Emperor's Bane

Chapter 818: New Mourning Society
"Torgadon... is he dead?"

When the frosty-faced Sejanus told him the information and confirmed its authenticity in person, for the first time in his life the Wolf God began to doubt the child who had fought alongside him in Purgatory.

Listen to what he said?
Tarik Torgadon, one of his most trusted heirs, an indispensable member of the Luna Wolves and the Order of the Mourning, a man who had escaped unscathed from the most brutal battlefields: how could such a man die so easily and receive a eulogy that contained less than twenty words?

Is this possible?

How could the most outstanding Luna Wolf have such a shabby ending?

Horus was unwilling to believe this, nor did he dare to believe this, but reality would not change because of the Primarch's will: battle summaries and death notices that came like snowflakes poured into the bridge of the Vengeful Spirit, constructing the cause and effect of the incident for them.

The Luna Wolves' reinforcements were wiped out in almost two hours, and the few survivors joined forces with the Emperor's Children who had been fighting on the ground. While the Zerg were fighting over corpses, they blew up a small number of lime trees that were used as shield generators.

This created a loophole in the defense network of the entire Murder Planet. Although it was still impossible to carry out an extermination operation, after rescuing the survivors on the ground, the Imperial Fleet finally discovered the true face of this planet, which they once thought was harmless.

Tens of billions of Megarachnid spiders hid in lush giant grass forests and unexplorable underground cracks. Their indestructible limbs and unique group consciousness proved to be opponents worthy of the Legion's dispatch. At the end of the exploration report were noted those huge mutant individuals that looked like war machines, which could only be matched by the Titan Legion.

In short, this was an opponent that would require the personal support of two or three Primarchs, the fighting of at least 100,000 Astartes, and the mobilization of all Imperial armed forces, including battleships, armored units, and Titan legions. It would take six to eight months of sleepless and bloody battles to completely annihilate the opponent.

Whether it was the Blood Angels or the Emperor's Children who arrived first, the intelligence they sent back was proven to be catastrophically wrong: after confirming this fact, the Primarchs of the two legions urged their respective fleets to come as quickly as possible to wash away the shame.

The Wolf-God gave the same order to his expeditionary fleet, and when the Sixteenth Legion, thirsting for revenge, began to fully mobilize their war machines, Horus did not join them.

The Warmaster locked himself in his office, with only the Order of the Dead and his most trusted Captains allowed to see him: the Wolf Lord was not in deep sorrow over the loss of his son, in fact, he mourned for only one minute, a great honor considering the relationship between the Primarch and the Astartes.

This is no joke: while most Primarchs are willing to risk their lives to protect their children, this does not mean they will fanatically pursue revenge for the death of even their most beloved warriors. A brief moment of mourning and a long moment of remembrance is all they should do.

Only a very small number of the Emperor's bloodline would lose their sanity due to the death of their offspring, and Horus is definitely not on this list.

At first, the Warmaster was indeed heartbroken by the news of Torgaddon's death, but the dam of reason was not broken, and the Wolf God did not wallow in sorrow: his mind soon began to think about more important issues.

The dead are gone, and the living deserve more.

How should he deal with this incident and its consequences in a more reasonable manner? How should he communicate with Fulgrim? And how should he fill the void left by Torgaddon's death: the Order of the Dead had never been broken in this way before, and what impact would it have on the future of the Luna Wolves?
Every problem required the Wolf God to treat with the most serious attitude. On the way to the Killer Star, the Primarch's mind was completely occupied by these uncontrollable factors: until the furious Abaddon rushed into Horus' residence with the Mourning Society and the rest of the people.

A violent quarrel ensued.

Horus and Abaddon, the father and son, had the same resolute attitude, the same high voices, and the same rage: not only the few Gastalins standing at the door watching, but even Loken, who saw this scene for the first time, felt as if he had come to a new world.

"Do they do this often?"

Loken turned his head and looked at Sejanus and Malohurst: the Twister simply closed his eyes, his ruthless face not showing much sorrow for his brothers, while Sejanus shook his head, and Loken could hear the bitterness remaining between his lips and teeth.

"This is Ezekiel's prerogative."

