For a long time, Morgan would be proud of his army of Dawnbreakers.

She could certainly be proud, for her legion already had so many traits, victories, and advantages: and the most satisfying of them all was undoubtedly the Spider Queen's stabilising power in psionic power.

Morgan could easily throw a thousand think tanks into battle at any time as a battlefield-subversive force: she has been proud of this for a long time.

Until she found out: with a wave of her Otrama brother's hand, three thousand think tanks belonging to the Ultramarines marched neatly past her in front of her.

Full of pits, full of valleys, boundless......

……

It's really impressive.

Under the cover of the blue pupils of the ancient well, it was the genuine emotion and jealousy of the Lord of the Second Legion: for a moment, although she had known and determined Killiman's heart, the Spider Empress still couldn't help but think maliciously.

Her Otrama brothers, are they showing off their power to her?

Before the thought could dissipate itself, Killiman's voice came slowly.

"It's all your work, Morgan."

"You are the hero of all this."

The Archon of Macurag smiled like a sun rising from the clouds on a hot afternoon, shining with a repulsively blazing glow: when paired with the bright cobalt-blue armor of the Lord of the Ultramarines, it was exactly the same.

The two Genomorphs are standing on a makeshift platform, reviewing the main essence of their respective fleets and the terrifying weapons that can wipe out a world.

It was the idea of the Lord of the Ultramarines, and when he arrived in this chaotic star field, he invited all the spokesmen of the Empire to cement their distant loyalty to the Empire with this simple show of force: whether it was the army on the ground or the warship covering the sky and the sun overhead, it was all part of the grand show deployed by the Gene Prototype.

Killiman was clearly proficient in this, and judging from the glamorous figures under the high platform, his casual plan was indeed fruitful.

Of course, it is also necessary.

In the words of the Lord of the Thirteenth Legion, the last time the Human Empire used troops on a large scale in the barren land of the southern Silverriver was more than twenty standard years ago, and that use of troops proved to be a source of loss, and since then, Terra has not paid much attention to the southernmost territory of the Empire.

The governors and officers who had been installed in the land at that time could not guarantee their loyalty to the Empire after such a long period of semi-independent and arbitrary rule, but they held on to the supply routes that the two legions needed for their expeditions, so it was undoubtedly necessary for them to revisit the power of the Empire, and to put away their thoughts on it.

"If this place is within the influence of the Five Hundred Worlds, I don't need to go to such great lengths at all, pretending to be here for a day means that the progress of the expedition will also be slowed down by one day."

Killiman watched another phalanx pass in front of him, instinctively calculating the cost of the parade, and sighed in a thoughtless tone, unaware of the inappropriateness of his words.

Morgan glanced at him, as he always did, and slowly picked up the words of the Lord of Otlama.

But as you say, my Gilliman: All this is necessary. 】

[This parade may not be the most efficient option, but it is definitely the safest one, as long as any of these native vassal kings under our feet give up the foolishness brewing in his heart because of the force in front of him, then all our delay here is absolutely worth it. 】

"That's true."

The Lord of the Ultramarines laughed, looking at his blood relatives with admiration, his face full of cordial kindness.

Killeman admired his blood relatives: at first, it may have been because Morgan had an admirable resemblance to the young Lady Judton, but now this appreciation is based on the unusually compatible three views of the two genetic protos, and the silent mutual identification with each other.

There is no doubt that the Lord of Avalon was able to listen to and understand Killiman's words, she was able to easily follow the latter's thoughts, and to appreciate his profound and flickering concern and kindness in the wake of his countless seemingly political actions, and to express the recognition, understanding, and support of a blood relative.

Killiman needed this very much: more than he had imagined, and although he could get the same heat from Lady Judton, his heirs, and even his mortal friends, they were always a little bit worse, they were not blood relatives of the original genogen, and could not provide equal recognition and support, and could not give the original genogen a kind of "brotherly affection" that he needed.

This was enough to make the Lord of Otlama haunted by the occasional lack of confidence and overthinking: until Morgan came and settled all this.

Morgan understood him.

Killiman was so convinced that he could see in Morgan's face without any false respect, which he had rarely seen in the faces of his other brothers before.

They are always ...... Don't like him very much.

As now, if there were other genetic protogens present, it would be highly likely that the Lord of Maculag would receive a question, either explicit or implicit, whether he should waste his time on such a deterrent, and should he not go on an expedition as quickly as possible?

As for the rebellion in the hearts of these governors? It was just another simple counterinsurgency, and the arrogance and blood of a mere world were insignificant in the Great Expedition, and all the ill-intentioned speculation in this wilderness was no match for any heavily armed Dalian.

