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

Page 258

But if they want the Dark Domain to expand further and prevent Hades from suffering a backlash from it, then it's all worthwhile.

Charon waited, and next, he, along with the Black Mage and Sister Hera of Silence, would introduce to Hades the group that Macardo had prepared for the Lord of the Order of Silence. They were:

A machine gun unit.

Three groups of untouchable infantrymen, mostly male and equipped with the [Nirvana Armor], were led by several Silent Nuns.

A group of wandering knights, along with their knightly attendants, are all controlled by untouchable beings.

And... the right to invoke the psionic titans.

The Psionic Titan is powered by three restricted psionicists, commanded by a powerful male untouchable. Its presence can generate a massive psionic phenomenon that inflicts unimaginable psychological shock on the enemy.

Meanwhile, the Annihilation Cannon mounted on the Psionic Titan can use the psionic energy of psionicists to tear a warp rift in the material world, much like a vortex weapon, drawing enemies into the warp with chaotic warp turbulence.

The existence of these Titans remains a secret within the Empire; no one except the highest decision-makers knows of their existence.

...This time, Magic Pattern Macado has indeed invested a considerable amount of capital in Hades.

Charon thought to himself.

Darkness descended like the twilight of night. Hades approached, his features veiled in black, his deep gaze fixed on the equipment room behind Charon.

The darkness abruptly ceased the next moment.

Charon stared at Hades, who was beaming with delight, while Hades muttered, "Old Ma, you didn't trick me, did you?"

As a dutiful member of the Imperial Guard, he should next advise Hades to keep his dark aura constantly active and to minimize unnecessary conversation.

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Hades.

Mortarian murmured to himself.

There was no response, so Mortarian repeated it to himself a few more times.

Still no response.

A sense of doubt and being fooled welled up inside me. What was going on?

The Lord of Death sat casually, propping his face up with his arm. Before him stood Kirkland and Ugo, who had been urgently summoned.

Mortarian thought for a moment, then hesitated before repeating in his mind,

[For... Hades? For Hades.]

Still no response.

Mortalian's patience was slowly wearing thin, and he spoke.

[Ugo, I can't detect even a trace of the feeling you're talking about.]

Ugo, whose name was called, swallowed hard. He hesitated before speaking.

"My lord... perhaps your emotions are not right. The Sea of ​​Consciousness values ​​emotions... you need... emotions."

"Generally speaking, the more solemn the event, the more difficult it is for people to calm down afterward, and the more it will evoke an echo in the subspace."

Doing so would be incredibly difficult for Mortarian. When he thought of Hades, he pondered when he would return, or worried that he might perish on the battlefield... or perhaps he felt a deep hatred for Macado.

But neither of them was the kind of emotion Ugo was referring to—Ugo didn't say it explicitly to the Primarch, but the Primarch understood his unspoken words.

Respect, awe, fear?

Or to put it more simply, faith.

How could Mortarion possibly develop such feelings towards someone who frequently hijacked his dinners? The servant would pass by Hades' office first, and Mortarion would be left with an empty tray.

Kirkland stood there smugly, watching the Primarch's silence and attempts, knowing they were doomed to failure.

Only mortals can possess gods; even demigods cannot possess their own gods.

Because the gods are too proud, the laurels on their heads prevent them from learning to bow their heads in prayer.

Mortalian glanced indifferently at Kirkland, and the Primarch spoke in a hoarse voice.

[You've already concealed it. I'm giving you one last chance. How did you awaken Hades's Dark Domain, and... after learning about this, why did Hades forbid you from continuing?]

Kirkland bowed deeply.

We will do whatever you wish; there will be no deception.

So he began to praise Hades, praising the divine being surging beneath his skin. As he spoke, he emphasized reverence and piety, saying that the fear brought about by mystery and distance was the essence of prayer.

Mortarian showed an impatient expression.

Great!

Chapter 307 I was fooled

Clearly, Macado has completed his mission and has begun to expel Hades from the solar system.

Hades blinked, looking at the somewhat weakened Macado. They were heading to the Black Ship, with Charon, Blackfa, King, and others following them. This group seemed quite strange.

“…Macado, have you…forgotten something?”

The old man glanced impatiently at Hades from under his hood.

"When did you become so tactful, Hades?"

Hades thought for a moment, then spoke in a low voice.

"When you came to Mars last time, didn't you take me with you...?"

Makado struck his scepter heavily on the ground, and the regent's calm yet slightly angry voice rang out, seemingly unconcerned about the group behind him.

“You have obtained the scattered, shallow treasures. If you wish to continue digging… then you will be completely immersed in a world you cannot comprehend, a vast memory in slumber—or, we can break its seal, awaken it, and then you can subdue it.”

Hades chuckled and said, "It's alright, nothing happened just now."

So they continued walking silently.

The massive hull of the black ship appeared as a dark line in the distance, obscuring the sky; the Martian winds were dry and cold.