"In the past, it was always Tariq who was responsible for easing the atmosphere at this time."

Loken nodded, and wisely kept his mouth shut: he listened wholeheartedly to the wrath of the Primarch and the First Captain.

"Look what you've done!"

"Hidden here? Playing dead?"

"Your son was bleeding there! They let him die like garbage in vain."

Abaddon roared, and although he was not wearing the famous Terminator armor, Loken felt that his anger at this moment was more impressive than on the battlefield: Torgaddon's death deeply stimulated him, and for Ezekiel, who regarded his brothers as his life, a part of his soul had died forever.

"I have endured long enough, Horus. We should act now."

"Take what action!"

The Warmaster roared back, using the last of his sanity to stop himself from smashing the desk in front of him.

"What do you want me to do, Ezekiel? Rush aboard the Pride of the Emperor, grab Fulgrim by the collar, and tell him that he must give up the head of his Lord Commander as payment for his life to Torgaddon? Do you know what that would entail?"

"I don't care!"

Twisted blue veins popped up on Abaddon's thick neck.

"I only know that Torgarton is dead. He was dragged to death by those scumbags, while those cubs are still alive and well, smugly wagging their tails there! Why are they still alive? Just because they were born by Fulgrim? How can you let them ride on your head?"

"you must……"

"I must?"

Horus laughed: an angry laugh.

"I must tear the Third Legion and Fulgrim to pieces, right? I must throw the Warmaster's Crown to the ground, stomp it to pieces, and tell everyone that as the Warmaster, I will take the lead in destroying the unity of the Great Crusade, right!"

"Tell me, Ezekiel, who is in command of the Sixteenth Legion? You or me?"

"You are just a dog-headed military strategist who gives me advice. Put yourself in your proper place and stop bossing me around!"

"Pooh!"

Abaddon spat on the ground.

"I am your dog, and today I am going to show my teeth to you."

"Otherwise, can I still watch you turn the Sixteenth Legion into a group of cowards?"

"Get out of here!"

The Warmaster's roar and rage swept across the entire deck of Vengeful Spirit. Thousands of fearless warriors trembled in fear before the wrath of their Gene-Father, but Ezekyle was not among them. He glared at his Primarch fiercely with eyes like copper bells for a long time before turning around and kicking open the door with a whirlwind of fury.

At this time, Loken, who had witnessed the whole process, was already stunned. When Abaddon walked past him, the captain of the Tenth Company took a step back out of awe and made way for him: the Gastalins on duty at the door did the same.

Behind Abaddon, there was only the sound of Horus's angry breathing.

"Tho... Celedi."

The Warmaster waved his hands, suddenly realizing that the child who had helped him clean up the mess when similar situations happened before was no longer there. He lowered his head, looking lonely for a moment, and then called for another offspring.

"grown ups?"

"As usual, follow Ezekel. When he calms down, have him come to me and apologize."

"clear."

Seladi rushed out of the room surrounded by low pressure without stopping. Locke stared at him with some envy. He was wondering if he could do the same, but he found that Sejanus beside him moved.

The fourth captain did not move away from here, but picked up the wine glass and wine jug and went straight to the wolf-god: Sejanus was like a steady icebreaker, ignoring the heavy breath beside the primarch. Under Loken's somewhat worried gaze, he was not affected by the anger of the Warmaster.

"Obviously, my Lord."

Sejanus even smiled a little.

"You haven't had an argument with Ezekiel in so long that you've forgotten his temper."

"He forgot mine, too."

The Wolf God grumbled in dissatisfaction. He took the cup filled with wine and took a big gulp. As if to cool down the body, the anger of the War Marshal dissipated completely in the action of drinking. When he raised his head, the familiar gentleness and smile had returned to Locke's sight again.

"Come all over."

Horus waved to the few heirs still standing in the room. He had adjusted his mentality and his eyes were relieved. He asked Sejanus to pour a few more glasses of wine.

"This is good stuff from Avalon."

The Wolf Shepherd God shook his head.

"But Ezekiel won't get any: he deserves it."

The Warmaster's childlike tone of revenge finally put Loken and the others at ease.

