Warhammer: In the Name of Nirvana

"Do you know what the entire Great Crusade force is discussing right now?"

When Chemos Phoenix and his Goshawk brothers met again after many years, this was the first sentence he said: among the shining silver threads, the flawless face concealed the pain in his heart. idea.

But even so, some essential problems could not escape Khan's eyes, but he was too lazy to point them out: because all the past experiences told Chagatai that if he said it in front of a brother of the original body, If the person doesn't want an answer, it often means the beginning of a long argument.

He didn't want to get involved: Morgan was enough for such a fool.

"I don't care, Fulgrim: I guess that's none of our business."

"No, it matters, brother."

"But if you can't tell that, it actually doesn't surprise me."

Phoenix's triumphant tone made the luxurious and gorgeous armor on his body look eclipsed: Jaghatai Khan never thought that he could actually use luxurious and gorgeous to describe a pair of armor worn by his primarch, but his brother We can always break his rules.

But they took it for granted.

"Let me tell you, brother."

The Phoenician was still smiling, but this time at least it was more sincere, and it was no longer the pure ridicule before: Khan moved his fingers that were originally pressed on the knife handle a little farther away, and he still had full patience. , able to tolerate Fulgrim walking from the apron that was wide enough to accommodate an entire fortress, swaggering in front of him, and walking condescendingly into the passage where there were no flashlights.

"I'm really sorry for you."

The Khan snorted lightly and motioned for the heirs behind him to retreat into the distance.

The two primarchs stood face to face, sizing each other up like strangers: Fulgrim nodded secretly because of the eagle wings and dragon heads woven with gold, emerald and silk on Jaghatai's armor. By that time, Khan was already breathless from the scent of his brother.

This is more unbearable than the filthy grassland after the migration of cattle and sheep.

Jaghatai took a look at the useless extra decorations. The horse-like tassels extended from the helmet to the ground. Various trinkets made of gems and rare metals would appear when the Phoenicians stepped forward. The tinkling began impatiently: a hunter like this would only have the fate of starving to death on the grassland.

Khan first gave his own evaluation in his heart, and then nodded, indicating that Phoenix could continue.

"I am listening, Fulgrim."

"Tell me, what kind of topic is relevant to us?"

"Of course it's about leadership."

Neither Fulgrim's words nor his arrogance escaped the Khan's expectation.

"You mean, Warmaster?"

"No, not just the Warmaster."

Phoenix shook his head, and when he waved his fingers randomly in the air, he subconsciously brushed the double-headed eagle on his chest: this huge source of pride now occupied almost the entire chest of Fulgrim, and Khan even He suspected that his brother would one day remove the two eagle heads and put his own head on, becoming the Imperial Sky Eagle he longed for.

"Besides the Warmaster, will there be any new leaders in the Great Crusade?"

Khan's question made Fulgrim glance at him rather slyly. Before the Phoenician could speak, Khan had already predicted that Phoenix's next words would be sarcastic, and he would use a compassionate attitude. Speak up.

"You surprise me, Jaghatai."

"If you don't even think of yourself as a leader, then in what capacity did you lead your legions and fleets in such a long great expedition? You can't be leaderless, right? Even if you are truly The barbarians will also have their chiefs."

Khan listened quietly, and when he and Phoenix looked at each other, he quickly smiled.

"No need to worry, brother: my Legion has no such mental baggage."

"I've just never been so arrogant as to think I could represent the entire Great Crusade."

A flash of anger flashed across the Phoenician's statuesque face, but the Khan gave him no chance to fight back.

"Do you really think those mortals would care about my name and status?"

"certainly!"

Phoenix raised his voice. He immediately forgot about Khan's previous offense and regarded it as a unnecessary friction between brothers. Although his smile became a little forced: in Khan's view, this might be his Philip. Brother Nicky has only a few good qualities.

Phoenix could at least restrain himself and not do anything really stupid.

Of course, this does not mean that the Phoenician's moral character is very noble, but that he does not dare to challenge the rules set by the emperor: Compared with most of his brothers, Fulgrim is actually a more rule-abiding person. I am very satisfied with my current treatment and glory, but I lack the motivation to take the initiative to break all this.

Khan knew this very well, and he also knew that among the other brothers, the only one who was consistent with Fulgrim in this regard was the vassal king of the Five Hundred Worlds: Although Khan recognized the world's respect for Kili The mainstream evaluation of Man's ambition is that he is ambitious, but he does not think that the Macragge's ambition will be revealed in a short time.

The reason is also very simple: under the existing system of the Empire and the Great Crusade, Guilliman and his state within a state are the undoubted beneficiaries, so he has no reason to break all this, but when the system of the Empire or the Empire When the Emperor's will no longer serves the interests of the Five Hundred Worlds, Guilliman's loyalty will evaporate like a bubble.

So does he himself.

As for Fulgrim...

