Warhammer: In the Name of Nirvana

"Welcome back, sir."

"Avalon is always waiting for its owner to come again. You have been absent for too long."

[Did my absence cause any trouble to you? 】

"No, sir."

"Avalon is still loyal to you. Every inch of its land and every breath of air is still loyal to serve your great cause. After all, this is the only sacred thing that their lives can exist in the world and can survive here. the goal of."

[You are really becoming more and more skilled in flattery, my reliable Semiramis. 】

"It's all your teachings."

[I don’t remember needing this. 】

"Then you must have not stored this paragraph in your memory list, sir. My Minerva Array told me very clearly that just before your first meeting with your genetic father, you specially practiced These likes…”

【……】

The Spider Queen frowned, her displeasure flickering with the vibration of the air. As for [Cassiopeia] standing in front of her, the caretaker of the Avalon world, she slowly raised her head and looked towards His creator showed an extremely gentle smile.

Her pupils were a little flustered, and she obviously realized that she had said the wrong thing, but she didn't know how to solve it or make up for it.

Morgan blinked. She spent less than a second looking at her creation, confirming what was contained in her smile, but in the end she just sighed slowly.

[I shouldn’t install humor-inducing components in your computing programs: your performance is simply terrible. Your sense of humor and actual level are even inferior to Virgo, the theoretically lowest sense of humor. 】

The Spider Queen's words were cold, neither angry nor harsh, but they were enough to make her star maid obediently lower her head, with the emotion called guilt written all over her face.

"My mistake, my lord, I just wanted to lighten the mood between us."

Morgan heard the sincerity in Semiramis's words, but she still snorted and expressed her displeasure: Fortunately, Cassiopeia still remained rational, and she chose a time when no Dawnbreaker was present. Saying these kind words that she never really got the hang of.

[But the performance was poor, and I remember that the task list I gave you did not seem to create a relaxing atmosphere. You reasoned that this is reasonable? 】

"I just theorized...that you might need something like this, my lord."

【……】

Morgan raised her eyebrows. She did not answer this sentence immediately. Instead, she walked slowly to her second creation, stretched out a finger, raised her chin without resistance, and looked at the immortal carefully. Those pale yellow eyes in the back seat.

Cassiopeia, or Semiramis, is the second star maid created by the Spider Queen. She is also the governor used by Morgan to supervise the common things of Avalon, and is one of her arms.

As a tribute to the ancient Assyrian queen of the same name, Cassiopeia's face was shaped by Morgan into a typical Middle Eastern beauty, with three-dimensional facial features and breathtaking eyes. She is a person who is undoubtedly the most powerful person in the country: although her appearance is still completely incomparable with Morgan, she is still enough to be proud among the stars.

But now, this beautiful face that can drive a country into madness is occupied by the purest uneasiness and uneasiness. It is guilt that is not mixed with conspiracy, and is similar to that of a young child who has committed a crime. The timidity of making mistakes and shrinking in front of parents.

It is a very real thing, not made up of data and machines, but something that only mortals can possess: emotion.

Morgan blinked, and there was a trace of instinctive joy in her pupils. It was a sincere pride for her creation, just like a knife maker who is arrogant about the sharp blade he forged: but this kind of pride is not too much.

[Your emotional module is awakening: not the kind of performance-type emotions, but the real emotions that I left for you, which are no different from ordinary people? 】

"Yes, sir, about eight Terran standard months ago, I realized that these things could not be reasoned with the Minerva array, but they were indeed interfering with my computing mechanism, so I have been trying hard to Solve them, but they are different from the observations and imitations I usually use. They seem to have no obvious reasoning results and benefits, and I cannot handle them properly."

【This is normal. 】

The Spider Queen returned to her silver throne, listening to the anxious words of her Andromeda, and couldn't help but feel a little funny: the star maid fairy she specially created to deal with and arbitrate among various interest groups. In the back seat, when her own emotions sprouted, she would actually act so fragile and confused, not at all as skillful as she had been when she was playing with people's hearts.

