In Macragge's reception room, Mortarion was silent.
He sat casually in a slumped position in the armchair, with the sickle placed next to the armrest.
Behind Mortarion, on a sofa the size of a Space Marine, Vorcus and Garro sat upright.
The original-sized single sofa in front of him was empty; the other participant in the conversation had not yet arrived.
Lady Euden walked with small steps. This slightly elderly mortal noble lady was holding a teacup that was very large compared to her body size.
She was moving clearly towards Mortarion, and Vorcus, who was sitting behind him, was sure he saw his father's slightly awkward posture.
Mortarion straightened up slightly, and at the same time he pressed a button on his gas mask, and the turbid gas that was spewing out of the holes in the mask disappeared.
Mortarion pondered for a moment. If he stood up, he would need to squat down again and bend over to barely reach the mortal lady's tea.
So he remained seated and took the tea from Ms. Euden.
Mortarion lowered his eyes and watched the black and yellow oil residue between his fingers rubbing against the smooth white porcelain, and he felt good about it.
Euden smiled warmly, then she turned and sat on the side sofa next to the empty one, while Mortarion stared at her, holding the cup of tea but not quite ready to take off his mask.
"Nice to meet you. Please allow me to introduce myself. I am Robert Guilliman's adopted mother, Tarasha Udon."
Yutun spoke calmly, and she saw the Lord of Death's eyes pause for a moment, as if he was recalling the meaning of an obscure word.
… foster mother.
Mortarion thought,
She is Roboute Guilliman's adopted mother.
He thought of his adoptive father, and then remembered that with Hades' help, the damn thing's head had fallen to the ground.
He had no adoptive mother, Mortarion thought, and since he met Hades and Karas, they had no mother either. Hades never mentioned his parents, but Karas would occasionally mention his mother who died early in the deepest night.
As far as Mortarion knew, Karas's mother was a tough and great mother.
This was his only concept of "mother".
So... will Euden be like that? Or will he be like his adoptive father, or better than him
But it didn't matter, Mortarion thought. The Lord of Death was indeed surprised that Guilliman had a mother, but this would not have any effect on his subsequent ridicule and anger towards Guilliman.
Above Macragge, the Death Guard's Navigator family is now working overtime.
As soon as they could find another way to the real battlefield, the Death Guard would leave immediately without staying in this damn place any longer.
Mortarion didn't want to know why a lamp was lit in a peaceful star field, as if calling for help.
Or does Guilliman think the situation is indeed at the point where he needs to seek reinforcements
Mortarion felt his anger burning quietly. Calm down, be calm, Mortarion said to himself. You can't... trust an optimistic fool too much.
Seeing that Mortarion was silent and did not answer Euden, Euden took a breath, and then she continued with a smile,
"I'm sorry Guilliman didn't make it in time, he seemed to have some urgent business with the Legion."
Mortarion nodded slightly.
[understand.]
He said sullenly, and then fell silent again.
"Is your commander not in the Legion? I heard that he was very fond of Macragge. Guilliman once gave him two of Macragge's carpets."
Under the hood, Mortarion's empty eyes suddenly focused on Jotun, as sharp as a beast.
[He is not in the Death Guard now, why do you know him? ]
Yudon smiled.
"Those two tapestries are the Connor family's treasures."
… Mortarion remembered that he had let that crazy oil man steal those two damn things,
[Hades really likes those two tapestries.]
Mortarion said dryly,
Euden smiled gently.
"I have long heard of this outstanding commander in the Death Guard. He is good at diplomacy and is committed to making people live and work in peace. I think the Death Guard must be such a legion."
In addition to asking Guilliman for some information about the Death Guard, Euden would naturally consult her own intelligence network. This is why even the Primarch would find it difficult to deal with some respected nobles.
To some extent, the nobles who rule an entire star region have more cunning and keener political sense.
What's more, this noblewoman is Euden, the one who raised the Primarch Robert Guilliman, even though she is old, even though she now bakes cookies every day, even though her brilliance is overshadowed by her husband, King Konor, and son Robert Guilliman.
But what bad intentions could she have? She was just a mother trying to share the pressure for her son.
Some things, Jotun realized, were not suitable for discussion between the Primarchs, who were too strident to be outdone in conversation.
