[Main Hall of Nikaea Theater]
Magnus panicked.
The High Heaven was hinting to him that something was going to happen. He felt uneasy and a vague sense of panic. The flow of the river of psychic energy was no longer calm, and the dim light of the guardian elves also indicated that something was about to happen.
He tried to divine, to predict the future—
The Conference of Nikea, all the rivers of psychic energy pointed to it, some unfortunate tragedy must have happened here, Magnus took a deep breath, he might be able to think of the worst outcome.
This is a murder, a conspiracy against the wise, the psychics, the pioneers of the empire. The ignorant witch hunters will turn their prejudice into flames, clamoring to burn his body.
Could his father, the Emperor, be deceived, Magnus wondered, would he be persuaded by the passionate but flawed words of Mortarion and Leman Russ
The worst outcome would be the Emperor's trial of the Librarian, which would be a disaster. Magnus's brain trembled with anger at the thought of Mortarion's ridicule after his victory.
No—he wouldn't let that happen.
Magnus tried to comfort himself, but his heart listened to the uneasiness guided by his psychic power. He walked into the theater with fearless steps, but after sitting down in the darkness, he nervously clutched the corner of his clothes.
He saw the Emperor, Sanguinius smiling at him, Fulgrim, and the Librarians led by the White Scars, which made him feel warm.
But then he saw Mortarion and Leman Russ, rude and brutal men, both of them cruel and extreme people who would tear to pieces anyone they disliked.
Magnus took a deep breath, and behind him Ahriman saw the Scarlet King tapping his chair unconsciously.
But this was still not the last straw that broke Magnus's back.
His gaze turned to the empty seat facing the stage. He saw the Sisters of Silence surrounding the seat, and the Mechanical Sages, known for their ignorance and stubbornness, sitting silently around it.
Magnus felt his heart suddenly drop, and his soul and reason seemed to fall into the abyss.
No—no, how could that be
Magnus muttered to himself, staring at the empty seat in disbelief. No doubt, there would be someone who opposed the psykers sitting there.
One who is against psychics!
And he will sit in the main seat facing the podium!
Everything became clear in an instant. This was a hanging of an innocent victim. They disguised the ignorant burning at the stake as a fair trial and sneered at his struggle!
No, how could it be?!
Magnus trembled slightly and looked at the Emperor. He hoped that he would say something, express something, or give Magnus some hint that this seat was not deliberately designed, but the Lord of Mankind remained like a sculpture, motionless.
Magnus looked to the angel, to Fulgrim, hoping that his allies would see that this was an unjust murder, and he missed the moment Mortarion stood up and walked to the podium - the Lord of Death had taken the lead.
Even the first shot of the crime was fired by the enemy.
Magnus felt desperate, felt that he had been deceived and teased, he felt the hot spiritual energy flowing through his body... No, perhaps he should be optimistic.
The corners of Magnus' mouth trembled into a self-deprecating or lucky smile.
The meeting had already begun, but the guy in the main seat hadn't arrived yet, which meant he still had hope. The biggest murderer wasn't there. As long as he could refute the words of Mortarion and Leman Russ and make his father believe him—
Well, there is still hope!
Magnus was immediately excited, but suddenly, he caught a glimpse of a familiar and terrifying figure in the sea of spiritual consciousness.
It's heading here.
Unable to breathe, angry, desperate, Magnus stared at the empty seat. He seemed to realize everything, that everything was irreversible. Was the fate he was going to suffer far more cruel than he had imagined
No - someone, someone come and tell him that his fate is not like this! Magnus hid his panting soul under his silent body, he knew that his fate was not so tragic!
But the footsteps were getting closer.
———
[Nikaia Theatre Promenade]
Hades scratched his head and looked at the sparse number of Servants in the corridor.
"Are we a little late?"
Angron shrugged indifferently.
[I don't care about that, and if it weren't for me, you should be able to arrive on time and be a good person who follows the rules that they like. ]
"All right,"
Hades spoke,
"I think they've already started the debate. Should we go in quietly so as not to disturb them?"
He looked at Angron and frowned for a moment. The Primarch said gruffly,
"Why, Hades? Both you and the World Eater deserve a noticeable and respectful entrance. They should show respect for our presence. No gladiator would enter his battlefield like a thief."
Hardy paused.
"Um… "
Hades blinked, then he laughed.
"Perhaps we could enter separately? I prefer not to disturb others - you know, Angron, the Order of Silence is for silence."
Angron's frown deepened. Was Hades unsure of himself? He realized this with surprise. Didn't Hades realize that he deserved those people to stand up and salute him? He was better than 99% of the people in the empire. Those scumbags should show their necks for him.
Or... Angron remembered what Hades had said to him before. Hades seemed very worried about how Angron's other brothers viewed him. This would be the first time that Hades would appear in front of most of the Primarchs in an alternative formal capacity.
Angron thought angrily, he knew, he knew the feeling, Angron had felt that feeling before in his furious past.
No, he would never embarrass Hades in front of his "brothers".
Angron laughed.
[I'll listen to you.]
