40k: Midnight Blade.

Chapter 222 47. A Deserter ([-])

Luther stiffly hid his thoughts.He hid his fear, hid the shame that should not appear, and finally even suppressed the chaotic thoughts into his heart.

His heart rate was rising, and one could pretend to be calm, but the physiological response to emotion could not be hidden.

His breathing began to fluctuate little by little, and a bitter taste with the smell of almonds spread on the tip of his tongue.The world in his eyes began to lose color, and only the bloody face of the undead remained real.

His only remaining eye hung out of the socket and stared at Luther. His nose and chin had long since disappeared, and the chest of his upper body was broken to the limit.A sword cannot inflict such a wound unless the person holding the sword attempts to desecrate the deceased.

"Lord Luther?" the corpse greeted softly. "What’s wrong with you?"

"I -" Luther uttered one word and then swallowed the other words back into his stomach.

He heard his own voice at this moment, and that voice shouldn't appear on him.The voice sounded extremely cowardly, shame mixed with anger creeping up, breaking through the fence set by his fear.

The violent shock of witnessing the bizarre sight should have made him panic, but Luther controlled himself with reason.

Not only that, he even controlled other things.He took a breath of air, changed his voice, and when he spoke again, he sounded the same as he had a few minutes ago.

"——What do you mean?" Luther forced himself to look at the face and eyes of the corpse. He stared at, or rather stared at, the one eye and spoke sternly.

"Is this an illusion or a threat? How could a visiting guest do such a discourteous thing to the host!"

The corpse smiled, and although Luther couldn't catch any smile on the shattered face, he still 'felt' it, and not only that, he even heard it later.

The corpse vibrated its throat and made a sound again in a way beyond reason, laughter.Its sound sounded vague and indistinct, like the sound of a poisonous snake spitting a message or the sound of a promethium flamethrower warming up.

Then, in the next second, the pale giant that Luther had seen on the surveillance screen came back.

The bloody appearance disappeared quietly, like snow melted by the sun.In just a blink of an eye, they disappeared without a trace.

If you're lucky, you may catch a little water.If you're unlucky, you'll have to touch the ground with your hands to feel the evidence that the snow was once there.

And Luther was absolutely unwilling to touch the ground with his hands.

"None of these, Lord Luther," Khalil said. "Just a confirmation."

"Confirm? Confirm what?" Luther asked sharply.

"Confirming something that may have a great impact on the Dark Angels. Of course, you are unhappy about this, and it is completely understandable. My behavior is quite offensive. In fact, this matter may even lead to bloodshed. I am My apologies, Lord Luther."

Luther's chest rose and fell rapidly, and he restrained his emotions with reason.And, although he wouldn't admit it, Khalil's words were another aid in his return to sanity.

He began to think quickly about Khalil's actions and words, and what was hidden behind them. This matter was not difficult for him. He was the Knight Commander and the Grand Master.Moreover, he had commanded many people before joining the Dark Angels.

Political tricks and conspiracies were no strangers to him. Luther frowned and quickly asked in a calm voice.

"It's quite offensive. What could possibly lead to bloodshed that made you willing to take such a risk and cast that illusion on me?"

"That's not an illusion," Khalil said, but didn't elaborate further on the matter.

"You are a man of dignity and principles, Lord Luther, and I admire such a man. Therefore, I do not use simpler methods to determine these things. I am a stupid person, and I like to do things the stupid old way. . Judging from the current situation, my old tricks still work."

Luther was silent for a while, with complex emotions blooming little by little in his eyes.After a few seconds, he spoke again: "How important is this?"

"Those are the things." Khalil corrected. "They are very important, Lord Luther. We are here with orders from Terra. You should have known about this a long time ago."

"Come to judge sinners?" Luther asked slightly sharply.

"No." Khalil smiled and denied it cleanly. "If that were the case, I wouldn't be here talking to you. It's not that serious, but it can't go any further."

"Let us get things out of the way, Lord Luther. I know the responsibilities and mission of the First Legion, so I will not ask you about the things you are responsible for guarding, nor will I try to figure out some clues that I should know. This is a concession made by the Eighth Army."

