Warhammer: In the Name of Nirvana

【Do I like...Thirteen? 】

When Morgan stood under the shadow extended by the wings behind Sanguinius, crossing her arms and chewing the archangel's question without changing her expression, she took the opportunity to blink her eyes just right, and turned the green The thoughts in the blue pupils were covered up.

In the mottled heart of the Lord of Avalon, a glimmer of joy was quietly flashing through: after experiencing such a chaotic pulling process and ritual nonsense, Morgan finally found this suitable opportunity and seized the opportunity between Sanguinius' words. A trace left behind.

Thirteen.

This is an interesting number: in the culture of the entire human empire, the number thirteen seems to carry two meanings: [sacred] and [unknown] at the same time, and with the return of a certain Macragge Archon, it He was also troubled by ignorant rumors, which added a bit of ambition for no apparent reason.

But Morgan knew that the number thirteen mentioned by Sanguinius at this time had nothing to do with Guilliman, and it had nothing to do with the so-called [Holy Number of the Emperor] in the rumor: it can be said that if Taken by itself, the number thirteen has no meaning in this conversation. It needs to be placed together with Sanguinius's previous words in order to understand its profound meaning.

So, what did the angel just say?

Morgan quickly recalled: Although Sanguinius's words were trivial, they were not obscure, and the Lord of Avalon could understand the meaning of his words almost instantly.

The archangel of Baal first quietly replaced the two concepts of "the original body returns to the empire" and "the original body serves the empire", allowing Morgan to change from the sixteenth original body to return. Becoming the fourteenth: Within the Empire, the number fourteen often refers to the 14th [Death Guard] Legion of the Astartes, of which Mortarion is the Primarch.

For Morgan, this is a very subtle number: Presumably, before the Archangel arrived, he had already known about the profound contradiction between Morgan and Lord Barbarus through various channels.

Based on the general arrogance of the Primarch, this contradiction is basically unsolvable. So in this case, Morgan can completely predict the number [fourteen].

From this, the Archangel puts himself and the Lord of Avalon in a clever position where they share the same hatred and hatred: just as Morgan hates the number fourteen relatively speaking, Sanguinius also hates the number ten relatively speaking. He even wanted to become the ninth Primarch to return.

So, is there a way to get both Sanguinius and Morgan out of this position they each hate at the same time?

…

Of course there is.

You must know that the Eleventh Primarch, who is being wiped out from all records of his existence by the Empire, will return second only to Horus and Leman Russ: if he completely disappears without a trace, then the Saint Gilles will return to his preferred ninth spot, and Morgan will shed her hated fourteenth spot.

…

Yes, although this reason and explanation sounds so absurd and unruly, it is indeed the most likely option that Morgan recommended after eliminating all impossible options.

Eliminate all impossibilities, and the remaining absurdity is reality.

Reality is always absurd.

So, that being the case, facing this question raised by Sanguinius at this time, this number raised.

Thirteen.

This would allow Morgan to get rid of the number fourteen, which she hated, and reach a new position by erasing one of the brothers who had returned before them.

And is he liked by the Lord of Avalon?

…

What answer does this angel want from her on this question?

Looking at the smiling amber pupils of Sanguinius, and the patient waiting and careful examination deep in the pupils, Morgan just blinked her cyan blue pupils and lowered her eyebrows.

She didn't think about it for long.

She also showed no affection.

So, she smiled wantonly.

——————

[Of course, Sanguinius. 】

[Of course I will like it, or rather, I love the number thirteen. 】

[In fact, my brother, within a certain range, thirteen is my favorite number. 】

[Who wouldn’t want to reach this wonderful location, right? 】

——————

Morgan suppressed the smile on her lips and made her answer sound as serious and sincere as possible, coming from a despicable heart.

When she puffed up her chest and said this answer proudly, it was no surprise that the Lord of Avalon saw the brief seriousness and helplessness in the suddenly narrowed amber pupils. of disappointment.

【……】

She had to admit: Sanguinius had a pair of beautiful pupils, even more valuable to be collected than his wings. If she could get them, she would not mind sleeping with these precious gems in her arms. , come and spend every silent midnight.

