

In fact, the rumor that the Spider Queen is the mastermind behind the scenes may have come from the Dark Angels or the Ultramarines, or it may have been said by mortals or the self-speculation of the various Primarchs: but it could not have been proposed by the Dawnbreakers.

Because they support Morgan as the warmaster, not just a behind-the-scenes figure.

Perhaps Horus did not care about the role Morgan played in the Jonson Group. Whether he was just a spokesperson for the greatest common divisor or had some real weight, it did not matter to the Wolf God now: facing countless hidden dangers inside and outside the empire and the expansion of Terra's power, what the Warmaster needed to do most now was to ensure that his brothers would unite with him.

From this standpoint, Horus would actually like to see those brothers who were not very close to him gather under Morgan's banner, which meant that as long as the two of them reached a tacit understanding, most of the Primarchs could act as a unified group and avoid being defeated one by one by other forces.

Morgan is a collaborator who is hard to dislike. Her rationality and logic are always on point, and she can tell the difference between temporary tolerance and loss of interests: The Warmaster likes to cooperate with his sister, and if possible, they can even remain friendly.

As for what happens next?
Anyway, the Wolf God had never been so arrogant as to think that he could influence every one of the eighteen Primarchs like the Emperor: since the Primarchs standing behind Morgan wanted to see a brother Horus instead of the Warmaster Horus, he would prove his sincerity with a long-term and equal alliance with the Spider Queen.

Just like he mentioned repeatedly, but no one else was willing to believe it.

All of Horus's desires for worldly power had truly vanished with the fall of the golden crown on Ullanor.

At least that's what he firmly believed.

That's why he was so excited about the successful cooperation with Morgan.

He was truly happy, and this was because he believed from the bottom of his heart that he, Morgan, and the brothers behind them would continue to work hand in hand as before and protect their past memories in a world without the Emperor: starting with a simple handshake.

See the deep thought in the Spider Queen's eyes.

Morgan took in every change and micro-expression of Horus until she came to the conclusion in her heart: cooperation with the Wolf God did seem profitable, and she did not mind letting the Primarchs try to unite.

The premise is that Horus is still credible.

Although she is far more pessimistic than optimistic about this alliance.

Just like her hatred for the Emperor outside the door was far greater than that for Horus in front of her.

【I'll go take a look.】

Seeing that the Wolf God did not show any more interest in Morgan's [little daughter] who came to visit suddenly, the Spider Queen put down the cup, moved her butt forward, touched the ground with her feet, and started talking from the cushion: She hurriedly said a word to the Warmaster, and without waiting for an answer, she walked towards the door on her own.

"Really."

Horus had no doubts, but just shook his head helplessly behind Morgan.

"Even though the whole galaxy knows that you are a soft-hearted gene mother, Morgan, there is no need for you to be so cautious, right? My Spirit of Vengeance is still quite safe, and there is no problem in letting your little daughter walk for a while on her own: she won't be kidnapped by anyone."

【…】

Horus's half-teasing, half-complaining muttering made Morgan pause.

Naturally, when she walked up to the Gastalins next, the Spider Queen's expression was not very good: after using a humble look to make the Moon Wolves next to her voluntarily retreat a few meters, the Primarch squatted down and looked at her daughter with a smile.

【What are you doing here? 】

"..."

Even when Morgan squatted down, the petite Lucy still raised her head to look her adoptive mother in the eye: even the Luna Wolves who were several meters away could see those watery eyes and hear the suppressed sobs.

Lucy didn't say anything, but opened her slender arms: she was wearing a sleeveless dress, and one could clearly see how thin the bones and flesh on her shoulders and elbows were. Amid the well-intentioned whispers of the Moon Wolves not far away, the little girl, who was obviously lonely in their words, just hugged her mother's bent legs.

"Oh... so cute."

When the Luna Wolves on duty felt that their hearts were about to melt at this scene, they were completely unaware that the Spider Queen, the other party involved, felt her entire spine go numb as if it was frozen.

[Alright? What are you doing?]

Morgan gritted her teeth in her mind, but still had to put on a smiling expression. She pushed hard on her knees, trying to stand up, push her little daughter away in a covert manner, and then return to her seat as quickly as possible: I don't think he would dare to do anything evil in front of the Wolf God.

But just as she stretched her calves and was about to exert force, the Spider Queen's ankles softened for no reason. Her gaze moved downward and met Lucy's pupils. Neither of them spoke, but her lovely little daughter's meaning was written in her eyes and in the fingers that were tightly pinching her thigh.

【…】

Let go!

Morgan really wanted to shout that.

But she could only take a deep breath.

[Really, you kid. ]

Then laughed.

Then, the Lord of Avalon stretched out his arms and gently held his little daughter Lucy in his arms, then smiled apologetically to the Moon Wolves not far away: just like any mortal mother would do.

【Sorry to trouble you.】

"No trouble! No trouble!"

The Luna Wolves responded in unison as Morgan carried his little daughter into the room and closed the door. After the footsteps disappeared, the descendants of Horus looked at each other and discussed in low voices.