Hades took a breath; he still wasn't used to so many smells in the wind. He could smell the slight burnt odor from the Golden Engine as it worked.

Hades spoke, and what he said made even himself laugh.

“Macado, what are your thoughts on me? Are you planning to push me onto Mars?”

"It's obvious."

The old man said calmly,

"If you need, Hades, and if the time is right, I can make it rain on Mars again—provided you are at least twenty kilometers away from me. I personally think you can find the top of the tallest factory tower and shout some nonsensical but allusive words."

Hades hissed, and he spoke cautiously.

"Back then... did the emperor do the same thing?"

“No,” Macado said. “He found two Martians hunting in the wasteland and made them witness a miracle: a god in golden armor descended from the sky, accompanied by the prophesied rain…”

"...while I was in charge of bringing rain on the spaceship."

Hades swallowed hard, looking at the hunched figure in front of him, and he seemed to hear a faint... he couldn't say.

"The Cult of Mechanics already has a faith, so why did the Empire choose me?"

Hades carefully considered his words.

"Personally, I think the Cult of Mechanics' faith in the Emperor is obvious... It's clearly more reasonable to maintain the current faith."

Makado turned and glanced at Hades; a glint of reason flashed in the old man's eyes.

"To this day,"

Makado spoke slowly.

"The number of Mechanicus worlds dissatisfied with the Emperor and the Empire remains large. And as the Empire exerts pressure on the Forgeworld in the future, reduces its power, and demands that it prioritize supplying the Legion's logistics... the number of disgruntled sages will only increase, and mere faith is clearly unable to withstand the wear and tear of real survival."

Hades spoke slowly.

"But your attempt to support another deity... does that itself still not resolve these conflicts? I don't think that changing the image... well, like me, will quell the discontent that has shaped the world."

“You are still running away from your true nature, Hades.”

Makado spoke bluntly, and Hades froze. The atmosphere in the group seemed to become strange, but apart from Hades, Jin and the others followed him obediently as if they hadn't heard anything.

"Even he, at this stage, cannot cross vast star sectors to directly bestow his power upon those who call upon him. He still needs a medium, or a sufficiently strong faith."

“Every time he is given something, it will diminish his power.”

“But you are different, Hades.”

"Your [gift] will even make your warp influence more profound...or rather, it is not a [gift], but a [plunder]."

"People resonate with you through faith. Their faith, respect, fear, and love for you bring the flame of their souls close to you—and then they are consumed by you."

Hades clicked his tongue softly.

"I don't think people are all masochists who like to worship a god that makes them feel pain or even shortens their lifespan... Or would I be considered an evil god?"

"There is indeed such a possibility now."

Makado spoke up without a care in the world.

"Therefore, I have instructed the sect that the Gold Exchange manages to remain a small organization."

Behind them, the man with the golden edge bowed his head deeply, as if in response to Makado's words, and the black stones on his body made a crisp tapping sound.

"but if……"

Macado paused for a moment.

"If the veil is lifted and the waves of the warp surge into the physical world, Hades, you will quickly gain your followers. The distortion of the warp will be more devastating than the suffering you are about to inflict on them."

"At that time, you will face the power of faith."

Makado said softly,

"In this world, there is no more powerful weapon than thought and belief."

The roar of the approaching black ship reminded Hades of the cry of an ancient whale.

Makado turned and stared at Hades, his eyes burning with an endless flame.

"Believe me, Hades, I don't want to see the day when you are truly called a god by mankind."

Then the old man pulled down his hood, obscuring his vision, and Macado chuckled, his tone becoming more relaxed.

"After all, I can't imagine a scenario where someone like you could be worshipped by humans, or even Ruth?"

Hades felt an arrow strike his knee, and he reached out his Erkang hand.

"Wait! If I'm forced to be placed on a pedestal, what will happen when my Dark Domain can't be suppressed anymore? You're not going to throw me into some deserted place, are you?"

"You shouldn't have so many questions. If you keep this up, do you expect me to explain the nature of the Mortalian warp to you?"

The old man waved his hand, gesturing for Hades to board the ship.

"Once you reach the Emperor in the City of Perfection, you'll learn his plans—"

Makado is indeed Makado; in the end, Hades still couldn't get anything out of him...

So…wait! Old Ma! What is the nature of the Mortalian warp?!

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[Calling the 19th Company, prepare for subspace jump.]

Guilliman sat at his desk, the Primarch staring intently at the pages of the book hanging on the wall in front of his desk.

My father laid down a vision for the Empire and endowed it with unbreakable strength. This vision, once applied to all social, cultural, and military organizations, will inspire a cohesive force that transcends individual ambition.

[—Guilliman, On Loyalty, 45.22.xiv]

Killieman felt sweat trickling down his hair from the tension; he felt suffocated; he felt...unreal.

The Emperor, his father, demanded that he destroy the perfect city.

Yes, code

Chapter 308 Hades Sneezes Frenziedly