Warhammer: In the Name of Nirvana

[Conrad, are you asleep? 】

The Spider Queen's words were like arrows soaked in the icy pools of the cold winter months, and were even more piercing than the cold atmosphere deliberately created by the Nostramo people.

Even the former King of Night couldn't help but jump up from the chair where he was squatting after hearing this voice, and instinctively swept away the books on the desk, leaving only the simplest one, The planner that never goes wrong.

After doing all this, Conrad belatedly discovered that there seemed to be no [illegal items] on his desk: After realizing this, the Nostramo shook his ears, The thin face also became a little unhappy.

But before he could make a change, the door to the room that could theoretically withstand the Terminator's firepower and could only be opened by Conrad was slapped aside by the Spider Queen's casual words. Morgan's The toes of the long boots then touched the thin black line between the room and the corridor, like a lynx looking for territory blocked in front of a creek.

Behind the light in the corridor, the pause, thinking, playfulness and subsequent smile mask on the Spider Queen's face were clearly seen by Conrad, who was staring closely at her, but she herself also had no trace of it. of cover.

[Can I come in, Conrad? 】

She raised her neck slightly, maintaining that false and insincere politeness.

"..."

From the shadow where Conrad was hiding, there was an indistinct murmur.

"This is your ship, of course you can go wherever you want."

The tone was a little harsh.

Morgan smiled perfectly and did not respond. She stepped into the room easily. Although it was very dark, in the Primarch's field of vision, it was no different from a square exposed to bright sunlight.

The Primarch glanced at the layout of the room: there were no sofas or coffee tables for guests. The main furniture only had essential supplies such as beds, bedside tables, tables and chairs. There were surprisingly many display racks, which were piled up. The low cabinets next to the bathroom serve as hangers, wardrobes and storage cabinets.

In the shadows of the surrounding corners, there are also a large group of less commonly used objects scattered around. They seem to be simply classified according to the corners they occupy: for example, in the shadow farthest from the door, there are There are a lot of [arts] piled up in a messy manner, most of which are half-carved statues of monsters such as gargoyles, chimeras, and vampire bats. Without exception, they are all failures, and have been incompetently and furiously marked with the sign of giving up. scar.

"cough!"

It seemed that he felt that the eyes of his corpse blood relatives were a little too probing. Conrad, who was standing next to the chair, somewhat restrained, coughed heavily. After attracting Morgan's attention, he thought for a moment and used a word. He asked in an absent-minded tone.

"What are you doing here?"

[Can’t I talk to you? 】

Conrad did not reply, but his somewhat distorted face and pale lips that hesitated to speak showed his attitude.

After discovering that Morgan was slowly moving towards his desk, the Nostramo almost rushed into the shadows behind him and dragged out another chair at such a speed that Morgan could barely see clearly. After wiping it, it was presented directly to the Spider Queen's feet.

"sit!"

【……】

Morgan's eyes rolled upward, and through the gap at the end of her bangs, she saw the rather forced smile on Conrad's face, and she couldn't help but be amused.

[Ah, you are sensible. 】

"..."

The Nostramo didn't reply. After he waited for Morgan to sit down, he immediately returned to his seat. Then he thought about it and dragged the chair forward again, between his desk and Morgan's field of vision. , erecting a covert physical wall to keep his blood relatives as far away from his desktop as possible.

Although there was nothing illegal on his desk, instinctively, he just didn't want Morgan to come close to his private area: allowing her to enter the room was already the limit, but getting close to the desk was something he couldn't even think about. .

In this way, the two Primarchs sat in their respective seats. They were so close that the awkward air could gather into a breeze and blow on their cheeks at the same time.

"what's up?"

Sitting upright in the chair made Conrad feel a little uncomfortable. He was not used to these formal and rigorous sitting postures, which would give him an inexplicable feeling of suffocation.

[I brought a recruitment order. 】

The Spider Queen didn't take any nonsense.

"About me?"

【certainly. 】

Conrad was silent for a moment.

