Warhammer: In the Name of Nirvana

"Listen to me, brother Leman Russ."

"I have heard of the unfortunate events that befell your mission, and I am here to feel sorry for their heroic sacrifice, but I also ask you to think carefully about whether your final verdict on Hriosa is too harsh. ? We don’t have to go to this point yet.”

Three days after Leman Russ buried thirteen of his men one after another with a traditional Fenrisian funeral, Prospero's great wizard and his 28th Expeditionary Fleet finally arrived belatedly. The Mandeville Point appeared, carrying nine thousand Magnus's warriors and hundreds of thousands of elite Sun Auxiliary Army soldiers named [Minaret Guards].

These mortal legions occupy an important position in the Thousand Sons' tactical system. They can help the sons of Magnus fill trenches, advance battle lines, mop up enemy troops, or perform any matter related to war: even Among the Sun Auxiliary Army, they are also ace divisions that can bravely compete at the forefront.

In the years when Magnus and the Thousand Sons Legion had just returned to Great Far Away, Terra sent professionals to conduct a thorough military assessment of the Fifteenth Legion, and ultimately came to two very glaring conclusions: Cardor's henchmen believed that Magnus's warriors relied too much on their psychic powers and mortal auxiliaries, and that this reliance had become their weakness.

In the report, this habit was even described as "excessive dependence".

The Terran Council had issued a blunt warning to Magnus about this. The performance of the Thousand Sons Legion on many battlefields had already shown that without psychic powers, most of their tactics would be ineffective and even unsustainable. battle front, and they couldn't even mount a real campaign on their own without a large auxiliary army: the Thousand Sons should figure out how to solve both problems.

Of course, the one-eyed king did not give any reply to Holy Terra. Maybe he himself was powerless to do anything about it, or maybe he thought that Terra was just making a fuss: it was obviously the same problem, so why didn't Terra blame the Dawnbreaker Legion? ?

Magnus did not reply, and Terra did not continue to ask questions. The Thousand Sons Legion was allowed to do as they pleased during the Great Crusade, indulging in their own hobbies or supporting other friendly forces: the One-Eyed King was not too concerned about the latter, but he still Leman Russ brought the main force of his legion over before the deadline.

Of course, this was not because he wanted to support Russ so much. It was just that during a routine exchange of letters, a certain Spider Queen next to Russ "inadvertently" revealed a piece of news to Magnus: Out of anger at the massacre of the envoys, Leman Russ has decided to impose an extermination order on Heliosa, which has a large collection of precious books and ancient knowledge.

This bad news directly caused the entire Thousand Sons Legion to operate efficiently. After arriving at the Convergence System, Magnus didn't even bother to chat through the holographic projector, but went straight to the Wolf King's flagship: Fortunately, he I haven't forgotten to inform Morgan and Angron.

This is an important point, because the Wolf King has been waiting for him for a long time, and Leman Russ's attitude is definitely not very good: he did not even greet his brother on the deck, but in a cold place In the bone-chilling stone chamber, Magnus waited for his plea.

"Did you come here in such a hurry just to say these words?"

Both Primarchs dismissed their men, knowing that the scene that followed might get a little ugly. The two sat down around a rough round table, and the Wolf King listened to Magnus with surprising patience. every word, and then bared his fangs and launched a counterattack without mercy.

"Your brothers and their heirs are bleeding and sweating here, and you turn a deaf ear. A library you don't know is about to be burned down, and you rush over here: You make me feel angry every time, Mag Noos.”

The Wolf King's voice was hoarse, and there was no intimacy in his words: Although Leman Russ and Magnus were connected by blood, there was no brotherhood between them. Without outsiders present, the two original They didn't even bother to hide their differences.

"You're changing your mind, Brother Russ."

The great wizard of Prospero still wears his famous golden armor, with two horns pointing forward on his chest: whenever Leman Russ's eyes inevitably glance over here, he will do his best. Do your best to make sure you don't laugh out loud.

But compared to the Wolf King, Magnus's voice was indeed calmer. He did not get angry because of Leman Russ's ridicule. Instead, he gently expressed his views in a tone that was almost pleading. .

"I repeat, I mourn the deaths of your envoys, and no one can deny the courage of their sacrifice for the Empire: but this nobility of spirit is no reason for you to vent your anger, my brother Fenris."

"It was the kings of Hriosa who made the big mistake by ordering the killing of these envoys, but your extermination order is to unreasonably destroy everyone in this world, those ignorant civilians and children, and What does this tragedy mean? Even if they take 10,000 steps back, these people should be given a chance to surrender to the empire."

