Emperor's Bane

Chapter 811 Family Happiness

Chapter 811 Family Happiness
The Emperor, or Lucy, or Neos, actually hasn't eaten fruit for many years.

To put it more broadly, since his long-forgotten past, the Lord of Mankind has not enjoyed any food: whether it is noodles, meat, fruits and vegetables, or even the most ordinary water, none of them has ever touched his lips or entered his stomach.

The hunger and fullness of ordinary people are just a trouble that has disappeared for a long time to the Lord of Mankind, like fish eyes thrown on the ground: the last time he truly enjoyed a delicacy is much longer than the last time he felt the throbbing of killing.

And looking further ahead, there was the last time to be attracted by something new, the last time to choose one’s residence deliberately, the last time to choose one’s companions based on one’s temper, the last time to be attracted by the lips of the opposite sex, the last time to be attracted by the lips of the same sex, the last time to be attracted by the lips of an alien, the last time to be attracted by the lips of an unnatural creature…

In short, after a betrayal and redemption that will be forgotten, the history of the Emperor is a history of constant abandonment, a history of gradual transformation from human to non-human: when he no longer needs food, humidity, or even breathing, who can guarantee that he is really a person, rather than a new species derived from humans?
Even the Lord of Mankind himself could not be sure of this, because he knew very well that in his past memories, there were large blank areas: hundreds and thousands of years of experience had disappeared entirely, making his memory of the dark technological age fragmented.

He could only remember the very basics.

For example, he should have participated in more than one human experiment and Warp ritual during that period of time. His footsteps once spread across the entire galaxy. This was definitely not his first time exploring the Eldar's Webway. He also had a deal with a certain existence in the Warp whose specific terms he had forgotten.

Oh, that's too bad.

He actually didn't remember whose name was written in the beneficiary column.

But there is one thing he remembers clearly: before all of the above happened, he had already become accustomed to inhuman living habits, without food and sleep, without warmth and support, like a monster living among the crowd.

It was this habit, coupled with his eternal life and loneliness, that gradually separated Neos from the normal order of human society at that time. However, his extraordinary talent made him never forget how to maintain relationships with others.

So, over time, he entered a transcendent state: after learning and getting used to not using the eyes of others as the standard, the Lord of Mankind became a great actor. He could always play a role that was very different from his original image, and no matter how absurd the deeds were, as long as he was manipulated them, they would become a reality that the bystanders had to accept.

As the saying goes, the greatest acting skill is to truly believe that you are not acting but living a normal life, acting or expressing emotions naturally: Lucy is at this stage now.

So, she is childish, arrogant, and loves the absurdity of doing things at will.

He walked deep into Morgan's room, took away a liver that Conrad had saved as a futures contract, then walked into the most heavily guarded engine room of the Aurora with ease, drove away the gunboat, crossed the cautious dividing line between the two legion fleets in full view of everyone, and then made the Shadow Moon Wolves who came to inspect believe a lone little girl and took her to find the Primarch.

It sounds simple, but each step requires strict defense. It is simply a pipe dream to complete it in one go. But for Lucy, this is just a temporary plan she made out of interest.

Before, she was just drinking coffee with a new friend on the Aurora, and while waiting for the thick toast, she noticed that there seemed to be some unsettling smell floating on the Spirit of Vengeance in the distance: it was the smell from the warp.

That is the breath related to Horus.

So here comes Lucy.

It took no more than an hour from the time the decision was made to the time the fruit was eaten on the Imperial Warmaster's lap: and this was excluding the fact that Horus, who basically didn't care about others, had to cut the fruit into pieces, put it on a plate, and then find a silver fork to make it a waste of time.

Lucy glanced at the fruit pieces piled up like a hill on the plate: they were carefully cut into the most chewable size, and the colors were matched with each other. Before she could pick up the fork, a cup of sweet children's drink was placed next to her.

Looking up, Horus smiled at her like a truly gentle elder.

"If it's not enough, tell me."

Lucy did not answer, but the side of her heart that belonged to the Lord of Mankind was feeling proud: even out of sight, his most beloved offspring was still the sun that brought warmth to people.

Even a girl who has nothing to do with him can receive courtesy from Horus that goes beyond the status barrier.

She believed this was the norm.

[Don't spoil her too much, brother. ]

On the other side, the Spider Queen's somewhat resentful voice floated over: She returned to her seat again, and this time it seemed that she had shrunk deeper into it, leaving only her two boots dangling in the air, her blue pupils fixed on Lucy's face.

[Let her do everything by herself: she is already a grown-up anyway. ]

"Hey, look what you said."

"Who else can you spoil if you don't spoil your own children?"

【…】

Morgan did not respond. She just watched and tried to guess Lucy's intention: her little daughter was staring at the white fruit in front of her with emotion, and she must have recalled something again.

