Emperor's Bane

Chapter 899 The Great Mentor of the Gray Knights

You look rather haggard, my dear Lord Ahliman.

Morgan would always become a little more mischievous in front of her few remaining friends.

To be fair, whether considering the actual difference in status between her and Ahriman, or her deep personal friendship with this last Thousand Son, Morgan should not have addressed Ahriman as "Your Excellency": doing so would only have embarrassed everyone except her.

Especially Ahriman.

But the Spider Queen didn't care: she actually enjoyed the pleasure of leaving others bewildered.

As for the fact that this pleasure was forged from the embarrassment of her best friend: isn't that even better?

Furthermore, the Spider Queen has always felt that her friend from Astartes, in terms of strength, temperament, intellectual depth, and resilience, deserves to be treated as an equal by the Spider Queen: especially in the half-century since the calamity on Nicaea.

Morgan witnessed Ariman's choice firsthand: including his awareness and dedication.

To be honest, in the Primarch's eyes, this Thousand Sons was more worthy of respect than at least half of her brothers: at least more worthy of respect than Magnus.

Of course, this does not mean that Magnus is not worthy of respect. Although the lingering poison caused by the Crimson King continues to plague the entire empire to this day, and its side effects will continue to be visible to countless generations to come, this does not prevent the Queen of Avalon, who once talked with Magnus, from looking at her foolish brother with a more fair attitude.

Magnus was by no means a fool, nor was he some born wicked scoundrel. He was equally capable of pursuing just goals and had a strong drive to achieve them, not to mention his impeccable loyalty to the Emperor. The only problem with the Scarlet King was his stupidity and autocracy. His willful actions were like a drop of poison poured into a vat, turning what should have been a wonderful life into a deadly poison that plagued the galaxy.

However, every flaw that Magnus possesses can also be found in most Primarchs: whether it is arrogance or autocracy, whether it is self-importance or blind optimism, these are almost universal traits among the imperial offspring.

As for why Magnus was the first to have an accident?
It's probably just because he was unlucky, and because his strength was just too great.

This answer sounds humorous, but it's true.

The reason Chaos chose Magnus, rather than other Primarchs with the same flaws, as the first bomb to detonate on the Empire was simply because Magnus's power far surpassed that of his brothers. He could cause calamity that would last for hundreds of generations, while the upheavals of the other Primarchs would merely be a warning shot.

From this perspective, he was indeed unlucky.

And naturally, just as each Primarch's legion inherits the strengths and weaknesses of its Gene Father, even its appearance and personality, the tragedy that occurred before Magnus was repeated once again in the arrogant Thousand Sons.

Without a doubt, the Thousand Sons are powerful. Even among all the Astartes legions, few can confidently guarantee that they can defeat a fully-fledged Thousand Sons in a one-on-one battle: not even Morgan's Dawnbreakers could make such a promise.

Of course, this is not to say that the legions painstakingly cultivated by the Spider Queen are inferior to the scholars under Magnus who spend all their time at home reading books. Rather, it is because the Dawnbreakers have a different view of war than their brother forces: while other legions consider total annihilation as a defeat, in the Dawnbreakers' concept, casualties of a number that their mother cannot accept are an absolute crushing defeat.

If they were to face off against a fully-fledged Thousand Sons, the Dawnbreaker Legion would suffer at least four-figure, or even five-figure, casualties.

In the Second Army's concept, this was certainly a failure.

Unfortunately, the Thousand Sons Legion's formidable strength was ultimately not fully realized: on the ruins of Nicaea, the sudden attack by the three forces of the Imperial Guard, the Dark Angels, and the Dawnbreakers resulted in the near annihilation of the Thousand Sons Legion's high command, who were caught off guard.

Magnus and Guilliman were the only two to bring almost all of their Legion's high command to the Primarchy of Nicaea, and they both paid a price for this optimism: the Ultramarines lost hundreds and thousands of officers and elites, while the Thousand Sons suffered even greater losses.

The entire command structure of the Fifteenth Legion was uprooted in the aftermath of the purge. The most powerful company commanders and strategists were either imprisoned to death or secretly executed for their fierce resistance. Before the Emperor decided to place Magnus under house arrest, the entire Thousand Sons Legion had effectively been rendered useless.

