Warhammer: In the Name of Nirvana

"Morgan, my sister."

"The Emperor sent me here to explain the truth to you and make you obedient."

Before they even took the first step, the Lord of Death couldn't wait to speak: when he spoke, the evening breeze of Ullanor happened to carry the heat of the distant campfire and slapped the faces of the two Primarchs. It melted away the heavy aura plaguing Morgan and made Mortarion's words clearly audible.

Even the slight emotional ups and downs that he carefully concealed behind his words were captured by the keen Spider Queen: Mortarion is not an expert in pretentiousness, he likes to show his pride and depression on his face, and Morgan But she has a well-developed perception of the secrets deep in everyone's mouth. Even Chagatai Khan cannot protect his inner world in front of her.

This is not a fair matchup.

Before the Lord of Death could finish his smug first sentence, the Spider Queen had already felt every emotion in his tone when he elaborated on these words: the first one was undoubtedly pride, because the Emperor The emperor's high regard and his straight back in front of his blood relatives was something that was expected.

But with pride like this, Morgan has seen almost identical imitations on the faces of at least fifty Imperial Guards: each of them, like the current Mortarion, served the Emperor. The order came specifically to come to Morgan and explain the truth to her.

The Lord of Death would not want to know what happened to these Custodes after they explained their reasoning.

Morgan smiled, but her brows were slightly frowned: because there was something in Mortarion's tone that Morgan couldn't figure out, or in other words, shouldn't appear in him.

That: Sympathy for Morgan? Or is it a kind of superior compassion based on brotherly blood? Is it the silent comfort of looking at the loser after thinking he has the winning ticket? Are you prepared to mercifully leave some escape route for her?

It had been a long time since anyone had dared to take such a stance against the Spider Queen.

[Explain the truth? 】

Morgan tilted his head and repeated it in Mortarion's eyes, sincerely confused by this word: They took their own steps at the same time, chasing the large army that had long since disappeared, at least twenty pairs The Custodes' eyes were still fixed on them, making the Lord of Death uncomfortable.

"That's right."

Mortarion nodded, trying to ignore these rude fellows.

[In other words, are you acting as a lobbyist for our father? 】

Morgan smiled. She observed with satisfaction that Mortarion's face froze for a moment because of her inquiry, and then began to twist with extreme uneasiness: He obviously did not intend to become the Emperor's [lobbyist], but There seems to be nothing wrong with Morgan's description?

There was a heavy grunt from behind the Lord of Death's dirty respirator, and the poisonous gas lingering behind him became even more joyful, unable to suppress the uneasiness in his heart: Morgan could hear Mortarion groaning when he was full of anguish. , the sound of constant grinding of teeth.

"It's not important!"

After a few seconds, a dry and vicious tone was spat out.

"The important thing is that you must understand the dangerous situation you people are in now!"

【Those of us? 】

Morgan hesitated for a moment, then looked at the Imperial Guards who had come to them. The Emperor's brave and fearless creations looked at each other in silence for a second, and then they unanimously chose to leave his sight, all as if they were listening. Not until the next conversation.

[Who do you mean by us: What does the Emperor think of my Legion of Dawnbreakers? 】

It took some effort for the original body to hide the uneasiness in her heart: she had to admit that she had a lot in common with Sanguinius on matters related to the Legion, but he was not as timid and fearful as the Archangel.

"Not them."

Without thinking, Mortarion spit out the real answer. He hated Morgan, but he had never thought of relying on this kind of information gap to torture Morgan: the Lord of Death resisted this behavior from the bottom of his heart. Because that's what he thought the Emperor would do.

"It's you: you! Sanguinius! Jaghatai Khan and Konrad! And everyone who is steeped in sorcery (he hesitated for a moment at the term idiot). Don't you know that you Are you going to be in trouble? Are you on the edge of the cliff?"

[In your description, aren’t we people always walking a tightrope? 】

Morgan spread his hands and deliberately showed an indifferent attitude, as if he didn't take Mortarion's warning seriously at all: the Lord of Death took a deep breath, he was angry at his sister's ignorance, The sound of grinding teeth became more and more harsh.

In anger, Mortarion of course did not ignore the light deep in Morgan's pupils. Instead, he turned his head and looked into the distance, with a rude tone as if he was going to end this meaningless conversation at the next moment and look towards Morgan. He spat his disdain fiercely and walked away.

Just imagining this scene is enough to make Mortarion feel elated: Maybe he should do this, the Lord of Death kept encouraging himself in his heart, why should he take care of these ignorant and arrogant guys? Isn't their destruction the result of their own pursuit?

He didn't have to worry about them.

Mortarion took a deep breath.

Then……

"Listen up, Morgan! Keep your weak, harmless ears open."

"I'll only explain it once!"

He raised his head and proudly grasped the power that immediately flew away.

