Curze's Expert Joint Consultation

The streets of the upper level of Nostramo.

The Gothic-style buildings soared into the sky on a rainy night.

Nostramo is always shrouded in a fine drizzle, no matter how many greedy factory owners and incompetent environmental engineers have hung upside down on its spire.

Even though the rain was so clear and bright, it meandered and gathered like silver snakes on the clean streets until it dripped into the well-maintained drainage system.

Nostramo has changed a lot.

But some things may never change.

Accompanied by the inherent fog of its geography and climate, Nostramo is always a rainy, gloomy, and foggy city.

The dim light of the star could not illuminate Nostramo's Hive City, and the excessive humidity, along with the rising steam, shrouded the streetlights in a hazy layer of moisture.

Under the streetlights emitting a pale yellow glow, two black figures carrying umbrellas collided on the street.

"Sir, your umbrella poked me."

"Ah, I'm so sorry. Please allow me to express my apologies."

Their Nostramo accent was slightly off; the one who accidentally bumped into someone bowed six times, smiling apologetically as he invited the other person to his favorite tavern for a get-together.

"Perhaps next time, sir."

"However, I am quite curious about what kind of fine wine could win the favor of a gentleman like you."

He smiled and declined the other person's offer.

Judging from the words and actions of the person holding the umbrella, as well as the luxurious umbrella they were carrying, this gentleman must have come from a prominent noble family.

The Scola Vore family.

Although it wasn't explicitly stated, only they understood the code.

The Scola Vore family's power in Nostramo was at its zenith.

These guys claim to be descendants of ancient planetary rulers who have survived to this day under the watchful eye of the impartial Night Lord, and for this they seem to have some connection to certain noble genealogies and ancient mythological figures.

Despite their efforts to climb the social ladder, the rough, large hands of assassins still betrayed their true status as superiors.

But for those in real power, these petty uglinesses mean absolutely nothing.

The important question is who controls everything on Nostramo.

The answer is rain.

Rain has taken control of everything on Nostramo.

The two people, holding umbrellas, never dared to let their exquisite dresses get soaked by the rain.

"It's neither good nor bad, but it seems there's a new bartender at the bar."

"The old bartender is gone."

He continued, as if he were truly describing a bartender.

"It seems he retired due to his age, and his son—a young upstart—took over."

"I also happen to want to try the new bartender's drinks to see if they're worth a try."

"If possible, I'd even like to mix the drinks myself."

After saying that, he looked into the distance.

That was the location of the Night Lord —no, it should now be called the Governor's Mansion of Nostramo.

"Friend, please forgive me for refusing."

"Fine wine is tempting, but what if I drink one and the rain gets heavier?"

"If we were to pass out drunk on the roadside, wouldn't that tarnish our image as gentlemen?"

The other person looked at their feet with suspicion.

The water splashed against the grating at the entrance of the sewer, creating a cluster of tiny, joyful droplets.

But they were all afraid of the rains of Nostramo.

The rain came without any warning, and it fell heavily and rapidly.

The former nobles, who had been humiliated, fled in panic and had no choice but to return home.

Only those guys who know how to use umbrellas and cleverly learn to hide under them can avoid getting soaked in the heavy rain.

They were also able to secure a few seats in the once-crowded tavern.

Even so, as long as it's raining outside, I don't dare to drink freely.

The passerby still looked somewhat displeased.

If you drink too much or too fast, you will lose your grip on the umbrella and your center of gravity will be unstable, and you will surely fall into the puddle by the roadside.

He fell very hard.

This made them very unhappy.

Fortunately, there is no sun that never sets, nor rain that never stops.

Once the rain gradually stopped, it was time for these gentlemen to put away their umbrellas and head out to enjoy their fine wine.

"But I'm afraid this rain doesn't seem to be going to stop anytime soon."

"Besides, I've heard that the old bartender's recipe is very strong, so even if the drink is delicious, I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to drink it."

"Not coming?"

"I'm not coming."

"Laugh."

The man from the Scola Vore family laughed.

"Ha ha ha ha."

