Chapter 527: Angron: What Do You Mean I Have an Heir Who Won the Butcher?

The Lord of Red Sand fell like a crimson meteor into the fourth-dimensional pouch, vanishing into its deep darkness.

Though still profound and black, the fourth-dimensional pouch was no longer empty.

A Ramirez-class star-fortress stood firm in the pouch's void, its massive structure bearing four small starports capable of accommodating vast fleets for docking and rest.

Yet compared to the few ships now approaching the star-fortress, the Ramirez-class's ports seemed cramped.

Under Captain Saelin's command, the Conqueror and other Imperial vessels slowly towed the Abyss-class battleship Blessed Lady toward one of the starports.

This ancient Abyss-class battleship was among the largest in the galaxy, surpassed only by the Mountain Array.

Its machine-soul was fierce and mad, deeply corrupted by chaotic energies; even the finest Mechanicus priests could not purge it, only tow it here and contain it, awaiting Saint Dora's time to cleanse its corruption.

"Identification confirmed: Conqueror."

"Proceed to Rear Mountain Fortress A-22. The port has been cleared."

It was said this pouch contained three star-fortresses: Rear Mountain Fortress, Open Ground Fortress, and Dona River Fortress—no one but Saint Dora knew the meaning of these names.

"I require replenishment of food, energy, and ammunition."

"Hurry. I must feed a horde of madmen and crew."

Captain Saelin transmitted her voice into Rear Mountain Fortress.

Though empowered by Saint Dora's might, she could leave her command throne and move freely within the Conqueror,

yet she remained the Conqueror's machine-soul, bound to the vessel, forced to request supplies via communication.

The subsequent receipt duties would also require Kosolax's assistance.

Captain Saelin glanced at Kosolax, still unconscious.

To prevent Kosolax from betraying cowardice under the Blood God's influence and being burned alive by its wrath, she had struck him unconscious with a blow.

But she had perhaps struck too hard—Kosolax had not yet awakened.

Had she smashed his skull?

Captain Saelin grew uneasy.

It took one second to shatter such a brain, but a Thousand Sons would never grow another in ten thousand years.

"This is Inferior Kaul, replica of the Great Sage Belisarius Dora Kaul, serving under Saint Dora's will."

A loud, arrogant voice echoed through the comm; as the Conqueror docked, Saelin successfully linked with the "machine-soul" of Rear Mountain Fortress.

"Mighty Conqueror, one of the greatest ships forged in the Mars shipyards during the Great Crusade, inherently of immense research value."

"Yet greater still is the nature of your bond with the Conqueror. If permitted, I shall dispatch a team of Mechanicus priests to survey and study you and your vessel."

Captain Saelin felt the presence of this so-called Inferior Kaul, her expression growing distant.

She did not answer his question. After a silence, she voiced what she truly wondered:

"Are you an abomination intelligence?"

A faint mechanical rustle came from the other end.

"Inferior Kaul is an automated response device developed by the Great Sage Belisarius Kaul, capable only of replying with pre-recorded phrases. It possesses no true sentience or perception, merely a mimicry of Belisarius Kaul's mind."

"If Inferior Kaul seems sentient, that is merely an illusion created by Belisarius Kaul's masterful craftsmanship. Praise the wisdom of Belisarius Kaul and the greatness of Saint Dora."

"Dare you swear by Saint Dora?"

Captain Saelin had wandered the galaxy for ten thousand years, destroyed countless warships from alien civilizations, and dismantled them to repair the Conqueror. She understood technology well. As a machine-soul, she knew precisely what a true machine-soul was—and what an abomination intelligence was.

A heavy silence came from Inferior Kaul. Just as Saelin opened her mouth to press further, a sudden, overwhelming perception struck her.

She instantly activated every sensor aboard the Conqueror, gazing into the infinite void.

A streak of crimson was descending from the void.

It burned hot, searing, like a calamity-star tearing through the night.

