The Emperor’s Angel of Death

“My God, brother, although I knew from the moment I met you that you were no ordinary person, you are just too extraordinary. Gosh, more than ten thousand years! It’s really not easy for your family to pass down. No wonder you and Veronica hit it off at first sight. This is called genetics! Then there's even less reason to have any burden. Are we smarter than our ancestors? If it were me, I would have had seventeen or eighteen… Ahem, is Sister-in-law nearby?”

Solyushin rolled his eyes, picked up a piece of fruit, stuffed it into his mouth, and said slowly while chewing:

“The point isn't that, okay? It's that my ancestor named Olroyd seems to have left a deep shadow on Vector. Not long ago, Vector sent someone to attack the Ascetics to cause me trouble, so naturally I can't keep him. Now the court is preparing to take action against him, but there are still some steps in between, and it’s best not to be noticed. Someone needs to attract his attention, and it has to be someone he will worry about, even fear.”

“But didn’t you say this ancestor passed away long ago?”

“Vector doesn’t know about this, or most likely doesn’t.”

“So you plan to trick him?”

“Yes, but the conditions for this person are very harsh. First of all, they have to be strong enough to survive Vector’s conspiracies and tricks. Secondly, they have to be bold and careful enough to stir up the situation in Commorragh. Furthermore, they have to have a certain understanding of Commorragh, preferably someone who has been there. Finally, the hard conditions must be relatively met, such as... having a short companion.”

Roachim stretched out his hand, counting his fingers as he muttered.

“Has to be powerful, bold, smart, been to Commorragh, has a dwarf…”

Then, he stopped and looked at Solyushin, and Solyushin also nodded.

“Yes, so this time I’m asking you, but if you don’t want to go, it’s okay. I’ll think of another way. After all, this is really dangerous. I don’t want to, and cannot accept, losing you.”

Roachim was silent for a moment, then picked up the wine jug, filled a glass, and gulped it down, shouting:

“Damn it! I’ll do it! That damn Vector, keeping him around is a big disaster. He sends his men to the galaxy to catch people all over the world every day. How many lives have died tragically in Commorragh because of him? Not to mention he has offended my good brother. In any case, I have to slap him in the face with the sole of my shoe! Don’t worry, I’ve been to that place once, and that’s it. If he wants to kill me, he’s far from qualified!”

“Uh, I was hoping you’d consider it more. This matter is not easy… After all, your personal image and style are too different from Olroyd’s. Although, theoretically, Vector might believe it.”

“Hey, brother, don’t worry, just don’t mind me being your ancestor.”

Roachim quickly returned to his grinning, cynical self, and Solyushin shook his head helplessly.

“I don’t mind that.”

“Besides, I was too rushed last time I went to Commorragh, and I haven’t had enough fun yet. This time is just right, I have to make some noise!”

Solyushin looked at him and finally nodded:

“Since you’ve decided, okay, I owe you a favor, Roachim. When things are over, I will give you a reward that you absolutely cannot imagine. By the way, to be on the safe side, I will arrange four more bodyguards for you, plus the four on your side, making it nine people.”

“Bodyguards? What do I need bodyguards for?”

“It’s always more convenient to have more people to do things. Of course, they are not Aeldari, so you can rest assured about that.”

“Okay, it’s good to have more errand runners. Hey, by the way, I… I want to bring one more person.”

Seeing Roachim being a little twisted and shy, Solyushin immediately guessed who that person was, thought for a moment, and asked:

“Can she accept it? After all, she used to be an Inquisitor’s attendant.”

“No problem, trust me!”

“Okay, that’s no problem. In addition, I will prepare some weapons and equipment for you. If you need anything else, you can also ask.”

Roachim hesitated for a moment, then said in a low voice:

“Brother, you also know my personality, which is definitely completely different from your ancestor’s. If I do something out of line, don’t blame me for ruining your family’s reputation.”

“Heh, you know you sometimes do things out of line?”

“Hehe…”

Solyushin waved his hand.

“It’s okay, it’s okay, just do it in your style. Anyway, it’s already like this. Like you said, I’m already using a human identity to be the Phoenix Lord, why bother caring about those things? By the way, there’s one more thing I need to ask you to do, which is to send a letter to that Kandrak. He is now a hegemon in Commorragh. You should know where he is if you inquire a little. Of course, because you are using Olroyd’s name, he may also take the initiative to find you. You just need to reveal your identity.”

“Kandrak? Okay, I got it.”

“Also, let me remind you, he is Olroyd’s uncle. As for whether he still remembers old feelings after ten thousand years, I can’t say for sure, so you still have to be careful when facing him, and don’t trust him easily. Anyway, alas, don’t嫌me for being long-winded. Commorragh is really a more dangerous place than the Eye of Terror, although I also believe that your usual good luck can protect you.”

“It’s okay, it’s okay, don’t worry. Oh, that fountain is really interesting, it can even turn into a fairy bathing!”

Looking at the giant sea fountain changing in the distance, Roachim suddenly turned sideways, put his elbow on the table, and said mysteriously:

“Brother, have you taken any concubines after being an emperor for so long?”

Solyushin glanced at him, raised his glass to his lips, and then spat out a few words.

“Courting death.”

“Anyway, ahem, look at those governors, which one doesn’t have hundreds of concubines, often having a family with one person? Your family just has too few people. Sister-in-law is pregnant for several years at a time, this has to be…”

Solyushin put down his glass, turned to Roachim, and said a word that made Roachim’s entire shoulder shake. Then he turned his head and asked in disbelief:

“Really!?”

“Nonsense, can this be fake?”

“Oh, not bad, brother, let’s have a drink.”

After taking a beautiful sip, Roachim leaned back and crossed his legs.

“Isn’t this kind of carefree life good? I’m glad I didn’t become a Space Marine, otherwise I would have to sleep with a chainsword and a gun every day.”

Solyushin also leaned back, looked up at the night sky and the slowly rotating orbital structure.

“That’s why I don’t dare to stay here all the time. I’m afraid my will will slacken, change, and give up, but I can’t now. Not long ago, hundreds of billions of people were devoured by the Tyranids before my eyes, and there may be even more such tragedies happening now. I can’t ignore it. No matter how those people plot against me, arrange me, or plan for me, my memory will not deceive me after all. So much blood of martyrs, so many tragic sacrifices… Maybe at some point, that person also had this mentality. Anand always emphasizes that His original intention was good when talking about Him. Widespread mourning and blood-stained hands, it’s all about saving the common people with one thought. One thought is good, one thought is evil, one thought is benevolence, one thought is violence. It seems that when facing a broken reality, it is difficult for people to truly control their thoughts.”