Warhammer: In the Name of Nirvana

Obscure Star Field, Gothic Star Sector, Cyclops Star Cluster.

"..."

"Something's wrong."

"Honest and trustworthy Trazin, you seem to have been caught up in a conspiracy."

"A huge conspiracy that will irreparably tarnish your pure reputation seems to be spreading quietly in places you don't know, trying to swallow up the good reputation you have worked hard to accumulate over the years."

"..."

"This is not good..."

"Mr. Morgan."

Looking at the starry sky outside the porthole that was so quiet that it was even deadlier than the night, Trazin, a senior technical sergeant of the Dawnbreaker Legion, couldn't help but murmur to himself at his reflection on the window.

The expedition fleet that suddenly broke away from the subspace was like a dry leaf slowly falling on the pond, without causing even a single ripple, which would have been caused when it crossed the curtain between the subspace and the real universe. The dazzling light has not appeared around the [Dawn Goddess] for too long.

Sergeant Trazin even missed those meaningless lights a little, and in addition to this nostalgia, there was also something brewing in the brain module of the Lord of Solenams that crudely imitated real emotions. With another emotion: that is a kind of depression called anxiety.

The master of the Second Legion, the immediate superior of the Technical Sergeant, with whom she has some minor misunderstandings and cooperation, Ms. Morgan has not summoned the most honest and reliable person under her command, Lord Trazin, for too long: this Primarch seems to be in the process of There are some little secrets brewing.

As the fleet gets closer and closer to certain locations, Sergeant Trazin has been able to determine what kind of little secret Ms. Morgan is planning: she is longing for those sleeping things of destruction. Power, she longed for the vastness of the darkest years that she could not understand.

She is longing for some kind of power that should not be awakened yet.

Thinking of this, Sergeant Trazin raised his head again and looked at the small star that was shivering in the shadow of the fleet. He remembered clearly that as long as he crossed this unknown galaxy, he would reach a A place where treasures are stored in a certain black stone fortress.

In other words, it won't be long before the Techmarine is summoned: after all, where else can the Spider Queen look for advisors and staff who know a lot about these ancient things?

Thinking of this, an inexplicable joy diluted the worries hidden in the calculation logic of the Necromancer Overlord, and its [mood] also became better.

"Blackstone Fortress..."

"I almost forgot about them: after all, their mission is over, after all, those things that need them to kill have long ago fallen at our feet, although we have given everything we have and can never get them back. ”

Trazin sighed in a low voice, with a gear-like tone, more indifferent than the ruthless war engines around it, like a high-ranking king judging the life and death of the ants under the throne.

In fact, as early as when the Dawnbreakers were rummaging around in the first destroyed alien world in the Gothic Sector, Trazin had already guessed the true purpose of Morgan's trip: after all, like the Dark One, With such iconic names as Hand and Night Eye, they are quite rare even if you look at the Milky Way.

Since then, the Necron Overlord has guessed the purpose of the Primarch: at the beginning, it was indeed a little uneasy, and even wanted to block Morgan's actions, but soon, the Lord of Solenamus realized Something that makes it somewhat embarrassing.

Perhaps because he has been leading new recruits in the Legion's Order of Explorers, Sergeant Trazin, who has never had a concrete concept of time in reality, did not realize until all the veterans of Dawnbreaker came on stage that he had no idea about Dawnbreaker. The Legion’s understanding is actually a somewhat outdated version:

The first group of explorers led by it more than a hundred years ago, that is, the Terra veteran team of the Dawnbreaker Legion, have already become better and better at studying the archaeological road. What he has achieved is even vaguely able to catch up with Trazin himself.

When these veterans who became more and more skilled in technology but gradually retired from the archaeological enterprise came out again under the order of their genetic mother, the undead overlord discovered that: among its locust-like greed and In front of efficient students, it actually has no core competitiveness.

Although a single Dawnbreaker veteran is far less familiar with archeology than Trazin himself, when they attack collectively, divide work, and cooperate with each other tacitly, they can sweep a hive city in just one time. Sergeant Racine had to stand there pitifully, filled with emotion.

Times have changed.

Its students have grown up.

After trying hard but still failing to stop the Sons of Morgan from raising their hands of darkness in a temple, the technical sergeant could only watch all this from a distance, applaud silently, and casually gave up his efforts in his heart. .

At that moment, there was a bit of relief in its chest, and its figure couldn't help but look a little lonely.

After all, fundamentally speaking, it is not worried that Morgan can obtain the Blackstone Fortress. The Lord of Solenams has that confidence: the Spider Queen cannot exert the true power of these ancient creations. Let her possess the Blackstone Fortress, just like Let an ignorant fat cat sit next to a firearm, and maybe she will trigger some power intentionally or unintentionally, but ultimately, she is destined to not be able to see the secret behind it.

It can even be said that compared to those beings who also spy on these powers, the Spider Queen is a safer candidate: for Trazin and the race behind it, humans are better than most forces in the galaxy. It's safer to come because they are so young and immature and know nothing about real power and terror. Even the biggest fantasies about madness and ambition in their hearts are not as good as the random one in Trazin's memory. Hold.

