Chapter 25: The Emperor and the Donkey

Lorgar’s brow lowered slightly, like one who had been granted absolution, as he detached himself from that phantasmagorical state.

Aaron leaned in with concern:
"Brother, you have seen Father! Although I didn't quite understand what was said, the moment I heard that voice, I knew it was the old man!"

Lorgar did not recoil from Aaron’s proximity, whispering:
"Brother, I have realized everything."

The giant opened eyes that were clear and bright, devoid of any murkiness or lethargy.
"Father is not the one true god. That is fine."

Aaron breathed a sigh of relief: "Good, you have finally broken free from that obsession."

Lorgar continued:
"I must go and seek the true, omniscient, and omnipotent everything."

*Great,* thought Aaron, *he’s even more obsessed now.*

"You wouldn't happen to be veering off track," Aaron asked worriedly, "thinking there is something you want within the power of those Dark Gods, would you?"

Lorgar slowly knelt on one knee, gazing at his brother:
"They are nothing but a swarm of vermin. How could one rule over a thousand worlds alongside such deities?"

He clenched his fists:
"I will search for the root of all things, and no matter who stands before me, they shall not shake my resolve."

Aaron asked with concern: "So, you intend to make your followers even more extreme? I’ve told you, believing in gods is just a source of comfort; there are plenty of gods who do nothing. It is better to rely on oneself."

"I worry that if what you seek does not exist, or does not align with your vision, you will collapse."

He reached out and touched his brother’s face. This was the second brother whose face he had touched. In Aaron’s eyes, Guilliman did not seem so paranoid, though Father always said Guilliman was as stubborn as an ox. He hoped Lorgar, too, could find a way out.

"You are right," Lorgar’s gaze softened. "That is why this is a path belonging to me alone, independent of universal faith."

He gradually stood up:
"I will unify Colchis, and then await Father’s arrival."

"Though I do not know what happened in the future, nor why Father would apologize to me, but—"

"Thank you, brother. Thank you for everything you have done for me."

Aaron sniffled, his hands hovering awkwardly, his toes scraping the ground:
"Oh, we are brothers, after all. I don’t even know what I did—you just closed your eyes, the old man spoke a few words, and you opened them looking as if you’d figured it all out."

"I am waking up soon. It seems the old man will commit a wrong against you in the future, or he wouldn't be apologizing. When that time comes, if it happens, remember to punch him. I believe that is the only way he will ever admit he is wrong."

"If I die early, just tell him I told you to do it."

Aaron gave his brother one last hug: "I am waking up now. I didn't get a clear look at what is threatening you this time. I hope next time we meet, you won't be tied up by those Dark Gods. I am busy trying to save Father from the bed of a perverted bald man right now."

"Oh, and remember to watch out for Erebus. Damn it, why is everyone I mention bald?"

As soon as he finished, he froze, and then the two bald men looked at each other and burst into laughter. Before Erebus could pull back the curtain, Aaron vanished.

Erebus offered a fawning smile:
"Saint, the one true god has answered our prayers and comforted the departed. All these miracles were born because of you."

"Now, please, issue your commands."

Lorgar was calm, showing no signs of abnormality, and spoke:
"Erebus, I need you to challenge the Peak of Skulls. There is an arena there occupied by a manifest Daemon of Slaughter. If you succeed in the challenge, you will take that fortress."

"As you wish. I intend to accelerate the conquest of the dark fortresses. This, the toughest nut to crack, is yours to handle."

Erebus turned pale with shock. *Damn it, he had never made contact with that place!* All cooperation with the daemons had been brokered by Kor Phaeron. He had heard that the daemon with the dog-like head slaughtered everything and was particularly fond of killing things with bird beaks.

***

600 BC, Lasvit.
The camp of Viper Dalet.

Malum had finished his prayers; this was also his way of resting. On one side, the Emperor’s firstborn; on the other, the Emperor’s hook— *ahem*.

He looked outside the tent. Terra had welcomed a new day.

"Master, I should go and bring that donkey back."

Malum kept himself busy with whatever tasks he could find. The Ultramarines always needed to set a schedule for themselves and follow it strictly. Without such guidance, their souls felt hollow, as if something were missing. After all, they had ten thousand years of history; without anyone to guide them, they had to rely on the Codex.

Malum had dressed in the local guard attire of Dalet. These leather armors were mere window dressing, not even as tough as his own hair. He walked outside, calculating the time his master and Aaron usually spent lingering in bed, so he could serve them food the moment they awoke. The favor his father, Guilliman, held with the Emperor could only be built by his own efforts.

The donkey was tied up in an open space in the camp alongside the priest’s steeds. The Pharaoh’s priests were often sponsors of chariot races and would spend vast sums to purchase these horses from Macedonia. It seemed the donkey was eating better than when it had been with them—fresh fodder, and servants specifically assigned to brush its coat and clean its trough.

There were even people sharpening knives—wait, why was there the sound of sharpening knives!

Malum was horrified. He hurried over to see that a few cooks had begun preparing to light the fires, occasionally glancing at the donkey that was still leisurely eating grass.

*Audacity!* How dare they covet the Emperor’s property!

Malum rushed forward and stood in front of the donkey. Even if he only displayed the strength of a mortal, it was enough to kill everyone here. If he were to release his Astartes form, he could conquer the Terra of this era.

"You don't need to be so tense when protecting a donkey, Malum. The time the Ultramarines rescued Guilliman from Fulgrim was enough to make my heart ache."

Anda had awakened, completely defying the sleeping patterns Malum had summarized in his *Chronicles of the Emperor's Daily Life*.

"They don't intend to eat my donkey. This hybrid creature might have its strengths, but its flaws are also obvious."

Anda stood with his beautiful long hair draped over his shoulders. His handsome face, freshly shaven, glowed in the sunlight. He moved his left cheek with slight discomfort—was it from sleeping without a pillow last night, or from some impact? But it did not detract from his beauty.

His half-draped robe fell naturally, its folds swaying in the breeze, slim and elegant. Anyone who saw this scene could not help but smile; they didn't know why, but they just felt happy.

The man, as if bathed in light, walked up to the donkey and stroked its cheek. It was a scene of a hero and his steed worthy of a mural. The only issue was that the donkey looked rather wretched, and when its fat, dark-purple tongue scraped across Anda’s arm, it made one worry whether it would damage his skin.

At this moment, the Pharaoh’s servants were in awe, understanding why their priest had spared this imperial spy and taken him as a servant. The cooks gathered around Anda of their own accord, reaching out, yearning for his touch, even becoming flustered, not knowing where to put their kitchen knives, bringing them along to the front.

This was truly a god.

Malum also knelt on the ground, until this beautiful scene was broken by Aaron, who walked out of the tent, yawning, and said his first words:

"Father, have you finally decided to eat this donkey? Although the old thing can't pull the mill anymore, selling it early wouldn't be a bad idea."

"But we have money now! The donkey has been with us for so many years; let's keep it."

Anda’s eyes widened in fury. *Unfilial son!* Don't you know where this money came from? In your eyes, Father can be sold, but the donkey cannot?