Chapter 248 Malt, Hagrid, Miss
"Caves made of metal? Are you humans so timid that you need to use those things to protect yourself from being killed by nature?"
————Tau Alliance, Kroot
The huge and majestic castle is comparable to the Holy Mountain on Terra. It is like a metal monster or a giant dragon that is several kilometers long, crawling on the wilderness. The coldness that is far beyond the ordinary world is a frequent visitor with bad character, and for the big For some Skadi people still alive in this era, such a place can be called home.
The metal mountains stretch continuously, comparable to any wonder in nature. Whether it is cold or hot, and the many evils that follow, such as volcanic eruptions, hurricanes, blizzards, and earthquakes, it doesn't matter to this iron dragon.
However, no matter how huge and terrifying the buildings or natural features are, they will eventually touch the ground as their foundation. The many open spaces around the castle are also one of the few places where Skadi people can touch the sad nature of this world.
However, due to the cold, harsh climate, dry land or lack of air, even the fully armed soldiers could only wear thick winter coats and move forward slowly in Skadi's scarred ground.
In such a harsh place, there is an old man with his head lowered, wearing only undyed inferior cotton clothes. The heavy chains on his feet drag deep marks on the ground. However, where he is cultivating, the light green plants are already as thick as human calves. It's so high.
And he, the old man, was obviously taller than the others, with gray hair and wrinkles on his face. But at this moment, he was dragging a load that seemed to be the weight of an adult and wielding a terrifying hoe, feeling that he could chop off a mortal's head anytime and anywhere. , let those who offend him die.
It was hard to imagine that this man was once a warrior galloping on the battlefield. He wiped the sweat from his forehead. The loose and makeshift cloth could not cover the black carapace spots on his body. The violence of war had never completely faded away. .
But when the warm light of the star was focused by the translucent white greenhouse, and the temperature shone on the twinkling crops, the veteran finally exhaled.
This field, which the Lord of Skadi has high hopes for, is full of new hope. The thousands of acres of fields cultivated by the Space Marines now only depend on him, but they are still growing vigorously. One day, when the fruits are abundant, those special crops will Become a treasure that saves countless people in the empire.
Whether the person who had killed could bear this responsibility, complex public opinions and pressure were suppressed by the Lord of Skadi, but even so, the place where the sinner was has become a forbidden area. Although Hagrid is content to sleep with the vegetation, But when he used the soft soil as his bed and enjoyed the rare hardship of doing nothing, the roar of firearms and the sound of engine servo appeared in his ears.
Space Marines do not know fear, and the feeling that kept Hagrid awake was not fear. It was the accusation of his brothers against the surviving warriors, and it was also the punishment given to this man by the Chaos Gods. Even if he escaped to the surface, he would still be there before Skadi. Under the protection of the Lord, within the light of the Star Torch, and in the material world of the real universe, those feelings are still clear, even to the point that they are enough to drive mortals crazy.
This is why Hagrid chose to take care of plants. At this moment, he buried his face in the field, as if dead, with the smell of plants, soil, roots, and the touch of tiny insects entrenched on his long-unconscious skin. It seems that no one knows anymore that this huge, old warrior is still alive in this world.
He is dead and has become an undead spirit. Only soil and rest can make him comfortable. His only goal in life is to cultivate more life and regard it as his own salvation and comfort.
The silent air flows slowly here. There is no noise of living things. It is like a dead place. Only the leaves collide with each other under the flow of air. The faint and almost invisible rustling sound means that the world is no longer the same. The dead silence of the void.
But the silence seemed destined to be broken. After the rapid footsteps, the unattended greenhouse was opened, and the girl's silver bell-like voice shouted. "Plant, what kind of plant is this?"
The maid behind added with a trembling voice. "This is Lord Alan Bair's greenhouse. The wheat should be grown here, Duchess Arya! Don't run away!"
Arya, who was wearing heavy clothes, only felt that it was extremely warm here, and she was inexplicably excited. It belonged to the biological love for plants. Those things that had been suppressed for decades saw crops for the first time today. Although it was farmland, it made Ellie This sensible child plays like a wild animal.