Thinking of this, the last trace of anxiety in the heart of the undead overlord disappeared. It slowly shook its head, walked out of the short period of serious thinking, and sighed in a low voice about its bad luck: just because it is here now. On the ship, then in the future, when its kind begin to discuss issues related to Blackstone Fortress, it will definitely not be able to escape responsibility.

Even if it had actually done nothing, it would have used its good name to be subject to a host of despicable accusations of theft and betrayal for no apparent reason: it could even imagine the figure of that guy Orikan jumping up and down.

"Not worth it..."

Listening to the dull sound of the Glory Queen-class battleship once again starting the warp of subspace, these low lamentations could not help but pour out from the vocal organs of the Lord of Solenams, but soon, this lamentation turned into a A kind of malicious self-talk.

"but……"

"Since I will be accused of participating in this theft anyway, then I might as well..."

After muttering a few words to himself in a low voice, a few malicious and dull smiles actually popped out of the always cold and dry voice-generating component of the Lord of Solenums, making his face hidden in the hood, A few rays of green light were also revealed.

"Now, what I need to think about is another question."

"Then when will Mr. Morgan summon me?"

——————

【……】

[I seem to have forgotten something. 】

"If you forgot: that means it shouldn't be important, Morgan."

【……indeed so. 】

Under the kind and cold reminder of Tuchucha Engine, the Spider Queen nodded, resigned, and continued to close her eyes and listen to the report of the Virgo beside her.

"According to the Empire's written records, as early as the beginning of the Great Crusade, the Cyclops Cluster was personally designated by the Emperor and became one of the main expedition and exploration directions. The Empire's advance exploration fleet was deployed as early as thirty-three years ago. They discovered this place and named it the Cyclops Star Cluster. Later, they made contact with the nearby independent forging world [Gothic]: This is why this sector was officially named [Gothic Sector]. "

【……】

Morgan frowned.

[In other words, when the Great Crusade just started, my genetic father intentionally explored and expanded here? Does he also want these black stone fortresses? 】

The Primarch's question seemed to be asking about the Virgo and Tuchucha engines beside her, but also seemed to be talking to herself. After hearing her question, the warp artifact just kept a certain silence and turned around. The fleet jump work began, but Virgo continued to look at the information in his hand and quickly gave an answer.

"Probably not, mother: According to the current data, the exploration fleet has discovered an inexhaustible large amount of rare mineral deposits in the Cyclops star cluster. The abundance is enough to be exploited for dozens of millennia. Unless there is an accident, just rely on With this, the Cyclops Cluster could become one of the most important industrial hubs in the galaxy."

[In other words, my genetic father specifically marked the Cyclops star cluster because of this, not the Blackstone Fortress in the Gothic Sector? 】

The Spider Queen crossed her hands and rested her chin. She did not look directly at her cheap daughter, but just a few glimmers in her eyes were enough for Virgo to put away her confidence and calmly think and deny. .

"I can't guarantee this, mother. After all, your genetic father doesn't seem to care about these mortal things, and he is very likely to be aware of these existences."

"He does, Morgan."

The Tuchucha engine, which had been silent and running the entire expedition fleet, suddenly spoke in the brief moment when the Dawnbreaker's battleship jumped towards its final destination, confirming Virgo's words.

"But at this point, you actually have an advantage, Morgan: your genetic father is not omniscient and omnipotent, and he doesn't know much about many ancient secrets because he doesn't have time to explore every part of the galaxy. In the mysterious corner, he is always lazy or busy."

"So, you are ahead of your father on issues related to Blackstone Fortress."

Tuchucha's words made the Primarch look askance.

【Do you know him well? 】

"It's not that I know him well, but I have his name in my knowledge reserve: such a character is enough to leave his name in the shortest galactic history book, and even occupy a page. As early as the most distant past, he His figure has appeared in countless prophecies, and has also appeared in my understanding and memory."

"Do you need me to tell you more about him, Morgan?"

"I can tell you how he ended up in this fight he started."

【……】

Tuchucha Engine's words made the Spider Queen narrow her eyes. She was like a real spider, quietly entrenched in the corner she trusted the most, patiently assessing whether the next prey would have what she needed. The ability to take action personally and take risks.

On the side, Virgo has her eyes wide open, obviously looking forward to the secrets she will record next: I don’t know when, recording various secrets, and then presenting them to her mother without reservation, has started. Virgo's natural responsibility turns into some kind of hobby and paranoia that she will take the initiative for.

Morgan noticed this with a casual glance, but she did nothing to control it.

And when she retracted her gaze, the Spider Queen suddenly realized that it seemed to be out of some instinct, or she already had the answer in her heart: the words of Tuchucha Engine had just reached her ears. In the middle of the day, she had already given a firm answer.

【No. 】

she said.

【I'm not interested in. 】

At that moment, even the astonishment in Virgo's pupils was one ten thousandth less than the feeling in Spider Queen's own heart.

