bookbashuk Page 272
Page 272
I have been bitten by a hissing venomous snake and am no longer willing to trust easily.
The Primarch pointed out their mistake in standing there without any mercy, and Angertai felt his cheeks burning.
The Primarch's doubts were correct, but upon first seeing Cyrene, he also trusted the woman implicitly. No... Angelte suddenly remembered Eribas, the former chief priest, who had given him the same feeling.
Angelte slowly realized that his impulsive act seemed to have led to a mistake.
Cyrani seemed afraid as well, but she still spoke without wavering.
“My lord… if you doubt me, then I will say that I have witnessed things that I have never seen in the first half of my life. It is a truth that I cannot reach through my own petty fantasies, nor is it the image of a god-emperor that I have pieced together from past religions.”
Cyrani swallowed hard, as if recalling the incident itself was painful for her.
"I saw..."
“I saw a darkness that had never been described in any ancient text, a kind of oppression that even the deepest nightmares could not describe… that darkness was like… like the sea?”
“He appeared before me, not the God-Emperor, no, not Him, but another being… He… He was weeping, weeping in the darkness, and His tears were emerald green.”
Angeltai felt his breathing stop, and perhaps Luojia's breathing had also stopped. In the reports given to them by the God Emperor and the Limit Warriors, the Seven-Day Perfect City did not mention Him.
In the more distant past—the history of the empire—His figure did not appear.
But only those who were punished at that time truly and completely perceived His existence.
They may have been the first to know, or perhaps others who knew of His existence had already died.
The Word Bearers have been avoiding mentioning that being. Mentioning Him is not pleasant; criminals are not willing to talk about what their executioner was dressed like today. They focus their attention on the God-Emperor, who may be the executioner under the God-Emperor's command, or perhaps... something else entirely.
The original body, who had been facing away from them, turned around. Under the reflection of the blazing flames, the two bloodstains under Luo Jia's eyes were particularly noticeable, as if reflecting a golden light.
[You saw... the silent one?]
The Primarch asked hesitantly, a question that startled Cyrene.
"The silent one?"
She asked, puzzled.
“I thought…I thought He told me He was Hades.”
Hades?
The word stirred ripples in the hearts of the two men present, who seemed to be transported back to that moonlit night.
Suppressed, powerless, and unable to control themselves, the dark sea pounded against them, their souls adrift alone in the bottomless, pitch-black depths.
Luo Jia stared at Xilani, his eyes flashing with fire.
Do you know anything else about Him? What exactly is He?
Cyrani blinked in confusion, then shook her head.
“I… I can’t remember. I only remember that it was the sin in the truth that He discovered, and He seemed to have said something to me… but… but I’ve forgotten.”
The Primarch remained silent for a moment, then spoke again.
He is preventing people from remembering Him.
The Primarch glanced wearily at the two corpses.
If this is their will, then so be it.
Then came silence; the Primarch seemed unwilling to recall that silent and frenzied night.
Cyrene mustered her courage, realizing that her words had earned her enough trust.
"My lord, His true will is that you and your legions should once again act as messengers of the faith; culture and faith need to be rebuilt."
Luo Jia lowered his eyes and loosened his grip on the pen.
Is this what He wants you to say to me?
The Primarch suddenly asked.
That's it! Great!
Chapter 326 Simple Chat with the War General
The sobs and wails from the Word Bearers were naturally unheard of aboard the Makulag Glory.
Guilliman glanced back; the corridor behind him was empty, and there was no one else there.
So what did he feel just now?
The hunched-over Macardo beside him coughed, and the old man gripped his staff and struck the ground heavily with great seriousness.
Guilliman tilted his head, somewhat puzzled, and decided to continue discussing the topic with the Imperial Regent. The events of the Perfect City were over for Guilliman, and they were talking about the Warmaster. In fact, since the Battle of Randan, the name Warmaster had been quietly circulating within the Primarchs.
Aside from those Primarchs who were determined to stay away from the Empire's center and cared nothing for their own reputation, most Primarchs were receiving information about the Warmasters, whether intentionally or unintentionally.
Guilliman had also harbored unrealistic fantasies, and few Primarchs could resist the significance that came with such an honor.
