Chapter 444 Assassination
The vast plain surrounded by mountains on three sides spreads out under the night sky. The camp under construction is as bright as day. The geographical transformation machinery that flattened the mountains is suspended on the hanging tower, and the temporary energy tower stands in the center. In the center of the square, the energy supply is uniformly concentrated.
Countless shuttles and large land trains weave a busy but orderly network of iron and stone at high altitudes and on paved tracks. Their tails are lit by fire-breathing thrusters, reflecting the Mechanicum's image. Gear mark, and the clenched iron fist of the Imperial Fist.
Give me two months, Rogal Dorn said to him, and I will give you a triumphal square worthy of the Empire of Man.
He kept his word, and this project that could take a single planet dozens or even hundreds of years has come to an end.
A week later, representatives from multiple legions will gather together, more than two hundred thousand Astartes, at least half of the Primarchs, tens of millions of mortal auxiliaries, and countless more narrators, memoirists, preachers, and clerks Secretary, internal affairs officials...
Everyone will step on the reorganized land of Ullanor, proudly witness the key turning point of the most glorious expedition in human history, and move forward with the entire history. Enter the golden age of light.
Horus Luperkar stood on the edge of the cliff where the plain had not been completely cut away - this would eventually exist as a natural tower for the flag. He lowered his head and looked at the entire wilderness, his eyes seemed to reflect the familiar scene of the soldiers laughing and laughing.
Aceimander may have been in a good mood enough to allow others to call him Little Horus, Loken and Sigismund chatted happily about half the things, and chattered to each other endlessly about the other half. dispute. Marr and Moi walked side by side, and Sejanus was probably sharing fond memories of the battle with a group of people... Holding his scepter in his hand. When he came to Horus' side, the light from below illuminated his old face. "It's all light."
"Yes," Horus replied, sitting down on the edge of the cliff and straightening his clothes. The war in Ullanor was over, and he put on a gold-rimmed pearl-white robe in the style of the Terran Palace, with the emblem of a moon wolf's head embroidered on the chest. "What's the matter, Sealbearer?"
"Look at you for your father, Horus," Malcador smiled, "You have fulfilled your battle oath."
"I hope he will be happy about this," Horus also smiled, "Remember our argument?"
"Which one?"
"I went to Thailand The council came to see you, and you and Morse were there at the time. I asked why two of our brothers had an empty pedestal in the Place of Heroes."
"Oh, that time," Malcador said tacitly. During that time, the imperial craftsmen behaved vigorously, but their private mood never improved. Malcador believed that it was the sequelae of the conversation with the emperor. All in all, a cursed arc shot Horus straight out of the door of the council hall.
“I don’t know who they were, or even whether they existed,” said Horus, “but sometimes I wonder if they were still among us, and their warriors were here In the square, laughter blows into our ears with the wind. Is that a better thing? "
"Or worse."
"You are right, Pawprint. I once thought about who took away our memories of them, but later I discovered that only my father could make such a supreme decision - and he must have his reasons for doing so."
" You are no longer confused.”
"I just feel sorry." Horus said, with a brief look of sadness on his face. "No matter what happened to them or what they did. Two of us were judged to be lost forever. If it was them A deserved ending."
"You still have what's left," Malcador responded. "They are loyal to the Emperor, serve the Empire, and love the object of your affection. If the election goes well, they will. I will also listen to you in the future."
"Like Perturabo?" A smile lit up Horus's face, "Oh, how can I expect them to listen to me? ?”
“So, what are you going to do?”
“I can only hope that my behavior will be worthy of their praise and expectations. Titles cannot win anyone’s sincerity. There is sincerity and action that can prove it," Horus replied.
"You surprise, Horus."
"Really?" Horus shrugged, "Okay."
Malcador smiled, straightening his back , looked at the vast plain in front of him for the last time, then raised his head and looked at the direction of the golden flagship high in the sky.
"See you in a week, Horus," he said. "Get some rest. He will hope to see a more energetic you."
"Of course," said Horus, after a pause After a pause, "No matter what happened to him, take good care of the Emperor, the Seal Bearer."
