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

Page 532

It was a portrait of Hades.

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[Past]

[To establish a religion with him as its head...]

Mortarian said weakly, as the giant insect slumped onto the twisted chair, breathing.

[To curb the diversion of the God Emperor's faith, and also... to make it easier for him to get things done if he returns.]

A bunch of religious bastards...

The Pale Lord cursed, but then continued speaking.

[Maintain good relations with the Ultramarines and the World Eaters, and regarding the Imperial Fist... as well as the other smaller legions... manage them as needed, and avoid conflicts between the major legions... Death Guards can mediate.]

Callas, who was opposite him, was looking at him.

"Aren't they going to ignore the Dark Angels?"

The Primarch paused for a moment,

"That's their own convoluted scheme," Mortalian said. "And there's... I'm not sure if it's His doing. We don't have the energy to play games with those who manipulate riddles... Let's kill one first."

Karas sighed.

"You really believe he can come back? You might as well hope the Emperor rises up—at least we'll see him."

【…】

"Whether he comes back or not..." Mortalian said confidently, "I believe the next person to clean up this mess will be from the Death Guard."

And its branch battle groups.

Karas stared at Mortarian. Perhaps it was more accurate to say that once this step was taken, any powerful figure who wanted to seize control of the crumbling empire would have to cultivate a good relationship with the Death Guard.

Perhaps the Primarch didn't say that just to save face.

Perhaps... he truly believed that the next hero to save the empire would come from the Death Guard.

No fever today, great! It's gone!

Chapter 597 Ending

Buz and Hades talked for three days and three nights.

The Duel Cage Tournament on Hades' Son lasted for three days and three nights.

Within the green-skinned star sector where the ships were docked, the stars slowly rotated.

The intense, warm light shone on the dark hull of the ship for the third time, and footsteps echoed from the private room, as time began to flow again.

A slightly tired-looking Buz stepped out of the camouflage position. Although he had once served as regent for the Empire, he still found it somewhat difficult to keep up with Hades's train of thought.

"Thanks for your hard work."

Hades' voice followed in Booz's footsteps.

Booz looked up, and beyond the blinding white light of the dueling cage, in the darkness, countless gleaming eyes were fixed on them.

—To be precise, it was Hades behind Buz.

"Nice fight!"

Hades raised his voice and clapped for these hyped-up underworld minions.

The crisp applause echoed in the hall, not hurriedly.

Hades scanned the faces of each of Hades' sons, and he was certain that at least seven hundred of them had come up to fight in the past three days.

It was meant for him to see.

Hades did not merely observe; he discussed matters with Buz and noted down the strengths and weaknesses of each of the underworld's children.

This is something he must do as a qualified genetic father.

To reiterate, a **qualified** leader.

In the darkness, the wolves looked on as if these enthusiastic warriors would rush forward the moment the applause stopped.

Hades' lips twitched into a smile. On Faos's ship, he had already experienced what passion was.

There's no need for that now.

"Warriors who fought for humanity, I remember every single one of you here."

Hades slowed his applause and said loudly,

"I'm sorry, but due to the circumstances, I have to temporarily put aside my acquaintance with you and instead learn about the current state of the Empire."

As if he had thought of something, Hades paused, then took a step forward—Booz suddenly sensed something was wrong—and patted Booz's shoulder armor.

"I am very pleased that there are such outstanding political talents in the Ming Dynasty, which allows me to understand the current situation at the first opportunity."

...Although his genes made him want to take this opportunity to provoke these guys with their green eyes, in his heart, he was sweating like a bean.

He recalled the words he had deliberately spoken in front of Blake.

So Hades was thinking the same thing as me.

But don't sell him, thank you.

Although he thought this in his heart, Booz maintained a loyal expression on his face.

Ignoring Buz, Hades coughed.

The lighting technician skillfully redirected the white light focused on the arena onto Hades.

Hades didn't understand why the spotlight in Hades' Son had a built-in function to rotate.

Radiant white dots floated on the black helmet, making the dull black armor seem to shimmer, Hades continued.

"To be honest, I am very happy. I am happy that ten thousand years later, humanity is still full of brilliant stars and outstanding people. Of course, what makes me happiest is that I have met you."

“I realized that at this point in time, I was no longer fighting alone. Ten thousand years ago, although I led an army and was the commander of the Death Guard, I knew that they followed me only because they feared me, respected me, and loved me.”

