Warhammer: In the Name of Nirvana

【also. 】

[I think Carthage must be destroyed. 】

[We will find it, besiege it, capture it, massacre it, tear down all ports and city walls, cleanse every palace and synagogue, and let the fire burn sleeplessly in this cursed land for six days and six nights. 】

[Ravage their towns with armies, cleanse their people with swords, devour their crops with vicious grains of salt, so that no second empire can grow on this land: if their fate can be completely ruined, That's like letting the empire we wait for rise rapidly. 】

【so. 】

[I think Carthage must be destroyed. 】

[Destroy it: Start now. 】

【……】

"..."

"..."

"Are you worried about the situation of the war, Morgan, my blood relative?"

The fully-armed Caliban Lion King stood in front of his star map, looking worriedly at the Spider Queen who was also standing in front of the star map not far from him: Morgan was already standing in front of the star map, working in a low voice. I have been thinking about [Carthage] for five hours.

Lord Caliban instinctively wanted to see more clearly, but it was difficult.

Because countless sensors and remote auspices have occupied their left and right, the precision eyepieces, dials and reflectors are engraved with sparkling dust light, just like the fruitful mountain forests in late autumn.

The purpose of these brass machines is to observe and measure the stars, and it is with their assistance that Johnson can receive any military information from the frontline in real time on his "Indomitable Truth" and coldly command With the fleets of Causwayne and Arachos, he pushed forward his mountainous front.

In the long war in the past, these instruments were undoubtedly the heroes; but now, the gloomy-looking Lord Caliban only felt that these former heroes had unknowingly become an eyesore.

Zhuang Sen did not realize that if he wanted to use a more vicious language to describe his thoughts, it could be completely defined as a sad "cool nature".

He didn't have time to think about that, because his blood relative of Avalon, who behaved a little strangely, had already occupied most of Jonson's energy: the Caliban people knew his blood relative very well, even if he couldn't see anything on the surface. Just by smelling it, you can smell a certain heavy aura on Morgan.

Could it be that something went wrong in the war situation and Morgan discovered them but couldn't solve them?

The first thing Caliban thought of was this disturbing speculation, and this speculation successfully made him frown deeply, just like the towering mountains on his home planet.

Jonson certainly had reason to be upset.

At this time, some time has passed since the three huge fleets of the Astartes Legion completed their rendezvous and the four Primarchs gathered for the first time. During this period of time, other reinforcements from the Human Empire also arrived one after another. The temporary command core of the expedition fleet: the fortress world [Indris] newly established by the First Legion, located at the southern edge of the Halo Stars.

After the large forces arrived one after another, the expedition fleet of the Human Empire set out from the Indris star system, passing through the death world of Tara and the wild world of Cabbage, and plunged into the hinterland of the Halo stars from the southwest: and the capital world of the Randan Empire , is located in the southeastern border area of ​​the Halo Stars. Zhuangson's move is to avoid the frontal defense line that the alien has been operating for many years, drive straight in, and go straight to the heart of this enemy. He does not want to be in the meaningless outer defense line of the alien. It consumes more power.

The Lord of the First Legion knew very well that he now needed to accumulate strength to face the next more important task: a message from the dark area in the northern part of the galaxy, written by the lives and blood of a hundred Dark Angel vanguards, let Ka Liban made up his mind.

In order to achieve this goal, a large-scale joint operation was inevitable: the Space Wolves Legion left the main force, led a part of the force, and swaggered to assemble in the Lanora system southeast of the Halo stars to attract Ran Dan's main force. attention, and the real elite forces among the Dark Angel Legion, Dawnbreaker Legion, and the Mortal Auxiliary Army will take advantage of this opportunity to secretly infiltrate Chen Cang.

This is a very simple plan, so simple that it is almost crude, but the Calibans who are well versed in the art of war know very well that it is often this seemingly simple plan that has real executability and success rate. .

Any great military plan is a refined product that can be summarized in at most ten sentences, because there are only a few secrets of war. What is really profound is how to use them appropriately: often the more fancy and huge a plan is built. The easier it is to plan, the easier it is to fall short on those tedious details.

But despite this, the Lord of the Dark Angels still had a thought in mind: In order to avoid the irreversible consequences of the failure of this plan, Jonson deliberately left a capable rearguard fleet, whose mission is to support and sideline at any time. The two main fleets should cover the latter's evacuation even when necessary.

There is no doubt that the commander of this fleet needs to have a high level of initiative and an excellent sense of war: the issue of candidates for this position almost drove Johnson into despair.

