My Life as A Death Guard

— 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?!