40k: Midnight Blade.

Chapter 352 72. The End of Destruction ([-])

Mortarion has never been good at small talk.

This kind of incompetence is not 'not good at' like Sanguinius. He doesn't know how to communicate with others, but he can always say the most appropriate words at the best time.It is not like Chagatai Khan who is deliberately silent and only has good and sufficient communication with a few people.

What Mortarion is not good at is really not good at it.

He doesn't know how to express himself or get along with others.Sometimes he envied his brothers, but he never expressed this envy to his mouth - that would be too weak, wouldn't it?
At this very moment, he was standing on the main bridge of the Endurance, listening to the analysis coming from Perturabo, wanting to say something, but having no idea.

The Lord of Steel spoke in detail about all the information he currently has, from walkers to enhanced self-healing abilities to the terrifying Death Guard traitors and creeps.
The more Mortarion listened, the angrier he became.Isn't this the witchcraft used by the overlords on Barbarus back then?

That kind of disregard and distortion of life made Mortarion feel a familiar shock - Karas Typhon was also born in Barbarus and he harbored great hatred for the wizarding overlords.

The absolute ban on psychic powers within the Death Guard was largely due to what the original body saw and heard in Barbarus. Therefore, he did not understand why Typhon would pick up this terrible witchcraft and use it as a weapon. use.

And, judging from Perturabo's description, he may have been doing this for a long time.That level of witchcraft cannot be mastered overnight, which proves that Typhon's rebelliousness is not a temporary idea.
All kinds of speculations were like needle pricks, creating many tiny holes in Mortarion's thoughts. The pain of doubt and betrayal slipped in like poison, distorting his face.

The death shrouds stood seven steps behind him in silence, seven steps apart from each other.Seconds later, Mortarion took a deep breath, and the scent of spices flooded his lungs, bringing a chill that revived him.

"Typhons came prepared." He finally spoke in the communication channel, his voice was hoarse but not gloomy.

"He has been prepared for betrayal from a long time ago. He even has the ability to plant a traitor in my guard. He is not a temporary act, Perturabo. I think he has already established a line with Horus very early. .”

"The speculation you put forward is very likely to be true." The Lord of Steel said. "But it's a terrible guess, and it reminds me of another thing. Since your first company commander—"

"——Former company commander."

"Former Captain." Petulabot paused. "Horus can instigate rebellion, but what about the others?"

Mortarion chose to remain silent in response. His breathing was very obvious, which could be regarded as an alternative answer.And Perturabo continued, his voice very serious.

"I don't know if you've noticed, brother, but Horus's fleet is simply ridiculously huge. We can understand that he captured part of Fulgrim's fleet, and the ship signal sent back by Vulkan was also captured. Can prove it.”

"However, there are other ships that have no emblems and cannot be identified in the radar system. They are new ships or black ships. Brother, do you know what this means?"

Of course Mortarion knew.

"That means he has an entire forge world, and possibly worse," the Death Lord replied in a low voice, a chill running down his spine.

The two-headed eagle of the Empire, representing the alliance between Terra and Mars.The Adeptus Mechanicus is an integral part of the Empire.If Horus can instigate this eagle head, then
Perturabo agreed with him: "Yes, as you said, if we prepare for the worst, the Mechanicus can also be instigated by Horus. So, can the Imperial Army also do it? Isn't it? Other Primarchs or Legions too?"

Mortarion grabbed the steel armrests of his podium with both hands, his eyebrows furrowed, and an unprecedented storm of silence surged in his eyes under his short gray hair, while Perturabo continued.

Steel has always spoken from the heart.

"This war may not be three against one as we thought," he said seriously. "In fact, I even suspect that this war is just a small part of Horus' plan. He does not hate war, never has. It can even be said that he likes war."

Mortarion knew he was right.

Horus Luperkar was known to view war as a means of gaining merit, although he never inflicted bloodshed.Moreover, he likes to bloom more and achieve continuous victory in a grand war.

This is spectacular enough.Horus always said that.

"The galaxy is large, Mortarion, and I think his armies may already be waging war against the Empire elsewhere."

Perturabo's voice had never sounded more worried than now, and the Lord of Death realized that he could no longer remain silent.

He pondered for a moment and made a suggestion.

"Do you remember what Horus said earlier? He mentioned Angron, Fulgrim, and Corax. He also said they killed his brood and destroyed his ships. Which means they have They fought with Horus, and he had some of their ships in his fleet."