The other person laughed along.

He shook his head helplessly.

They're all old foxes.

Without any real trump card or any promises of benefits, how could other drinkers possibly go with them?

He smiled and sighed.

"Sir, I have another suggestion."

"If you'd like, you can share an umbrella with us."

As he spoke, he proudly showed the other person the ornate embroidery on the edge of the umbrella.

"Look at the name embroidered on this, my friend. Jando Scola Vore. You probably don't know the guy with the tattoo on his face."

"But I can proudly tell you that he passed the first selection of Space Marine and, following in the footsteps of the Night Lord, joined the Great Crusade to the stars."

Jando Scola Vore.

Another passerby had heard of this name; it referred to the first group of warriors chosen to travel into space.

Of course, because his name is so difficult to pronounce, everyone prefers to call him "The Tattooed Count".

With the umbrella he gave them, the Scola Vore family could drink more easily and without fear.

The umbrella was large enough that they could all prepare in advance so that they wouldn't be afraid to run around when the next rain came.

"Also, now that the old bartender is gone, the rain will only get lighter and lighter."

A slightly off-the-cuff remark made the other person nervously look around nervously.

Fortunately, no one on the street paid attention to the conversation between the two drunkards.

He looked hurried.

In Nostramo, everyone has their own things to do.

"Good!"

"Okay. We'll arrange the time when we meet next time."

"Um."

Let's save the wine for after the rain stops.

They exchanged a smile, both having received the answers they sought, and then brushed past each other, turning and leaving.

Just like the millions of people passing by on the street with umbrellas, they walked past different corners and eventually disappeared into the crowd.

The new Governor Nostramo, appointed by the Night Lord, is sitting on the Night Lord's throne, reviewing documents from various parts of the planet.

It must be said, the Governor was very lucky.

At least he genuinely believes he is very lucky.

This is a planet governed by the Great Primarch, and its level of civilization is naturally beyond the reach of mortals like him.

He had never encountered a Hive City with a population of tens of billions where the crime rate could be so low.

It's hard to imagine that a planet with tens of billions of people could have nearly a single-digit number of crimes.

Having finished dealing with the last remaining political matter, the Imperium Governor, unaware of everything else, leisurely looked out at the glass window decorated with black spikes.

The increasingly coarse raindrops pattered against the window.

This rain

It seems like the rain is getting heavier.

"Ha!!!"

Curze crouched down, his massive body arching, his hands poised to pounce.

His eyes were filled with disbelief and wariness as he looked at Kasgar.

Who are you? Who exactly are you?

"You are neither human nor the Primarch. Who are you?"

If the person in front of him were just an ordinary person, Curze would not be afraid of him.

But the guy in front of Curze was clearly not normal.

She's just as abnormal as him.

That being who once made deals with the Emperor in the shadows!

His aura, a part of his senses, what was that called again?

The essence! Yes, that's the essence!

This guy has the essence of that creature from the Warp!

Perhaps not now? Curze's senses aren't very sharp, and his ability to predict the future through Psychic Power is somewhat intermittent.

But there will always be more in the future!

Curze believed his Prophecy were infallible.

The other party possessed a kind of power that he couldn't sense.

This guy definitely has some kind of unspeakable secret with that hidden Warp entity of the Emperor!

Do not trust!

Neither the Emperor nor this thing called Kasgar can be trusted!

In the Psychic Power prophecy, the man who instigated the rebellion throughout the Imperium was not the first to engage in dirty dealings with the Warp.

The Emperor is the one!

Like father, like son. In fact, the Emperor had already reached some kind of exchange of interests with the Warp before others!

The Emperor already did it!

"Curze?"

Kasgar found the other party's wariness somewhat strange.

Why was Konrad Curze so wary of me when it was only the first time I had met him?

Could it be that, under the influence of Psychic Power prophecy, the other party saw some terrifying visions from the future?

"Lord Curze, did you see something in the illusion—"

Yes! That's right!

"You know that, yet you still dare to say that to me! You know it, don't you?"

Ah?