After all, the ones that Morgan carried with him were carefully selected ancient breeds: when they were born in the laboratory, people generally believed that the Ottomans were the destroyers of Rome, not just another Roman dynasty.

However, the Primarch's taste did not seem to receive further praise: Lucy put the pulp in her mouth and chewed it twice with an expressionless face, then looked at Morgan and slightly raised her free hand.

Raised the little finger.

unpalatable.

No sound was made, but it was clear from the shape of his lips.

【…】

The Lord of Avalon felt his head roaring.

She withdrew her gaze and looked in the direction of Horus with full concentration to avoid any more tragedy of mother and daughter killing each other. The Wolf God, who had just finished his work, was thinking about where to put his hand that was close to Lucy, while raising his head and looking at the Spider Queen.

There was a brief silence in the air between the two Primarchs.

"Where were you talking about?"

Horus blinked.

【consensus.】

Morgan just uttered one word.

"Ah, yes."

The wolf-shepherd god laughed.

“We reached a consensus: I believe this will be the beginning of a beautiful cooperation.”

【certainly. 】

Morgan paid a quick glance to make sure her father looked alright.

"In that case, can we discuss something else?"

Horus leaned back, looking quite relaxed, his huge palm on the table becoming a support for Lucy: Morgan's adopted daughter placed her plate on it, chewing the fruit pulp peacefully, and then picked up the children's drink next to her.

[For example? 】

"For example: How do you think we should deal with Malcador and Terra when the time comes?"

------

"Cough! Cough! Cough! Cough!"

"Lucy? What's wrong with you, little one?"

"Why are you so careless?"

------

[Don’t you think it’s a bit too ambitious to discuss these issues now? ]

As he spoke, Morgan glanced at the drink cup that was thrown far away, the plate placed aside, the half-wet towel in Horus's hand, and Lucy who had just been wiped shiny by the towel. There was always a strange sense of intimacy.

“I don’t think it’s too ambitious.”

Horus patted Lucy's back in the gentlest manner he had ever done, but there was a real coldness in his eyes as he looked at Morgan.

"We won't have many opportunities to meet in the future, so we need to set the tone for some things right from the start. And listen to my advice, Morgan, don't be too optimistic about Holy Terra anymore: they see us as competitors. They may not attack us directly, but the practical interests surrounding us mean that it will be difficult for us to coexist peacefully."

"Unless one side makes an unimaginably huge concession, a concession that not even you, I, or Malcador can make, it is simply impossible to happen: put down your weak heart."

【I am not weak.】

The Primarch retorted instinctively.

[I just think that now is not a good...time to split the empire. ]

Lucy's brow twitched.

"Who said we were going to split it?"

Horus asked confidently.

"We just want to stand up and confront those self-righteous Terrans head-on in an equal manner within the rules left by the Emperor. This does not even require bloodshed. It only concerns reputation and eloquence."

"On the contrary, Morgan: if we allow Terra to continue to have its own way, it will only divide the Imperium, because Terra's dissidents include those who are merely dissatisfied and those who have decided to rebel. Malcador's oppression will only push them both to extremes."

"We stood up and let those dissatisfied people see a banner to turn to. We can bring out these conflicts, put the problems on the table, and solve the problems as much as possible within a controllable range, eliminate dissatisfaction in exchange for these people's loyalty to the Empire: Terra will not take the initiative to do these things."

"They will only collect taxes all over the galaxy in the name of the Emperor."

The Wolf God shook his head, then pointed at Lucy with some arrogance.

"Even if you let your little daughter sit in the position of those high lords, she can't do worse than what they did."

"At least she won't impose heavy taxes on the entire empire for no reason."

【……puff!】

"what happened?"

[No, it’s nothing. 】

Morgan tightened his lips and looked at Lucy, who looked unhappy, with a smile in his eyes.

[If you say so: Then I have no objection in the short term. ]

"Won't you bargain with me?"

[You're not wrong.] "Tsk, I'm really not used to it."

"You used to refute me: I miss your cold attitude instead."

Horus tilted his head. He was not a slow-witted person, so he naturally noticed the Spider Queen's strange behavior: ever since Morgan's little daughter came into this room, she became restrained and her harsh words were put back.

You don't want to ruin your image as a mother in front of your daughter, huh?
He had originally thought that only a guy like Sanguinius would do such a thing.

But: this is a pleasant surprise.

Looking at Lucy's face that always touched his heart, the Wolf God began to make calculations in his heart: This little girl is close to him. If she could be present at every negotiation, maybe she could make Morgan hesitate?
Although he really had no reason to take advantage of the Spider Queen now, even if there was no real benefit, it was indeed a pleasure to see the always difficult Lord of Avalon in such an embarrassed state.

not to mention……

The little creature is indeed very cute: it is a pity that she is not a mortal.