"That big library of yours should get a chance, right?"

The Wolf King snorted coldly, his face looking cold and ruthless.

"Yes, I admit that my original motivation was to preserve the library."

Magnus nodded calmly.

"But this does not mean that I do not want to fight for an opportunity for the people above. This is a truth you cannot understand, Leman Russ: the truly great truth can involve the interests of many parties at the same time. After all, the core of the truth is to satisfy the interests of the majority."

"Yes, yes, you can always say great truths that others cannot understand."

The Wolf King raised his neck and simply looked directly at the ceiling, ignoring Magnus's long speech. He only used one sentence to ask the great wizard.

"Tell me, Magnus, since you are now arguing with me for the lives of these mortals, then on Drogon, how could you throw one of my companies to death without changing your face? You don't know their fate!"

Magnus was silent for a while, and his face showed a little fatigue.

"You always confuse people. What happened on Drogon is another matter. I asked my Black Crow School at that time. I transferred my power to other places only after ensuring victory in the war: you can't blame me for the sacrifice of those soldiers."

"Then why don't you let your descendants sacrifice in the trenches? Why don't you let them stand on those fronts! Let them ensure the victory of that war, instead of throwing my soldiers into the tide of greenskins?"

"They have more important tasks..."

"Dig those scraps with you?"

"Not scraps, they are very valuable relics! The technology contained in them is of great use to the empire, and can even greatly improve the current situation of the empire. At that time, countless people will..."

"Well."

The Wolf King sneered and interrupted Magnus again.

"It's been decades since we fought side by side on Drogon, and it's been decades since you dug up those scraps: tell me now, in what way have they improved the current situation of the empire? Where are the extraordinary technologies inside them?"

"Take one out and show it to us, open our eyes!"

"You can't be so impatient, Russ, technology and knowledge are very serious matters..."

"Aren't the lives of my soldiers serious!!!"

"The price has been paid for many years, where are the results you keep talking about?"

"How much more do you want us to pay to fill your unrepentant stupid head!"

"You..."

Leman Russ's fist and roar slammed heavily on the table. He interrupted Magnus' words again and again. Obviously, he had no interest in his brother's defense, but only accused him unilaterally: the great wizard held his forehead, and he felt extremely helpless about the current situation of a scholar meeting a soldier.

"Even the simplest truth, I'm afraid you are not blessed enough to enjoy it, brother."

After a long silence, Magnus could only mutter and shake his head: he was even amazed at his own tolerance and self-restraint. He had reached this point and did not fight directly with Leman Russ. This man was far more barbaric than Magnus had imagined at the beginning.

At this moment, even the original false friendship was difficult to maintain. The dangerous atmosphere lingered between the two Primarchs. None of them spoke, patiently waiting for the mediator in their hearts to arrive.

They didn't wait too long.

Because a few minutes later, three footsteps echoed in the corridor outside the door: the steady and heavy sound undoubtedly belonged to Angron, the tapping sound of high-heeled boots was exclusive to the Queen of Avalon among the Primarchs, and the other lighter footsteps made Magnus, who was frowning, instantly happy.

The great wizard turned his head and couldn't help but let out a long sigh: but he didn't notice that when his sight shifted, Leman Russ, who had originally shown a savage look, instantly dissipated his savage aura and sighed silently. The two guys who were incompatible with each other were actually in step at this moment.

Then, the two Primarchs stood up almost at the same time, ready to open the door to welcome their brothers: this soon caused a dispute, because Russ took a few quick steps and wanted to surpass Magnus to open the door first, but the Prospero obviously didn't want his brother to succeed, so the two of them squeezed together in the wide space, fighting for the fragile door handle.

The two intergalactic demigods used their elbows to fight each other, gritting their teeth like children: until they found that Angron had opened the door, and looked at the two unique brothers with a little confusion.

"What are you... doing?"

Angron's tone was a little confused.

"...Ahem..."

After a moment of silence, the Wolf King put his arm around Magnus's shoulders.

"Isn't this to welcome you?"

"Yes...to welcome you."

The Prosperos felt very uncomfortable having to squat, and Leman Russ's triumphant look made them even more angry.

(Magnus was the second tallest among the Primarchs, second only to Vulcan, and although there was no exact comparison of Leman Russ, he should not be considered tall among the Primarchs. I remember that he was shorter than Jonson)

"Especially you, brother Angron: Russ is telling me about your achievements."

"...Is that so."

