Chapter 1468: Leman Russ Joins the Party

A basement in the Primarch Residential Area.

Fulgrim, Alpharius, Omegon, and Curze sat on several overturned wooden crates, forming a circle. On the ground in the middle lay a blueprint, on which were drawn several winding routes and a few markings labeled "Kitchen," "Garden," and "Corridor."

Fulgrim pointed to one of the routes.

"This route is the shortest, but it passes the kitchen entrance and is easily discovered."

Alpharius said.

"Then take this one. Although it's a bit of a detour, it passes the east side of the garden, where few people go."

Omegon said.

"And there is a side door there that leads directly to the corridor outside."

Fulgrim's eyes lit up. "That's even better."

Footsteps sounded in the corridor, drawing closer.

The four of them looked up simultaneously; the sound stopped at the entrance, and the door was pulled open.

Leman Russ stood at the doorway, his long golden hair hanging loose, his leather jacket open, one hand still resting on the doorknob.

He saw the expressions of the four people inside, froze for a moment, and then the corners of his mouth slowly spread into a grin.

"Oh? The four of you are here?"

The four bodies instantly turned to stone; how did this guy get here?

"What are you doing here?"

Leman Russ poked his head in to look, asking curiously.

However, just as he stepped inside, Alpharius and Omegon reached out from both sides, grabbed his shoulders, and dragged him directly into the depths of the Storage Room.

At the same time, Fulgrim's hand covered his mouth from behind.

The door was kicked shut behind them by Curze, emitting a dull thud.

Leman Russ's body was pinned by the three of them simultaneously, and he struggled, making muffled, indistinct sounds.

He was pressed into a corner, struggling for quite a while before breaking free from the restraint, gasping for air, and speaking between breaths.

"You... what are you doing? Fratricide?"

Fulgrim let go and stepped back half a pace, blocking the doorway.

Alpharius and Omegon stood on either side, sealing off all possible escape routes.

Curze stood at the furthest point, watching Leman Russ.

"We can't let him out; if he goes out, he will tell the little sister."

Leman Russ said with a puzzled expression.

"No, what exactly are you guys up to?"

He rubbed his cheek, which had been numbed from being covered.

"You've been acting sneaky since just now—storage room, basement, and drawing maps there? Where are you going? Or did you commit some crime and plan to run away?"

Fulgrim shrugged.

"We didn't commit any crime. We are planning an important matter. We are going to follow Father to inspect the Bone-Crushing Cannery for a few days."

Leman Russ: "The Bone-Crushing Cannery? That place that produces Orc canned goods? Just go then, what's there to hide about that?"

The four of them simultaneously revealed complex expressions, as if this question had touched upon some unspeakable pain.

Alpharius spoke first.

"The point is, if the little sister knows we are leaving, she will definitely make a scene wanting to come along. Imagine it: a few days of travel, a confined space, nowhere to escape. The little sister brings her little stove and all kinds of ingredients, and then she says with a beaming smile, 'Big brothers, I've newly improved my recipes this time...'"

Leman Russ's expression began to waver.

"Uh..."

Fulgrim continued to raise the stakes.

"You can't run, you can't hide. You can only sit there, watching her serve up plate after plate of dishes with strange shapes, unknown smells, and suspicious colors. Then you will hear her say, 'Big brothers, hurry and taste it.'"

Leman Russ's complexion changed; he looked at the four of them firmly, his expression becoming serious.

"Then I have to go too."

To be honest, he could still swallow the little sister's desserts at first, but for some reason, the little sister didn't seem to have a talent for cooking; the more she cooked, the weirder it got, and she would add all sorts of strange things.

It made his appetite for other good food feel a little worse than before.

Hearing Leman Russ say this, the four of them spoke at once.

"No!"

Leman Russ was stunned.

"Why?"

Alpharius took a step forward, his expression exaggerated.

"Oioioi, you guy should just honestly stay here. If you go, and the little sister asks why you are going too, how will you answer?"

Leman Russ just started to speak.

"I can say..."

Omegon interrupted Leman Russ.

"Whatever you say is useless; as long as she discovers we are all leaving, she will find a way to follow. Besides, we need someone to stay behind to distract her, and it just so happens that this glorious Task is handed to you."

Leman Russ's expression became dissatisfied.

"Are you guys looking down on me?"

Fulgrim said.

"This is a tactical necessity; someone always needs to stay behind."

Leman Russ was silent for a moment, looking at the expressions of the four, and the corners of his mouth slowly curled upward.

"Oh, if you all stop me from going... then I will reveal your whereabouts and plans entirely to Little Sister."

The expressions of the four people froze simultaneously.

Damn it! This guy Leman Russ was actually using the intelligence he had just obtained to threaten them!

Leman Russ stood where he was, arms crossed over his chest, his posture composed.

"How about it? Either we all go together, or I stay behind and incidentally tell Little Sister about your whereabouts. You choose."

The four exchanged glances, and then Fulgrim sighed.

"Fine, you can go too. But you must promise not to speak out of turn."

Leman Russ grinned.

"Of course."

Fulgrim continued.

"And, you must help us keep it from Little Sister."

Leman Russ said.

"No problem."

Alpharius frowned and said.

"You agreed so readily that I am actually a bit uneasy."

Leman Russ glared and said.

"I keep my word; you all are doubting my character!"

Omegon said.

"How can we be sure you aren't playing us?"

"Believe it or not, but if you don't take me, I'm going to tell Little Sister."

The four were silent for a moment, then Fulgrim reached out his hand, revealing a smile.

"Leman, look at you, getting all serious? We are brothers, of course we trust you. Deal."

Leman Russ shook his hand.

"Deal. But, who actually proposed this in the first place?"

Fulgrim said.

"It was decided by Father."

"Decided by Father?"

Alpharius said.

"Yes, Father said he wants to take us to inspect the Bone Crushing Factory."

Leman Russ was silent for a moment, his expression gradually becoming subtle.

"So after all this time... you four were here drawing maps and hiding in the basement, and it turns out this matter was decided by Father?"

The corners of his mouth curled up again, his voice gradually rising.

"In other words, you didn't need to hide at all, because Father had already agreed to let you go; you were just looking for a sacrificial lamb to distract Little Sister."

The expressions of the four people froze once again.

Leman Russ patted Fulgrim on the shoulder.

"You all take your time drawing the map, I'm going to contact Father."

Leman Russ pushed the door open and left.

In the storage room, the four people stood where they were.

Fulgrim looked at the paper in his hand, filled with routes and markings, and put it into his pocket.

"Sigh, I hope that by the time we return, Little Sister's enthusiasm for cooking will have faded."

The other three nodded in unison to show their agreement.