Warhammer: In the Name of Nirvana

That was an insignificant moment

A moment that even Morgan himself had long forgotten.

However, Zhuang Sen remembered it clearly.

——————

[The most efficient method and the best method are not synonymous. My Lord, reason and sensibility are a pair of conjoined twins full of contradictions. 】

[To put it lightly, if the fastest way to destroy Ran Dan is to disintegrate the First Legion, what choice will you make? 】

——————

Jonson remembers that day.

It was a very ordinary day.

Between the second and third years when Morgan officially became his psychic advisor, that is, around the fifth Terran standard year when Randan's army started this war, the Imperial fleet had just arrived in Vola The Ston galaxy achieved an extremely difficult victory and obtained a dirty medal purely made of flesh and blood.

Millions of elites from the two galactic hegemonies are fighting over an entire food-producing sector. Just one cutting-edge fortress world would require the lives of 1.4 million mortal auxiliaries and a thousand Dark Angels to wipe out. , and there are a total of twenty-two fully armed worlds like this in the entire Wollaston sector.

Not to mention, the Randan war engine cluster that stretches across the center of the star sector has six battle moons and thousands of capital ships. In the Dark Angel's documents, this fleet has the most jarring name: [ The most powerful, blasphemous, craziest opponent ever seen, Ran Dan's invincible fleet. 】

Just to tear through the outer defense line and invade Wollaston's main system, it took the First Army a full six months.

And it wasn't until the silver-haired Miss [Soul Drinker] tore apart the Ran Dan fleet's flagship and the two largest battleships in one fell swoop through a long spell that the Dark Angel's vanguard caught the alien army and lost sight of one thing because of the loss of their command structure. In the brief interval, a real breath rushed into the Wollaston galaxy.

But despite this, the battles of attack, annihilation, encirclement and breakout in the main system still lasted for more than two hundred Terran standard days. The blood of at least five thousand Dark Angels was completely drained on this land. The number of fallen Randan warriors was more than thirty times that number.

For any Legion of Astartes, this is a great victory that can be engraved into any monument on the Queen of Glory. It is a moment that can be remembered with a grand military parade and a series of hymns.

But the First Legion was the only exception: no celebrations, no medals, not even murmurs of admiration circulated between mortals and other legions. The main body of the Dark Angels left without hesitation the moment the battle ended. All that was taken away from here was the exhaustion, the blood of his comrades, and more orders from Zhuang Sen.

From that moment on, almost no one remembered Wollaston's name anymore. This tragic battlefield with tens of thousands of corpses and wreckage of battleships became the most ordinary of the unknown achievements of the First Army. one of.

But not everyone has forgotten the name.

Even the Astartes warriors are not true, pure, out-and-out war machines and ruthless butchers, especially in this soaring era, in this era when every legion sings triumphant songs and is beaming with joy.

When the ruins of Wollaston were completely left behind, the whispers and vicious remarks on the "Indomitable Truth" had already become rampant, and even flowed into the genetic code with a deliberately provocative attitude. body ears.

They, the Terrans, certainly had reason to be dissatisfied.

Jonson took over the war with Ran Dan for only a few years, and during this fleeting period, he consumed at least one-third of the Terran veterans in the legion, or even more. Shana, to Sabis, and now to Wollaston, Ran Dan's arrogance remains undiminished, but the Dark Angel's army has actually lost more than 30,000 soldiers, of which at least 20,000 are Tai. Pull people.

You know, when Jonson returned to the empire, the total number of soldiers in the entire First Legion was only more than 60,000. Even if the Primarch used Caliban's new blood to increase this number to 100,000, these companies were the most basic. The new recruits who could not execute the tactics perfectly could not survive the bloody Shura field with the Randan Empire. Those who succeeded in this war would always be warriors from Terra.

Countless honorable companies never came back after a tragic battle. Countless monasteries with outstanding achievements cut off their inheritance after a bloody battle. Countless warships were destroyed, and countless positions were left vacant. Until those Calibans learned the skills of fighting, sat in positions stained red by the blood of their predecessors, and stretched out their hands to embrace the tradition and honor of the legion.

Until the Primarch, who would never be tired, walked out of a bloody Shura field, then raised his head, looked around Xingyu with ruthless eyes, and then threw himself and his legion into another endless battle. In the midst of a fierce battle.

His eyes never seemed to fall on Zi Si.

It was as if he alone could represent everyone.

It was as if everything he did was to chop off the next head.

It was as if he never cared about death and loss, and never thought that anyone other than himself could carry it all.

How arrogant.

How heartless.

How crazy.

There are always Terrans complaining like this.

Their whispers wandered among the legions, among the battleships, and in Jonson's ears.

It was in this wave of whispers that the Primarch of the First Legion opened the door to the training ground.

——————

Morgan, who had been waiting for a long time, saluted him, her body still reverberating with the air waves caused by over-squeezing spiritual energy.