"I said, it's just like the rumors say."

"Yes, humble and polite. He gives me the same feeling as Lord Sanguinius."

"But what about the daughter?"

"Why do you care about this?"

"But then again: it is indeed the same as the rumors say, huh?"

"Who says it isn't?"

"That's good, but as a Primarch, isn't this a bit too soft?"

------

So, what are you doing here?

The distance from the gate to Horus was just enough for Morgan to ask Lucy a few questions.

"..."

The silence she received did not exceed the Spider Queen's expectations.

[You don't want to tell me, right? Then tell me, how did you get here? ]

Morgan actually cared more about this issue than anything else: she never thought that she could grasp Lucy's intentions, but there was a real void between the Goddess of Dawn and the Spirit of Vengeance, and this was not a distance that could be ignored by strolling around or taking the stairs.

Lucy had to get at least one gunboat out of the Aurora, and she had to have certain permissions, otherwise the Spirit of Vengeance would not allow her to enter.

This is very interesting. Morgan doesn't remember giving Lucy such power, and there are not many people on the Aurora who are qualified to do these things: Could it be that she was away for less than a few hours, and her father and daughter could pry a brick in the core of her most important kingdom?

The Primarch narrowed his eyes and looked at Lucy, who was sitting obediently on his arms with her back to the front and her head buried in his shoulders. At first glance, she looked no different from a shy and timid little girl. For the first time, he felt angry.

【Who gave you the gunboat? 】

This time, the Primarch's inner cry was almost like a roar.

And Lucy finally answered her.

"I used Conrad's."

Ah, that's not surprising.

Midnight Haunter did have his own parking space on Morgan's ship, and his own gunboat was certainly qualified to fly into the Vengeful Spirit with brazenness.

【Who gave you the gene lock? 】

Morgan realized she had asked a stupid question before Lucy even looked at her.

Who gave you the gene lock?

Isn't her refrigerator full of them?

【Tsk...】

【So, what are you doing here? 】

Morgan didn't get her answer until he stood in front of the Wolf God: Lucy turned her head back and buried her head in the Spider Queen's shoulders, covering her face tightly, leaving only her long black hair and slightly brown neck.

"Are you shy?"

Just when Morgan was about to pull out her father and daughter, Horus had already stood up and walked in front of her. The joy of the cooperation still remained on the Warmaster's face: it was obvious that the Wolf God intended to strike while the iron was hot to get closer to his sisters.

A child?
Hmm, good topic.

"You know, I've heard about your and Perturabo's brainchild a long time ago."

"But I never thought that without Perturabo's help, you could create more works on your own."

"And yet the world has never boasted about your technological research and development capabilities."

Horus' words sounded refreshing. He first glanced at Lucy, who had her back to him. For some reason, he always had a familiar feeling about the Warmaster.

So he smiled and looked at Morgan.

"Since then, I have always wanted to see the fruits of these technologies and psychic powers up close."

"But unfortunately, the Great Crusade was so tight and rushed that even the two of us had very few opportunities to meet. I never had the time to take a good look at the pride that Perturabo had been thinking about so much."

【That’s true.】

Morgan nodded.

【Since we met, we haven't had time to talk to each other for a few words.】

"Ullanor was the longest one, but we only talked for a few hours." The Wolf God sighed, and he seemed to really regret it.

"But then again: was there a girl with you at that time?"

【That is Anya Virgo, my eldest daughter. 】

Morgan shook his arms.

[This is Lucy Lyra, you can understand her as my little daughter. ]

"Youngest daughter?"

[Raising a child is very labor-intensive.]

"Hahaha, who said no?"

Horus laughed.

"Many times, I also feel that my children are really worrying."

He shook his head and continued to sigh.

"Every time this happens, I wonder how much determination and perseverance our father had to bring us brothers and sisters into this world: maybe the long eternity finally made him feel lonely, and he decided to create some of his own kind?"

"How we must have disappointed him: our time with him was so brief."

【……yes. 】

Morgan tensed her face. She had to endure the itchy feeling on her shoulder. Miss Lucy's head was trembling slightly because of Horus' words. Her eyebrows and hair penetrated the fine dress on Morgan's body, bringing an inexplicable feeling of discomfort.

No: she had to throw this unfortunate child out quickly.

[Forget it, let’s not talk about this: they are all unpleasant memories anyway.]

The Lord of Avalon smiled brightly.

【Come and see my daughter.】

[Come, Lucy, this is your Uncle Horus, greet him: What did I teach you at home? When you meet an elder, you should take the initiative to greet him, don't just keep silent when asked. ]

"uncle?"

Horus raised an eyebrow.

"Shouldn't it be uncle?"

[You should understand that as a single mother, I sometimes have to take on the responsibilities of a father.]

Morgan said half jokingly, and Horus responded half jokingly.

"Is it?"

"Your words may make some of our brothers sad, Morgan."

After saying this, Horus walked up to Morgan with a smile on his face.

"Come, little Lucy, come to your uncle Horus and let me get to know you."

