Emperor's Bane

Chapter 827 What is supposed to come will always come

【Zenobia.】

[You know what: It gives me a very similar feeling to Macragge. ]

"You don't need to keep showing off that you're the only one of us who has ever received a formal invitation from Guilliman, Morgan."

[I'm not bragging: I'm just stating an uncomfortable fact.]

Morgan felt a little aggrieved. She was obviously discussing this matter very seriously: but neither Fulgrim, who was carving the last feather pattern on his Golden Eagle Seal, nor Sanguinius, who was sitting not far away and working hard for his non-existent hibernation, seemed to agree with her idea.

To put it more clearly: they all regarded this sentence as a show-off.

"do you know?"

While the Warmaster was in the next room, communicating with the envoys of the Federation of Kings on the details of the landing and the welcoming ceremony, the Primarch of the Third Legion was lamenting the defenseless low-Earth orbit of Zenobia.

"We discussed this privately."

【What's up? 】

"About you and Guilliman."

Fulgrim sighed gracefully.

"We, for the sake of brotherly love, will not reveal the names of the others: in short, we all regret that we did not stop you from accepting Guilliman's invitation when you first returned to the Great Crusade and knew nothing."

"Look at you now. You have only been to Macragge a few times, and you have already learned the insincere and boastful ways. Morgan was such a pleasant sister, honest and simple, but before you knew it, you were led astray by Guilliman."

[…Is there?]

“It’s not my personal bias anyway.”

Phoenix's tone was frivolous.

"Fortunately, you are the one with the best temper among all of us, and Robert didn't lead you too far astray. But don't accept his invitation again. Macragge is not a friendly adjective, especially when this reputation spreads."

【This is where you are wrong. 】

The Spider Queen smiled.

[Other things aside, there aren't many brothers who visit Macragge, but Konrad and Corax are exceptions: can't we say they're both villains?]

"Don't play dumb here."

Phoenix snorted.

"Who in the galaxy doesn't know that the bat and the raven are both the national birds of Avalon."

Bats are mammals.

"Wild wolves are still canines."

Fulgrim waved his hand.

"Anyway, that's it: you just keep it in your mind."

【What happened? 】

Morgan narrowed her eyes. Even if she was a slow-witted person, she could still hear that Chemos's Phoenix was obviously hesitant: if there was no special reason, Fulgrim would never suddenly bring up the topic of Guilliman with her at this time.

"It's not a big deal."

Phoenix's eyes were somewhat dazed.

"How should I put it: There have been some bad rumors coming out of Terra recently."

【About me? 】

"It's not just you."

Fulgrim shook his head, and Morgan then remembered something: Phoenix's Chemos was one of the legion's home planets closest to Holy Terra. He could often take advantage of the situation, and Phoenix was the only Primarch who would do so among those with almost the same conditions.

As for the remaining few, Jonson, Dorn and Leman Russ are needless to say. Ferrus and Lorgar also have their own things to do. The Wolf God can meet two common conditions: but Cthonia, strictly speaking, is not under the control of the Luna Wolves.

That's right, before the Emperor left, he deliberately changed the division of the Primarch's fiefdoms, allowing Cthulhu to exist as an enclave of Horus's Wolf Kingdom in the Solar Segmentum, thus avoiding interference with the Wolf God's face: but this was the only thing that could be avoided.

Even if Horus had great power and influence, a legion home planet surrounded by the Terran Celestial Leaders would not bring him any benefits.

At least for now.

"So, how should I put it?"

Phoenix looked a little distressed. He was by no means a person who was indifferent to politics, but that didn't mean that Fulgrim liked to actively participate in these twists and turns that, in his eyes, were meaningless: he preferred to enjoy the control and freedom that power brought him, but had no interest in the bloodshed involved.

Therefore, whenever he has the chance, he will share the burden with those around him.

"Here's the thing."

Phoenix sighed.

"According to the information I have heard, the Emperor seems to be planning to carry out a major project in his Terran Palace."

【Big project?】

Morgan's brows jumped.

No: Is the level of confidentiality at the Terra Palace so shocking?
What big project?

"I don't know."

Fulgrim spread his hands.

"It's even hard to say whether this great project exists. After all, since our father returned to the palace, he has never appeared in public again: I heard that he did want to do something, but more details have never been known."

【That’s it. 】

so far so good.

"But one thing is certain."

[…What is it? ]

Morgan tried his best to suppress the tremor in his voice.

"I'll tell you quietly."

Phoenix turned sideways, and his voice lingered around the Spider Queen's earlobe.

“This information is accurate.”

"My informant in Terra's Internal Affairs Department reported to me not long ago about the situation at the last High Lords' meeting. You know, after the tragedy in Nikaea, the Internal Affairs Department that the Sigillite had worked so hard to build was blown to pieces. He had to step up his efforts to recruit people, so anyone could be squeezed in."

【How many did you stuff in? 】

“I can tell you there are about a dozen of them: there were originally three times that many, but Malcador has been free lately, and the ones that were not properly buried have been thrown out by him.”

