Perturabo Had No Secrets

Several days later.

Just as many Primarch Legions were preparing to set off back to Terra.

During these days, a joint Expeditionary Fleet from the three legions sailed directly into Kiavahr's near-Earth orbit, terrifying the warlords who had lost their space fleet and were fighting on the surface.

The recapture of the entire Kiavahr was unexpectedly swift. Under the relentless bombardment of the Iron Warriors, those who dared to resist with even the slightest bit of hope were instantly reduced to ashes by Perturabo's artillery fire.

Perhaps the Iron Warriors don't always perform well, and the casualty ratio in the final battle report of the Great Crusade is never very good.

But this is largely because Emperor really do use capable people to the extreme.

They relentlessly exploited Iron Warriors and Perturabo, forcing them into the toughest, most uncompromising meat grinder battles.

After being tempered by such intense firepower, winning a match against a weaker opponent is a piece of cake.

Soon, Kiavahr became part of the autonomous region designated for Corvus Corax.

Let the Primarch and the workers who raised the Primarch slowly develop the main planet and its connected satellites, and in the future, with the help of the Adeptus Mechanicus, gradually unlock the planet's technology tree step by step.

After all, no Hive City are built on the current Salvation Star, and the population remains at the original level.

If it is used as a recruitment site for the future Raven Guard, the source of troops will be too tight.

It just so happens that there's such a large Kiavahr primary planet here that no one wants, so it's reasonable to do Corvus Corax a favor while we're at it.

Since the Emperor is not around, they can handle the ownership issues of these planets.

—The accompanying sages of the Adeptus Mechanicus expressed their regret over this.

There are plenty of mines around Kiavahr, and the main planet also has a lot of industrial infrastructure. If we could take ownership of it and bring it under the Imperium's control, it could be transformed into a large Forge World with just a little modification, providing a continuous source of power for the Great Crusade.

Unfortunately, it cannot be accepted.

"Wait one more day."

"If there is still no news from the Emperor, let's prepare to set off."

As per the Emperor's decree, after dealing with the affairs of the Eleventh Legion Primarch, he will follow in the footsteps of the other Primarch to Lycaeus to welcome the return of the new Primarch.

Fulgrim and her group were just the vanguard.

This order was specifically issued to prevent the new Primarch from being treated differently from other Primarch and from being dissatisfied with not being greeted by the Emperor himself.

This is to ensure harmony among the Primarch brothers and sisters.

Let the three Primarch go first; the Emperor will arrive shortly after he has finished dealing with some minor matters.

But even so, where are the people?

Where are you, Your Emperor?

Outside the still fragile atmosphere that Lycaeus had just filled, the specks of starlight, along with the Expeditionary Fleet ships docked in near-Earth orbit, were clearly visible.

But among the swarms of ships in this near-Earth orbit, there was not Emperor in sight.

"Logically, if an unexpected situation arises that needs to be dealt with, there should be Astropathic Communication to inform us of our next move."

"But there isn't one."

"We've also sent inquiries to surrounding star systems, but they've all gone unanswered," Mortarion said helplessly.

This is what Warp is like.

You never know whether an accident or tomorrow will come first.

Or perhaps they will arrive together.

You never know if you'll ever receive your own obituary.

Having lost contact with the Emperor, they had stayed on Lycaeus for more than ten days beyond their original plan, but still had no news.

The Expeditionary Fleet, consisting of three Primarch, or even four Primarch if counted solely by Primarch, was stuck on Lycaeus, unable to move.

This made Perturabo very unhappy.

"What exactly does the Emperor mean? Regardless of our next objective, we shouldn't be stuck on this satellite doing nothing!"

"As one of the legions of the Great Crusade, why did he just abandon us and let incompetent fools like Rogal Dorn and his even more incompetent legions steal the limelight?"

He expressed his dissatisfaction with this.

If he hadn't previously complained about the heavy burden the Emperor placed on him, then his explanation might have had some credibility.

"Perturabo is right."

Mortarion immediately chimed in, echoing his sentiment. "There's no point in us waiting any longer. We should continue our exploration and clearing operations near the Imperium's borders until the Emperor assigns us a new mission."

Efficiency is the top priority in the Great Crusade.