"In short, they follow me simply because I am who I am."

Hades stopped; the Dyson Sphere at his waist was crackling.

Hades gave a relaxed smile.

"For a general, there is perhaps nothing better than this: soldiers must be loyal to their general. This is the principle that enables war to be carried out efficiently."

"but……"

Hades changed the subject,

“I look at you, you are all too good. You shouldn’t just be soldiers—I want you to be generals, heroes, saints… or whatever role you think you can play that contributes to humanity…”

"...and not just follow me. You have your own pursuits and ideals, so of course you can refute me and question me."

Hades paused for a moment.

"Now, we are just fellow travelers—I have only been traveling ten thousand years ahead of you."

"Questioning, refuting, and even criticizing—let the facts and truth judge right and wrong. This is your right, and it's why you are the sons of Hades."

In the silence, only the sound of breathing and the unblinking eyes above the tightly clenched lips.

Let them take their time.

Hades' smile widened, becoming hearty, and his tone became light and exaggerated.

"Of course, I make these demands of you because I am too outstanding. I want to be more than just a general..."

His voice trailed off.

Show them a bigger one.

Hades raised his hand, made a shushing gesture, and then pointed in the direction of Terra.

Following Hades' gesture, the crowd slowly turned their heads in unison, some with arms crossed, some with sickles in hand, some standing, some sitting, but all staring in that direction...

The place was resplendent with gold and silver, filled with the clinking of glasses and the gleaming badges hanging from the lapels of the robes of those in high positions.

...That's Terra.

"Ten thousand years,"

Hades's sighing voice echoed like a ghost.

"It is still surrounded by formidable enemies, still rife with intrigue and scheming. The only difference between the Nest Capital ten thousand years ago and the Nest Capital ten thousand years later is that a few more state religion sculptures have been erected."

"How can this not make me sigh?"

"It's time... to make some changes that don't affect the warp."

Hades fell silent.

People turned their attention back to him, and Hades realized that he had inadvertently taken on a rather large task for himself.

But there's no way around it. Considering how much effort Mortarion put into building his army, doing favors, and even going into the Warp to beat up Nurgle... and other people... Hades, who just returned, can't be ignored.

"Go to Terra,"

Hades said,

"Following the great deeds of the humankind lords of ten thousand years ago, I will lead humanity once again onto... a path that allows for at least independent survival and development."

“I need your help,”

Hades looked at the sons of Hades, raised an eyebrow,

"It seems like none of you here will refuse me?"

The crowd fell silent.

It's obviously the default.

Seizing the opportunity, Hades quickly spoke.

"Promise me, everyone,"

He continued,

"Continue to be yourself, continue to think—you have already learned how to wield the weapon of thought in the Hades Chapter. Promise me that you will always be loyal, always pure, always rational—as human beings."

As soon as he finished speaking, all beings fell silent.

Only the beating of the heart and the pulse of flowing hot blood.

Standing before Hades, Booz Bella, the only one with his back to Hades, felt a chill run down his spine and his hair stand on end.

He was certain he was shocked and deeply moved—this was indeed an extraordinary impromptu speech, completely different from the person who had just been drinking and complaining about how bad the alcohol tasted.

Booz began to seriously doubt whether it was really Hades who had just quickly cleared the table.

Or perhaps... Hades has a dual personality?

But the logic and implications... are indeed those of Hades, the one he was just discussing current affairs with.

No… Buz thought, this must be the Child of the Underworld… but the contrast is quite great… He should understand… after all, he also likes fishing—and that has shocked a group of powerful people.

This is also a form of heredity.

The crowd remained silent. Hades blinked, then tapped Boots' shoulder armor again.

Buz was taken aback, then quickly spoke as if waking from a dream.

"In the name of Hades, we will now be clearing out the aliens in the Octarius star system. However, this will not be a short process. The Legion's schedule for the next three months has been sent to the group leaders. Each group leader is responsible for coordinating and modifying the training content."

"I will also try to make time for one-on-one guidance,"

Hades added,

"But due to time constraints, I will prioritize mentoring warriors who have room for improvement in both political and combat skills."

Buz nodded appropriately.

"My personal suggestion is to strengthen political development—that's all. The top ten from the duel arena remain; the rest, I'll now assign tasks to the Octarius star system, one group..."

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[Medical Room]