Not only Saelin, but the World Eaters floating in the void also looked up, bewildered, toward the crimson streak.

They knew what it was: their gene-father, Angron.

When he appeared, the Butcher's Nails above them would shriek wildly, awakening boundless rage within them.

But this time, the World Eaters felt nothing.

No rage. No pain. Even the Butcher's Nails, once humming incessantly, were silenced.

They sensed their gene-father linking his mind to theirs.

Angron was drawing out their rage and pain, soothing their minds.

Tens of thousands of World Eaters—such vast emotion—even Angron in his prime could not have absorbed and suppressed so quickly.

But now, under the effect of the Peach Boy Dumpling,

the dumpling rendered one docile. The rage and pain Angron drew in transformed instantly into calm and peace upon entering his mind.

Angron was using Saint Dora's artifact to heal his children's souls.

This could not last. Once Angron left, once the Peach Boy Dumpling vanished, the pain and rage would flood back.

But Angron could at least leave behind a sliver of beauty in their crimson-rage minds. Perhaps the finest among them could use that sliver to resist rage and pain.

Angron connected to every World Eater's mind, projecting into them his only cherished memory: the time he fought alongside his siblings on Nuceria, carrying his own emotions with it.

It was this very emotion that once helped him resist the Butcher's Nails. He hoped his children could draw strength from it too.

This was his meager compensation to his children.

Whether they could rely on this sliver to resist the Butcher's Nails—that was beyond Angron's power.

"Saelin." Angron sensed the gaze from the Conqueror, felt her mind.

He read much within her, and perceived Kosolax beside her.

In an instant, Angron knew the ten-thousand-year history of Saelin and Kosolax.

Angron was stunned.

Stunned that Kosolax had endured ten thousand years without being consumed by the Butcher's Nails.

Even facing Angron himself, he had not been swallowed by rage—he retained his reason, even remembered to pick up his axe before fleeing.

He nearly showed cowardice under the Blood God's influence?!

His mind was this resilient?!

This was a miracle!

One of his children had truly suppressed the Butcher's Nails through sheer will!

At the same time, Angron heard Captain Saelin's voice: "He is Kosolax. In your and Kaen's absence, he has been our regent."

Angron fell silent for a moment, then activated his power, linking to Kosolax's emotions and reflecting them into every World Eater's mind aboard the Conqueror.

He would make Kosolax a beacon, an anchor, a mirror.

Each World Eater could use the sliver of beauty Angron planted to resist the Butcher's Nails.

Then, they could use the reflection of Kosolax within them as an anchor, reshaping their minds to resemble his, preserving their sanity.

Simultaneously, Angron implanted a basic cognition into every World Eater's mind:

"Kosolax is the Regent." This would compel most World Eaters to instinctively obey Kosolax's will.

Angron felt his spirit weaken. Even with the Peach Boy Dumpling's aid, this was his limit.

At least the World Eaters would no longer be so easily consumed by rage or corrupted by the Blood God.

"Saelin, you are the one who could become the mother of the World Eaters."

"Care for these children I have wounded. I beg you."

As his words ended, Angron closed his eyes.

In the blink of an eye, Angron vanished into the infinite void.

Captain Saelin gazed at the spot where Angron had disappeared, her eyes lowering.

"My Lord, Angron, I pray to the greatest deity I know."

"May that world's fate treat you better than this galaxy's cruel and malicious one."

