Warhammer: I don't want to become a stinky can!

Page 821

This space ghost, with its excellent memory, seemed to have fallen into reminiscence once again.

During the War of Heaven, the Outer One was not the most brutal and absurd among the complete Star Gods. On the contrary, the Outer One was more benevolent than the other Star Gods. This is why it was sent to fight against the Ancient Spirits, rather than facing the Ancient Saints directly.

But I didn't expect...

The Outer One's personality flaws were instead exploited by the Spirit Race's Laughing God, Higoqi. Higoqi constructed an illusion, and in the Laughing God's joke, the Outer One mistakenly ate his own allies, personally devouring several minor star gods who fought alongside him.

When the outsider awoke from the illusion of the Laughing God, he only saw the maniacally laughing Higoki, and the scattered corpses of his own kind floating in the void.

The outer being thus plunged into endless madness, fled the battlefield, and exiled himself from the galaxy.

But what happened next was far more absurd than the illusion constructed by the God of Laughter. The Star Gods, deceived by the fraudsters, began to kill and devour each other in their pursuit of power.

Those who exile themselves from the outer reaches of the galaxy by devouring their own kind, and the likes of the Night Bearers and Burners who actively choose to devour...

The Endless Ones sighed inwardly, perhaps this was a joke from the galaxy: those who pursued power were torn apart, while those who exiled themselves went completely mad; Tarachin seemed to have grasped the truth of this galaxy: the more a race pursues something, the less likely it is to be obtained.

The health-seeking, death-fearing race perished; the Eldar, who pursued a life of debauchery, fell at the feet of the Slaanesh; and the human race, which valued unity and loyalty above all else, split into so many different factions—perhaps only the Greenskins reaped what they desired: war.

"We've done our best."

Tarasin tapped his head, his metal fingers making a clanging sound on his metal head.

"I think the biomass lost by the Tyranids here far exceeds the total amount lost during their previous attacks on the Milky Way."

He gazed out the porthole, his eyes passing over the star god Hades, who resembled an ancient black star, and landing on the slowly collapsing stronghold planet behind the star god. On that planet, countless white and purple Tyrannosaurus Rex appeared as if their surfaces were covered with shimmering scales.

They lured the Tyrande to take over the planet as a short-distance supply of biomass, but in reality, they planned to abandon it from the very beginning. With Tarasin's invincible short-distance teleportation ability, all the troops the Tyrande invested in it were wasted.

"Prepare to retreat, I'll follow later."

The indistinct hissing sound came again, and Tarasin sighed in a human-like manner. The next moment, the fleet that was gliding through the swarm of insects with surgical precision immediately turned around, as if inertia were nothing to it.

The fleet of the Endless Ones unfolded a transformation, with fifteen ships forming a group. The ships spread out, leaving space, and in this space, the space began to tremble.

Dozens of seconds later, countless ships of the human empire appeared in Tarasim's fleet.

During this time, apart from the necessary ship paint schemes and flags, the ships of the human empire and the space necromancers were indistinguishable from each other. Hades required his troops to have the most advanced technology, and the fact was that the most advanced technology came from the space necromancers.

Hades's modifications to the space necromancy technology were also copied by Tarasin.

"What are your plans for the next move?"

The pass was successful, and Tarasin whistled.

"..."

"kill."

A muffled sound rang out, clearly indicating that someone was getting desperate while hitting the bug.

"We still haven't killed enough."

Tarasin coughed, and a certain black-themed star god seemed to realize the importance of power—

However, no matter how powerful an individual is, it cannot directly withstand the combined attack of multiple races such as the Silent King and the Tyran.

However, in this situation, anyone would feel an urge from the bottom of their heart that they couldn't be even stronger and more domineering!

Of course, Taracin wouldn't. It never pursues excessive power. The Endless One hummed a tune, having already set its strategic retreat destination.

“There are five stars along our retreat route for resupply, but I still suggest you conserve your energy.”

As the faster-than-light journey began, Tarachin felt himself transform into a beam of light. Behind the Endless Fleet, along with the Zerg scattering in all directions, the galaxy began to collapse.

Seven minutes later, the sound of a black star god knocking came from beside the bulkhead of the Tarasin command ship, which was traveling at faster-than-light speed.

Tarachin turned his head and saw the invisible darkness outside the porthole that was twisting and turning, and it looked as if Hades was grinning at it—well, maybe so, Tarachin couldn’t quite tell.

