[Nothing to do today.]
Vox casually wrote these words in his diary and then breathed a sigh of relief.
In his diary, the same short sentence has been repeated hundreds of times.
If only life could continue like this, Vox thought, in Barbaros, without war and death.
He even thought about applying to stay in Barbarus, but he knew he couldn't do it. Following Mortarion, Hades and Garro, and participating in every war of the Death Guard, this was his mission in this life.
The Death Guard's fleet has been anchored in the Barbarys star field for some time. The Empire was very satisfied with their previous battles, so it specially approved the Death Guard's rest. Except for the busier Mortarion and Hades, the other Death Guards have gained a lot of free time during this considerable period of time.
Following the example of Hades, Garro formed his own combat training department and began to teach the recruits combat skills and beat them sustainably - and Garro's explanation for this was that the Death Guard should not be allowed to relax during non-war periods.
Mortarion and Hades expressed their approval of Garro's ideas, so the battle captain changed from beating the newcomers with an expressionless face to beating them even harder with an expressionless face.
Vox would sometimes go to Garo's fighting training department to practice, and then be beaten up by Garo and thrown out, but he didn't come just to be beaten -
Perhaps it was because the resentment revealed in Garro's expressionless face was too deep, there was only one person in the entire Death Guard who rarely came to the combat training department. Yes, it was Commander Hades.
So during the rest time while waiting to be beaten, the Death Guards often gathered together to tell jokes. This was a condoned behavior. Except for Hades, Garro and Vorcus condoned this behavior - and even participated in it.
No one knows why Hades, who is the most humorous, would prohibit such behavior, but who cares? If the commander does not explicitly prohibit it, then just do it where he can't see it.
Legion Commander Mortarion would sometimes come to visit, to see the combat prowess of Galasper's new recruits and to tell jokes. Although no one could speak easily in front of the legion commander, everything became easy after the legion commander himself told a joke satirizing psychics.
You can say anything except make fun of the legion commander.
And because it has been anchored in Barbarus, the Death Guard can also search for talents suitable for training courses from the heavily populated Planet No. 5. This is obviously a good thing, because the food served by the Death Guard in the kitchen has become edible for the first time.
The commander was particularly relieved during those days because everyone knew what had happened.
As to why they know this.
The commander was betrayed by his own students of social management. Through Hades' teachings, they had realized that they had to stand with the grassroots masses. So when facing other Death Guards, they decisively betrayed the top commander and revealed all the Hades strategies they had collected, although it was rumored that they still had some killer weapons hidden for internal communication only.
Vox was obviously very sad about this matter, as Hades' own students had betrayed him. But this did not stop Vox from using some of the intelligence he knew to exchange for the internal Hades strategy.
The behavior of those Death Guard who betrayed Hades was despised by most Death Guard, but under Hades' personal teaching, they were undoubtedly the most active group in the Death Guard. They included the Mechanicus, Cerberus, representatives of other worlds, and the Death Guard's own officials. Their network of interpersonal relationships was quite extensive, and some of them had even become members of the Death Guard management, and their progress was rapid.
In contrast, the most notable result of the poison course that Mortarion was in charge of was that more than half of the Death Guard would consciously poison their food when eating.
According to the grapevine, at the instigation of Mortarion, they are testing drugs with Hades and making bets on who can drug the commander, and the stakes have now reached an incredible number.
Although Hades has not shown any signs of poisoning so far, the commander doesn't even seem to realize that the food is poisonous.
Vorx couldn't help but internally spit on those Death Guards for a second and felt sad for Hades, Mortarion, Garro, those Death Guards, were obviously all trying to get some fun out of Hades in their own way.
Only Vox still insisted on guarding Hades' side, and was Hades' strongest shield.
Although Senior Hades hasn't contacted him much recently, Vox thought dejectedly that Hades was running around in front of the laboratory under the Black Tower, the laboratory of the Endurance, the laboratory in the Foundry Hall, and Mortarion's laboratory, and he didn't pay any attention to the Death Guards.
Only those damn oil guys and those boring technical sergeants stay with Hades every day.
Vox cursed in his heart again. If it wasn't too time-consuming to go to Mars, he would have learned one. This way, at least Senior Hades wouldn't treat him from a "higher perspective."
