Warhammer 40: Shattered Steel Soul

Chapter 426 Introduction: Warmaster
Three people stood in front of Lion El'Jonson, wearing the same equipment and the same facial features. They were only distinguished by some subtle and metaphysical concepts. On their scales, which were between lake blue and dark green, the silver sheen moved like a snake as the candlelight swayed.

"This is of no use," Lion El'Jonson began, turning back to the last Alpha Legionnaire who had stepped out of the shadows. "You are wasting my time, Alpharius."

Alpharius raised an eyebrow, the fire dancing on the side of his cheek, licking the contours of his features.

"They are the theater commanders," Alpharius shrugged. "Perhaps you would like to meet them."

Lion El'Jonson narrowed his eyes, and after a few seconds, he lowered his voice and said, "Coswayn, put down your sword."

The swordsman put down his raised blade and looked at the three Alphas indifferently. They stood still like statues, and their overly similar existence was enough to make people uncomfortable.

"Tell me the reason for your presence, Alpharius," the Lion said.

"Didn't we just help you win this planet, First Legion?" Alpharius's surprise was performed very deliberately. "My spies relieved the defenses of the hive for you, and the Lord's family surrendered without a fight. This is why we showed up, Lion."

"You have ruined our victory," the lion began, and there were signs of reflection in his narration. "It was not necessary help, but your arrogance that ruined our victory."

"Really?" Alpharius said noncommittally. "As expected of the First Legion, we have shortened the war time for you by more than half, but the evaluation we received is still a single word - arrogance."

Alpharius walked towards Lion El'Jonson. Corswain stood beside the lion and was about to take a step forward, but was stopped by the lion with a light touch on the shoulder.

Lion snorted coldly, lowering his head slightly, looking down at his youngest blood brother. "Enough, tell me what you want so that I can refuse. I am not Perturabo, and I have no patience to endure your jokes and taunts. There are still countless kills that need to be carried out by the Dark Angels. If you continue to block or interfere with our hunt, then it will no longer be my warriors who draw their swords."

He paused for a moment. "No one can stand in the way of the Emperor's crusade, and the Primarchs will be no exception. I want you to remember that we first met at Randan."

Alpharius's eye twitched almost uncontrollably, and he raised his head, standing in the center of his path, looking directly at Lion El'Jonson.

"You're behind, Leon," he said, earning a cold look from the lion. But he remained calm, confident in the advice he was about to give.

"The Great Crusade has trampled across the galaxy. The limits of the Astronomican have been repeatedly touched. Expansions are being opened up one after another, but in return the Emperor is fading away.

"Father's flagship is quietly leaving the front line, and the time it stays on Terra is increasing day by day. Finally, a day will come, and you already know what that day means.

"A successor will be born among us," Alpharius said firmly. "When the Emperor officially withdraws from this war and returns to a higher perspective to govern his empire from a higher level than the generals, one of his descendants will take over the banner of the Sky Eagle and become the true commander of the battlefield."

"You are making dangerous insinuations," said the Lion King.

"This is not a hint, Lion. This is a suggestion. Everyone is discussing the selection of the Warmaster. You are one of the popular choices, the Emperor's eldest son." Alpharius said, not moving closer, but pacing around Lion El'Jonson. "The Dark Angels cannot be unaware of this."

The Lion King was silent. "Did you not expect to be in this position, Lion?" Alpharius said. "You are the First Legion, the leader of all armies; the Dark Angels hold the Emperor's arsenal and the secrets of countless dark ages. No one should be able to compete with you, but you did not take the last step."

"And so, your brothers caught up with you." He lowered his voice, the candle flame burning silently, and uttered a serpentine whisper. "The Tenth Legion, Ferrus Manus, with the assistance of Fulgrim, is advancing forward; the Thirteenth Legion, Roboute Guilliman's Ultramarines are gathering strength; the Fourth Legion, Perturabo is the star of the show, and has extensive friendships with many legions..."

"And you too," the Lion interrupted. "Alpharius. If you are considering appointing a Warmaster, Perturabo is your first choice."

"No, I am not important to him." Alpharius smiled. "Compared to the Terran Guard, my support is worthless; compared to the 300,000 warriors of the Word Bearers, the Alpha Legion is nothing more than a few guerrillas in the shadows... He has many supporters, but I can see your potential."

The Lion King also smiled coldly, his lips drawn into an unpleasant arc: "And the point is, Perturabo has no hope of the position of Warmaster, right?"

"You really understand the competition among us, Lion."

"Not everyone needs the honors of the Light. Some are asking for more rewards from the Emperor, which they have not been given and do not deserve."

Leon walked in the same direction as Alpharius, parallel to him in the same arc.

"The Emperor's will is our duty. They overestimate their own importance, not knowing that apart from the Emperor's satisfaction, any further rewards are just extravagant desires. You thought your temptations were enough to shake my will, no, you were wrong. You observed me the way you observed others, thinking that your deception was enough to fool the First Legion. But the premise of your instigation was that you never believed that the First Legion could win the crown bestowed by the Emperor himself."

"I don't care who you are here for, or what your purpose is here. Leave now. The Dark Angels will not pursue the Alpha Legion's interference."

"Of all the candidates, Horus Lupercal ranks first." Alpharius hurried to finish his final advice, "Our first son, both honorable and powerful, the brightest star, the most favored heir. If you are willing to give up your crown, Alpharius will leave immediately."

"Go away," Lion El'Jonson said grimly, standing still.

Alpharius' expression turned grim, he bowed slightly, and then left.

Corswayn stared at his Primarch, "Father?"

Leon lowered his head and frowned his stubborn brows.

"Warmaster." He repeated the word softly. "Another temptation. Another lie."

He turned and walked towards the door, his deep purple and gold cape rising slightly behind him. "This is not what we need."

(End of this chapter)