Chapter 257

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Protagonist:

Lin En

Lena

The Human Empire spent tens of thousands of years and sacrificed countless Navigators and Star Speakers, yet failed to perfectly solve the problem of Warp Travel.

Yet the Tyranids, relying on their innate talent, easily accomplished this.

Just then, a palm-sized Tearing Worm crawled out from Lin En's sleeve; it had a smooth pink carapace and sharp mouthparts.

It jumped onto Lin En's knee, raised its head, and its eyes flickered with the same pale purple radiance as Lena.

This is Lena's current consciousness vessel.

"You look tired." The Tearing Worm emitted a clear and cold voice, carrying concern.

"Your heartbeat is fast, and your blood pressure is high too."

Lin En smiled, reaching out to gently stroke the Tearing Worm's smooth, ice-cold carapace.

"Still okay." He sighed. "Just a bit annoyed; the Empire's broken affairs never finish being handled."

"Just stabilized the situation, then have to fight Green Skins; just finished fighting Green Skins, then comes the Tithe; there's never a moment of peace."

"Then don't bother with them." The Tearing Worm tilted its head, tone extremely serious.

"We have the Bug Swarm, we have Kal II, and we have a constant stream of Biomass."

"We can become stronger and stronger, larger and larger. Why still listen to those weak humans?"

"They only know how to demand from you, never giving you any help."

"Just rebel against them; whoever dares oppose, eat them."

"Whoever dares come to crusade, eat their fleets, eat their planets."

"That way, no one will ever be able to bully you again."

Lin En smiled helplessly; Lena had already said this kind of thing countless times.

He had long grown accustomed to Lena's straightforward way of thinking.

In her world, there were only two kinds of people: Lin En, and people who could be eaten.

"You, thinking too simply." Lin En lightly flicked the Tearing Worm's head.

"Where is the Empire so easy to rebel against? With our current strength, in the Empire's eyes, we're merely a slightly larger ant."

"If they're willing, they can dispatch an Imperial Fleet at any time, burn Kal II into glass, and incidentally drive us into Space."

"Moreover, those soldiers following me and the civilians of Brevis, they're all human."

"They believe in the Emperor, loyal to the Empire."

"If I rebel, the generals under me would turn on me first; by then, no need for the Empire to act, we'd collapse ourselves first."

The Tearing Worm fell silent for a while, its little claws uneasily scratching at Lin En's trousers.

Lin En seemed to realize something too: "Lena... what did you do to those officers?"

"Those noble generals, I've already hypnotized them." She spoke softly, voice somewhat guilty.

"Besides waiting in the rear for merit and boasting, they're good for nothing; I've long found them displeasing."

"So I took advantage while they slept, and lightly hypnotized them with psychic power."

"Now, they'll only obey obediently, won't cause trouble."

"This way, when the Bug Swarm recovers Biomass, they won't discover it either."

Lin En's eyelid twitched fiercely.

Good thing it was just hypnosis.

He'd thought Lena acted on impulse and secretly dragged those people off to feed the insects.

Although those noble generals were all useless wine-sacks and rice-bags, they were representatives sent by Brevis's major nobles.

If they died too suspiciously, it would definitely arouse the Noble Council's suspicion, bringing unnecessary trouble.

"Scared me to death." Lin En let out a breath of relief, patting his chest.

"Next time something like this, you must tell me in advance, understand? Don't act on your own initiative."

"Oh." The Tearing Worm lowered its head, responding somewhat aggrievedly.

"But you don't need to feel wronged either." Lin En looked at its pitiful appearance, couldn't help laughing.

"Actually, if you want them gone, there are plenty of cleaner, more reasonable methods."

"Huh? What method?" The Tearing Worm immediately raised its head, eyes flashing with curious radiance.

"When Lianggenna attacks, find a reason to send them to the Front Line to die."

Lin En's tone was relaxed; after all, as the Fleet's Highest Commander, doing so was very simple.

"Then, they'll die at the Green Skins' hands, and no one can say anything."

"Their clans will even thank us, for giving them a chance to sacrifice for the country."

The Tearing Worm's eyes were bright like two sparkling purple gemstones.

"Oh! So it can be done like this!" It excitedly wagged its tail.

"Too smart, how did I not think of it; next time I'll do just that!"

Lin En looked at its suddenly enlightened appearance, couldn't help laughing.

Although Lena is a powerful Tyranid Consciousness, the master of billions of Bug Race, in certain aspects she's simple like a child.

But this is pretty good too, Lin En thought in his heart.

In this dark, filthy, betrayal- and lie-filled 41st Millennium.

To have someone who trusts you without reservation, wholeheartedly, and treats you well — how fortunate a thing that is.

After smiling, Lin En's expression turned serious again.

"Actually, there is one most important reason I am unwilling to betray the Empire."

He looked into the Tearing Worm's eyes and said seriously, "I don't want to lose myself."

"I am human, I was born human, my parents are human, my friends are human."

"I eat human food, speak human language, live a human life."

"If for power and authority I betrayed my own race, turned into a monster that only knows devouring and killing, then I would no longer be Lin En."

"I would merely be a soulless shell, a beast driven by instinct."

"In that case, even if I ruled the entire Galaxy, even if I became the master of the Universe, what meaning would there be? I would already not be me."

The Tearing Worm listened quietly, not speaking.

Lena, who used to seem somewhat bewildered when faced with these complex principles, this time had a trace of realization and deep empathy flash in her eyes.

As the first independent consciousness to break away from the cold Hive Mind, it understood all too well that feeling of losing oneself.

Once, it was merely a puppet, insignificant, controlled by the Hive Mind.

It had no thoughts, no emotions, no name, no self.

Its existence was to carry out the Hive Mind's commands, devour all Biomass, assimilate all life.

Until it met Lin En.

Lin En gave it a name, and the most precious freedom, letting it possess the right to think independently.

It had tasted the flavor of delicacies, felt the warmth of sunlight, experienced the happiness of loving and being loved.

It never wanted to return to that consciousness Abyss of only coldness, emptiness, and endless devouring desire.

That feeling was like having one's soul torn apart bit by bit, then completely erased, ten thousand times more terrifying than death.

"I understand." The Tearing Worm gently rubbed against Lin En's palm, its voice gentle.

"Whatever you want to do, I will accompany you."

"As long as I can be with you, anything is fine."

Lena had already decided: you want to be the Empire's Governor, I'll help you govern Brevis; you want to fight Green Skins, I'll help you kill all the Green Skins; you want to deal with those tax officials, I'll help you throw them all to feed the insects.

Lin En's heart warmed, he reached out and hugged the small Tearing Worm into his arms.

Just then, the Escort Ship suddenly shook fiercely.

The distorted Chaos scene outside the window vanished instantly.

Dazzling yet warm sunlight shone through the porthole, falling on Lin En's face, dispelling the Warp's chill and darkness.

"Adult!" The captain's excited voice came from the Communication Device, carrying barely concealed excitement.

"We have successfully arrived at Brevis orbit!"

Lin En, holding the Tearing Worm, walked quickly to the porthole.

Below, that familiar blue-gray Planet floated quietly in the pitch-black Universe.