In her heart, the Lord of the Second Legion laughed mercilessly at his creation, but she never thought that just a few years ago, when her emotions gradually awakened, she was at a loss compared to Cassiopeia. , also do their part.

But who cares, the Spider Queen has long forgotten the embarrassing things at that time: since she has forgotten those things, then those things that embarrassed her must have never existed, and must be hallucinations that only appeared in her sleep.

Morgan thought this, and she felt an emotion called pleasure.

But after feeling happy, the Spider Queen couldn't help but feel strange.

[If I remember correctly, although you are all maids of the stars, Virgo was the first to be born, and you were the second: Then why, instead, was your emotional module the first to awaken? 】

The suspicion of the Primarch blew into the room like an icy cold wind, causing a certain Primarch maid who was silently making tea in the corner of the room to point her finger, and a few drops of hot tea stained the precious tea. tablecloth.

[Do you have any idea about this, my Anya? 】

When the Gene Queen slowly looked at her personal maid, she found that she had already run into the kitchen behind the throne room carrying the tea set.

【……】

She can run fast.

Morgan could only turn his gaze and look at Semiramis again.

[So, let’s sort out our thoughts a little: About eight months ago, that is, shortly before I left for the expedition, you realized that the emotions I left you that were no different from ordinary people were gradually awakening in your brain. They cause you troubles, and you try to adapt to them, and the idea that comes with adapting to them is: Improve your relationship with me? 】

"I just theorized that... maybe we should have a softer relationship."

【For example? 】

[You are my creation, and I am your creator, what other relationship do you want? 】

The Gene Queen was entrenched on the throne, with a hint of real curiosity flashing in her cyan-blue pupils: Morgan was really curious. After all, she originally decided to retain some human emotions of these star maids, but she and Perturabo did not want to As for getting things done, it's just a cover-up mechanism specially set up.

Neither she nor her Olympian brother knew what changes these mortal emotions, which were not complete but did exist, would bring to the Star Maids: In fact, if it weren't for Semiramis today, Something was wrong, and the Spider Queen almost completely forgot about it.

But nothing hinders her from looking forward to the next unknown answer.

"..."

Cassiopeia was silent for a while. She seemed to be trying to adjust her breathing and stabilize her mentality. The front armor on her chest, which was more powerful than Morgan, was also rising and falling violently, revealing the nervousness of the Star Maid.

But in the end, she mustered up her courage, looked at her Creator, and revealed the knot that had troubled and tortured her for several Terran standard months.

"grown ups."

【I am here. 】

"We, whether it's me, Virgo and Orion, are all your creations. You gave us a second life, gave us strength and mission, and didn't even deprive us of our human emotions. These are all facts and there is no such thing as Questionable facts.”

【……so? 】

“So, from our relationship with you, and all that we have received from you, even the power and the great mission you have given us: We and those who are stationed outside this room, kneeling at your feet, call There is actually no essential difference between the so-called Dawnbreakers whose mother you are."

【……】

Morgan blinked: she could roughly guess what Cassiopeia meant.

At the same time, the Primarch also keenly discovered that Virgo, who had already left, was quietly returning and was standing next to her throne. She also put on an unusually well-behaved appearance, using her words to communicate with her. Cassiopeia looked at her with exactly the same eyes.

"So, my lord."

Cassiopeia stood up straight, and she looked up at her creator. Her words were filled with a kind of pleading. It was a flash of sincere emotion, no different from a child pleading to its parents.

"We can call you ours just like they do..."

"Mother?"

【……】

"Is that okay?"

Semiramis's pleas lingered in the Primarch's ears, while Morgan maintained her silence and blinked.

[Is this what you think? 】

"Yes, this is the strongest desire that my thinking array has received after reluctantly accepting those emotions: I long to be your daughter, to return to my true position, with a more intimate posture and a stronger connection. Normally, I will give you everything I have. This emotion has no conflict with my basic calculation logic, which proves that this is exactly what you expect from us."

