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

Page 250

It wasn't just the madness and terrifying battlefield awareness that Mortarian displayed when fighting Conrad Coz...

...Was the Mortarion like this before? Wait...it seems that the Mortarion did show this tendency during the Battle of Galaspa.

But it's not quite the same?

The most notable change was that when Hades finally emerged from the medical room and returned to his office, he found that the number of documents he needed to approve had been greatly reduced.

Hades even spent a second contemplating a conspiracy theory about whether he was about to be sidelined, because there were no new files on his desk, and even the old ones had disappeared.

He later discovered that this was not the case; the legion affairs that needed to be handled had been moved to the legion commander's desk by Vox and Garo, while Mortarian calmly (actually, he looked more like he was dead) approved the documents.

When Hades arrived, he merely glanced at him indifferently before continuing to write documents with a deadpan expression.

Hades looked up and saw two newly hung picture frames in the Primarch's office, with blue and white envelopes and gold and white envelopes displayed quietly, completely out of place with the dim and gloomy style of the entire room.

Before this, Mortalian's room only had the Death Guard's banner hanging on it, nothing else.

Hades opened his mouth, had Mortarion finally gone mad? He walked over and examined the two letters carefully—he seemed to know where the limited edition stationery in his treasure cabinet had gone.

"...Motalian, what is this?"

Motalian didn't even look up.

【decorate.】

Haha, Hades certainly doesn't believe that.

Hades turned his head and glanced at Mortalian, who was still struggling with the immersive document, then quietly reached for the photo frame—

"Snapped!"

In an instant, a pen was embedded in the wall. The speed was so great that the pen body trembled slightly, and the sharp tip was only a few millimeters away from Hades' hand.

Hades gasped. He slowly turned around and saw Mortarian casually pull another pen from the pen holder and continue writing the proposal.

You don't need to see this, Hades.

Hades silently withdrew his hand.

"Ah...haha, ha...ha..."

Hades swallowed hard.

"Motalian... if something's on your mind, speak up immediately. Early detection and treatment are key."

Mortarian looked up from the pile of documents, calmly but resentfully staring at Hades, who suspected that the pile of documents was about to successfully kill Mortarian.

If you really have nothing else to do, then I don't mind having you take charge of some more tasks.

Motalian said calmly,

"Ah, I just remembered that the foundry recently contacted me about something; the purchase price of No. 3 screws is half price—"

"Ahem, no, Mortalian, what's going on with the Moon Wolves? And what about the Midnight Lords and the Empire? I haven't received any news from them."

Everything is stable.

"Motalian said quietly, and then he saw Hades stride away from that damned picture frame and head straight to the other side of his desk.

Hades looked at Mortarian with a serious and calm expression.

“Tell me the details. The matter of Mortalian, Garo, and Vox is not over with me yet. The surveillance footage from that area, as well as the video recording from Vox's helmet, has been deliberately deleted.”

Beneath Mortarian's mask, a soft sigh escaped his lips as he looked up calmly at Hades.

Do you know what Galo said to me back then?

Hades was taken aback.

"what?"

He wanted me to be a competent legion commander.

"I can't help it," Mortarian said helplessly.

Mortarian watched expressionlessly as Hades's expression shifted from astonishment to barely containing his laughter. Hades, as expected, couldn't hold back and began to laugh. He even laughed so loudly that he tore open his wounds, forcing him to squat down and continue laughing.

Finally, Hades, who was trying hard to suppress his laughter, stood up.

“I understand Gara. Let me guess, were you hoping to take a risk, while Gara wanted to keep you here? Was he trying to provoke you?”

He almost succeeded.

Motalian stated matter-of-factly.

Hades' expression turned serious.

“You really should put some effort into domestic and foreign affairs. Galo and Vox are under a lot of pressure, and the other managers also have a lot of work to do.”

Actually, you're the one with the heaviest workload, Hades.

Mortarian thought to himself, but said nothing.

Hades was always the most enthusiastic. He originally thought Hades liked managing the affairs of the legion, and in fact, Hades did indeed show that.

Mortarion was never a power-hungry tyrant, and he trusted Hades, so he naturally entrusted all of this to Hades.

But now he realizes the pressure behind this workload and what he really thinks when faced with these tedious paperwork.

To some extent, Galo was right.

Mortarian silently looked away, his gaze lingering for a moment on the blue and white envelope, before he pulled out several documents from the file and handed them to Hades, changing the subject.

Because I had a private talk with Kurtz, at least we resolved our personal grudges.

Mortarian said with a hint of sarcasm,

[The Moon Wolf seemed relieved, and I never expected Horus to make that kind of expression—]

To be honest, if I hadn't communicated with him remotely via the channel and told him the result, the Wolf God would probably have immediately... given me a hug that would have dislocated my bones.

He then contacted the Night Lords, and I imagine their answer was roughly the same. So now he's busy communicating with that human civilization and preparing to welcome the people from Terra—their reply is always on its way.

Hades quickly scanned the files...

"Wait, peace talks?"

