Warhammer: In the Name of Nirvana

There is a saying that goes: Every stage needs actors, but not every actor needs a stage.

The steps of the ring and the bright red curtain may be the promised land for most performers throughout their lives, but some people can still use their skills even if they are not standing on the stage, even if they are just sitting among the crowd. Every move attracts the attention of the camera and even the audience: they are already the center of the show without even being on stage.

From this point of view, as long as a thousand people are pointing at it, as long as everyone is watching, anyone will become an actor on the stage, and anyone will become the center of all attention: whether they want it or not, they will be pushed onto the stage. , withstand those eyes that are either expecting or questioning.

Of course, this kind of semi-forced debut will obviously not be a pleasant thing, and now, Morgan is facing such bad news that can bring her good mood to an abrupt end, and this bad news comes from On Leman Russ: A guy who doesn't really like to joke around.

In other words, he is most likely serious.

【……】

Morgan glanced at the Wolf King.

【……】

He just means it.

[The Warmaster’s...collar? 】

Like a question, like a simple soliloquy, Morgan chewed a few words over and over again while constantly adjusting his deep breathing to delay the various thoughts in his mind.

Opposite her, Leman Russ certainly saw these little moves by Morgan, but he just waited quietly, with no intention of disturbing or pursuing the victory.

"Yes, the Warmaster's collar."

The Wolf King of Fenris nodded, indicating that Morgan had heard correctly.

【……】

The Lord of Avalon reluctantly grinned, a little dumb: even with her tongue shining like a lotus, she couldn't give any answer to this simple sentence for a while: Morgan even felt that her next sentence, He spoke somewhat discontinuously.

【What a...】

[What about Leman Russ-like nouns. 】

"After all, I am a barbarian, and I am also a hound raised by the emperor: collars are an unforgettable great invention for canines like me: when I think of [domination] or [obedience] ] and other words, there will be a non-existent iron ring strangling my neck."

【...Not feeling good? 】

"You'll get used to it."

Leman Russ grinned, revealing a row of sharp canine teeth.

"After all, destiny is like a bunch of fucking Fenrisian ice trolls. They will always wander in the dark night of the snowfield in groups, wandering outside the tribe's fence, always thinking about giving you your head. Last minute: If you can’t deal with these near-immortal monsters on the spot, then you have to learn to adapt to their rhythm of survival and attack, and learn to coexist with them in this terrible world.”

"Fate is not fair. Happiness is almost bound to be followed by suffering, but suffering is often followed by no more joy: apart from learning to endure these sufferings and playing our own roles well, what else can we do?"

【……】

Morgan narrowed her eyes as she considered whether to delve deeper into the topic to make Leman Russ forget about his last proposal.

[Your character is the Emperor’s Wolf? 】

"He is the emperor's hound and the emperor's executioner. I personally prefer the former identity. After all, I like to eat meat and bark unscrupulously at some pretentious fools: I think you should be able to understand. This feeling.”

"Especially some guys, when they are right in front of you, doing some stupid things that you can't understand, and they are still there and are so proud, thinking that you are envious of the bits and pieces they have discovered, it is difficult for you to suppress it. The one who dwells in the evil spirit within his heart.”

"You understand me, right?"

【……】

【ah……】

[Of course I understand: especially since I'm also a psychic researcher. 】

Just blinking her eyes, Morgan understood Leman Russ' overly obvious hint. She raised her head, lowered her eyebrows, and exchanged a tacit and tacit smile with her wild brother.

"It's nice to see the same as you, but I've also heard that you and Magnus are on good terms: in fact, according to my intelligence network, Magnus has been in the presence of other Legiones Astartes warriors , listing you and Perturabo as his only two confidants in the galaxy."

[It is also novel that he did not include our genetic father in this position. 】

"He's not that bold yet."

"And honestly, being juxtaposed against those two is already a sympathetic thing."

[So, you have no ill intentions towards me? 】

"No, that's not the case."

The Wolf King shook his head.

"Although I hate the poisonous sunshine at noon, it does not mean that I hate the entire sun, nor does it mean that I hate the moon, which is the same star as the sun: everyone is an independent individual, Morgan, so we are Everyone’s evaluation should start from scratch.”