"Is it father's?"

[No, it belongs to Jonson. 】

The Nostramo raised his eyebrows, his doubts not exceeding Morgan's expectations.

[A long time ago, about before I took over my legion, I made an agreement with our brother Zhuang Sen, and now, he hopes that I can fulfill this agreement: Therefore, I will lead my main force to the northwest of the Galaxy Fang, participate in an expedition that may be very long. 】

Conrad blinked.

"That doesn't sound like it has anything to do with me..."

[If you don’t want to go, it actually doesn’t matter. There is another way: I still keep the static cabin you used back then, with its original flavor. 】

"But I'd love to join this expedition."

The sudden change of tone in Nostramo's mouth was even three minutes faster than his pace in the shadows. Conrad smiled at his blood relative, and then, as if he was afraid that this was not the case. Not convincing enough, he added another slogan dryly.

"For the Empire."

【...Ah, for the empire. 】

"Your slogan sounds less sincere than mine, Morgan."

【Shut up. 】

"Understood, my lord."

The Nostramo's cheeks were covered with an indifferent smile: he seemed to be becoming more and more proficient at this, and the smile outlined by his long and thin cheeks and sharp canine teeth had changed from the bloodthirsty that was originally visible to the naked eye. and madness, turned into a more refined form of mockery.

Morgan glanced at him and confirmed the fact in her heart: she didn't know whether this change was good or bad for Conrad. He seemed to have seen more things, but with a purely mocking attitude. , came to comment on every folly in his eyes.

Compared to the original bloodthirsty killings without hesitation, or muttering to himself during the atrocities, Conrad now seems to prefer squatting in a high place, spitting sarcasm while secretly sharpening his upcoming skills. The minions appear.

But in front of Morgan, the Night King can always resist the urge to take the next step. This is the imprint left by the Spider Queen through several years of uninterrupted cordial communication, so that the Nostramos can already instinctively obey.

For now, Morgan is quite satisfied with the progress, so she doesn't want to have any more nonsense with Conrad: continuing to communicate is not good for her heart, and will also make her angry. Once she gets angry, , you will eat too much involuntarily, and then face the failure of weight loss activities again.

She really paid too much for this flying boy from Nostramo.

The Spider Queen sighed silently, and was about to get up and leave, but at this moment, Conrad, who slowly stopped smiling, looked at Morgan's back, thought for a moment, and unexpectedly spoke on his own initiative, which was extremely rare.

"So, you are going to support Zhuang Sen?"

【We are going. 】

Morgan turned back, glanced at him, and keenly noticed the hesitant words.

【Do you have any opinion on Zhuang Sen? You haven't met yet, or in other words, has your lingering prophecy ability told you anything? 】

Conrad licked his teeth.

"Thanks to you, I haven't seen many prophecies in the past few years: but at certain times on Nostramo, I vaguely saw the man named Jonson in some broken illusions. The guy, and his stuff.”

【is there a problem? 】

The Spider Queen stopped, turned around slowly, and stared at her blood relative.

Conrad hesitated, his voice sounding like an irrelevant exhortation.

"Don't trust him too much."

【who? Johnson? 】

"He's not as reliable as he seems."

[I know this. 】

"In our bones, he and I are actually the same kind of people, the same creatures."

【……】

[I really didn’t see that. 】

Morgan chuckled, and a thought flashed through her mind: Could Coz's words just now be considered a scolding of himself? After all, his attitude towards Zhuang Sen was already obvious.

Unlike Morgan's smile, there was real seriousness on Conrad's face: this rare solemnity infected the Lord of the Second Legion very quickly, and soon, Morgan's face was also covered with the same expression. Seriousness and sincerity.

This scene even gave Conrad a rare touch.

[Is there anything you want to tell me: about our brother Jonson? 】

"That's it: don't trust him too much."

Conrad shrugged and spread his hands, looking quite helpless.

"He's a fool."

[Among our brothers, are there any who are not idiots at all? 】

"..."

