Changes

Chapter Four: Changes

"Astartes, this is your special plan? We may not have read much, but isn't this the standard procedure for Space Marine augmentation surgery?"

"This isn't some author copying settings to pad the word count. As if."

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"In fact, this is indeed a perfect plan. The standard surgical augmentation procedures the Imperium has continuously refined over several millennia are our best option. However, many parts are not suitable for you right now. At present, the organ augmentations you need most are still the two hearts and three lungs. Of course, there will also be basic skeletal reinforcement, a new circulatory system, and muscular strength enhancement and adaptation. Finally, your visual organs will be prioritized for modification."

"That's it? What about Larraman's Organ and the Sus-an Membrane? Without those, I'm not a complete Space Marine. You should know how important they are in battle!"

"Roderick, I understand your urgency, but we came to Azeroth, not an Imperium frontline in some remote star system overrun by Chaos Daemons, Imperial traitors, Greenskins, and Tyranids. There are dangers here, but none are fatal. More importantly, this body of yours has not unlocked the deeper genetic seals. If we carry out the full range of genetic organ modifications, you may end up like what lies beneath Raven's Tower..."

"Enough. I understand. What do I need to do now?"

"Learn about this world, and integrate into it. Your soul still risks being torn apart. Angus's consciousness is incompatible with this place—or rather, your fusion with Roderick's soul was incomplete, and you lost many of his memories. This is a wondrous planet, Lieutenant. Space Marines are proud, but they must also remain humble."

Roderick did not respond. Ever since confirming that this was not an illusion created by the Dark Gods, his taut nerves had completely relaxed. Many of the memory fragments he had absorbed concerned battle. The human coalition armies possessed mediocre physical abilities. They raised colorful banners, and only a handful of knights riding tall horses could wear full suits of heavy armor. Their primary weapons were even made of crude iron with an extremely high carbon content, making them quite limited in lethality.

Some humans capable of casting magic, however, did interest him. The weapons or body parts of certain high-ranking knights also emitted brilliant light in battle—the Holy Light they spoke of—and it looked immensely powerful. These people all possessed considerable combat strength, though unfortunately, their numbers were extremely limited.

Beyond such unremarkable combat, certain strange fighting creatures were more worthy of study: flying monsters with eagle heads and lion bodies, red lizards that breathed flames, and countless other unknown creatures. This truly was a peculiar planet. Judging this world solely by its combat power earlier had indeed been somewhat shortsighted of him.

Having adjusted his mindset, Roderick then noticed the girl's slightly hurried breathing inside the room. Turning around, he saw Remilia struggling to arrange two somewhat heavy wooden chairs. She then brought over a small round table less than two feet in diameter and placed it between them.

The transparent glass teapot held amber-colored honey tea, refracting a golden gleam beneath the sunlight. As the girl placed sliced pomelo into the pot, she set a black cake in the center of a creamy white plate. Finally, she evenly sprinkled fragrant crushed nuts over the cake. Only then was the task complete, and less than a quarter of an hour had passed.

Remilia childishly clapped the crumbs from her hands and said with a delighted smile, "Brother, let's have afternoon tea."

"This is the Black Forest cake Alwyn brought over. His aunt made it especially."

"This cake is very expensive. Mother only bought it for us on our birthdays before."

"His aunt's family only moved here recently. They opened a general store in town. Hehe, I forgot to ask what his aunt's name was, but she must be a kind person.

..."

Holding a steaming teacup, Roderick took a gentle sip. He listened to his sister's chattering beside him and felt the pleasant warmth of the afternoon sun. Beyond Remilia's excited face lay the deep blue sea, and at its far end, the outline of a coastline could vaguely be seen, hidden behind grayish-white clouds.

There was no need to think about slaughtering anyone. Simply sitting here like this, the life of a mortal was far better than endless killing. As a war machine, Angus had served the Imperium for several millennia. Yet here in Azeroth, perhaps Roderick, a mortal knight, ought to live a different kind of life. Emperor above, Roderick drained the honey tea in his cup. This kind of life was quite good.

"Don't feel conflicted, Lieutenant. The glory of the Imperium has not yet shone upon this land. The more earnestly you integrate into this world, the better I can help you increase your strength."

"Astartes, your changes are difficult for me to believe."

"You used to be so rigid. Other than mechanically issuing orders, all you had were quotations from the Emperor: Victory or Death!"

"Who would have thought that you would become so strange here? I can feel humanity in your words now, rather than that same unchanging electronic voice from before."

"..."

"The instant we arrived in Azeroth, I sensed the laws of this world. Azeroth is far too weak compared to the Imperium. The old you could perhaps have destroyed this place with your squad alone. But we did not come here to destroy it. At present, no hostile force capable of threatening the Imperium has been discovered here. Therefore, our goal is survival—to survive here in a better way."

"As long as I remain loyal to the Imperium, whether I speak in a rigid synthesized voice or have now become more human, Astartes will never change."

"... Only the Emperor is our sole shelter and protector. Astartes, the Raven is with you."

Remilia noticed that after her brother finished the tea in his cup, he had begun staring blankly into space again. She gave a dissatisfied snort, then began devouring the cake on her own plate. She did not know whether her brother had heard what she had just said, but Black Forest cake with honey pomelo tea was just so, so, so, so, so delicious!

The vacant look in Roderick's eyes finally returned to normal. He looked gently at the girl before him. Cake crumbs covered the corners of Remilia's mouth. Her gaze wandered restlessly, but it always eventually settled on the other slice of cake.

"Eat it." Roderick reached out and pushed the cake toward his sister. "I drank too much fish soup earlier. I can't eat anymore now."

"Really?" Joy seemed to leap from every strand of the girl's hair. "But didn't you used to complain that Uncle Heni's fish soup tasted awful?"

"Maybe it tasted better today. You know, I only just recovered. I need to replenish my nutrition."

"Oh, then let's make fish soup again tonight, Brother. I couldn't bear to eat much of it earlier."

"Well... that wouldn't be impossible, hehe," he replied weakly.

"Brother, I know you hate fish bones the most, hahaha..."

"..."

The breeze scattered the girl's silvery laughter through the air. The gradually setting sun stretched their shadows ever longer. The Space Marine's first day in Azeroth was peaceful and filled with serenity.