"Maybe you are Magnus's friend, but that doesn't mean that you can't be my friend: and at least so far, you are still an addition to me."

[That's a coincidence, Ruth, you are also an addition to me. 】

"After all, fighting side by side always brings true friendship, doesn't it? I even suspect that the reason why you are still friends with Magnus even though you know his stupidity is because you have shared life and death on the Dawn Star. "

[Not entirely: in the final analysis, our brother is not a bad person, he is just a little... inappropriately naive? 】

"That's stupid."

The Wolf King snorted coldly.

[But simple stupidity is not a sin, Ruth. 】

"He became a fool when we needed him to be a smart person, and that's a sin, Morgan: Stupidity may not make him a bad person, but there is a high probability that he will commit evil deeds."

"And from what I know about Magnus, he lacks the brave heart to bear the terrible consequences: that is, if becoming a villain helps him escape guilt or deceive himself, that guy is It is very possible that he will become a villain by chance."

[Then let’s not give him a chance to make mistakes: as the saying goes, doing more may not necessarily make more mistakes, and doing less may not necessarily make fewer mistakes, but it is definitely good not to do it. What’s more, Magnus is not a person obsessed with merit, is he? 】

【Moreover……】

Morgan looked at Leman Russ: The last words are the key point.

[He is our brother after all. 】

"..."

The Wolf King let out a long sigh.

"Yes, I hope so: he is our brother after all, as you say."

Leman Russ muttered and shook his head.

"I hope he can understand his own weight and his position: as I said before, do what you have to do and don't belittle yourself."

"Seriously, Morgan: I wouldn't mind being friends with this red-skinned Prospero if Magnus were only one-tenth as happy as you are: and of course he'd probably be even less willing to be with me. Just friends.”

"After all, Magnus may appreciate people like you and Perturabo, or perhaps Chagatai Khan's elegance and erudition are more to his liking. As for the other brothers, in his eyes He's inferior, he definitely doesn't bother to discuss Muggle matters with us."

[Where did you learn the word muggle, Ruth? 】

"Conrad taught me."

"He's much smarter than Magnus."

There was almost visible prejudice and slander in Leman Russ's words, and Morgan also smiled and said nothing more: Magnus was not worth her effort to defend, and he was not Jonson or Johnson. Conrad.

Compared to these, Morgan was more concerned about another thing.

[Tell me, Ruth, how serious are you in what you just said? 】

"!"

Hearing this, the Wolf King's pupils widened in an instant. He first raised his eyebrows instinctively, then turned his neck and looked at Morgan's face with all his attention: The expression on the Fenrisian's face was as if What Morgan just said was not a question, but an invitation to drink all night long.

But soon, a sly smile appeared on the Wolf King's face.

"What? Do you really have any ideas about the position of Warmaster?"

【I……】

"It doesn't matter if you have ideas. Although the sentence just now was more of a joke, if this joke can motivate you, I am willing to make this joke become the truth, my dear sister."

"For me, whether I vote for Jonson or Horus, there is actually no more difference. I have fought side by side with Jonson, but I also have a deep comradeship with Horus. even more."

"It's just that, after I have comprehensively considered the various factors required for the position of Warmaster, as well as their respective advantages and disadvantages, I feel that you, Morgan, may be more suitable for this position that focuses on coordination."

【No! 】

Morgan shook his head: Leman Russ's words were like a barrage of words, leaving no room for anyone to interrupt, until the Wolf King spit out a large section of his statement, in the air that became a bit hot. , the Lord of Avalon was able to tell her answer.

[I will never become the Warmaster of the Empire, Russ: Never. 】

"Don't talk so much, Morgan."

[You don’t need to worry about this: even if our genetic father puts the Warmaster’s crown directly in front of me, I will find ways to push it to any one of you, as long as it is not worn on my head. Just go up. 】

"..."

For the first time, the Wolf King fell silent, his pupils flashing with confusion.

"Why?"

After a long while, Leman Russ managed to squeeze out these words.

But Morgan just looked at him and responded with a calm smile: the Spider Queen had walked out of the initial chaos, and the thoughts in her mind were like a clockwork machine, constantly running, writing this story for Morgan. Every direction the conversation could go.

[Then let me ask you a question in turn, my dear Russ: Why do you think I can become a war master? 】

"..."