"This is my duty." Malcador said, holding the staff and leaving, the gray robe disappearing into the dim light of the night.
Horus looked at the mountains below for a while longer. The plains were shrouded in light, emitting a golden light. He heard laughter, the laughter of the Astartes, the laughter of mortals, all carried by warm winds upward into the starry night for an instant and for eternity.
After a long time, he stood up and found himself smiling.
Then, he walked down the mountain.
——
"May His peace be with you, Erebus." Daniel said, stepping down the ramp of the transport plane, and nodded slightly to the other religious leader who personally greeted him, "I'm glad you can sign I have issued my order, but for some reason, the other requests I have made so far always come to nothing."
"This may be due to the confusion of the star language, and accidents often become inevitable." Erebus. Said, "May I ask why you came here in such a hurry? Is there anyone still serving Aurelion?"
"Aurelion is accompanied by many priests, Erebus. I just came here on orders, there are Important matters will be presented to the Emperor in person. Is it possible to contact the Emperor's flagship here on the ground?"
"The Emperor is still in orbit, accompanying the Imperial Chancellor. He has not seen anyone recently. I'm afraid you will be disappointed. You can tell me the information and I will forward it to the Information Station." Erebus smiled and walked forward with Daniel.
They are now on the plain side. Walking along the avenue, they can reach the reviewing stand in the center of the Triumph Square. On the side is the low hill that serves as a natural theater seat. The light from the square reflected half of their bodies, their shadows disappearing into the night.
Daniel shook his head slightly. That was information about Primarch No. 11. He didn't think Erebus had the corresponding secret level.
"Please contact the Emperor's Dream for me, brother," Daniel said worriedly.
"It will take a long time, and we will not have the chance to hear the Emperor's word every day." Erebus said, waving away the others around him, "But Horus Luperkar is still here On the ground, he has been wandering around the plains recently. If you think this is appropriate, we can go to the hills to look for him.”
Daniel thought about it and agreed.
"Take me there, Erebus," he said.
They ascended the steps, and Daniel followed Erebus, chanting in his heart. They remained silent for a long time, which made Daniel wonder again whether Erebus really disliked him.
When he learned from the advice of Battusa Narek that the chief of Harhabat was hostile to him, he was shocked and wondered why he was so worried about the fact that he was also a servant. Resentful and silent. He scolded Narek for this and warned him not to have any doubts about his brothers. "Judge not, lest you be judged."
"On the top of this mountain, at the cliff on the inside," Erebus suddenly said, "It's dark, maybe we can meet him Go down the hillside. "
"I thank you for your guidance and trouble you to come to greet me late at night."
"This is an inevitable requirement of service," Erebus said, clasping his hands. , "I suddenly realized that we haven't talked like this alone for a long time, Daniel."
"Indeed," Daniel said, "We haven't had the chance yet. Do you have something to say to me, Brother Erebas?"
"I just found that as a co-worker, I But I don't know you. Where do you come from, Colchis?" said Erebus, and a stone rolled down at his feet.
Daniel noticed that the other party was wearing a leather satchel on his waist, which was big enough to hold a bolt pistol or an ordinary short knife.
“I think so,” Daniel answered honestly.
"Which town? Maybe we were born together." Erebus chatted calmly, and Daniel believed that the other party was killing the time of walking with a conversation.
"I don't remember," he gave a distressed and true answer, "I only remember waking up in the sand outside the city, as tired as if I had just experienced an escape. This may be a destined enlightenment, my The first name was given to the Word of God.”
“I never knew your legend.”
“I neither hid it nor spread it,” said Daniel. , "Those who can know are often allowed to know by Him. I have always believed this."
Erebus nodded, as if thinking, "'Because there is nothing hidden that cannot be hidden." Nothing is revealed; nothing is hidden that is not known. '"
"Yes, I believe so too. Everyone's path is arranged, and we just need to obey His will. ” Daniel responded, “Hidden good and evil deeds will come back to His sight in due time. ”
"May He guide our steps," Erebus said with a smile, his expression unclear. "Your awakening in the sand may be one of His plans. Do you believe so?"