But in the next second, when the calm air, accompanied by a deep breath, once again poured into the chest of the Lord of the Second Legion, the turmoil deep in his heart suddenly stopped again: Morgan smiled and slowly He turned to look at Tuchucha Engine and repeated what he had just said.

[Yes, I'm not interested. 】

[I am not interested in the outcome of my genetic father, Tuchucha. His victory will not make me better, his failure will not make me worse: from the moment I realize what I really am From the moment of , I already had certain expectations for my future. Although the actions of my genetic father will have an impact on my future, they have not yet reached the status of being consistent with my words. 】

[On the contrary, I can wait as a spectator, waiting for the drama he started, waiting for his destined ending, that victory or defeat. 】

[If he wins, that is also a good thing for me: such a great victory will definitely be accompanied by mountains of corpses and seas of blood. Just maintaining this victory will be enough to spend all his energy. By then, I I don’t mind letting go of everything I have, leaving his country with my belongings, and enjoying the good time he has fought for for us. 】

[The Milky Way is so vast, so vast that if I want to hide, I can build another empire in the darkness beyond the Star Torch. The prosperity of Avalon has no more meaning to me. How can everything be suitable? If so, I actually want my descendants, even those outstanding mortals, to take care of everything for me so that I can have a real rest time and see different worlds as a traveler. style. 】

【This is a dream of mine. 】

[And if he fails, the situation will not get worse: a character like him is destined not to be completely defeated, or to be completely killed. His worst ending is just to survive. For him Infatuated human beings hold up the last sky. 】

[At that time, a weak and empty Galaxy will naturally have a place that belongs to me, and his suffering will become the basis for my separatism: Of course, I don’t mind if his successors will be so miserable. I would like to take this opportunity to expand my property, usurp from the corpse of the empire all the betrayal and harm he has done to me, and make the power and people that originally belonged to him my private property. 】

[This future sounds good, and it can be regarded as another dream of mine. 】

Morgan spoke these words calmly and slowly. She stroked Virgo's hair and comforted her daughter, and not far from her, Tuchucha Engine fell into silence because of these emotions.

"I don't understand something, Morgan: you can both give up your power and greedily expand your power: why can you do both extremes at the same time?"

[Because power is not what I crave. If power is beneficial to the true purpose in my heart, I will pursue it. If it is not that important, then I will not cherish it: ruling countless worlds and mortals is wonderful, but I I don’t want to bear the burden that comes with it. 】

[If my father succeeds, then I won't need power because I will live in a better world. If he fails, I will need to hold on to the power in my hands and usurp more of it. To guarantee my strength, enough for me to survive in the future era of disorder. 】

【It's that simple. 】

[Of course, if possible, I would like to transform the world in my own way, and then entrust it to those people who are obedient to me, while I can enjoy my time of rest, sit back and watch the clouds roll and relax, Surrounded by my sons and daughters again. 】

Tuchucha was quiet for a moment.

"You look a lot like a guy, Morgan."

【who? 】

"I don't think you want to know the answer to that, Morgan."

【forget about it. 】

The Spider Queen closed her eyes and did not delve into the words of the Tuchucha Engine. Instead, she silently felt the joy of her flagship flowing unimpeded in the subspace: she knew that such joy could only be experienced once in a while.

Beside her, after silently recording her mother's words, Virgo turned over the memo in her hand and found that there was still an unanswered question.

"There is one thing, mother."

【explain. 】

"Why are you worried that the Emperor will know about these Blackstone Fortresses?"

[...First of all, let me correct you. He already knows it, so this is not something I need to worry about: and if you want to ask why I am worried, I can tell you. 】

[I know my father: if he can't find these important but not important enough things, then he won't care, but if he finds out that I have found these creations...]

[It is very likely that he will come to me uninvited and ask for a piece of the pie. 】

"You don't want to hand over Blackstone Fortress to him?"

[I really don’t want to: In fact, if I am asked to hand over one or two units, I will not resist this order. After all, my strength is still far inferior to his. Now is not a good time to ask him to collect debts. What I really care about yes……】

Morgan opened her eyes, her pupils moved slightly, and two boxes flickering with subspace energy appeared in her palms: they contained ancient artifacts capable of operating the Blackstone Fortress.

[These two artifacts can operate the Blackstone Fortress and do anything: including commanding them to self-destruct. 】

[So, if Blackstone Fortress is in the hands of me and the emperor, then there will be an unsolvable problem. 】

[Which of us should put these two artifacts in the hands: they will be ineffective if placed separately, but once they are concentrated in the hands of one person, the other person will never feel at ease. 】

[Now, do you understand, my daughter: This is a question of trust, an unsolvable question. 】

[I don’t trust him, I don’t trust my genetic father. 】

"...Then, if..."

"Does he trust you?"

Virgo's innocence stunned the Spider Queen for a moment, but then she just touched the soft hair of her creation, with a trace of indifferent color on the corner of her mouth.

[Whether he believes in me or not, my Anya. 】

[I don’t care: I don’t care about anything about him, and I don’t believe in any good intentions about him. 】

"real?"

【……】

【Of course. 】

Morgan responded softly. She blinked her eyes and looked away, instead of looking directly at her daughter as usual.