Perturabo asked, "Why only half?"
"Because neither the father nor the son acknowledge her as such."
Caelan had seen from the beginning that Claudia wasn't normal. He suspected she might be one of the madmen from the Dark Age of Technology.
He didn't dwell on it too much, though. After all, the Emperor hadn't said anything, and the universe was hardly short of eccentric individuals.
As for how Claudia had found Olympia and sent Lilith, Caelan had some ideas.
Efficient faster-than-light travel methods were rare in the universe, so the answer was obvious.
Caelan looked at Lilith with scrutinizing, thoughtful eyes. "Did you come to Olympia through the Webway?"
Lilith responded softly, "Yes, my Lord."
Perturabo and Dorn exchanged glances. They both understood what Webway technology would mean for the Imperium of Man.
The Webway was a legacy of the Old Ones. After the Old Ones' extinction, it was inherited and used by the Aeldari.
When humanity reached its technological peak in the Dark Age of Technology, the Aeldar Empire had not yet fallen. Both races were at their zenith.
Extant historical records from the 30th millennium contain no direct accounts of all-out war between the two great civilizations.
On the contrary, various evidence suggests that the Human Federation of that era and the Aeldari Empire maintained relatively amicable diplomatic relations.
The key to their peaceful coexistence was the absence of fundamental conflict in their strategic interests.
Throughout the history of human and Aeldar colonial expansion across the galaxy, the two races exhibited distinctly different developmental models.
The Aeldar were a naturally psychic species. From their very inception, they inherited the advanced technology and psychic knowledge left by the Old Ones. This innate advantage allowed them to rapidly reach the peak of their species.
However, this inherent advantage also became a shackle restricting their civilizational development.
The Aeldari were highly dependent on the Webway left by the Old Ones. Their worlds and main settlements were concentrated within the core territories of the ancient Aeldar Empire, forming a relatively insular domain.
For the past sixty million years, Aeldar technological progress had almost completely stagnated.
The Dark Forest Theory proposes two axioms:
Survival is a civilization's primary need. Civilizations continuously grow and expand, but the total amount of matter in the universe remains constant.
However, this theory does not apply to the Aeldar Empire.
The Aeldar were born inheriting the entire universe, facing no existential threats.
The fundamental reason for outward expansion is resource scarcity limiting civilizational development, forcing civilizations to continually plunder external resources.
But the Aeldari Empire lacked for nothing from its very beginning. Its pursuits were focused on the vast, boundless psychic realm rather than the material world.
Consequently, the Aeldar showed little interest in exploring and colonizing other parts of the galaxy, barring a few isolated colonies established by the Exodites.
Thus, when Slaanesh was born, the Aeldari were nearly wiped out.
Meanwhile, Dark Age humanity primarily relied on Warp travel for interstellar colonization.
The establishment of human colonies was limited by Warp routes, and the period of rapid colonization lasted only a little over two thousand years.
Therefore, while human colonies were widespread across the galaxy, they were extremely scattered and did not encroach upon the core territories of the Aeldar Empire.
Thus, the relative peace between humans and Aeldar was largely due to the vastness of the galaxy and its immense resources providing a buffer zone.
The Aeldari's overall decadence at the time was also a factor; they were obsessed with pleasure and looked down upon the rapidly rising human civilization.
However, some far-sighted individuals within the Aeldar Empire did engage in peaceful diplomacy with humanity. The most direct evidence is that humanity once built a massive planetary construct supporting the Flat Earth theory, which contained not only a Webway gate but also the ruins of an Aeldar embassy.
This makes the fact that Dark Age humanity could use the Webway not particularly surprising.
"Is Claudia willing to hand over the Webway technology she possesses to the Imperium of Man?"
Caelan made his offer directly. Since Claudia had revealed herself, she must have been prepared.
"Yes," Lilith answered succinctly.
"And the price?"
"Marriage."
"Marriage?"