Once again, Leman Russ fell silent, but this time, his silence did not last long: after a brief thought of less than a few seconds, the Fenrisian suddenly straightened his wolfskin cloak and looked at him. Morgan waved, then turned around and walked to the other side of the room without looking back, where there was a set of rough stone tables and chairs, as well as a few scattered bottles of wine: on any space ship It seems that endless amounts of alcohol can always be seen in any corner of the Wolf Legion battleship.

"Come here. Morgan."

"Sit down and let's talk."

Leman Russ raised a crude cup: his expression was serious.

——————

"What do you think the position of Warmaster is used for, Morgan?"

The wine is good wine. It is poured into a rough stone cup made by Fenris. It is clear and refreshing, with a mellow aroma. Along with the gentle breeze coming from the corridor of the ship, the heavy precipitation from the ice and snow world is floating in the air: but in On both sides of the stone table, neither the King of Beasts, who was usually a heavy drinker, but Ms. Avalon, who actually didn't like drinking very much, had any intention of tasting the fine wine at the moment.

[It depends on time. Everything created has two moments when it is given its meaning: when it is being created, it is its creator who gives it meaning, and when it is being created. When it is created and placed in front of everyone, it is the world that gives it meaning. 】

[In history, there are countless inventions whose actual uses are completely different from their original intentions: considering that now, the Warmaster is just something that is held in the hands of the Emperor and can be canceled at any time, then giving it The meaning is of course our great genetic father. 】

"But the rights and implications of the position of Warmaster granted by our genetic father are too many, aren't they?"

Leman Russ picked up the wine flask and poured the fine wine into the rough wine glass in front of him casually. Regardless of the precious wine being poured on the stone table in a daze, he winked at Morgan. He blinked and smiled.

"To be honest, although the Warmaster's rumors have appeared for a long time, no one took it seriously for a long time. Even Horus thought it was just a rumor spread by mortals. A joke: because no one would think that the Emperor would actually create a Warmaster."

"And when the Emperor acknowledged the possibility of Warmaster in certain public occasions, even guys like Magnus, Lorgar and even Mortarion realized that there was something wrong with this position. Even weird.”

"I can even tell you this: Except for Zhuangson and Ferus, no one likes the position of Warmaster. Maybe many of our brothers want to compete for this position, but no one likes the position of Warmaster. of existence itself.”

"Because it's so broad: equal rights with the Emperor, do you know what that means? It means that one of our brothers will ascend from among us, that we are no longer a family, but a family. The hierarchical upper and lower classes also mean that the former harmony will no longer exist, but will be replaced by tough orders and requirements."

"We are no longer brothers. The brother who becomes the Warmaster will become our new master."

"Of course, I don't care about these things, but this does not prevent some of our brothers from being very sensitive in this regard. They care very much."

"No one wants these things."

[Actually, there is a more important reason that you didn’t say, right? 】

Morgan smiled and looked at the stone cup filled with fine wine in front of him.

[The emergence of a Warmaster who takes over the Emperor's responsibilities means that the Emperor can free up his hands from the Great Crusade and go somewhere else: no matter where he goes or what he wants to do, it means that he will leave us. 】

[I am afraid that this is the reason why some brothers are really angry: if the price of the Warmaster is the departure of the Emperor, then Horus will definitely find it very difficult to accept it. 】

"Maybe."

The Fenrisian smiled and bared his teeth at Morgan: In front of the Lord of Avalon, Leman Russ always seemed to be very open-minded, without any brotherly attitude at all.

"But whether it's dissatisfaction with the position of Warmaster itself, or fear of the future where the Emperor may leave the Great Crusade, in any case, except for the two guys Ferrus and Jonson, in fact, we generally He dislikes the position of Warmaster: not even Horus likes it very much, although he regards it as something in his pocket, but a man cannot like everything in his pocket."

[So, you repeated what you just said again. What do you want to say? 】

"So, I actually want to ask you something, Morgan: some questions have been echoing in my mind for a long time, but I have been having trouble finding the right person to help me answer them."

"Although I have friends among my brothers, in the past, we lacked one... you know: someone like Lord Malcador."

"But now I have you."

【……】

[Can’t Guilliman? 】

"...Guilliman?"