In the end, under the strong advice of the Spider Queen, Luther, who was arranging the order of the army behind the front, took office and became the real leader of a quarter of the expedition fleet: However, Caliban's King of Knights is actually Not entirely satisfied with the appointment, he didn't even tell Luther personally about the promotion, and as always asked Morgan to do it for him.

At the same time, Jonson also agreed with an incredible proposal put forward by Morgan: The Spider Queen clearly informed the Lion of Caliban that without the blessing of the two legions of Dark Angels and Dawnbreakers, relying only on Luther himself, It is difficult to quickly master the entire rearguard fleet, which will have an adverse impact on the entire battle situation.

When he heard these words, Caliban was even stunned for a moment: he had never thought about it so much, but he still nodded, counting on the wisdom of her silver-haired blood relative.

And Morgan really put forward a high opinion.

With just one sentence, the Spider Queen successfully threw the Midnight Ghost, who was doing nothing at this time, to the rearguard fleet, and served as Luthor's helper to calm people's hearts.

Faced with Zhuang Sen's concerns, the Lord of Avalon just smiled back.

[Don't worry about Luther, Jonson. 】

[Conrad and he had known each other a few years ago. What's more, our brother's attitude towards your adoptive father is infinitely close to the "respect" in his behavior. 】

[Luthor has a magical charm: you have to admit it, Conrad seems to see something in him. I have never seen him be so restrained towards other people. 】

The words of the Spider Queen were as calm and stable as ever. This calmness caused Zhuangson to hesitate for a moment: in the end, the trust in blood relatives outweighed the inner uneasiness of the Primarch, and the Midnight Ghost soon received it. A mission that made him raise a brow.

Conrad didn't say anything. He maintained an elegant silence and silently followed the fifty Dark Angels and fifty Dawnbreakers who were traveling with him, quickly disappearing at the edge of the main fleet: a few A few days later, a secret reply from the Defender Fleet was placed on Johnson's desk, stating that Midnight Ghost had arrived at his post on time, and that he and Luther seemed to be getting along well.

His silver-haired blood relative's proposal was as effective as ever, and once again solved the problem he faced: a conclusion like this has become one of the few [truths] in the heart of Lord Caliban.

With the blessing of this [truth], as Leman Russ, Luther, and Konrad left one after another, and as Causwayne and Arachos went to lead their respective vanguard fleets, the Lord of Caliban suddenly He discovered that the only people he could completely trust at this time seemed to be his silver-haired blood relatives who were still by his side.

In such an environment, the low aura from the Spider Queen, or even the faintest hesitation and thinking, will naturally attract the Lord Caliban's special attention.

Not to mention, the always calm and calm leader of the Second Legion seemed to have become accustomed to standing in front of the star map as the expedition fleet approached the capital of the Randan Empire, dealing with large and small things while almost talking to himself. He muttered to himself those strange words that Zhuang Sen couldn't understand.

Today it was Rome and Carthage, yesterday it was Constantinople and the Ottomans, the day before yesterday it was Caesar and Vercingetorius, as well as Mordred and the capital of Camelot, Odin and Fenrir...

Each piece of history and legend that Jonson understood, or perhaps didn't understand, kept rolling in the Spider Queen's whisper, seduce the curiosity and worry of the Lord Caliban: the lion had to worry, Did his blood relative develop some kind of anxiety disorder that he had never noticed before because of the pressure of action?

After all, his blood relative is a more fragile figure after all: if her will, resilience and strength are not as strong as Jonson, who is a Caliban, it is simply a normal thing.

Jonson accepts this conclusion.

Or is it……

Did she stay with Conrad too long?

…

It's not impossible.

Zhuang Sen secretly touched his beard: due to the long and intense march, his beard and even hair had not been taken care of for a long time, and it was even messier than the manes of those lions who had just fought a bloody battle.

Morgan once offered to take care of him, but Zhuang Sen sternly refused. The Lord of Caliban would rather his blood relatives store even a trace of spiritual energy, and then use them all in the subsequent Ran Dan annihilation operation.

The Primarch of the First Legion had an intuition comparable to that of a beast. He instinctively realized that the annihilation of Randan's home planet might not be as smooth as the previous destruction of other alien fortress worlds.

Just like in the previous Second Randan War, letting Morgan use her psychic power to destroy the surface and achieve the tactical goal of "skipping class", this time it is estimated that it will not be effective again: although there is no evidence This could be proven, but in Zhuang Sen's heart, this premonition was particularly strong, so strong that he believed it without a doubt.