It is true that such bloody ideas are indeed prevalent among most of the legions, and even among the Imperial army, but the Lord of Otlama cannot agree with it at all, and he prefers to use this deterrence to cut away the rebellion in the shadows, and use absolute power to avoid tragedy as much as possible.

If the only function of the blade is to thirst for blood, then how can the war really stop?

Killiman was convinced of this idea, but he could not receive the same recognition from most of his brothers: Toohen, Vulcan, and St. Giles would identify with him, but unfortunately neither of them was very close to him, perhaps because of their distance, or because of some difference in their personalities.

But Morgan was different, she was at the side of the Lord of the Ultramarines at this time, and she was able to show so clearly and unmistakably that she understood Killiman's heart, and shared the same desire to act with him.

This simple recognition alone was enough to make Gilliman feel a heartfelt happiness now: he had almost never received such pure kindness, understanding, and help from other brothers.

He was not alone, he was not an outlier among his blood brothers, he was able to find understanding and support, friendship and affection.

That's enough.

When he looked at Morgan again, Killiman even remembered a word that Lady Eudon had told before leaving: the Lord of Otlama at that time was still a little puzzled as to why his adoptive mother would be so serious about making him really value his friendship with the Lord of the Second Legion.

Now it seems that Miss Judon is worthy of being Miss Judton, and she must have been quite sure of a lot of things in the few rounds of correspondence with Queen Avalon.

Thinking of this, Killiman's originally solemn face couldn't help but have a sincere smile, but when he found that it was the 22nd World War Regiment composed of Terra veterans in the legion, he quickly regained his dignity and saluted like a truly powerful king.

Morgan's laughter rang in his ears.

"You seem to care about this unique unit, my brother. 】

"Yes, they are all warriors who have fought all the way from Terra, and they have long been impregnated by the former Legion of the Children of War, and have come to identify with that barbaric ideology and culture."

(Children of War: Killiman's nickname for the former 13th Legion, whose fighting style is more savage, bloody, and violent than that of the later Ultramarines)

Killiman sighed softly.

"I've never been sure how to get along with them, they're like a country within a country in Macurag, they maintain a stubborn hold and a kind of seclusion, and they rarely ask me for anything: except this time, they insist that all of them devote themselves to the extermination of the Osiris psionics, and wash away the defeat and shame with their own hands."

[Father and son with distance: It sounds like a classic theme, my brother, father and son are always a little cold, and their relationship will be mixed with instinctive struggles, maybe all this is particularly dazzling in your group of heirs, my brother. 】

"Yes, in their eyes, I have taken away everything the Thirteenth Legion once had: whether it was their proud savagery or the unruly culture they had acquired in bloody battles."

"But seriously, Morgan, if I had to do it again, I would still have to reform my legion in exactly the same way, because the bloody style of the past is really not worth promoting, and I must suppress the pride in their eyes and give them some compensation as much as possible."

[For example, put them in charge of the most powerful weapons of extermination?] 】

The Spider Empress's gaze slowly swept over the males in the 22nd Regimental Array, and she couldn't help but be amazed at the sheer number and variety of them.

"I don't like them, but I can't deny the necessity of them either."

Killeman smiled, his smile mixed with a hint of bitterness suppressed by firmness.

"Even in the process of recovering the Five Hundred Worlds, I have issued extermination orders thirty-eight times for those who are recalcitrant, but now that I think about it, a small half of them could have been avoided by other means."

"I'm still too anxious."

Maybe you're just not insidious enough? 】

“?”

"How?"

[Killiman, my brother, do you know how many extermination orders I have ordered in all my military operations against the Far Eastern frontiers? 】

"I remember that according to your report, you have recovered a large area of land in seven sectors?"

[Yes, according to your standards of five hundred worlds, I can actually be regarded as the lord of one hundred worlds now. 】

"Hmm...... How many times have you used it? ”

Morgan laughed.

[Zero.] 】

“！”

"How did you do that?!"

Killiman's eyes widened, and at that moment, the Ultramarines Lord's breath even rapidated.

"Teach me, Morgan."

"Do you have any secret to making them willing to accept the rule of the Empire?"

Of course not. 】

Morgan spread her hands, her pale lips casually revealing the most sinister reality, as if she were telling what to eat later.