In Morgan's heart, a long-lost pleasure arose. She carefully grasped this piece of happiness, carefully kneading every texture and detail of it, until she felt the long-lost satisfaction in her exhausted heart.

It was only when the sediment of disappointment was about to fall to the ground and solidify into an eternal entity in the depths of Sanguinius's amber pupils that Morgan suddenly laughed.

She laughed suddenly, and it was precisely calculated, and the suddenness was just right, ensuring that when she started to laugh, the slight raise of the corner of her mouth could capture the archangel's last bit of disappointment, in those amber eyes. There are traces of sugar threads outlined in the pupils.

Remove the disappointment, let the heavy eyes sublime again, and let new hope and optimism light up like fire: In just a moment, in the angel's pupils, all the heaviness was taken away, leaving only lightness. .

It’s a moment worth waiting for, an intoxicating work of art.

Morgan thought this way: Everything was just as she expected, from a perfect statue that was almost like a god. Even if it was only for a moment, it was enough for people to plan for it.

After all, she was painting in the pupils of Sanguinius, splashing her own colors on the most precious work of art in the galaxy: what could be happier?

Morgan thought.

So, she spoke again.

——————

【but……】

The Lord of Avalon deliberately delayed this transition for a long time, until the hot air in her mouth gave birth to mist in this colder room, smeared on the crystal sculptures, and condensed into a mist on the tips of Sanguinius' wings. dew.

She blinked her eyes, as cunning as Leman Russ, and then took a step forward so that her voice could hit Sanguinius' breastplate, just like the archangel of Baal had said to her just now. as done.

[As I told you just now, Sanguinius: I am an introverted and passive character, which means that when the outside world hands me something, I am destined not to just like it. One of them is destined not to hate the vast majority of them. 】

"……Appreciate further details."

The angel's face was still as flawless as a marble sculpture. His eyebrows were slightly lowered. Obviously, he did not expect that the conversation would progress to this point. The brief hesitation also revealed his inner confusion, but he still He turned his body, maintaining a slow pace that anyone could keep up with, and stopped on Morgan's body, but this time, he was only less than half a body ahead of Morgan.

The light of the crystal illuminated the brother and sister who paused their stroll, forming tens of millions of broken reflections.

Morgan raised his neck slightly.

[In fact, among the range from ten to twenty, thirteen is indeed my favorite number, just like two is my favorite among the range from one to ten. 】

The Lord of Avalon narrowed her eyes to slits, and such a smile prevented Sangelius from seeing her pupils clearly.

[But my favorite number is thirteen, which does not mean that I hate other numbers. For me, numbers like ten, sixteen or eighteen are all admirable: eighteen is especially admirable. ,Is not it? 】

"..."

"Yes, I like Shiba very much too."

[As for fifteen and twenty, although they both have some problems, they are still acceptable. 】

[In fact, in this number range, apart from fourteen, there is only one number that I hate. 】

"..."

The Archangel's steps paused.

"Don't say it yet, Morgan, let me guess what the number is."

"Luckily there aren't many options, aren't there?"

Morgan didn't answer, she just pointed her pupils at the angel's pupils: the Primarch of the Blood Angel was still so natural and calm, with no trace of disguise. This great talent even made Morgan feel it. Slightly jealous, just like Conrad is always thinking about a brother who has not returned.

"..."

"The number is eleven, right?"

Sanguinius's words flowed into Morgan's ears, like a light dagger hitting a glass vessel, and the Lord of Avalon's eyebrows trembled slightly unconsciously: At this moment, She finally determined the purpose of the angel coming to talk to her.

And she doesn't intend to procrastinate on this issue any longer: procrastinating once will allow her to enjoy some despicable pleasure, but if the same trick is repeated, it will be too obvious.

She couldn't beat Sanguinius: not so close.

[No, Sanguinius. 】

Morgan answered briskly and quickly, landing almost at the same time as the archangel's sigh.

"Not Eleven?"

Sanguinius' brows furrowed, as if he was genuinely sad that he had guessed wrong.

Morgan did not answer her brother immediately. The Lord of Avalon just slowly walked to the sculpture next to him: Abel and Cain, two brothers who killed each other.