What's more: when he expressed this concern, although his silver-haired blood relative immediately raised his eyebrows in dissatisfaction, after careful consideration, Morgan actually did not refute his idea.

This made Jonson more and more certain of his thoughts. He almost kept staring at the vanguard troops led by Coswayne and Arachos, planning new plans in his heart all the time to prevent Any possibility that will be encountered on Ran Dan’s home planet.

And when the Lord of Caliban devoted himself wholeheartedly to this small field, the Spider Queen standing next to him was still mumbling those strange words at all times, but she also helped him handle everything in detail. : In Zhuang Sen's view, this is already a matter of course.

With Morgan's help, the Lord of Caliban could safely block most of the outside information that was not important enough: except for communications from the other two fleets.

…

[News from Ruth. 】

Morgan's voice echoed in Zhuangson's ears, sounding a little hoarse.

[According to Russ, a considerable part of Ran Dan's troops have been attracted to him: in front of his battle line, a Ran Dan fleet at least five times the size appeared, but they had no intention of attacking. They were just fighting with Russ's fleet. The standoff remains in the middle ground. 】

"Confrontation?"

The Lord of Caliban temporarily withdrew his gaze from his star map. He looked at Morgan's blue pupils. He pushed aside the obstructive communication facilities with some annoyance, intending to have a good time with his blood relatives. Let’s talk about it.

"No attack?"

【not yet. 】

[But this is also a good thing. 】

Morgan spread his hands.

[After all, we all know that the size of Russ's fleet can only be said to be average, and the naval combat capabilities of the Space Wolves Legion are really beyond expectations: if Ran Dan's main army really engages in a firefight with Russ's fleet, they will easily You will find clues. 】

[Ruth's fleet is responsible for attracting Ran Dan's main force from the front. Your and my combined fleet take the opportunity to attack Ran Dan's capital, while Luther and Conrad's rearguard fleet is responsible for making up for the loopholes in the front. Depending on the situation, support us again. Or support Russ: This plan sounds very simple and divisive, but as long as either party makes a mistake, it is very likely to cause the entire battle to fall into great trouble. 】

Zhuang Sen nodded, noncommittal.

"Even if Russ's fleet really gets into fire with those aliens, it doesn't matter. Luther's rearguard fleet was specially set up for this situation: as long as they provide timely support, I believe Russ can repel Ran Dan's main fleet. .”

"After all, the strength of the Space Wolves Legion cannot be underestimated. They can do their job well."

This sentence was spoken in Zhuang Sen's mouth. Although it was not accompanied by a serious tone, it was extremely convincing: even Morgan had to admit this.

Although she still had no expectations for the Space Wolves Legion's naval combat capabilities, this did not prevent her from smiling and thinking about the best possibility with Zhuang Sen.

[If everything can really go according to our idea: when we successfully attack Randan's home planet, their main force will definitely return urgently for rescue, and the Russ fleet that merges with Luther's rearguard fleet can Take the opportunity to launch an offensive, bite the tail of Ran Dan's main force, constantly consume them, and follow him all the way to Ran Dan's home system. 】

[At that time, the four fleets will gather together again, enough to sound Ran Dan's death knell. 】

"Can't be blindly optimistic, Morgan."

Zhuang Sen nodded and returned his gaze to the star map, where the Spider Queen was planning the war plan casually. The unimpeded advancement and large and small encirclement nets really made Zhuang Sen's eyes bright. , and even felt a certain excitement: even though this plan was planned by him and his blood relatives.

But even so, the Lord of Caliban still warned himself: as the commander-in-chief, he cannot take any chances, not to mention that a certain worry has been lingering in his heart.

In front of Morgan, Johnson expressed his worries very frankly.

"You know, Morgan."

"The biggest problem with this plan is whether Russ can hold back the main force of the Randan Empire: his task is far more complicated than ours, but I don't think he can do it perfectly. .”

Morgan raised an eyebrow.

[If I remember correctly, less than a minute ago, you told me that the Space Wolves Legion should not be underestimated. 】

"Those are two different things."

Zhuang Sen waved his hand a little irritably.

"Ruth's legions are indeed powerful, and I believe they will fulfill their missions faithfully. But the real problem is that neither Leman Russ nor the warriors under his command have actual on-the-spot reaction capabilities and inner restraint. It’s very good, even terrible.”

"If you look at it from a subjective point of view, of course Russ will faithfully fulfill his responsibilities, but as long as he encounters the slightest accident or provocation, he is very likely to lose his rationality and precision, be dragged down by his legion, and the whole thing will be ruined. Totally screwed up.”

