The Emperor’s Angel of Death

"So, do you think my guess is correct, oh Wise One? Back then, there was a Necron, of very high rank, who sought hope for this race that had lost its flesh and soul. Later, it learned about the Grey Seer through some channel and realized that a body transplanted with the Grey Seer might be the best way for them to return to life. However, they couldn't study this matter themselves without bodies, and it also involved the power of the ancient Star Gods. They had been deceived and enslaved by the Star Gods, so it must have been wary. Therefore, it needed an experimental blueprint, an individual who volunteered and could withstand the power of the Grey Seer. Coincidentally, your own child, conceived naturally rather than through genetic engineering, Xerxes, came to the world where the first Grey Seer was placed, Ctesiphon. Thus, a perfect experimental blueprint appeared. That Necron began to plot, even leading a horde of Orks to bring about the destruction of the planet, forcing Xerxes to seek the power it needed. What a double-edged sword! It found an experimental subject and also ruined the most important child of the Human Master, the second most important person besides Him."

After saying a lot, Zoshyan looked at the teacup that had been filled by the Wise One, picked it up, and took a sip.

"The Necrons have a leader called Szarekh, who is also the head of the Silent King of the Triarch Praetorian. If there is a Necron who would deploy such a meticulous and vast plan, then it is very likely to be him. From the moment he came into contact with Xerxes and taught him knowledge, he was weaving his plan. Queen Elena once said that Xerxes had a mysterious friend, which must have been this one."

After listening, the Wise One folded his hands and looked at Zoshyan.

"You have indeed grown, Zoshyan, and your growth further proves my point. They were wrong, I was right. This is my duty."

"Then, when the Emperor found out, didn't He do anything?"

"Do what? Avenge him? Hunt him down? Dig all the Necrons out of their tombs? Do you think humanity at that time really had the capital to fight a second War in Heaven with the Necrons, fighting to the death?"

This time, the Wise One's voice showed rare emotion. Zoshyan was stunned for a moment, and then realized something—

"The Emperor was unwilling to go to war with the entire Necron race for the sake of His son."

The Wise One smiled bitterly and picked up the teacup.

"Sounds humiliating, doesn't it? There were five moments in His life when He was most powerless, and this was the second. Zoshyan, He once had unimaginable expectations for Xerxes. He was ruined, and He was more painful than anyone else."

Zoshyan put down his hand, leaned back slightly, and his shoulders slumped.

"I see, I see... Xerxes' fate was sealed from the moment he used the Grey Seer. His consciousness would definitely be swallowed by the Grey Seer, and once the Grey Seer occupied Xerxes' consciousness, it would immediately seek its true master. There were only two choices: either become the stepping stone for his father to ascend to the throne of the Human God, or die before everything was irreparable, stopping the Grey Seer forever at the last step."

The Wise One turned the cup in his hand and said meaningfully:

"Actually, there is a third way, but he didn't choose it."

"The so-called third way is not a choice at all!"

A clear and cold voice interrupted the Wise One. Zoshyan turned his head and saw a beautiful woman appearing at the door at some point.

She was draped in a gray gauze robe, her long black hair floating behind her head, like a celestial goddess. She was the most beautiful woman Zoshyan had ever seen besides Veronica, but at this time, her face was full of anger, destroying her sacredness.

Almost in an instant, Zoshyan had guessed the identity of the person.

"Primarch Mother, Erda."

The Wise One shook his head helplessly.

"I knew you couldn't help but come out when I mentioned this."

"So what? What choice did you give him? You made him kill three people with his own hands!"

"Three people?"

Zoshyan blinked.

"Which three?"

Erda didn't look at Zoshyan, still staring at the Wise One.

"First, his wife, Elena."

"Ah?"

Zoshyan was stunned, scratched his head, and looked at the Wise One, who just shrugged.

"Then the second..."

"Second, his most cherished and closest brother, Konrad!"

"This——"

Zoshyan's eyes widened. He couldn't imagine what Xerxes' expression was when the Emperor made this request, but it should be similar to his own.

"Then, then..."

"Hmph! Third, is the one in front of you, his father!"

"What!?"

Zoshyan stared blankly at the Wise One, almost jumping up from the sofa, and then he looked at Erda, stammering and asking:

"Wh-why?"

"You ask him!"

Zoshyan turned to the Wise One, who sighed softly.

"Zoshyan, do you remember what you said before, Xerxes once discussed with his father what kind of ruler is qualified? This is the test He gave to His son. If he could pass these three tests, then He would be willing to sacrifice Himself and forcibly suppress the Grey Seer in Xerxes' body with His own power, and Xerxes would also gain all the power of his father and the Grey Seer, becoming a true Human God and the new Emperor of Humanity."

Zoshyan's whole brain almost crashed, and then he finally understood why Elena said Xerxes looked so lost at the time. It wasn't because of the argument at all, but because his father wanted him to kill his wife, brother, and even the father who made this request!

Xerxes would not, absolutely would not agree.

"I... I don't understand..."

The Wise One looked at Zoshyan and said indifferently:

"At that time, He believed that if Xerxes couldn't do it, then he would make the mistakes He once made."

As he spoke, he seemed to glance at Erda.

"His rule would fail, and humanity would be doomed. He couldn't afford to gamble. Xerxes had to possess god-like power, so he had to sever the roots of his humanity. He had to become a true god from the inside out, and even this was just the first step."

"Ah? The first step? Then later..."

"After ascending the throne, he would also have to kill Malcador, kill Horus, kill Sanguinius, kill those Primarchs he once called brothers, and devour their power. Only in this way could he reach the height of truly standing against the Ruinous Powers, only in this way could he fully control the Webway legacy left by the Old Ones."

Zoshyan's face was already pale at this moment, and cold sweat was pouring down.

"What's the difference between such a Xerxes and the Chaos Gods!?"

"Of course there is, because at that time he would be the strongest one, a true master who controlled the real and soul worlds."

Zoshyan looked down at his trembling hands. At this moment, he still couldn't imagine Xerxes' mood when he heard all this, and whether he chose to die with hope or despair?

Mu'hūt said that Xerxes often sat alone in the darkness for a long time in a daze. Zoshyan didn't know what thoughts were tormenting this Primarch at that time.

Was it the father's cruel decisiveness, or the tangled lines of conspiracy all over his body?