Even if they were to leave now, if it were for the sake of a better Great Crusade, the Emperor would surely understand.

Of course, the key to this topic is still Corvus Corax's opinion.

"Perhaps I really want to meet my father who created me. But since you all have limited time, it would be a good thing if we parted ways at this time."

"Then let's do it this way. If there is still no news from the Emperor or his arrival by tomorrow, we will first set Expeditionary Fleet for the nearest hub node."

Signal strength is better near transit hubs for Warp shipping.

Whether it's intelligence about the Emperor's movements or Astropathic Communication, you would receive them much better from that location than you do now.

Before setting off back to Terra

"In that case, our three legions will officially depart and part ways tomorrow."

"Don't worry, we'll have many more opportunities to meet again soon."

Corvus Corax nodded in agreement.

He was also very curious about what kind of people his other Primarch brothers and sisters were.

In his memory, he was Number Nineteen in line at the laboratory.

Even if he is the last one, there are still nineteen Primarch in total.

Of course, what he didn't know was that there were now only eighteen Primarch left.

Yes, isn't it strange?

Why is the First Legion the Dark Angels, while the Sons of the Emperor following behind them becomes the Third Legion?

Has no one all these years had any doubts or wanted to ask the person in the middle—

Bang!

The group dispersed and left the meeting room.

"By the way, since this is one of the rare vacation opportunities the Emperor has given us, how about we relax today and go see a play?"

"Fulgrim suddenly said something without any apparent reason."

"Okay, okay, hehe."

Mortarion seemed to be encouraging Perturabo as well, though his lively tone was not the normal sound coming from his throat, "Why not? After fighting non-stop for so many years on the expedition, it's only natural to relax this time."

"You may go ahead. My Iron Warriors and I must continue building. We cannot accompany you."

"No, please."

Mortarion suddenly sounded anxious.

"It was the Emperor who ordered us to rest properly, Perturabo."

"After building so much for Corvus Corax's homeworld, it's not a terrible thing to relax and enjoy yourself now."

"Didn't you always complain to me about how poorly the Emperor treated the Iron Warriors, how the Legion never got proper rest and was always being driven from one meat grinder to another?"

"These are two different things!"

Perturabo felt his past self elbowing his present self, and after a moment of silence, he persisted.

"Don't you want to see just how beautiful the grand theater you built really is?"

Fulgrim pointed to the magnificent building that stood on the horizon in the distance.

Thaliakron.

In the Old Language, it means "Talia's dwelling".

Talia is an ancient Olympia deity who, according to legend, provided fools, poets, and writers with endless creative inspiration through her remarkable poetic talent and fondness for wine.

Unfortunately, even during the height of Olympia's theological prosperity, under the iron-fisted rule of the kings on the mountaintop, the common people had very few forms of entertainment.

Perturabo wanted to correct this and envisioned a magnificent palace built of drama, comedy, love and heroism, murder and intrigue, and a bittersweet ending.

This is one of his designs from his early years at Olympia.

Although not as mature as it is now, it is majestic and imbued with a more imaginative and spirited quality.

The theater's structure was designed to be elliptical, envisioned as situated at the impact point of an extremely deep meteorite crater, and constructed according to the terrain.

Perturabo knew every detail of the building's structure intimately, from the precise routes needed to support the lower levels to the exact dimensions of the goddess statue atop the uppermost lintel. He understood every aspect of it, and as the structure of the lower levels took shape at the speed of time-lapse photography, a long-lost vitality returned to Perturabo.

He didn't initially want to build this grand theater, because it was Fulgrim's request.

To spend a lot of unnecessary time and energy on something that can't achieve any results is simply a waste of time and a figment of his imagination about the future when he's still immature.

It is not a project worth implementing.

But as construction progressed, he gradually began to enjoy the opportunity to build this magnificent building, and felt incredibly excited and thrilled as a result.

This time, the right brain successfully fought back against the left brain.

Just five days later, the fantasy that had only existed in his mind became a reality— Thaliakron stood on the Salvation Star, descending upon this planet lacking art and beauty amidst the heartfelt praise of countless workers.

And it just so happens that only now does he have the time to build a large theater.

Instead of Defensive Fortifications or destroying enemy landing sites.

Yes.