【It’s really good. 】

Morgan's heartfelt admiration made Fulgrim narrow his eyes in enjoyment.

The Spider Queen's admiration was indeed heartfelt. After all, the number of spies that Phoenix had planted in the Ministry of Internal Affairs was actually one forty-sixth of hers. Inspired by this, Morgan immediately decided to send another 800 special agents to Terra after returning.

Anyway, since the forces of Holy Terra had been unable to frequently reach the borders of the Far Eastern Frontier after the Badab Crisis, the secret organizations that had been set up specifically to outwit and outmaneuver Malcador's agents were, for the time being, in a state of overstaffing.

It would be better to let them go back to their old jobs.

Morgan had made up his mind here, while Fulgrim was still talking freely.

"It is said that the last regular meeting of the High Lords was the most turbulent one in history: because just before the meeting, the High Lords received the latest request from the Emperor, which was a letter requesting a detailed list of taxes to be collected. The final amount was so large that the official in charge of the Ministry of Internal Affairs fainted immediately."

An exaggerated amount?

Morgan was prepared for this.

"It's not just an exaggeration."

Phoenix lowered his voice.

"I heard that after the High Lords received the Emperor's specific request, the first topic they discussed was not how to collect the tax from various worlds: but how to suppress the large-scale riots that were bound to break out."

【interesting. 】

Morgan laughed.

What did they discuss?

"The result is that a Titan Legion should be added to the configuration of every tax-collecting fleet."

【Why not the Knight Family? 】

"They can't guarantee that Knight World will not also be required to pay taxes in the future."

[Ha! Really?]

"That's what the Terrans said anyway."

Fulgrim shrugged.

"And to be honest: I think there must be something else going on here."

"Honestly, Morgan, I can't imagine why our father, who is staying in the palace, needs such a huge tax. Rather than saying that the Emperor needs it, I believe that those high lords want to exploit our wealth in the name of the Emperor."

【But the order came from the Emperor.】

"No one can see the Emperor: the only one who can see him is the Sigillite."

"Do you think the Master will give up an opportunity to weaken us?"

Although it was only a guess, Fulgrim's confident tone had already told those around him his true attitude: like the vast majority of the Emperor's children, the Phoenix had no good feelings towards the jester Malcador.

Although he would not actively harm anyone, Fulgrim would certainly believe it if Malcador said that he wanted to frame the Primarchs.

if not?
Apart from the Emperor, how many other people in the entire Holy Terra can control the situation in the Empire and set such strict tax rates?

You can't say that Dorn is secretly instructing the High Lords Council of Terra, right?
"Besides that, I think there is one more thing you must know."

Phoenix blinked.

"Although it is still a mystery who wants to collect this tax, the High Lords have indeed passed relevant laws. With only the Sky Territory under their control, it is impossible to collect this amount in any case: unless they are prepared to squeeze the entire Solar Star Region into a second Ghoul Star."

"So, the accurate news is: the largest tax collection team in history has set out from Terra Star Port. All kinds of scribes and bureaucrats fill every deck. The number of these mosquitoes is more than the stars in the sky. They will go to all the Primarch states."

"You, me, and the lands of Sanguinius and Horus."

[Wait? Sanguinius?]

The Spider Queen glanced at the Archangel who was diligently chewing the rind.

[What kind of money can Terra expect to get from his shabby place? ]

“You always have to show your attitude.”

Phoenix is quite open-minded.

"Terra has issued a decree requiring all expeditions and crusades, all Primarchs and commanders, and all Imperial rulers of the territories that have been annexed to the Crown, to collect the heavy taxes required by Terra on their vassal planets. Those who fail to do so will be considered traitors."

"Moreover, it is said that they have developed several new taxes based on the tithe tax."

【New taxes?】

The Spider Queen was curious.

[Is it similar to the tithe tax? ]

"Pretty much. They combine all the shortcomings of the tithe tax."

【Does the tithe tax have any merits? 】

"Of course: at least you know how much the tithe will take away from your planet."

“But I don’t know about the new taxes.”

"In their words, it was to fill the growing financial needs of the empire."

"It's outrageous."

Phoenix laughed contemptuously.

"If the price of maintaining the empire's existence is to drain the entire galaxy dry."

"And what was the Great Crusade for?"

Fulgrim shook his head, looking unwilling to consider the question.

"You know what? Morgan: Sometimes I really wonder if our father is really doing some amazing big project behind the scenes. Otherwise, how could those high lords set such an outrageous tax law?"

So are you going to follow it?

"I do not know."

Fulgrim answered calmly.

"Or rather: I want to see how the rest of you react before I make a decision."

"This is one of the reasons why I have been leading the expedition in recent years." "Those Terra tax officials can't come to the front line to find me, right?"

【Smart move.】

Morgan leaned on the railing nearby, his eyes looking at the other person in the room: Although Sanguinius was struggling with the fruit peel stuck in his teeth from beginning to end, the Spider Queen did not believe that this archangel with a keen mind could not hear anything.

