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

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"So what? You're going to break out of prison—"

No! I will never do it again!

Magnus's high-pitched voice immediately interrupted Hades, but he instantly became pale and powerless again. He murmured as if he wanted to say something more, but in the end he could only utter a few broken words.

Hades sighed.

"This sounds like a good thing, for everyone."

Magnus paused, and finally, as if he had made a great decision, he said in a trembling voice...

How is the Emperor now?

Hades thought for a moment, recalling the Emperor's behavior and Macado's words, and then said indifferently,

"I imagine he's quite angry, and perhaps a little sad as well."

He watched as Magnus clenched his fists, gritted his teeth, and his whole body trembled slightly, even his messy hair shook.

[...I didn't want to...I didn't want to...I never intended to hurt him.]

After uttering his last words, Magnus was nearly broken.

Hades stared at Magnus and said softly,

"Then why don't you listen to him?"

Because there was no other way!

A distorted shout rang out, and Magnus roared at Hades, but then he lowered his head restlessly like a caged beast.

[No one but me could save the Thousand Sons—not even the Emperor, not even Macardo. At that time, the entire legion had only a thousand men left!]

Hades blinked calmly, stood up, and walked to the iron bars. He compressed the dark domain; if it weren't for the Emperor's restrictions and weakening, it would still be very difficult for him to suppress Magnus's soul fire.

"So this is your reason for selling your soul and the future of your legion to the devil?"

[I don't know—I didn't know it would be like this! He didn't show me these things?!]

Magnus shouted in a fit of rage,

I never imagined it would turn out like this! I knew it was dangerous, but I had no other choice! I thought this was the whole price to pay!

Magnus pointed to his own eye, but unfortunately, it was just a deposit.

To calm the shouting Primarch down and stop disturbing public order, Hades reached out, grabbed the chain wrapped around the iron railing, and slammed it against the railing roughly.

The clanging of the chains effectively calmed the roaring Primarch, and Magnus regained his senses of where he was.

Why are you yelling so loudly?

Hades frowned and said,

"I'm not a decision-maker, I'm just a lowly gatekeeper. Go tell the Emperor all this."

He watched as Magnus's face turned deathly pale, and the Primarch instantly lost all strength.

No, no... he will never forgive me.

Hades continued to ask patiently,

Does he know what you just said?

He... I think he should know that he saw everything.

Magnus said hoarsely,

"Then what did he say?"

Magnus's lips twitched twice, as if he were lost in painful memories. The Primarch began to scratch his scalp and tear at his hair like a defeated and broken person.

【No……】

Magnus said painfully.

Hades sighed. He didn't want Magnus to fall into extreme emotions, which was the worst thing for a psionicist.

"Alright, you're not dead yet."

He said reassuringly,

"Your legion... those upright and kind warriors will not be imprisoned either. The Empire still needs warriors who can use psionic powers."

The discussion about offspring at least gave Magnus a brief respite from the painful meeting, and Hades couldn't help but wonder what the Emperor had done to Magnus.

Magnus covered his face in frustration and buried himself in the shadows.

I ruined them... I thought...

Hades went back to sit down; it was more comfortable sitting down.

"Think of something else. It's no use in your pain now. The facts are already set—unless the Emperor orders you to work."

My father still needs me?!

Magnus's scream nearly knocked Hades off his chair. Hades angrily stood up, stomping his foot on the iron bars, warning the Primarch to be quiet.

"Otherwise, why would he keep you alive?! Does he really enjoy watching you suffer?!"

The emperor was a tyrant, but he was a tyrant who prioritized pragmatism above all else. Instead of using his large army to watch over Magnus, he might as well just kill him and then redeploy his troops to do other things.

However, the blank look on Magnus's face told Hades that this was indeed what the Primarch thought.

Hades took a deep breath.

"When did you develop the image of an emperor who enjoys torturing others, Magnus? Or is it that you simply enjoy—"

No! Never!

Magnus immediately retorted, struggling to explain himself.

[This is just, this is just—common sense! Punishing criminals!]

"You think your father can be explained with common sense?!"

Hades kicked the iron fence again, trying to get Magnus to be quieter.

Magnus let out a strange cry, like a large parrot suddenly choking.

What did you call him?

Hades briefly recalled, then realized he had let something slip.

Hades said seriously,

"I said, Your Majesty the Great Emperor."