"..."

"Ha! Guilliman?"

"Are you sure, Morgan?"

【……】

[Forget it, pretend I didn’t say anything. 】

Morgan shook his head, while Leman Russ smiled and nodded.

[Then, what do you want to ask? 】

Morgan narrowed his eyes slightly and looked at the Wolf King's face carefully: the Lord of Avalon instinctively sensed that the reason why Leman Russ encouraged her to run for war may lie in the following question.

"..."

The Wolf King was silent for a moment, and the cheerful atmosphere on his body disappeared without a trace in an instant, replaced by a calmer and more melancholy atmosphere.

"Morgan, you said..."

"Obviously everyone will find the problem with the position of Warmaster, and obviously no one will think this is a good idea: So, why does the Emperor continue to encourage the establishment of the position of Warmaster, and even encourages our brothers to fight against each other? Competition, why would he do this?”

[What you want to ask is, why did he choose to escape from the Great Crusade? 】

"...More or less: I can actually feel that Quan's father is not more interested in war and conquest. Lord Malcador told me about this, but I still can't figure out the reason why he left the Great Expedition. , Obviously this is the top priority of the empire, and this is obviously the only way for mankind to obtain a future."

"In other words, since he can leave the most important mission of the Great Expedition."

"That can only be..."

[It can only be that he still has a more important task that needs to be carried out and supervised personally. For this reason, he can even give up the necessity of personally visiting the front lines of the Great Expedition: but he has not disclosed to us at all about this. Every detail on important tasks. 】

Morgan had a cold face. She said this sentence in an official tone, and she was satisfied to see Leman Russ's face change as Morgan said this sentence without mercy. Some were livid.

[Are you worried about this? 】

"..."

The Wolf King of Fenris didn't look very good-looking: but he still nodded.

"Yes, I don't know what he is hiding from us: but I instinctively feel that you should know the answer to this question, Morgan."

【……】

【Why do you think so? 】

"Not everyone can let the Emperor reside in her soul and fight alongside her."

【……】

Morgan looked at the Wolf King, and Leman Russ gave him a harmless smile.

[Do I have to answer? 】

"Of course you don't have to answer: I understand your difficulty, Morgan."

【……】

[Okay, Riemann. 】

[If you want to get an answer from me, I have no comment. 】

As she spoke, Morgan placed her two hands on the stone table, intertwined her fingers, and her eyes caught the disappointment in Leman Russ's pupils: So, a new question arises. The Spider Queen was born in her heart.

Why should she, in order to preserve the Emperor's order, let her image be subtracted among her brothers, although a subtraction may seem insignificant: but wouldn't it be better if she didn't?

【but……】

The Lord of Avalon suddenly changed his tone.

"But what?"

Leman Russ leaned forward.

[No, we can tell a story that doesn’t exist. 】

"story?"

[Yes, story. 】

Morgan dipped the wine in the glass and drew simple patterns on the stone table. They were a crown, a book and a sword.

[Now, let’s assume: Let’s assume there is such an empire. The emperor of this empire has a minister and a general under his command. Now, let’s assume that this emperor has a very important, very great, and requires a high degree of confidentiality. An important task that is best kept secret so that no one will know about it: a task that is so important that even his generals and ministers would best not know the slightest bit about it. 】

"Even an heir?"

[This is a hypothesis, Riemann. 】

"...That's right."

The Wolf King nodded, a smile on his lips.

Morgan rubbed his hands and continued.

[So now, let us assume that the ministers in this hypothetical empire accidentally knew the great plan of this hypothetical emperor: of course he was forced to know, and therefore had to join the highest degree of confidentiality, then he should not Should he go against his own heart and tell this hypothetical great plan to another hypothetical general? Although this kind of informing would not bring any benefits to him or the general, it would add new possibilities of disaster to the plan. 】

【Um? 】

Morgan raised an eyebrow and looked at her brother, while Leman Russ fell into a thoughtful state of mind.

"ah……"

"Of course it shouldn't be, Morgan: a little curiosity and self-doubt are not worth mentioning in the face of truly important plans, not to mention that sometimes, just knowing the existence itself is enough to reassure those who know nothing. ”

[I'm glad we think alike. 】

Morgan smiled, and Leman Russ also smiled. The two primarchs looked at each other again, and they saw their appreciation for each other in each other's pupils: at this moment, they were once again sure that their The blood relative is indeed a truly smart man.