Mortarion took a step forward. Morgan had never been so close to him: a pair of stubborn amber pupils hung in the deeply sunken eye sockets like a seriously ill patient, and his sour breath came from the bronze ventilator. Floating out, several strands of Morgan's hair continued to flutter with it. Mortarion's slender figure could barely cover the body of the Spider Queen, but the crashing sound of the bottles and jars hanging on his chest, But it really tortured Morgan's ears.

But what really makes people care about is the harsh words that the Lord of Death kept at all times: it was said to be pity but also a bit too proud, it was said to be family affection but a bit too angry, it was said to be responsibility, it was inevitably too casual, maybe even Motali An didn't even know why he was standing here trying to talk.

But he still said: This is almost an instinct derived from genes.

It can also be called reluctantly: kindness?

Anyway, Mortarion has never thought of himself in this aspect.

"You have crossed a line."

The primarch's voice hissed.

"One of you has crossed the line. He is foolishly seeking skin from the tiger, making friends and making deals with those who should be our enemies and are far beyond our understanding of reality: all of you will be affected by him! No matter you , you are still that irresponsible eagle! You will get yourself involved!"

These words made Morgan's eyelids jump.

[The eagle you are talking about: refers to Khan? 】

"No one else deserves it, right: it's a nickname full of honor."

The Lord of Death smiled.

"Jaghatai Khan is a brother with advantages and wisdom, but it is a pity that he did not put them to practical use. He could have had a greater future than he has now, instead of exposing his irresponsible side. : I hope he will regret it soon."

Mortarion explained his views on Jaghatai Khan in a tone that was all too familiar to Morgan: it was a kind of sympathy with hatred, which recognized the Great Khan's ability, but at the same time, His attitude and life choices were spurned, but underneath the spurning, a trace of hope was quietly buried, hoping that Khan could fight side by side with him, and that they could forge ahead on the same road.

But the most important thing is that when Mortarion finished speaking this sentence dullly, he first fell into a pause, and then glanced at Morgan with a strange look: The next sentence was low and fast, making People can’t hear clearly: He just wants people to be unable to hear clearly.

"the same as you."

Morgan pressed the corners of his mouth, as if he was still chewing on the previous sentence.

[You said someone crossed the line? 】

"You should be able to tell."

The Lord of Death's tone was contemptuous.

"When we all gathered on the starport, others might not be aware of the dangerous atmosphere, but you, my brother Morgan, you have sadly devoted decades of your time to the field of witchcraft. , can’t you smell that hateful smell now?”

"Magnus."

He cursed the name, without any hint of brotherhood in his words.

"He has crossed the line. The psychic aura all over his body is disgusting. I have killed countless despicable alien wizards, but I have never felt such a terrible stench. It is simply the most terrifying smell in the entire galaxy. :Do you know what Magnus smells like?"

[Like your body odor? 】

"..."

At this moment, the Lord of Death seemed to be seriously considering how to kill her.

"Be serious!"

His veins almost popped out, and his brass-colored gloves were flying in the air, carefully grazing Morgan's hair: showing off his inner anger like a child.

"We're talking about something serious!"

After saying that, he muttered something quickly.

"How dare those bastards tell me that you are a serious person."

"A bunch of blind people... all of them are blind..."

Mortarion shook his head sadly.

"That's the smell of the warp, Morgan!"

[How do you know: Have you ever gone on an outing while sailing in subspace? 】

"The Emperor told me so: he confirmed my suspicions in his conversation with me."

[Then you believed it? 】

[When it comes to the use of sorcery: Isn't the Emperor more egregious than Magnus? 】

These words silenced Mortarion.

He opened his mouth, but for a long time he couldn't come up with a reason that convinced Morgan. In the end, he said something incomprehensible.

"He had no reason to lie to me this time."

【This time? 】

"Yes."

Mortarion's heavy laughter came from under the cloak as gray as a cumulonimbus.

"You know Nicaea: where we're going after Ullanor."

"Do you know what's going to happen there?"

When they walked side by side and slowly walked down the last step of the Palace of Camelot, stepping onto the soil of heavy surveillance, the Lord of Death's mood improved visibly, and he whispered to Morgan in a triumphant tone. , as if he was trying his best to scare her.

[Assessment of psychics? 】

"assessment?"

Mortarion smiled.

"Do you wizards like to use such words to deceive yourselves and others?"

"It was a trial! It was the stake! It was a court-martial for Magnus!"

"And his Thousand Sons Legion: they are all guilty and deserve to be punished!"

Morgan was silent and nodded.

[Is that so: Has the Emperor decided to sentence him on Nikea? 】

"certainly."

Mortarion proudly showed his blood relatives the inside information he had received from Malcador, and he waited expectantly for the fear and consternation on Morgan's face before he rescued her in a savior: amber Her pupils were fixed on the Spider Queen's face, and her breath of anticipation filled her respirator.

But he soon became disillusioned.

"Didn't you hear clearly?"

At this moment, Mortarion repeated something confused.

"The Council of Nicaea will be the trial of Magnus and the Thousand Sons Legion!"

【Ah...then what? 】

Morgan nodded numbly.