Mortarion couldn't understand why this damn noble lady started trying to communicate with him.
But she was right, and he couldn't ignore it.
[The Death Guard is committed to overthrowing tyranny and liberating the oppressed.]
Mortarion added,
[And post-war construction and development.]
This is what Hades has always insisted on, and now, this is also what Mortarion and the Death Guard insist on.
Euden spoke,
"It is a noble pursuit, my lord. To build a paradise for mankind is what the Ultramarines pursue."
Mortarion's mask neighed, and he thought of the Macragge he had seen. If he were to judge by the Lord of Death's standards—
Then, Mortarion would think that the people here were a little too leisurely and lazy.
Macragge is full of hedonistic laziness. They work very little every day and then go home to rest, leaving them with plenty of energy for entertainment.
Mortarion saw the men who had crowded into the square to watch the Death Guard descend, simply for the sake of fun, and saw the flags they had hung with their spare energy and the crude gas masks they had made.
… Frankly, Mortarion didn't like it here.
Moreover, when Mortarion thought of the galaxy being torn apart at this moment, he could hardly imagine that in this burning galaxy, there was still such a peaceful and tranquil place -
Guilliman even lit up a fool-like, glowing warp light bulb in this star field, as if he was afraid that the war would not reach here.
Mortarion's breathing sounded like suffocation under his respirator. All the waterways of Barbarus had already been heavily guarded at the request of the Lord of Death.
but…
Mortarion thought silently.
People here don't have to work much, and even if they do, they can choose any job they like. On the transport plane, the Lord of Death also saw the prosperous streets of Macragge and the snack stalls that were set up there.
To his surprise, the snack stands were also flying the flags of the two armies.
… Mortarion now knew why Hades longed for Macragge.
For Hades, the lazy guy who delayed work and snatched meals as much as possible, there was no reason for him not to like this place.
Mortarion was silent, a terrible thought arose in his mind. If, if Hades was not a Barbarus, but a Macragge, perhaps -
Perhaps with Hades's personality, he would not choose to become a space marine at all.
Because the environment of Macragge itself is enough to meet his limited personal needs.
Hades was not warlike, and Mortarion knew it.
I just sneered in my heart, saying that he was worthy of being called Macragge.
Mortarion calmed his mind, staring at Jotun, the Lord of Death thought, Guilliman had Macragge and an adoptive mother, he grew up in this lazy environment full of false hope.
Then some of his stupid and arrogant behavior can be explained.
Mortarion thought slowly that it was a good thing that Hades and Kharas would remind him of his mistakes, even though both of them were no longer by his side.
But at least this way he wouldn't be as stupid as Guilliman.
The Lord of Death's hoarse voice sounded. He suppressed his irritability, annoyance, and sarcasm. Now was not the time to do these things.
Perhaps when Guilliman came later, he could simply make a few sarcastic remarks, laugh at his stupidity, then turn around and stride away.
[Lady Udon, Macragge's prosperity is evident to all.]
Mortarion said, thinking about what he should say to dispel the woman's excessive desire to talk.
"But you are not very satisfied with this place?"
Euton said, but there was no aggression in her eyes;
Mortarion took a breath in annoyance. What could he say to such a person? It was all nonsense. It would be useless if he said it out loud. He hated nonsense.
He should tell Guilliman, who was really in charge, and laugh at his stupidity loudly, and then the naive blue-armored man would have a proper reflection on his stupid behavior - at least Mortarion tried his best to stop Guilliman from making mistakes again.
[The life and people here are so leisurely. ]
Mortarion said impatiently,
Do they know what is happening now
Yudon smiled.
"Maybe they don't know what's going on, but the Legion knows."
Yutun's calm voice sounded,
"Actually, sir, we are also cautious about what is happening at this moment. Everything happened too suddenly. The Astronomican went out and all our long-distance communications were cut off."
Jotun shook her head. She looked at Mortarion earnestly.
"On my own behalf, my lord, I ask that you give me some current information. I am very worried about Lord Guilliman because of recent events. He has been working continuously for several weeks, but due to our limitations, we still do not know what is going on."
"I heard from Guilliman that the Death Guard, you, and Lord Hades are all extremely outstanding anti-psychics. Perhaps you know some information that we urgently need."
