Emperor's Bane

Chapter 888: The Prince is ill

So, let’s take inventory.

[Which legions are strong and loyal enough to participate in this plan? 】

……

Of course, Morgan would not leave the Emperor's environment directly after receiving the mission, and then sit alone in a corner counting the list of reinforcements.

Things like this must of course be discussed from beginning to end before the Emperor, listing possible candidates and their respective advantages and disadvantages, and choosing the most suitable one among the countless plans: when Morgan left, she should have a list of names that had been planned long ago, and the only thing she had to do was to contact the names on it.

Of course, if she followed the Emperor's wishes and decided by his own order who was qualified to know and participate in this war that determined the life and death of mankind, it would indeed sound very satisfying to her vanity and pride: but the Primarch did not lack this, nor did she need these invisible benefits.

Prudence and modesty, even inferiority, are the only ones among the few virtues of the Lord of Avalon that are worthy of praise in front of outsiders: she does not want to decide alone which legion is worthy of reliance, nor does she want to use the truth to divide the so-called qualifications among all the primarchs.

She had no right to do so: and it would do her no good.

As for the trust that the Emperor showed in her during these commissions, which exceeded that of the Warmaster, it was unable to truly move the Spider Queen's heart: the Emperor's trust was good, but considering his current state and situation, this trust might not be exchanged for anything practical.

In that case, Morgan would rather not make any mistakes.

She gave up the arbitrary power given to her by the Emperor and chose to discuss with the Lord of Mankind in a more secure way: if the Emperor would despise her because of her timidity and cowardice, then so be it, Morgan didn't care.

What she cares more about now is how to increase Comoros' chances of victory even a little bit: even if the emperor can only make insignificant suggestions, it is much more practical than the vanity brought by autocratic rule.

+So, you want to discuss this with me? +
The Lord of Mankind was somewhat surprised.

He originally thought that after he handed over this power that could almost decide the fate of mankind to Morgan, even his only daughter would be unusually excited for a while: but the Spider Queen was silent for only a short while, and then asked to finalize the list with him before leaving.

The meaning couldn't be more obvious.

If the Emperor participated in the customization of the list, then this list would reflect the Emperor's will rather than Morgan's own ideas. The Spider Queen would immediately give up this tremendous power: this trust that the Lord of Mankind has never given to anyone.

How many Primarchs would regard it as a treasure?

+I thought being called a queen or empress would make you a little more proud. +
【I have never been so proud of myself before.】

[Empress and Queen are respected by others, but when have you ever called yourself the Lord of the Galaxy? ]

Morgan simply sat on the beach, put her long legs together on one side, straightened her back and put her hands flat.

The Emperor did not respond. He just gave a simple but impenetrable smile. Then, a golden sand throne appeared. The Lord of Mankind sat down and bent down so that the height difference between him and Morgan would not be too great.

The father and daughter were able to look into each other's eyes.

+Okay.+
+I'm a little disappointed: I wanted to see what you could do on your own. +
[You shouldn't use really important things as a test for your subordinates: I will also test my descendants, but whenever I give them a task, I will only choose those tasks that I have enough ability and skills to save the situation even if I fail completely.]

+My bad.+
The Emperor nodded.

+And I have no objection to your approach. +
+However: I don’t want to put too much of my personal will into this list. +
The Emperor stared at his daughter.

+You forgot one thing, Morgan.

+In the fifty years since Ullanor, I have devoted all my energy to the Webway. +
+What experiences and developments have your brothers had in the past fifty years? I am not familiar with them. +
+So, you actually have more authority than I do on this matter. +
【…】

[Indeed, I made a mistake.]

Morgan nodded.

She realized that what the Emperor said was indeed correct, and that she was indeed the most suitable person to propose the big list: it was just that the Spider Queen was naturally cautious, and she did not dare to act arbitrarily without any trump card in such a major event that was clearly beyond her ability.

+So…+
The Emperor smiled.

+Now, are you willing to choose for yourself? +
Morgan immediately shook his head.

【No, father.】

[I admit that you are right: but this does not mean that I should insist on believing in my own abilities when I clearly have more secure options.]

[I will propose a list: but I hope that this list can be approved by you before it can be implemented. ]

+……+
A light flashed in the emperor's pupils.