[You know, Sanguinius, among all my descendants, there is one that receives special favor and attention from me: his name is Hector. He is the first descendant to be truly reunited with me, and also The first Daybreaker to call me mother. 】

[So, in my heart, he will always be the special one, more special than all his brothers: I believe you can understand this feeling. 】

"Of course I can understand."

Sanguinius nodded briskly, always appearing sincere on these unrelated issues.

"Although my first meeting with my legion was a big scene: I saw almost all of them in the drizzle of rain, which made it impossible for me to identify which heir was the first to recognize me. person, but just by thinking about it in another’s shoes, I can understand the importance of Hector in your heart.”

"Did you appoint him as company commander for this reason?"

[No, of course not: the main thing is his outstanding ability. 】

【……】

[Have you actually heard of him? 】

Morgan was a little surprised, and her surprise was rewarded with a chuckle from Sanguinius.

"Have you forgotten, my sister: the most outstanding of Horus's sons is temporarily serving in your legions? In his letters to his battle brothers, he always boasts of many dawns. Hector and Ahriman are the characters he mentions most frequently, followed by Bayar.”

[Ah, I overlooked this: Abaddon and the Luna Wolves told Horus, and Horus told you? 】

"He doesn't like being secretive from me."

The angel smiled brightly and proudly.

Morgan nodded, she calmed down, turned around, and gently touched the face of the murderer of blood relatives in the statue with her fingers: how ferocious, exciting and fearful it was.

[You know what, brother. 】

[Hector is the commander of the 23rd company under my command, but after the expedition, in order to reward his meritorious service, I decided to promote him to the commander of the 11th company: that company was the commander of the 11th company after the expedition. He suffered heavy losses, and his number is on the verge of being erased. I will merge the two companies, and this favored heir will become a warrior carrying the number eleven. 】

"..."

[Company 11 is broken: But I don’t intend to give up this number. 】

"..."

[After all, eleven is a very powerful number, and the performance of the eleventh company during the expedition also impressed me deeply: I don’t have any superfluous emotions about this number, but I don’t hate it either. When I When I think of this number, I just feel a little emotional. 】

【It makes me sad. 】

[Just like this statue. 】

Morgan's fingers brushed the edge of the crystal sculpture, and then he turned away, never to look at it again.

[It also makes me sad. 】

【I don't like this statue. 】

[May it be forgotten: he should be forgotten by all. 】

"..."

Behind Morgan, Sanguinius, who had been thrown a few steps away by her, was standing there. He narrowed his eyes and looked at the statue of brothers fighting each other. He was silent for a moment, and then he couldn't suppress the smile on the corner of his mouth. An easy smile.

"That was an oversight on my part, Morgan."

"No one will like this kind of statue."

The wings behind the archangel were shaking unconsciously, exuding an indescribable sense of comfort and ease.

"Let's go over there and have a look."

As he spoke, Sanguinius quickened his pace and came to Morgan's side. With a casual finger, he pointed to the brighter center of the room, where there were countless statues of different shapes. They looked like they had been moved recently.

"Come, my sister, there are more works of art in this room than you can imagine. We can look at them while we're at it..."

"Let's talk slowly."

【certainly. 】

Morgan smiled brightly.

[Which one do you think we should see next? 】

"..."

Sanguinius' eyes narrowed, not meeting Morgan's gaze.

"How about the [Legion]?"

【……】

【It could not be better. 】

——————

very good.

Legion...

——————

[However, before we continue browsing and watching, I want to do something. 】

"Please say."

The archangel's light was far warmer and brighter than before.

[For now, this is just a little willfulness on my part. 】

As if she suddenly thought of something, the Lord of Avalon stopped. She turned around dignifiedly and walked quickly back a few steps, once again stopping in front of the statue of brothers fighting each other.

When Morgan placed her palms filled with psychic energy fluctuations on the fragile crystal artwork, she looked into Sanguinius's eyes with real kindness.

[Like I said: This statue really makes me sad. 】

[Although it contains very ancient values, I think that not all values ​​should be remembered and sung, or placed in a sacred palace. 】

As he spoke, Morgan smiled and looked at the archangel of Baal.

【May I? 】

[After all, you brought it. 】

"certainly."

