Completing the First Transaction

Guilliman looked into Yvraine's deep, emerald-green eyes, a confident smile on his face as he cast out his true "bait."

"Lady Yvraine, as I understand it, the Eldar have reached the pinnacle of skill in matters of the soul. They can preserve the souls of those who died bravely in battle, sparing them from Slaanesh's devouring."

His tone was calm, as though discussing something ordinary:

"But regrettably, their original bodies will eventually decay and perish.

"And those precious souls can only reside forever within the cold Soul Circuits of Eldar warships, like stars imprisoned in darkness."

He sighed softly, with just the right trace of regret:

"How regrettable.

"Powerful warriors should have galloped across battlefields, not lain dormant in shadowed circuits."

Then Guilliman changed the subject, a glint flashing through his eyes:

"As it happens, I possess a treasure left behind by the Dark Age of Technology—a medical pod capable of restoring living bodies and maintaining their vitality for a long time.

"So long as there is no complete brain death or dissipation of the soul, it can repair nearly any physical injury and allow its user to emerge 'good as new.'"

He looked at Yvraine meaningfully. "I believe that, combined with the power you wield—the power of Ynnead, the God of the Dead—

"Those brave warriors who sacrificed themselves for the Eldar may have the chance to return to their restored bodies and continue fighting for the survival of their people.

"This may greatly ease the Eldar's plight of dwindling numbers."

As he spoke, Guilliman snapped his fingers elegantly.

With a soft sound, a sleek pod of pure white appeared out of thin air behind him.

The pod was covered with transparent viewing panels, through which one could clearly see the viscous liquid within, glowing softly green like the essence of life itself.

Even from a distance, one could feel the rich, almost tangible vitality surging from it.

Guilliman had just exchanged it from the system.

Yvraine's breathing hitched almost imperceptibly. Her emerald eyes instantly lit up as she stared fixedly at the medical pod.

(This technology... perhaps the Eldar possessed it in our golden age as well, but now, we truly have lost too much...)

She was deeply shaken.

(It can keep a body alive for a long time and rapidly repair all injuries?

If all one needs is to soak in it...)

A hopeful vision unfolded in her mind:

If Reaper Host warriors were grievously wounded in battle, as long as their souls could be guided and preserved in time, their bodies could be placed into this medical pod to be repaired.

Then, with her power of the God of the Dead, she could establish the connection once more...

The Reaper Host might truly achieve "zero combat losses"!

So long as they were not utterly destroyed in body and soul on the spot, there would always be a way to save them!

Though her heart churned with emotion, Yvraine remained calm on the surface.

She nodded lightly, her voice still pleasant. "Lord Guilliman, the vision you have proposed is indeed tempting.

"However, for such an important device, I must personally verify its effects."

"Of course." Guilliman agreed readily. "Would you like me to find the body of a human soldier who has just died?"

"There is no need for such trouble." Yvraine smiled calmly. Before her words had even faded, an exquisitely decorated yet exceptionally sharp Eldar dagger had appeared in her hand.

Without hesitation, she raised her hand. A flash of steel cut a wound so deep that bone could be seen across her smooth, jade-like left arm!

Blood immediately welled forth and ran down her pale skin.

A trace of admiration flashed through Guilliman's eyes.

(Decisive in action, and ruthless enough toward herself.

No wonder she was a woman who fought her way out of the Commorragh arenas.)

"Please, Lady Yvraine." He stepped aside and made an inviting gesture.

Yvraine's expression did not change, as if the injured person were not herself. She walked calmly toward the medical pod.

The lid slid open soundlessly. Without hesitation, she lay down inside, her entire body submerged in the viscous liquid glowing with the green light of life.

Strangely, she found that she could breathe freely within the liquid!

The liquid seemed to provide her body directly with all the oxygen it required, leaving her with no sense of suffocation.

She raised her injured arm and, through the viewing panel and the liquid, clearly saw the hideous wound healing at a speed visible to the naked eye!

Muscle tissue writhed and reconnected, while skin covered the wound anew. In no more than five minutes, her arm was smooth and flawless again.

Not even the faintest scar remained, as though she had never been injured at all!

Yvraine rose from the medical pod. The liquid automatically slid off her body, only to vaporize the instant it hit the floor, leaving no trace behind.

She moved her perfectly intact arm and felt the abundant vitality within her. At last, undisguised amazement appeared in her eyes.

"Incredible... Even if one's internal organs were severely damaged or limbs severed, I believe this device could completely repair them within an hour.

"It truly deserves to be called a great creation of the Dark Age of Technology."

Guilliman looked at her, a smile of reminiscence and emotion on his face:

"Yes, humanity in that age once touched such magnificence... I also sincerely hope that one day, the Imperium may reclaim even a fraction of that glory."

"Then,"

Yvraine turned to Guilliman, a sincere and captivating smile appearing on her face. "I hope that the Reaper Host and I can contribute our share toward that end.

"I will arrange your journey to Commorragh.

"My ship will open its doors to you."

"That could not be better." Guilliman smiled as well, his expression carrying the satisfaction of a completed deal.

The two understood each other without needing to say more.

If he were merely trading a "ticket" aboard an Eldar warship to Commorragh for a high-grade medical creation from the Dark Age of Technology, then on the surface, Guilliman was unquestionably taking a terrible loss.

But for Guilliman, who possessed the system and could "purchase" more medical pods at any time, this was an immensely profitable bargain.

He had traded a mass-producible "prop" for a key to entering the heart of Dark Eldar territory and contacting the Haemonculi, while further strengthening his alliance with the Reaper Host.

Yvraine likewise felt that she had made a tremendous profit.

In exchange for a mere ride, she had obtained strategic-grade medical technology that might reverse the population disadvantage of the Reaper Host and even the entire Eldar race.

For a time, the atmosphere in the entire reception room became even more relaxed and harmonious.

Guilliman even had Macragge specialties and fragrant red tea brought in with great interest.

He intended to chat a while longer with this clever, beautiful, and powerful Eldar ally.

After all, conversing with such a pleasing ally was an enjoyment in itself.

Guilliman was having a rough time these days. In his previous life, he could at least scroll through videos of beautiful women every night to cultivate his appreciation of beauty.

But now, wherever he looked, there were either hulking men with two hearts and three lungs, or grease-covered machine worshippers.

Though he could be called invincible in physical terms, mentally, he was still a normal adult man.

Naturally, he had sexual needs.

Not to mention that his kidneys were practically perpetual-motion machines now.

When he saw a beautiful woman, lust naturally rushed straight to his head.

He did not dare touch ordinary human women. His control over his strength was still immature.

If he exerted a little too much force and blew one apart into a mist of blood, Guilliman believed he would be traumatized for life.

But the powerful and beautiful Eldar female warrior before him was an excellent choice.

As everyone knew, chatting was the first step toward picking up a woman.

Guilliman had already made up his mind. How could his 250,000 sons not have a few stepmothers? His own physical needs did not matter much; this was mainly so his sons could experience motherly love~

As for heresy and "humanity above all"? So what? If the Khan could do it, why couldn't the future Lord Regent of the Imperium?