So, the two of them raised the stone cups in their hands in unison, and with a crisp collision sound, they did not drink the wine, but let the fine wine pour on the stone table, reflecting their tacit smiles.

"Thanks for the story, Morgan."

【It’s just a little effort. Compared with these things, I am more curious about the reason why you recommended me as Warmaster, Riemann. 】

"I guess I already know that: you're so smart after all."

The Wolf King blinked, looking forward to Morgan's answer.

[Let me think about it. 】

Morgan started to pretend to [think hard] for a while.

[Is this a weakening? 】

She raised her empty glass: the wine had spilled from the collision.

[You feel that the establishment of the position of Warmaster is a mistake, and since this mistake is unavoidable, you want to reduce the damage that this mistake can cause: So, set up a Warmaster who is not so tough, or who is well aware of it. handsome. It becomes a good remedy. 】

"So I say, you are really suitable to be a war master."

Leman Russ shook his head, his sighs and emotions were sincere.

"Frankly speaking, I think the so-called Warmaster does not necessarily need to be an excellent general. In fact, he should be an outstanding coordinator or a truly smart person: and among our brothers, the truly smart people Not many actually, you are one of them.”

[Does Horus not count? 】

"Horus was certainly intelligent, but he did not possess the intelligence required of a Warmaster."

"Humility, concession, empathy, consideration for others, a slight moral vacuum while maintaining the bottom line, and the unshakable bottom line under the moral vacuum, as well as the ability to break through one's own interests and focus on the galaxy and the galaxy Overall view: I don’t deny that Horus himself is very good, but I don’t think he fully meets any of the above points.”

[So, do you think I am the most capable of becoming a war commander? 】

"No."

The Wolf King shook his head.

"You are actually not the best choice, Morgan: there is no perfect choice for a wrong position. You are just the most suitable person. In the position of Warmaster, you are the most likely to not be the best choice." Someone who will go crazy and not make everything worse.”

"I'm taking a lower limit, not a theoretical upper limit for the position."

[But this lower limit has now escaped the post of war commander. 】

[She now sacrifices Jonson for this. 】

Morgan smiled. She didn't care at all about the subtle offense in Leman Russ's words, just like Leman Russ himself didn't care: after confirming that her brother was really a smart man, whether it was Morgan or Leman Russ is a little more relaxed.

"Yes, poor lion."

The Fenrisians let out a gloating laugh.

"So, I actually thought of an alternative plan, and I am more optimistic about this plan."

[It is unprecedented that one original body can have two plans. 】

Morgan sincerely lamented: She was very aware of the arrogance of her blood relatives, and they never seemed to think of the possibility of failure.

[What is that plan? 】

"Now is not the time to discuss this plan in detail, Morgan. We are almost at Mandeville Point in the solar system. You should also drag Jonson and Conrad out. Remember to dress them up. There’s always a bit of pretense on Holy Terra.”

The Wolf King shook his head, as if he remembered some distant memory.

"However, Jonson may not need you to worry about this. Go see Conrad."

[It’s still Johnson. 】

"……how?"

[Most of the time, Jonson is indeed more reassuring than Conrad, but at certain important times, the probability of Jonson going crazy is much higher than that of Conrad. 】

"What's the meaning?"

【Do you want to hear the truth or lies? 】

"Of course it's the truth."

【The truth is...】

Morgan touched his forehead.

[Conrad received a lot of realism education under my kind care. He did not dare to give me a thorn in important matters, but Zhuangson lacked this precious asset, so I am not sure he would What to do. 】

"..."

"..."

"really."

Leman Russ nodded.

"Then let's go find Jonson. I'll go with you. Just in time, we can talk about my second plan on the way, the plan about the Warmaster's Council: If possible, I still count on it. You can help me convince Zhuang Sen."

[Let me ask first, will this plan regarding the Warmaster Council abolish the position of Warmaster itself? 】

"Probably not. My biggest ambition for it is just to limit the rights of the Warmaster."

[Oh, that’s okay. 】

【Leave it to me, Zhuang Sen. 】