A faint blush rose on Calliphone's pale cheeks. Her mind couldn't help but wander.
Claudia claimed to be the Mother of Primarchs and Caelan's only wife, and now she proposed marriage, and called herself her sister... didn't that mean she would also...?
"Pick something else."
"My Lady desires nothing more."
"Then forget it."
Caelan gave up without hesitation. He didn't want to be tied too closely to Claudia; otherwise, he would have agreed long ago.
Besides, the Emperor was already researching Webway technology and had even obtained a complete set of Webway maps from Commorragh.
Humanity would eventually have its own Webway and purge the Aeldari invaders from it!
Calliphone gently tugged at Caelan's sleeve. "Brother Caelan, why did you refuse?"
Caelan looked down at the young woman he had watched grow up, finding it both amusing and exasperating.
He never expected that you, Calliphone, with your bright eyes and white teeth, would also betray the cause!
"What if I asked you to marry me instead?"
Calliphone's fair cheeks flushed crimson like the sunset.
"But the condition is that you must kill your father with your own hands. Would you agree?"
"How is that the same?" Calliphone's eyes sparkled with confusion. Of course, she couldn't kill her father for that.
If she were truly capable of patricide for such a reason, Caelan wouldn't want her anyway.
But Claudia was offering the Webway. Wasn't that equivalent to bringing a generous dowry?
Caelan shook his head gently. "The essence is the same. The only difference is the weight on the scales. I don't want feelings to become a cold transaction."
Caelan's voice was gentle but firm. He didn't dislike Claudia, but her motives were too strong, too eager for quick success.
This made Caelan feel resistant. He didn't like being passive.
"Lilith, you will stay by Calliphone's side and protect her. You can report every detail to Claudia, but leave the message delivery to others. I won't ask about it or interfere."
"I understand, my Lord."
Lilith bowed gracefully. Both Caelan and Claudia were her masters; a servant simply follows orders.
Caelan asked, "Let's go. Let's see Dammekos. How is he now?"
Calliphone lowered her voice, a trace of worry in her brow. "Father's behavior has become increasingly erratic lately. I've had to confine him to his bedchamber."
"How so?"
"The day we were ambushed, Father insisted on going to the theater. But not to watch the play, to receive the adulation of the masses, to enjoy the feeling of being the center of attention."
Caelan was silent for a moment, his expression becoming subtle. "You bear some responsibility for his change in behavior."
"Me?" Calliphone was both confused and aggrieved.
Caelan sighed lightly, hitting the nail on the head. "You've sidelined him."
A princess subtly sidelining her king might sound far-fetched.
But in Lochos, it was actually quite reasonable.
Calliphone's talents in statecraft were naturally exceptional; she handled government affairs with ease.
And after rounds of purges against the senators and aristocrats, many officials were personally promoted by her.
The military had also been consolidated by Perturabo, owing allegiance only to the Primarch.
Everyone understood that Lochos owed its current state to Perturabo.
Forced to choose between Dammekos and Calliphone, they would undoubtedly choose the Primarch's sister, Calliphone.
Because Calliphone had a closer relationship with Perturabo.
With the support of the military and government, sidelining Dammekos wasn't difficult.
Calliphone lowered her head dejectedly. "But I really didn't mean to do that!"
Caelan sighed softly and pinched her cheek. "I know you didn't intend it, but that's the reality."
"I've seen countless people in my life. I can tell what Dammekos is thinking at a glance!"
"Do you still remember the hierarchy of needs I taught you?"
Calliphone recited, "Physiological, safety, love/belonging, esteem, and self-actualization."
"You lack nothing for the first four levels now, but you both lack the fifth: self-actualization."
"And the path to self-actualization for Dammekos has been, directly or indirectly, stripped away by you."
Militarily, no one could compare to Perturabo; it would be self-defeating.
In terms of people's livelihood, Perturabo's plans for new city planning and welfare policies were comprehensive. Dammekos had no room to even offer suggestions.