Angron nodded. He wisely did not continue to ask questions. Instead, he turned sideways to reveal Morgan and Ahriman behind him: Angron's figure could completely block Morgan, and Morgan could also completely block Ahriman. This combination was like three Russian dolls.

"Ahriman!"

Seeing his child whom he had not seen for a long time, Magnus smiled and greeted him. His face was full of the love of a father. He carefully looked at Ahriman from head to toe, carefully touched his armor, felt the presence of his blood, and then pursed his lips. It seemed that there were thousands of words in his heart, but in the end, he could only utter a sigh.

"We haven't seen each other for fifty years?"

"Sixty years, father."

Ahriman bowed and saluted, but was helped up by Magnus.

"It's been a long time indeed: it seems you're doing well here with Morgan."

After saying that, the Prospero smiled gratefully at his Avalon blood relative, but Leman Russ standing beside him did not give them more opportunities to reminisce. He rudely interrupted the conversation between father and son, and pulled everyone back to the stone table to continue the conversation.

Magnus and Morgan sat next to each other, and Ahriman stood between them, impartial.

Almost at the moment when everyone sat down, the Wolf King put the topic he and Magnus had discussed before on the table, his eyes wandering between Angron and Morgan, looking forward to their answers.

"Any order of extermination should be treated with great caution, brother."

Angron was the first to speak, and his words made the great wizard's eyebrows and eyes relaxed.

"I understand your desire to order extermination of this world, Russ, but that should be the last resort: the military decree of the Empire has been clearly written. For any capable military commander, the extermination order will only be a shame."

(Here is a rumor to be dispelled. The Empire is not a prodigal son who issues extermination orders for no reason. In fact, in the concept of the Empire, the extermination order is a last resort. All commanders who issue extermination orders not only have to bear the huge shame of having no way to deal with the war situation, but most of them will be liquidated afterwards: even people like Jonson are just whirlwind torpedo negotiations most of the time)

"In other words, you also support us to carry out ground operations, Angron?"

Angron smiled at Russ.

"We can divide the palace areas of those kings into the battle zones of the wolf pack: chopping off their heads with your own hands is the best way to revenge, my brother, the shame brought by blood must be washed away with blood, otherwise it will become an abscess in your heart that cannot be erased."

The wolf king nodded, and he turned to look at Morgan on the other side.

And Morgan only had one sentence.

[You know, Russ, the Empire needs the wealth and population here, so our four legions are here: otherwise, a destroyer equipped with Modaris atmospheric missiles (the most powerful scaly weapon of the Empire) can do a small thing, why should all of us go to such lengths? ]

"..."

In public and private, Morgan and Angron have given their own answers, and Leman Russ did not continue to entangle. He ignored Magnus's smug face and remained silent in the following military talks, except for fighting for his own revenge area.

In addition, Magnus got the library of his dreams, and Morgan was very interested in those special breeding areas: this is the biggest feature of Heliossa. It not only has a complete human civilization left over from the Age of Strife, but also a large group of flying animals that have learned to coexist with the locals.

From tiny flying insects to pterosaurs that are so big that they can destroy Imperial fighter planes, and giant raptors with sharp beaks that can carry locals in mid-air fights: in the eyes of the Spider Queen, these things can become new wealth in the Far Eastern Frontier.

But this time, thinking of her kingdom, Morgan frowned.

"Shrike."

Angron's thick fingers tapped rhythmically on the table. He uttered the new name of the Imperial Army for Heliossa, which came from those fierce giant birds and was quickly accepted by several Primarchs.

"There is no doubt that the resistance will gather most of their forces in the giant mountain fortress called [Phoenix Cliff]. We can use it as our final meeting point, knock down the crow nests on the periphery first, and then destroy Phoenix Cliff in one go."

"Okay."

The Wolf King nodded.

"I just hope that some people's troops will not leave without saying goodbye this time."

"..."

Magnus glanced at his brother, and his good upbringing prevented him from getting angry.

The Primarchs discussed some more details until the end of the meeting. The fanatical war machine began to operate the power. Angron took his leave first. He and his legion will enjoy the honor of being the first to land on Shrike Star because of his concession in allocating the war zone.

Magnus followed closely behind. He didn't want to stay on this wolf ship for a second. The great wizard didn't forget to take his heir Ahriman with him, intending to have a good chat with his son: Morgan was stopped by Leman Russ. The Fenrisian seemed to have something to talk to his blood relative.

"That Ahriman."

Leman Russ meant something.

"Is he safe?"

Morgan thought for a while.

