"Praise the Emperor!"
Although the Emperor wasn't exactly human, this time he truly acted like one.
As long as Erebus could be eliminated, even if he had to tutor the Primarchs every single day, he'd gladly do it!
"You, Erebus."
Caelan looked at the bald-headed boy. When he said the boy's name, his teeth clenched unconsciously, making Erebus shrink his neck in fear.
"Have you ever considered changing your name?"
Erebus froze.
"Forget I asked. It doesn't matter anyway." Caelan sighed. He knew this child was innocent, but what if he still wanted to kill him?
Almost every tragedy in the Warhammer universe stemmed from Erebus. Lorgar's fall was because of him. The Warmaster's fall, also because of him.
Simply killing Erebus might not change history, but it would certainly ease Caelan's mind.
He knew he shouldn't take it out on a murdered boy. The real Erebus had no knowledge of the future.
If he didn't already know something about Erebus, he might have mistakenly killed an innocent child just now.
"I'll give you two choices," Caelan said to the bewildered boy. "You can go home now and continue worshiping your god. Or you can come with me, and I will show you the truth."
Erebus looked lost. What had just happened today had shaken him more than anything else in his life.
He was almost murdered. The one who tried to kill him was destroyed, his body erased, by the very person who had saved him. Now that same person was asking him to choose.
"What should I choose?" he asked hesitantly.
"I won't make the choice for you, and I won't give you any advice."
Until he made a decision himself, Caelan would tell him nothing. That was how he always educated children.
"Then I'll go with you."
Erebus didn't say this out of fear; he had struggled hard internally before answering.
Leaving meant abandoning his family, abandoning everything he knew.
He didn't even understand why he listened to this stranger he had just met.
But something inside him whispered that he should. That this stranger would not harm him.
The boy's eyes grew firm. Caelan silently slid the pistol back into its holster at his waist.
"Do you need to say goodbye to your family?"
Erebus looked longingly toward the town. He asked, "Can I come back?"
"Yes."
"Then I won't say goodbye. I'm afraid I won't be able to leave if I do."
Caelan nodded. Truth be told, he hadn't decided where to take Erebus.
He needed to find Lorgar. But he didn't know where Lorgar was.
He only knew Lorgar had been taken in by a nomadic tribe. But which one? Searching aimlessly in the desert was like finding a needle in a haystack.
"Hm?" Caelan suddenly raised his head.
"What are you looking at?" Erebus asked.
"I feel like someone is watching me. Probably just my imagination." Caelan shook his head. "Do you know Kor Phaeron?"
Erebus nodded.
Caelan was stunned. 'You actually know him? What are the odds?'
"That priest just stopped at our town yesterday," Erebus explained. "The Covenant exiled him. They sent him into the desert to preach to the outcasts. Our town was his last stop; he resupplied here before setting out."
"Have they left yet?" Caelan asked quickly.
"Not yet."
BOOM!
Caelan's ears twitched at the faint metallic thunder in the distance.
He narrowed his eyes and saw sand clouds billowing on the horizon like storm clouds before rain.
A land-barge the size of a cathedral was rolling over sandstone, moving slowly from behind the town, dragging a long caravan in tow.
"That's Preacher Phaeron's caravan!" Erebus cried. "They're about to depart!"
Kor Phaeron's caravan was stopped. But he was delighted, because someone had just joined his pilgrimage.
That child was Erebus, known far and wide as a devout believer. Even among the Covenant, priests had spoken highly of him. Many believed he would grow into an outstanding cleric.
That very child had joined his ranks; this filled Kor Phaeron with overwhelming confidence.
He believed this was the blessing of the Powers. That they approved his faith. That they had sent this boy to him!
On the barge's deck, Kor Phaeron gathered the faithful. Pride and arrogance burned within him like sparks on dry tinder.
Pointing to the boy beside him, his skin and head inscribed with scripture, Kor Phaeron shouted excitedly:
"Behold, my flock! Erebus has joined us! This is a prophecy given by the Powers themselves. Our cause is just! The Powers grant me revelation! All things are arranged by their will! I bear the holy mission, I am the Master, the Teacher, the bearer of true words! What I speak is the Truth of the Powers! I am wisdom and law incarnate!"
The slaves and believers gazed at him, their eyes full of reverence.
They believed Kor Phaeron's lies because they were devout. Because Erebus really had joined them.
Kor Phaeron was an exile, stripped of his priestly authority. The faithful had lost trust in him.
But Erebus truly had joined their group. He had stopped their caravan and boarded the deck with his companions as they set out.
Everyone now believed this remarkable young man was blessed by the Powers. His presence was proof that Kor Phaeron had not been abandoned. Perhaps his pilgrimage really was divine will!
Erebus gave a gentle smile to the crowd looking at him. In truth, he disliked Kor Phaeron.
Because he had been exiled. Because he was full of lies.
A priest should teach the people to worship the Powers, not use their names to deceive.
But Caelan had asked him to join Kor Phaeron's caravan. So Erebus listened.
Kor Phaeron valued Erebus greatly. On the land-barge, he gave him a room next to his own so that he could conveniently speak with him at any time. He wanted to turn this youth into his loyal follower.
But Erebus remained cold to his advances.
"Sorry, Preacher Phaeron. I'm very tired. I need to rest."
Erebus closed the door politely, leaving Kor Phaeron's smile frozen outside.
The moment the door shut, Erebus couldn't help but ask,
"Why did we have to join them?"
"To find someone."
"Who?"
"A Primarch." Caelan asked, "Erebus, do you believe gods exist?"
Erebus nodded.
"And do you worship them?"
Erebus nodded firmly. Everyone knew he was devout.
"Then tell me, why do you worship them?"
Erebus froze. 'Why? Why ask why?'
Because his parents worshiped them. Because everyone around him did. So he did too. Was that… wrong?
.....
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
[email protected]/DaoistJinzu