+ Morgan, my daughter. ＋

+ It seems that in every conversation we have, you give me some different opinions and impressions, and you also make me overturn some of my preconceived notions about you. ＋

+ You are always changing, as if the stars are always moving. ＋

【……】

The Emperor's words rang in the ears of the Lord of Avalon, shattering the illusion in her eyes: with these feelings, the Spider Queen's vision became clear again.

She could see clearly: her genetic father had reined in his smile, leaving the fleeting flash of happiness behind him, and serious again.

Or maybe the emperor never laughed from the beginning?

Morgan didn't just guess: she thought it was highly likely.

After all, he is the Lord of mankind, the conqueror, the savior and destroyer of countless worlds and kingdoms, the impossible creature who walks the mortal world with the power of a god: for a figure like the Emperor, there should be nothing in the world that would please him.

He was like a god.

He had to be an idol of a god.

At one point, Morgan can even empathize with Roga.

But the smalignness in her mind didn't stop Avalon from verbally answering the Father of Genes' question: her voice had even returned to a state of deference and humility, making it impossible to find fault at all.

[Allow me to remind you of a trivial matter, father: you and I have only had three formal conversations in the strict sense of the word, and apart from the first meeting, and this one, we have only met once when Conrad returns to the Empire. 】

Ten fingers crossed, and the genetic protogens of the Second Legion easily dug these memories out of her mind: for her, the conversation with the Emperor was definitely not a wonderful memory, and if she could, she would like to shrink into her Far Eastern frontier and not have the slightest connection with Holy Terra.

+ yes, only three times. ＋

The Lord of Humanity nodded, and he unhurriedly put the cards in his hand back on the wooden box next to the table, but only the cards marked with [Original Identity] were left behind, and they were arranged in front of his palm in turn.

+ But there are two things that you have to recognize, Morgan: first, memory is not something that needs to be accumulated, and three just right conversations are enough to create an initial impression in the mind, and if there are no accidents, the impression will be permanent. ＋

+ Secondly: Most of your brothers, in fact, in this respect, are about the same as you. ＋

+ Do you think I'll have a lot of free time to spend talking to all of you? ＋

[I have never had such an extravagant hope, father, and I know my own position very well. 】

Morgan laughed, and the Emperor's blunt words did not anger her: rather, this was the [impression] of the Lord of Mankind in the mind of the Spider Empress, and the gentleness and kindness shown when he was just playing chess were the strange gestures that would make Morgan feel uncomfortable.

The Lord of Avalon did not want to receive warmth from her father: after all, this imperial affection was valuable, and it would negate the material rewards.

Not to mention......

She had to admit that when the emperor, as the father of her genes, showed the warmth that belonged to her father: even though he knew that it was most likely a disguise, Morgan could still feel that he was affected.

She didn't even crave the actual benefits of the emperor anymore: as if the warmth was enough.

【……】

This is not a good thing, it is enough to make the heart of the genetic protogens alarm bells.

After all, in Morgan's heart.

It's okay to speak ill of her.

But she is owed a fee, no!

Even the emperor is no exception!

Reciting this truth of the galaxy again in her mind, the Lord of Avalon maintaining her perfectly respectful countenance.

[Or rather, I know very well where we are, and which of us are special: for example, there is an obvious wolf shepherd god who has been with you for thirty years, and no one can match it.] 】

+ You know, Morgan, Horus was just the first to come back. ＋

[I understand, father: the son of the first return is always the special one, isn't it?] Just like I care about the first child I met, my Hecht. 】

[In the entire Dawnbreaker Legion, there are less than ten people who have been watched by me: and Hector is one of them, which is a privilege that countless Terra veterans do not have, but I can give it to him without hesitation, because for me, he is the first child I have met, it is the first time that the Dawnbreaker Legion has shown their movements and thoughts in front of me, and Hector will always have an indelible impression in my heart. 】

[So, needless to say, father, I understand why you have taken special care of Horus, it is human nature, and it is a subject that does not need to be particularly criticized. 】

As he spoke, Morgan picked up the [Monarch Slayer] in front of him and used it to cover half of his face, leaving only a pair of blue-blue pupils that did not carry any emotion.