[He has friendship with some of your Space Wolves, Russ: Rune Priest Hedemaker of the Fifth Company, I think you should remember this name, go ask him, he will admit that he has a friend named Ahriman. ]

"Ah, I know him."

The Wolf King nodded, and he only showed a rough smile at this time.

"Hedemaker is trustworthy, I believe in his vision: then I am relieved."

[In this case, I also have a question to ask you. ]

Morgan turned around.

[You actually want to launch an extermination order against Shrike? And you have a conflict with Magnus because of this? This is not right, brother, you are not such a reckless person. ]

"I am indeed not."

The Wolf King smiled cunningly.

"But I was not the only one who saw those thirteen corpses, and I was not the only one who was irritated: I had to find a suitable reason, a poor guy who knew nothing and didn't care, to appease the resentment of my cubs."

"At least let them feel that it's not that I don't want revenge, but that some annoying guys obstructed my revenge and turned the extermination order into a massacre: anyway, my wolf pack can accept a revenge massacre."

[It's really interesting. ]

Morgan raised his mouth and looked at his brother with sarcasm.

[You have taken over your legion for more than a hundred years, but you still can't make your words count within the legion? ]

"You can do it?"

[Of course. ]

The Spider Queen straightened her chest.

[I don't even need to explain, because my descendants don't have the habit of disobeying orders, although this is not a good thing in many cases. I have to turn it around and encourage them to think independently from time to time, instead of blindly executing even the most ridiculous orders I issued. 】

"It sounds like you're showing off."

The wolf king grinned.

"Well, actually I can be a man of my word in my wolf pack, but if the cubs under my command go crazy, their weight is not just nine tripods: I don't think you can understand this uncontrollable, Morgan."

[......]

[No, I can understand. ]

After a moment of silence, the Spider Queen obviously thought of something bad.

"Would you like to talk about it?"

This time, it was Leman Russ' turn to lean towards his blood relative with interest.

"You looked a little bad from the beginning, but Magnus couldn't see it at all, and Angron didn't care about these things, but you still have me, I can be a friend of women... girls."

Morgan's eyes made the wolf king change his words at the last minute in time.

[It's not a big deal. ]

The Spider Queen rubbed her eyebrows.

[When Magnus arrived, I was reviewing the reports from the Far Eastern Frontier, but most of the reports this time were not good, and it was annoying to read: You don’t think my Great Avalon is always smooth sailing, right? ]

"You just don’t say it, right?"

[That’s right. ]

Morgan sighed.

[Bad news always exists. ]

[In the Southern Frontier, I failed in the healthy competition with Guilliman. Twelve worlds announced that they would join Ultramar, and one of them was even promised to my allies in the Tigrus Forge World in advance. I still have to find a way to appease them. ]

[In the Maelstrom, several worlds have just turned to Terra. The agents of the Sigillite played a great role in this, but another hero was my other ally Riza. Their oppression of those worlds was the direct cause, but I couldn’t blame them directly. ]

[In the northwest, a large greenskin pirate army just looted several worlds on my front line. Although the local garrison arrived in time and drove these greenskin bandits back, the local construction achievements of decades were burned. The original resource outflow area is now turning around, and I need to mobilize more resources to support them. ]

[But those greenskins were just driven out and may come back at any time. ]

[In the northeast, 47 of the 55 colonies and outposts spread out in the past three years were swallowed by the ghoul stars, and even three expedition fleets and two roaming merchant families who signed a long-term alliance with me disappeared without a trace: the military expenditure in the East is a bottomless pit, and the huge amount of materials filled in every year is just a drop in the bucket. ]

[There are also these, those, messy problems and war situations, the territory and land that are changing all the time, the number of good news and bad news is almost the same, but often ten good news can offset one bad news. 】

"You are troubled by this."

[No, this is not the point. ]

Morgan smiled weakly.

[What really gives me a headache is the latest anti-corruption report: my descendants will join hands with the Midnight Lords every year to carry out large-scale purges inside the Far Eastern Frontier. In the early years, it was still a large-scale purge, and later it was just an inspection of key star regions, and this year's results are even more different. ]

[It is no longer a purge, nor is it a cleansing of key star regions, but...]

Morgan was silent, and Leman Russ took the report she handed over.

"Well, they said that even if they have used all means, they can only curb the spread of corruption and interest groups and ensure that the main worlds are not affected: that is, the 350 core worlds you mentioned?"

[…That’s right.]

“What about the rest?”

[This…]

Morgan sighed.

[I’m not strong enough.]

[I can’t do anything.]

[I can’t kill them all.]

[…Ah…]

[Let him be.]