Curze suddenly sprang to his feet, strode forward, and extended his fingers, which were longer and thinner than those of other Primarch, with sharper nails, to launch an aggressive accusation against Kasgar.

You know? You know what?

"You!"

"You, and that Emperor! You were with him back then—"

Suddenly, his forward movement abruptly stopped.

Curze trembled, his once aggressive body seemingly frozen in place uncontrollably.

It was as if something was stuck in Curze's throat, preventing him from speaking.

"Cough, cough, vomit! Vomit!!"

"Haha."

After a brief pause, he lowered his head and made a series of rapid retching sounds, then gasped for air like a diver who had been holding his breath for a long time.

It seems that he was tricked by some muscular, golden-haired giants who used Psychic Power to leave a contingency plan when they met.

The Emperor expressed his apologies for this.

He is not a cruel person.

Or perhaps he simply didn't want to be a cruel person.

But the secret of the Primarch must be obtained—

Defend!

"Curze?"

Kasgar tentatively stepped forward and asked.

"Are you alright, Curze?"

". I have no idea."

His voice revealed a deep weariness.

"You, Kasgar, what do you want?"

"You and my father, what exactly do you want to do to me?"

With a series of heavy, somewhat painful breaths, Curze seemed to have successfully recovered from his initial stress and asked Kasgar a question in an extremely calm tone.

"To get you out of this terrible mental state."

"And through learning, you will be able to properly manage the affairs of the legion and participate in the Emperor's Great Crusade."

This time, Curze did not refute Kasgar's words, but his eyes always held a deep sense of apprehension.

"Perhaps you are right."

"Illusions. And things beyond my comprehension, more and more abnormal things are starting to haunt me."

"And--"

"And what?"

As if realizing something, Curze opened his mouth but then fell silent, refusing to say another word.

"Also, you said you'd help me with my mental health issues, how are you going to do that?"

"This one?"

Kasgar smiled as he operated the disassembly knob below his right shoulder armor.

Given that Kasgar needs to use his Psychic Power right hand, an extra disassembly button was specially added to the armor connection above his right arm to facilitate his individual donning and doffing, thus allowing him to use Warp flames better and more conveniently.

Just like now.

In Curze's incredulous and fearful gaze, a golden-red flame rose from his right arm.

"?!"

(A terrifying, indescribable shriek from the Warp)

In the next instant, Konrad Curze's eyes, which had no whites, widened in shock, and his already deathly pale skin appeared even paler in the firelight.

Wow!

This guy isn't even going to act anymore!

They can even burn people with the flames of Warp Entity!

"Don't... don't come any closer!"

Curze let out a wild howl and frantically shrank into a corner of the wall, using his agility to climb to the top of the corner.

No, no, no, no, don't come any closer!

"Don't run away, Curze."

Kasgar persuaded, "This is my healing Psychic Flame. Once burned by my flame, any flaw or problem can be easily solved."

These include the Eldar's Soul Imprint, Magnus's Flesh Curse, Angell Tai's Daemonic Mutation, the Black Rage of the Blood Angels, and so on.

They were all dealt with by Kasgar's Psychic Flame.

Given that someone like Curze has lost their mind, all he needs is a simple "Hey, don't run away!"

Clearly, Curze did not trust him.

He used both hands and feet, frantically dodging Kasgar and the ominous Gold-Red Flame in his hand throughout the cabin like a gecko.

"Huff, huff."

An epic chase.

Unfortunately, Kasgar was no match for Curze, who was known for his agility.

In this Inner Circle, he didn't dare to push the other party too hard.

If Curze were forced into a corner and suddenly attacked someone, it would be something Kasgar wouldn't be able to handle.

"Trust me! Many people have tried it! There will absolutely be no problem!"

"Ha!"

Curze turned around and roared at the obvious lie.

"If you don't believe me, you can ask Angron. They've all experienced it themselves!"

"There really won't be any problems!"

It's like a pediatrician desperately trying to give medicine to a sick child, while simultaneously trying to persuade him and chasing after him.