Such a complete annihilation can only be roughly compared to the 11th Army Corps of yesteryear.

The Honor Guard, Legion Commanders, Centurions, Legion Standard Bearers, Attendants, Company Commanders, and Church Instructors—all the elite ranks were wiped out. Aside from Ahriman, who was specially protected by Morgan, after the Nicaea Conference, the only remaining nominal leaders of the Thousand Sons Legion were a few company commanders and a group of veteran sergeants.

This was the end of the Thousand Sons Legion; it effectively became the second missing legion.

Even today, although High Lord Terra still refuses to reveal what happened in Nicaea back then, one thing has become a consensus in everyone's mind after half a century of hype: among the instigators of the Nicaea tragedy, there must have been a large number of despicable high-ranking officers of the Thousand Sons Legion.

Their purpose remains unknown, but their crimes were enough to wipe out the legion completely.

As for the rest?
Nobody cares.

Even Horus never considered specifically trying to win over this once-powerful legion from Prospero.

Morgan would never even consider it.

In truth, the Lord of Avalon once harbored goodwill towards the Legion of the Thousand Sons: after all, it was her first contact with the human empire. Before being drawn into the vortex known as the Dark Angels and the Randan War, the Spider Queen's first identity was Magnus's mortal advisor and a member of the mortal auxiliary forces of the Fifteenth Legion.

Although most people have long forgotten about this.

Morgan still remembered to some extent, and with the friendship between Magnus and Ahriman, the Lord of Avalon had also tried to help the fate of the Thousand Sons, but that effort vanished after the tragedy of Nicaea.

Qianzi wouldn't make her work that hard.

For Morgan now, rather than rebuilding the Thousand Sons that can never return, it would be better to create a new force: rather than tracing back to Magnus, who once caused a great disaster, it would be better to focus on his best son.

To continue his lineage is, in a way, a way of honoring the friendship he once shared with Magnus.

Ahriman inherited all the strengths of Magnus and the former Thousand Sons, though he also had his weaknesses: but he had overcome them.

The power and misfortune of the Thousand Sons did not drag this former company commander into the abyss: perhaps he, like his father, was once intoxicated by his absolute control over power and destiny, but the century-long journey in the Far East ultimately reshaped Ahriman, making him a trustworthy and investable figure in Morgan's eyes.

She was willing to invest more resources in him, even more than when she saved the Thousand Sons Legion.

This includes massive amounts of resources, secrets from the deepest parts of the Warp, negotiations and compromises with the Emperor, and even the necessity for the Primarch to personally venture into perilous places.

For an Astartes, getting so much help is no easy feat.

Even if he is Ahriman: most likely the most powerful Astartes in the entire Empire right now.

Of course, this also involves the friendship between the company commander of the Thousand Sons and the Lord of Avalon.

But what truly moved the Spider Queen was Ahriman's answer to a question.

This answer has never changed.

Morgan planned to ask one last time.

So, are you really not going to consider the suggestion I made before?

The meticulously prepared roasted pigeon crouches amidst a delicate circle of rosemary leaves, its snow-white rim adorned with priceless lemon blossoms. As the silver fork pierces the crispy, roasted skin and slowly slices through the juicy, tender meat, the words of the Lord of Avalon become indistinct due to the sauce and mushroom slices swirling in her mouth.

This was a dinner party for only two people. The flickering candlelight reflected the monotonous and dull footsteps of Virgo, who was acting as the temporary head waiter. Although the round table between the host and the guest was large enough for an Astartes to lie down, the abundance of food and cutlery made even the most spacious room feel cramped.

The Spider Queen has a good appetite tonight; she's waiting for her thirteenth stew.

Unfortunately, the Primarch's good appetite didn't seem to extend to her VIPs tonight.

【Hmm? Lord Ahriman?】

[Not to your liking?]

The Lord of Avalon smiled, his blatant veiled meaning forcing Ahriman to look up. He propped himself up with his fork, reluctantly picked up a piece of beef, and casually chewed it. His silent face was reflected in the plate piled high with cauliflower and mashed potatoes.

"No, sir."

Just call me Morgan: I've heard far too many people call me "sir" these past few days.

The Primarch waved his hand, not noticing the slightly contorted expression on Ahriman's face as he swallowed the beef.