+Are you sure, Morgan? +
+You know, I've never placed so much trust in any of your brothers. +
+If it were them, no matter which one of them, they would not throw this power to the ground. +
+They all have the courage to try it. +
【But I was never good at courage. 】

Morgan just smiled in response.

[Or rather, I don’t think this is courage. ]

[Besides, if your trust in me comes from my caution, then wouldn’t it be a betrayal of your trust if I abandon my caution?]

+……+
This simple response brought a complex expression to the face of the Lord of Mankind, one that was difficult to describe in any words.

He seemed to be feeling regretful, yet also relieved, and his gaze towards Morgan was mixed with mixed emotions about whether his offspring would be successful or not: as if the Emperor had already determined that the man before him had defeated Horus, but also as if he knew that the man before him would never be able to defeat Horus.

But in the end, the Lord of Mankind just shook his head.

He seemed to be sighing and laughing.

He said something that, to Morgan, had absolutely no realistic logic.

+Then do your best. +
+The Sigillite is too old. +
+And let's be honest: he's not in great shape either. +
【……so? 】

+Nothing: Tell me about your plans.+
【it is good. 】

The primarch nodded.

------

[First, we can rule out Horus and his five supporters. ]

[Luna Wolves, White Scars, Death Guard and Blood Angels, as well as the Emperor's Children.]

+Plus alpha. +
【alpha?】

Morgan raised her brows: she really didn't have much information about the Hydra Legion.

【They...are not safe?】

+Unstable, or insecure. +
【All right. 】

After a brief conversation between father and daughter, one-third of the Primarchs and Legions disappeared from the list.

+Besides that: who else is unreliable? +
【Luo Jia and the One with Words.】

Morgan was firm.

[They have become very dangerous: our methods in the Perfect City can only delay them temporarily.]

The Emperor nodded.

[And Ferrus and the Iron Hands. ]

+Hmm? +
The Lord of Mankind frowned and looked at his daughter with a strange expression.

+I know Ferrus's loyalties well.+
But I don’t know him well enough.

Morgan didn't flinch at all, she just stared at her father expressionlessly.

"I am not sure how much he weighs his loyalty to you and his feelings for Fulgrim.

+You actually worry about this kind of thing? +
[There's no reason for me not to worry, right? ]

Morgan's lip curled up in a mocking grin.

【After all: it’s a “family tradition.” 】

+……+
The father and daughter looked at each other.

After a few seconds, it was the Emperor who retreated.

+Okay, cross out the Tenth Legion. +
Morgan carried out the order with ease.

She hadn't liked fighting alongside the Tenth Legion in the first place.

Apart from anything else, as an ally of Guilliman, Morgan clearly remembered how Ferrus had harmed thousands of Ultramarines in the infamous Battle of Gardenar: Although Guilliman no longer cared, the Spider Queen still had a knot in her heart.

[Next, Dorn and Leman Russ, they probably don't have time to get involved. ]

+Doesn't Ruth have time either? +
[Russ's loyalty and willingness are sufficient. As for his legion... they are barely usable.]

The corners of Morgan's mouth twitched twice.

[But isn't it a bit too much to let Dorn fight Horus alone? ]

+Will it be useful if Russ is added? +
The Emperor asked back with a smile, as if he was not talking about a legion that was loyal to him.

+Russ is fine, but the legion under his command is no match for the Luna Wolves. +
+It can only last a few months at most. +
【Perhaps Dorne will only need these few months.】

【And, father.】

Morgan stared at her genetic father.

[Russ is one of the few Primarchs who is willing to fight his legion to the last man to complete your orders even if he knows nothing about your plans. We need him to stay and help Dorne.]

The Emperor nodded.

+Continue.+
[Guilliman doesn't need to consider: After I leave, the Far East needs a new pillar of support. ]

+You plan to put him in charge of Avalon? +
【No, I mean. 】

At this point, Morgan hesitated for a rare moment.

[Between the Five Hundred Worlds and Avalon, there must be one that can maintain an active state and attack at any time, so as to deter any external forces: When I leave, Guilliman will take over this task, and his Five Hundred Worlds must show enough deterrence and activity. For this reason, he must stay in Macragge to take charge of the overall situation.]