【……】

Morgan's pupils flickered, and she noticed something was wrong: the emotions she left for her star maids can be roughly divided into two parts. The first part is the main emotion common to all maids, that is, the basis for being able to communicate with them. The operation logic completely matches [loyalty] and [fanaticism], etc., and the second part is their respective personality characteristics, which may not be completely consistent with the basic operation logic.

In other words, since [the desire to be her daughter] is an emotional product that is consistent with basic operational logic, it should be common among all the maidens of the stars, except for Cassiopeia...

After realizing it in hindsight, the Primarch slowly turned her head and looked at the taciturn, quiet and petite pink-haired maid next to her. She met Virgo's pair of red pupils that were as cold as the Primarch. watching.

This time, the Spider Queen finally saw clearly that in the depths of Virgo's pupils that seemed like thousands of years of ice, there seemed to be a flash of some kind of blazing heat that was well hidden.

"grown ups."

Virgo spoke slowly, tilted her head slightly, and then showed a rather calm smile. Her fourteen-year-old or fifteen-year-old cheeks and her soft twin tails still looked so well-behaved and trustworthy.

She smiled.

"What's your decision?"

——————

[Do you have any other requests, my dear daughter? 】

"No, mother."

[Then let’s talk business. 】

"As you wish."

Morgan snorted softly, expressing satisfaction with Semiramis's unchanging obedience. She was sitting on her silver throne as always, with a kind of laziness that no Dawnbreaker would ever be lucky enough to see. and relax.

Virgo was quietly held in the arms of her creator and mother, letting her long hair be transformed from the Imperial Fist into the Space Wolf by the somewhat bored Spider Queen. There seemed to be a faint smile on the corners of her pursed lips. .

If coupled with the slightly narrowed pupils of the primarch maid, the low muttering of the Spider Queen, and the focused gaze of Virgo looking at her creator, then even the calmest wise man can't help but fall into real doubts. : Which one is the mother and which one is the daughter?

Of course, these are all small problems, insignificant problems: at least in front of the information recorded on the electronic board taken out by Cassiopeia, they are indeed not very important.

"In fact, Mother, just about a Terra Standard month ago, several envoys from the White Scars Legion came to the Avalon sector and asked to see you: after learning that you were not around, they declined Marshall. Your Excellency’s invitation did not stay, but I just left several books and letters.”

Morgan raised an eyebrow.

[My eagle brother actually wanted to communicate with me: This was beyond my imagination. I thought he would never want to discuss anything with me in his life. 】

The Spider Queen laughed. Her words were not a joke, but the true thoughts recorded deep in her heart: After all, Morgan had and only had one exchange with Chagatai Khan, when she was still in the First Legion. Once lost due to a subspace storm, he eventually served as an unofficial envoy of the Dark Angels, helping the Primarchs such as Horus and others he encountered to win a war.

Jaghatai Khan was one of the three primarchs at that time, and thus had several encounters with Morgan, who was still a mortal: In fact, overall, the attitude of the Lord of the Fifth Legion towards Morgan was not that great. Okay, but the last Primarch present was Mortarion...

The Lord of Death's malice toward Morgan and all psychics has reached an unreasonable level. Instead, out of absolute rationality and public welfare, Chagatai Khan said a few words for Morgan in disguise: Although he may Just wanted to curb Mortarion's paranoia.

But in comparison, Morgan's impression of Jaghatai Khan is not very bad, but he is not very close either: they are just strangers after all, and the Spider Queen never thought that she could be with all her brothers. They all had a good relationship, and she couldn't see a way to extract surplus value from Chagatai.

I can’t think of it now... Hey...

Morgan was happy, and her interest was aroused in an instant: Is there anything that the eagle and her can talk about?

[Did you bring the book? 】

"It's all here, mother."

