Was today some kind of special holiday?
Faced with Lion's request—one that was practically picking a fight—Bruce seriously suspected some god of mischief was setting him up. So this was it? They were taking turns screwing with him?
He had only just escaped from the Night Lords' "big mommy" faction's secret den, and now, before he'd even caught his breath, the Dark Angels' primarch herself was inviting him over and asking him by name to become her son.
The only reason Bruce wasn't instantly repulsed was because Saber's current appearance wasn't off-putting to him. If Lion were still in her original form, he would have exploded on the spot.
You want me to acknowledge you as my father?!
Absolutely impossible! Even if you're a primarch, that's still impossible! Bruce had standards!
Only I get to adopt sons. There is no world in which I acknowledge another father!
"I know this is sudden," Lion said, sensing Bruce's displeasure and quickly adding, "but I hope you'll give it serious thought."
"If you're willing to join my Legion, I'll place ten full companies under your direct command. And I swear I will entrust the other Gloriana-class flagship to your control."
"And if… even that isn't enough, I can grant you territory. Anything within my power to bestow—I will give it to you."
Bruce sucked in a sharp breath.
She was really willing to pay that much? A Gloriana-class flagship, command over ten companies, and even fiefs?
Well then, that changed the conversation a little!
A true man is born between heaven and earth—how can he remain depressed and stuck in one place forever?
"…Wait."
In the end, Bruce's reason triumphed over temptation. He voiced the question that had been bothering him instead.
"Why bring this up all of a sudden?"
"Because I need you, Bruce." Lion spoke with complete sincerity. "In the past, we were inseparable partners, were we not?"
"If I want to change the future, then your strength is indispensable. I cannot do it without you."
"Hm?!" Bruce instantly broke into a cold sweat.
There really was a problem there…
Under Doraemon's meddling, Lion truly did regard him as an important partner. According to the false memories that had been implanted, the two of them had won the Holy Grail War together, then returned to the Warhammer universe side by side.
As for why they had dug that particular pit, the reason was simple. Same as before.
It was all to reinforce the psychological suggestion and make Saber's identity settle more smoothly into Lion's memories.
"Well… being invited like this does make me happy, of course, but…"
Bruce put on a solemn expression and answered, "At present, I serve as Lady Curze's acting commander. I cannot simply abandon her. Please forgive me."
"Besides, those who betray trust never come to a good end!"
Emotionally and logically, there was no way Bruce could dump Curze and go lick Lion's boots—even if the First Legion had better prospects and far superior待遇 across the board.
They were all Astartes Legions, sure, but Legions were not equal. Especially not when one of them was the First Legion, the most overpowered of the overpowered.
The Sons of Horus themselves might not even have as much wealth and as many resources as the Dark Angels.
"I see… yes. Of course." Lion thought it over, then let out a long sigh before offering him a formal apology.
"I'm sorry. I said something strange to you. Please forgive my abruptness."
"It's fine. You only want to make the future better and steer the Imperium in the right direction. I think your intentions are good."
"But honestly, couldn't we just cooperate more closely?"
"If Curze and I help you together, wouldn't things become much simpler?"
"Yes! You're right!" The unease in Lion's heart was instantly soothed. She smiled. "As expected of you, Bruce. Everything you say is so reassuring."
"I'm glad I could help. Hahaha…"
"In that case, I'll go make preparations. Please remember that you're coming aboard with me to meet my sons."
"Of course."
"Then I'll take my leave for now."
Lion gave Bruce one lingering look before reluctantly turning away.
Unlike normal, she walked very slowly this time. Though she knew it was probably just wishful thinking, part of her still hoped Bruce would call out to stop her—and agree to what she had just proposed.
But even after Lion disappeared into the next stretch of corridor, Bruce never called after her. He simply watched her go, like a mature adult who understood how to let go.
"…"
Only after Lion was gone did Bruce's heart, which he had been forcibly suppressing, begin to pound wildly.
Dear god, that was terrifying!
What invitation? That was an outright death warrant! Going to the Dark Angels as one of the elite looked like a dream assignment on the surface, but was it really a good thing?
What if those false memories ever wore off and Lion remembered everything? She'd kill him on the spot!
That was precisely why Bruce could never follow Lion. That was the Dark Angels' primarch he was dealing with. How could a mere acting commander possibly keep someone like her in check?
The Lion was not someone just anyone could handle. Only a legendary figure on the level of the Emperor himself could manage that.
After taking a few steadying breaths, Bruce finally calmed down. He pulled out his personal device, glanced over what he needed to do next, and prepared to head back to his room.
At this point, the sensible thing was to start preparing the next wave of primarch merchandise. Set up the production plan, and once the Dark Angels fully accepted Lion's transformation into Saber, he could reap another massive haul of profit.