Honestly, the Spider Queen hadn't cooked in a long time, and her skills had inevitably declined: the cauliflower was too old, but thankfully the mashed potatoes were always reliable, and the perfectly roasted pigeon and the sauce-covered beef at least made the dinner passable. Unfortunately, Ahriman was destined not to enjoy this meal properly.

His thoughts had already drifted to Morgan's purpose in inviting him to dinner and the documents beside him.

See, that's what I hate about you.

The Spider Queen poured herself a full glass of wine, and on the other side was a bottle of red tea to cleanse her palate, with several pounds of condensed milk added: the Primarch occasionally enjoyed tasting mortal things.

You always overthink, letting your minds wander when you should be resting, and becoming distracted when you should be fully focused. You seem to think the world revolves around you, and that things won't happen if you don't think about them.

This is a flawed idea, Ahriman.

Morgan swirled her wine glass.

No one is irreplaceable. The galaxy will continue to function even without anyone; no one's mistake or negligence will cause irreparable damage—at least not at your level. Therefore, you have absolutely no need to worry so much.

Because you're not qualified to do that yet.

"..."

Ahriman gave a somewhat bitter smile.

Well, that's very Morganian in how he advises people.

He raised his glass in a toast to his esteemed Primarch friend, then began to devour the mashed potatoes before him.

As for the Spider Queen's question...

“You’ve asked me this many times, Big… Morgan.”

Ahriman changed his tune somewhat awkwardly.

"But I think my answer will not change: I don't think I can shoulder this responsibility."

This is really disappointing.

Morgan shook his head repeatedly.

I had thought that being called the Scarlet Grand Duke would make you more ambitious.

“I have never considered myself that way, Morgan.”

"The so-called Scarlet Grand Duke is just a compliment from others."

【Uh-huh?】

The Spider Queen, who was drinking wine, suddenly sensed that something was wrong.

Why does this conversation sound so familiar?
Hmm... never mind.

Morgan sighed: she was indeed disappointed that Ariman had rejected her offer.

[Ariman: Don't you really want to have a legion founded by you?]

Even the Emperor supported this: this was a major reason why I was able to persuade him.

The Spider Queen decided to take the gamble.

Not for any other reason than the unexpected generosity of the Lord of Humanity this time.

"You mean..."

Ahriman blinked, incredulous at his own guess.

【Yes. 】

Morgan slightly raised his chin.

[As we all know, Ahriman, ever since the Nicaea Conference half a century ago, I have periodically provided you with some Thousand Legion gene seeds, allowing you to select suitable talents within Avalon and personally train a new generation of Thousand Warriors.]

“I am extremely grateful for this, sir.”

Ahriman nodded solemnly.

"I told you not to call me 'sir'..." the Spider Queen muttered, casually chewing up the pigeon's leg bone and swallowing it.

Of course, you don't need to get so excited. After all, in the past half-century, I've only given you a total of seventy or eighty gene seeds. Even if you put all your energy into it, you only have a squad of a little over a hundred people now.

Ahriman did not reply, because what the Spider Queen said was indeed true: Morgan would only give Ahriman three to five pure Thousand Seeds each time. The difficulty of rebuilding the legion with this number was unimaginable. Ahriman had to be very careful with his resources, and in half a century, he had only managed to recover the strength of a company.

Privately, Ahriman had pondered why Morgan was so stingy in this matter, but after the tragedy at Nicaea, he naturally didn't ask further.

He believed the original sin of the Fifteenth Legion had already been committed. Morgan's willingness to fund his rebuilding of the legion was already an immense favor, and there was no need to harbor resentment over such trivial details.

However, there's one question I've never revealed to you all these years.

Morgan leaned forward slightly.

Do you know why I've always been so stingy with the genetic seed I give you?

Ahriman shook his head.

Because this is not mine.

The Primarch smiled.

These seeds did not come from Avalon, nor from Prospero.

They come from: Terra.

"..."

Chiko's eyes widened in surprise.

"Could it be that……"

【Yes. 】

Morgan laughed.

Convincing my father wasn't easy; however, he also didn't want to see the lineage of the Thousand Sons completely die out.

Unfortunately, the Fifteenth Legion's genetic disease was far too severe back then. Even the Emperor didn't have many more genetic seeds stored, and a significant portion of those that were luckily unearthed were determined to be impure after our testing. This is all I can give you in the end.

