Unlike the restless Redjak and the angry Emperor, the coming war has not infected Elaine's mind.

The genomorph sat in the chair that didn't fit her tall size, reading the battle briefing from Captain Salene.

There were no casualties, a satisfactory battle report.

Despite the sheer size of the Inhuman Empire's military, their weak nature and filthy nature are no match for the Empire's sharpest blades, and Astarte is undoubtedly a desperate opponent for these aliens, cutting off most of the planet's supplies and communications during weeks of scouting and hunting, and the possibility of tug-of-war is erased from the beginning.

Except for the large army assembled on Salem, the other planets controlled by the [Brotherhood of Destruction] can be easily recovered with just a few teams of Astarte.

Moreover, these Inhumans could not really fight the Thirteenth Fleet - their capital ships could not even match the cruisers of the Empire.

But... Isn't there a lot of gang jumping?

Looking at the past is very rare, but in the recent past, there are many gang jumping records, Elaine frowned slightly.

It seems that her children suddenly fell in love with the Jumping Gang after her return.

Crunch, crunch –

The trembling high-end wooden chair seemed to continue to scream with Elaine's confused mind, and it was clear that although the chair was wide for Astarte, the source of the material was unknown and precious, and the strength was even comparable to that of plastic steel, it was a little pitiful for the superhuman size of the genetic prototype.

However, she didn't hate the chair, which came from one of the many gifts that former war dogs had prepared for the genetic prototype.

It's just that the size is a little smaller.

Feeling the seat almost squeezed into its shape by her wide hips, Elaine thought to herself.

[Do you have any thoughts on this?] Kahn. 】

Without putting her mind on inconsequential matters, she slowly put down the battle briefing and looked at the commander of the eighth company not far away with a little confusion.

"I don't have any ideas, Mother. Maybe it's just that they are infected by the coming war, or maybe they want to forge the glory that the children of the mountains will inevitably regain early. 】

Karn's form remained erect in the face of the Genetic Mother's doubts, but Elaine could clearly perceive the slight pulse-throbbing hidden in his mind.

Obviously, it's another kid who likes to jump gangs.

Elaine was even more puzzled by this. After all, the Wardogs are often sent to the high-octane battlefields as assault fighters, but under their strict military discipline, their rules of action in the past are more inclined to the Iron Warriors of today—fighting to the death in the fierce and bloody battles, using explosive bombs and jumping shields to advance through the trenches and battlefields, although there are also close-range fights, but they are not that important.

This is completely inconsistent with their current situation.

And the only thing that can explain it is its own return.

Elaine thought to herself.

【… No, it's not about you. It's just that we're in a hurry to show ... We're just changing. 】

As if sensing Elaine's thoughts and doubts, Karn's voice was tinged with urgency.

Perhaps, my child. Although I have never restrained your interests and military discipline, you are indeed gradually changing, and it may be in your nature. 】

It is in our nature to obey you, Mother. If death is your will, then we will do it too. 】

I will never sow that will on you, Karn. Cherish yourselves as I cherish you. 】

You are the eternal Lord of the Mountains... Mother, before our own life, more important is your will. 】

The pale golden eyes of the original gene reflected the white and blue power armor of the son of the mountain, and the spiritual echoes of the mother and son conversation reverberated one after another above the sea of souls, and the calm and secluded water surface was gradually rippling and rippling.

The long silence in the room was broken by a sigh.

"That's what I'm confused about, Karn."

Elaine sighed softly as she looked at the company commander who had remained obedient and accompanied by the original gene in countless visions of corruption.

Although she hasn't found any clues so far... But as far as the 'canon' of the cursed knowledge knows, Scarlet's fate will be watching over this heir in the near future.

She definitely didn't want the future of the World Eater to happen again.

"For us more... Bloodthirsty? This can be explained by the knowledge you have passed on to us, after all, the best way to understand the human body is to actually fight-"

Karn immediately panicked at the melancholy and voice that appeared on the face of the Mother of Genes, and the negligence in the intention he had just expressed, at this moment, the Eighth Company Commander was completely devoid of his previous silent and fierce appearance.

Elaine's soft sigh interrupted his explanation.

“… No, no. My baby... The process is not the point, the result is. ”

"The result...? You mean, we're going to be infected with the Ninth Legion's past... Bloodthirsty? ”

“… It could be worse than that, much worse – so much so that my worries never went away. ”

Karn was silent at the melancholy sigh of the tall progenitor.

He pondered the warhounds' past battles and rumors, and even though they had committed indiscriminate massacres against disloyal civilians, their ferocity was suppressed by the strict military discipline system, and the rumors circulating in the association did not mention the genetic mutation of the war hounds... The mutation of the flesh and blood of the Fifteenth Legion, the wilt of the Third Legion, these strange rumors have almost nothing to do with the Twelfth Legion.

So what is it that makes their great and benevolent Mother of Genes feel sad...?

Karn was more perplexed than ever.

After all... For now, with the exception of the vast majority of Astartes, who enjoyed experimenting with the medical techniques they had learned from their mothers on their enemies, he had found no signs of danger lurking in the Twelfth Legion.

"Karn."

The Mother of Genes whispered his name, and Karn looked into the deep, dark, gilded eyes in confusion.

"Do you believe in the future? … Or, as a pawn on top of a grand chess game, there is an almost inescapable fate? ”

Karn's Adam's apple slid slightly.

“… Mother, the Imperial Truth is expounded... All foreknowledge of the future is superstition. ”

He couldn't describe the feeling, he only saw that the golden pupils of the Mother of Genes, which were once dazzling and charming, were now exuding an indescribable majesty.

And the darkness that lurks beneath the surface of the sea of the mind.

In it, Karn felt the cold despair that existed in the real depths.

"I know, Karn."

"But... If one day it happens, I won't let you leave here, the Children of the Mountains, no matter what the cost. ”

"Even if it comes at the cost of your utter disappointment with the Empire."

……

……