The wolf god smiled and gently brushed Lucy's black hair.

He had to admit that Morgan's work was perfect: if he had mistaken the little girl for his father at the first moment he saw her, it would have been fine, but as he looked at her carefully in front of him, Horus felt that the more he looked at her, the more they resembled his father.

Although he had solemnly sworn on Ullanor that he would never again be hostile to or resent any of his brothers, Horus still felt a little jealous now: he was jealous of the exquisite talents of Morgan, Perturabo and others, who were able to create such ingenious creations.

By the Emperor's grace, their father had never given him any expertise that would have allowed him to surpass all his other brothers, and this was often a source of worry for Horus: even more so when it came to the Emperor.

In fact, there was a time when the Wolf God felt that this worry had been solved: after Nikaea, with Magnus actually withdrawing from the Great Crusade, and Horus himself receiving psychic powers granted by the Emperor himself, he once thought that he had walked ahead of his brothers in this illusory realm, at least able to keep pace with the only remaining Morgan, and finally had an expertise to show off.

This feeling of security lasted until the moment when the unhappy-looking Spider Queen stretched out a hand and trapped him firmly in the chair.

Well... forget it, let’s not talk about this anymore.

Horus was a little sad: part of the reason was because of the little guy in his leg.

If it were not certain that his father had indeed remained clean and that there was no one in the galaxy powerful enough to defeat him, the Warmaster would have to speculate: Morgan actually raised a "Star Child", or that the Emperor had placed his soul in a new body.

(Children of the Stars: A very early, half-abandoned setting, referring to some women with incredible physical strength who can withstand the Emperor's bombardment and give birth to children with his bloodline)

Hi... How is it possible...

The war commander immediately shook his head: It seems that I have become a little suspicious during this period of time.

But then again.

Horus's eyes turned suspicious, staring at his sister silently.

Through the summary of various intelligence and observations during this period, there is one thing that the Wolf God has firmly believed: his sister of Avalon definitely has a special relationship with their father. If the Emperor chose to keep some secrets in Morgan when he left the Great Crusade, Horus would definitely not be surprised.

This is also one of the reasons why the Wolf God came to Morgan to discuss cooperation: if even the Emperor chose to believe in this sister, then in the eyes of the Warmaster, cooperation with Morgan would be absolutely risk-free.

After all, his father had already helped him pass the test himself, hadn't he?

Horus smiled.

"In that case, let's leave this issue here for now."

He knows when to quit.

"After all, this is a big issue that involves all of our brothers and countless people. We need to communicate with at least a few of the Primarchs before we can determine the next tone: although most brothers may not care about these issues, I believe there are still a few who do."

【Guilliman is one.】

Morgan gave him a quick smile.

【But don't worry, I will comfort my Macbeth. 】

"And Fulgrim and Sanguinius."

The wolf-herder god rubbed his chin.

"But as luck would have it, we'll soon have a chance to talk to them alone."

【yes……】

When these two people were mentioned, Morgan suddenly reacted.

【Why haven’t they arrived yet? 】

"There was a little accident."

Horus didn't care.

"When the Emperor's Children and the Blood Angels were rushing to us, they received a letter asking for help. They decided to solve the trouble there first and then meet up with us. However, it seems that it has been too long since the time they promised to arrive."

“So I was thinking: should we take the initiative to find them?”

【I have no opinion. 】

Morgan slumped in his chair.

【anything else? 】

"besides……"

Horus suddenly hesitated.

"I want to talk to you a little more: come, my little Lucy, come down from your uncle first."

Horus looked at Lucy with a smile, but Morgan's adopted daughter did not obey the warmaster. She stared at Horus with her big, sparkling eyes, as if she had discovered some treasure...

Golden crown on the head.

"pretty."

Lucy pointed at the crown that symbolized the warmaster and power and reached out to ask for it.

【Lucy! 】

Morgan screamed, not out of anger, but confusion.

【What are you doing! 】

"Hi, it's okay."

But Horus was stunned for a moment, then immediately started laughing.

Then, the wolf god took off the golden crown on his head and put it into Lucy's hand.

"Here, go and play with it. Remember not to break it."

When Lucy ran to the side happily holding the Warmaster's golden crown, only the Wolf God with a relaxed look on his face and the Spider Queen who was shocked by the scene before her were left.

[Horus, you...]

"What's wrong with me?"

The wolf shepherd god smiled brightly.

"You still don't believe it, Morgan?"

"How many times have I told you this?"

"Warmaster, crown, or whatever it is: I've really let it go"

"Compared to these..."

The Wolf Shepherd God bent down, a cold light flashing in his smiling eyes.

"I'd rather know."

"Would you be interested in teaching me how to use this power within me?"

[You mean psychic power? ]

"Is there some other powerful energy contained in my body?"