Cassiopeia respectfully handed over several books and letters. These books made of animal skins and hemp rope of unknown material looked so rough, but if you look carefully, you will find that , although these seemingly barbaric books do not seem to be worthy of any noble words, they are indeed a kind of work of art.

Morgan did not open it immediately, she just gently touched the covers that were softer than she imagined. Although there were no complicated author introductions or gold-edged patterns, she could still detect the manufacturing of these books from the delicate touch. The ingenuity deeply buried in the heart.

Even before she opened the book, the Spider Queen already knew: this book was worth reading. Its seemingly rough appearance was just that its author did not bother to spend energy on these superficially gorgeous events. I firmly believe that the true value of books lies within them.

The Lord of the Second Legion laughed. She had no more hesitation or thoughts. After casually casting a detection spell, Morgan chose to open one of the pages.

After just a cursory glance, the Spider Queen couldn't help but widen her eyes: the page that appeared in front of her was divided into two completely symmetrical parts. The left half clearly contained the contents of her psychic code, which was written in the most sophisticated way. The elegant notes were copied bit by bit, and the profound artistic sense exuded between the lines made even the original body sigh.

On the other side, the Spider Queen discovered an even bigger surprise: in the places corresponding to the original words of the psionic code, one or more masters in the psionic field displayed their common wisdom on it. Some are admirations for the exquisite parts of the code, some are merciless doubts and criticisms, and most of them are a discussion, a question, a rational statement to be answered, and a valuable statement. The new path seems to be waiting for the Spider Queen to think about and improve it.

Such words are so precious, sometimes they are better than the original words in the Psychic Codex, and they are so many and so detailed that the Psychic Codex, which was originally only one thick book, is divided into four whole books. Five equally heavy books are enough to arrange all the words of Storm Prophet and Chagatai Khan.

【……】

For a moment, even the air in the throne room stopped flowing. The two star maids clearly saw the concentration and enthusiasm on their mother's face. They chose to quietly retreat to the side, waiting for Morgan to read one book after another. Flicking through the priceless books in front of her.

The Spider Queen looked through the books arranged in front of her, quickly and attentively. She counted the [Comments] of the White Scars one by one. In terms of word count, it was almost the size of three psychic codes, although most of the opinions in it were They are just arguments and incomplete ideas, but the value in them is enough to support the leader of the Second Legion to pick up the pen again and completely upgrade her masterpiece.

Thinking of this, Morgan's heart even flashed an emotion that was very close to [gratitude]. With this enthusiasm, the Spider Queen picked up the last book. This book was slightly different from its colleagues because the first The Lord of the Five Legions wrote some words on its cover.

The words are short and concise, almost summarizing the content of the entire book in a few sentences: Out of gratitude and as a result of some thinking, Chagatai Khan wrote this book, telling how his legions used The Power of Psionics tells the story of the traditions and operating methods of the Storm Prophets on Chogolis, and how he improved the content of the Psionics Code to suit the conditions of the White Scars Legion by referring to the actual situation of the Fifth Legion. A useful volume.

At the end of the words, the Eagle Khan thanked the Spider Queen: In fact, this sentence is not a thank you at all, but in Morgan's thinking, its meaning is greater than any gorgeous words of thanks. To be powerful.

Morgan read it slowly.

[Morgan, I still don’t like you, my hypocritical blood relative. 】

[But, but only on the road to this goal: if you can maintain your current cautious attitude, if you can continue what you have started, if your works will also benefit humans and psykers, then, No matter what difficulties you encounter, you can contact me and I promise I will do my best. 】

[Finally, I hope you can keep your current thoughts. I hope you can continue to recognize the storm in the subspace. I hope you can stick to your path. This is very important. This is very important to many people. 】

[Wish you good luck, my blood relative. 】

【……】

Morgan looked at the words.

Watched it again.

She caressed, pondered, and turned over the pages over and over again.

Finally, smiled.