By the way, under the instructions of Hades and Forge Master Enrique, the second batch of Death Guards going to Mars have already boarded the ship, and the Death Guards sent previously will soon be back. It depends on whether they can catch up with the next battle of the Death Guards.
Although Vox felt sad about the fact that Hades only knew how to hang out in the laboratory for research and development and had no idea what was happening in the legion, Vox expressed his understanding of Hades. Apart from his identity as a commander, Hades himself was an extremely outstanding master of forging.
So far, Hades has successfully contributed to the Death Guard
An improved super-heavy tank [Death Crawler] (greater firepower, thicker defense, more poisonous ammunition)
A special machine soul killing bomb for ships [Nirvana] (strictly prohibited from disassembling)
Two different anti-psychic grenades [Black Bullet] and [White Bullet] (very few people know about them, and even fewer of them are equipped with them. Vox was lucky enough to get two)
A flamethrower [Wisp] (the flame is corrosive, special attack against psychics, Mortarion generously provided the recipe)
A simple exoskeleton [Black Lady] (Special attack for Hellhound, recommended to be used with the Wandering Soul brand Green Light Dagger)
Vox was not a technical sergeant, so he didn't understand these things, but he only knew that when he went to ask the technical sergeants in the Foundry Hall, the Death Guards showed an expression of "he is not a human" on their faces.
From time to time, Hades would, with a mysterious expression on his face, drag Vorx to his armory to try out new weapons. Usually, Hades would be surrounded by a circle of greasemen who were muttering to themselves, and the sage with a black stone hanging on his robe looked particularly crazy.
Vox didn't like them. He carefully mentioned this to Hades in private, but Hades just smiled with relief after a moment of surprise.
"I understand your concern. Don't worry too much. I know about this, Vox. But thank you for reminding me anyway."
What could he know?! He didn't even know about the Death Guard. Vox was very anxious. If he hadn't been involved, Vox would have almost told the Death Guard about their private affairs.
The generous and kind-hearted senior Hades was deceived by everyone. After Vox returned, he felt guilty for a long time, which caused him not to go to the fighting training department for a long time.
But when he went there again, Garo just glanced at Vox indifferently, and then said something obscure: "He saw and knew more than anyone else, and he should feel guilty."
Vox didn't fully understand what Garo meant, but he still decided to raise the status of Hades in his heart to a higher level.
Jialuo knocked on the door silently, and a familiar voice of "Come in" came from behind the door.
The combat captain opened the door and saw Hades who was summarizing today's intelligence.
Compared to Vox who writes a diary every day, Hades also has his own daily hobby, which is to organize daily information.
Hades can find out what those little guys who thought they were hiding something well have hidden under their pillows.
Hades sat behind a large desk. He was still wearing a loose technical sergeant vest that was stained with engine oil. It was obvious that he had just come out of the laboratory, dressed like a technical sergeant.
Although no one dared to look down on him, Hades' desk was covered with all kinds of intelligence and data. Garo knew that only two people in the Death Guard were qualified to view these.
Garo walked skillfully to Hades' desk and began to report the information while standing. Hades did not look up and continued to check and summarize the documents.
After finishing the report, Garo fell silent. A feeling of emptiness rose in the room, with only the rustling sound of Hades flipping papers.
Hades did not let him go, so Garo continued to wait in silence.
"The war is about to start."
Hades said in a voice almost whispering.
Garo nodded seriously. It was almost time. According to the pace of the Great Crusade, the Death Guard had stayed here for a long time.
After a long sigh, Hades spoke,
"As of today, the Death Guard has stayed in Barbarus for two hundred and ninety-three days, and has established cooperative relationships with thirty-seven worlds and direct subordinate relationships with nine worlds. Among these nine worlds, there are two hive worlds, four death worlds, one mineral world, and two plains worlds."
"Most of these were signed by me, you, Vorcus, and the mortal officials, while Mortarion was in charge of signing the conscription of the Death Worlds."
The four death worlds are the dry land full of rocks, the Eternal Night Desert filled with strong acid, the rolling ocean raging with storms, and the erupting volcano with undercurrents of magma.
Hades was very curious why these four worlds of Crouching Dragon and Phoenix could be divided into one group and were all next to Barbarus, but it didn't matter anymore. According to the contract, the Death Guard would establish several human habitation sites on these planets and declare imperial tax exemption for them.