Sanguinius held out a hand, smiling nonchalantly.

"This is indeed a work of art and a souvenir I brought from Baal, but it is not a priceless treasure, Morgan. Compared with the purity and kindness in your heart, these colorless stones are worthless. thing."

"Do what you want."

【Thank you very much. 】

Morgan smiled, and the angel also smiled. This is really a refreshing and harmonious pair of brothers and sisters: a naughty but well-behaved sister, a gentle and generous brother, even if a forbidden soldier is standing next to them. , will all think so.

And the next moment, amid the laughter between the brother and sister, and with a slight exertion of Morgan's fingertips, the violent spiritual power directly smashed the entire crystal statue. Countless broken lenses fluttered with the strong wind, and the entire crystal statue was shattered. The room was swallowed up in a storm of psychic energy.

Sanguinius stood upright at the center of this psychic storm, watching with a calm expression as his souvenirs were smashed to pieces by Morgan's power. His natural golden light made countless flying sand and stones unable to get close to him. His majestic body could not come close to his flawless smile.

The archangel couldn't figure out why Morgan did this: he just regarded it as a little willfulness of the Lord of Avalon: after all, compared to the [willfulness] of other brothers, Morgan was indeed well-behaved.

Just an unpleasant statue.

But with this concept in mind, Sanguinius subconsciously ignored one thing: when one of Morgan's hands blew up such a violent psychic storm that it covered the entire room, her other hand was Carrying it behind his back, he was also beating the rhythm of psychic energy.

This rhythm is so weak that no one will notice it when it floats slowly out of the room in the face of a violent storm.

Sanguinius also found nothing.

——————

However, Conrad found out.

Midnight Ghost took a deep breath.

At this time, he was climbing a high tower in the palace. This was not the famous Tower of Hegemony, but a more lonely but more exquisite tower, a tower that could be climbed by the Primarch with bare hands. Go up to the building.

Maybe there is a princess with long hair waiting for him?

When Conrad thought about this boring fairy tale, he laughed, and the claws tightly grasping the outer wall of the tower were slightly loosened, but this was not enough to shake the body of the original gene. He still Moving on the outer wall of the tower like a sensitive goat, even the patrolling Imperial Guards seemed to turn a blind eye to this uninvited guest.

Just when the Midnight Ghost was about to reach the top window, Conrad suddenly sensed something: without the slightest hesitation, the Midnight Ghost stopped his climb, and then his slender tongue stretched out, reaching towards The only vulnerable spot was near his face.

That was the neck that was not protected by the power armor. There, there was a trembling pendant. Midnight Ghost's overly long tongue wrapped around the melon pendant, and then threw it into his mouth.

Then, Morgan's message passed through the guidance of this psychic transmission beacon and rang in Conrad's mind: the message was very concise, and it was a real-time inquiry from the Lord of Avalon.

[Is there something wrong with Sanguinius’ Legion? 】

"ah……"

After hearing the question, Conrad smiled cruelly.

"Of course there is a problem, and it is a big problem that cannot be solved in ten thousand years."

"How was your chat with him, sis?"

【……】

[I’ll take care of you when I get back. 】

Morgan's words sounded unthreatening and angry, which made Conrad smile very happily: but after smiling, without Morgan's blessing, he told his sister about the matter in the most concise words. The Dark Past of the Blood Angels Legion.

【……】

【That's it? 】

"right."

"That's it."

【you sure……】

"Have fun chatting."

Without waiting for Morgan's next response, a certain Nostramo man who had finished what he should say spat out the pendant in his mouth. Then, he raised his head and saw the man he was about to climb to. windows.

…

He could already imagine how angry Morgan must be on the other side of the pendant.

Well, he hadn't seen the furious Carrion Queen for a long time, and he missed that look and the subsequent fists.

…

Forget it, it’s better not to miss the fists or anything like that.

Conrad curled his lips.

Although he is not a prince, and there is no princess inside, he does want to go inside that window for a meeting.

A meeting that was long overdue.

"..."

I hope this meeting will be worth it, otherwise the beating he will receive after returning will be in vain.

Conrad shook his head, thought for a moment, and then continued to climb.

And above his head.

In that window was a ruthless light like the sun.