Warhammer: Hail to the Void Lords!.

Chapter 1025 09.1024: 'The Curse of the Rana Family'

"This is the Delova team. We have completed the search of the western garden and found no signs of espionage or intelligence activity. Over." The guard's report was received by Yadwiga through his earpiece.

She crouched low in a thick, fragrant patch of grass, her camouflage uniform blending seamlessly with the vegetation in the night. She bypassed several regular sentries she had memorized, and now, through the gaps in the foliage, calmly observed the movements of the patrol in the distance.

Horatio's visit successfully drew away most of the security forces inside the mansion.

A portion of the most elite guards had been deployed to the main residential area and surrounding areas, creating several fleeting gaps in the defenses along the path to the solitary tower.

This is perfectly reasonable.

After all, who would think that on such an ordinary night, someone would risk offending the Duke by sneaking into a tower that had been abandoned and uninhabited for many years since the Duke's death?
Once the footsteps and flashlight beams of the patrol disappeared around the corner of the garden path, Jadwiga no longer hesitated.

With her exceptionally long legs and the agile physique honed in the military, she took a few running steps and silently climbed over the smooth quartz stone fence, deftly vaulting over it.

Unbeknownst to her, her final, agile leap was captured by a hidden sniper scope in the distance.

"This is Sentry Number 7. I think... um, I saw the young lady climb over the tower's wall."

"Are you sure, Sentinel 7?" A steady voice came through the communicator.

“I’m not sure. I only saw a dark figure similar to hers flash by. But considering that the young lady had similar motives and attempts before, I think... it’s very likely to be her.”

"Keep a close eye on it. If she really does enter the tower, there will definitely be some activity. Report back to the Duke after confirming."

"Sentry No. 7 received."
-
Inside the study of the official residence.

Horatio's words were like a precise probe, directly piercing the deepest secret in the old duke's heart.

Being questioned about such a private family secret by such a young outsider was undoubtedly a great offense to this high-ranking duke, and the anger that had just been suppressed in his heart rose again.

What right does an outsider have to interfere in these matters?

Just because she's the rising star of the Gothic Fleet, does she think she can interfere in her own family affairs?!
"..." The old duke stared intently at Horatio, his cloudy eyes bloodshot, filled with undisguised warning and displeasure.

But the young man in front of him remained calm and met his gaze without backing down.

As a self-proclaimed cultured nobleman, even when faced with such a pointed question, he couldn't afford to lose his temper on the spot because the person opposite him was a guest who had arrived through a formal invitation process and was a junior.

“This is our family matter, young man. You shouldn’t ask too many questions, and you have no right to ask.” He finally squeezed out these words through gritted teeth.

“You’ve dragged me into your family affairs.” Horatio gently pinched the brim of his bicorn hat, his tone calm but unyielding. “Admit it, Your Grace. The situation is that we are now entangled in both interests and political stances.”

It's pointless for you to keep it from me. Because I won't change anything until I get a reasonable explanation.

During the Battle of Minerva, I lost several outstanding officers who had been with me since I became captain.

Therefore, I would never kick out an excellent and reliable officer from my unit on some fabricated pretext or for someone's selfish motives.

As the commander of this unit, I will do everything in my power to protect every one of my people.

"You were once a general in the Star Guardian Army, you must understand my resolve." Horatio said, slowly rising to his feet, as if to leave.
"If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave now."

"and many more!"

The old duke called him back. He took a cigar from the silver box on the table, lit it, and took a deep drag.

The pungent, irritating smoke filled his lungs, then he slowly exhaled, narrowing his eyes to slits. Through these narrow gaps, he re-examined the unyielding naval officer before him. Whoosh—

He slowly exhaled a thick cloud of smoke, leaned back in the large leather chaise lounge, and looked at the Supreme Commander before him, this lord of the empire.

"It's alright to tell you. After all, you're just an outsider."

The old man sneered, "It won't be long before you return to the westernmost part of the Misty Starfield with everything you heard tonight, separated from us by the Milky Way, which spans almost an entire starfield."