"If I give him a ten-point thing, he will indeed do it with ten-tenths of strength and tenths of seriousness: but even if the final result is at best, it will only be seven or eight points or even five or six points at most. level, there will always be some crucial steps that will be delayed due to various emergencies and on-the-spot performance.”

"Ruth is not suitable to lead the army, especially not to lead the army alone, but we have no other choice: Originally, I wanted your fleet to be responsible for Russ's mission, but I am not sure that in your absence, we can do it as quickly as possible. We have to uproot Randan’s home star, so we can only pray that Leman Russ won’t let the chain fall.”

Jonson used a low voice to tell his evaluation of his Fenrisian blood relatives, while the Spider Queen just stood aside and listened extremely quietly: she knew that even the Lord of Caliban would be affected by this great event. Feeling anxious about the approach of an important war.

Burying Leman Russ might be Jonson's way of releasing his anxiety: she vaguely remembered that Guilliman also liked to do this, and even Magnus would do the same.

……wrong.

Magnus should simply be burying Leman Russ.

Thinking of this, Morgan smiled, and then she was pleasantly surprised to find that her anxiety seemed to be reduced.

【……】

Could it be that burying Leman Russ was really that effective?

Could this be some kind of recessive gene given to the Fenrisians by their genetic father?

Thoughts like this flashed through the Spider Queen's mind, but this did not prevent her from speaking in time and adjusting the relationship between blood relatives instinctively.

[Give Leman Russ some confidence, Jonson, you know, if our genetic father hadn't trusted our Fenris brothers, he wouldn't have been sent here: Why didn't the Emperor send Vulkan Woolen cloth? Didn't he and his legion also participate in the decisive battle of Tuckers? 】

[Since it is Leman Russ who is here and fighting alongside us, rather than Vulkan, this in itself shows that our brother of the wolf has the ability to be trusted by the emperor: maybe We can look forward to his performance here. 】

"You'd better not think that."

Zhuang Sen snorted lightly, and his heavy breath swept across his chin, blowing countless thick breaths, causing the Lord of Avalon on the side to frown in disgust.

She didn't like Jonson's beards, even though they were blond.

The Calibans, who were unaware of this, were talking about it.

"Listen to me, Morgan: All of our brothers have problems of one kind or another, and you can't trust any of them with your entire trust and safety. The combination between them is better than the cooperation between any two Primarchs."

"Together we can conquer anything."

"And neither you nor I can guarantee that we can completely handle the matter, so don't count on them."

Morgan didn't know how to answer these overly arbitrary words. She just stared at the star map and documents in front of her quietly, quickly processed part of the work, and patiently waited for the decline of this arbitrary atmosphere.

After realizing that Zhuang Sen's mentality had gradually calmed down, the Spider Queen opened the topic again: she spoke first.

[Are you familiar with Leman Russ? 】

Johnson shook his head.

"Dulan was my first meeting with Leman Russ, and no one knows better than you what happened at that time, and the Battle of Tuckers was my second meeting with Leman Russ. When we met, you also knew very well what the situation was like at that time."

[It feels like I have witnessed many moments in your life, Zhuang Sen. 】

"On the other hand, so do I."

The corners of the Lion King's mouth seemed to twitch.

"So, strictly speaking, this is only the third meeting and the third cooperation between Leman Russ and I: considering that the first two cooperations were not very pleasant, it is difficult for me and our Fenris brothers to be considered It’s an acquaintance.”

【……】

Morgan nodded.

[Perhaps, you can become more familiar with Leman Russ. Zhuangson, after this battle, chat with him to see if there is anything you can learn from each other? 】

"..."

Jonson smiled.

As if amused.

"Learn from each other?"

"In my body, there are countless advantages that he can learn from: just how to make him break away from a barbarian and become a truly cultivated and honorable warrior is enough for him to learn for centuries."

"But what can I learn from him: learn how to be a beast?"

【……】

Morgan spoke softly, but in the end he did not say what was in his heart: The Spider Queen realized that this conversation seemed to have no new meaning for her, and it was not as good as the newly transmitted information and information in front of her. Data is more valuable.

[Learning this kind of thing is actually like war: just like us now, before we actually arrive at Randan's home planet, who knows what the actual situation will be like? 】

Jonson was noncommittal.

[So, if you have time, you should go talk to Leman Russ and try to make friends with him. 】

"... make friends?"

Zhuang Sen frowned and spoke slowly. His tone was like that of a serious child who was diligently learning some unfamiliar words that he had never been exposed to before.

