Even though Jain Zar still couldn't quite understand how changing one's predetermined fate was linked to increasing one's strength... From how decisively and efficiently Kei killed the Incubus, it was clear, this, too, was a way to change destiny. And compared to other methods, it was far simpler and more straightforward!
If viewed from this perspective, this so-called "Entity Who Defies Fate" was actually being incredibly restrained in how he treated them.
Not only was he friendly towards the Craftworld Eldar representing survival and renewal, and treated the still-growing Steel Legion equally...
Even Lelith, someone whose future fate he still deemed "redeemable," was not simply killed outright. Instead, he forcefully redirected her toward another path.
If it were someone else, and killing others directly meant they could grow stronger, such a person would likely have become a disaster for the entire galaxy in no time.
Wait a minute... Could it be… because Lelith is attractive?
Jain Zar looked thoughtfully at Lelith, who was rolling her eyes in pain as her body underwent a gene fusion upgrade. Putting aside the conflict between Drukhari and Craftworld Eldar for now, in terms of appearance and figure alone, the former Queen of the Drukhari, Lelith, would still stand out even among the sea of beauties in the Craftworlds.
Though the appreciation for beauty is also a part of sentient nature...
Still... That dimensional demon god really is quite... discerning!
"You seem to like Captain Sicarius quite a bit?"
Lelith sucked in a breath of cold air, holding her aching abdomen. She looked at the projected battlefield footage of the Steel Legion on the wall, trying to distract herself from the pain.
During a wraithbone body gene upgrade, she would enter a weakened state. Right now, not only could she not use the Warp Aperture, but she was also struggling to control her psychic energy.
She could, of course, choose to pass out and avoid the pain. But the pain of upgrading the wraithbone body was also a necessary process for the body and consciousness to adapt.
Skipping that process would mean she'd still have to slowly adjust and adapt later on. Might as well suffer once and get it over with.
"I just feel like... his devotion is very pure."
Kei played with the soul-shard weapon left behind by the Incubus after his death. Looking at the psychic projection of Commissar Yarrick wielding his power weapon, eyes blazing as he fought the xenos beasts, the corners of his mouth curved into a slight smile.
Lately, the analysis progress of the "Oath" concept within Gungnir, the Spear of Eternity, through the Labyrinthian Circuit had been going quite well. From his perception, they were only separated by two or three steps.
The devotion emanating from Yarrick's aura, extremely similar to the power of an oath, was becoming purer and firmer.
"Devotion is such an... intangible thing, and you can feel it too?"
"Wanna learn? Call me something sweet a few times, and maybe if I'm in a good mood, I'll teach you."
"Want to woo Yvraine? No guarantees it'll work, but there's at least a fifty percent chance. You teach me, I teach you. Fair trade, no tricks."
"Well, I can't guarantee you'll learn it either. But hey, fifty percent chance. Fair trade, no tricks."
"Fine. Whatever."
Lelith rolled her eyes with a huff. She knew her own limitations.
Devotion wasn't something you could just program into your genes. It was formless, intangible, yet it had an immense impact on a living being's will and spirit.
The so-called "fifty percent chance" in Kei's eyes, was basically him saying: Here's a theme and an approach, go figure it out on your own.
Who knew how long that would take?
"Do you think the Galactic Force is inferior to Commissar Yarrick?"
Jain Zar propped herself against the back of the sofa, and directly skipped past the topic of Lelith teaching Kei how to seduce the Emissary Yvraine.
The Galactic Force gene was co-designed by the Craftworld Eldar and ancient archives, infused with a great deal of the Eldar's dedication and their hopes for galactic survival.
But from the way Kei talked… It seemed… somewhat lacking?
"When you designed this gene, you approached the issue from the perspective of Craftworld Eldar. As a result, to some extent, it gave him a much stronger emotional need than most people."
Kei shrugged. A person with overly strong emotional needs, in plain terms: a lovesick fool.
A dedicated view of love was beautiful, yes. But if emotional thinking overrides rational decision-making, then… it's far from perfect.
"Want to test that theory? Let him taste your combat prowess,"
Lelith teased Jain Zar with a mischievous look.
"Aren't you one of the core developers of the Galactic Force gene?"
Jain Zar tilted her head to look at Lelith. Her flowing hair cascaded over her shoulders like liquid starlight, successfully turning the tables.
"It's normal for the early development to lack experience. The Reality-Manipulation Gene I developed is way more perfect!"
"Then why did you choose to fuse with the Anti-Warp Gene, which has reality-nullifying capabilities, instead of the Reality-Manipulation Gene?"
"Oh come on! Jain Zar, are you just arguing for the sake of it now?"
"Just being objective."
"…"
Kei ignored their verbal sparring.
He looked at the footage of Saint Celestine reappearing on the side of the Steel Legion, helping them fight the xenos beasts. He couldn't help but sigh inwardly. Lord Guilliman really was a calculating primarch.
Guilliman had chosen to cooperate with Cegorach, and yet still returned Celestine, who had been missing for over two years, back to Terra.
This clearly wasn't just betting on both sides.
He also wanted to use the power of the Frateris Templar to balance the strength gap between Cegorach and this foreign player, Kei.
The Age of Endings had already arrived.
For the Frateris Templar, there was no longer any way to avoid it.
Under normal circumstances, whether Cegorach or Yvraine won in the end, the Frateris Templar would still be able to protect itself to the greatest extent. And if they could use the Templar's power to prolong the conflict between all parties, Celestine could continue to grow stronger.
Once the Imperial forces had fully developed their Emperor's holy light, there was a chance they could emerge as the ultimate victor.
"You're thinking way too much."
Kei shook his head slightly.
Guilliman's plan was doomed to fail. His own strength had long since surpassed the level where even the complete Emperor's holy light could pose a threat.
Not to mention this kind of double-betting approach, even if the Frateris Templar threw all its forces in, it couldn't possibly bridge the chasm between Cegorach and him. Besides, those who stand with one foot on each boat rarely meet a good end.
As the projection of psychic energy showed the Steel Legion gradually gaining the upper hand with the military's support, Kei turned to his own Trait System Interface.
System, two chances to draw traits. Let's go.
---
[Obtained:
- Tripping Princess (Gray)
- Old Man Shakes His Head (Blue)]
[Tripping Princess (Gray):
Left foot trips right foot; steps out the door and falls. Regardless of strength level, greatly increases chances of tripping, stumbling on flat ground, slipping, or losing balance when outside. Slight increase in cuteness; significant increase in idiocy.]
[Old Man Shakes His Head (Blue):
Embraces primal combat arts, descends into mystical patterns; three sacred flames upon the head, standing in the ancient formation of power; reverses earth and spins the elemental cycle, smites evil and slays demons, shaking all directions. Kills but does not save. Summons the Dual Spirits of Gain and Loss. Can use divine summoning methods to invoke the Dual Spirits through a devout host, for demon slaying and evil warding. Both the summoner and the possessed must expend a large amount of vital energy.]