+How interesting.+
The Emperor laughed.

+You know what this means, right? +
【…】

Seeing Morgan's silence, the Lord of Mankind slowly dragged out what both of them knew.

+One is the Far Eastern Frontier that has come to a standstill because of your departure, and the other is the Five Hundred Worlds that can remain vibrant because of Guilliman's stay: in other words, your Avalon will serve as a meat shield for Macragge. +
【It’s not important.】

Morgan slowly crossed out Guilliman's name.

【Who's next? 】

+Perturabo.+
It's rare that the emperor would take the initiative to think of this name

And Morgan just shook his head.

[If you need construction workers, I will bring a group of Dawnbreakers with me.]

【But Perturabo can’t. 】

+Why? +
【I don’t trust him.】

+You don't trust him? +
The Lord of Mankind was a little surprised.

+Apart from Guilliman and Jonson, Perturabo is the Primarch you have the best relationship with. +
+You two have always been close. +
[That’s right, so I don’t trust him. ]

Morgan nodded firmly. [Perturabo is still Perturabo.]

[He just became gentler and smarter: but it doesn't mean that his nature has changed. ]

+You doubt his loyalty? +
[No, I am afraid of his ambition.]

[Unless you can assure me that you can wipe him out immediately after the Comoros War, just in case.]

+……+
+Honestly, my dear daughter.+
+You even scare me a little.+
[Do I have it? ]

Morgan asked back with a smile.

【Listen, my good father.】

[When I decided to bring two-thirds of the Dawnbreakers to join your damn Webway War. ]

[You shouldn't be curious, I am still willing to pay any price for this war. ]

+Then continue. +
The Emperor did not respond to this, but something seemed to be becoming more certain in his pupils.

+How many candidates do we have left? +
【Not much.】

Morgan shook his head.

[Jonson, Konrad, Angron, Corax, and Vulkan.]

[It is basically impossible for them to betray. ]

+Even Angron? +
The Emperor smiled.

【I have met him.】

The Lord of Mankind's light-hearted attitude seemed to have angered the Spider Queen to some extent.

I can assure you that...

+What guarantees? +
The Emperor interrupted the Primarch.

+The spirits of your parents? +
+Or are you loyal to me? +
Morgan took a deep breath.

【The soul of my offspring.】

+Go ahead. +
The Emperor nodded immediately.

【…】

Morgan took another deep breath.

[According to what Angron told me, and what I saw with my own eyes during that time, although he still refused to admit it, in his heart, Angron actually recognized his legion and his descendants: he recognized their identity and pride as warriors.]

【I am also willing to fight for them and make sacrifices for them. 】

+So? +
[Therefore, Angron will never turn to either side of Chaos again. After all, he still clearly remembers what happened on Nuceria and the harm Chaos inflicted on him. And the most important point is: if he turns to Chaos, the World Eaters will definitely turn to Chaos as well.]

[And Angron will no longer watch another group of warriors become slaves in front of him.]

He has had enough of this.

+……+
+Okay.+
The emperor was silent for a moment and nodded.

+That means we can count him in. +
[If it were Comoros, the 300,000-strong army of the World Eaters would come out in full force.]

+That's basically enough. +
The Emperor whispered.

+But it could be more. +
+What do you think of Dark Angels? +
【I do not recommend you to summon them.】

Morgan simply shook his head.

[Just like I don't think it would be a good idea to bring Corax's legion into this.]

The Emperor tilted his head.

+Corax I understand, he has to face the threat of the Death Guard and the Word Bearers. +
+What about Jonson? What's going on with him? +
【Jonsen...】

The primarch hesitated.

【ok I admit it. 】

[Jonson does meet the criteria. No one will doubt the combat effectiveness of the Dark Angels, nor will anyone doubt his loyalty and selflessness to you. But, have you ever thought about this question, father?]

[I took the Dawnbreaker away, and Angron will take the World Eaters away. In addition, Konrad's Legion will also have his own mission in the Ghoul Stars, just as we arranged for him before. Guilliman will not leave the Five Hundred Worlds unless something unexpected happens.]

+Well, then what? +
【Then? 】

Morgan laughed.