"But he is different. His appearance is so confusing that even he himself was confused: Don't think that Jonson is such a reliable guy, Morgan, if you believe him from the bottom of your heart, then His behavior will only disappoint you."

[You seem to have little confidence in him: even though you haven't even met. 】

Conrad smiled contemptuously.

"Because I know what he will do, I know what he wants. I have seen it. I have seen how stupid and ridiculous this so-called imperial loyalist is in front of those important multiple-choice questions: he even has a comedian. of talent.”

“He couldn’t see his position clearly, he couldn’t recognize his own identity, he groped forward in the darkness with a half-knowledge, and accidentally set foot on the right path, but he also lost a lot because of it. : Of course, in his current understanding, those things are not important yet, and he will regret it later."

Conrad's sarcasm made the Spider Queen blink her eyes thoughtfully: According to the memory of Jonson in her heart, Morgan was convinced that the words of the Nostramo people were not groundless, but had real reference value. She couldn't help but hesitate and asked additional questions.

[Then tell me, for a knight like Jonson, is there anything that he can regret deeply? 】

"knight?!"

A high-pitched scream floated out of Conrad's voice, as if he heard an incomparable joke. The Nostramo opened his mouth and laughed heartily.

"Don't be fooled by him: what kind of knight is he? He is a beast, a bastard like me, a dagger coated with poison. When it is useful, it is cared for in every possible way, and when it is not, it is locked in a cabinet. ,Out of sight out of mind."

"But the really ridiculous thing is: He actually really believes that he is a knight. He actually thinks that he is a sword that can be hung on those triumphal ceremonies and auditoriums and become the benchmark of loyalty in the eyes of everyone."

Konrad laughed loudly, and his shrill scream like a night owl wandered in the dark room, causing the other Primarch to frown: But despite this, the Spider Queen did not care about his words. Feeling offended and angry, she just listened quietly and watched calmly, until the King of Night's wild laughter gradually relaxed, like the fading waves.

"Cough...cough..."

Conrad pretended to cough, avoiding the heart-stopping gaze, spreading his arms, and continued talking.

"So, that's the thing. Our great King of Knights is too noble, like a baby who doesn't understand anything, curled up in a terrifying armor, waving the power he has indiscriminately."

"Even the grandest temptation cannot sway him, but conversely, even the worst lie may mislead his thinking astray: Of course, if some just right points can be grasped, maybe this head A great lion can actually be easily led by someone with a heart."

"For example: you?"

【……】

The Spider Queen was silent for a moment, and this silence made Conrad's smile grammatically rampant: after realizing this, Morgan let out a cold hum, and her fingers cut the air in front of her, letting the Nostramo people Without hesitation, he raised the French military salute.

Of course, the disgusting, mocking smile on Conrad's face could never fade away.

"Does my reminder satisfy you, Lord Morgan?"

【……】

No, I can't beat him, I don't have time now.

[Good point: Unfortunately it is not comprehensive enough and has low reference value. 】

"After all, I'm not like you: intimate~"

【……】

Morgan slowly put her hands behind her back, suppressing the crackling between her finger bones. She was still smiling, but those smiles that seemed to have changed well made the Nostramos wisely give up. Return.

[So, do you have any other reminders to tell me? 】

Taking a deep breath, Morgan tried hard to make his words sound smooth.

Conrad shook his head.

"Don't give Jonson too much credit: that's all."

[You have been emphasizing this sentence: But from the beginning to the end, you have not said that there is anything despicable about Zhuang Sen that is not worthy of trust. Do you still want to accuse him of being reliable? 】

Conrad smiled.

"I don't doubt his reliability."

"I just doubt his mind."

【……】

[But you just said: You and him are actually the same kind of people. 】

"Yes, Zhuang Sen and I are actually the same kind of people: that's why I doubt his mind."

【……】

"Do you think people like me will be normal? Will they be trustworthy? Will they be the same kind of people as you guys? I really don't know Zhuang Sen, but I know myself very well."