"Don't be shy, kid: When I was your age I could have taken on a dozen gang killers single-handedly."

【…】

Morgan remained silent, just shaking his shoulders, and slowly pouring Lucy in his arms into Horus's palm.

"Hey, little guy!"

Although Miss Lucy seemed dissatisfied with these arrangements, after several rounds of tugging, the Wolf God finally picked up his little niece from his sister's arms: the Warmaster inserted his hands into Lucy's right side without any skill, and held her in the air as if holding a flower pot.

"Come, let me see you...you..."

The smile froze on his face.

The Wolf Shepherd God was like a machine that suddenly stopped working due to a power outage. His limbs and face stopped at the same time. The sunny smile on his face suddenly became stiff like a stone. His pupils that reflected the light widened with surprise, almost squeezing his eyeballs out. The gentle corners of his mouth were frozen there due to the stiff muscles, and wrinkles appeared on his hard skin.

"You...you...I..."

Horus opened his mouth, and thousands of words seemed to be rushing in his chest, but he could not say a single word. His eyes became blank yet focused: focused on the face in front of him that was so familiar and yet so strange, trying to find points of identification, but everything he got made him feel confused.

"Father?"

Although it was not said aloud, the subconscious lip movements told it all.

"..."

The Wolf God was silent. He looked at Lucy, who pursed her lips, lowered her eyes slightly, and looked around, not daring to look him in the face: She was indeed just a shy child. He had seen too many mortal children like this, and Morgan's daughter looked no different.

But...how to say it?

The War Marshal took a deep breath and was silent for almost a minute or more before he turned his neck stiffly, like an unlubricated gear, and slowly moved his gaze in the direction of Morgan.

This lasted long enough for the Spider Queen to assume a look of perfect confusion.

【What's wrong? Brother? 】

Morgan's blue eyes blinked, and the pure confusion made Horus unable to speak.

"Ah...ah, nothing."

The wolf god carefully put Lucy on the ground, but after thinking about it, he seemed to feel unsafe, so he thought about putting her in his arms. However, as soon as he moved, he found that he was not very good at holding a child, and Morgan was still standing there.

So, the Empire's warmaster walked cautiously to Morgan's side step by step and handed Lucy over to him bit by bit.

As soon as Morgan took it, the Wolf God looked as if a huge burden had been unloaded, and even his soul became a lot lighter. When Morgan subconsciously took care of Lucy's clothes that were wrinkled because of Horus's actions, his pupils regained their vitality, and his eyes began to jump back and forth between his sisters and his niece.

After a while, he actually started laughing.

【why are you laughing? 】

"Ah, nothing."

Horus shook his head.

"It just occurred to me that there were some ridiculous rumors I'd heard before."

What rumor?

"Don't you know, Morgan?"

The Warmaster waved his hand.

"It has always been said that you and our father have a very bad relationship and that you are hostile to each other. This statement has been around for a long time, but most brothers don't take it seriously."

"After all, if you and our father had such a bad relationship, why would he have called upon you time and again for important missions that depended on the fate of the Imperium and the Great Crusade? And why would you have supported him so unconditionally every time? You must have had a deep bond."

[…Is there?]

Morgan felt his face stiffen.

“If it were in the past, I would have asked the same question.”

The wolf shepherd god smiled very...ambiguously.

"But it's different now, sister."

【How to say? 】

"If I remember correctly: your little daughter was born not long ago, right?"

【What happened after Nikaea.】

"That's right."

The Warmaster gave her a meaningful look.

"Morgan."

"I thought I was the only one who felt lonely because of my father's death and wanted to find spiritual support."

“But I’m just thinking about it.”

"I didn't expect that you... um... have such strong mobility."

"I miss my father so much."

He glanced at Lucy: How similar she was to their father.

"As expected, he is the man who was able to build a century-old foundation in the Far East with his bare hands."

“I didn’t understand it until today.”

You know Magnus!
The spiritual energy surging in the body of the Lord of Avalon was almost enough to make the Wolf God experience the power of Conrad.

She had never been so grateful for the great rationality in her mind as she was now.

[What you said is really easy to be misunderstood, brother.]

"Have I?"

Horus smiled innocently and returned to his seat.

Looking at his back, Morgan, who felt that he had suffered enough today, suddenly sneered.

So, when the Wolf God sat down, he suddenly found that his blood relative had followed him all the way to his seat and put Lucy on the table without any explanation...

On his legs?

"What are you doing Morgan?"

[Horus, my brother: This child obviously wants to get close to you, but she is too shy to say it.]

"..."

Horus glanced at Lucy, who lowered her head and never looked at him.

"Really?"

【I am his mother. 】

【What do you think, little Lucy? 】

Following Morgan's instructions, the Wolf God once again looked at Lucy on his lap: To be honest, he really didn't like having such a thing sitting on his lap...

"Uncle Horus."

But when those scarlet eyes smiled at him.

"I want to eat fruit."

"..."

"Come, my dear little niece."

"Whichever one do you want to eat, I'll peel it for you."

(End of this chapter)