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

Page 229

Update: Fourth version revised

Fifth Edition

6

Chapter 273 Great Ups and Downs

When the Death Guards had been docked in Barbaros for 339 days, they received the coordinates of the next star system they needed to travel to.

Along with the news came the Black Ships.

The good news is that the bandit leaders, led by Makado, didn't take anything with them; on the contrary, they gave Hades two large chests of ashes.

They are respectively untouchable and psionic.

In the Warhammer universe, the abilities of Soulless and Psionicists do not disappear upon death, but are greatly weakened; even upon death, their ashes can weaken or strengthen the Warp Barrier.

This is also the main material of the anti-psychic grenade developed by Hades. The black grenade is a mixture of the ashes of the soulless and black stone particles. Once it explodes, it will immediately strengthen the subspace barrier around it.

The white bullets are filled with the ashes of psionic beings. Generally speaking, psionic beings are the conduits connecting the subspace and the physical world, but their flesh and blood bodies have a maximum psionic tolerance. If the barrier is rapidly weakened in a short period of time, a large amount of psionic energy will flood into the psionic being's body, literally "bursting" the individual.

Therefore, the idea behind the white bomb is to use the sudden surge of subspace energy to cause the psionic species to self-destruct, thereby closing the channel between the subspace and the physical world.

However, this weapon was so complex that it could easily backfire, so after it was manufactured, Hades only selected warriors with sufficient knowledge of psionic energy to issue a small number of white bullets.

However, compared to black bullets, white bullets have a huge advantage that cannot be ignored—that is, abundant raw materials, especially within the Death Guard.

Cough cough, that's a bit of a hellish joke.

Even more hellish is that most of the Deathguard warriors who know enough about psionics are Undertaker, also known as the Think Tank.

Hades wisely concealed from them the main material of these munitions. Although the lamplighter Ugo stared at him suspiciously, Hades calmly explained to him the principles of the munitions and how to use them—except for what was actually inside them.

Let's tell them the truth when the war becomes urgent and raw materials are insufficient.

Hades thought to himself silently.

The battle order has been issued. After a year, the main thrusters of the Death Guard ships have been ignited once again. The whispers of the Star Court and the prohibition of civilian access in the short term have caused ripples in Mandeville Point. The Death Guard fleet has begun to conduct warp jumps in an orderly manner.

Hades stared listlessly out the porthole, feeling the repulsive force of the warp on him growing stronger.

However, since the Black Ships said Hades was alright when they came last time, he'll treat it as nothing. He just doesn't want to get thrown off when the Death Guard is speeding through the warp that day.

Hades was lost in thought.

Due to the rapid development of the Barbarus Galaxy, after the Death Guard returned, they stationed more Gravekeepers there as a form of surveillance and warning.

Meanwhile, Mortarion and Hades chose the Death Shroud Morag as the Death Guardian Archon of Barbaros, responsible for many matters such as galactic administration and recruitment.

Hades also sent several social management students to the countryside for practical learning, and some of them will be transferred to Galaspa and Druun.

The rest were mostly trivial matters like governance, and the sage repeatedly admonishing Milton.

By the way, let's fill the Death Guard's warehouse once again. Thanks to Barbarus and Barbarus's partners, the Death Guard's huge warehouse is truly full this time. This fact has amazed the forging masters in the Foundry for several days.

With no war for a year, there's now a restless urge within the Death Guard. The long-dormant scythes gleam coldly, eager to bring blood and death to their enemies.

However, this time the battle order was also not described in detail, not because it was a battle that needed to be concealed like the one in Ran Dan, but because it was a world that had just been discovered, and all information was still unknown.

The only thing Death Guard knew was that the Ultramarines were also heading to that star system, and that they would be fighting alongside the Ultramarines—

Extreme Warrior!

Hades realized that for the first time since Peturabo and Leon Johnson, the Death Guard had a normally cooperative legion! They used normal tactics, communicated amicably and normally with their comrades, and possessed normal human thinking.

Ultramarines, Robert Guilliman, Markrag, his unseen second—

Hades suddenly felt a chill run down his spine, as if the Endurance was looking down on him.

Hades coughed twice guiltily. No, he was the Death Guardian, he was the Death Guardian.

Hades struggled internally for a while, still unable to forget Robert Guilliman's reliable performance at the banquet (and the angel Saint Gilles). If Guilliman hadn't been there, Mortalian would probably have led the entire Death Guard to their deaths the next day.

To be honest, Death Guard should thank Guilliman for his great kindness, and of course, Thousand Sons probably should too.

Hades felt relieved after learning that the cooperative legion would be the Ultramarines, and he only needed to leave things to Robert Guilliman!

As long as Guilliman doesn't impulsively initiate a duel, a legion commander who cares about the casualties of his legion warriors and the casualty rate of his cooperative legions will be an invincible force. Praise be to the great second-in-command!

Ahem, oh no, that empire hasn't been established yet.