Perturabo somewhat agreed with Fulgrim and Mortarion's advice.

It would be such a shame if he spent so much time building this grand theater, only to find that he himself couldn't even experience it firsthand.

"Okay, I'll go."

What specific play is it?

As a native of Olympia, Perturabo, despite not liking these things, was endowed with exceptional appreciation skills and artistic sensibilities.

What kind of play could be performed?

Fulgrim, Kasgar, and Mortarion exchanged glances.

Hehe, you'll find out soon enough.

In front of the towering wrought iron gates of the Grand Theatre stands the statue of the goddess Talia outside the wall.

She poured wine from a two-handled, narrow-necked bottle, the mercury acting as the liquid flowing down from the grooves in the column.

The wine was caught by the outstretched hands of her sisters, carved on the two central pillars: on the left was Charis, and on the right was Euphrosyne. Both wore masks of laughter and sorrow, but each mask was cleverly tilted so that it was impossible to tell which was which.

But he knew.

Perturabo enjoyed this arrogance known only to himself, and he eagerly pushed open the door first.

The oval-shaped theater extends outwards, and behind the curved audience area, there are large-scale reliefs of unimaginable proportions:

The statues of the goddess and her sisters look down with interest from the high arches surrounding the amphitheater, watching all the drama unfold.

And the mythical heroes of Olympia:

Thespis stood naturally beside the goddess, while his formidable rival, Metrobius, stood at a distance. Araros, the great lover of comedic poetry, stood with the slender Hegelochus, the most unpredictable actor of his time, the so-called hero of a thousand faces.

A masterpiece imbued with the spirit of classical Olympia!

Perturabo was proud of his achievements.

Although there is currently no one in the entire theater—not even many on the Salvation Star, and certainly not many laborers who have worked their whole lives—who would be interested in theater.

But Perturabo

Looking at everything before him, he smiled from the bottom of his heart.

But he forgot one thing.

He should never have laughed again.

Click!

The moment he stepped inside the theater, Perturabo felt an unimaginable force extending from both sides of him.

It was an attack from the two Primarch, Mortarion and Fulgrim, who seemed to be smiling undisguisedly as they held down his arms.

What do you mean by this?

"Didn't we come here to see a play?"

Perturabo shouted urgently.

What are these two guys doing now?

Who cares, I still have the Iron Circle Automated Mecha!

After the initial panic, Perturabo quickly calmed down.

Calling in the Iron Circle Automated Mecha!

It's alright, he, Perturabo, also has Iron Circle Automated Mecha; all he needs to do is communicate via neural data flow through the back of his head—

Etc!

He's here in casual clothes to watch the play, so where would he get any neural interface in the back of his head?

Not only did he not bring Iron Circle Automated Mecha, but even his trident was not with him!

Alone and caught off guard, Perturabo was captured on the spot by the other two Primarch.

Even Corvus Corax was somewhat surprised.

What are you doing?

"Hehe, little brother. Let me show you your older brother Perturabo's acting talent first!"

As he spoke, a tremendous force came from both sides of Perturabo, lifting him directly to the center of the theater, the place where countless lights and reliefs of gods converged.

"What exactly do you want—"

With a roar, Perturabo broke free from the two Primarch imprisoning him.

The two men seemed to release the pressure on his shoulders as they dragged him onto the stage, and then scattered in the next instant.

"Abo?"

The next moment, just as Perturabo was about to launch an attack, he heard the voice he knew best, but which was also the voice he least wanted to hear at that moment.

No.

No!!!

He froze in place, motionless, at the very center of the stage.

She was a tall woman dressed in an exquisite pure white robe, and she walked slowly forward with a smile, looking at Perturabo in the center of the stage.

Kalliphen, Perturabo's sister.

Why is she here?

Why would she be here?

All the questions that popped into Perturabo's mind in an instant were answered the next instant when he saw those three gloating smiling faces.

"You!"

"What are you trying to do?!"

Perturabo roared angrily at the three guys who were just watching the drama unfold.

What are you doing?

Fulgrim looked surprised. "Perturabo, didn't you tell us to invite Kalliphen over to perform at the [Thaliakron Grand Theatre] that you're building?"

She acted just like the real thing.

This woman's performance is even more realistic than the real thing!

