Warhammer: In the Name of Nirvana

"Okay, stop making trouble."

"It's time for us to talk business."

Macado obviously didn't detect the uneasiness in Morgan's heart: even if he did, he would probably just smile contemptuously.

That is the calmness that comes from the previous wave.

"We don't need to worry about small things like the Warmaster or the Perfect City, because the final decision-making power on these things is not in our hands: or in other words, the decision-making power on any major matter is not in our hands. .”

The palm-printer let out a long sigh. His back was a little curved, like a piece of green tree root. He stretched out the same dry fingers from the wide sleeves and waved, and a set of elegant tea sets appeared. Appearing between the two, there is no need to pick up the teapot, because the porcelain cup is already filled with steaming dark tea.

"You have to know that characters like you and me are only the executors of the project in the final analysis. Our power comes from the grant from a higher level, and the upper limit of the power in our hands comes from the power grantor. the intensity of jurisdiction.”

"For example, for me, my power in the Human Empire comes from the Emperor, and the limits of the power in my hands come from the Emperor's attitude: when he devotes all his energy to the great empire like now, During the expedition, I was the actual ruler of the imperial government, the [Vice-Emperor] and [Co-ruling Augustus] in their mouths. And if one day, the Emperor wants to take back my power, then according to the As far as the laws of the empire are concerned, I am just a member of the War Council."

"Yes, I am still the second seat after the Emperor in the War Council, but don't forget that Horus is also the second seat: and according to imperial law, except for the Emperor, the chief of the War Council, the other members only have positions. distinction, but no superiority or inferiority of power.”

"Of course, if it's actually implemented, it's a completely different story."

The palmer picked up the cup in front of him. Inside the cup was tea brewed entirely with boiling water. He sipped it in small sips without any discomfort or delay, but without any sense of enjoyment: it was as if he was just drinking it. The mission [Drinking Water] has been completed.

Opposite him, the Primarch did not touch her cup of tea. She still kept her legs crossed, leaning on the back of the chair, blinking from time to time, changing the color in her pupils: from stunned to stunned Calmness, and then a little bit of inevitable expectation.

Morgan was not surprised that Malcador would actually talk to her about these things. She also knew what the words of the Seal Master meant: after all, a few hours ago, when she and the Emperor were sitting on the stone table in the garden maze, On both sides, when fruits and dewdrops were used to deduce the stars of the human empire, the Lord of Avalon had already shown her desire to intervene in the empire in front of her genetic father without any concealment. the idea of ​​a political system.

After all, anyone with a little bit of political common sense knows what kind of power it means to serve as a communication bridge between Holy Terra and the Primarch on the premise that the Emperor leaves the front lines of the Great Crusade: if done well, serving as this The candidate for the position can definitely become a person with no less power than the current seal holder.

Of course, Morgan is very clear about her genetic father's views on the Primarch's interference in mortal politics: Although the Lord of Humanity is definitely a being with an IQ above ordinary people from any angle, it can even be said that, in addition to not being a human being, Father, the Emperor is good at everything he does.

But it was such a person who remained unusually naive only on issues related to politics and governance: For example, in front of Morgan, he highly praised the idea of ​​"returning power to mortals".

Morgan certainly did not support this idea. In fact, she even doubted that among the twenty Primarchs, there would be a few that could support such a whimsical idea. However, she would not openly oppose this idea: it would not be worthwhile.

It can only be said that fortunately the current emperor has buried this idea deep in his heart. Except for a few people, the entire galaxy knows nothing about it. Otherwise, I am afraid that the entire front line of the Great Crusade will be destroyed. A big earthquake is coming in people's hearts.

After all, when power is not put on the stage, it can be maintained by inertia, fetters, and even the illusory existence of friendship and family affection. But once it is put on the stage, it is even contaminated by all kinds of things. If the real interests of the other side and even their own safety are concerned, then even if father and son kill each other, brothers fight, and bloodshed in the same room is just the most basic part of the Game of Thrones.

The Lord of Avalon did not think that the Emperor and his children could escape this rule: as Malcador said, the Lord of Mankind made his creations too human, and he himself too They are humans, so what qualifications do they have to escape the sins of humans?

Under this general premise, Morgan certainly knew how low the success rate of actively seeking those [powers that should belong to mortals] as a Primarch was, and she just wanted to give it a try. mentality to do it.

What if? What if the emperor wasn't so stubborn on this matter?

You know, even stubbornness can be divided into many types: Dorn-style stubbornness, Mortarion-style stubbornness, and Perturabo-style stubbornness, which are completely different things.

After all, one of them is nicknamed steadfastness, another is nicknamed double standard, and the remaining one is nicknamed suicide.

In this way, Morgan held the expectation of this possibility. While waiting for the answer from the emperor, he was also thinking about whether his approach was safe.

