Despite all the preparation and drafting, Lucretius Corvo lost the ability to speak when he met Conrad Coetzes in person.

He's not as tall as Robert Kiliman, that's obvious. And his thinness explains part of the reason.

There were quiet eyes on the pale face, and they were pitch black, as black as black agate stones. He gazed calmly at Corvo and the five hundred Ultramarines who had walked into the ballroom, standing with his hands behind his back under the soft light source, the silver edges of his evening gown glistening with a glint of silver.

"Good evening, all the ultramarines who have come from afar, my brother's heirs, you have worked hard."

He spoke softly, not loudly, but it was clear to everyone.

The noble Terra accent was too obvious to Corvo, he wasn't from Macurag after all, he was of Terra descent.

Such a classical accent almost makes Corvo unbelievable - wasn't this original found in Nostramo? Why is his accent so elegant?

"I have heard of your sacrifices, and I am willing to leave the original body and the legion and make the long journey to Nostramo. I am grateful for your protection of Nostramo's future and hope. ”

The tall, pale, skinny giant, even thin enough to make one think he should be, smiled and raised his right hand, making a graceful gesture.

"All the long tables in the Nightfall ballroom have been specially designed, and today, one of them will be used only for your hospitality."

"I—we really appreciate your kindness."

Corvo's first words were very high-pitched, but he quickly realized the problem and calmed his roaring voice.

His lieutenant quietly touched Corvo's elbow with his right hand, just right, and a sober grumbling manifested in it. The commander of the Ultramarines continued to speak in chagrin.

"But if we were the only ones at this banquet, it would be too unruly. The Nightfall is the flagship of our cousins, and it is yours. How could a banquet be held here without the participation of the glorious Eighth Legion? ”

"If you think it's embarrassing for us to be there, rest assured, we've been working with your heirs for years. Those nine victories are still alive in our history today. ”

"Don't get me wrong, Lucretius Corvo."

The giant frowned.

"The reason why my legion is not participating in this dinner is because Nostramo is in dire need of manpower at the moment. You can rest assured that the only reason they don't participate is because they have a mission, not because I'm worried that you won't feel at home because of their participation. ”

"We have no intention of doing so, my lord!"

Corvo hurriedly denied it, only to find that Conrad Coz's already soothing brow was furrowed again, although only for a moment, but that momentary demeanor almost made his fingers tremble.

Am I saying the wrong thing? What to do? Killiman, Lucretius Corvo, you're a fool.

His self-pity didn't last long—not even half a second, in fact. Because Konrad Coetzes has changed the subject.

"Company Commander." He called out solemnly to the darkness. "Has the instructor of the Legion arrived?"

Legion instructors? The Ultramarines looked at him suspiciously. They had never heard of it before, and it was not often the same.

It was not uncommon for veterans to bring new recruits, and it was a tradition for recruits to join the Astarte Legion in the Empire.

But, instructors?

What is this title and who does it refer to?

"Lord Carlil will be here soon, Primordial." A voice sounded in the darkness, low and solemn, but familiar enough for Corvo to breathe a sigh of relief.

He turned his head, and didn't bother to ask the instructor for the time being, so he directly talked about the identity of the 'first company commander': "Excuse me, Lord Conrad Coetzes, is your first company commander called Van Cleve?" ”

The giant raised an eyebrow.

"You know?" He asked softly and curiously. "It's funny, have you fought together before?"

"Of course!" Corvo nodded hurriedly, took a step forward, and raised his right hand over his chest sincerely.

"If he really is the Van Cleef I remember, then we've been friends for many years!"

Conrad Coates smiled, he turned his head and looked into the darkness: "Van Cleef? ”

“.”

In silence, a man reluctantly walked out of the darkness.

Corvo hurriedly burst out laughing, and there was a deliberate rush in his laughter. Out of the corner of his eye, he watched Conrad Coetze's expression as he hurried over.

He affectionately took Van Cleef's right hand, first with a warm hug and laughter, and then, taking the opportunity, he spoke in the ear of a company commander of the Eighth Regiment in a throaty voice.

"Please, Van Cleef, help out, liven things up. I know we had a bad fight last time, but you have to admit that we did a great favor in the frontal battle."

After the one-touch hug ended, the company commander frowned, although he did not immediately refuse, but there was a question in his eyes.

'Liven up the atmosphere? What do you do to liven up the atmosphere? Isn't it normal now? ’

As well as a kind of coldness.

'Unhappy? Huh'

Lucretius Corvo chuckled in his heart, but before he could react next, he heard the voice of the Lord of the Eighth Legion behind him.

"Van Cleef, are you old acquaintances? What a blessing, in the vast galaxy, a long time has passed, and the old people meet again."

Conrad Coetze smiled and bowed: "Company Commander, I don't think you will participate in the ground mission tonight, how about it?" ”

The implication of his words is obvious.

“.”

After a short silence, the first company commander opened his mouth with a reluctance that anyone could hear: "The first company is on a mission, how can I, as the company commander, participate in the banquet?" It's not in order, the original. ”

"Yes." Conrad Coetze thought for a moment and apologized apologetically. "It's me who didn't think it through, Van Cleeff—go ahead, then."

The commander of the first company saluted, and then hurried away. The Lord of the Eighth Legion, on the other hand, spoke again after a brief silence, his voice still soft.

"So, Lucretius Corvo — may you take a seat, and we'll talk? I hope you don't mind the empty ballroom, the civilians and staff of the Nightfall have been on the ground for many days, and in fact, it is still functioning today, thanks to our hard-working servants."

"If it weren't for their lack of sanity, I would have liked to award them medals. Therefore, I hope you don't mind that the dishes will be canned and served by the servants, and I apologize, but the conditions are limited. ”

He made a little joke.