But I have another secret, my dear brother, and that is my eyes. 】

[No world can be monolithic, the so-called resolute resistance is just our arrogance and unreasonableness that make them have to be united, as long as we let go of some less gentle demands, put on a posture that can compromise and negotiate, you will be very surprised to find: in fact, the so-called conservatives and capitulationists, there is no shortage of anywhere. 】

[There are only so many vested interests in every world, and those groups that cannot benefit from the old system have far greater expectations of outsiders like us than instinctive fears. 】

[As long as you are a little weak, you will find that the iron wall that was once impossible to break through by thousands of troops and horses, in the face of even the slightest betrayal, how weak it is, so I don't need an extermination order at all, Killiman, I have countless ways to open their gates. 】

[Only cunning and impression, only another kind of deal and compromise. 】

The slender pale fingers twirled at the master's command, and finally clenched together, becoming a heavy punch enough to destroy everything, telling the power of the Spider Queen's words.

[Of course, I won't just say it here: the galaxy is so big, who knows what kind of opponent we will face in the future, so I also keep the extermination order, even larger than many legions in size.] 】

“……”

In the face of such an answer, the Lord of the Ultramarines remained silent, his brow furrowed almost for the first moment, telling his disgust at Morgan's words, but despite this, he listened carefully to every word of his blood relatives, and after a long thought in return, he shook his head solemnly.

"I'm afraid I can't accept this view, my blood kin: not to mention that this method is a bit too sideways, but only one thing: how can these mortals be loyal to the Empire if they can betray their own kingdom for the sake of profit?"

Because I don't need their allegiance at all, my brother. 】

The Spider Empress kept smiling, and although she was discussing it with her blood relatives, in the eyes of outsiders, both of them maintained a rather solemn expression, and devoted themselves wholeheartedly to the military parade in front of them.

[My Avalon has a system of rule that is not complicated, and in this system, the Governors of the mortals have no more power, and all they can do is to attach themselves to my legions to ensure the continuation of their rule, and for this they have to endure a long period of conscription and conquest. 】

[At the very least, in those key worlds that require direct control, the Governor is just a rubber stamp, and although I trust the power of mortals, I will not put these true lifelines in their hands.] 】

"And on whom do you rule?"

[Some of my heirs, as well as specially trained mortal bureaucrats, often come from the elites of another distant world, with no connection to their region, and their governance is time-bound, ensuring that there are no powerful local interests that get in the way. 】

[As I told you: change the land, since we have a large armed force in our hands, we can naturally carry out some rough but efficient measures. 】

“……”

Killiman was silent, he seemed to be thinking seriously about Morgan's words, his pupils flickering with clarity from time to time, but despite this, his brow did not completely relax.

"I'm interested in some of the ideas in your words, Morgan, like letting our heirs directly participate in the rule, or forming bureaucratic cadets directly under us, but I still find it difficult to agree with your means of recovery."

[It's okay, my Killiman.] 】

The smile on Morgan's face dispelled Killiman's concerns.

[My words are not commands, I am just telling my opinion, it is your freedom to accept it or not, after all, this is just a discussion, isn't it?] We each elaborate our theories, collide with each other, embrace each other's differences, and further integrate the similarities to arrive at better results. 】

[Isn't this the most common and natural activity between blood brothers? 】

Morgan's smile made the Lord of Otramar stunned for a moment, and when he came back to his senses, Killiman also smiled with a rather sincere smile.

"yes, Morgan."

"You're right, it's commonplace."

[If you want to know more, I think you can come to Avalon and see, Killiman, just like you invited me to visit your Maculag, we can progress with each other in this friendly visit. 】

"If I have time, I will."

Killeman nodded solemnly, and when he remembered Morgan's original trip to Macurag, he quickly thought of another topic in front of them.

"Speaking of which, Morgan, I just remembered something."

"I need to thank you, blood relative, for giving me the Psionic Tome for being more powerful than I ever thought, and when I tried to promote it in my legion, I found that the results were so gratifying."

[You can see it.] 】

Morgan tilted his head, seemingly intently observing the next array, to disguise the slight distortion in her countenance.

Under Killiman's reminder, Morgan remembered the scene that shocked her just now: the think tank of the entire three thousand Ultra Warrior Legions passed in front of her so mightily, and according to Killiman's words, this is not all the power of Otlama, he has at least left a few hundred think tank new blood in Maculag.

【……】

One thing to say, when she saw this scene with her own eyes, when she heard the words of gratitude from the Lord of the Ultramarines, even the cold Queen of Genes couldn't help but fall into real horror.

That's more than 3,000 think tanks, you know, even in the Dawnbreaker Legion, Morgan's careful selection and repeated tempering only ensure that the Second Legion can draw a thousand think tanks at any time, and this is enough to make the Spider Queen feel sincerely proud.