Although this idea, like the [political system in the late Great Crusade] she proposed in front of the Emperor, was purely a product of whim, when Morgan thought about it carefully afterwards, she felt more and more that she had It is necessary as a primarch to participate in or approach the mortal realm.

Privately speaking, this can effectively expand her influence within the empire, thereby ensuring that the entire Dawnbreaker Legion, and even the entire Far Eastern Frontier, can maintain a relatively advantageous position in the future storm: there are people in the palace who are easy to talk to. Morgan still understands. After all, she has helped Jonson take care of his internal affairs for nearly twenty years. She knows very well that although the Calibans have a ridiculous understanding of his [friends on Terra], these people It is indeed possible to exert necessary power in many cases, even beyond the original body's expectations.

Don’t underestimate mortals, especially the mortals on Holy Terra: This is one of the most important things Morgan thinks he has learned after returning to the Human Empire.

As for Yu Gong, if the Emperor, who is the strongest common link between the Primarch and mortals, will leave the Primarch and return to mortals in the later stages of the Great Crusade, then for the long-term stability of the Human Empire, Building a bridge of communication between the two greatest Imperial forces, the Primarchs and the Mortals, and thus forming a new common bond, was almost a necessity: Morgan simply volunteered to be that bridge.

At least, that's what Morgan said when she faced the Seal Holder, and it was through Malcador's words that she expressed this idea to the emperor behind her.

Now it seems that the Seal Holder should have come with the response of the Lord of Mankind: As for whether the answer is an emperor-style command or a Malcador-style negotiation, it depends on the words that appear next from the Seal Holder's mouth. .

The palmer just touched the teacup in his palm with his dry fingers, and continued to talk slowly about his so-called powers that, although endless in practice, were still tightly restricted by the laws of the empire in theory: When When the story came to an end, he even looked directly at the Primarch's thoughtful face with an almost arrogant gaze.

The coldness in Malcador's tone made Visenya, standing on Morgan's side, call out the psychic energy at her fingertips almost instinctively.

"Like I said, in this system. How much power you hold in your hands, how humble your head must be. If you still can't adapt to this, then you'd better start from now. Become accustomed to it for a moment: Lord of Avalon, you need to be familiar with and accept this method, because these are the rules of the political game that belong to Holy Terra."

"You can look down on it, but you have to abide by it and respect it."

Under the cover of the hood that almost covered his entire face, Malcador's pupils were like sleeping stones at the bottom of the lake, reflecting the silent face of the Lord of Avalon opposite: The palm printr was not on Morgan's face. , seeing any obvious resistance or disgust, this made him nod secretly.

Although he knew very well that Morgan, like her primarch brothers, was arrogant from the bottom of her heart, it was obvious that the primarch of the Dawnbreaker still knew how to suppress, and knew when and how to be humble. S: For this reason alone, Malcador is not surprised that the Emperor tolerates Morgan's ideas.

So, he continued to speak.

"Do not think of this as a provocation on my part, Lord of Avalon. This is an exchange, a condition from the Emperor: if you wish to meddle in the mortal political games as you plan to do, then you shall Mortal rules of the game must be followed.”

"At the very least, in this area, you must cut off the arrogance and fangs and claws of being a Primarch, and sit at the same desk as a mortal like me: this is the Emperor's condition, if you can't stand it Under such conditions, you can withdraw at any time."

Having said this, the palm-printer seemed to pause for a moment. He pursed his lips. When he spoke again, there was already a different kind of sincerity in his tone.

"Of course, personally, I hope you can agree to this condition."

The one who said this was obviously Malcador and not the palm-printer.

"After all, I have always believed that isolating all the Primarchs from the authority of Holy Terra is not a very safe solution: for the sake of peace in the later stages of the Great Crusade, we still need a connection between Terra and the Primarchs. A bridge of communication between entities.”

"Before this, it was not so much that we were unwilling to prepare this bridge, but that we simply did not have the right candidate: and now that we have you, I still hope that you can take on this part of the responsibility."

Machado paused again, a smile on his lips.

"Besides, no one stipulates that a clover cannot turn into a four-leaf clover: rather, who wouldn't want a lucky four-leaf clover: luck is never a rejected gift."

【……】

Morgan responded to Makado's smile with silence, and she picked up her tea cup. He took a sip, lowered his eyelids, and carefully weighed every word spoken by the imprinter.

Morgan has heard rumors about the Clover Legion: the mysterious legion led by the Space Wolves, Salamanders, and a certain Primarch that has not yet returned. It is said that they are the three more special legions under the Emperor's command, although most people think that The rumor was just a joke, but Morgan didn't think so.

As for being a fourth leaf clover...

The light in the Lord of Avalon's pupils flickered as she weighed the pros and cons.

In the end, the balance within the Primarch's heart became a simple phrase.