【Then, do you feel that we lack sufficient power in the real universe? 】

[Dorn and Leman Russ can only hold on, and cannot count on Guilliman's reinforcements at this stage. It is also difficult for Corax to leave his own country. The same is true for Conrad: Ferrus' attitude is very questionable, and Lorgar and Perturabo are almost potential threats. ]

[In this case, if we pull Jonson's legion out of the real universe, we will lack the trump card to counter Horus' legion. ]

[With Jonson and his 400,000 dark angels, the Wolf God will at least be a little afraid. ]

[If not, then the pressure on Dorn would be too great. ]

【Besides, father.】

Morgan rubbed his chin.

[Your Webway Legion is said to be able to fight against nine Astartes Legions at the same time. With the Dawnbreakers and World Eaters as the full strength of the Legion, you are equivalent to leading a full eleven legions to besiege Comoros at the same time.]

[To be honest, in terms of combat power, it is actually a bit overwhelmed: adding the Dark Angels Legion, it is really not worth the loss. ]

+But Jonson is loyal, shrewd, and not pedantic. +
This is indeed his strength.

When she said this, a hint of pride flashed across the Spider Queen's lips.

[But it is precisely these advantages that make him suitable to be an independent division, isn't it? ]

[Just tell him enough truth: while we are busy on the Webway, he will take care of the things we care about in the real universe. ]

+……+
The Lord of Mankind was silent for a moment.

+So: do you want Jonson to oversee the Far Eastern Frontier for you while you're gone? +
[I do have this plan.]

Morgan nodded.

[Although I don't like this arrangement very much, I have to admit one thing. ]

[On issues concerning war, Jonson is always the most trustworthy one.]

[On the eve of the war, handing Avalon over to him would not be a wrong option. ]

The Emperor did not refute this statement.

+Good: that leaves Vulkan.+
+Do you think he is suitable? +
Morgan thought for a moment.

[It depends on whether you want to play it safe. ]

[If it is Comoros, there is no reason why Vulkan and his salamanders would not come. ]

+Then call them up. +
The Emperor waved his hand.

+Vulkan will have his own unique uses.+
【Your will. 】

Morgan crossed out the last few names.

【so……】

[I will bring 120,000 Dawnbreakers with me.]

[Angron brings 300,000 World Eaters.]

[As for Vulkan, he can at least bring 100,000 Salamanders with him.]

+ Plus the Webway Legion: that's enough. +
The Emperor nodded in satisfaction.

[It is indeed enough. ]

Morgan had to admit this.

In the final analysis: with the two trump cards, the Lord of Mankind and the Spider Queen, the outcome of the Battle of Comoros was largely determined.

Now the main thing is speed.

[The next thing to see is whether the Webway Legion will penetrate Commorragh first, or whether Horus will crush Dorn first. ]

+Horus...+
The Emperor chewed on the name: Morgan certainly wouldn't miss the fleeting tangle.

【I almost forgot, father.】

The Lord of Avalon smiled brightly.

[When you return to the real universe, how do you plan to deal with Horus and his legion? ]

+……+
The Emperor glanced at his daughter.

Surprisingly, Morgan didn't feel the wrath she was prepared for.

But... a kind of dullness?
And a kind of disgusting calmness.

+Morgan, my good daughter.+
+The Imperium of Man has always had only one attitude towards true rebels, right? +
【…】

The Spider Queen was silent.

Even though I was mentally prepared, it was still shocking to hear the answer from the emperor himself.

【He...he is the Warmaster. 】

+I know.+
The Emperor nodded.

He looked at the Primarch and smiled.

+But from now on, if our plan is to succeed, the Empire will no longer need a Warmaster. +
+ Instead, we need: "The Scepter."+
[You mean Machado? ]

+……+
The Lord of Mankind just quietly looked at his only daughter who had given him so many surprises and achievements.

After a brief silence, he gave up the power that no one could refuse and offered his only daughter at a price that no one was willing to pay.

Finally, he smiled and did not answer the question.

He just repeated it: repeated the words that sounded so strange before.

------

+Like I said, Morgan.+
+Good job: Malcador is getting a bit too old. +
+……+
+And I am no longer young. +
(End of this chapter)