【Hey, Sanguinius.】

Morgan greeted him directly.

[How do you plan to deal with the Terrans who come to your territory to collect taxes? ]

"Whatever needs to be done, we will do it."

The archangel was open-minded. He chewed his teeth hard a few times and then told the two brothers the answer nonchalantly.

"If those Terrans can really find something worth expropriating in Baal, then I should admire their means. I already rule over a land with nothing, so why should I worry about the arrival of those Terrans? Can they dig through the bottom of the valley?"

……

Hearing this, Morgan and Fulgrim looked at each other in tacit understanding.

Then I realized that the other person was also laughing.

"It seems the rumors are true..."

Fulgrim lip-synced.

"Sanguinius does not have much experience in world rule."

【Who says it’s not? 】

A hint of sarcasm appeared on the pale face of the Lord of Avalon.

[Did he think that having nothing would stop the tax collectors?]

"Hahaha……"

For a moment, the two primarchs who had actually exercised rule laughed knowingly.

"What are you laughing at?"

Almost at the same time, the Wolf Shepherd God with a tired look on his face pushed open the door of the room.

"Yo?"

Phoenix immediately perked up.

"What? Our great artist of diplomacy has finally signed his peace treaty?"

"Still early."

Horus waved his hand, his voice as flat as if he was drinking boiled water: The Wolf God was already accustomed to Fulgrim's sarcasm along the way, especially when the Kingdom Federation always showed a decent but distant response to Horus' kindness.

"let me guess."

Phoenix gently twisted the silver hair by her ear.

"The plenipotentiary is still keeping his mouth shut about everything about them, isn't he?"

"That's not true."

The wolf god picked up a piece of fruit from Sanguinius's fruit plate: judging from the archangel's frown, it should be a fruit that tastes good.

"At least they're allowing our expeditionary fleet to approach their fortress world."

“I think it’s more like arrogance.”

Phoenix gave his evaluation.

"Because they believe our firepower can't do anything to their defense network."

"Why do you think so?"

"It's very simple."

Phoenix puffed out his chest proudly.

"Because there's no one in the galaxy more arrogant than me: I'm an expert at this."

"You rarely tell the truth."

Sanguinius agreed wholeheartedly: even Morgan nodded silently.

The Wolf Shepherd God did not respond and cleverly avoided the topic.

"Morgan."

Horus looked at the silver-haired sister.

"How long have we been driving?"

[Are you saying how long it has been since our ship left the murderous planet? ]

Morgan thought for a moment.

[I can't give a specific number, after all, time is chaotic in the subspace, but there is one thing I can confirm: if this Zenobia is really the border capital of the Federation of Kings, it means that the core world of the Federation of Kings is about forty weeks away from the border of the Empire, and it may be shorter.]

"Forty weeks."

The archangel shook his head.

"It's not a safe distance."

"And we have to consider that the subspace during this period is not completely stable."

Phoenix added with a cold face.

“The actual distance is probably shorter.”

"okay."

Horus interrupted them.

"My brothers, please don't discuss these topics at the welcome ceremony later."

"I do not mind."

Fulgrim felt a little disappointed with his friend.

"Anyway, this Federation of Kings is wrapped in your Wolf Kingdom, so it won't be my territory that will be affected by the disaster."

"Have you reached a consensus with them on the upcoming welcoming ceremony?"

Archangels are more concerned with practical issues.

"Yes."

The Wolf Shepherd God nodded proudly.

"And I can assure you that Ambassador Dias and I have become friends."

"Does it mean he can kill those ugly apes for your friendship?"

"Of course not, Fulgrim."

"Then he is not your friend."

【okay. 】

Morgan raised his head and released calming psychic waves in the air, so as to prevent this topic from being debated endlessly.

Then she looked at Horus.

[So, Warmaster: Is there anything we need to pay attention to next? ]

"Keep the peace, that's all."

Horus' voice was loud and clear.

"We will take part in a parade in Zenobia to welcome us, starting from their starport, through the main city, and going straight to their historical museum: there they will show us their gifts, as well as the countless precious weapons in the museum."

"great."

Phoenix lowered his voice.

"A great triumph: but what is left to us is the place for prisoners and exhibits."

"Can you calm down a little?"

This time, even the archangel realized that something was wrong with the Phoenix.

"You seem to have been complaining here ever since we set out, Fulgrim."

"if not?"

Phoenix retorted confidently.

"I am just complaining here, instead of immediately drawing my knife and killing all those chimpanzees that give me nightmares at night. This is already a manifestation of my respect for Horus. What really makes me incomprehensible is you. Do you know what we are doing now?"

"Peace reached?"

"Follow the Warmaster."

【Trampling on the laws of the empire.】

Three completely different answers echoed in the air at the same time.

Then, the three Primarchs turned their gazes to the Spider Queen at the same time.

【What's wrong? 】

Morgan is innocent.

[This kind of thing is very common. ]

"..."

"Hey……"

After a moment of silence, Fulgrim covered his chest in grief.

"Guilliman has really led you astray."