"You have far underestimated our role and status in the hearts of mortals, Chagatai. You are derelict in not considering yourself a leader: because our ability and authority are destined to lead everyone, no matter what. Are they our soldiers or the beings of the empire?”

Fulgrim never changed.

Khan sighed softly, his voice dissipated in Phoenix's impassioned speech.

"We need to lead them and guide them on the right path, so that the results of the Great Crusade will not become yesterday's news, but will continue to the glorious years ten thousand years later: this is not a task that can be completed by the Warmaster alone. , If we want to achieve this goal, then each of us must go all out and become what I call a [leader].”

"Same to you, Brother Chagatai."

"As a leader, teach everyone what a perfect life is."

“That’s what we’re about.”

Fulgrim's impassioned speech made Khan nod silently, but before Phoenix could feel proud of it, his brother had already turned around, stretched out his finger, and pointed at the place where Phoenix came. The apron: At this time, there are still the remains of a gorgeous feast on it.

"The teachings you speak of also include four hundred pounds of flower petals, perfume and silk carpets?"

"Is it a one-time thing?"

The Phoenician looked in the direction of Khan's finger: he had just held a miniature boarding ceremony on the tarmac. He swore that it was really simple and lasted less than ten minutes. His descendants felt wronged for him.

Khan is particularly allergic to all this

"Actually, it's six hundred pounds, brother."

"Quantity means nothing."

The Khan shrugged absently.

"After all, I don't see any practical use for these things."

"Oh, come on, bro."

Phoenix held his chest exaggeratedly.

"Even you should understand the value of art."

The severity of this sentence made it sound like a condemnation.

"Jaghatai, I heard that you used blood and fire to achieve conquest on your home planet. I have no intention of pointing out the difference in our methods. After all, this is a difference between reality and cultural customs, but what I really want to say is: When your saber slaughtered those cities with ancient culture, weren't you impressed by the art in them?"

"Don't those treasures that have been passed down for thousands of years give you some feelings?"

Khan snorted.

"I did destroy several civilized countries obsessed with so-called art."

“And the only impression they left on me is that when I burn down a city full of art, the smell in the air will be more pungent than the smell of burning: this is what a thousand years of decay should smell like. ”

"But they are priceless!"

"Anything that can't protect itself is worthless in this world."

The Khan looked away, seemingly losing interest in continuing to argue.

"Listen, Fulgrim: If so-called art can be destroyed by fire, it means that it is just something that is trapped in a place of size and belongs to a few people: such art has no effect on society as a whole. They are just tools used by idiots to indulge themselves and think they are superior to others.”

“And true art cannot be eradicated by any means: just like you cannot eradicate the vastness of the grassland, nor the brilliance of the stars, nor the eradication of people’s yearning for beauty in suffering, only this can eradicate the beauty from generation to generation. Something that is passed down from generation to generation and is known to everyone is truly art worthy of praise.”

Khan’s voice was powerful, but Phoenix was unconvinced

"I think they generally call this kind of thing vulgar, Chagatai."

The Khan just looked at him.

"Fulgrim."

"Um?"

"You are not a fish, how can you know the joy of fish?"

"……ah?"

The Phoenician didn't react to the sudden convoluted words, and he asked instinctively.

"What...are you talking about?"

"Art."

The Khan laughed.

"A treasure passed down for thousands of years."

Then, Khan stopped paying attention to Fulgrim's red face and strode towards the tarmac: behind Phoenix's grand performance that no one was watching, another Primarch's shuttle had arrived. It was Guilliman that everyone had been waiting for.

"Hopefully he brings good news."

Jaghatai whispered.

But deep down, he knew very well...

——————

"it's out of the question."

Leaning back on the chair, Guilliman first looked around at the brothers present: Morgan, Fulgrim and Jaghatai Khan were all waiting for the Macragge to speak, but Jonson was late for some reason. The location was empty.

How interesting.

Guilliman thought.

In order to take care of the face of the commander of the Eastern Front Legion, they deliberately chose to gather on the Dark Angel's battleship under the premise of having five Glory Queens: Of course, it was not on the Indomitable Truth, but on the Cosway En's Sword of Caliban.

This ship also has a rich experience: this special battleship was a gift given to Luther personally by the Spider Queen when he was the commander of the squadron under Morgan when he first established the Far Eastern Frontier.

The raw materials for building this battleship came from the ores and metals obtained during the first large-scale trade between the Far Eastern Frontier and the Five Hundred Worlds. The person responsible for building it was Reza, a foundry world allied with Morgan, but the organization of the battleship But it was a fleet belonging to the Dark Angels. After Luther returned to Caliban, this ship was directly assigned to Causwayne by the Lion.

Guilliman liked it here.

"Listen, everyone."

The Macragge spread his hands.

"I admit that my calculations were wrong: I originally planned to call 50,000 more people to join the Ullanor Expeditionary Force, but then I remembered that I had already deployed 50,000 people not long ago: if another 50,000 people were deployed If so, then the number of Ultramarines participating in this expedition will exceed 250,000, which is already slightly more than the upper limit of the entire Ultramar world of 500."