"That's it."

Ahriman nodded.

He didn't know what to say. His gratitude to Morgan and the Emperor was beyond words, and as for his own legion, he could only sigh in vain.

They brought it on themselves, didn't they?
However, that's not the issue.

The Spider Queen puts down her wine glass.

I think we've said this many times already.

From the very beginning, I suggested to you that instead of rebuilding the Thousand Sons Legion, which had long been despised by everyone, why didn't you use these gene seeds and your own identity to create a new legion from scratch? Perhaps it wouldn't possess the honor and status of the Astartes Legion, but it would have a completely new future and possibilities.

You're the same, Ahriman.

As the founder of this legion: your future may lie alongside the Primarch.

"I……"

Don't rush to refuse.

Morgan stopped her friend.

Listen to me, Ahriman.

[You might not know this: this suggestion didn't actually come from me.]

It was my father.

"You mean..."

Ahriman's breath hitched for a moment.

That's right: Emperor.

The Lord of Avalon spoke in a cold tone.

He mentioned this to me before.

In his words, although he also felt deep regret over the fate of the Thousand Sons, he did not wish to see the Fifteenth Legion return; their names and honor had been permanently tainted: insisting on calling them back might bring more suffering to the world.

Nobody wants to see another Nicaea.

[Of course, the Lord of Humanity acknowledges your perseverance and strength. Therefore, he is willing to offer you a new suggestion through me: you don't need to burn everything for your former legion. You can create a new future, for yourself, and also for your descendants and all of humanity.]

[If you agree to the Emperor's plan, the Lord of Humanity is willing to grant you everything: he will give you a new gene seed, far more numerous than before, and closely related to the former Thousand Sons Legion—a group of great warriors skilled in psionic energy. You can consider them the successors of the Fifteenth Legion.]

In fact, they were the last gift my genetic father planned to give to humanity.

Now, he feels he needs a mature mentor to personally guide and nurture this gift.

He chose you, Ahriman.

He wants your answer.

After saying that, Morgan raised her glass and looked quietly at her dark-skinned best friend.

She awaited Ahriman's response.

However, the Primarch also felt that she didn't need to force Ahriman to give his answer now.

In fact, the Lord of Avalon also had his own ideas about the Emperor's plan in private.

and so……

------

Of course, my friend.

If you really can't decide, why not listen to my suggestions?

------

When Virgo carried the thirteenth and fourteenth stews to the table, she found her genetic mother raising a toast with His Excellency Ahriman.

It seems that the two have reached some kind of consensus.

[A wise approach, my friend.]

Morgan leaned back in her chair, satisfied.

This satisfies you, satisfies me, and satisfies my father as well.

Of course, I must admit: you have chosen the most difficult path.

On this path, you may very well die.

“I know, Morgan.”

Ahriman nodded calmly: after reaching a compromise with Morgan on that crucial matter, even the confusion and hesitation in his heart had lessened considerably. The psionic swordsman who once looked down upon the vast ocean of warp space, wielding a scroll in one hand and a sword in the other, now leaped onto the paper before Morgan and Virgo's eyes once again.

"But for Astartes, death was simply an expected end."

"My only desire before death is to be able to do what I should do before I die."

"Of course: there will be many."

Both Primarch and Ahriman laughed.

Indeed, there are many: especially considering the destination I've chosen for you.

Morgan picked up her fork and gracefully cut into the steaming steak in front of her.

[But think positively, my friend. If everything goes according to plan, you will be able to let go of your past obsessions and desires, and uphold your loyalty to the Emperor on a brand new path: you will become the reshaper of one army and the founder of another, standing proudly in the two weighty annals of legionary history.]

"And save the entire galaxy while you're at it?"

Trust me: if things weren't so bad, we wouldn't be putting this burden on your shoulders.

You're just... a backup plan.

"So much the better."

Ahriman breathed a sigh of relief.

"Honestly, I don't even think I'll survive to complete the first step of this massive plan."

I had this concern for a long time.

The Primarch smiled at her friend, then gently patted the documents beside her.

That's why I prepared these for you.

And in places you can't see: my preparations are no less extensive.

These span several decades.

------