And the thought that Killiman was able to pull such terrifying power in just a few years with her book, Morgan couldn't help but rub the corners of his brows

At this moment, she had a profound understanding of why Killiman and his legion were so feared, and she also deeply felt what a shocking consequence it would be if an Ultramariner was exposed to anything related to [standardization].

Damn, I shouldn't have given it to him as a joke if I knew it wouldn't have been given to him, and I should have paid him a little bit: The Spider Empress couldn't help but be impotent and furious in her heart, and she told these words with indignation.

Of course, on the outside, she was still calm and calm, just listening quietly, so that the genetic prototype of the Thirteenth Legion could not detect any clues, which made Killiman continue to happily tell and thank his blood relatives, and every word of thanks cut a wound in Morgan's heart.

"After you left Macurag, I spent a lot of time getting to know your book, Morgan, until I grasped most of the techniques and the essence of it, and with the help of some of the best think tanks in the Legion, I succeeded in blending it with the reality of Otrama, and began to promote it throughout the Legion."

"In my legion, the best think tanks have become your admirers, and they are amazed at the all-encompassing nature of the psionic tome, and everyone has learned a lot from it, and I think that as this book continues to be promoted in other legions, perhaps you will become a common teacher for all the think tanks in the empire, and a predecessor who has received their countless respects."

"Just as all the technical sergeants and scientists marvel at Ferrus's ingenious iron hands, and his great creativity and intelligence, you will be a unique presence in the field of think tanks, my blood relative, and you may soon be able to rank alongside Ferus: even for the genetic protogen, it is a great honor to be side by side with our Gorgonne brothers."

[You seem to have a lot of admiration for Ferus, Killiman.] 】

"He has his abilities and charisma, and working with him is bound to be unstoppable: I do admire his strength, Morgan, he is one of the brothers I would most like to work with, and of course you now."

[That's a great honor, have you ever worked with Ferrus on a large scale?] 】

"Once, he recently invited me to join an armored weapons research and development project that he had teamed up with the Mechonists: it would be a war engine with extremely high overall performance, and its name has been named Sikaran."

Speaking of this, the Lord of Otrama seemed to remember something, and a glint of eagerness flashed in his pupils.

"Morgan, my blood relative, maybe you can also join this research and development activity, a little more strength means a little more possibility of success, I can convey this matter to Ferus, I don't think he will refuse, he is a very passionate brother in his bones."

[That's true.] 】

Morgan nodded, and she thought about the pros and cons of being involved in the development of a new tank: there seemed to be nothing to fear.

But what can I offer? 】

"Financial support, and relationship with the Foundry World: Just like me, the Ferus brothers had direct contact with the Great Sage of the Casting World Metarica through me, and I remember that you had a good relationship with Reza, and Ferus may be in need of help with this, I remember him telling about it."

[That's fine......]

The Spider Empress nodded, she happily agreed to contact Reza, and was sure that there would be no twists and turns: at least during the Great Expedition, there was still a very active technical exchange and communication between the casting worlds, and although Reza's plasma fanatics did not have a good face for Mars, they were very welcoming to the technological communication and common progress with other forces.

For example, when the Lord of the Second Legion co-opted a series of small foundry worlds in the Far Eastern Frontier to form an alliance involving mutual economic assistance, academic exchanges, and military assistance, although Reza maintained the reserve of the [Little Double-headed Eagle Alliance] and did not choose to join this alliance, they still became the [to be observed] members of this organization, and happily shared their academic discoveries and various achievements with other foundry worlds.

So, Morgan was confident that he would pull Reza into it, but ......

Morgan blinked, she sensitively realized something, and looked at the smiling Killiman with a vague gaze: why, in all these words she heard, her Otrama brothers seemed to be at the heart of the development of this tank...... Nothing matters?

What was he responsible for: to pay Ferrus for his research projects? Pull allies?

And then what? Without?

Looking at Killiman's smile without a hint of mind, Morgan couldn't help but wonder if the Lord of Otlama had received an equal reward for his affirmation and enthusiasm for the Iron Hand.

But what does it have to do with her.

Morgan smiled and returned to the question of think tanks, which was what she cared about: How on earth did Killeman pull such an astonishing army of think tanks in a few years?

In this regard, the Lord of Otlama did not choose to hide his secrets, he said it clearly.

"To put it simply, I made a trade-off between quantity and quality: I didn't choose to abandon quality entirely, but I did lean towards quantity and sacrifice some of the benefits of quality."

Killyman spoke in detail about how he had assembled the force, and Morgan quickly understood the gist of it.