【……】

That makes sense.

She was speechless.

——————

"So, this is the final plan?"

"Realistically, yes."

"Who is going to give it to the Primarch?"

"She should come in person, probably."

The Great Council Hall is undoubtedly one of the most important locations on the entire Dawn Goddess. The only ones that can rival or even surpass it in terms of status and reputation are the throne room of the Primarch and the Legion Arena. , Union Hall and a few other occasions.

Because the Glory Queen-class battleship happened to be parked in the Avalon system to rest, all the members of the Legion Council were actually present this time, which was extremely rare in the past ten years: but at the same time, This meeting was also extremely long and difficult.

Although there is only one topic, every congressman cannot reach the simplest consensus on this: In the mouth of their genetic mother, the sonorous and powerful phrase "all" refers to how much power should be mobilized?

Just for this one question, it took a full three hours to come up with an answer that made everyone feel reluctantly satisfied, but more or less uncomfortable: and it was at this time that it was as if it had been calculated in advance. As time passed, the footsteps of the Spider Queen came from far to near in the corridor.

In a solemn tribute, the original body sat on the main seat of the Council Hall for the first time in a long time: Compared with the silver throne between the thrones, the main seat of the Council Hall was undoubtedly softer, and it was entrenched on the steps, making the steps between them The feeling that the faces of each heir could be clearly seen also made the Spider Queen's brows soothed a lot.

[Has the outcome of the discussion been reached? 】

Morgan's inquiry allowed her to get a report hand-delivered by Marshall. She responded with a smile to the former Lord of the Legion who had retreated behind the scenes to guard the core territory of Avalon for the Legion and her, and was now the Captain of the First Company.

Although Marshall's health made it almost impossible for him to participate in any long expeditions, Morgan had no idea of ​​replacing him, because the First Captain had become a kind of totem, a kind of Primarch integrated with her Legion without any grudges. Togetherness symbol.

Moreover, Marshall indeed possesses extraordinary abilities and prestige. When he was guarding the Avalon sector, there was never any trouble, and a group of Terran veterans with outstanding achievements also respected their former leader.

In other words, if Marshall hadn't immediately taken the initiative to semi-retreat when Morgan returned and handed over all his power to Morgan, the mother of genes, the connection between the Spider Queen and the Dawnbreaker Legion might not have been the same. Smooth ground: Based on this alone, as long as Marshall wants to, he will always be an unshakable Captain under Morgan.

[Please summarize with me the results of your discussion. 】

Morgan opened the report folder, and following his usual practice, he read the written report and listened to the verbal report to find out the details that were not easy to detect.

"Yes, sir."

"According to the discussion in the Council: This expedition to the northwest of the Galaxy will involve forty companies at one time, which is more than 20,000 Astartes warriors."

[But I remember that as the Salamas sector was gradually integrated into the Avalon Federation in the past few years, the legion’s recruitment activities there were also going smoothly: According to the latest report, now my The legion's strength should have exceeded 30,000, right? 】

"Barely that number, my lord."

"But then again, of the 30,000 troops, at least 8,000 were recruited from Aegis, Gurgrad, Salamas and other Far Eastern border areas as the [Frontier March] unfolded. The new recruits, although they can already be called Astartes warriors, are still very inexperienced and their skills are very raw."

"Based on the knowledge we have learned about Ran Dan's alien empire during this period, putting these eight thousand new blood into the war against Ran Dan is tantamount to suicide: in order to gather these eight thousand People, we have traveled to almost every world under our control, and the next large-scale conscription like this will have to wait until the next generation."

[So we can’t move these 8,000 new soldiers. I know: You still left about 2,000 veterans. Is this the reason? 】

"We cannot expect these new recruits to protect all of Avalon."

【indeed so. 】

The Spider Queen nodded and agreed with her heir's words: Twenty thousand Dawnbreakers is indeed the current limit of the Far Eastern Frontier. It can even be said to be a huge gamble.