This was the first training session after the Battle of Wollaston, and it was supposed to be an unremarkable one.

But when Zhuang Sen raised the [Lion Sword] and listened quietly to the roiling sound in the sea of ​​souls, his heart was suddenly filled with a question. This was a question that he had wanted to confide a long time ago, but he had always There was no one to talk to.

Luther couldn't do it. He was too far away from the war, so far away that he could no longer grasp the flow of blood.

Neither can Kaos. Jonson is not willing to let him bear the burden of this problem. He deserves more expectations and trust to accomplish real great things.

Nemir is also unqualified. Although this former Knight of Caliban is upright and trustworthy, his advice will only be the most standard Knights' Charter and Imperial Decree.

As for those Terrans, there is no need to consider that although their suggestions may be sincere, sincere and wise, their identities are not suitable for this problem.

He needs something different, some characters who are rebellious and alternative enough and irrelevant. He needs some different voices, even if they are worthless, even if he will not seriously adopt them at all.

The Primarch raised his eyes and looked at the mortal who was chanting the magic circle a hundred meters away.

——————

【Are you tired? 】

...?

Morgan, who was pretending to be chanting those long spells, was stunned for a moment, and then realized that this was Zhuang Sen's question.

This is a rare thing. In the past training, the Primarch of the First Legion would often not say a word from the beginning to the end.

Morgan tilted his head, letting the spiritual energy gather on his raised fingertips.

【exhausted? 】

Psychic arrows were fired together with this rhetorical question, aiming overwhelmingly at the Primarch.

Zhuang Sen did not dodge. He casually moved his shoulders and scattered these small tricks until the last void arrow was shot at him.

In a daze, the Primarch actually saw the angry figure of Coswayne. His descendant was holding a big sword high and jumping in the air. The dazzling edge was aimed at his head, and his eyes were full of ruthlessness. Spicy and decisive colors.

This scene was so real that Zhuang Sen could even see the sweat dripping down his son's neck, the wet thick eyebrows squeezed by his pupils, and his lips that were wide open due to nervousness and fear, spitting out Symbolizing furious saliva and heat.

The Primarch frowned, turned his wrist, and swung the sword in his palm with a hurricane, tearing the false heir in front of him into pieces in the blink of an eye.

[Phantom...]

He roared in dissatisfaction, like a hungry lion looking at its prey that had escaped.

[You are always keen on illusions, without any value or novelty. 】

From a distance, the Primarch answered with a chuckle without any emotion.

Morgan seemed to think for a moment before answering the Primarch's anger.

[Because it is practical, Your Excellency. 】

[For a psyker of my level, a crude illusion is not difficult. I only need to exhale to shape a false kingdom and become a false creator. I can create such a furious warrior in one Pulling out a company in an instant, the mental power consumed is not even as much as me reciting half a spell. 】

[But as long as my enemy pauses for a moment under this illusion: Whether it is the hesitation of a familiar person, the consternation of a terrifying thing, or the instinctive distraction of human energy when facing an accident, It will be a firm step towards victory for me. 】

Zhuang Sen did not speak. He strolled in the psychic storm set off by Morgan, casually blocking countless psychic tentacles that stretched towards his will. He had faced too many such attacks, starting from the very beginning. Being caught off guard and furious, and now turning a blind eye, Zhuang Sen adapted quickly. He only needed to raise his will to easily distinguish which psychic offensives needed to be taken seriously, and which ones were just bluff cover.

The Primarch dodged an attack that would have tortured a hundred Astartes, and even had the leisure to ask an additional question.

[If I don’t dodge, will the phantom cause damage? 】

[Of course not, Your Excellency. 】

The psychic flame turned into a budding stamen at Morgan's fingertips, exuding the aura of life, miracle and death intertwined.

[In the final analysis, illusion is just a false, non-existent garden maze. As long as you can identify a direction and remain firm, you can easily break through even the most real illusion. 】

The corners of Zhuang Sen's mouth curled up slightly.

He has memorized this sentence.

[Then now, it’s time for you to answer my question, Ms. Morgan. 】

[I think I have already answered. 】

——————

Jonson listened to the laughter, and once again, he frowned.

[Don’t play charades with me. 】

[Are you feeling tired, tired of this war, the endless fighting, the monotonous blood flowing in countless worlds, and feeling weak that you cannot continue this war? 】

Morgan fell silent.

She was quiet for a while.

Then a thick fog began to obscure the Primarch's view.

He could feel and hear that on the other side of the endless thick fog, the silver-haired lady was sighing in a voice that was accustomed to ridicule and ridicule, an extremely long and genuine sigh.

[Is my answer important, Your Excellency? 】

[What qualifications, abilities, and reasons do I have to represent the thousands of soldiers you really want to ask about? 】

From the direction of Zhuang Sen, there was only the most oppressive and dead silence.