【All ears. 】

This answer kept the smile on the palmer's face.

"Okay, let's continue talking."

——————

"Now, I can tell you that the Emperor and I have carefully thought and discussed the system you proposed, and in the mutual game, we have finalized its feasibility and sustainability, as well as this This system can lead to the worst possible outcome.”

"And the good news is: for now, the Emperor agrees with your system."

[What about the bad news? 】

Morgan leaned on his face, looking dull and even a little disappointed.

It turns out that her genetic father really did not foresee the structure of the later period of the Great Crusade, and just planned to return to Terra like this?

【……】

How should I put it: As expected of an emperor, he could do something so easily that Morgan didn't even dare to think about.

"There is no bad news: no news can be called bad in the face of this good news."

The palm-printer shook his head, his words sounded like a sarcasm. He poured himself another cup of tea and gently blew away the water vapor that had become distorted by the scalding temperature.

"After finalizing this system, I also discussed some specific details of this system with the Emperor: First, after the Emperor returned to Holy Terra, he planned to transfer the power of the Great Crusade Frontline through a certain There is no other way to hand it over to you and Horus. Of course, on the surface, he will only hand it over to Horus."

[Two warmasters? 】

"You can understand that."

Machado nodded.

"In terms of power, your power is not much worse than that of the Warmaster."

[Communication with Holy Terra and coordinating the relationship between the original bodies: I feel that this kind of responsibility is not much worse than the Warmaster's coordinating frontline military affairs. 】

Faced with Morgan's smile, Macado just responded with the same mockery.

"Do you want to talk to Horus about what you said just now: Believe me, even Horus will be sensitive to the power these two seemingly humble responsibilities actually hold. "

"Although there is some unpleasantness between me and the Wolf Shepherd, I know very well that Horus may be a rough person or a stingy person, but he will definitely not be stupid. people."

"What's more, in your Legion of Astartes, isn't there a position called the Attaché of the Primarch? In theory, the power of this position is far less than that of the company commander, but in fact, there are several A company commander who doesn't aspire to be a valet to the Primarch?"

[It’s just because the original body’s attendant military officer is closer to the original body. 】

Morgan smiled lightly.

She suddenly thought of something: it seemed that for a long time, her military attache had been concurrently served by Rana, the general of the guards. Considering that in addition to the military attache and the general of the guards, Rana also had many responsibilities...

Perhaps, after returning to Avalon, she needs to appoint a few new attendants: after all, she is not the emperor, and it is not good to always squeeze Lana like this.

For a moment, Morgan was a little out of her mind, but her ears were still faithfully capturing Machado's words.

"Not only because of the family relationship between the original body and the Astartes, even in the mortal political system, positions such as adjutant and secretary-general have always been synonymous with low status and power."

"When the lofty company commander is fighting bloody battles on the front line, he will only long for the original body to come to his battlefield and command him in person, while the auxiliary military attache only needs to adjust his thoughts and words, and he can use only a few words In a word, it affects the strategic deployment of the original body, thereby affecting countless company commanders and more soldiers."

The palm holder slowly refuted Morgan's words while tasting the drink in the teacup.

“So, we plan to make you the Warmaster’s Attaché: Of course, on the surface, this position is called the General Secretariat of the Great Expedition Front Provisional Council, and you are the General Secretary-General of this General Secretariat. "

[General Secretariat? 】

Morgan said the title with an almost contemptuous smile.

[Who gave you a terrible name? 】

"Emperor."

Macha is cloudy and breezy.

"Whether it is the Provisional Council or the General Secretariat, it is the name proposed by the Emperor: If you want a better one, then I advise you to give up."

"Asking our Lord of Mankind to come up with a good name is more difficult than asking him to hold you in his arms and sing you a lullaby while admitting that he is a god."

"I really wonder who would inherit this unfortunate ability from him."

【……】

Malcador successfully suppressed the ridicule on Morgan's face: because he made the Primarch feel a chill in his heart, he continued to explain the most specific contents of this system.

"According to current deductions, you and Horus will be responsible for coordinating the front lines of the Great Crusade after the Emperor leaves: it's just that the Warmaster will be the one sitting, and you will be standing, but considering that With Horus’s character, he will most likely give you a chair.”

"As for the division of labor between the two of you: matters related to Terra will first pass through your hands, then through the hands of the Warmaster, and finally to the Council of the Primarch; as for the military issues on the front line of the Great Crusade, It passes through the Warmaster's hands first, then through yours, and then onto the table of the Primarch Council."

"It's not complicated, is it: that's what I remember you and Jonson doing."

[Almost, but we don’t have a so-called parliament. 】

"Parliament cannot be cancelled."

Macado shook his head.

"However, you don't need to worry. The so-called meetings can only be held a few times. Even you and Horus can't stay together for a long time. This is just a more vivid way to describe the relationship between you. It’s just the distribution of power among themselves.”