"Indeed, I feel - everything for me has started again." "But what if you have a past?" Erebus turned sideways and looked at him from above.
"Is that relevant to the present?"
"What if you were a believer in a pagan religion?" Erebus showed his concern. "You know, Kor Phaeron's end still echoes in Colchis."
Daniel was stunned. After a long hesitation, he slowly said: "If I have ever gone astray, it must have been paganism that used people's happiness as a temptation."
"What now?" Erebus narrowed his eyes. Eyes, parked on the road on the hillside.
“As long as the Emperor is above me, I will not waver.” Daniel was slightly confused. “If I have indeed gone astray, I will one day need to atone for my sins.”
< br>"Change the topic, brother Daniel. How did you enter the right path now? Were you guided by the recruiting officer?"
When Daniel recalled this incident, he couldn't help but be gentle and happy. smiled.
"I can feel that inspiration, Brother Erebus, His light and love illuminate me, and I can't help but believe in Him."
"Then, it has the same reason as your belief in paganism. What a difference." Erebus declared coldly, joy flashed in his eyes in the night, and Daniel was regretfully convinced that he was indeed very hostile to him. Does deliberately twisting his words mean anything to Erebus? He couldn't understand.
However, the next moment, his eyes widened.
Erebus suddenly took out a straight short knife from his bag, and with a flash of cold light, he quickly stabbed Daniel. Daniel jumped back in horror, narrowly avoiding the blade.
"What are you doing, Erebus!" Daniel exclaimed, realizing that his hands were empty, and Erebus' swordsmanship was as good as anyone's.
Erebus said coldly, with a grim pleasure in his features: "You have never been truly forgiven, Daniel. Your past will always follow you."
They were in the Narrows There was a close-quarters fight on the mountain road. Erebus swung his sword and attacked fiercely, but Daniel tried his best to dodge. Sometimes he had to use his bare hands to block Erebus's thrusts in embarrassment, which made every blow dangerous. The two bodies were intertwined, and rocks rolled down, causing dust to fly.
“Please give me strength.” Daniel knew that he had to start fighting back and prayed silently in his heart for the sin caused by fighting with his co-workers. He took the opportunity to punch Erebus hard in the chest, temporarily knocking him off balance.
Erebus quickly recovered: "Do you think your dishonest faith can save you?"
Daniel was saddened by Erebus's violation of dogma, even though He knew the other person would never admit it: "His grace alone can save me. 'Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.'"
Erebus rushed forward again, but Daniel was ready, stepped aside, and grabbed Erebus's wrist. The two were entangled again, and the smell of blood quietly leaked out. Daniel was pushed to the ground, and the dagger was nailed into his shoulder. He tried his best to push Erebus away, rolling up from the ground, panting, and missing something in his hand. The disadvantages of weapons are becoming more and more apparent.
"Are you crazy!" He yelled, his heart beating faster, sweat and blood sliding down his forehead.
“Look at you, wretch without weapons!” Erebas mocked, “Why do you fight against true believers!”
Daniel tried his best to avoid Ereba Si's attack, knowing that he was slipping into the abyss of failure step by step, and every dodge made him more exhausted. Every taunt from Erebus was like a sharp blade piercing his heart. Sometimes he even felt that Erebus was playing with him, appreciating his struggle and pulling his shells off his body piece by piece.
"You can't defeat me at all, you heretic," Erebus sneered, "You have no weapons, no strength, you are just struggling in vain."
"I'm not-" Daniel muttered painfully, breathing heavily and already hurt. Everything in front of him began to spin rapidly, and the world seemed to be changing in a blur.
What if he also had a knife, Dan Yi couldn't help but wonder, if he could have a weapon that would allow him to fight back, he needed to escape from this crazy situation and get Erebus to his senses. .
“Please give me strength,” he prayed desperately, longing for a miracle.
Erebus pressed forward step by step, the blade flashing coldly in the dark.
"Do you see? There is no way to get even a counterattack blade." He whispered, like a poisonous snake, "The failure of heresy, Daniel."