Just as they sat down and picked up the wine glasses handed to them by Horus himself, the Wolf God spoke again: His eyes swept over the people in front of him one by one, whom he was destined to use.

"Well, after one-third of the Mourning Society has vented its dissatisfaction to me, I should listen to what the other two-thirds have to say. And you two, Lorcan and Malohurst, don't even think about running away: tell me what you think? Give me some advice."

"Is this a test, my Lord?"

Malohurst's voice was still cold and annoying.

"That's it."

The wolf-shepherd god just smiled.

"Torgaddon is dead. We cannot allow the Society to continue functioning without a piece of it."

"Aximander, you go first."

The Warmaster looked at little Horus: the one with the least presence in the Order.

"I think there is some truth in what Ezekiel said."

Little Horus cleared his throat and carefully observed the Warmaster's face. When he found that the wolf god's eyes were turning towards the wine glass because of his words, Little Horus' lips suddenly became dry, and he quickly played another round.
"But you're also right."

"We can't just sit there and do nothing about the destruction of Torgadon and his company, but we can't overreact either."

"Time-tested advice: thank you."

The Warmaster nodded. He didn't seem to intend to get anything like what he saw from little Horus.

"What about you, Gavial?"

So he looked at Locke again.

Loken thought about it.

"I can understand Abaddon's anger and the legitimacy of asking the Third Legion for an explanation, but on this basis, I think your approach has a bigger picture, Primarch: we must consider some larger things."

"I advise you not to think so."

Marlowhurst interrupted him, with quiet irony.

"Listen to me, Loken: Those who think most about the bigger picture will suffer the most in the end."

"Because everyone will wrap their selfishness in the guise of a sense of the overall situation to oppress you."

"It's not the same thing."

Loken shook his head stubbornly. "I want to say: you should indeed make our position clear to Fulgrim, and Eidolon must be punished for his recklessness, but we should not interfere too much. This should be the Third Legion's own business, an act of the Phoenix's initiative rather than forced by us."

"Do you think we should expect Fulgrim to take the initiative in punishing his favorite scion?"

Marlowhurst looked as if he wanted to laugh.

"It does sound impossible."

Lorcan looked straight at him.

"But everyone knows Eidolon's faults, and there are countless witnesses and material evidence. Even if it is at the most basic principle of rewarding meritorious deeds and punishing mistakes, Phoenix will definitely express his attitude: there is no need for us to push too hard for this."

"Um……"

Horus nodded, with no sign of approval or rejection on his face. He was neither happy that Loken supported him nor did he refute Malohurst's cold tone. Instead, he looked at him immediately.

"And you, Malohurst: do you find Ezekiel's views more helpful?"

"With all due respect, my Lord."

Marlowhurst sat upright.

"It does not matter what Ezekiel thinks. Let him be angry if he wants. We should not make decisions based on his anger. The truly important issues are your authority as Warmaster and your credibility as the leader of the Great Crusade, as well as the process of the Legion re-establishing its role as a role model. They should not be affected by this."

"Torgaddon's sacrifice has brought about an extremely complicated situation. Everyone knows that you have a close relationship with Lord Fulgrim, and Torgaddon's importance to us is self-evident. Considering that the Blood Angels and Dawnbreakers will arrive one after another, if this situation is not handled properly, more collateral losses will result."

"So I think it would be best for you to meet with Lord Fulgrim in private. He will definitely want to discuss this matter with you. I believe that the relationship between the two of you is deep, and Lord Fulgrim's answer will not disappoint us. You should not pursue this matter too much in public, especially to suppress the whirlpool of public opinion that may be caused by Ezekiel and some radical factions in the Legion."

"Torgadon is dead. Continuing to pursue the case openly will only cause more chaos. We need to establish a fair yet compassionate attitude. As for how to discuss compensation in private, that is another matter."

As soon as these words were spoken, before Horus could react, Loken on the side frowned in disapproval.

"Do not look upon your brother's tragedy as a thing to be weighed against, Marlowhurst."

“I didn’t do that.”

Marlowhurst was indifferent.