Perturabo was furious again after hearing this.

So annoying!

"Is that so, Abo?"

"I never expected it. I really never expected that you would still think of me after being away from this planet for so long."

But seeing the look of surprise and emotion on Kalliphen's face when she heard about it, Perturabo...

Damn it, Perturabo, say no to her!

You're not cut out for acting, and you're not prepared for drama.

Who knows what those bastards will do to you?

Reject her quickly, hurry up!

"Yes, that's right."

Perturabo said calmly.

[Next, please enjoy the epic performance brought to us by Perturabo, the Primarch of the IV Legion 'Iron Warriors— ]

[Talia, Grand Theatre]

(Actually, I was unwilling)

Accompanied by a series of soothing musical instruments, seemingly symbolizing the beginning of the performance, a voiceover from above began.

[A cunning ruler and his ministers fight each other for their own earthly interests.]

A bewildered boy gazes at the stars in the sky, his heart filled with doubt.

But at this moment, Perturabo was still completely bewildered—he had no idea what would happen next, or what these people wanted to do.

Judging from the narration and titles, they seem to be performing their own story on Olympia.

That's ridiculous! How could these mortals possibly understand Perturabo's thoughts, let alone perform them!

Perturabo's mind raced, his eyes landing on a section of data cable on the stage.

Data pipeline

This must be a tool used to transmit information by connecting it to the back of his brain.

Since they've appeared on this stage, right in front of me, they must be preparing for my upcoming performance.

This is malicious intent!!!

Perturabo grew angrier the more he thought about it.

If it weren't for Kalliphen, he would have already opened fire on those treacherous guys!

Well!

He endured it for Kalliphen's sake.

Anyway, Kasgar and Fulgrim probably aren't very capable, and only Horus would like what they write.

All they do is play awkward games.

But after a moment of contemplation, he chose to connect the tube to an interface at the back of his brain.

Then he threw it off.

What is this thing?!

Boycott!

He Perturabo is going to boycott the show!

Perturabo, his face flushed, wanted to say that, but seeing Kalliphen's expectant look...

Perturabo, following the narrator's description, opened his arms with difficulty.

"This starry sky, I have never touched before, yet it is so..."

Perturabo's performance was stiff.

But his stiffness doesn't mean he's unsuitable for acting; rather, it's an instinctive resistance to the content of the performance.

The reason Perturabo chose to throw the script away the moment he saw it was not because Kasgar's writing was so bad that Perturabo disliked it.

"My mind is denying the beauty and art in the world."

"But my heart keeps beating for this."

Perturabo read it out very reluctantly, word by word.

On the contrary, it's written too well and too bluntly.

It vividly portrays Perturabo's resentful mentality of "preserving steel and extinguishing human desires," a mentality of wanting something but not getting it, and then denying what he wanted.

Even his own left and right hemispheres unusually expressed a unified opinion on it.

Oh my god, this really is me!

But having already promised Kalliphen, Perturabo simply couldn't bring himself to refuse.

Especially Kalliphen is now completely convinced of everything about Perturabo.

I simply couldn't refuse.

The performance continued.

From Perturabo's first ascent of Olympia to his adoption by the local tyrant and his debates with various politicians and orators.

On the one hand, it shows Perturabo's Farsight and strength, which are difficult for ordinary people to understand, but on the other hand, it also shows his anger and confusion when he is ostracized by others because of this.

And right at this most crucial moment!

It's Kalliphen!

Although Perturabo would never admit it to himself, Kasgar knew it.

But he has a narration!

Since Perturabo is unwilling to say it aloud, let the narrator say it all!

And so, under Perturabo's utterly terrified gaze, the narrator, much like Perturabo's right brain, which was perpetually under attack from the left, spoke from the depths of his heart.

That feigned strength was merely a facade, a mask of steel.

I've always appreciated your support.

"Um!"

Perturabo was even more horrified to see that Kalliphen, sitting in the first seat, was wiping away tears of emotion.

Broken

This is completely inexplicable.

If in the future Perturabo says it's all just acting and he doesn't actually like you, Kalliphen...

Will Kalliphen believe him?

Perturabo: "."

He smiled with a sense of relief.