Yes, Corvo could tell it was a joke—but when he looked into the dark eyes, he read a deep sadness.

Mourn. He was mourning.

But to whom?

An almost unbelievable guess came to mind, and Corvo unconsciously became more serious.

"It's an honor to be with you at this dinner."

Lucretius Corvo said.

"Moreover, we are soldiers, we are Astartes, and in difficult circumstances, even minerals can be eaten raw. Heated canned food is already a delicacy, so you don't have to worry about us. ”

"Well, I'm relieved. Ah, Carlile. ”

The pale giant smiled and nodded behind them, a closeness in his tone that he didn't even realize: "You're here!" ”

Lucretius Corvo looked behind him—

Then he saw another giant.

A giant of giants, to be precise.

Like Conrad Coetze, his skin was pale, almost deadly, and his eyes were completely black and calmer, even a little indifferent, than Conrad Coetze. He stood in front of the wide open door of the banquet hall, and without having to do anything, everyone was almost speechless.

Then, he started smiling.

And greetings.

"Good evening, all of you from Macurag." He bowed his head politely, and his high Gothic was so noble that Corvo was almost ashamed of himself. "I hope I didn't scare you."

- just for a moment, a certain horror that emerged from the depths of the bone marrow immediately dissipated. The smile of the giant named Carlil was so gentle that one almost forgot his height. Lucretius Corvo couldn't help but open her mouth and began to respond.

"Nope. Scared"

His gaffe lasted for nearly five seconds, and it was only after five seconds that his lieutenant coughed in embarrassment.

——

The banquet proceeded quickly, and nine minutes after they were seated, the servants belonging to the Eighth Legion entered the banquet hall with a variety of dishes.

The aroma of canned Glocks meat is so pronounced, mixed with the smell of the latest flavor, the minced meat flavor Astarte Porridge from Macullag.

These are new products, and as soon as they were launched, they were immediately added to the logistics fleet by Robert Killman. As a result, they are a fresh smell even for extreme warriors.

Crucially, Lucretius Corvo also smelled a strong pungent smell. He hadn't drunk them, but he immediately figured out what it was based on some gossip he'd heard in the past.

"It's Fenris's mead." His lieutenant took the lead and whispered. "There are only 40,000 barrels in the warehouses of the logistics fleet, and it is really exciting that this lord is willing to use it to entertain us."

Lucretius Corvo nodded, and was about to speak when he saw his lieutenant glance at him.

"Alas, sir." The Adjutant sighed. "But what kind of demeanor do you have in the face of this kindness?"

What manners? Am I not looking good or am I not buttoning my clothes? ”

Corvo retorted angrily. "If you want to say that my performance just now is embarrassing, just say it, don't beat around the bush and look like those scholars of the Fifteenth Legion! Do you want to be like them? In a word, it is expressed in three twists? ”

"It's rude for you to talk about other legions behind your back."

"I'm just a metaphor!"

"Hmm." The adjutant nodded. "Anyway, as the prefect appointed by the original body, aren't you going to stand up and say a few toasts? Also, that Instructor Carlil, you are not going to ask about his situation? ”

"You're going to ask, you're going to ask."

Dissatisfied, Corvo stood up with the thick glass made for Astarte, in which the pitch-black liquid rolled and bubbled from time to time.

It's more like a poison than a wine. Corvo could smell the gasoline inside. He felt that it was still mixed with blood, but that didn't stop him from using it for tonight's drink.

He raised his glass.

"In the name of Macurag, I, Lucretius Corvo, hereby pay my sincerest respect to you, Lord of the Eighth Legion, Lord Conrad Coz. May the Eighth Legion win 100,000 victories in the future, and may you be full of merit and glory above Terra, beside the statue of the Emperor, to sculpt your image! ”

Conrad Coetzes stood up slowly, with a soft smile on his face that strangers couldn't tell the real emotion.

He raised his glass and nodded at Corvo at the end of the long table.

"Thank you for your best wishes, Lucretius Corvo. I salute your Legion with the same respect, and as for those 100,000 victories, if the Eighth Legion can indeed achieve so many victories, then, I hope the Ultramarines can achieve more. ”

He smiled again, tilted his head, and drank the liquor from his glass. Then, he put down his glass and spoke slowly again under the grateful gaze of Lucretius Corvo.

"You must have questions." He said firmly. "And this question must be directed at this giant beside me—isn't it, Nostramo's protector of hope, the Ultramarines?"

"How can you praise it so badly"

Corvo's gratitude quickly turned to unease, and he took a deep breath, ignoring the churning of the honey in his stomach, and said in a deep voice, "We are only on a mission, and the compliment you have given us is too heavy, but, yes. ”

In his lieutenant's ghostly eyes, Lucretius Corvo nodded.

"We do have doubts about this giant beside you, the instructor of your legion, Lord Carlil."

Conrad Coetzes smiled and nodded, not speaking. And Instructor Carriel, who was sitting next to him, chewing and slowly swallowing Glocks' canned meat, shook his head helplessly.

"I'm his." He spoke slowly, then paused. "Adoptive father."

The Ultramarines' eyes widened.

Conrad Coetze's eyes widened as well, and a hissing voice popped out of his throat without thinking: "You, you, what did you say?" ”

"Don't get too late, Conrad, you brought me over to this banquet tonight, and I can't see the careful thinking behind it. I want to get your brothers who you've never met in advance."

With a chuckle, Carlil shook his head and slowly stood up.

Report it.,After the end of this chapter, there will only be 14,000 left of the thirty more (90,000 words) on the shelves.,I'll pay it off as soon as possible.。

I wrote seventy or eighty thousand in four days on the shelf.

(End of chapter)