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

Page 329

Phenus glanced at Hades' expression out of the corner of his eye. To his surprise, yet seemingly reasonable, Hades did not react much.

You don't seem surprised.

Hades sighed and gently shook his head.

“You already know these things in advance, Fernus. That makes it much easier for me to explain the other possible events to you later.”

"Thank you, Mortarion," Hades thought, while also pondering how to talk to Fernus. He had originally planned to start with explaining the warp to Fernus, but it seemed that Fernus had already jumped ahead to the part about betrayal.

Fernus remained silent, a long silence, until finally, his taut face twitched.

What else could happen?

Hades blinked.

"Excuse me for being so impolite."

The next moment, Finus felt the same sense of powerlessness he had felt when he first boarded the ship. At first, this sense of powerlessness grew stronger as he went deeper into the ship, but when he reached the strategy room, the feeling suddenly disappeared.

Now, they have swept back in, like a viscous, dark ocean.

Phenus took a shallow breath.

Is this your ability?

"Yes, it can offset some of the effects of subspace on the physical world."

As Hades spoke, he gestured to his servants to bring over chairs and water.

"It seems this conversation will take a while,"

But now is not the time to waste. Just now, when Phenus said that the cooperation was pleasant, Hades received authorization from the Lord of Medusa. According to Hades' calculations, the fleets of the Iron Hand and the Silent Order are now reorganizing their defensive formations and preparing to continue their voyage.

Hades said he handed Phenus a glass of water, and smiled after seeing Phenus glance cautiously at the liquid inside.

"I suppose you've already tasted the Death Guard's poisoned wine?"

Phenus sat down, picked up his cup, and took a sip of water.

An unforgettable drink.

He commented politely.

Hades sat down, his eyes fixed intently on Phenus.

“We both like straightforward personalities, Finus, I need to know where your acceptance line is.”

Hades watched as Phenus began to drink water again. The Primarch needed some time to assess his mental state, and Hades naturally gave him that time. While Phenus drank, Hades chattered on as if engaging in idle conversation.

"The first person to know about this was Mortarian... He was genuinely terrified. Don't tell Mortarian what I'm saying! But I think probably no one wouldn't feel panic and despair in the face of these things. I was in despair for a long time too,"

"But accepting these things is also simple,"

Hades paused for a moment.

"You just need to realize that this world is not as glorious as the Empire portrays it to be. The malice of this world is everywhere. If you don't feel that your life is being oppressed—then you probably haven't seen the string around your neck."

“Hmm…” Hades was silent for a moment, “After that, Death became that indifferent person because he was always on guard.”

I understand him.

Phenus spoke.

Hades, I can accept the death of a brother, regional rebellions, and the existence of those who violate the truths of the Empire.

He looked at Hades and smiled. A similar scene flashed before Fenus's eyes, and he vaguely recalled the time when Mortarian forced him to drink. His fingers, which were holding the glass, twitched uncontrollably. He was grateful that it was water.

Hades took a deep breath.

"That's easy."

Hades said,

“Let me start with the battle we’re about to face, Phenus. We’re going to the Eye of Terror, Cygnus-X1. This star system is a superposition of the warp and the physical world, which means that warp creatures can appear in this star system much more easily.”

"Warcraft are not like ordinary enemies. They are not only about gunpowder, guns, and swords. In their realm, emotions and minds are also battlefields. Specific emotions can provide power to specific warcraft. If a person's mind is defeated in the battle against them, then that person will be more likely to mutate—he will become a tool and slave of the warcraft."

Hades glanced at Fernus; he seemed to be accepting it well, but the existence of life in the warp already violated the Imperium's truth.

Hades continued,

"And subspace creatures also vary in strength, with the strongest among them..."

Hades paused for a moment.

"It is at least stronger than the Emperors you know now, and there is more than one such being in the warp."

Fernus's concise voice rang out.

[That's acceptable; on the battlefield of Ulano, there have also appeared figures that my father couldn't match.]

Hades screamed inwardly, "Silly child, your father was just acting!"

To help Phenus understand more deeply what they were facing, Hades hesitated for a moment before finally speaking.

“My description is still not quite accurate. What I mean is that these powerful warp beings are closer to the concept of ‘gods’ as people talk about.”

"and……"

Hades spoke slowly,

"Actually, apart from the Silent Order and the Death Guard choosing the standard terminology, most people who encounter warp creatures will directly name them 'demons.' Now do you understand what I mean?"