She frolics along the reclaimed road. The little girl in Pan Lan has never seen plants in her life. For her, the legion-like wheat and green creatures here are neatly erected here. past things.
She ran for a few steps, ignoring the maid's shouts. She felt too hot again, so she threw away all her thick dresses and scattered them one by one on the path along the field for people to walk.
The maid shouted in fear and anger, "Duke! Duke Arya! There is a monster here!" and quickly picked up those priceless clothes that were stained with dust. For Arya, she was only wearing a light top. , my red skin enjoyed the wind brought by running, and it was still a bit cold, but it was by no means uncomfortable.
She looked at the wheat. The green ears of wheat had raised their heads, and she couldn't help but think about what a pity it would be if they were baked into bread. According to the book, they would become golden and must be beautiful.
Arya was tired. She sat on the dirt roadside, panting and exhaling the cold air like white mist. She lowered her head and looked at the wheat ears in the field, and curiously stretched out her hand to touch the plant.
"Don't move!" A thick voice came, and Arya shrank her hands as if she was electrocuted. She glanced sideways at the old man lying on the ground. Perhaps because of the shrinkage of the old space warrior's body, the smart child did not recognize his identity at first. , just asking.
"Old man, why are you sleeping here, where is the bed?"
Hagrid said nothing, just looked at the light of the stars, as if he felt that the child would leave soon, just like those who were afraid of him.
Arya continued to ask. "Did you plant all the fields here? Can you teach me! I want Pan Lan to be as beautiful as here."
"Old man, can't you speak? Isn't the wheat green? I thought it was gold."
Hagrid was too annoyed at the moment and could only ask helplessly. "Have you never seen plants?"
"Does it count in the book?" Arya answered.
"It doesn't count. Fortunately, you haven't been to Catachan. Otherwise, you wouldn't love these little villains so much. You have to know that they will die if they don't take good care of them. They are very delicate. Even if Are you going to plant them then?" It was rare for Hagrid to say so many words. The last time he had this conversation was with the Lord of Skadi, and now it seems that it has been two months, even a long time.
"Ah... then leave it to my dad. He is amazing. Secondly, these plants can create air, can't they? My hometown needs to import air. My father has a headache because of the expense. If the beautiful scenery here Plants can help us have a good atmosphere, and I will take care of them.”
Arya spoke of that simple vision. She knew that things were often that simple, and her usual maturity made many people forget that she was not very old.
"Too naive. Those wheats are soldiers. You need to train, train, and cultivate them. When they mature, they leave you and exert their own effects. Whether they become a new crop or dissipate into flour, I don't think you can be responsible. ." Hagrid commented harshly.
"Then let me become your soldier. I will not leave until I can learn the results." Arya answered seriously.
Hagrid wanted to say something else, but the maid quickly chased him. The young girl with a pockmarked face had never stepped out of Panlan in her life. She was very worried and timid. She was even afraid of the wheat, fearing that they could Made Arya sick.
And when she shouted. "Duke, go back!"
Arya just said. "Go back? Rather than this, look at my new friend!" She pointed her palm towards Hagrid, and the maid moved forward curiously, but when the former Space Marine stood up, his huge body, the black carapace on his arms, and countless The wounds and the muddy look on his cheeks made this timid mortal open his eyes and speak slurred.
Countless rumors crawled into the poor man's head. She thought of many rumors and shouted. "Oh God...Emperor!" She turned her head immediately, as if her little legs could outrun a Space Marine.
Running away, this was the world Hagrid knew. He suddenly turned his head and looked at Arya, as if he was afraid that the girl would look so ugly after seeing him clearly, but Arya just touched the black mark on his thick arm. He said worriedly about the wounds left by the sage of the Adeptus Mechanicus.
"Power ax? I saw my father use it. The wound is not easy to heal. Were you wearing good armor at that time?"
"Yes, it's good..." Hagrid showed a hint of loneliness, and Arya immediately comforted him. "Ah, I'm sorry, I can understand. A good armor is like a family member, but when I saw this wound, I understood that that person is gone..."