That's not what you just said, you said...

Hades shouted in frustration, his voice now louder than Magnus's.

"I know! Why are you yelling so loudly?! Even if you report me to him for insulting him, he won't give you a reduced sentence! Stay put, Magnus!"

He watched with satisfaction as Magnus choked, looking aggrieved and remaining silent.

Hades turned around and sat back down, finally finding a moment of peace.

Until Magnus's weak voice rang out again,

"Who exactly are you, Hades?"

"I am Hades."

Hades answered fluently, watching Magnus deep in thought and frustration.

What exactly is your relationship with the Emperor? Is it something like—something like Makado's?

Hades thought about it. He didn't want to become like Makado, who looked like he was suffering from kidney deficiency and was busy processing official documents all day long, but he did spend a lot of time with Makado.

"almost?"

[...Are you the most powerful soulless one?]

Hades narrowed his eyes.

“You’ve crossed the line, Magnus.”

Magnus fell silent for a long time before finally speaking through gritted teeth, as if he had made a great decision.

If you're like Makado... then tell me... what should I... what should I do?

Hades spoke casually.

"Stay here, do nothing, listen to him obediently, and don't think about anything else. In particular, be careful not to touch the subspace."

He stared at Magnus.

“I think the Emperor never wanted you to touch those things—he originally thought you were the best one.”

Magnus looked like he was about to faint, but Hades continued speaking as if he didn't notice.

"...You have to lower your expectations. Things will never go back to the glorious past. He's cleaning up your mess now. All you can do is not cause him any more trouble."

Hades watched Magnus deflate like a balloon, and finally, Magnus said in a resigned tone,

He now wants me to live, and do nothing.

"Correct."

Magnus took a deep breath, while the Primarch gasped for air.

What did he show me?

Hades said speechlessly,

How would I know what he showed you?

But Magnus remained silent in response, and the Primarch seemed to realize that asking Hades about such matters would not yield any answers.

Hades silently looked away.

"Um... do you still need to eat? If so, I'll have them deliver some food."

The Emperor probably didn't know that Hades had intercepted the Primarch's meal, since Hades hadn't noticed that Magnus didn't seem to want to eat a few days ago.

He was met with a bewildered Magnus.

Hades suddenly realized why Magnus thought the Emperor would mistreat prisoners.

3k, that's it. Actually, I did update a few days ago, but I didn't write it down.

Chapter 379 Boring Daily Life

Based on the freshness of the ingredients provided by the Imperial Dream's canteen, Hades judged that the voyage was likely about halfway through. The Emperor was sharpening his knives at Qianzi; he was extremely angry, and now no one could stop an enraged monarch.

The Nicaea meeting ended hastily. After such an event, the remaining people obviously could not sit down and have a quiet tea, chat and get to know each other. Most of them left the planet immediately, as if they were afraid of being tainted by some ominous aura.

Hades was skeptical that the Emperor's actions might be pushing his "good" sons further away, but the Emperor seemed unconcerned about it. It was Macardo who, however, paid particular attention to the condition of the Primarchs—

Ever since Hades told Makado what he knew, the Imperial Regent has been quite busy. Although he says that what Hades said is useless, the old man's actions speak louder than words.

He first sent people to keep a close eye on whether Fugen had obtained the sword, then sent several commendation notices to the Iron Warriors, and sent several prophetic psionicists to help (or rather, supervise) Koz, while Luo Jia is now accompanied by a squad of Imperial Guards.

Hades applauded inwardly. What a dutiful imperial regent! Makado is a true hero.

He was met with a murderous glare from Makado.

“If you want to make me feel better, shut your mouth, Hades.”

The old man frowned. His mortal spies planted in the Third Legion were about to be discovered, and he had to withdraw them.

Hades responded with frantic nodding and a zipping motion over his mouth.

"So... Makado, can I have some books to pass the time?"

“Fine!” Macardo shouted. “Take it and get out of my library!”

Damn it, what kind of person can read books while looking after a Primarch?!

Hades thus successfully obtained the book aboard the Imperial Dream. Since that conversation, Magnus was clearly less reserved, although his behavior manifested as periodic breakdowns, depression, talking to himself, and laughing.

Hades was genuinely afraid that Magnus might go crazy one day and decide to blow himself up.

So Hades now reads to Magnus every day, to torment him—no, to help him distract himself.

What would you like to hear today?