Back in his original world, Saber fans had always been excellent at throwing money around. They came in endless waves. Revenue would never be a problem.
The value of Wayne Group was rising higher and higher.
"I thought you'd say yes."
A voice drifted out from the shadows.
"?!" Bruce froze, then turned in alarm toward Sevatar, who was leaning against the wall at some point unknown to him.
Captain Sevatar? Since when? How did I not notice her?
Could it be—
"My time-stop ability is incredibly convenient," Sevatar said blandly. "It can fool even a primarch. I'm getting more and more proficient with it."
"And that's thanks to you, Acting Commander."
Almost like a magic trick, a blade appeared in her empty hand.
In reality, she had just used her time-stop ability. With time completely frozen, she had taken the throwing knife from her leg and placed it in her grip.
"Hahaha…" Bruce tried the old strategy of playing dumb.
Good thing I only felt tempted for a second! I never actually said I wanted to join the Dark Angels. If I had, I'd probably already be tied up and hauled away as a traitor.
And what would await him then was inevitable: a purge within the Legion, perhaps even personal execution at Curze's hands.
It was horrifying.
"I'm happy that you held to your bottom line," Sevatar said. "However…"
Holding the knife, she ran a hand lightly along its edge and issued a cold warning.
"If you ever do anything that disappoints or hurts the primarch, I will be the first to execute you."
"The primarch has returned to the Legion. She is willing to face her fate and even change. That is a good thing."
"I do not want you doing something stupid that ruins all of it."
"You really think I'm that kind of person?" Bruce only shrugged at the accusation.
No matter the reason, there was no need for him to become a turncoat. His gene-seed came from Curze. That was an innate, unchangeable fact.
Their connection would only grow deeper with time. There was no scenario where Bruce would suddenly decide to betray her on a whim.
Unless…
If Curze ever fell to Chaos, then Bruce would absolutely fight her to the bitter end. No compromise. No retreat.
"That is why this is only a warning," Sevatar replied. "Not a direct cleansing of a variable like you."
"…"
After a few seconds of silence, Bruce finally asked, "By the way, why were you even nearby in the first place?"
"It was nothing. I heard that a very small number of people inside the Legion were deeply dissatisfied with the primarch's current state, so I began investigating. And while doing so, I happened to see your conversation with the Dark Angels' primarch."
"What I did not expect was that you had also joined their little group. That was disappointing, Acting Commander."
"The primarch in her current form is clearly the most perfect mother possible, yet you want her to grow up. Hah…"
"Let's do this instead. Name your price. What would it take for you to join our side?"
"I guarantee whatever I offer will be higher than what Camilla's faction can promise."
Within Sevatar's sigh was a mass of tangled feelings and implications. There was disappointment in Bruce, frustration at the Legion's current state, and above all, the bleak sense that the Night Lords were beyond saving.
Such a cute primarch, and you people still don't like her? Utter heresy.
"…"
Bruce had nothing to say.
Because in his opinion, if they wanted to argue over something that meaningless, they should just fight it out among themselves and leave him alone. He was innocent!
"New recruit, let me give you one piece of advice," Sevatar said as Bruce walked past her.
"What is it?" Bruce stopped.
"Don't disappoint the primarch."
"Definitely not."
With that, Bruce waved a hand without turning back and continued on his way.
Join here to read ahead.
In Star Rail, Ultra-Beast Armored — Have I Caught "Equilibrium"? l (Chapter 80)
Uma Musume, But I Only Have Five Years Left to Live (Chapter 178)
Zenless Zone Zero: I'm a Doctor, Not a Bangboo (Chapter 115)
Ben Tennyson Wants to Join the Justice League ( Ending )
TYPE-MOON: Redemption Beginning with the Holy Grail War (Chapter110)
Yu-Gi-Oh! — Transmigrated into the White Dragon Girl (Chapter108)
"Is this chat group even serious?" (Chapter82)
I, Lord Ravager, Utterly Loyal! (Chapter144)
Can Playing Games Save the World? 65
Crossover Anime Multiverse: The Demon Hunter of an Unnatural World 70
From Junkman to Wasteland 66
Weekly Refresh of Overpowered 31
I'm Grinding Proficiency Like 46
From Kiana, Lord Ravager, Onwa 99
Honkai: Is This Still the Prev 42
Elf: My Starter Pokémon Is Inc 65
Warhammer: My Primarch Is Remi 95
From Demon Slayer to Grand Ass 99
The Way the Umamusume Look at 68
Uma Musume, but My Cheat Power 92
Naruto: Weaving the Future, Be 65
Zenless Zone Zero, but Kamen R 76
Multiverse Crossover: The Perf 66
My Cyberpsycho Girlfriend 65
Uma Musume: The Dark Trainer 47
Uma Musume: A Calamity Born fr 44
I, a Reincarnation-Loop Player 43
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