+ I'm glad you understand this. ＋

The face of the Lord of Mankind was not touched in the slightest, he just lazily flipped through the crystal cards in his palm, and put the [Angel] and [Lord of Hearts] on the top.

+ I'm glad to hear that you have a lot of kindness to your legion. ＋

+ Do you care about them, Morgan? ＋

The genoplasm blinked.

[Maybe.] 】

Her voice was hesitant.

[Actually, I'm not sure if I'm a good mother compared to my brothers: after all, until now, I can't see them as my heirs, because in my heart there is a lack of the concept of the word.] 】

[I can only regard them as important assets, precious resources that cannot be renewed, or the flesh that has fallen from me, the teardrops that flow from my pupils: in general, I see them as something to be protected and defended, a luxury that can be used, but must not be squandered. 】

[I will use them without hesitation in those crucial moments, indifferently watching them disappear in the fire, but I don't mind unleashing my anger if the situation is not urgent, or if they are lost for some ridiculous reason.] 】

The Lord of Humanity listened quietly.

+ Sounds like my attitude towards the Praetorian Army. ＋

[Is it the same?] 】

Morgan looked up.

+ Something like that. ＋

The Emperor sighed softly.

+ Do you know what your legions are said in the rest of the Human Empire? ＋

[Can the reputation of the Daybreaker spread elsewhere?] 】

+ The Astarte Legion is more of a premium than you might think: especially those with their own realms. ＋

[The Far Eastern Frontier is the mission and privilege you have given me: you will not forget, will you? 】

+ If I don't give, will you obediently not cross the thunder pool by half a step? ＋

【……】

So, what do they say about my legion? 】

The Lord of Humanity curled the corners of his mouth, as if mocking Morgan's clumsy words.

+ In the eyes of most people, the Daybreakers are the luckiest legion. ＋

+ Also the most unfortunate legion. ＋

[Unlucky? 】

Morgan frowned: she had even forgotten her disguise.

[How do you say?] 】

+ Think for yourself, I don't have time to explain this kind of thing to you. ＋

The emperor waved his hand, and he seemed to have lost interest in the topic.

+ We have talked enough about your offspring. ＋

+ We have more important topics than an Astarte legion. ＋

+For example...... ＋

+ Your kingdom. ＋

[Federation of Avalons? 】

+ In the court of Holy Terra, it is preferred to call it the Far Eastern Frontier, and as for you, you are addressed to everything from the Grand Doge to the Queen, from the loyal to the second Killiman: lately, however, these titles seem to be moving in a good direction, as if some were leading public opinion in private. ＋

【……】

[There aren't many Avalons on Holy Terra, father.] 】

+ But there are a lot of Caliban: they were only looking for information at first, tirelessly gathering any topic related to the Warlord, but in recent times they seem to have been given some new assignments and have developed a keen interest in the Far Eastern Frontier. ＋

The Lord of Mankind raised a flash of smile, as if these so-called political games, which were not on the table, could really cause any joy in his heart.

[I never knew that you would still pay attention to these mundane things?] 】

+ I don't really pay attention, but the Palm Seal does: he sees these things as some kind of entertainment at work, and he will be happy to share them with me, although I think he is just protesting to me in a different way that he is doing too much work. ＋

Speaking of this, the emperor's brow actually tightened, and even Morgan could clearly observe that her genetic father was really worried about this problem.

Do you also think that the burden of His Excellency Makado is too heavy? 】

+ No, I'm just a little distressed. ＋

The Lord of Humanity shook his head.

+ I couldn't assign more work to Machado: I thought he wouldn't have time to bother me after I had scheduled all this overload, but he was able to work beyond my expectations. ＋

+ While working on these documents, he was able to find time to bombard my ears with tirades instead of taking a break. ＋

+ It seems that his rest is still too long. ＋

【……】

Morgan blinked: she looked very seriously at the father of genes, who was talking eloquently, with a solemn and deep face, as if she had thought of something very bad.

It wasn't until a creaking sound came from her palm that she realized that the crystal card had been crumpled by her: and the Emperor realized it.