Although Curze never left the room, his innate agility allowed him to leap and dodge Kasgar's flames.

No, this Curze is still too slippery!

That's strange.

Logically, since he had just joined the Great Crusade from Nostramo, the hallucinations in Curze's mind shouldn't be too severe. As the Night Lord of Nostramo, Curze shouldn't be so delirious.

The real breakdown of Curze's personality, and his true transformation into the Batman Who Laughs, will occur around the time of the Horus Heresy.

Kasgar wondered.

He didn't realize it came from within himself.

He was the one who startled and agitated Curze.

In the end, a panting Kasgar chose to ask for off-field assistance.

After landing in Nostramo and meeting with Curze, the Emperor didn't stay with him for long before leaving on the Pride of the Emperor.

He seemed to have completely neglected his responsibilities as a father, having only had a brief meeting with Curze before leaving him in the care of Kasgar, Fulgrim, Angron, and Rogal Dorn.

This is Primarch whose mental state is not very stable!

You just ran away like that?

The thought of this guy leaving Curze to other legions (mostly Horus and Kasgar) and then leading the fleet on Great Crusade all by himself is making me a little nervous.

You are the strongest Space Marine I have ever seen.

There are stars in your eyes.

I need to return to Terra to deal with the Webway.

This Curze is a gift I'm giving you.

Oh no, now Kasgar has become the one with stars in his eyes.

Sometimes, there's a reason why this guy was able to be beaten half to death by nine people who betrayed him.

Fortunately, at least he was left with a few Primarch teammates.

After being persuaded by Fulgrim with infectious enthusiasm, Curze finally got down from his position leaning against the wall and came to Kasgar's side with a look of surprise and uncertainty.

Are you really sure his flames won't hurt anyone?

"Yes, I did receive his help. If you don't believe me, I can demonstrate it for you right now."

With that, Angron stepped forward and said to Kasgar, "Come on, let this cautious kid see our power."

Bear!

Flames rose, and under the scorching golden-red light, Angron appeared completely unharmed.

It seems like it might actually work?

Even if their Primarch were also monsters of the Warp, even if Curze was also a monster of the Warp.

But as long as the flames in Kasgar's hands do not intend to harm them, they will not be completely annihilated in the flames.

". OK."

With the fact that Angron was unharmed in the flames, Curze finally decided to trust Kasgar and the Emperor.

He stepped forward with a righteous air, nervously closing his eyes, like a prisoner awaiting execution, waiting for the flames of Kasgar.

That's right!

What are you afraid of, Phoenix Fire? You're not some spicy chicken strips!

Turn on the heat!

The raging flames engulfed Curze's entire body in the next instant.

Kasgar frowned.

Everything is normal, there are no problems.

The flames subsided, Curze remained standing in the same spot, motionless.

"How about it?"

"Are you done?"

"No."

Nothing has changed.

Or rather, Curze has no flaws whatsoever.

Kasgar's flames can only heal physical or spiritual deformities and defects; they cannot eradicate the characteristics of his soul.

The reason he seems a bit neurotic is simply because he knows too many things he shouldn't know.

Psychic Power prophecy is an innate ability of his; the Warpfire can only suppress it to a certain extent and cannot completely eradicate Curze's mental problems.

It's impossible to have Kasgar follow Curze around 24 hours a day, right?

"Even your flames can't do it? Then I'll give it a try?"

Angron stepped forward, somewhat eager to try.

As a Primarch, he naturally possesses his own unique skill—the ability to absorb the negative emotions of others.

Of course, you can't suck too much, otherwise, like last time, Angron would have wanted to just smash his head against the Rebel and die.

Although he disliked Curze's way of ruling—ruling the people through fear and torture, which sounded no different from the slave owners Angron had encountered before.

This made Angron very unhappy.

"They actually have to compromise with those families and the administrators of the Hive City."

"Honestly, if it were me, none of those damned corrupt bureaucrats and their dirty families would survive."

Unfortunately, Nostramo is still the homeworld of Curze, and the recruits of the World Eaters come from the entire human world. Angron is not picky about this, but only requires that they be the oppressed lower class.

