Chapter 126 Dantioch Interlude·1·The Castle of Old Wounds
The War Blacksmith, who was exiled by the Gene Father, walked with difficulty in the deep circular corridors of Shadenhold.
The old joint servo hummed inside the War Blacksmith's unkempt steel-gray power armor with obvious rust and mottled marks, making his steps appear heavy and tired.
The grievous injuries inflicted in the Hrud War generations ago still plague the prematurely aging warrior like maggots in the tarsal bones, but they do not really bother him.
Barabas Dantioch barely panted under his steel mask, air hissing from his trachea as he staggered around a familiar corner.
Schadenhold (Fortress of Pain) was designed and built by him personally. Since the day it was built, it has been a monument to the glory of the past, a creation of loyalty to the Fourth Legion and the Emperor. Dantioch Proudly believing that even among the Fourth Legion, which was well-versed in the art of war architecture, this war fortress was the most magnificent of wonders.
No one can break through its defenses unscathed and silently.
——So, what is this. ——The old blacksmith blinked his red and tearful eyes behind the mask because of old age and weakness.
Some kind of plush four-legged creature that he had never seen before in his long life was lying there, or more accurately described as "splayed" relaxedly, in Danti The door to Oak's room.
He stopped and looked at it carefully, while trying to hold back the cough in his throat.
This creature, which was estimated to be at least five feet long, did not appear to have any particularly objectionable mutations. It was furry all over, with distinct symmetrical black and white patterns, and a long nose with a moist black tip and a slightly drooping tip. Ears, white tail and long fluffy tail with a tip.
The closest thing Dantioch can find in his memory to this kind of creature should be the animal companions of their Fenrisian cousins and some primarchs or warriors wearing power armor. shawl.
So this is a heterochromatic... wolf or canine?
But why is it here?
As far as Dantioch knew, there was no such animal anywhere within ten light years.
trap? Or...
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Peturabo closed his eyes, lay on his side on the ground and stretched his limbs comfortably, hard and rough The surface made him feel uncomfortable as he was used to pillows and soft quilts.
Wait!
He jumped up on the spot with a speed that was extremely agile for 2K Terran canines. What is this! Damn it, damn it——
I obviously just fell asleep in bed!
Lami Zane! ! Lamizane! ! Perturabo called in his heart.
The bad news is that there is no induction, and the good news is that there is no problem that occurs when the distance is too large. It is as if he is still on the pillow in the bedroom on the Destiny Steel and has not moved.
The canine's olfactory organs told him that this place was filled with complex smells that he was once very familiar with but now felt like they were in another world. Steel, rocks, engine oil, humans, sweat, promethium... And the promethium here smells a bit Unusual richness.
He wrinkled his nose and brows, but to outsiders, the animal just tilted its head slightly, showing an expression similar to distress, and its beautiful and clear brown almond eyes were full of confusion.
Dantioch hid behind the corner and observed the uninvited guests at the door of his room with a cautious tactical perspective.
This wolf-like animal seemed to have just woken up and was frightened by its surroundings. It jumped up in confusion and stood there shaking its head and looking around. Its fluffy tail looked a little wary. Tucked up at the end of the back. The old blacksmith also noticed that the animal had well-groomed fur - he smelled some complex and elegant mixture of spices, very light incense and animal fur, clean, bright eyes and down. The flying ears indicate that it is likely to have an owner.
The short hairs covering its four paws looked extremely white and clean. Dantioch even felt that this sudden animal should be better than many planets he had seen. Human beings need to be clean.
"What a disgusting inference." He said silently in his heart, while summoning his Iron Guards and Fortress Guards in the communication channel. The countless past encounters in this universe have already taught him Treat all surprises with caution.
In this place where subspace exists, there is nothing more suspicious than a living creature that appears in the innermost part of a heavily guarded fortress but does not trigger any alarms.
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“So what do we do with it now?” Taraski, chosen by the War Blacksmith to be the daily deputy of the fortress The battle brother asked, with a hesitation in his tone that was rare among the soldiers of the Fourth Legion.
The priest brother stood behind him, with no expression on his square and resolute face, but his eyes would uncontrollably glance at the bird that was now wagging its tail impatiently and looking at them. animals.
It is true that after their series of discussions, this animal is at least partially similar to the Fenris wolf, but through communication, the three of them discovered that it is quite different from the huge and ferocious beast they know. Yes, the first time they saw this wolf-like animal, they would have a very rare and strong "feeling of closeness" to the Astartes.
And an inexplicable sour and hot emotion would flow down the spine and through their Superman's chest. The three people's shared experience also explained why no bombs or other things were fired at its head in the first place.
“Perhaps I should keep it by my side for the time being and observe it.” Dantioch coughed and said an extremely imprudent way to deal with it.
Pastor Janif curled his lips in disapproval, but he had to admit that even if the animal was suspicious, as long as he thought of pointing a gun at it, he would have an instinct. Prevent him from doing so, and more complex and bitter emotions will sweep in and fade away like waves washing up on the beach.
The old blacksmith raised his tired legs.
His ancient and faithful power armor was now the only support he could move his huge body. Panting, Dantioch walked towards the animal, stood still, thought for a moment, and then filled him full of The steel-gray gauntlet with traces of time covered the animal's head - Taraschi had already subconsciously pulled the trigger of the bolt gun - the creature let out a dissatisfied whimper, turned its head and used its long, furry and bearded hair. The mouthpiece slapped the side of the old blacksmith's gauntlet, then stopped moving, and let the iron-gray nails-studded iron fingers touch his head. Once, and again, Dantioch's coughing stopped unconsciously. He stroked the animal's furry head.
The four-legged plush creature bared its teeth and tightened its ears visibly and reluctantly, but did not move away or move, and was stroked again.
The War Blacksmith spoke again, his hoarse voice that was always full of pain, hatred and resentment unexpectedly calm.
"Come on, anyway, come with me, I think you need sleep, let's make a nest for you in my room first."
Sometimes it is true on cold days I want to tell you some warm and plain (really) little stories, like a bowl of hot porridge.
The story of the multi-episode series was drafted last summer. I thought about it over and over again out of love, but in the end I still didn’t have much stock (laughing). This is really not suitable for the daily update requirements of online articles. .
I hope I can still find time to show you the miracles in this fantasy universe that I like.
(End of this chapter)