Fortunately, Kasgar gave Perturabo some face, and the entire theater was empty except for the Primarch who had just entered and Kalliphen; there were no other audience members in the theater.

Of course, Kasgar was really afraid that if he saw the theater packed with people Perturabo would go berserk and blow it up.

That would be amazing.

At this moment, the only one still able to stay and watch Perturabo's performance in such a tragic state Kalliphen was still silently shedding tears.

And two Primarch and were now gloating— Fulgrim and Mortarion.

Kasgar is backstage at the theater.

There's also Corvus Corax, who has absolutely no idea what's going on.

He sat there silently watching everything that was happening on the stage, without saying a word.

Who am I? Where am I? What are we doing?

He couldn't understand it, and he didn't know the reason behind it all.

Corvus Corax was deeply shocked.

[How could those fools possibly know the myriad emotions churning within me?]

[Like a high mountain and flowing water, only you can listen to my stories and understand what's in my heart.]

As the plot unfolds, the play has reached its climax.

Just like Horus and the Emperor's Centaur gold ring, the encounter between the Blood Angels and Sanguinius, and Lorgar and Lion's Order of Order of Knights, this is the perfect moment for the two protagonists to reveal their true feelings, as a fan-made work derived from the Centaur gold ring!

"Me, me."

Perturabo blushed and stammered again.

This narrator is so... so blunt!

It was like a tapeworm in Peturabo's stomach, constantly repeating what Perturabo was thinking at the time.

Don't you understand that some things can be said and some things can't?

He is clearly the Iron Lord Iron Within, Iron Without, so how could he act like a coward, looking back and forth?

But I am the Iron Lord, Iron Within, Iron Without; in my eyes, emotions are nothing more than discarded waste.

Therefore, I disguised myself as a ruthless killer.

What I wanted to say, I could never bring myself to say.

Why is it that I, who should be Iron Within, Iron Without, have a heart of soft flesh and blood?

Perturabo: "."

What the hell is this narrator doing, speaking so realistically?

Clearly, a straightforward approach counters arrogance.

Perturabo, through Kasgar's meticulous planning, was left with nothing by the Cleveland.

"Me, me."

Perturabo's face turned red.

In this vast theater, witnessed by Talia and the Olympia gods, Perturabo blushed like an apple.

This time it really wasn't because the left brain was attacking the right brain; the left brain was innocent this time.

The left side of the brain was also too tense to speak.

"Yes!"

"Yes, okay, alright! He's right!"

"Just like that damn narrator said, is that enough?!"

Perturabo roared in despair.

"Wuhu!!!"

He admitted it!

In that final moment, a thunderous cheer erupted from the audience.

Finally!

Finally!!!

Perturabo finally admitted he's a tsundere!!!

Clap clap clap.

A round of enthusiastic applause erupted from the audience.

Move.

It's like a rebellious kid finally growing up.

But this clearly made Perturabo unhappy.

Damn Fulgrim, Mortarion, and Kasgar!

None of you will escape!

Just as everything was over and Perturabo was preparing to launch an attack, it seemed that the other side had been prepared for this all along.

"The time has come, run!"

The two Primarch vanished like the wind, long since disappeared without a trace.

And what about Corvus Corax?

After observing Kalliphen and Perturabo, even though he had no idea what was going on, he still chose to disappear and flee.

At this point, you must run away.

"Fortunately, it won't spread."

Perturabo looked at the empty theater, now only occupied by Kalliphen, and thought to himself with a sense of helplessness.

(It has already been photographed)

(Hundreds of millions of copies will soon be made, ready for billions of people throughout the universe to enjoy at any time)

"Abo, you're finally not so stubborn anymore."

Kalliphen wiped away the tears from the corner of her eyes, as if she still had something to say.

But just then, the cast iron gate that had been closed was pushed open again, as if the brothers and sisters who wanted to see more gossip had returned.

This infuriated Perturabo even more.

"Roll!!!"

"Get out of here! All of you, get out of here!!!"

With his back to the door, Perturabo let out the loudest roar he could muster in his life.

But the brightness seems a bit off?

He suddenly saw a golden giant figure, accompanied by a troop of equally golden Adeptus Custodes, enter the theater, looking at him with astonishment as he was still angry.

"Child?"

He asked, puzzled.

Perturabo will never howl again.