It was a rather sincere, relieved, and even relaxed smile. When it hung on the Spider Queen's flawless face, it actually seemed a bit dazzling and inappropriate.

"..."

The two star maids looked at each other.

"What are you laughing at, mother?"

【……】

[No, it’s nothing. 】

Morgan shook his head, closed the book seriously, put these ancient works of art together with a rather careful attitude, placed them on the armrest of his throne, and then respectfully picked up the first book , ready to begin her most serious and careful reading.

[I just... saw a rare and interesting smart person. 】

[Really smart people. 】

The Primarch raised her eyebrows at her two cheap daughters and was about to plunge into her infinite world of wisdom, but at this moment, Cassiopeia raised her hand.

"Mother, you forgot those letters."

【……letter? 】

"Yes, according to the visitors of the White Scars Legion, those letters were entrusted by their recipients and were not the work of them or their genetic father."

【Entrusted by whom? 】

"Um……"

"I remember it was: Space Wolves."

——————

"It's been a long time, Lord Luther."

The friendly voice came, causing the Caliban knight who had just boarded the ship to raise his head in astonishment. Then, he saw an acquaintance with a smiling face not far away.

"Erwin?"

"It's me, Lord Luther: it's not easy to see you now."

The old knight laughed, and the two mortal commanders hugged each other. Their friendship had sprouted and grown since they fought side by side a few years ago.

Luther's smile was filled with a hint of real pride: because he knew very well that Erwin was not lying at this time.

As one of the highest-status mortals aboard the Dawn Goddess and the Lieutenant General of the Queen of Avalon's Legion, Erwin only gained the honor of being one of the first to welcome Caliban veterans through some personal relationships.

After all, Luther is now a popular figure in the entire Far Eastern Frontier: after several years of trust, indulgence and continuous conquests, even the most clueless officials in the entire Avalon sector have already known about their uncrowned queen. , boundless trust in this old knight of Caliban.

All along, any of Luther's requests has never been rejected. His army has the highest priority supply sequence and transportation routes. The conditions are good enough to make the most open-minded mortal generals secretly jealous. He will never lack new troops. and allies, the only thing that needs to be thought about is how to use this steady stream of power reasonably.

In contrast, the answer sheet submitted by Caliban Knight was perfect enough to clear up any doubts: Luther's fleet has been engaged in fanatical and endless recapture operations over the years, and his conquests spanned hundreds of galaxies. , turning countless resisters into dust, whether they were depraved human pirates or heinous alien nations, they were all eventually annihilated under Luther's aggressive offensive, and their nations made Avalon's ever-expanding Volume supports new great conquests.

The performance of the old Knight Caliban in this process can be called holy: he used unimaginable finesse to successfully regulate the warriors of different legions under his command, the mortal auxiliary armies of different worlds, and the different naval fleets. He can maintain a friendly relationship with any force. He can gain the respect of the Astartes, the respect of the Catachan Jungle Warriors, and the equal treatment of the Imperial Knights, even those Omni The taciturn friendship of Saiyan believers.

Compared with this great ability to coordinate various factions, Luther's sophistication and calmness in the war, as well as his frugality that was not greedy for any loot, even seemed a bit eclipsed: the accompanying Dawnbreaker once worried The mortal would eventually become lost in victory and ambition, but they soon discovered that their worries were pure misery.

Rather than worrying about Luther's ambition, it's better to worry about his aging body. Even the sages of Reza's forging world who accompanied the army bluntly stated in their exchanges with the Caliban Knights: If he continues to invest so crazily, In the endless war, even if he is transformed, he may not survive until the next century.

Caliban accepted the hint with a serious face that he had less than twenty Terran standard years to live, so he returned to his command position: even more frantically devoted to the almost endless battle.

Many times, the military adjutants around him and even the Astartes had to drag Luther away from the command post with full respect and let him rest: it was only at this time that Lian and Luther accompanied him. The Dark Angels will choose to turn a blind eye to everything.