If Angron were to actually manage Nostramo, he might actually be able to turn the place around.

That being said, on the surface, Curze's planet was governed quite well, and even the lower classes had a chance to survive under his iron fist.

While the methods used are debatable, the results are commendable compared to Nostramo's earlier success.

As the Primarch, Angron would naturally not give up the opportunity to save his brother.

Seeing that Curze did not object, Angron slowly took two steps forward, gently placing his hand on the other's shoulder, feeling the touch of what the other had once received—

No, I can't feel it.

Just as Kasgar couldn't cure Curze, Angron couldn't absorb the pessimism and negativity that came from Koz himself.

I've tried all sorts of methods, but none of them worked.

The Primarch and Kasgar looked at each other in bewilderment.

"Etc."

"These facts speak for themselves: from beginning to end, it was you Curze was wallowing in self-pity, and no one but yourself could save you from this predicament."

Having stood silently beside everyone, observing the unfolding events, the outspoken critic Rogal Dorn finally spoke.

Instead of spending time figuring out how to get better through various forms of witchcraft, it's better to confront the core of the problem.

"Curze, what exactly are you afraid of?"

Incisive and to the point, consistent with Rogal Dorn's long-standing characteristics.

However, no way out was left for Curze.

Naturally, he fell silent.

"Well then, since various Psychic Power methods aren't working very well, should we first disperse a portion of the Expeditionary Fleet to the Great Crusade?"

"Otherwise, too many Primarch gathering here might hinder the progress of the expedition."

It's a bit too extravagant for so many Primarch to not participate in any expeditions and just stay here watching over Curze's illness.

Since Angron's ability to absorb negative emotions is unusable, it would be better to let him and Rogal Dorn go and participate in the Great Crusade on their own.

Curze's problem can be gradually corrected by Kasgar and Fulgrim.

During the correction process, everything is fine as long as he's not involved!

—Rogal Dorn!

The key issue isn't Rogal Dorn, it's that Rogal Dorn doesn't exist!

First, we need to kick Rogal Dorn out of the team!

Rogal Dorn was indeed a very powerful and upright Primarch.

It must be said that, as the future Grand Master of the Adeptus Custodes, he single-handedly withstood the rebel invasion of the Solar System and Terra. It was also he who was able to withstand the steel torrent of Horus and Perturabo during the Horus Heresy, preserving a sliver of life for the Imperial Palace.

—Don't ask why Perturabo betrayed them yet.

Whether the Emperor did it intentionally or not, he actually brought Rogal Dorn, a rock with negative emotional intelligence, along. How could he possibly handle the Curze problem properly?

It was already difficult enough, and now the Emperor is putting him through weight training?

A feeling of utter exhaustion filled his heart.

Only one went crazy when they went in.

When they came out, all five of them had gone crazy.

"Alright, take good care of yourselves. Keep in touch during the Great Crusade if you have the chance."

Angron agreed to the proposal from Kasgar and Fulgrim.

As a Primarch who had just joined the Imperium of Man, and with many more worlds awaiting the liberation of the World Eaters, he didn't want to waste too much time on a Primarch whose mind was unstable.

Good.

Since Angron has agreed, Rogal Dorn must also agree—

"I'm sorry, but I cannot."

Rogal Dorn paused for a moment, then shook his head and rejected Kasgar's offer.

Curze's problem worried him.

Rogal Dorn knew the principle that with great power comes great responsibility.

As the eldest of the Primarch, he had witnessed far too many immature Primarch behaviors.

Therefore, it is necessary to correct the behavior of every Primarch whose mind is not yet fully mature, especially Perturabo!, under his Rogal Dorn.

This is his responsibility as the elder brother.

Even if it slows down the Imperial Fists's expedition, they will not hesitate.

Kasgar: "."

Speechless, really.

Is there any possibility, I mean, is there any possibility?

It's because of you, Rogal Dorn, that Curze eventually went insane!

If Kasgar doesn't intervene, Curze will eventually open up to Fulgrim with his sincere help and tell him what he's afraid of.