Culturally, Dammekos knew his limits; he couldn't compare to Andos, let alone Perturabo.
Politically, Calliphone had surpassed him.
What other way was left for Dammekos to achieve self-actualization?
Only the flattery and praise of the masses.
Vanity can, to some extent, simultaneously satisfy the needs for esteem and self-actualization, even if that satisfaction is just an illusory comfort.
Caelan was different from them all. His way of self-actualization was educating the Primarchs.
No one could take his job from him, not even the Emperor.
Calliphone lightly bit her lip. "I will apologize to Father."
Caelan gently rubbed her hair. "Don't blame yourself too much. He's the one stuck in mental exhaustion, not knowing how to blame others. If you get mentally exhausted too, then my treatment would have been for nothing."
"I'm not that twisted."
Calliphone raised her chin slightly and even looked proudly at Perturabo.
Perturabo remained unmoved. 'Why are you looking at me? I stopped being twisted long ago.'
'But why was my wicked sister standing so close to Father?'
Dorn's gaze shifted between Perturabo and Calliphone. He felt these siblings didn't get along as harmoniously as he and his sister Saphir.
His brother was still somewhat twisted, unwilling to acknowledge certain things.
Dorn was more straightforward. Some things were inevitable; they couldn't restrict Father.
...
"They're back?" Dammekos paced back and forth in his bedchamber.
The theater assassination was still fresh in his mind. If not for the intervention of the mysteriously arrived Lilith, he and Calliphone would likely be dead.
Thinking of this, his palms became clammy with cold sweat.
It wouldn't matter if he died himself, but he had nearly caused Calliphone's death.
Whenever he thought of this, bitterness spread from his chest to his throat.
Calliphone had confined him here, but he knew his daughter was trying to protect him.
After all, it was his own capriciousness that had put them in danger of assassination, and this confinement would only last until Perturabo and Caelan returned.
Whatever had happened to him, whatever had made him act strangely, they could heal him.
But now, hearing of Caelan and Perturabo's return, Dammekos's heart tightened even more. How would they see him?
An incompetent king and father?
The sound of steady footsteps came from outside the window, along with the clang of guards striking their chest armor with fists. They were at the door.
Dammekos looked at himself in the mirror, wanting to tidy his appearance.
He was the Tyrant of Lochos, the sole king of Olympia, yet now he was as restless as a child who had done something wrong.
He seemed less mature than his own offspring.
Calliphone gently pushed the door open, the hinges emitting a faint creak.
As the door slowly opened, Dammekos forced a smile.
But the young woman walked straight up to him, lowered her head, and said with guilt in her voice, "Father, I'm sorry. I was wrong."
Dammekos was visibly stunned. "Why are you apologizing?"
'Was Calliphone wrong? Wrong about what? I was the one who was wrong!'
Calliphone took a deep breath. "I have been ignoring your feelings all this time, failing to realize I was overstepping my bounds."
"From now on, the affairs of Olympia will be decided by you personally."
"I will send all the documents and proposals from this period for your review and approval."
Dammekos felt a bit unaccustomed to this. Why had his daughter changed so much?
Dammekos's emotions were a jumble. He was sure Caelan had given her some kind of 'magic potion,' but what a wonderful potion it was!
Although the Tyrant was relieved, he still said quietly, "Calliphone, I was wrong too. I shouldn't have been so twisted. It wasn't about seeing a play at all; I was just being a foolish old man wanting to hear a few words of flattery."
The Tyrant smiled wryly and shook his head. "It's ridiculous to say, but I don't even understand why I was so capricious. It's as if a voice in my heart kept tempting me, telling me I had to do it."
Caelan tone deepened, "What voice?"
"When did you arrive?" Dammekos was startled by the sudden appearance of several people at the door. "What 'what voice'?"
"The voice you mentioned, from your heart. What was it like?"
Caelan stepped forward slowly, the tips of his fingers glowing with a faint blue psychic light.