So, ignoring these issues, the Lord of Avalon turned his attention to the [Mortal Powers] that followed. After all, these mortal auxiliary armies, Mechanicus allies, and Titan Legions are also the most important to Avalon. One of the military forces.

[Two Titan legions: The Sun Legion and its knight families are all dispatched. The only requirement is that they hope to fight under my direct command. The other militant legion, because of our alliance with Reza, is destined not to be fully staffed. Join the expedition, but also commit more than half of your military strength. 】

Dawnbreaker nodded, with a hint of regret in his tone.

"It's a pity that we have never reached an agreement with the three forging worlds of the Triple Galaxy. Otherwise, if the three Titan legions they control are put into the expedition, they will be enough to change the entire galaxy."

[Even if we reach an agreement with them, it is impossible for them to devote such a huge amount of power to assist us: This is why the Triple Galaxy and I have not reached an agreement for a long time. They want too much. Reza was not in agreement with them at the beginning. In comparison, it's nothing more than that. 】

[But Riza is one of my first friends, and he is so far away from me: but these guys from the Triple Galaxy are right next to my bed. What qualifications do they have to talk about independence, equality and mutual benefit with me? 】

"Are you going to make war on them?"

[No, that's too rough. 】

A chilling smile appeared on the corner of Spider Queen's mouth. She did not continue to dwell on this topic, but turned over the document in her palm and looked at the remaining numbers.

[Four hundred battleships, this is nothing. The Dark Angels themselves do not lack naval power in the void. We can just bring a few more battleships: remember to inform them to bring excess supplies. If this is not possible, just bring more supply ships. , to be able to achieve complete and complete self-sufficiency. 】

The Dawnbreakers frowned, and Lana took a step forward at the bottom of the steps.

"Isn't this kind of thing usually left to the home combatants like the Dark Angels? Compared to the mortal captains under our command, the Legion Master of the First Legion is the actual person in charge."

【……】

The Spider Queen snorted lightly but did not reply.

On the other side, Hawthorne, who had not been seen for a long time, seemed to be thinking about other things.

"Of course, do those fortresses you brought back from the Gothic Sector need to be expeditioned together?"

【……No. 】

[No need for them yet. 】

"...But, even if there is only one..."

【Not even one. 】

The Spider Queen waved her hand and refused the proposal without explanation: Not to mention that the Blackstone Fortress had not yet had time to lay out armed arrays and various forts. There were only two attack methods. The transportation problem alone was enough to make her Intimidated.

Ouroboros, one of the three artifacts of the subspace, is on Caliban. She will most likely get all three of them together on this trip. When the time comes, the Emperor takes away the three artifacts, and she loses Tuchu Check the engine, how do you transport a big, slow thing like Blackstone Fortress from the northwest of the galaxy back to the far eastern frontier?

Is it possible that it can also be given to Zhuang Sen?

That's such a loss.

Thinking of this, the little calculation in the Spider Queen's heart let out an icy howl: Although the Dark Angels Legion looks very wealthy, Morgan knows that most of the precious treasures in the First Legion do not belong to them, but are gifts from the Emperor. , are not for sale, Zhuang Sen is not the owner of these killing weapons, he is just a warehouse manager with permission to use them.

If the gifts from the Emperor are excluded, then Morgan knows even better than himself the little wealth Jonson holds: even if he sells the King of Knights of Caliban himself, he probably won't be able to get the Blackstone Fortress back. This kind of galactic killer.

Moreover……

As if she thought of something, the Spider Queen's pupils dimmed.

Morgan understood: The biggest advantage of a weapon like Blackstone Fortress is its unknown nature. If it is used prematurely and its power and fighting methods are spied on by the outside world, its power will be greatly reduced.

After all, although the destructive power of Blackstone Fortress is unstoppable, it is not difficult to interrupt its offensive process: as long as there is a large battleship and a group of desperate crew members, Blackstone Fortress's killing move can be in vain. , and in this crazy galaxy, people who dare to sacrifice for their beliefs...