That was the Psychic Power vision that Curze saw when the Emperor ascended Nostramo.

[Curze himself will be killed by his own father, Horus Heresy will occur, their offspring will die fighting each other, and the light that the Emperor brought to Nostramo will be destroyed forever.]

A somewhat sensational prophecy.

Then, the blabbermouth and indecisive Fulgrim told Rogal Dorn, who was with him, about it, hoping to find a solution—

Stop looking.

Rogal Dorn immediately launched into a tirade against Curze, accusing Curze of spreading falsehoods and insulting the reputation of the Emperor and the Primarch.

This terrified Curze so much that he went into Night Haunter Mode mental instability, Dorn and nearly killing him while in a delirious state.

This is rare for Curze, who harmed someone when that person was completely innocent and even more righteous than himself.

This shattered Curze's long-held view of good and evil.

He believed he was about to become a murderer rather than an executioner, which made him feel as sinful as the criminals he killed.

From then on, Curze's condition worsened as he was consumed by guilt and fear, and he became increasingly reluctant to communicate with others.

Then I went crazy.

It must be said that the Emperor's decision to send Rogal Dorn back alone to serve as the Adeptus Custodes made sense.

He didn't choose randomly!

Not to mention Curze, even Kasgar will go crazy.

My head hurts, my head hurts.

Other Primarch could be persuaded, but this was Rogal Dorn! The most stubborn Primarch.

He was unwilling to leave, and no one except the Emperor could persuade him to leave.

(I am Rogal Dorn: I can't do it either)

Not to mention Commander Kasgar, that little Sons of the Emperor.

Looking at Curze, who had fallen silent and gloomy again, Kasgar began to think about what to do.

Kasgar previously relied too much on Super Psychic Flame.

If you encounter a problem with the Primarch, just burn it with fire first, and it works really well.

As a result, Kasgar is now somewhat powerless to solve Curze's psychological problems with Psychic Flame.

Curze's tragedy was rooted in his own character.

Or rather, in the Emperor's default settings, Curze is an extremely fanatical righteous maniac.

When the Emperor created Curze as an enforcer, he likely considered first binding the trait of "hating evil as if it were his enemy" to Curze.

Then, during his elite education at the Imperial Palace the day after tomorrow, he will be taught the compassion and empathy required of an enforcer, so that Curze can become the Lord of the Imperium Enforcers with Primarch powers.

But an unexpected Warp Storm disrupted the Emperor's plans.

From a young age, Curze had no one to guide him. As someone who lived in the purest dog-eat-dog world, his thinking inevitably began to go to extremes.

Enforcement with attitude, stun gun with compassion.

His strikes are swift, and his peeling is powerful.

As for the Night Lords legion he belongs to, that's pretty awesome.

The Night Lords's betrayal has resulted in his entire army being in cahoots; not a single one of the veteran criminals from Terra and the new criminal recruits from Nostramo is human.

During the Horus Heresy, they all followed Curze in the rebellion, and not a single Loyalist emerged.

This legion and its commander, Curze, are both incredibly powerful. Where is Kasgar even supposed to begin?!

"Got it!"

Wait, the commander of the Night Lords's legion?

Who said Curze is the commander of the Night Lords' legion!

—It's Sevitar who should be there!

It's better to develop Curze than to develop Sevitar!

As the true commander of the Eighth Legion's Night Lords, when Curze's mental state was not good, all the affairs of this legion were carried on Sevitar's shoulders!

In fact, when Curze was stable, it was Sevitar who did all the hard work.

Training Sevitar to stop the criminals of the Night Lords, improve the atmosphere, and prevent the entire Night Lords from gradually falling into the abyss is far more effective than standing still and lecturing Curze!

As for Curze...

Doesn't he also enjoy the treatment of being the Company Commander Night Lords?

Take care of yourself in your old age!

"Fulgrim".

Kasgar looked up and said.

"If possible, please form Combined Fleet and give Lord Curze some time to familiarize himself with space combat."

"I'm preparing to go to Nostramo."