"Have you conducted research? When? What subjects did you use? How many?"
Leman Russ's barrage of questions made him seem cold and merciless. He turned Magnus's head to face him, and Magnus suddenly remembered that the brother he regarded as a brute seemed to have another identity.
The Emperor's enforcer—the ruthless executioner.
Without arms, Magnus was somewhat unaccustomed to the little cough he used to hide his embarrassment. He explained to Leman Russ, "I didn't use Imperial citizens for these experiments. There were so many alien civilizations we had to destroy during the Great Crusade. I merely... kept some of them."
"And then used them for experiments? How can I be sure you weren't conducting controlled comparison experiments? Hmm?" Leman Russ's gaze was icy. Magnus had no doubt that he would report everything that had happened today to The Emperor. When that happened, The Emperor would have to teach him another harsh lesson for days on end.
Magnus's face twitched. He realized that keeping silent would not improve his situation, and he began to resent his scholar's mindset. Why did he always end up casually revealing little secrets of his during moments of reflection?
If only I had Guilliman's politically savvy face. He would definitely handle this situation perfectly.
Magnus let out a soft sigh. "If you put it that way... there were, in fact, comparison experiments."
"Hmm?"
Leman Russ's gaze grew even colder, like blades, filled with profound disappointment in his brother. Magnus was curious whether Leman Russ enjoyed being his enemy, but from what he saw now, there was only heartfelt anguish.
"Calm down, brute..." Magnus said. "I have a conscience too, all right? Do you think I'm Angron before his recovery? Or Curze? When it comes to treating people kindly, my Legion and I are far better