As many as stars.

In front of these fearless people, even the Blackstone Fortress is not invincible.

The Spider Queen knew this very well, so she made up her mind from the beginning: Unless she had to, she would never reveal the power of the Blackstone Fortress easily. She had to wait for the best opportunity, one that could reverse the situation of the entire galaxy. location to unleash these ancient disasters in her hands.

Now is not the time.

In her heart, the Lord of the Second Legion warned herself again, and her fingers unknowingly turned to the last page, where the deployment of the mortal auxiliary army was clearly arranged.

[So, are the Queen's Legion preparing to assemble eight million troops at once to participate in this expedition? 】

"Yes, my lord."

Marshall nodded.

"The Queen's Legion is the top ace force carefully selected from all the mortal auxiliary armies of the Avalon Federation. Their training requirements, equipment supplies, tactical styles, and even officer training processes are all directly in line with the Sun Those from the auxiliary army are even more exaggerated.”

"And the eight million troops invested in this expedition are all the elites of the Queen's Legion: without exception, they are officers and veterans of various units, and even instructors in officer training schools, or reserve officers. These troops are in They were all the top elites in their original world, but this time, they were all summoned to participate in the expedition."

"If their losses are too great, the entire Avalon Federation's mortal auxiliary army may have to be built from scratch: but despite this, we believe that there is only such a team that can meet what you said, what we have the full power of.”

【……】

【indeed so. 】

"One last thing, my lord: our Forge World allies."

[I will contact them personally, and I will ask them to fulfill their covenant and provide the most elite forces they have and can send: I believe that the Randan Empire’s accumulation over thousands of years is enough to smooth their situation here. The trauma suffered during the field expedition. 】

The Dawnbreakers nodded silently, and had no objections to the Primarch's decision: as the Queen of Avalon determined the amount of power that needed to be invested one by one, her heirs even felt a certain uneasiness.

Based on this level of investment, if anything goes wrong with this expedition, the entire Dawnbreaker Legion will probably be in an even worse state than before they reunited with their originator.

However, even with such worries and panic, no one would question Morgan's order. After all, the legions' mutual assistance is a silent understanding, and the Dawnbreakers and the Dark Angels do have a long-standing bond that can help each other. .

Besides, instead of worrying about the tragic future after failure, they should put all their thoughts into the battle and use sacrifice and courage to win an unsuspecting great victory for their original body and legion: this is what they do as Aspen. Tater warriors, what should be done.

With this simple realization, this long meeting finally ended with the final word of the Queen of Avalon. The entire Dawnbreaker Legion, the entire Avalon Federation, and even the entire Far Eastern Frontier were completely at this moment. The earth began to operate, and endless armies and vast supplies were used one after another, all just for a war far away on the other side of the galaxy, just for the most solemn promise.

Maybe when that promise first came into the world, it was just a joke with ulterior motives, but now: it is a promise, a promise forged with an army sweeping the world and a military front across the galaxy.

It is destined to be immortal.

——————

"News from the Far Eastern Frontier, sir."

As the most trusted steward of the Lion King, Coswayen can directly enter the command room of King Caliban without waiting for any answer after simply knocking on the door.

His face was filled with joy, and he was obviously excited by some good news: in the ten years since the Dark Angels' expedition to the dark stars, news that made people feel happy like this had appeared only a handful of times.

"Your Excellency Morgan has mobilized her legion and the world, and promised to join us as quickly as possible: This is a reply sent by her personally, and it also includes the strength of the Dawnbreaker Legion to devote to this expedition."

"..."

Jonson's face was ashen as ever. He stretched out a hand anxiously, took the letter from Coswein's hand, and read it silently and carefully.

The lion's eyes wandered through the Spider Queen's greetings and narration three times before slowly moving to the numbers at the bottom: each one can shake the world.

And when Jonson saw them for the first time: he frowned.

"..."

"Twenty thousand?"

"..."

"Why so few?"