[You don’t think the relationship between Magnus and I is really good, do you? 】

"..."

The Lord of Death was stunned for a moment, thinking about what was going on: before Morgan could open his mouth to explain further, Mortarion suddenly understood. His facial features relaxed with a clear look, and he glanced again He couldn't help but look at Morgan with a hint of contempt.

"Ah...I understand."

The Lord of Death smiled contemptuously.

"Friendships between wizards are always fragile: your selfishness does not surprise me."

Morgan blinked.

Forget it: he said yes.

"But you know what, Morgan."

Mortarion leaned forward defiantly.

"You don't think that everything will be fine if you betray Magnus, do you?"

"Like I said, those of you who are into sorcery will be affected: when the Emperor excommunicated Magnus for practicing sorcery, you who What should people do? Wizards are a label that cannot be shaken off from you."

[Does this have anything to do with you? 】

"certainly."

The primarch raised his head haughtily.

"The Emperor has promised: I will be Magnus's executioner. I will use truth and words to expose his true face. Nikea is the hunting ground prepared for me by the Emperor, and Magnus is the only one among them. a prey!”

[This makes you happy. 】

"Of course... no! Of course not!"

The radiance on the Lord of Death's face was quickly dismissed by Morgan himself after he realized what Morgan had asked. He began to cough heavily and vetoed his proposal for the Emperor's arrangement with a serious look on his face. Joy turned into a gesture of devotion.

"I will not be grateful for this small favor from the Emperor. I have no need to be grateful to him. He is just using my tenacity to achieve his own goals: I am doing this for the future of the entire empire. Even if the Emperor is on Magnus's side, I will march towards Nikaea like a warrior!"

"And face me like this, Morgan."

Mortarion stopped and stood a step away from the bonfire party, hiding in the shadows: even the hurried Astartes and mortals on the outermost periphery did not notice the two people facing each other in silence. As a primarch, as long as the Imperial Guards stayed fifty steps away, they were as silent as perfect statues.

The Lord of Death's tone was a little strange.

"You: Aren't you going to say something?"

【say something? 】

Morgan looked into Mortarion's pupils: although he was a little dodgeful, the anticipation deep in his eyes was still clearly there.

【You mean...】

The Spider Queen raised her eyebrows: she deliberately made her tone sound soft.

[I should ask for your help: I ​​hope you can use the Internet in Nikaia. 】

This [you] makes Mortarion feel warm and proud.

"after all……"

He coughed, pretending to cough every time he spoke a short sentence, making his voice sound hoarse and solemn.

"After all, even I have to admit one thing: Although a correct galaxy needs to completely eliminate the existence of witchcraft, that is a goal that is too far away. We must coexist with witchcraft for a long time, and in preparation There is a lot of room for weakening its influence little by little with domestication.”

"And at this time, like some less radical wizards who can be redeemed..."

"Those smart people who see the situation clearly and are willing to accept help."

"He...they can't get some favor and help from me."

"After all, no matter what..."

Mortarion glanced at Morgan without concealment. He deliberately stopped talking, wishing that the next moment he would see Morgan lower her head and beg for help from her toughest brother: death. The Spider Queen has already made up her mind, although the Spider Queen has been as annoying as ever since they first met.

"But your work over the years...has indeed been fruitful."

"We have to admit that retaining some of your work is generally beneficial."

"So, you, Jaghatai Khan, and of course Sanguinius."

Mortarion twisted his lips.

"If you want to get a...forgiveness from me on Nicaea."

"Then think about it carefully."

He gritted his teeth fiercely, trying to use this kind of intimidation to awe Morgan.

"Make a decision early: lest you suffer the same fate as Magnus."

"You shouldn't do this."

He muttered softly again.

"Think about it carefully, don't waste the advantages in you."

"I... I will always keep the power to forgive you."

After saying this, he seemed eager to hide in the shadows. Who knows this lie that made him somewhat embarrassed: but when looking at Morgan's pupils, Mortarion felt that he needed to emphasize it.

"After all, I am stronger than you all, and more resilient than you all."

"So, I can forgive you."

"Don't think of pushing it further: you still have to admit your mistakes and atone for your sins."

He left this sentence, and it seemed that he also left his last kindness. When the Lord of Death turned around impatiently and disappeared in the shadows in a hurry, he didn't even look at the smile on Morgan's face, nor did he see his reflection in Morgan's pupils.

But some voices seemed to stay in a place where only the Spider Queen could hear.

"There is one more thing."

——————

"I don't know what kind of magic potion you have fed the Emperor, Morgan."

"But the thing he prepared in the palace of Terra and on the moon has made the Emperor even more disgusting. He looks at every star with the same eyes as a tyrant. He seems to want to kill or enslave them."

"Remember my words."

"Whatever you are doing, weigh your own abilities carefully."

"Otherwise, the thing he secretly hid in a place unknown to the Mechanicus will destroy all of us. That is not something that should appear in our world. It is another damn witchcraft colossus!"

"..."

"He is almost repairing it."

"He is also going... crazy."