"I am also saddened by the news of Torgadon's death, but I have moved on because it is over. This is my attitude: the tragedy has happened, and we can no longer bless emotional impulses in our choices for the future because of these things that have passed. We must think about those who are still alive and must think about those more important things."

"In your eyes, is reputation more important than your brother's life?"

"The former would involve more brothers: so, yes, Gavial."

"you……"

"All right."

Horus slammed the table, forcibly interrupting the quarrel among his heirs.

"You don't need to argue here for two reasonable ideas, nor do you need to argue about who is better. What I need is for you to provide different perspectives. If I hear the same words in my ears, I will worry that I have been deceived."

"Isn't that right, Sejanus?"

The Wolf God looked at the last person present.

Sejanus was the only one of the Luna Wolves still standing. He was not standing across from the desk, but directly beside the Warmaster: when he noticed the Primarch's gaze, his blue eyes flickered with thought.

"You want my opinion, my Lord?"

"You always surprise me."

Horus leaned back in his chair, showing a rare look of anticipation.

"So: what do you think?"

Sejanus put the flagon down.

"It's simple, my Lord."

"I never worried that Torgaddon's death would not lead to a fair outcome, because the fault was so clear, and Lord Fulgrim was not a jerk who would ignore the facts."

"Considering your unusual calmness during these days, let me make a bold guess: Lord Fulgrim has sent you a message in private, hoping to have a private meeting with you to explain the matter and offer his compensation?"

"Ha ha ha ha……"

Horus laughed and looked at the other children.

"See? This is a smart person who is willing to use his brain a little more."

"You should study hard."

"You are so kind, my Lord."

Sejanus remained humble, but his confident smile still touched Loken: It was not until this time that Loken understood why Sejanus was able to maintain such a high reputation in the legion.

He is indeed worthy of admiration.

"Also, I have one more thing to say."

Sejanus blinked.

"Since Lord Fulgrim is willing to give his explanation and compensation, then we should not worry about asking for it. I suggest you consider how to grasp the degree of this compensation. We cannot let the Third Legion really bleed for this, but the death of Torgaddon cannot be dealt with lightly either."

"Yes, indeed."

The Shepherd God nodded.

"Then where do you think is more suitable?"

Sejanus thought for a moment, then whispered a few words into Horus's ear.

"..."

"As expected of you, Sejanus."

The Wolf Shepherd God smiled with satisfaction.

"I also hope that Fulgrim will make such a promise to me when the time comes."

The warlord sighed, not sure whether he was expecting or expressing emotion.

"But that will come later: right now we have more pressing matters."

He looked at everyone again.

"Do you know what it is?"

"Candidates for the Mourning Society?"

Marlowhurst responded.

"Yes."

The Primarch nodded, and his statement made Loken a little nervous.

After all, apart from Sejanus and Aximander, two members of the Order of the Dead, there were only him and Malohurst present. Could it be that the Primarch wanted to...

"Don't think about it, brother."

Malohurst seemed to see through Locke's thoughts and smiled at him.

"If Lord Horus did choose between the two of us as the new Order of the Dead, he would not bring another: it is not the way of our Primarch to make another Battle-Brother miserable."

“So: you want some changes.”

On the other hand, Sejanus had also figured out the ins and outs of this matter.

"Yes."

Horus pulled out a document.

"I have been thinking about this matter since Torgarton's death."

"My idea is that due to the development of the Great Crusade, the new mission of the Legion, and the official establishment of the Wolf Kingdom, the original Mourning Society can no longer fully assume their due responsibilities."

"So I decided..."

The Primarch paused.

"Abolish the old mourning societies."

"what?"

Lorcan's eyes widened.

"what do you mean……"

"Yes."

Horus smiled at him.

"Create more seats and recruit more members: a new mourning society."

"It will no longer exist as a simple advisory body, but will be given more and more complex functions. The personnel composition will also consider more diverse sources. I wonder whether those ordinary people with outstanding performance should be allowed to become candidates..."

"...?"

"Where are you going, Sejanus?"

"I'll go find Celedi, my Lord."

Sejanus smiled helplessly.

"I want to tell him not to call Ezekiel back so quickly."

"Because you two might continue to quarrel and tear down this office."

(End of this chapter)