My Life as A Death Guard

Hades was once again cluelessly transported back in Collier Zexi’s insect-shaped vehicle.

Half-dead, he hung limply from the joints of the insect, before being handed off and returned to the Primarch’s transport vehicle.

Following behind him was Malcador, though not as spirited as before. The elder’s face showed clear exhaustion.

As soon as they boarded the vehicle, Malcador curled up in a corner of the seat and closed his eyes to rest once more.

Hades, still groggy, sat in the vehicle and stared at the sparking Tech-Priest.

Upon closer inspection—

Huh, wasn’t that Priest Lanzer?

The sharp legs of the insect-shaped vehicle reached inside, picking up Priest Korklan.

Still sparking and dripping machine oil, the Priest was carried away by the insect-shaped vehicle under Collier Zexi’s command.

Hades silently stared at the trail of dripping machine oil in a daze.

“You can work with Priest Korklan in the future, Hades.”

Mortarion’s voice broke the silence as he watched the Tech-Priest being taken away with an indifferent expression.

Ah… so that Priest had indeed lied to Hades about his personal information.

Hades blinked.

“What exactly did you say to him?”

After all, that Priest had been quite stubborn before.

“Oh,” Mortarion replied nonchalantly.

“I simply told him that I despise the Emperor and that the Death Guard will kill every psyker.”

What?!

Hades snapped awake, instinctively glancing at Malcador.

However, Malcador’s face showed a mixture of resignation, annoyance, and apathy—clearly the expression of someone who understood everything all too well.

Hades suddenly felt sympathy for Malcador, who had been dealing with Mortarion for years as a psyker.

With a look of incredulity, Hades turned to Mortarion.

“What else did you say?”

“Oh, I told him to discuss the details of the collaboration with you.”

Mortarion looked completely justified.

“That’s all.”

Hades felt like choking on his own frustration. Brother, you’re a Primarch; you can say whatever you want. But don’t drag me into it! Now it looks like I’m complicit too.

Dragged out of his dreams, Hades had already been feeling groggy, and now he was overwhelmed by a profound sense of helplessness.

Mortarion, if you can’t speak properly, just don’t say anything at all.

<+>

Red sands billowed outside the vehicle. Soon, the silhouette of the Techmarine Training Base came into view in the distance.

Malcador, who had been resting with his eyes closed, finally spoke.

“Hades,” he said, “You now know everything. What’s left is for you to witness it and recall it on your own.”

Hades blinked.

“Could you explain that in more detail?”

Stop being cryptic!

Malcador looked at Hades tiredly.

“You need to find the edge-bound anti-psyker devices. You already know where they are.”

“And where would that be?”

Malcador stared at Hades as if he were an idiot, clearly regretting the effort he’d just spent sending Hades into his dream.

“You think I know?”

Mortarion coughed.

Seeing the two humans clearly incapable of normal communication, Malcador fell silent.

He began to question the Emperor’s criteria for selecting people.

Realizing that he had clearly asked a stupid question, Hades scratched his nose and decisively chose to stay silent as well.

But… anti-psyker devices…

Necrons?

The thought crossed Hades’ mind.

But where was he supposed to dig up a Necron Tomb World now?

Unknown. Everything’s unknown.

<+>

A black obelisk towered in the center of the city, surrounded by smooth marble. Praises and hymns were inscribed on the walls, with intricate patterns entwined around it.

This place should have been filled with holy songs.

But the people were gone.

Not even the stench of decay lingered.

Hades stood on the ground, dizzy and leaning against the side of the vehicle. Could he admit that he felt overstuffed and a little nauseous?

Mortarion stood beside him. In the distance, the characteristic enhanced binoculars of the Techmarines gleamed faintly.

“Return to the Legion quickly,” Mortarion said.

“The Legion has already received its marching orders. Once the region near Barbarus is secure, the Death Guard will head to the front lines.”

Hades took a deep breath, trying to suppress his sense of weakness.

He knew well—this would be the Death Guard’s first battle.

Galaspar.

In this war against the massive Hiveworld region, the Death Guard would suffer heavy casualties, while their enemies would pay an equally steep price in blood.

It was no exaggeration to say that the dead would form mountains.

It was also at Galaspar that Calas Typhon would have his first encounter with Nurgle’s psykers.

The Death Guard’s first battle was pivotal, shaping the Legion’s culture for generations to come.

Hades’ gaze flickered with complex emotions. He had to return before the battle began.

It was his urgency to prepare for this battle that had driven him to Mars in the first place.

Hades wanted to be a part of this fight, and so he had to make it back as soon as possible.

“Understood,” Hades said firmly.

Mortarion nodded and watched Hades head off.

But just as Hades stepped into the Techmarines’ barracks with his left foot—

“The duel cage! Now! Immediately!”

Manning of the Space Wolves leaped toward him.