What Hades didn't expect was that Mortarion's evaluation of Guilliman was actually quite good. Perhaps the Lord of Death had also realized the reliable behavior of Lord Macragge at the banquet that day.

Hades even suspected that Horus and Guilliman would now be among Mortarion's top three brothers.

After confirming Mortalian's positive assessment of Guilliman and eliminating the last unstable factor, everything became much simpler: hand it over to Robert Guilliman!

Although Killieman's reputation in 30k is not good, the existence of Macurag 500 Worlds leads people to describe him as ambitious, hypocritical, and cunning. Killieman has always been a negative politician.

But none of that matters. What matters is that Guilliman genuinely cares about the casualty ratio in war and doesn't betray his allies much.

For the Death Guard, what could be more important than this? Especially after the baptism of Peturabo.

So, amidst anticipation for war and a positive curiosity about the Ultramarines, the Deathguard fleet finally arrived at the designated coordinates.

As expected, the ships that the Ultramarines were waiting to welcome them were already quietly drifting in the channel, ready to guide the Death Guardians.

See, this is the excellent style of the Ultra Warriors. The Ultra Warriors have gained another point in Hades's heart.

However, in the command room, Mortarian and Hades stood in front of the command panel, waiting for the Ultramarines to transmit the information necessary for the war.

Lord Mortalian, the Ultramarines welcome you and your Legion.

The war is over; this planet has chosen to accept Lord Guilliman's peace negotiations and surrender.

Mortarian raised an eyebrow, seemingly displeased.

Meanwhile, Hades, standing beside him, began inwardly praising Robert Guilliman, the Lord of Macragge.

Reliable, absolutely reliable!

The normal procedure is to try political negotiation first, and then resort to violence!

When it comes to political negotiations, no one can beat Robert Guilliman!

You and your legion are welcome to explore this newly conquered human world. The inhabitants are very welcoming and show great goodwill towards the Empire's arrival.

A hissing sound came from beneath Mortarian's mask as he spoke stiffly.

"No need. If they are not feigning surrender but genuinely submitting, then the Death Guard has no reason to waste their time here."

The people here, the Abustuans, have all sincerely submitted to the Empire after being persuaded by our Primarch.

The channel buzzed, the Ultramarines's flawless and impeccable pleasantries continued, but Hades couldn't hear a word—

—Wait a minute? Abbastu? He just said this is Abbastu?!

Hades looked shocked.

The Emperor's socks!!! In the original timeline, Arbus was the planet where the Death Guard first issued an extinction order?!

As for why the Death Guard would issue an Extinction Order.

Because this planet is full of half-corrupted psionicists!

Hades slowly came to realize a cruel truth: this time, his partner shouldn't have been an Ultra Warrior—

Don't you dare negotiate peace with this planet?! Can't you see something's wrong with this planet?!

Oh, Robert Killieman really couldn't tell.

Thank you so much to [NaiTe] for being the Alliance Leader!!!

I'll try my best to write!

Chapter 274 Shouldn't be an Ultra Warrior

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]

Hades stared silently at the lines of text, which were carefully placed on paper and lay quietly in a gold-edged display book, looking down at him from the wall, looking down at a death guard.

Everything here was just like the Ultra Warriors Hades had imagined. But his mood was far from pleasant.

Hades boarded the Makragora, his heart heavy. Mortarion was still unaware of what had happened, and the Lord of Death was unwilling to board another legion's mothership, but Hades appeared far more somber than before, and—

Mortalian realized that Hades seemed eager to communicate with the Ultramarines. Had he discovered something? Was it a crack beneath the Ultramarines' glamorous exterior, or was there something else about this planet, or perhaps both?

After careful consideration, and having ensured that the Ultramarines would not launch a surprise attack, the Lord of Death agreed to send his commander to the Radiance of Macragge to gather more information.

Whether it's information about Abustu or information about Ultra Warriors.

Compared to the dimly lit Endurance, everything on the Glory of Macragge was bathed in shimmering light, neat and glorious, with pure blue and white dotting every corner, and bright gold accents symbolizing victory.

Led by Ultra Warrior Gage, Hades and the Death Guards walked through a hall sculpted with numerous figures, through an exhibition room displaying Guilliman's works, through a sea of ​​blue and white, and finally arrived at the reception room.

The reception room continued the style of The Glory of Macragge, with large tapestries hanging down, woven with the glory of the Ultramarines on sapphire blue, and quotes from Guilliman's works were also taken out and displayed on the pure white walls.

As the light streamed in, everything in the reception room was bathed in a sense of spaciousness and grandeur.

Robert Killman sat there with an almost flawless, amiable smile.

Hades shifted his gaze from Robert Quotations to Robert Guilliman. Well, he was now slightly guilty, and after realizing the planet they were facing, it was only natural to look at Guilliman. Falling into the Macragge illusion had become a difficult thing.

Everything is fine, but it can't be this planet—it can't be this planet!!!