Chapter 832 [274] Madness is the only way to survive

I know how you feel—I understand, I understand you, Mortarian, but I don't think it's a good idea.

Killman took out a handkerchief embroidered with the blue sky of Macurag and wiped the sweat from his forehead.

Opposite him stood a pale giant, covered in engine oil, blood, and mud, his face expressionless.

The Death Guard can cross that area to rendezvous with Fernus.

Motalian pointed this out calmly.

The Silent King's forces are also retreating; the departure of the Death Guard will not cause the battle lines to collapse.

You can't just focus on finding Hades.

Guilliman took a deep breath and looked rationally at Mortalian.

[Your so-called crossing involves forcibly traversing the Silent King's occupied territory through the warp, which will cause immense damage to you and your army—but within four days at most, our main force will open a path from the main battlefield.]

[You mean Hades and Phenus should face the main force of the Terran army, the Silent King, and the Greenskins head-on?]

I believe Hades, Phenus, and our allies, the Infinites, will survive these next few days.

Killieman spread his hands.

[You should admit it, Mortarion. Hades is far stronger than any of us realize, not to mention he has Fernus assisting him.]

The Mortarion simply breathed quietly and exhaled poison gas. For some reason, Guilliman thought that after contact with another Mortarion, the Mortarion he knew had become somewhat better-tempered, or at least more tolerant.

[This is not a reason for you to keep putting pressure on him—yes, yes, Guilliman, I completely understand you. You're exactly like Neos. That's how he treated the Iron Warriors and the Imperial Fists. As long as he thought they could hold out, he would keep assigning missions to those two legions.]

Mortalian knew perfectly well what Guilliman was struggling with: the big picture, the big picture, the big picture. Guilliman would always be concerned about the fate of the entire Empire, and the fate of the Empire was obviously closely tied to Hades. Therefore, Guilliman would naturally go to support Hades.

But this king, a shrewd capitalist, would arrive late, just before Hades could collapse, to squeeze every last drop of potential from each person.

Mortarian can't afford to gamble.

He naturally believed that Hades and Fernus's group would hold out, but he dared not gamble. The battlefield was ever-changing, and Guilliman had clearly put too much pressure on the other side, something Guilliman hadn't witnessed firsthand.

But Mortalian had witnessed firsthand the moment when Hades, now hailed as "great" and "invincible" by the world and the empire, fell.

The Empire needed a myth, so they created the miracles of the Emperor and Hades. But ironically, how come Guilliman and the other Primarchs are starting to believe in this too? They mythologized the Emperor, then tore him down from his pedestal, and now they're starting to forge another god.

It's human nature to always want to believe in an invincible myth.

Mortarian felt only a helpless calm, no longer angry. Hades had indeed been too powerful in the past, and under Hades' scythe, the Primarch had only suffered a crushing defeat.

But this does not mean that Hades is truly "invincible" as the blind believers of the Empire claim. In fact, Hades has suffered many defeats and escaped death countless times.

He glanced at Guilliman, who wasn't angered by Mortalian's rudeness. Guilliman was also maturing rapidly, especially after collaborating with another ruthless lord, Robert.

Guilliman began to rarely show his personal joy, and Mortalian missed the Robert Guilliman who used to break down in front of the Primarch "brothers".

All legions are now at their maximum range.

Guilliman said calmly, glossing over Mortalian's comment that he resembled an emperor.

Every legion is suffering heavy losses, and universal conscription has been reinstated throughout the Empire. As I anticipate, the proportion of the Astragalus and Mechanicus participating in the war will gradually increase.

What does this mean? It means that the number of highly skilled Space Marines cannot keep up with the number of casualties, and the resulting vacant war zones must be filled by the Asgardian Army.

If you simply wish to save your Barbarosian comrades, then there's no need to come to me again. My answer will be that I disagree, Mortarian. I sincerely apologize for this, but I hope you can understand—I would never be the kind of person who wants Hades to sacrifice himself. On the contrary, Hades's life hangs in the balance for billions, and I swear I will guarantee his safety.

Guilliman withdrew his outstretched hand, having said all he needed to say. He understood Mortarion's predicament, but for the Empire, it was clearly unreasonable for a legion to traverse the Silent King's territory directly through the warp.

Even though the Mortarion are among the strongest in their control over the warp, they cannot afford to be complacent in the face of the current chaotic warp currents and the looming Chaos Empire.