He said he would make Hades realize that the World Eater would be his greatest shield.
———
[Main Hall of Nikaea Theater]
[I have personally witnessed countless innocent souls being corrupted by witchcraft. They were supposed to be citizens of the empire, fathers of children, and soldiers of generals, but they were transformed into monsters that were neither human nor ghost under the erosion of the warp! ]
Completely different from Mortarion's usual whisper, the Lord of Death's high-pitched voice resounded throughout the theater. He shouted loudly, as if he was cursing at those wizards.
[Think about it, ladies and gentlemen! Witchcraft easily provides people with a shortcut to gain without any effort. It is like the sweetest honey, tempting people's minds and magnifying the deepest desires in their hearts to infinity - just to let you stick out your tongue towards it and swallow it like a hungry ghost. ]
No, no... Mortarion's voice turned into a buzzing sound in Magnus' ears. He felt the monster that was suffocating him approaching slowly, and listened to the sharp sound of the executioner sharpening his knife.
Magnus's sanity was shaky, but he still knew he was right. He subconsciously and painfully refuted Mortarion in his heart.
Only fools would use psionic power for any purpose. The use of psionic power is a complex science that requires extremely high self-discipline and self-control. It is not like what Mortarion said!
[But beneath the honey, there is only arsenic! Lies often wrap up the sweetest bait, and then reveal the sharpest blade to you, constantly eroding your spiritual power and cursing everything you have. ]
Mortarion looked towards the empty seat in front of the podium and suddenly raised his voice.
[Since the establishment of the Death Guard, we have fought against countless aliens and psychic species. We have never been defeated, but the harm of psychic species has always alerted every Death Guard who fights against it, citizens of the Empire! Only when you fight a monster that has been tortured by psychic energy and gone crazy, you will realize how terrifying psychic energy is! ]
[It turns good people into evil, it makes the wise stupid, the calm crazy, the loyal betrayal, the soul boiling, the desire amplified, it is the root of all evil and tragedy! ]
Mortarion's high-pitched voice paused, and the Lord of Death took a deep, deep breath. The entire theater was silent, and everyone could hear the Lord of Death's labored scream under his mask.
Mortarion suddenly became tired. He spoke softly, his amber eyes sparkling under the golden light of the stage, golden magma rolling in between.
[I am well aware of the great achievements of the Thousand Sons Legion in the Great Crusade. My brother led his legion to recapture world after world - but I am deeply worried about him. The Thousand Sons' use of psychic energy has made me feel deeply uneasy. They use this ability too much. An ominous cloud lingers around my brother.]
Magnus felt his stomach and his soul churning together. He could not hold on any longer. Fine beads of sweat oozed out from his forehead. He was about to come... No, no... The light in Magnus' eyes began to flicker. He could feel his psychic hope saving him.
However, the witch hunter's words continued to ring out. As if aware of Magnus's embarrassment, Mortarion whispered in a voice so soft that it made him sick.
[I don't want - I don't want to find out that our enemies have appeared among us after the Empire has conquered countless worlds, after we have crushed regimes of ignorant wizards and psychics one after another.]
Mortarion paused dramatically, then shook his head slightly.
[This shouldn’t be happening,] he said.
The only response he got was deathly silence. Mortarion knew he had won. He kept an eye on the situation at the Thousand Sons' position. The Lord of Death was keenly aware that something was wrong with Magnus - he seemed to realize that he had failed.
Under the mask, Mortarion raised the corners of his mouth. He looked at the empty seat facing him with some disappointment. It was a pity that Hades did not appreciate all this beauty.
The Lord of Death caught a glimpse of light out of the corner of his eye.
Above the main seat, the main door was opened a little, light shone through the gap, and a man in black helmet and boots appeared.
"Bang!"
There was a deafening sound of the door opening, and Hades turned around in surprise. He saw Angron, who had agreed to let him enter separately, standing beside him.
The hearty laughter of the Lord of Red Sand echoed throughout the theater, and everyone turned their heads sharply.
[Sorry, everyone, it seems we are late!]
Angron patted Hades' shoulder armor vigorously. He winked at Hades, motioning him to follow him down. The World Eaters walked out of the door in tacit understanding and surrounded Hades.
Angron knew what he was doing. He used practical actions to tell everyone that the World Eater was Hades' strongest backer. If Hades was unwilling to do it, then he would help Hades do it!
Whoever is the enemy of Hades is the enemy of the World Eater!
Staring at Angron, Hades opened his mouth slightly. Thanks to Jin's black halo, people could not see his stupid expression. Hades opened his eyes wide. He felt that everyone was looking at him. He turned his head slowly, weakly, and desperately -
He saw the bright stage directly ahead of him, below, and Mortarion staring at him in amazement.
Hades suddenly realized that Angron's hand was still on his shoulder armor.
[I apply for a recess.]*2
Magnus and Mortarion's voices sounded at the same time.
At least on this matter, they reached a consensus.
Maybe, wait for me to have a meal, don’t wait any longer.
Ask for monthly ticket
(End of this chapter)