Chapter 23: Warhammer: What Do You Mean You Romanced the Bug Race

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Protagonist:

Lin En

Lena

"Please let Wa Da Si interfere in Senior's life! Please date me, Senior Cassius!!!"

These words not only echoed within the Dialogue Interface, but even formed an ethereal reverberation vaguely in the real Warehouse.

"Date, date, date..." Line circles appeared in Cassius's eyes.

White smoke rose from his bald head, and his consciousness instantly "crashed."

Whether on a physical level or a logical level.

Like? Dating?

The meaning of these few phrases combined conflicted fundamentally and irreconcilably with everything he had understood and practiced for over three hundred years.

Combat, killing, efficiency, loyalty, the Emperor's mission.

Absurd, blasphemous, heretical, the ravings of a madman!

Every judgment flashed rapidly through his super-computer-like brain, but none could fully explain what was happening before his eyes.

Even more terrifying was that, under the impact of this absurd flood, in the gaps where his consciousness was forcibly invaded by the system.

His thoughts and ideas developed deviations that he himself could not notice.

"This mortal's efficiency is indeed high; if that Abnormal Node Alpha could be completely controlled, by how many percentage points would the speed of cleansing the Bug Race increase?"

"Cooperating with Xenos is an absolute taboo, but what about 'utilizing' and 'controlling'?"

"For higher purification efficiency, temporary, strict, controllable cooperation."

"Does it conform to the principles of 'Practicalism'?"

The teachings of Gene Father Vulcan Manus seemed to ring in his ears.

Results over form, efficiency over dogma.

These cold, rational thoughts based entirely on Practicalism calculations.

Produced a strange "chemical reaction" with Lin En's absurd "confession" and the ambiguous atmosphere forcibly created by the system.

The system keenly captured and infinitely amplified this slight "wavering."

Thus, in the chaos that even Cassius himself could not fully understand, his standing illustration, under the system's influence, responded.

【Cassius】 (A blush faint enough to be almost invisible appeared on the standing illustration's cheek, and the violent anger in his eyes was replaced by an emotion mixed with shame, confusion, and a strange fluctuation):

"No, not allowed~"

His voice actually carried a hint of awkward, almost "shy" trembling.

"I am the Emperor's weapon; death is my only destination. Dating and such, da mie (no)!"

Instinct and the system's dominion made him somewhat at odds with himself.

But the moment he finished speaking, Cassius's main body consciousness was struck by lightning and cleared for an instant.

What did I just say?!

What tone was that?! What vocabulary was that?!

Damn heretic!

Kill him! Immediately! Right now!

Strong killing intent and a sense of humiliation erupted like a volcano.

But just as the thought arose, a stronger, more overbearing power like invisible shackles ruthlessly suppressed him.

Seeing Cassius suppressed by the system again, Lin En breathed a sigh of relief.

He gained a new understanding of the system's "protecting its own" and "overbearing" nature.

Indeed, this thing is extremely "protective of its own" and basically won't let his host lose out in this regard.

This was the conclusion he reached after trying multiple times on Lena.

He did not miss this opportunity; the standing illustration showed a "disappointed" expression and sighed.

【Lin En】 (Lowering his head disappointedly, then raising it again, eyes "pleading"):

"Ya Paris (indeed), still not possible?"

"Then, Senior Cassius, how can you let me and Lena-chan go?"

This is one of the dialogue options popped up by the system, and also a benefit of the "Dialogue" function.

Whenever Lin En runs out of things to say when talking to a Target of Attack, the system considerately provides prompts.

He paused, and among the "Dialogue Options" provided by the system, chose the most mushy, but possibly most "effective" sentence:

"Lena and I are truly in love!"

The moment this sentence was spoken, even Lin En's own consciousness went numb for a moment.

But the effect was outstanding!

Cassius, temporarily "controlled" by the system, had data streams flashing wildly in his eyes.

His "Practicalism" thinking, amplified and guided by the system, once again gained the upper hand.

Cooperating with heretics is a capital crime.

But if this "heretic" (Lin En and Alpha) could provide efficiency far beyond the norm.

Helping him maximize the cleansing of the Nest Capital's infection before the Hive Fleet descends.

To preserve this Hive World and billions of people for the Empire.

If he could keep this cooperation strictly limited to "during the quest," under tight surveillance.

Ensure there is no spread risk whatsoever, and immediately carry out "purification treatment" after the quest ends, killing Lin En and Alpha.

Then, assessed from a purely logical and efficiency standpoint, this might... not be entirely unacceptable?

Under the system's continued influence and the softening of the "ambiguous atmosphere," these originally fleeting, extremely cold and utilitarian thoughts.

Were constantly reinforced and rationalized, finally forming a "decision."

【Cassius】(The illustration's eyes regained some focus, but still carried the stiffness of system influence):

"I can give you, and that abnormal node Alpha, a chance."

"Help my squad precisely locate and clear out all remaining Bug Race nests and important nodes."

"Before the Tyranid infiltration problem in the Nest Capital is basically resolved and my quest ends, I can temporarily,"

"not list you as the highest-priority elimination target."

"But after the quest ends, I will personally purify you!"

"This is a temporary tactical adjustment made based on efficiency and current situation assessment."

"Do not have any unnecessary misunderstandings."

Betraying the entire Bug Race could only buy a brief breathing space; in the end, it was still a dead end.

This is very Empire.

But this was enough—Lin En wanted exactly this "temporary"!

He showed an expression of "gratitude" and "relief":

【Lin En】(The illustration bows deeply):

"Thank you very much, senior, for your indulgence!"

"We will definitely cooperate fully, for, higher efficiency!"

As he spoke these words, the system interface issued a prompt:

【Cassius gives preliminary approval to the host's "cooperative attitude."】

【Affection Level +1】

【Current Affection: -14】

At the same time, the terrifying pressure from forced binding suddenly eased.

The Spirit Energy Chains gradually faded from Cassius's body, vanishing into the Void.

The strange pale yellow filter and Sakura Illusion in the warehouse also quickly dissipated, restoring the cold, dim appearance of reality.

Cassius's body swayed, and he retreated half a step before steadying himself.

He fiercely shook his head, his deep blue eyes filled with lingering violent anger and deep confusion.

And a kind of nausea and humiliation as if he had eaten something dirty.

He stared fixedly at Lin En, who was still half-kneeling on the ground, disheveled but with bright eyes, his Power Axe gripping and loosening several times.

In the end, he said nothing, merely looking deeply at Lin En with those cold blue eyes, warningly.

Then he turned, walking with heavy steps toward the depths of the warehouse without looking back, disappearing behind a Side Door.