Chapter 85: Warhammer Medical Beauty
"So? Old man, what do you want to do?"
Francis stroked his chin, regarding the radiant Emperor.
Actually, he had initially intended to back down, but then he thought that his second brother was covering for him, so what was there to fear?
"Hmm?!"
"Francis, I require you to venture into Commorragh and retrieve some Haemonculi."
The Emperor—who was usually composed—showed a hint of surprise when He heard His son address Him so disrespectfully.
"I'm genuinely too exhausted lately. I want to rest for a while. We can discuss it later."
Francis shook his head as he spoke, handing his contact information to a nearby scientist.
"Are you interested in researching biotechnology? Here at the 11th Legion, we advocate openness and equality, with complete freedom to research any topic. You can fully explore the directions you prefer."
Watching Francis continuously promote his laboratory to His team of scientists, the Emperor even felt His fists clench again, just like after the Ullanor campaign!
Seeing the Emperor standing behind Francis, all the scientists present pretended not to notice, focusing intently on their Webway research.
"Francis, are you attempting to negotiate terms?"
The Emperor's benevolent voice sounded once more, though His tone carried a hint of frost.
"Francis, quickly apologize to Father!"
"Father, he's merely joking with You, don't take it seriously!"
Magnus, seated high upon his throne, turned even redder with anxiety. He hadn't expected Francis to be so audacious after such an extended absence.
Confronting Father directly, how could this be... so exhilarating!
The Custodian Guard around the throne regarded Francis with even colder scrutiny.
"I'm truly exhausted, sigh~"
"If the Orks hadn't saved me moments ago, I might not have survived. Now you want me to venture into the Webway. I'm really so tired~"
Francis appeared heartbroken, though his eyes secretly glanced toward the Emperor.
If he pushed too far, Francis would genuinely defect to the Orks for a life of indulgent ease.
"Eleven..."
The Emperor hadn't finished speaking when He witnessed Perturabo approaching. Perturabo heard the Emperor utter those two words, and his expression immediately darkened.
"Father, are You invoking the Censure of the Eleventh upon us?"
Magnus: "..."
!!!
Hearing this, Francis stepped forward, blocking Perturabo. "If You use the Censure of the Eleventh upon my brothers, I will be the first to object!"
"Are You going to destroy several more Legions before You're satisfied?"
"Don't You consider our feelings at all?"
Francis's voice resonated like a clarion bell, his three accusations echoing throughout the chamber. The Primarchs who had been reminiscing at the entrance all rushed forward.
They seized Francis!
"Father, Francis was just speaking carelessly! Please don't punish him, he has contributed greatly to the Imperium."
Sanguinius positioned himself before Francis.
"That's right! Father Francis is simply in a foul mood momentarily. Please don't punish him."
Ferrus Manus, entirely silver, pulled at Francis, constantly urging him to apologize.
"Indeed! Father Francis is just temporarily upset. We request that you please forgive him." Vulkan and Corax added their voices.
"Father, I shall personally discipline Francis properly." Leman Russ anxiously struck Francis several times, not expecting him to be so reckless.
Guilliman and Lion, who arrived later, didn't understand what had transpired but still chose to stand with Francis.
Nearly all the Primarchs pleaded for Francis. Had Magnus been able to leave his throne, he surely would have descended to plead as well.
Even the Custodian Guard appeared stunned; it was the first time they had witnessed the Primarchs so unified.
"..."
"I meant, Eleven, you may visit the vault and select one item for yourself. You may go whenever you feel prepared."
The Emperor did not comprehend why they were so agitated.
He had originally summoned the Primarchs to arrange subsequent matters.
Since the Warmaster had rebelled, the Imperium required reassignment of the Primarchs' roles. And he had witnessed the two Ork god-heads in the Warp regarding Francis with... interest.
He had initially intended to say more, but Francis's words made Him somewhat uncomfortable.
He then dismissed them all.
Yet just as they all departed the chamber, the Emperor approached a Tech-Priest and inquired: "Did I truly not consider their feelings?"
The Tech-Priest—who had been contemplating the meaning of runes before him—immediately fled in terror, his robes stained with fear.
When the Emperor wished to ask others, all the Tech-Priests turned their heads to examine elsewhere.
Outside the chamber, Perturabo regarded Francis with admiration.
"What a magnificent duel, brother! HA-HA-HA, It felt so satisfying to witness you directly confront the Emperor!"
"That's right! We're brothers, I can endure anything, but I cannot allow my brothers to suffer!"
Francis placed his arm around Perturabo's shoulders and gave him a resolute look.
Good brothers, for life!