"Yes, you're right. The Gothic Sector and the Calissis Sector are almost the entire Misty Starfield apart."

I will take your secrets, those of Jadvig and Major General Jean Lannes, with me and keep them buried deep in my heart forever, never to be used by any of your political enemies.

Horatio continued to weigh the pros and cons, following his words, "Moreover, from an interest standpoint, the Sintira Republican Guard is now my political ally, and your two children are invaluable comrades-in-arms here."

Betraying you would bring me no benefit. Our interests are intertwined; we rise and fall together, so there's absolutely no need for us to target each other.

“No, no, no, that’s only one aspect.” The Duke shook his finger. “The fundamental reason is that I need you to re-evaluate the pros and cons after you learn some things, and then support my idea of ​​sending Yadviga back to me. I believe you will do so after hearing this.”

We, the Rana family, come from the oldest branch of the families in Holy Terra. According to our family tree, our first ancestor was Duke Jean Rana. Yes, he shared the same name as my son Jean—it's a tradition. He was Duke Montabello of Holy Terra, holding the rank of Imperial Marshal, a valiant warrior who always led from the front.

As the Duke reminisced about his family's past, his eyes, which had initially been bright and alert, gradually dimmed.
"However, our ancient and courageous family has always been shrouded in a terrible curse."

Upon hearing the word "curse," Horatio leaned forward slightly, as if this would allow him to see the ancient secrets that had traversed thousands of years more clearly.

“There was once a mysterious fortune teller who used tarot cards to divine for our ancestor that he would die on the battlefield at the age of forty.”

He was deeply worried about this and even confided in the Emperor. In his diary, he wrote: 'I fear war, I am terrified of death, I am afraid to go to the battlefield, and I have confessed these things to His Majesty the Emperor. But once I took my first step towards the gunfire, only my duty remained in my heart.' Finally, on a battlefield called Essling, he truly died. He was struck down in both legs by a shell and tragically passed away in front of the Emperor.

From that time on, this terrible curse, like an inescapable dark cloud, has shrouded the heads of all the male members of our Lana family.

Our family has a long history of military service, but no man in the military has ever lived past forty.

Moreover, once they are killed in battle, the family's fortunes will quickly decline, a huge loss that will be difficult for generations to recover.

Just like our first ancestor, who, after his death, not only failed to receive the higher honors he deserved, but also lost everything he had gained overnight.

"So, this is the real reason why you resolutely chose to leave the army at the age of thirty-nine, when your military career was at its peak?" Horatio asked.

“I have two older brothers, both generals, who also served on the front lines. The first died on his fortieth birthday; the second died at the age of forty-two. After their deaths, their respective branches of the family quickly fell into terrible decline, failing in investments, getting caught up in conspiracies and riots, and eventually dwindling in number, nearing extinction.”

[No wonder he's unwilling to reveal such a secret to anyone... If his political enemies knew, dealing with the Rana family would be much easier.]
Upon hearing this, Horatio finally understood why Horatio's seemingly bizarre life story was so distorted.

He withdrew from the army at the age of thirty-nine, at the height of his prestige. Was it just before he turned forty?
Hiss... The first ancestor he mentioned who died in battle... could it be...?
Horatio's eyes revealed a hint of undisguised surprise.

At first, he thought it was just a coincidence of names, but now it seems that if they really are the descendants of the legendary Rana, then how thick must their family genealogy be now, in the 41st millennium?

Furthermore, who exactly is the person he refers to as "the Emperor"? Could it be that the ruler of mankind, who sits on the golden throne, once had a name called "Napoleon" in some distant part of history?

"If it weren't for the ever-present shadow of the curse hanging over our family, who would be willing to give up the honor and power they hold?"

The Duke looked at Horatio and sneered, "But for the future of my family, I must give up everything I have earned with my own hands. This is the sacrifice I have made for this family and the obligation I have to fulfill."

(End of this chapter)