But such behavior is only a drop in the bucket after all. The face of Caliban Knight is becoming increasingly haggard due to his persistence and the worries of others. Although his eyebrows and eyes are always filled with a passion that is no different from that of a young man, everyone with a discerning eye knows that this It's more like an extremely unhealthy state of excitement, even a flashback.

And this situation finally attracted enough attention from the Lord of Avalon through countless reports: in the face of Morgan's personal letter, even Luther had to really leave his command post and come back to meet the man who gave The Primarch he truly trusted.

He still doesn't know what Morgan will do with him: but no matter what it is, Luther will not choose to disobey it. He has received too much from Morgan, so much that he has conquered just a few hundred galaxies. In his eyes, there was no way he could repay the Gene Queen's trust.

Therefore, when he bid farewell to Erwin, and came all the way to the center of the [Dawn Goddess] under the leadership of the two Dawnbreakers who respected him immensely, frankly speaking, Luther still had a few traces of emotion in his heart. curious.

"This is it, Lord Luther."

Lana, the chief of the Old Guard who was leading the way, glanced up at the door, then turned around, nodding towards the mortal behind him with a seriousness second only to meeting the Emperor and the Primarch. nodded.

"Ah, okay."

Caliban looked at the surrounding environment, but the same seriousness and strangeness made him unable to distinguish clearly. In the end, he chose to turn his attention to Lana: Even Luther, who was concentrating on the war, heard that Rana's name and his high position.

Chief Praetorian of the Primarch: No matter which legion he is in, this name cannot be regarded as a mere title and status.

"anything?"

Feeling Luther's gaze, Lana tried his best to make the expression on his face as easy-going as possible: Although he was used to being serious, as his battle brothers said, if he is in a situation like Luther and Erwin If in front of such an outstanding mortal, you still have the noble airs of a so-called Astartes warrior, then this behavior itself is a joke.

"I'm just...a little unsure."

Luther touched his cheek. He could feel that it was very old and dry from a few years ago, but he did not feel even a trace of regret for it.

"After all, I think you know, Mr. Lana, I had already undergone a transformation operation when I left Caliban, so I am a little doubtful that my transformed body can still undergo secondary transformation. A transformation?"

Lana nodded.

"Theoretically, this is very difficult, but..."

[However, I am here. 】

The door danced, and a pale figure with silver hair walked out of it. She was wrapped in a white coat, white gloves and goggles. She looked the same height as Lana, and she was clearly the Primarch who was ready to go.

[Your friend, Morgan is here. 】

The Spider Queen looked at the old knight of Caliban, at one of her pen pals, at this mortal friend who had been slightly recognized by her at some point, and showed a smile that could make anyone feel at ease. .

[I'm here, Luther, your friend Morgan is here, and I'm bringing the transformational surgery that I wrote and innovated just for you, and I'm bringing the safety stack of at least a hundred clinical trials, and I'm bringing The most cutting-edge and excellent medical supplies in the entire Avalon. 】

[Finally, I also brought a Primarch, that is, the Lord of the Second Legion, your friend, myself: I will personally be responsible for this transformation operation, personally responsible for its entire process and operation steps, until I watched you come off the operating table safe and sound. 】

Such words made Lana raise his eyebrows. He instinctively looked at Luther, but after seeing those weathers and wrinkles, the Chief Old Guard finally fell silent. He chose not to say a word. This respect for devotion finally extinguished his anger.

Like an icy spring breeze, the Spider Queen slowly came to Luther. She patted Caliban on the shoulder. She cleverly noticed the indescribable emotions on the old knight's face and the distortion on his face that he tried to control. The choice was revealed.

She just looked at Luther's pupils and used her most sincere tone.

[Believe me, my friend, I will try my best. 】

【So that you can regain your life. 】

[You should never be bound by anyone or anything, my Luther. 】

【You are worthy of any greatness. 】