Mortarion's advance will inevitably lead to a decline in the Empire's combat strength, and his legions will also suffer certain losses—the human Empire can no longer afford to waste its forces. Guilliman seems to have already seen another version of himself holding a sharp knife to the neck of the human Empire.

Guilliman was lost in thought. In dealing with the Chaos Empire, the most unequal condition between the two sides was that the enemy was in the dark while he was in the light. The enemy could easily see the entire territory of the human empire and estimate its productivity, while everything about the Chaos Empire remained unknown.

If this battle had taken place in a different timeline... Guilliman believed he could turn the tables.

But fortune did not smile upon them; they were now unable to even advance toward the other destiny—though the Emperor and Horus were gone, Guilliman sighed inwardly, naturally he would not place his hopes on the Emperor again.

So what if I said...?

Mortalian spoke slowly, his eyes meeting Guilliman's for a moment, and Guilliman instantly understood what Mortalian was planning.

You mean, another 'Mortalian' will be coming with you?

Mortarian nodded.

Guilliman paused for a moment, then looked away from Mortalian, his eyes glazed over. He paused, let out a rare sigh, and then turned his gaze back to Mortalian.

[Your proposal was included in the very first draft of my plan... Mortalian, crossing the war zone with the people of the Chaos Empire—I think you understand what that means.]

"Aren't you also feigning cooperation with the Chaos Empire right now, Guilliman?"

Mortarian exhaled a puff of poison gas from his gas mask and sneered.

I believe my cooperation with my other self will be more solid than the cooperation between two Guillimans… Guilliman, you should take a good look at the battle lines laid out by your other self. Can’t you see the psionic shadow looming over the map?

Mortarian watched coldly, noticing that Guilliman's brows furrowed.

Thank you for reminding me. I saw it, and that's precisely why I opposed the Death Guard's premature march. Mortarion, the other faction, is very likely to make its move at the most chaotic moment of the battle.

Motalian raised an eyebrow in surprise.

【…? 】

Killieman gave a wry smile.

[I know what you're trying to say, Mortarian. I can only say that the other me isn't quite the same as me... He seems more of a gambler—ha, I know, I know, you mean he's like the Emperor in that respect, right?]

Isn't he worried about those on the outside?

Killieman's wry smile vanished instantly.

He's not worried.

Lord Guilliman of the Empire spoke solemnly, seemingly puzzled and confused by this fact.

He showed no concern for those on the outside, as if certain that calamity would not befall his army; I have only one reasonable explanation for this.

Guilliman stood with his arms crossed, expressionless. Mortalian could detect a hint of helplessness and anger in his expression.

[Another version of myself believes we will resolve the Outer Beings—or rather, he believes the world will resolve the Outer Beings, if it cannot…]

[At worst, he can simply return to his destiny's trajectory?]

Killieman nodded.

But fate will eventually crumble, and he will have to face it sooner or later.

Motalian's breathing was steady.

What does Guilliman know? Doesn't he know about this, or do they simply have different levels of knowledge about it?

Killieman slowly shook his head.

We didn't discuss this directly, but I think he has a different perspective on the collapse of the Fate Line—then again, our understanding of the collapse of the Fate Line is entirely what the Emperor told us.

Guilliman looked at Mortalian speechlessly, and Mortalian understood the rest of Guilliman's meaning.

That is--

Is Emperor Group reliable?

Mortarian remained silent, but he thought that Neos was generally reliable. Although this tyrant often liked to trick his teammates on a whim, Neos had never let him down on relatively important matters.

For now, we can only trust the emperor.

Motarian pointed out this tragic fact.

Otherwise, we need to find the other gambler at the table at the time, Tzeentch.

Guilliman chuckled.

It seems we can only trust the Emperor, but you reminded me, Mortarion, that another version of me may have received information from Tzeentch.

Mortarian took a deep breath.

I don't care how you learned to speak and know, Guilliman. I have only one request: the Death Guard must go to the other front.

Seeing that Guilliman remained silent, Mortalian then gave his second promise.

I know your concerns, Guilliman. Once I arrive there with the other 'Mottarian'... I'll take care of another problem.

By then, the two empires would likely have completely broken off relations, Mortarian thought indifferently.

Are you confident?

Death smiled.

[By then, I would have reached the vicinity of Hades... Guilliman, you may question my current strength compared to that of someone who enjoys gimmicks and tricks, but back then... I would have told him why another frequently used word in the Hades cult's missionary pamphlets is "Death."]