My Life as A Death Guard (Warhammer 30K Male MC)

— Barbarus + Southern Swamp + Morit Village —

— The third year Hades arrived in the south —

Thick white mist rolled in as Mortarion stood holding his scythe. 

Hades, three or four meters away, also leaned on his scythe, while the unconscious youth still lay on the ground.

The oppressive aura from Mortarion bore down heavily on Hades, making his breath quicken.

Damn it, Mortarion's foster father, Necare... 

Hades was sure he'd hit Mortarion's sore spot.

But if Hades didn’t say it, Mortarion would have to face it sooner or later anyway. 

No, he had to placate him quickly, or Mortarion would surely cut him to pieces!

Hades once again shamelessly submitted to reality. "I believe, and I hope you can successfully kill Necare."

However, "Then why did you say that?"

"I just want to know... Reaper, in your heart, what's more important: revenge or the people of Barbarus?"

Mortarion, hooded and wearing a respirator mask that covered most of his face, obscuring his expression.

But the wrinkles around Mortarion's eyes, the part of his face that was visible, showed he was conflicted.

Hades knew he was hesitating.

Mortarion was hesitating.

He knew it.

Hades sighed inwardly. 

This was inevitable; it was fate's plaything, Mortarion's inner demon, the root of his corruption.

Among the twenty-one Primarchs, Mortarion's corruption began the moment he landed on Barbarus.

Damn it, would Hades really have to escape the Death Guard himself and watch Mortarion and the Death Guard fall together? Damn.

"The people."

Mortarion added, "My foster father Necare is the one who stripped everything from me, denied everything about me, the one I hate the most."

"And the people of Barbarus."

"They accepted me when I had nothing; they gave my existence value and meaning; they entrusted themselves to me."

"They are my reason for existence."

"To fight against all injustices."

Is that really true, Mortarion? A quiet voice spoke within Mortarion’s heart.

We all have selfish desires. Would you really give up your revenge on that tyrant? Didn't you always swear to kill him? Why are you betraying your past self? Mortarion hesitated.

"No," he whispered to himself, "The people chose me, entrusted themselves to me; I cannot betray them first."

"I cannot become the next tyrant."

He silenced that voice within him.

If Hades could hear Mortarion’s inner monologue, his expression would probably be quite interesting.

Firstly, that voice was definitely suspicious.

Secondly, after all, it was the people who "abandoned" Mortarion first! This was an unsolvable problem.

After all, you can't expect humans not to worship the Emperor.

Mortarion crouched down and gently picked up the young man lying on the ground, then stood up again, holding his scythe in one hand.

"Thank you for your question, Hades."

Mortarion looked at Hades, his gaze inscrutable.

He chose the people; from beginning to end, he only chose this.

Hades stood there, also looking back at Mortarion, but Mortarion could not see doubt or malice in his eyes.

Only anxiety and concern.

Mortarion spoke, "But you shouldn't doubt me."

"You've changed a lot these years."

"Go back to the base and take a look; don’t always fight with Xenos in the wild."

Mortarion didn’t think Hades distrusted him; he just had a more steady and mature air about him. 

The familiar feeling Mortarion knew hadn’t changed. (Like making inappropriate jokes and still doing some crazy actions.) 

The questions Hades asked would never become reality; in reality, such choices wouldn't appear.

Apart from causing inner turmoil, they were useless. 

Perhaps Hades was worrying too much; staying alone in the dangerous wilds often made one feel bleak about the future.

Unfortunately, people at the base disliked Hades because of his nature.

He should pay more attention to his friends, but only after killing Necare. . 

Compared to the loyal and straightforward Typhon, who often spoke bluntly, Hades was more like a mischievous friend to Mortarion.

For example, he often dragged Mortarion into long conversations, even though Mortarion himself wasn’t familiar with such ways to pass the time.

The young man was about to wake up, and Mortarion needed to get him to a safe village before that happened.

Mortarion was ready to leave. 

He turned to Hades, signaling for him to end the conversation.

Hades was a bit shocked.

Was Mortarion just concerned about him?! 

Whoa, big guy, you were just holding a knife to my neck a moment ago! 

Now, there was only one possibility—Hades had finally maxed out Mortarion's favorability! Ooooohh!!

Hades wanted to throw down his scythe, raise his arms, and shout, "I did it! I maxed out his favorability!"

Before, when he was still young and Mortarion hadn’t become the commander of the stronghold, all those persistent acts of kindness, fighting together, and occasional cold humor...

Finally, they maxed out Mortarion's favorability.

Moreover, Hades wanted to kneel down and shout, "Oh, my god!"

After all, in both his past and present lives, the number of people who cared about shut-in Hades could be counted on one hand!

Ahem, these were thoughts from the part of Hades' brain responsible for his unserious side.

The part responsible for normal life was still thinking intensely.

Clearly, the conversation had ended. Hades wasn’t sure how far Mortarion had considered his question.

But his initial goal was achieved, which was to plant a warning for Mortarion.

However, he didn’t know if Mortarion could grasp Hades' true intentions.

After all, such plot twists from the original story were beyond human imagination.

As for Mortarion’s final decision? That was beyond Hades' control.

Sigh, other transmigrators either had cheat powers to wreak havoc or systems to exploit.

Only Hades, despite knowing the plot, couldn't think too much about it. 

Usually, he just fought minor enemies and couldn't even beat a named character in the setting.

Thank you, Warhammer world.

Hades shrugged, walking slowly to the edge of the road.

"Goodbye, Reaper, I will. Once I'm done, I’ll come back."

Mortarion nodded, "Go back north; the southern battles are nearly over."

Hades scratched his head and laughed, "Alright, I will come back! To help you defeat Necare!"

Hades stepped aside, watching Mortarion leave with Vox.

When Mortarion reached the village's guard area, Hades' presence behind him suddenly disappeared.

[In the Warp]

Nurgling joyfully jumped on its own fleshy mass, the lumps of festering, decaying flesh being their favorite playground.

At the furthest reaches of the Endless Garden, where the flesh flowers withered, the rotting grass and flies no longer buzzed, where life and death felt equally distant—

The harsh screech of a carrion bird rang out, piercing through time and space, cutting across life and death, shattering the eternal stillness.

It raised its still-stirring spoon, flinging its short arm towards that direction, thick ichor reluctantly dripping into the boiling endless cauldron.

"Get out! Get out! He's mine!!! He's here with me!!"

The bird's cry echoed in frustration, lingering for a long time.

"Annoying creature."

It muttered.