+ Do you have any ideas? ＋

[No, I just think that you and Johnson are really alike.] 】

This answer silenced the Lord of Humanity for a moment, and just as Morgan was worried that her Genetic Father had heard something, the Emperor suddenly changed his sitting posture, from leaning back in his chair indifferently to leaning forward with a serious expression.

+ There's a question I've been wanting to ask you, Morgan. ＋

【…… Excuse me? 】

+ In your eyes, is Johnson the blood relative who makes you feel special?

【……】

Morgan's face froze for a moment.

She really didn't know how to answer this weird question.

So, she listened to her instincts.

[I have been fighting side by side with Johnson for at least fifteen years, Father: I think this fact is enough to answer all your confusions. 】

+ That's why you chose him as your first pawn? ＋

[Not exactly: more importantly, I know very well the power of the Dark Angel Legion, whoever can control this proud team will have absolute dominance in the next war, and when I don't know how to break the situation, then sending the Dark Angel Legion will not be the worst option. 】

The Lord of Humanity listened to this answer, and he did not seem very satisfied, but stroked his chin and searched thoughtfully around the chessboard.

+ So, in your eyes, the Dark Angel even prevails over your Dawnbreaker? ＋

【……】

Faced with this question, Morgan thought about it seriously, and the desire to win or lose in her heart was seduced by this simple rhetorical question, and she was screaming unwillingly.

[If I can expand the strength of the Daybreaker to about 100,000, then I will not be afraid of any legion, and if this number becomes 150,000, then combined with the strength of the Far Eastern Frontier itself, I am confident that I can defeat any of the Astarte legions.] 】

[Of course, such a victory would be accompanied by centuries-long trauma.] 】

The Emperor narrowed his eyes and smiled back on his face, making his words sound as if they meant something else.

+ You seem to have full confidence in your Far Eastern frontier? ＋

【……】

Morgan coughed lightly.

[Actually, I'm not so confident: if nothing else, Killiman's five hundred worlds alone possess ten times the power of my kingdom: after all, what I rule is only a bunch of desolate wild worlds, and the most brilliant of them, if put into Otrama, are only small characters worth mentioning. 】

[At this point, Killyman is much better than me. 】

With a flicker of his eye, a certain Lord of Avalon did not hesitate to betray his brother.

+ Killiman. ＋

The Emperor whispered the name.

+ I've only met him once, and had a formal conversation with him since his return to the Empire: in the eyes of the vast majority of the Empire, even the Primordials, Killiman is just a marginal man who is slightly better than Chagatai, a giant tree that only grows in the land of Macurag. ＋

+ I have been approached by countless people who wish me to take Otlama seriously and its potential threat, and they see my placement of you as a response to this threat: perhaps even Killiman himself thinks so. ＋

+ But in reality, these things never existed: I did not worry about Gilliman, nor did I worry about Otrama or Macurag, and among my many worries, there was no name of the five hundred worlds. ＋

+Do you know why? ＋

[May I hear it, father.] 】

The Spider Empress replied in a deep voice: she was indeed curious about the answer to this question.

+ The reason is simple. ＋

The Lord of Humanity smiled.

+ Remember the topic we discussed at the beginning: it was a matter of impressions and memories, for I already knew what kind of man Killeman was from the time of our first conversation, and I had already determined his character, and that the Archon of Maculag had passed my test and received his reward. ＋

+ He made an impression on me: an impression that symbolized safety. ＋

"Sounds like a good thing.] 】

Morgan responded, the light in her pupils revealing the greed inside.

Then the emperor looked at her and smiled unreservedly.

+Do you want to either? ＋

+ Do you want the same treatment as Killiman? ＋

【……】

The Spider Empress thought for a moment.

[Think.] 】

But I know you won't give it to me completely. 】

The Emperor nodded.

+ Indeed: Do you want a part of this treatment, then? ＋

【……】

[Think.] 】

+ Very good. ＋

The Lord of Humanity didn't look surprised, he pinched the [Uncrowned King], his eyebrows lowered, so that Morgan couldn't see his pupils clearly.

+ So, please answer one of my questions, one that I have just thought of. ＋

[Speak, Father.] 】

+ Morgan, my daughter. ＋

The emperor's words pierced the air.

+ If I asked you to assist the future commander. ＋

+ Would you be willing? ＋

(End of chapter)