[I have no problem: but will Horus be satisfied with this distribution? 】

"Who knows."

The palmer smiled.

"Anyway, the title of Warmaster is his, and he should be content. Moreover, since the Emperor is going to return to Terra and leave him and his Luna Wolves, Horus will be dissatisfied no matter how the distribution is: In the end, I believe you can appease Horus, after all, the Wolf Shepherd will not be a more difficult problem than Jonson or Perturabo."

【……】

Morgan thought for a moment, and then, a strange smile appeared on her face. He narrowed his eyes, leaned forward, and approached the palm print maker across the table.

【One more thing. 】

[Give so much power to me and Horus: Aren't you afraid that the two of us will join forces when the time comes, Sealbearer? 】

"..."

Makado frowned.

"I am indeed afraid of this possibility, but is there anything I can do?"

The palmist's open hand looked a bit rogue.

"You have to know, Morgan, that in the Emperor's original plan, even you [Aide Attaché] did not exist. All powers of the Great Crusade, including communication with Holy Terra and coordination between the Primarchs, Relationships will all be in Horus' pocket: he doesn't even need to find anyone to cooperate, he can cause huge disasters by himself."

"And now: at least you won't choose the worst option."

【……】

[Have you never considered adding one more person besides me and Horus: after all, triangles are always stable. 】

[Look at the combination of you and the Emperor. Next to you, there is also Valdo, the chief of the Imperial Guard: Although everyone knows that he does not do anything serious, this does not prevent him from being called the Emperor's right-hand man along with you. Let you end up as a trio. 】

"Do you think your and Horus's power structure needs to be a triangle as well?"

[There must be a coordinator: Since I am responsible for coordinating the relationship between the original body and Terra, as well as the original body and the original body, then there must be a conflict of interest between me and Horus: I need someone to do it. Coordinate me with Horus. 】

"good idea."

Makado nodded, and then spread his hands straightforwardly.

"Then who do you think should be chosen as the third chief of this interim council?"

"Let me tell you in advance, Morgan: before you, we have never elected Horus's assistant and balancer, let alone the third seat to coordinate between Horus and his balancer."

"After all, this position requires not only ability, but also attitude, trust that allows us to know everything, and even a little ambition: ambition is even the most difficult choice."

"Now, please provide the candidates in your mind: there are only a dozen Primarchs anyway."

【……】

Morgan began to think.

Caught between her and Horus...

The Lord of Avalon blinked. She almost instinctively thought of her brother with excellent political talents: in Morgan's eyes, that Ultramar man can definitely become an important figure in this temporary council. He His ability can even make him become Horus's [Aide Attaché].

[Guilliman, how are you? 】

Macado shook his head.

"Too ambitious."

【……】

Morgan narrowed his eyes.

[I think, as a palm holder, you should not listen to rumors...]

"His ambition is reflected in his pathological protection of Ultramar and his inner desire for an alternative future between the Astartes and Humanity, a future that conflicts with Horus's ideas. And I don’t think he will suppress his views like you, and he will definitely have a conflict with Horus.”

[It is also possible to become allies: after all, the gap between them is not big? 】

"That's even worse, isn't it?"

【……】

Morgan had nothing to say, she could only continue to think about candidates.

【Um……】

[Sanguinius? 】

"Too unambitious."

【……】

Morgan couldn't think of a way to defend the archangel.

[As for Chagatai, I believe he is a rational and objective person. 】

"Too lacking in ambition."

【Dorn? 】

"Even less ambitious: and there is no doubt that Dorne's position is that of the Praetorian Guard of Terra."

【Fulgrim? 】

"..."

“Ambition is just right: but crooked.”

【……】

Morgan took a deep breath, and she automatically eliminated options such as Ferus or Vulcan, which may have sufficient abilities and attitudes but were indeed unsuitable, as well as worse options: So, in her mind Naturally, there is a final option.

A guy who always comes in handy.

[Leman Russ? 】

"..."

Makado raised his head suddenly and looked at Morgan.

His face was horrifying.

"Leman Russ?!"

【……】

"are you serious?"

【……】

Morgan was stared directly at by such a horrifying and absurd gaze, and her heart naturally ignited with anger, but the Lord of Avalon immediately took a deep breath, suppressed this anger, and tried hard to maintain a smile on the surface.

She spread her hands and asked Malcador her question with as much courtesy as possible.

[Then, if even Leman Russ can’t do it, I can’t think of a more suitable candidate. 】

[Do you have any candidates in your mind, dear Master of the Palm? 】

"..."

Makado was silent for a moment, and he quickly gave an answer.

"Jonson, how about it."

【……】

This time, it was Morgan's turn to be frightened.

【Jonson? ! 】

"..."

【are you serious? 】