Yes, peace talks. While we were confronting the Night Lords, Horus was clearly not only concerned with one thing. He was keen to eliminate as many problems as possible because he realized that the Death Guards could not possibly cooperate with the Night Lords, so he contacted that human civilization on his own...

"Motalian said, somewhat irritated."

Horus chose to offer that kingdom some preferential terms, allowing them to surrender voluntarily—this wasn't the first or second time; the Shadowmoon Wolves frequently did this.

Mortalian pulled out another stack of papers, which Hades recognized as the documents Mortalian had been reading in the hospital room.

No tithe is levied in the first tax quarter; a 10% tithe is levied in the second tax quarter, and the tax increases by 20% each subsequent quarter until a full tithe is levied.

Hades carefully examined the terms of the document, which also outlined the benefits offered by the Empire.

At the same time, the empire opened its borders to trade with this civilization, gaining the right to connect with the world...

Hades spoke softly.

“He described it as something that was more like a collaboration, with taxes like membership fees, while giving people a great deal of autonomy.”

Horus gave his language a certain... moderate wrapping.

In fact, apart from those civilizations that are particularly contrary to the Empire's truth, the Empire itself grants a great deal of autonomy—because the Empire simply cannot manage everything. However, in general, the various powers are set very rigidly in the signed documents, so at first glance, the planets do not seem to have much autonomy at all.

That should be the case, but unfortunately the empire did not establish any other effective institutions besides the tax department.

Mortarian nodded.

Horus's document to the Death Guard was also an inquiry into our agreement with this approach—because a recapture cannot be considered "glorious and honorable" if taxes cannot be collected immediately.

"Death Guard doesn't care about these things."

Hades said softly,

"Yes," Mortarian laughed, "we don't care."

He says,

[It remains to be seen whether Shepherd can completely persuade the other side. As far as I know, they are still negotiating, and Horus has even revealed the locations of three legions—to make the other side realize that they have no chance of winning.]

"That's a bit risky."

Hades commented,

Mortarian spoke without any concern.

The closest to this civilization geographically is the Midnight Lords' Legion, followed by the Eighth Legion, which is furthest from Mandeville. Then comes the Shadowmoon Wolves, and finally the Death Guard. I even hope this civilization possesses a necessary spirit of resistance.

...In an instant, Hades thought to himself, it's not impossible.

It's just using a legion as bait... Hades might have advocated minimizing casualties if it were any other legion, but the Night Lords? Forget it.

In the later stages of the Great Crusade, the Night Lord's troops were all criminals and scum, with Sevita being a rare mutated bat.

What's more, Conrad Coz is a madman.

Moreover... if that's the case, Horus's rash action this time becomes... quite intriguing.

Although Mortalian has already taken personal action against Conrad Coz, Hades still needs to ensure... that the Night Lords will not pose a substantial threat to the Death Guard in the future...

"What are the people from the Empire saying?"

[No civil war, no propaganda, erase all records.]

Mortarian's tone turned cold.

[I should have realized this sooner, Conrad Coates, my "brother," he already has a long list of crimes, Horus said, according to "rumors," he had clashed with Magnus, Guilliman, Dorn, and Fugan long before us.]

Of course, I still sincerely hope that he and Magnus will both disappear in their conflict.

Mortalian dry humor, Hades chuckles.

"Is that all the Empire has to say?"

【besides,】

Motalian said, staring at Hades.

They want you to stay still and not to perform a warp jump.

Hades's smile froze; he did indeed sense something was wrong... but because he couldn't release the Dark Domain on a large scale, he couldn't yet determine what the golden psionic energy had become.

"Motalian said slowly,"

【them……】

They might take you away, Lord of the Order of Silence.

Mortarian fell silent, ceasing all speech. For a fleeting moment, Hades even detected resentment, regret, and even a cautious probing in Mortarian's eyes.

What are your thoughts, Hades?

After a moment of silence, Mortarian suddenly spoke.

I know that the Order of Silence might be a better fit for your constitution than the Death Guard. You see, you chose to stay with the Death Guard, but... the Death Guard didn't give you what you wanted, did it?

Power? With it comes an even more despairing responsibility, and your bond with Barbarus has faded as the legion recruits new soldiers from other planets...

[And... there's this incident, and that collaboration with Iron Warriors.]

Mortarian's eyes darted around; he was staring at the two letters behind Hades.

Leaving the Deathguard won't be a bad thing for your advancement in the Empire. Compared to remaining in the Legion as the second-in-command, you'll gain more power and glory—instead of worrying about the Legion's resources and political standing.

【so,】

Mortarian was still speaking.

If you choose to leave Deathguard, I understand your decision and have no objection or resentment towards it.

Mortarian's shifty gaze suddenly returned, and he cautiously stared at Hades.

[It really is, Hades.]

Hades didn't know whether he should be shocked by how much Mortarian could say in one breath, or by the content of Mortarian's words.

It seems... Mortarian feels guilty towards him?

A thought suddenly popped into Hades' mind, tinged with a touch of wicked amusement.

Mortarian looked Hades over. He was glad that Hades could see Koz's apology—but that still couldn't erase the fact that it was the truth, and that saddened Mortarian.

He observed Hades... Hades smiled?