They need to assure the Death Guard that those who want to fight and are eager to make progress will join the legion, and the Death Guard will use these four planets as training places for new recruits. Candidates from other worlds will understand the true meaning of perseverance on these four planets.
Due to the rapid construction and Hades's continued promotion of population census, the conscription age of the Death Guard in Barbaros and Galaspa is getting earlier and earlier. Before undergoing surgery, these children who hope to join the Death Guard have enough time to be trained.
"Today, the number of ships in the Barbarus star field has reached a balance. Even if the imperial government does not admit it, Barbarus has become the hub world of this star field."
Hardy paused.
"Garro, do you think this is a good thing?"
Garo stared at Hades.
"I have always thought that you are not the kind of person who dwells on whether things are good or bad."
Hades laughed, but the smile did not reach his eyes. He became serious again in an instant.
"Yes, that's right. In any case, Barbarus is indeed developing and driving this star region, but this also means that it is easier to be targeted and attacked—"
"I trust the system of system defenses set up by Master Mortarion."
Hades opened his eyes wide in surprise, and then slowly said,
".you are right"
"Well," Hades shrugged, "In any case, the Empire's order should be arriving soon. We just need to wait."
"I still hope that the black ship that came with the order will not be carrying anything, although they gave me a surprise last time and gave us some gifts."
Hades resumed his indifferent attitude, and kept on complaining about Malcador's black heart and betrayal, and suggested dog fights and other outrageous words.
"It's okay, Jialuo, you go and do your work first."
Hades ordered them to leave.
Garo didn't move. He looked at Hades deeply.
“Don’t stress too much.”
He said.
Hades opened his eyes in surprise again, and then immediately started acting. If someone saw it for the first time, he would probably be fooled, but not Gala.
Hades exaggeratedly covered his eyes with his hands and began to sob.
"Only you, Garo, only you! Can give me some warmth in the cold Death Guard—"
"stop."
Galo said,
"Or I'll drag you out from behind your desk and give you a beating."
Hades recovered instantly and sat in the chair seriously, as if nothing had happened.
"You shouldn't be so violent, Garo."
"Then you shouldn't put so much pressure on yourself, Hades."
"Barbarus' diplomacy, mediation with the Mechanicus, research and development of new equipment, training of talents. You have done enough."
"Actually," Hades said seriously, "I assigned most of the tasks directly, and didn't do them myself."
"Moreover, Mortarion, you and Vorcus, as well as the Death Guard led by Oubiri, completed the bulk of the work. The mortal archons also helped us a lot."
"Mortarion oversaw the establishment of a defense system for the entire star region. Vorcus oversaw the new round of recruitment for three planets. When I was held back by the Mechanicus, you were in charge of most of the daily affairs of the Legion."
"But you followed up and supervised them throughout the process. Moreover, the task of connecting with the Mechanicus alone was already a huge workload. On top of that, you were also responsible for other matters and managed the intelligence of the entire legion."
Garo retorted expressionlessly.
Hades seemed to have lost all his energy, and he laid his upper body on the desk. The documents instantly buried him.
"Okay, you are right, ah yes, yes, yes, yes."
Covering myself with a small quilt under the bridge, I say yes, yes, yes to everyone I meet.
"I know what we may face in the future, Hades. We all know it."
Jia Luo spoke carefully,
"But I feel that you are more afraid of it than anyone else. You are still afraid in your heart, right? I didn't notice this before because you always act calm and composed in front of other people."
"But I think that if it weren't for fear, no one would work so hard in a relatively stable environment. Hades, I don't know how to describe it, but your workload is like a monster chasing you."
Hades' muffled voice came from the document.
"You are wrong, Garo, you are wrong."
“When you have nothing, when reality remains, there is nothing to care about.”
"But" Hades weakly raised a hand, and the image of Barbaros was immediately projected on the desktop. In the hands of technology and nature, this planet is now quite beautiful.
"It has already been built and developed, and I cannot tolerate it being destroyed again."
Hades rubbed his head in the documents in dismay, muttering something like "this is weakness" and "why the damn cesspool smells so good."
War leaves people no time to consider other things, but under the long river of peaceful time, facing the possible future, in this rare and precious time, Hades always hopes to do a little more, and a little more.
After all, there will never be a day when you are fully prepared, but every extra bullet you prepare will increase the possibility.