【Item Name: Angron】

【Origin: Solar System—Terra—Mount Ximalaya—Imperial Palace Underground Lab】

【Evaluation: One of the twenty-one superhuman progeny forged by the Emperor using gene-alchemy, a product of intense warp resonance and the Emperor's potent genetic sequence. Angron was the twelfth, his flesh infused with the primal essence of resistance to enslavement, the raw urge for freedom, the yearning of sentient life for an age without chains. This essence desired all beings as brothers and sisters, free of oppression. But this essence was mere impulse—only knowing rebellion and destruction, never construction. Thus, its end was always meaningless, devolving into crimson rage. The raw urge for freedom is instinct. All life near him unconsciously resonates with his mind, absorbing either noble rebellion or vile crimson rage, instinctively clinging to him, loving him, seeking to understand and approach him. When sane, he could guide and soothe others with this power. When consumed by rage, this power brings only disaster.】

The primal drive for freedom is an instinct of life; every living being near him unconsciously resonates with his mind, absorbing either noble defiance or ugly crimson rage, instinctively depending on him, loving him, striving to understand and draw near him. While he retains his reason, he can use this ability to guide all beings and soothe their emotions; after he succumbs to rage, this power brings only disaster by instinct.

【Production Date: 792. 30】

【Status: Butcher's Nail implanted】

【Status: Implant of the Butcher's Nail】

【Item Name: Butcher's Nail】

【Origin: Ultima Segmentum—Nuceria】

【Evaluation: A crude, primitive barbarian implant, combining warp technology and physical-science engineering. It awakens immense pain, suppresses all emotions except rage, and continuously erodes the brain. Easily removable with a doctor's portable kit.】

【Evaluation: A crude, primitive barbarian implant, combining subspatial technology and physical universe science. It greatly awakens pain, suppresses all emotions except anger, and continuously erodes the brain. However, it is easier to remove using the Doctor's Portable Case.】

【Status: Extremely savage growth】

【Value: 1, 00】

"0. 52 Emperor's price." Zhou Yun stared at Angron's price—exactly 0. 52 Emperor's price.

Slightly higher than Guilliman's 0. 5 Emperor's price, yet lower than Sanguinius's 0. 55 Emperor's price.

Was Angron's essence truly stronger than Guilliman's?

No wonder, even with a damaged mind, Angron remained among the most powerful Primarchs—his essence was simply stronger.

Having confirmed Angron's price, Zhou Yun swiftly began searching the Future Department Store.

After setting Anglong's price, Zhou Yun quickly began rummaging through the Future Department Store.

In his view, the true meaning of the Red Angel guiding the future was simply this.

Suddenly, the Wild Emperor standing beside Zhou Yun murmured, "Will you also accuse me of being heartless, cold, and devoid of humanity?"

For some reason, his true body was right before Zhou Yun, yet he spoke to Zhou Yun through the Wild Emperor's form.

Zhou Yun glanced at him, unsure what the Emperor was acting out; he made no comment on the Emperor's humanity.

The Emperor indeed lacked humanity, but Zhou Yun could somewhat understand the Emperor's helplessness.

When the Old Night came and the Spirit Clan fell, did the Emperor not wish to find someone taller to bear the burden?

But his immortal friends were either vanished without a trace, or no longer saw themselves as human—some even joined the Cult of Madness, seeking to sacrifice the entire human race to utterly wound Chaos.

Orpheus Peson was missing, Elda had betrayed and abandoned him, and in the end, no one stood by the Emperor except Macardo, a boy nearly young enough to be his son.

To be fair, the Emperor did many inhuman things, but those who could have done better did nothing at all.

Did the Emperor not wish to be more human? But he had no other choice.

"Don't you think I sound somewhat human when I speak to you?" The Wild Emperor, seeing Zhou Yun's silence, continued babbling.

Perhaps Angron's earlier words had stirred him, or perhaps Angron had used his power to influence the Emperor's emotions.

Zhou Yun slightly raised his brow—indeed, the Emperor sounded far more human when speaking to him.

"Because I am no longer alone in bearing it all."

"Because I am no longer without choice."

"You gave me other options—I can now afford the luxury of a little humanity."

"Zhou Yun, tell me—what should I choose next?"

Gazing at the Emperor's eyes, Zhou Yun fell silent for a moment, then looked toward the item he had found in the Future Department Store.

The price of that item was exactly the same as Angron's.

"The Red Angel guides the future of the galaxy."

(Combined into one)

(End of Chapter)