Warhammer: Start with a dog

"Please forgive my ignorance as a Borderland person - I have never heard of the name of the 'Midnight Lords', my lord."

The Thunder Eagle of the Adeptus Astartes once again passed through the thin clouds and howling winds of Thesaguarsa, and slowly and steadily landed at the residence of the Grand Regent under the gaze of the gathered Watcher militia. In the open space next to it, a tall god - who gave goosebumps to everyone who witnessed this scene - walked into the space. For four hundred and seventy years, people have been waiting for him, but no outsider has ever set foot. living room.

The poor guide attendant saw the dark eyes of Toga trabea, who was wearing a Tunica shirt, with black hair flowing to the ground like a cape, and a coat decorated with purple and bright red stripes, emerging from the Thunderhawk hatch ramp. The moment he walked up and down, his mind collapsed. He began to kneel down to Lamizane, pray, cry and confess the despair and confusion deep in his heart. Until the Grand Regent had to wrap up his nose and mouth and robes to come out, and carefully and apologetically invited the distinguished guests - who had to bend slightly - to enter his living room, office and bedroom.

After all, talking in the open is not advisable in this place.

"You haven't heard that we are normal, Regent." The god-like man replied, surrounded by several Astartes wearing strange and eerie midnight-colored lightning pattern power armor, decorated with red bat wings and white skulls. , "The planet you are on now is located on the far eastern border of the empire. It is the Thirteenth... It is the garrison range of the Ultramarines and their sub-groups. Out of trust in them, usually our soldiers will not cross the border. here."

"You are right. Mortals rarely have the honor to know the secrets of the great warriors in heroic legends. I am honored." Regent Gallus nodded. This old man with gray temples is considered quite a man in Dalchana. He has lived a long and well-maintained life, which allowed him to maintain a bit of ancient calmness and elegance. "We extend our deep respect to the Lords of the Holy Order of the Astartes." He paused, seeming a little embarrassed. Or, without any hope, "So why did you come here this time..."

"Oh, for a border lord, Regent Garrus, your spelling of the syllable Adeptus Astartes is very standard, and your accent is quite pure. I must admit that this surprised me and was a little curious."

Obviously, the other party is still cleverly beating around the bush, but Regent Gallus can't think of anything in this place that deserves a noble Space Marine Lord to go to such trouble to riddle him - even though Regent Gallus is the entire planet. One of the most knowledgeable and educated people in the world can also read all the old archives on board the ship. However, the records of wars from thousands of years ago, like the terrifying castle that once stood here, have been deliberately diluted over time. Gone with the wind in a blur.

People in the Empire are now generally told that "Primarch" is the honorific title given to the nine noble descendants of the Holy Emperor, and only one of the nine divine descendants of the Primarch still remains in the mortal world for mortals. respect. Lord Robert Guilliman is known to rest in the sacred coffin of the Temple of Immortality in Macragge in Ultramar.

Even their ancestors' pilgrim ships originally had a planned route to go there to make a pilgrimage to the son of the God-Emperor.

Therefore, from the perspective of Regent Gallus, the boldest guess he dared to make was that this lord might also be an extremely rare type among the Astartes, with a rather noble rank. This lord's special eyes, astonishing figure and otherworldly temperament are also related to his power and status. Perhaps, as a high lord of the Adeptus Astartes who is good at psychic powers, such characteristics are all related to psychic powers. ?

"As to why we're here. - Ah, speaking of which, what were the cities and demographics here last time, Regent."

"In addition to Temple City, which is here, we also have two larger settlements, Chant City and Rest City, plus other small settlements," the old man blinked, but there was no hesitation, obviously He still has enough control over the administrative situation here, "Ten million statistics, no more, my lord."

"It's the same as what I saw, and much better than I expected." The noble man on the opposite side sighed, "There is really nothing in this place, so what do you rely on to feed such a large population?"

"It's not much anymore, sir." A look of sadness, memory and ridicule appeared on the old man's wrinkled face, "When the day of collapse - that is, when our ancestor fleet made an emergency landing here for the first time, There are almost 30 million people in the colonial fleet."

Lamizane subconsciously made a sound similar to "艸", but immediately stopped it, "What a pity." He whispered.

(*...What are you feeling sorry for? It’s very suspicious.)

"We relied on the ships that came with us to have enough hydroponic farm equipment and materials. After five generations of building our initial bunker here, we now have hydroponic farms in charge in the basements of every large settlement. Provides survival needs.”

"The blood of the throne. This is simply..."

The other party looked a little too noisy and strange, Regent Gallus thought. Perhaps it was the too tattered ancient furniture in the room that made this noble visitor feel restless. "I remember meeting one of your technicians in the suburbs. He said his name was Storm Diviner, a very interesting title."

"Ah, that's what we call it here, because the storm season here is pretty tight here, so their focus shifts to that," trying to get this guy who's willing to sit down and listen to the forgotten and abandoned The old man who was talking about something and had some good impressions from the kind lord carefully picked up the wine bottle and poured wine for the other party. "Their ancestors worked on the bridge deck of our ship, responsible for operating the auspicious omen and communication devices, etc."

"A few more well-pronounced words, Regent, it seems you know what you are talking about. Although you don't even have a signal from an aircraft here."

"There's no way, sir." The regent's voice was full of helplessness and self-deprecation, "The wind and storm here are really too strong and difficult to control. Once we fall, we can never fly again. - Even though we Every generation has classes to teach children literacy and numeracy, as well as to teach them the skills of space navigation so that they can one day be put to use again..."

The old man's words became lower and lower unknowingly, "Although there may not be a chance to put it to use..."

"No, no, no!" Suddenly a pair of pale, slender but very powerful hands stretched out and grasped the old man's wrinkled hands, and the surrounding Midnight Lords made strange noises under their helmets.

Regent Gallus raised his head in surprise, and faced a face with sparkling eyes, very excited, as if he had seen the ecstatic face of a money-keeping dragon that suddenly started raining gold coins and gems from the sky.

(*kalshiel (Nostramo expletive)!!! Don’t make that look on my face you guy!)

"No no! I think it's very good! Don't worry, Regent! All the skills will definitely come in handy! You guys did a great job! It couldn't be better! I want to praise you for your great achievements here! Ready-made Farm! Professional division of labor! High literacy rate! What a God-given place! If this thing doesn’t work anymore, I’ll take Guilliman’s name!

Some of the Astartes warriors who heard these words screamed, and some looked shaky.

(*(piercing scream) If nothing else, you (Nostramo swearing) don’t make such a terrible oath!!!!)

"S-Sir?" A glimmer of hope suddenly emerged in Regent Gallus's chest. Could it be...

"Yes, we decided to stay here to rest for a while, regent." A voice like an oracle came into his mind, "Together with our ships and soldiers, we will solve many of your problems here. But you and your people must obey my orders.”

The dreamy feeling of happiness coming too soon filled the old man's soul.

"Yes, sir, of course, with the blessing of the Emperor," tears welled up in his eyes, "I just ask you... don't abandon us again!"

"Of course, of course, Regent." The god opposite also smiled happily, "Tonight, we are here for you."