Phenus Manus remained motionless, like an iron statue, but Hades watched helplessly as a drop of sweat trickled down Phenus's head.

Phenus understood that Hades meant that, to avoid panic, the official term was "warp creature," but the truth was...

Hades coughed awkwardly.

"Are you ok?"

He asked tentatively,

"If you need any help... although I don't recommend drinking at this time, I have a few bottles of Mortarian poison in my personal collection, if you need them—"

No, I don't need it.

Phenus immediately interrupted Hades, as if unwilling to recall that unbearable past.

What is the truth of that empire?

Phenus asked,

"I just said that specific emotions and mental states can provide power to warp creatures. In fact, even outside the war zone, every moment, every second, the emotions generated by creatures connected to the warp are providing them with power."

Hades saw that Phenus was almost frozen in place, even his breathing had stopped, and decided that a short, sharp pain was better than a long, drawn-out one. Hades then finished speaking in one go.

"Knowing the existence of warp life and actively trying to provide them with power is completely different from ignorance. The Emperor wants all of humanity to believe that there is no life in the warp—this mental power will also have an effect in the warp, weakening warp life."

Hades gave a wry smile.

"There's no need to panic too much. We should be grateful for the laws of this world. Warp-space creatures cannot easily cross the veil between warp and the physical universe and disrupt the physical universe."

Only then did Phenus let out a slight sigh, and the Queen of Medusa spoke softly.

If that's how it is... I understand why...

Hades was stunned.

"What do you understand?"

Why...why did I see Fugen like that? What happened to him...? If there really are subspace beings who can manipulate minds and are even stronger than my father.

Phenus pondered for a moment, then took a sip of water.

[Mortalian had only warned me that our brothers might turn into monsters and cautioned me about the warp, but he hadn't explained the details or principles.]

Hades smiled to himself, thinking that it was already a great success that Mortalian didn't explain numerology to him; he shouldn't be so demanding.

Although that's what Hades thought in his heart, he didn't say it aloud. Hades spoke quite fluently,

"He was on guard against the presence of the subspace. Intense emotions and certain words would attract their attention, so he couldn't be too explicit."

"As for this place, it's not necessary,"

Hades said casually,

“I am a soulless being, and I can shield myself from the thicker veils, which is why we can explain all this here—except for those few words with the highest warp strength, of course.”

Phenus paused for a moment,

[Besides the Soulless, are there other ways to avoid the effects of the warp? The Iron Hand Legion has collar technology that restricts psionicists.]

His eyes lit up as he looked at Hades, and the Lord of the Order of Silence leaned forward.

"It depends on its internal workings, but I think you can't have too high expectations for it. Currently, apart from the Soulless Ones and Blackstone Technology, there are no more efficient methods."

Hades reached out and tapped his head.

"The best way for a being with a soul to resist the warp is to have a steadfast soul."

Phenus sighed deeply.

I will, and so will he.

Hades, of course, knew who the "he" Phenus was referring to was, and his response was a polite smile.

However, Hades did need to confirm Fugen's situation, since the Sons of the Emperor were one of the legions that were relatively close to the area.

"After you finished talking with Mortalian, did you warn Fugen?"

Hades asked,

Fernus spoke, his words tinged with hesitation.

[I did talk to him about it... I advised him to be wary of the warp and not to strive for perfection so much... I advised him to use fewer decorative items, and he seemed somewhat disappointed in me about it.]

Hades almost choked on blood. He could understand the first part, but what the hell was going on?

Hades was so perplexed by Phenus's behavior that he had to ask him another question.

"...Why did you advise him not to wear accessories?"

Because I've seen that fake before, it's very—

Hades raised his hand.

"Ok, I see."

"It was right to advise him to stay away from the Warp and not to pursue perfection to an extreme, Fernus. Extreme emotions breed Warp creatures."

Phenus was silent for a moment.

I will offer further advice to Fugen.

"now?"

Hades said,

“I need to remind you that the warp is very unstable now. The message you send to him using the Star Speaker may be lost, or worse, distorted.”

What should we do then?

Phenus asked stiffly,

Hades sighed.

"believe him."

Hades spread his hands.

"This is the only thing you can do."

He stared intently at Fernus.

“Every Primarch can fall, the only thing I can guarantee is that the Primarch I follow will not be affected by the Warp. You see—”

Hades casually waved his hand, and the command panel covering the entire wall was instantly covered with dense data.

Phenus's eyes widened.

"In this Silent Order's plan for corruption,"

Hades said lightly,

"The Death Guard also has a share."

"but……"