Hagrid said complicatedly at this moment. "What...what should you do with your clothes?" He changed the subject and asked again. "Without clothes, a mortal would freeze to death walking from the courtyard to the gate. Stay here with me for the night..."
"I have a wooden house, and that suit of armor is also in the house. I can leave a place for you and make a bed for you with quilts, but I hope your delicate body can support my quilt."
Arya smiled. "Really, but I was not born a noble. When I was enjoying the floor and being beaten and scolded in the slums, I was far from knowing the feeling of quilts and beds, books or studying."
"Let's go, old man, I want to learn your technique and make malt grow in any soil!"
Hagrid's old cheek touched, and he moved forward slowly. The wound that had been inflicted by the Black Mechanical Sage no longer hurt. He was now extremely lucky to have met the Sun Lord, no, it was the Lord of Skadi, yes Alan Bayer was also his adventure.
When the person who was not destined to die peacefully was pulled towards the wooden house, they made the bedding and bed. Arya occupied a seat by the window on the second floor where she could observe the sunrise. Hagrid prepared the best food for the child. , and introduce to her the honor and merit of his Terminator armor that once protected the empire.
He still concealed a lot of words about how he had fallen into chaos, but the paint on it would never fade, and the paint smeared with blood would not hide from the girl's sharp gaze, but Arya just pretended not to know, and praised this Honors veterans have done.
She politely said nothing about the old man's past. She just enjoyed the fun of meeting friends and was ready to accept more wisdom. When the maid hurriedly found Alan Bair, the Lord of Skadi was eating a sandwich. He slapped the table and shouted.
"Lord Alan Bair! The captive monster in your greenhouse has kidnapped my lady!"
Alan Bayer sluggishly ate his sandwich, and then suddenly burst out laughing. "Pfft... Arya's boy?"
"Her? Taken away? Emperor, thank God, that girl is not easy to deal with, and finally something attracts her attention!"
The maid scolded in dissatisfaction. "My lord, don't be ridiculous, that huge and terrifying inhuman monster once served the traitor, such as when he ate our lovely Miss Arya alive..."
Alan Bayer said. "He is just a veteran with no spine. After his brother left and the war was lost, he could no longer eat anything alive."
"I understand your fears, but trust me, your lady is fine."
The maid was a little persuaded. "Yes... Well, then I want to ask you to bring the clothes and related daily necessities. My offensive appearance today may have scared him... made him annoying, and I am still afraid..."
"Pan Lan is my friend. I will go. This is also to ensure the safety of Skadi's first duchess. Don't worry, I have saved more than a few people in the empire." Alan Bair reassured the maid. The young lady blushed instantly, was sent out by the gentle Lord Skadi, and returned to the room indifferently.
When he returned to the office, Alan Beyer pressed his nose and muttered. "What is that little guy doing..."
Arya woke up early the next day, even before Hagrid, or maybe she hadn't had a good night's sleep, and as the Space Marine felt his first restful sleep since the war that day, he saw the panda with him The little girl with bright eyes held up the paint bucket and used rough iron sheet and blue paint to paint the Terminator armor in the warehouse.
Although it is still very rough, it is not beautiful, and it can even be said to be dirty to the holy relics...
Arya touched her nose. There was a lot of dust on her body, and her fair skin turned black, and she said. "I don't know what the color of the Astartes' armor represents. I just used the blue color that is most described in the book. Sorry..."
Old Hagrid touched the armor, and suddenly picked up the paint, and painted a circular symbol inlaid with braided olive branches on the shoulder armor and chest, which was also the symbol of the Ultramarine knights.
"No, you did very well, just like when I quit. The only thing missing is this. I wronged my brother twice..."
Arya asked. "Why don't you try it on?"
Hagrid replied. "I don't deserve it, I can't do it..." and shook his head repeatedly.
Next to the window of the warehouse, a young man in military uniform was leaning against the window, holding a starch cube dipped in berry jam, and talking to himself. "You are qualified now, I, the Sun Lord said so."
Arya looked at that one and laughed. "Uncle, would it be better to add a front?"
Alan Bair couldn't take a breath, he just felt that his blood pressure was a little high... The God of War on the Toilet Seat (talking about the medieval high elf)
(End of chapter)