But after careful and rational consideration, Guilliman abandoned the idea. Although the Ultramarines he led had gained considerable prestige within the Imperium's borders, and although the Ultramarines 500 Worlds were a shining jewel of the Imperium, Guilliman's own reputation among the Primarchs was not very good.
Furthermore, having burned down the City of Perfection, he would likely be unable to gain further support from other Primarchs.
Luo Jia has a good relationship with Magnus and Peturabo, and he also shares common interests with the Wolf King Lemanrus.
Currently, the most competitive candidates for the Warmaster position are Horus Lupecal, Phenus Manus, and Leon Johnson, all of whom have impressive achievements and high prestige among the Primarchs.
Although Archangel Sangilius would be a suitable candidate for Warmaster in the eyes of the Imperial people, Sangilius himself was quite indifferent to the matter of Warmaster, and the angels themselves did not have a good relationship with the Primarchs. The angels confided in Horus, while maintaining a rather distant relationship with the other Primarchs.
As for Guilliman himself, the Lord of Macurag strongly supported Fernus Manus becoming the Warmaster. Guilliman admired the Lord of Gorgon's rigor and majesty, his steely rationality.
Guilliman did not disagree with the other two candidates, but the Lord of the Five Hundred Worlds could see clearly that the blood of Horus, the god of the wolf shepherd, flowed with arrogance—or perhaps conceit would be a more accurate word.
The Lion King, Johnson, is cold-blooded and cruel. For his brothers, their awe of the Lion King is perhaps more akin to fear.
But who will ultimately be chosen as Warmaster... Guilliman believes Horus is more likely to be chosen. Compared to the other two, Horus clearly has a better relationship with the Primarchs and is more respected.
Macardo glanced at the Primarch, who was clearly deep in thought. Ignoring the commotion behind him, he spoke quietly.
"Risk and crisis always lurk around reputation and power. Your willingness to give up the fight for it is truly unexpected, Guilliman, but I am glad to see you make this decision."
Guilliman looked at Macardo, his azure eyes gleaming. After his conversations with Macardo and the Emperor, Guilliman's attitude towards the old man had softened considerably.
[You don't seem to want to see us become War Masters, Macado. Isn't this his will? Why?]
Makado sighed.
"You can only see the dazzling crown, but you always overlook the sharp blade hanging on it."
"Or rather, you always think you have the ability to wield that sharp sword."
Guilliman spoke slowly,
I don't think my brothers would like to hear you speak of them like that.
“Then I apologize, but we are choosing someone who is capable of wielding the blade, not someone who just thinks wearing a crown looks better, not a child who believes that the crown represents being recognized by the emperor.”
Guilliman felt his cheeks burning slightly. The term "war general"... for them, it did indeed symbolize a kind of recognition, recognition that the person was the best.
But he wouldn't show his embarrassment.
【Then I recommend Phenus Manus, Macardo. He's rational and efficient enough—though he makes mistakes sometimes, he's mostly right, the most efficient one.】
“I am surprised that you would say such a thing. I have taken your advice to heart and I will report it to my Lord at the appropriate time.”
Macardo lowered his eyes, pondering the complex interpersonal relationships among the Primarchs.
Guilliman, Fugen, and Vulcan support Phenus; while the angels, Khan, Perturabo, and Dorn support Horus; the Wolf King and Alpha support the Lion King…
As for the other Primarchs, Loka and Angron are currently preoccupied with their own problems, Magnus is uninterested in such topics, and Mortarion is obsessively trying to stay away from the Primarch circle.
But what exactly are the considerations of the Lord of Mankind...? Macado believes that this monarch has an incomprehensible stubbornness in some aspects.
[Macado, do you know which battlefield Fernus is on right now?]
Guilliman abruptly interrupted Macardo's thoughts, asking, "If Fernus were now leading a grand campaign and had achieved a resounding victory, the scales of victory would tip more in their favor."
Makado paused.
“Fenus Manus is now preparing to attack an Eldar world with Vulcan and Mortarian—according to the Imperial Military Affairs Department’s schedule, they should have already arrived at the target planet.”
Mortarian?
Guilliman suddenly remembered his eccentric brother, but the next moment he turned around, stared at the still empty corridor, and tentatively called out in confusion.
Hades?
Macardo slammed his scepter on the ground again, and Guilliman realized what the old man had been doing earlier.