[To put it simply, you have chosen to build 3,000 [qualified] think tanks, and you are satisfied with their power to meet the standards, and you do not intend to encourage them to go further on this basis?] 】

Thinking of this, Morgan's heart couldn't help but feel a little relieved, she remembered the observation she had just made: the army of the Ultramarine's 3,000 think tanks was indeed magnificent, but if they really had to fight for their lives with Morgan's 1,000 think tanks, with the Spider Queen's amazing psionic insight, she could easily deduce the result of such a fight.

The Ultramarines' 3,000 think tanks will all fall: if they fight to the death, the Dawnbreaker's psionic legion may suffer great losses, but it will still retain a considerable amount of combat power, and even be able to quickly plunge into another battle of the same magnitude.

This is where the difference in strength between the two legions' think tanks lies: the thought of this makes Morgan feel the joy of self-deception.

At this time, Killiman's solemn words echoed in her ears.

"As you say in the book, my blood relative, [Think Tank] is not a simple path of strength, it is more of a test of heart and mind, enlightenment and prudence: unless you have a talent that cannot be separated, or a will that others admire, you must not regard psionic energy as the only power you need."

"In any case: psionic powers are forces that do not belong to our universe, they are unknown beings that we borrow, and we don't know when they will choose to leave, or when they will become enemies: perhaps none of this will ever happen, but any think tank must have the awareness that they will happen to them in the next moment."

"If you want to hold the roses, you must bear their wounds: the psions will never be our friends, they are only our unpredictable temporary allies in war, use them, study them, guard against them, but never trust them."

"Only those who have such faith can truly embark on the path of a think tank, and on this path, your greatest enemy is not the wizards of the aliens, not the backlash of psionic energy, but your heart that longs to get out of control and wreak havoc in the face of this power that is too easy to obtain."

"A psyker's greatest opponent has always been in his heart."

【……】

Morgan nodded.

[Yes, Killiman, these words were written by me, and I have written them in the preface at the very beginning of the book, just above the table of contents, so that anyone who reads the book will see them.] 】

"Yes, Morgan, I saw your prefaces, they are very long, I have only taken a part of them, but it is enough: it is these words of yours that made me decide to promote this book among my legions."

"I think other brothers should have the same idea."

[I hope so, in fact, this passage itself is just a kind of advice from me to the heirs of the think tank under my command, hoping that they can restrain their behavior and not cause me trouble.] 】

"In terms of parents' love for their children, I think we blood brothers have a common word, and each of them must be able to understand your painstaking efforts."

Maybe some of our brothers don't think so? 】

"That's only a minority."

Killeman coughed, he knew the Morgan by some of his brothers.

"Most people, for example, still cherish their children very much."

[After all, they are my most precious personal possessions.] 】

Killyman was stunned for a moment, then burst out laughing.

"Funny analogy, Morgan, you do have a talent for jokes."

What if I say that this sentence is actually literal? 】

The Spider Queen's words are serious: very vaguely serious.

“……”

The Lord of Otrama was silent, and he looked at Morgan's sly eyes.

Then, I smiled even more.

"Alright, Lord Avalon, I hope your greed can continue for a long time, after all, sometimes, greed is not necessarily a completely bad thing."

Morgan was laughing, too.

[Yes, Killiman, sometimes I am more greedy than you think: when I am once again distressed that my legion is so scarce, I want to take your legion under my command. 】

"Then I'm going to resist resolutely."

With a few smiles left on his face, the Lord of Otlama waved his hand toward the last phalanx to pass, looking at the fearful faces of the powerful in the audience with satisfaction.

"But I thought maybe you'd change your goal? Iron Warriors, for example? I remember that Olympia is not far from your home planet, and your legion has envoys from Perturabo. ”

[Maybe they're just as unhappy?] 】

"Who knows?"

Killeman snorted lightly, ending the joke, and in his mind, he began to wonder if there was a way to help Morgan solve the scarcity of new blood.

After thinking for a while, the Lord of the Ultramarines didn't think of a suitable answer, but he inadvertently remembered something else.

"That's right, Morgan."

[What's wrong?] 】

"Not long ago, my vanguard came into contact with the Foundry World Zhao-Arcada, and I heard that that world has cooperated with Magnus and is good at some fields that combine mechanical and psionic technology, maybe it will help you?"

Ah, I do plan to meet them, after all, I have an idea. 】

"What idea? Can I help? ”

[I don't know yet, but I'd like to ask you a question, Killiman.] 】

"Please."

[If one day, you can fight side by side with your sacrificial heirs again, what price are you willing to pay for it? 】

“……”

Killiman was silent, he seemed to disagree with the blasphemy in this sentence at first, but soon his face was filled with some kind of inexplicable emotion.

"It sounds like some kind of priceless treasure, Morgan."

(End of chapter)