Euton said earnestly,
“You may not understand our behavior, but this is the only thing we can do when we don’t understand the current situation.”
Yudon paused.
"I'm sorry, sir, this is an urgent personal request from a mother, you can... not answer me."
Mortarion was silent.
If Hades were present, Hades, who is well versed in diplomatic affairs, would definitely call the despicable mortal nobles to play the upright old farmer Barbarus.
Although Mortarion was keen on malice, he was indeed unfamiliar with how to deal with good intentions.
Mortarion breathed calmly. After being silent for a long enough time, Mortarion spoke slowly again, but there was more respect in his tone
[Lady Euden, you raised my brother Guilliman.]
Mortarion asked abruptly,
[What does it feel like? Would you throw him off a cliff or into a pit of wild beasts because you want him to become stronger?]
He stared at Euden, his eyes sparkling.
Jotun had not expected that Mortarion's conversation would suddenly turn to her. Now the rhythm of the conversation was abruptly terminated. She paused.
"No, no, I will not do anything... cruel to Guilliman. If someone does that to him, then I will do my best to protect him."
Euton said firmly,
[But this will not kill him, Guilliman is the Primarch.]
Mortarion said,
"No, no, sir, talking about this in front of a mother is crossing the line."
Euden said decisively, even if it meant she was rejecting a Primarch, a Primarch with a strange personality that even Guilliman found difficult.
Mortarion looked thoughtful. He stared at Jotun and slowly took off his gas mask.
He raised the half-cold cup of tea and took a sip. The cup was empty in an instant.
Obviously, Mortarion had never drunk tea or did not know the etiquette associated with it.
But no one here would make things difficult for him.
Mortarion swallowed the tea leaves, thinking.
[You really don't seem like the type to do that. I'm glad to realize that you treated Guilliman well.]
This is the mother... Mortarion thought, at least it's not the adoptive father who threw him off the cliff, which is why Guilliman treats his mother so well.
What Euden said just now did give Mortarion enough shock.
Guilliman had a mother who cared for him... That was... strange, Mortarion thought.
Out of this strange feeling, Mortarion decided to give this brave mortal lady a little more respect.
But he would never waver from the desire to taunt Guilliman.
It's really strange, because Jotun raised Guilliman, and he decided to respect Guilliman's mother Jotun, but he was not ready to respect Guilliman.
[I take back my previous malicious speculation,]
Mortarion said dryly,
If you are offended by this, I take it back.
Yutun smiled, and she slowly put away her vigilance.
"I was too vigilant,"
She said,
"It takes a lot of courage to talk to the Primarch, and you, my Lord—"
[It looks more likely to scare you.]
Mortarion said,
[I know, that’s what they all say.]
[Every time I conquer a planet, my brothers are called kings and rulers, but I am only given the title of God of Death and Nightmare.]
Mortarion laughed and took off his mask. His dry smile made him look even more terrifying.
Yudon smiled.
"But I know that's not the case. Appearance is by no means a criterion for judging a person's character. My lord, I believe you are a noble man."
[A novel review.]
Mortarion said, staring at the empty cup, the lonely tea stems floating at the bottom of the cup, he thought, he didn't mind being judged, maybe his brothers thought it was rude,
But Mortarion actually allows others to judge him, or point out his mistakes, as Khalas and Hades did—
They saw through his own horrible appearance and chose to point out his shortcomings to him directly.
Mortarion thought, his keen hearing picking up footsteps outside the corridor.
The Lord of Death spoke slowly,
[Ms. Euton, I have to reject your request. Actually, I don’t know what happened.]
[but-]
Mortarion said, putting down his cup and holding out a hand toward Jotun.
[If you are interested, you are always welcome to sit on the Death Guard. The Death Guard is definitely safer than Macragge. I can guarantee this.]
The door was flung open, and Mortarion turned around to see Guilliman, who looked incredulous.
Mortarion raised an eyebrow.
[Mortarion!!!]
Guilliman roared.
Now it was Guilliman who wanted to kill Mortarion.
And Mortarion didn't think he was wrong.
4.5k words, yay!
Guilliman, feel the pain!!!
P.S. This volume of The Rebellion is probably the brightest. I mean the bright side of the empire, where life is peaceful and quiet, while the dark side is struggling to move forward.
(End of this chapter)