"They are most likely defeated and are trying to return to Terra to warn father. Horus also specifically asked us if we had collided with them. Considering this, I think we can send part of the scout fleet to look for them."

"If they still have the strength to fight, then they can come back and fight alongside us. If they have... then at least this information can be brought back to Terra with them."

"Good advice," said Perturabo. "But the fact that you thought they were defeated gives me chills, Mortarion."

"If they hadn't been defeated, how could they have let Horus go?" Mortarion frowned again.

"I'm not questioning you, brother." The Lord of Steel seemed to sigh. "I am admiring your acumen. What I just said was not malicious. It may sound like it, but in fact..."

"Forget it, anyway, try to get used to this. I will mobilize your two destroyers at the rear of the fleet and let them go to find our brothers. What do you think?" "You are the commander now." Motari Ann said.

Perturabo seemed to laugh, but seemed not to: "That's it, continue to keep in touch with me."

After a slight beep, he temporarily left the communication channel.

Mortarion began to think again, and only slightly withdrawing from the conversation, the poison composed of doubts surged up again.

He had always been tolerant of Typhon.This tolerance is reflected in every aspect, even to the point of causing criticism, at least until he became Typhonse.This tolerance is due to his friendship as a close friend and his recognition of Typhon's abilities.
But he has betrayed.

So the past words and memories no longer felt warm at this moment, and instead turned into a bony claw, grabbing his heart so hard that he almost couldn't breathe.

why.?

Mortarion closed his eyes in pain, trying to avoid thinking about similar problems again.He has told himself many times that now is not the time to think about this, but he cannot get rid of it no matter what.

He opened his eyes distractedly, wanting to observe the specific situation of the current battle, but unexpectedly heard a strange sound of vomiting.

The Primarch looked intently and saw one of his crewmen kneeling on the ground, vomiting a strange, thick, dark liquid from his mouth, splattering and hissing on the ground.

He screamed and clutched his abdomen, collapsed to the ground, convulsed, screamed, and kept vomiting.Mortarion clearly saw with his extraordinary vision that there were tiny maggot-like creatures writhing in the crew's vomit.

"Leave him!" the Lord of Death roared angrily, and immediately shouted back the other crew members who tried to help him up.

But it was too late.The three crew members closest to the man suddenly screamed, kicking off the disaster with the most horrific screams of their lives.

Blisters appeared on their exposed skin, and they themselves began to vomit continuously, with the same black sticky substance.Only this time, they vomited out their internal organs as well.

Such a horrific scene left the crew stunned, as well as the Death Guard - who could witness such horror and remain indifferent?

And those maggots began to metamorphose, turning from squirming worms into flies in the blink of an eye, buzzing and feasting on the internal organs and vomit.

Mortarion drew his pistol and ended the three men's suffering without hesitation, but it was to no avail.

The invisible plague began to spread among the crowd, and dozens of people began to scream in an instant. Even several of the Death Guards fell to their knees, twitching and roaring.

Mortarion felt a deep chill, as he had in his youth when he had faced the twisted creations of the Witch-King Barbarus, filled with anger and fear.He would still have nightmares at that time, and the theme of the dreams was the cruelty of witchcraft. But now, the nightmare has come true.

"Warn the whole ship!" he roared desperately and gave the order. "Witchcraft is spreading! The main bridge is closed and no one is allowed to come near it!"

His orders were carried out smoothly. The death shrouds stood behind him solemnly with weapons in hand, looking at this hell on earth.The Lord of Death's fists were trembling, and the Scythe of Silence seemed to be dangerously ready to swing at any time.

He originally wanted to tell Perturabo about this, but a voice began to echo in the main bridge, and that voice was all too familiar to him.

Callas Typhon.

Or rather, Typhons.

"This is the end, Mortarion." His voice echoed across the bridge. "Quickly surrender, surrender. The Death Guard should not suffer such a fate, and should not be laughed at for your weakness."

Angry, cold, enlightened.

"You are not even on the Terminus," Mortarion said. "You've always been here."

Behind him, the main bridge door slowly opened, and Typhons slowly walked inside, with a pale smile on his face and his armor covered with blood.

"Yes." he said. "I'm surprised you're thinking of this now. Why would I join Perturabo? He's no use to our plans. A piece of steel is useless when it rusts. You are different, Mortari. install"

He paused.

"My father loves you dearly," said Typhonse in a jealous tone.

"Go to death, you and your loving father." Mortarion squeezed out these words through his teeth.

The next second, gunfire broke out.

　update completed.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)