[Yes, make friends. 】

The Spider Queen quickly reviewed the thousands of information streams in front of her: With the daily interactions and the successful transaction not long ago, in Morgan's heart at this time, the Wolf King of Fenris had a worthy person. It's a very good image.

Morgan is happy to discuss things about Leman Russ, and is also happy to see Jonson and Leman Russ get closer: if his Caliban brothers can learn a little bit of the open-mindedness and ego of the Fenrisians, Awareness, even just a little, would be of great benefit to the Lord of Avalon's heart and brain vessels.

Therefore, Morgan's words can even be called sincere.

[Find Leman Russ and have a good chat with him without arguing. Or, you can see if he has any difficulties and try your best to provide him with a solution: the result and method of the solution are different. Importantly, sincerity is a wonderful existence that can escape reality. 】

"..."

Jonson blinked.

He was still staring at the star map, constantly making plans, and the Spider Queen on the side was also doing the same homework: their conversation was accompanied by Morgan's soft instructions and the long silence of the Lord of Caliban, and they lost their ability to continue. The core topic of the discussion has naturally come to an end.

Even Morgan didn't know whether Zhuang Sen listened to her words.

She doesn't care either.

She has more important things to do.

——————

[Carthage must be destroyed...]

Once again, the Spider Queen muttered to herself almost uncontrollably, but fortunately this time, Zhuang Sen seemed to be completely used to this kind of scene.

As a result, Morgan was able to work in a kind of undisturbed silence while using these collections to tell stories, shaking waves in the inner ocean.

In fact, she didn't know the specific meaning of this, or in other words, as they truly embarked on the journey to destroy the entire Ran Dan civilization, in her heart, a certain ritual that had never been taken seriously before finally came to pass. I was inspired and started to work.

And the core of that operation is what her genetic father called a gift, that piece of metal that almost no one can understand: Although the Spider Queen has always insisted on using the souls and wails of countless aliens to maintain the inner world. The flames burned this piece of metal, but it had never emitted such an active and intense breath and state as it does now.

It was as if only the end of a dominant civilization like Ran Dan could arouse great interest in this strange metal: This phenomenon reminded Morgan of all the speculations he had deduced before, and he felt inexplicably cold.

Although she tried hard to suppress this inner agitation to prevent her distraction from disturbing the subsequent battle, some things seemed to take priority far higher than the reason that the Spider Queen had always respected.

During the long work, the Lord of Avalon belatedly discovered that her brain seemed to have some facts, some knowledge, and some understanding of other fields: it was as if her genetic father had already designed it. This aspect is ready, but it can only be turned on automatically when she reaches this step.

【……】

Thinking of this, Morgan frowned.

During this period, or in other words, after the expedition fleet officially set sail, a few particularly eye-catching words, accompanied by the sound of the strange metal, kept wandering in her mind: upset The chaotic Spider Queen grabbed them intentionally or unintentionally, but only caught two of the words.

Civilization, and, demise.

…

Two ordinary words, but uncontrollable waves surged in her heart: with the appearance of these two words, such as the fall of Carthage, the surrender of Gaul, the battle of the sword fence, Ragnarok, or 1453...

Various seemingly unrelated historical stories and legends emerged involuntarily from the depths of her memory. They were connected in series in her mind, both like some silent reminders and like a... omen.

Morgan couldn't figure out the mystery contained in this, and she hated being dragged into a vortex without considering her feelings: even though the hand that was gifted by her genetic father had the power of human eyes The "Spear of Eros", which is obviously powerful and has not yet been forged, is constantly responding to deeds such as "Civilization", "Destruction", and the falling stars in Morgan's mind, and it cannot Make the Spider Queen feel better.

She had a vague premonition.

During these days, she kept whispering about various histories and legends: whether it was Carthage, Gaul, or even the legendary Camelot and Asgard, in the Spider Queen The whispered fragments seem to record the moment when their bodies and their country were destroyed, and their civilization was also cut off.

And based on reality: the purpose of their trip is indeed to destroy a civilization that was once extremely powerful and glorious, and left a rich mark on the galaxy.

This was undoubtedly an atrocity: a justified atrocity.

But it was this kind of behavior that made the Spear of Eros unprecedentedly excited.

So……

A terrifying weapon that would rejoice in the demise of civilization: and possibly even feed on it.

Why was it born?

In other words: When can this kind of thing be used?

Emperor...

And why give it to her?

【……】

Morgan speculated.

But she didn't dare to think any further.