Immediately afterwards, a familiar head of Guilliman appeared at the corner of the corridor behind them. Hades walked out with an awkward smile, accompanied by Sister Silent—but why was he so big?
Guilliman pupil earthquake.
Then he saw Hades approaching—he greeted Guilliman guiltily, Guilliman responded mechanically, and Macardo began to reprimand Hades in front of Guilliman, while Hades awkwardly laughed and retorted to the old man.
Clearly, none of them cared about Guilliman's shattered worldview.
Perhaps this is a dream, Guilliman thought. He should have realized it was a dream the moment the Emperor spoke to him with a smile.
But when he instinctively grabbed Macado's scepter as he tried to swing it at someone, Guilliman realized that this was not a dream.
Makado's strength was greater than he had imagined.
But...that's great, at least he wasn't dreaming.
----------
Finally, the two men calmed down, and Guilliman tentatively spoke.
Hades? Why...?
"I don't know anything. Makado invited me to dinner and drugged me. When I woke up, I found myself in this state. Death Guard can't go back! It's all Makado's fault. That old man has no sportsmanship!"
The next moment, psionic lightning erupted, and Macardo forcefully pulled the scepter that Guilliman had blocked. Guilliman then watched helplessly as the scepter slashed towards Hades, Macardo's figure blurring into an afterimage in that instant—
Hades immediately turned and fled, but behind him, the carpet on the ship rose up and slammed heavily into Hades' face. Macado's scepter followed closely behind, its immense resentment making it look like the most indestructible club in the entire universe.
For a moment, Guilliman even felt a pang of heartache for the scepter, whose original purpose might not have been to be used for violent striking.
The impact must have been too strong for Guilliman to remember the rest of the story. He only remembered the golden light. When he recalled it, he saw Hades standing very reservedly in front of him, who was deeply shocked. Next to Hades was Macado, who was panting and gritting his teeth.
"Sorry, I was just trying to lighten the mood with a joke."
Hades spoke in a measured and deliberate manner.
Guilliman opened his mouth. He prided himself on his extensive knowledge, but this was indeed a rare occurrence—it didn't seem like a political blunder, but rather more like the entrance of a group of cronies in traditional literature he had read about…
No, "fox friends" might not be the most accurate description; it should be "birds of a feather flock together."
But Guilliman still remembered discussing with him Barbalus, Hades, whom Macragge had built—a highly skilled, hopeful, and humorous warrior whom Guilliman admired. However, Mortarion was quite unhappy with Hades' diplomatic mission.
Watching Hades secretly vie with Macado, Guilliman decided to increase the weight of the "Humor" category, to the highest level—no, he should create a separate category for it.
No, no, no, Guilliman realized that although the scene was shocking, his mind should be focused on why Hades had become like this, rather than staring dumbfounded at Macado and Hades fighting each other.
To some extent, Hades' actions successfully shifted Guilliman's shock from Hades' existence itself to Hades' actions.
Guilliman briefly organized his thoughts, realizing that if he didn't speak now, he might never have another chance.
Even with the shock, Guilliman's political side was still functioning. Hades's words and Makado's response told the Primarch that the matter itself might not be so serious and was highly classified.
Guilliman was allowed to know.
It's great to see you here again, Hades. I still hope to get to know you again, and about what just happened...?
Guilliman smiled.
Makado sighed loudly. The old man glanced at Hades, signaling him to be quiet, and then Makado said...
"Hades is the master of the Order of Silentness, which is an exception, Guilliman. If you have any doubts about this, you can try to draw an analogy with the Custodians, but they are not the same in essence."
"At least the Imperial Guards wouldn't do that..."
Makado fell silent, seemingly choosing a powerful word, but in the end the old man did not speak; he was not Hades.
Makado's words brought Guilliman back to his senses, and he seemed to understand: a necessary leader of the anti-psychic department.
Although Hades seemed to be aiming to rival... this was somewhat hard for Guilliman to accept, he suddenly remembered Mortalian's attitude towards Hades... Could it have been back then?
What is the emperor preparing now?
However… if it were Hades… he possesses sufficient ability and wisdom, as well as his unique anti-psychic constitution. Guilliman understands this, and if he were the decision-maker, he would also promote a Soulless being with sufficient ability.