Other Primarchs: "..."
In their assessment, Francis was reckless in his actions, yet he always possessed good intentions. They had received his assistance and genuinely recognized him as their brother.
"Incidentally, why have you all returned? Where did Horus and the others go?"
Hearing this question, Vulkan and the others' expressions turned somewhat grim. "Horus entered a place called the Maw of Chaos, and all the other Legions have concealed themselves within the Eye of Terror."
Hearing this, Francis sensed something was amiss. Why had Horus been in there for so long? Was he truly alright?
"Francis, what's happening with me?"
"Didn't you state that the silver potion would transform muscle and skin tissue into this living metal flesh, and it would only last for one day?"
"But look at me, ever since I consumed those concoctions, it's been a month, and all the flesh and skin upon my body remain like this."
Ferrus lifted his armor, revealing his gleaming silvered flesh.
Hearing this, Francis became intrigued as well. "Hoo~ Come, brother, let's go to the laboratory first, there we'll examine it properly."
...
In the laboratory, Francis meticulously debugged the machinery with immense patience. Ferrus assisted him diligently with the experiment.
First, he added Ambulls protein tissue blocks, then Drukhari blood, Ork sun-fungus tissue, and some xenos fish's basal tissue.
Gurgle, gurgle~
Adjust to the appropriate temperature, seal the container, and cultivate for ten minutes. Finally, open the jar and add a small quantity of mineral fragments and powder remaining after a daemon's complete dissolution.
"So, what's wrong with me?" Ferrus stared intently at Francis's expression.
"We'll have results soon—don't be impatient."
Saying that, Francis poured out the contents of the jar and pushed it before him.
"Are you suggesting that I need to face the result bravely?" Ferrus's voice trembled slightly as he picked up the jar and peered inside.
"Uh, no. I'm asking you to taste these imitation eel noodles. Doesn't it smell delicious?"
Francis poured himself a bowl from his own petri dish and slurped it down. It was incredibly fragrant! Each strand was distinct and remarkably chewy.
Ferrus: "..."
"Be serious! When will I be normal?"
Ferrus seized Francis by the throat and roared, shaking him back and forth. As a result, a noodle accidentally flew from his mouth and landed upon Ferrus's head.
"Don't... don't be impulsive, the result... the result will be available soon." Francis patted his arm, and only then did Ferrus release him.
Hearing this, Ferrus finally calmed somewhat.
When Francis extracted a detection report from a small black apparatus, he examined it closely, then stroked his chin thoughtfully.
"It's finished. It cannot be cured."
"You have completely fused with this flesh. You will remain like this from now on."
Ferrus, who had been expectant, immediately erupted, roaring: "You summoned me here, constructed so many devices, just to prepare noodles in the end?"
"And then you employ a broken box to detect it, and say I'm incurable?! Really?? You think I'm a fool!!"
"Ah~ there's no alternative. You were already fusing with this flesh, and then you took my medicine, and you both just happened to produce a remarkably fantastical mutation. It just so happens that only you can be like this."
"You are one in a million! Congratulations!!"
Francis patted his shoulder and gave a thumbs-up. Ferrus was nearly in tears.
Originally, having Father sever an arm would have sufficed, but now his entire body was transformed. He couldn't exactly strip away flesh and bone, could he?
"I know what happened on Mochi Star. If not for this skin, Fulgrim would have cut you into pieces long ago. You're obviously so much stronger now! This is for your benefit, brother."
"Just Relax~"
Francis's hypnotic tone gradually eroded Ferrus's resistance. He departed the laboratory in a daze, constantly muttering: "This... is... a... good... thing?"
After dispatching Ferrus, Francis hadn't even welcomed his next patient when he witnessed a group of Iron Hands Astartes standing before him.
"Respected Primarch of the Soul Drinkers Legion, we are warriors of the Iron Hands. We heard that you helped our Father obtain a perfect bionic body. We..."
The group spoke, then became bashful and awkward.
This made Francis laugh, and he shouted: "Be men! It's merely flesh modification!"
"Form a line! One at a time!"
Clap clap~
As Francis clapped his hands, a group of Soul Drinkers in white coats emerged, each pushing a silver giant worm.
"The silver giant worms here are all gene-cloned by us. Although their strength certainly cannot compare to the originals, they are infinitely superior to ordinary bionics."
"Whoever wishes to obtain Ferrus's Iron Arms should proceed to Sarpedon for payment. We accept all manner of archeotech here."
"The older, the better!"
"As long as the item is sufficient to open the door, a full Ferrus-style body is not beyond possibility~"
[End of Chapter]