"It's just a voice from the heart." Dammekos didn't know how to explain it. How else could you describe a voice from the heart?
It was similar to a subconscious impulse; you can't control it.
"Father, don't move."
Perturabo's broad palm firmly pressed down on Dammekos's shoulder, and Dammekos obediently did not resist.
He trusted that Perturabo and Caelan wouldn't harm him.
Psychic energy seeped into Dammekos's mind like flowing water, carefully probing his soul.
A moment later, Caelan withdrew his power and shook his head. "No abnormality."
"Calliphone, have you heard any strange voices?"
"No." Calliphone instinctively shook her head in denial, but Caelan, still concerned, reached out and lightly touched her brow.
Same as Dammekos. No abnormality.
"Dammekos, what exactly did you hear? When? Where? Tell me word for word."
Dammekos's eyes were slightly dazed as he recalled the source of the voice.
"I hear it sometimes in the throne hall. It seems... it's been going on for a long time, but it always passes in an instant."
Perturabo's voice was deep. "Father, why didn't you tell us sooner?"
"I didn't want to worry you." Dammekos avoided his son's gaze guiltily.
How could he admit to envying his own talented offspring? How could he speak of his damned vanity?
Caelan, "To the throne hall."
Dammekos: "Is it really that serious? Aren't you being overly cautious?"
"Better safe than sorry. Otherwise, just wait to die. I won't be able to save you."
Dammekos immediately changed his tune. "Then we'd better go have a look."
As soon as they entered the throne hall, Caelan immediately identified the crux of the problem. His psychic senses detected some indescribable filth.
Caelan pointed at the stone sculptures of the Dual-King King, his voice unusually stern. "Why haven't these been dealt with?"
Perturabo immediately stepped forward, shielding Caelan, Dammekos, and Calliphone. Dorn looked around warily, his hand on his sword hilt.
Dammekos explained, bewildered, "They're just two stone sculptures. They've been here since the founding of Lochos..."
Caelan said, "They aren't just stone sculptures. They're conduits!"
In the Warhammer universe, anything related to gods can serve as a conduit. A god's statue is like a window for the god to peek into the material universe.
When Caelan prayed to the Emperor's figurine back then, the Emperor could use it to spy on him.
The Olympian gods were already in the stomachs of the Four. These stone sculptures were the Four's megaphones.
Dammekos had two loudspeakers placed right next to him. It was no wonder he could hear whispers from the Warp!
Perturabo asked, "Father, is it serious?"
"It was very serious, but it's still within a controllable range for now."
Warp whispers themselves aren't a big deal. As long as you aren't tempted by them, they are harmless, just very annoying.
Primarchs can face the whispers of the Four and remain steadfast, but mortals with weak willpower cannot. Daemonic whispers are enough to make them lose themselves.
Dammekos was tempted. The assassination wasn't planned on the fly; it was a chain of linked events.
No one was coordinating from within, because the orchestrator was the gods themselves.
With just mortals, They could achieve Their goals no matter what.
No matter how diligent Zoris and the others were, they would have difficulty seeing through the scheme.
If Dammekos and Calliphone had been stabbed by the Black Blades, disaster would surely have ensued!
But They miscalculated Claudia. If not for Lilith's timely intervention, the Four's plot would have succeeded!
Although the exact effect of the Black Blades was unknown...
The outcome would likely be either death or corruption, most probably similar to the Anatheme, guiding a person towards 'the truth'!
Caelan said, "A-Bo, smash them!"
"Dorn, protect father!"
CRASH!
Perturabo gripped his warhammer tightly and slammed it into Gozek's statue with earth-shattering force. The sculpture shattered instantly, fragments flying.
Immediately, Perturabo turned without hesitation and delivered another powerful hammer strike. Karafes's statue was smashed to pieces as well.
However, the shattering of the sculptures did not seem to incur the wrath of the gods, because Caelan heard a strange whisper.
"Hee hee."
It was laughing.