"It's incredible that your legion can withstand the upper limit of 250,000."

Fulgrim marveled, while Jaghatai next to him took advantage of every opportunity.

"The fact that the Thirteenth Legion actually has an upper limit is incredible."

"The Ultramarines are just a legion. It's normal to have an upper limit, you two."

Guilliman certainly heard the sarcasm in these words. He looked at his two brothers with dissatisfaction, mainly at Khan: Guilliman was more worried about this erratic behavior than Fulgrim, who had always had a good reputation. An uncertain guy, he is so mysterious.

The Macragges have never been able to believe in the principles of Jaghatai Khan, and would even further doubt his loyalty: a primarch who always wanders outside the core area of ​​​​the empire, pondering his own affairs in the fringes, What exact guarantee can be given to his loyalty?

[So, how many people were there in the end? 】

Morgan did not raise his head, concentrating entirely on the new plan handed over by Guilliman.

"Two hundred thousand."

Guilliman crossed his fingers.

"How interesting."

Fulgrim smiled, then quietly watched towards the only door.

"In other words, with the help of Zhuang Sen and Dark Angel, we have to increase our troops?"

Guilliman did not refute this statement.

"Zhuang Sen's plan forces me to increase the corresponding number of troops."

"You are right, Fulgrim: Without the Dark Angels, if I were to do it myself, only 150,000 people would be enough. But with the Dark Angels, prevent the situation on their side. We need 200,000 people, which is already the minimum number.”

"That……"

Fulgrim looked at Morgan.

"What if you were asked to cooperate with them?"

Guilliman thought for a moment.

"So……"

"I think I need at least three hundred thousand people."

…

When Caliban pushed the door open in a dusty manner, Jonson only saw Fulgrim laughing into a ball in his seat, while Khan pursed his lips, enduring something and having a plan. Morgan had his face covered with a book, and Guilliman was staring at him nervously.

The smell in the room is a bit strange.

The Lion King narrowed his eyes.

He instinctively sensed that something bad seemed to have happened here: The Lion King's probing eyes did not reach Morgan at all, and then quickly passed over the Jaghatai, staying on Fulgrim for a moment, and then Locking all the power on Guilliman's face.

No evidence, no inference: that stupid face says it all.

The Lion King cursed in his heart, but on the surface he maintained his dignity. He even nodded to the Khan and said hello. As for Fulgrim, who was waving exaggeratedly there, the Lion just gave him a look. , far less than respect for Khan.

Jonson actually likes the brother Chagatai Khan. They all have shadows of silent dedication to the empire. He believes that Khan can be ranked in the top five among his friends, maybe only behind Morgan and Conrad, maybe And that bastard Leman Russ: But their friendship was only superficial. After all, Jonson never liked to put his personal friendship on the table.

Even Morgan: In the Empire, not many people are actually sure how close the Lord of Caliban and the Spider Queen are. Even the Primarchs dare not guarantee it. After all, these two are complete mystics. Or, and since that war, they have indeed not been together for a long time for a long time.

But Jonson never worried about this problem.

[You're late, brother. 】

Morgan's voice called to him: like a true sword that never fades.

"I know."

Johnson nodded.

"It took me a while to transfer more knights here."

The words made the air freeze.

"Are you also adding troops?"

The curious emphasis in the Phoenician's words made Caliban frown.

"That's right, just a few knights."

Jonson was vague.

"Originally, I was going to send these troops to the Ghoul Stars to support Conrad's expedition plan, but Conrad just changed the goal of his Ghoul Expedition. He no longer explored inward, but chose to establish a semi-permanent base on the periphery: my Knights had no place there, so I just transferred them all here."

The Primarchs did not comment, only Morgan, who had a deep understanding of this, raised his eyebrows.

Jonson actually transferred back all the Knights that he thought could deal with the Ghoul Stars? You know, the Calibans are one of the few guys who have a clear understanding of the Ghoul Stars, so there is no need to say more about the strength of these new reinforcements.

[What are you going to do, Jonson? ]

Morgan continued to ask.

"Nothing."

The Lion King sat on the main seat, with two brothers sitting on each side.

"Just after considering Guilliman's new plan, I feel that I need to mobilize more troops just in case: to prevent any special situation from happening on certain fronts, fleets or legions."

"This is already the minimum number."

After these words came out, after a long silence of several Primarchs, only the laughter of Phoenix broke the silence.

"Excellent inference, brother."

That being said, Fulgrim's eyes turned to Guilliman.

"I think I can't wait to witness the next war."

"It will definitely be: legendary."

"Especially when..."

Phoenix turned around, his cunning eyes wandered between the Lion King and Morgan, and the arrogance and expectation in them were shocking.

"I have already told the good news that the Eastern Front Legion has seized the precious opportunity."

"When the Wolf God was informed."