"So, what do you need?" Luther asked cautiously, maintaining a serious posture and expression, with his arms crossed and hanging in front of his chest, and his chest straight.His voice at this moment has the same strong composure and calmness as himself.

He had completely gotten rid of his previous emotions.

Khalil did not answer him immediately, but turned his perspective to the bottom of the tower.There was no doubt that he could not see anything here, but he was staring at the wooden platform with great concentration.After a few seconds, Luther got an answer. "Maybe we should go out and talk about this," Khalil said. "It would be better to talk under the watchful eye of the Primarch of the Dark Angels Legion. What do you think, Lord Luther?"

Luther inevitably felt a twinge of worry.
-
The lion's footsteps were particularly loud in the corridor of the Indomitable Truth. He was still wearing that gorgeous armor, but his robe had long since disappeared.

The beast gleamed on his armor and roared silently.The winged knights bowed their heads in silent salute to their primarch.

Conrad Coates followed behind the ship owner, walking with a calm expression.

The corridor is not very bright, and the only lighting comes from the brilliant light refracted in through the porthole windows.The light captured by the universe itself is hazy enough, but it becomes even more dizzying after being reflected by the glass.

They were on their way to the Audience Hall, which was not normally open aboard the Indomitable Truth.If the soldiers within the legion need to report to the Lion, they can go to see him directly instead of having the attendant tell them and then ask the Lion to go to the audience hall to see them.

Imperial officials may have used the facility to meet the lions, but only a handful of visitors came to visit.But regardless of what happened before, it has now been reactivated.

Under the will of Leon El'Jonson, it will become the center of a storm of defense and questioning.However, when they arrived at the audience hall, Curze found that there were already people here.

It was Khalil, and an old knight.They stood under the stained glass window and in front of the conference table. It looked like they had been waiting for a long time.

Curze focused his attention on the old knight. Frankly speaking, he was not actually old, at most he could only be considered a middle-aged man.

Although his face was weather-beaten, it was by no means called 'old'. The reason why Coz ​​called him that in his heart was just because of his eyes.

Those eyes were very tired and depressed at the moment, as if they had foreseen something.

"Luthor!" The lion raised his hand, he was greeting, but his voice sounded full of power and authority.

"I have something to ask you-" He came to Luther and put his hand on his shoulder.He glanced at Khalil, his expression not very good, and then lowered his head emphatically to look at Luther's face.

The latter felt uncomfortable with his obvious concern on such an occasion, and his eyes evaded, but the Lion did not let Luther leave.He didn't let go, but pressed harder.

"——Are you okay?" the lion asked with a frown.

"I'm fine, Leon," Luther said. "I just don't understand why we need to re-activate the audience hall. Is there anything worth saying here? This should not be a place for you and Lord Curze to talk to each other."

"I need a solemn and serious occasion." The lion replied simply. "This is the perfect place. It holds the power of the oath, and its floor tiles are from Caliban. I want to wash away the shame here."

Luther's heart trembled, and his worry became even greater - he raised his head and looked at Leon El'Jonson, but the latter did not notice what was contained in this look.The lion had already turned his head and exchanged glances with his brother.

Luther began to chew on those four words in his heart: Wash away the shame?

What shame?

He couldn't help but turn his head to look at Khalil Lohars, who was standing under the stained glass with his hands behind his back. The distorted light failed to change him.He looked at Luther thoughtfully and nodded.

"Anyway, I have something to ask you." After a period of silent communication, the lion spoke, his voice still filled with strong confidence. "This matter is important and involves many people. Considering these two points, I think you are the most suitable person."

"What's the matter?" Luther asked again. "What's the matter, Leon?"

"There's no rush, let's find the instructors, lieutenants, and non-commissioned officers of the Six Wings first. I have a lot to ask them first."

Luther concealed his true thoughts with an expression of surprise, and worries began to expand and proliferate, spreading in his heart like cancer cells.

He didn't understand why the lion behaved so abnormally today, even doing such an unprecedented thing in front of the people who came on behalf of Terra.He could read people's minds, always could, but he had never been able to read Leon El'Jonson's mind.

Just like before, just like this moment.

Luther took a deep breath and nodded: "I'll notify you and I'll call them all."

"As fast as you can," the lion said majestically. "This matter must be resolved as soon as possible."

　Also, three chapters today.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)