Not so! Daniel was in great pain and exhausted. He squeezed out a retort from between his teeth: "You use doctrines to satisfy your selfish desires, Erebus, you insult me with misinterpretation..."
Erebus gave an example If he raised the sword, it would definitely be a fatal blow, and this was something Daniel could not accept.
His own death does not matter, everything will eventually return within Him, but he can no longer let a selfish madman dominate half of the Word Bearers and insult His way of faith.
He threw himself at Erebus with all his strength, even though he knew it might not change anything. If only he had a knife——
At the moment when his desire reached its peak, Daniel felt something suddenly appear in his hand.
It was a strange sharp blade with a long and twisted blade. It might have fallen from Erebus's bag, or it might have been summoned by his desperate prayer.
He no longer hesitated, held the knife, and stabbed Erebas.
Erebus reacted quickly and blocked Daniel's attack with the weapon in his hand. The two men fought fiercely with the flash of swords, and the sound of the blades intersecting could be clearly heard in the night sky.
"Please stay with me." Daniel muttered silently. His knife seemed not as sharp as he imagined, and it would be difficult to really hurt Erebus.
Erebus sneered, and Daniel seemed to vaguely hear someone approaching. He was pinned to the ground by Erebus, and only the hand holding the knife could aim the blade at Erebus's right shoulder. Likewise, Erebus's knife was pointed directly at one side of his arm.
The two of them swung their swords together. The golden light originating from the Triumph Square cut across their backs with an edge, demarcating the line between light and darkness.
At this moment, a huge figure suddenly loomed over them. Horus Luperkar heard the sound and rushed over. His hands were like iron pliers, grabbing their arms as fast as possible.
Daniel was shocked and wanted to withdraw his strength. Maybe it was due to inertia, or maybe he lost control due to fatigue. The knife seemed to have its own desire, and stubbornly scratched the palm of the Primarch. .
For some reason, this knife, which was not sharp, actually cut a small bloody opening in Horus's supposedly extremely tough skin.
“Stop!” Horus roared, his voice like thunder, “What are you doing?”
Erebus and Daniel stopped attacking instantly. Daniel still noticed the scratches on Horus' hands, and his heart was filled with guilt and apology. He never wanted to hurt anyone else.
Horus' eyes swept between the two men, his eyes flashing with displeasure and confusion.
"Daniel, why do you fight with Erebus?" Horus asked.
Daniel gasped and replied: "He...he doubted my faith. I am very sorry, dear Primarch, and I will do anything to repay the harm I have caused."
Erebus sneered: "Traitor." It seemed that this was enough as the clearest evidence.
Horus's stern gaze relaxed slightly, and he first said to Daniel: "It's just a small injury, you don't have to worry about it."
Then he turned to the two of them: "No matter what misunderstanding there is between you, here is This is not a place to solve problems. Follow me and I will tell Aurelion everything I saw."
Just as he turned to lead the two away, Horus suddenly felt a scratch on his hand. A pain came up. He frowned and looked down at his palm. The wound became extremely red and swollen, with dark green marks spreading.
"What's going on..." Horus whispered to himself, his face turned pale, and his voice was replaced by a cough. He tried to stand firm, but his body shook uncontrollably.
“Lord Horus!” Daniel exclaimed, quickly dropped the knife and stepped forward to support him. The weight of the Primarch was more than he could bear under his exhaustion. He knelt down beside Horus Luperkar, exhausted, "Lord Horus!"
Erebus stared at Daniel coldly, the corners of his mouth tilted: "It was you who hurt him."
The severe pain surged from the palm of his hand, and every heartbeat made Horus Feel pain spreading throughout your body. The scene in front of him gradually blurred, and his legs could no longer support his body, as if his whole body was being dragged into the abyss by invisible forces.
The soldier's laughter moved away from him, and the light faded slightly at first, and then suddenly shrunk to a very distant point. The world was like a thick veil, and his consciousness fell alone in the darkness.
Horus closed his eyes, and his tall body collapsed like a mountain.
Under the deep night, Horus fell on the bright edge of the Triumph Square.
(End of this chapter)