Garro said stiffly, "I trust Master Mortarion's system of system defenses."
Hades waved his hand.
"You and I both know that's not all I mean."
"Then let's get back to our original topic. You've done your best."
Garo stepped forward, pressed Hades' shoulder and patted him. At this time, Garo once again became the big brother who led Hades into the legion, instead of a corporate slave who quietly waited for death in the document room.
Although this change, to a large extent, was to be blamed on the commander in front of him.
"Hades, you taught me a lot about responsibility and construction. Once upon a time, I firmly believed that expedition for the Empire was everything, war and blood, resistance and destruction, but you showed me another possibility, another path the Empire can take."
"While I hate the documents I need to review for this, I also hope you won't assign me any more."
Jia Luo quickly read this sentence and continued expressionlessly,
“You may not realize it, but I know how many things and people you have changed. You have done enough. You have brought them the present. You don’t have to ask yourself whether you can bring them the future.”
"Hades, you know a lot. You know everything about the Death Guard. But what you don't know is your importance in the Death Guard and the silent changes the Death Guard has made for you."
Hades raised his hand, signaling Garo to stop.
"By change, do you mean telling each other jokes?"
Hades sneered, as if mocking himself.
Garo looked at Hades indifferently, his face remained calm and serious.
"Your awareness is too superficial, Hades. You have not taken the various changes in the legion seriously, or treated them equally. You always think that you are leading the legion as a superior."
"Isn't it?"
Hades whispered.
"Perhaps you arrogantly think you have changed the Death Guard, Hades, but in fact, it is the Death Guard that welcomes you."
"They are welcoming you, recognizing you for all the hard work you have done and all the hard work you will do."
"If the Death Guard does not recognize you, all the policies will be just empty words."
"Don't you realize that you don't look like a Death Guard?"
Jialuo aimed at the vital point and killed with one strike.
"So the Death Guard is also trying to change themselves, and we hope you will integrate into this legion."
If Garo were asked to summarize the so-called quotes about Hades, Garo would only summarize one.
That is to tell the truth and at the same time tear apart Hades' usual unreliable shell.
In fact, Hades himself may not realize that he is the type of person who is warm on the outside but cold on the inside, because only a person with a heart as cold as stone can remain calm in the face of strong winds and heavy rains, and can decisively choose the most likely path amidst the sufferings of the world.
Only then can you remain calm and hold the rudder tightly when everyone is shocked and frightened by the facts.
If Hades was truly an enthusiast, he would have been defeated by reality long ago.
And Jialuo knows that only the most sincere truth can touch the coldest soul.
"The Death Guard welcomes you. So do I, Vorcus, Lord Mortarion, and the Death Guard. Although you often walk among the Death Guard, you still feel that no one in the Death Guard can reach your level, right?"
"So the Death Guard is trying to change itself, Hades. I think you should be aware of this. The Death Guard is trying to catch up with you, or rather, to welcome you."
As expected, Hades completely shut down, uttering meaningless monosyllables in a questioning tone.
“… Forget it, forget it… Master, please stop chanting, please stop chanting.”
Garo crossed his arms and watched with satisfaction as Hades wavered and finally broke through his defense.
"Don't be too stressed. You have done enough to make Barbarus what it is now, and the Death Guard what it is now. If you need help, the Death Guard is always waiting - not just when you order us as the commander."
Then Jialuo left, with the attitude of a winner and with an inexplicable sense of relief as if he had avenged his great hatred.
Little bastard, he thought, little bastard of Barbarus, no matter how capable you are, it was him, Galar, who chose you back then, and now he has finally let you fall into the trap.
Garo could feel that after entering the Death Guard, Hades had been looking down on them from some perspective of a superior.
But now, today, Garro, together with all the Death Guard and the thriving Barbarus, has successfully pulled Hades off the altar.
Come down, little boy, Garo thought, you were not even born when I was fighting on Terra.
Also, Death Guard welcomes you.
I wrote this late at night, so it might be a bit sentimental... I've written it, and I'm going to explain it again, and prepare to start the next plot.
If you don't think it's good, just ignore this chapter!
The third edition was revised based on feedback. It is recommended that you refresh the page before reading it.
Update: Revised to version 4
Fifth Edition
6
(End of this chapter)