No, no, no, perhaps this planet is not the one Hades remembers. In fact, events have begun to shift. From the absence of White Scar in the Druun War to the sudden appearance of the Ultra Warriors during the extinction of Abusdu, things here are starting to differ from what Hades knows.

Hades swallowed hard. He couldn't make a hasty decision; he needed to observe further, both with Abus and with the Ultra Warriors.

"Please don't let it be the RH route! Or some other weird route!" Hades cried out silently. "At least don't let it be a route involving a false god and an illegitimate child!"

Hades suddenly felt a chill run down his neck. "Ribbit! Could this be a storyline about a false god's wicked son?!" He didn't want to see it!

Robert Killman didn't hear Hades's inner turmoil; of course, with zero magic power, he couldn't hear what others were thinking.

He sat there, his neatly trimmed short blond hair gleaming under the light, the emerald green olive leaves symbolizing his status as the lord of Macragge, his sapphire blue armor smooth and meticulous, a golden U-shaped badge adorning the sapphire blue, as if smiling at Hades.

Suppressing the wildly diverging thoughts in his mind, and despite not knowing why reality had turned out this way, Hades still managed to put on a perfect, politician-like smile.

"Good day, Lord Guilliman. I am Hades, the commander of the Death Guard. The Lord of Death has sent me to represent the Fourteenth Legion to negotiate with the Thirteenth Legion."

Hades had barely finished speaking when Killian seemed surprised for a moment, but his smile became even more natural and amiable.

“I never expected my brother would send you to negotiate with the Ultramarines. I remember you; your actions at the banquet left a deep impression on me.”

Guilliman recalled the figure standing amidst the pile of thousands; the commander of the Death Guard clearly possessed formidable combat prowess.

Guilliman had initially thought that this Death Guard would have the same eccentric temperament as his brother Mortalian, but judging from Hades's recent performance, it seems that this is not the case.

Hades struck Killieman as more of a politician or a seasoned diplomat, qualities that made Killieman feel somewhat familiar with him.

Guilliman pondered that Mortarion and his legions had never experienced a conquest without violence, while the Lord of Macragge wished to let his brother experience such a return—without violence, without bloodshed, only mutual understanding and compromise between the two civilizations.

Imperial conquests are not always bloody and tearful. Depending on the Primarch's preferences, many legions will choose to negotiate peace at the last minute before throwing their war spears, thus preserving human civilizations well and integrating them into the Empire's rhythm without bloodshed.

Guilliman, from Mackrag, clearly preferred this approach. Unlike most of his brothers, Guilliman did not derive satisfaction or honor from the war; he only found joy in the execution of plans and the achievement of goals.

Of course, Guilliman also hopes to share this joy so that more people can see what lies behind it, and that civilization can be preserved instead of being burned by the flames of war.

The Fourteenth Legion has never experienced anything like this before. They are mostly sent to worlds that are not human worlds, so they rarely experience or are familiar with this process.

According to Guilliman, the only human world the Death Guard was sent to was Galaspa. Fragments of rumors suggest that an unimaginable massacre had taken place there.

Perhaps they should experience the joy of being welcomed, rather than just submitting under the scythe, Guilliman thought. Let the Death Guards feel the charm of civilization; they belong to the same great human race, and understanding and tolerance are clearly a better choice.

But so far, the Lord of Death has shown little interest in the Ultramarines' achievements in Abustus, and Guilliman senses with unease that his brother, like most Primarchs, may harbor some unique obsession with war.

Guilliman recalled everything that had happened at the banquet, the unsettling qualities Mortarian had displayed, but the Lord of Death had also shown signs of wanting to talk—meaning there was still a chance.

Although Guilliman was unclear why Mortarion harbored such considerable animosity towards psykers, the Lord of Macragge attempted to understand this behavior. Guilliman ultimately concluded that Mortarion hated wizards who used blasphemous magic, and that his brother also upheld the truths of the Empire.

To Guilliman's relief, although the rulers of Abustu also used psychic magic, their queen was willing to renounce witchcraft, altars, and other things forbidden by the Imperial Truth after Guilliman earnestly explained the truth of the Empire to them.

Guilliman rarely encountered civilizations so cooperative in their submission. In his analysis and categorization, the more different a human civilization was from the Empire, the greater the resistance to submission. Furthermore, the Empire's truths fundamentally overturned the very logic of these psionic civilizations.

But they were still willing to submit and swore to act in accordance with the doctrines of the Empire's truth.

The surrender plan was successfully completed. Although Guilliman was disappointed for a moment that the backup plan was not activated, it was a miracle that was hard to replicate. The Ultramarines had completed the surrender of a human world in less than a week and made them abide by the Imperial Truth.

Guilliman had also worried about the undercurrents beneath the surface of calm, that perhaps the planet was just feigning surrender. But after the surrender, Abustu's army did not take any further action; they stayed there quietly, following the orders of the Ultramarines.

Everything went smoothly. Nine days later, the Ultramarines would represent the Empire and receive the civilization's formal allegiance in the square of Abster.