[None of my comrades fell down. 】

[Not one of my honors has been lost. 】

[Everything I own has not been shattered by this war. I don’t have to be at the forefront. I only need to face the things I am good at, instead of exposing my fragile body to radiation and fire. 】

[So, my answer is worthless, Your Excellency. 】

silence.

The deathly silence lasted for a few seconds.

Then, there was a hurricane.

The famous [Lion Sword] roared, thirsty for the mist wrapped in spiritual energy. In the blink of an eye, the sea of ​​smoke that filled the entire space disappeared, leaving only the two most powerful competitors. Opposite in silence.

Jonson's gaze was dangerous, and his green pupils had never shone like they did now. It was the instinctive fury of a real beast when its territory was violated.

[You, make it clear. 】

[I made it very clear, Your Excellency. 】

Morgan just smiled, an insincere smile.

[Just like the illusions just now, at the same time, I did have a better way, such as a psychic lightning, but I habitually chose illusions as a method because its cost-effectiveness is The best, the consumption is also the smallest, and in my previous actual combat, it is also the most effective way. 】

[So, compared to the best one, I chose the most effective one. 】

[And you are the same now, aren't you? 】

[In this, and in many ways, we are very similar. 】

Zhuang Sen did not answer. The corners of his mouth turned downward, making an unhappy arc. His long blond hair and beard were mixed together and tangled. Under the too broad forehead, there were thick eyebrows. The hidden, emotionless sight.

[I don’t doubt your loyalty and ability, Your Excellency. I don’t think there is anyone in the entire empire who can compete with you in these two aspects at the same time. At least there is no one I know. 】

[I can roughly guess what you are thinking, Your Excellency. 】

[After all, I have been fighting with you for a while. I know your habits: changeable tactics, but down-to-earth style. You like to use everything you can, and you are also keen on the most effective means. If you can use A small gain can make a big difference, or a final decision, that would be the best. 】

[Therefore, I can vaguely guess some of your thoughts: If Ran Dan’s war will only be limited to the edge of the galaxy, if Ran Dan’s power will only make the First Legion shed blood, this will allow other members of the empire to If the region gains security and prosperity, allowing the Empire to eliminate this powerful opponent with minimal casualties, then you will do so. 】

[In fact, you are doing this too. 】

[You and your legion have endured all this, endured the pain that Ran Dan would have inflicted on the entire empire, and kept this war under the control of the empire, although the price is that the honor of the first legion will not be known , the blood of the First Legion will not stop flowing. 】

[But you still made this choice. When a victim was needed, you stood up. 】

[This is really great, very great. Such beliefs cannot be summarized with pale wisdom and courage, because they are not worth mentioning. 】

[When you make this choice, no matter how much loyalty weighs in this galaxy, you are as important as loyalty. 】

[If you are not the most loyal. 】

[Then the word loyalty is meaningless. 】

Zhuang Sen listened to these words without missing a word.

His eyebrows were beating unconsciously.

He closed his eyes and tried his best to hear a hint of falsehood and flattery.

But after the longest effort, his brain told him ruthlessly that every word in these words was spoken from the bottom of his heart.

then

Jonson could only breathe.

The sound of his breathing was shaky.

Just like his brain.

Soon he will forget these meaningless words of flattery.

In his heart, he convinced himself this way.

——————

【but. 】

This sudden turn was like falling from a steep mountain, causing Zhuang Sen's indifferent eyebrows to rise in an instant.

[You overlooked one point, Your Excellency. 】

[You are so noble that you regard tiredness as cowardice. 】

[You are so determined that you regard hesitation as stupidity. 】

[You are so self-disciplined that you regard weakness as betrayal. 】

[Your loyalty is unquestionable, and for this loyalty, you have chosen the most effective method to deal with this war. 】

[But the most effective may not be the best, Your Excellency. 】

[The most efficient method and the best method are not synonymous. My Lord, reason and sensibility are a pair of conjoined twins full of contradictions. 】

[You choose the most effective method and stride towards victory, but you forget that you are a giant, a great giant, and every step you take requires others to try their best to catch up. 】

[So when you turn your head, you wonder why everyone looks so tired. 】

[Of course they will be tired, Your Excellency, because they are different from you. 】

【You are unique. 】

[You shed sweat, but they will shed blood. 】

[You have chosen a method that is beneficial to everyone, but you have to bear the price. This price may be heavier than you think, Your Excellency. 】

[To put it lightly, if the fastest way to destroy Ran Dan is to disintegrate the First Legion, what choice will you make? 】

——————

Morgan waited a moment.

It wasn't until a long time later that she finally heard Zhuang Sen's laughter.

What a laugh that was.

Heavy, indifferent, and indifferent, yet people can feel the burning and blazing like a flame.

He just lowered his head and kept laughing, a slow smile, a scary smile, just like a silent roaring lion.

Finally, he gave his answer.

——————

【this……】

[It is not an option. 】