Chapter 80: Confession is Mercy, Resistance is Strict (Part 1)

The room was bathed in a dark crimson light, and a sharp warning tone echoed.

Hades instinctively shut his eyes.

A specialized disinfectant sprayed from the nozzles, washing over Hades's skin. Even with the enhanced physique of a Space Marine, he felt sharp stings from the high-intensity cleansing.

This was the fifth disinfection. The Apothecaries had specifically prepared this solution for Hades and Fernando.

Hades stood in a small chamber, one side made of transparent material, allowing the Apothecaries outside to monitor the process.

The Apothecaries, with their glowing eyes, were intently watching Hades's disinfection.

*I'm not embarrassed,* Hades chanted internally.

Next came the ultraviolet disinfection. The intense purple light made Hades feel as if his remaining eye would go blind.

Yet, the torture wasn't over. Apothecaries, clad in full protective gear, entered with containers of another solution.

Even though Hades and Fernando were always within the sealed environment of their power armor, it was deemed necessary to disinfect their exposed respiratory systems for precaution.

Apothecary Leo produced two nasal tubes, his cold eyes mercilessly fixed on Hades.

*I accept my fate.*

The torture session began.

Hades, half-dead from the disinfection, slumped lifelessly in an interrogation chair. Bright lights shone from above, making his skin, bleached by the disinfectant, even paler.

He looked like a corpse soaked in bleach.

The heavy iron door opened, and Mortarion, towering and imposing, entered.

Hades immediately straightened up, mentally preparing himself to admit his mistakes and start anew.

Mortarion wasn't in his power armor but wore a simple combat uniform that clung to his gaunt frame. At his waist, the xenos pistol "Lantern" lay dormant.

Mortarion silently approached, pulling out the chair opposite Hades.

The screeching sound of the chair echoed in the room. Mortarion seemed to deliberately prolong the noise, setting the tone for the impending interrogation.

The Primarch sat down, his posture relaxed, like a superior waiting for a confession.

"It stinks," Mortarion frowned.

Hades's temper flared. *I stink? Who's the real stinker here?* But he quickly deflated, admitting to himself that he did smell a bit off.

"You're right," Hades swallowed hard.

"Mortarion, you know I received treatment on the *Emperor's Dream*, right?"

*Sorry, Emperor. It's on you now.*

"And, my physiology is different from normal humans, right? I'm a unique Untouchable."

Mortarion remained silent, the faint hissing from behind his mask the only sound.

"So, during my occasional lucid moments, the Silent Sisters, composed of Untouchables, informed me of certain things."

"Informed?"

"They wrote it down."

Hades quickly clarified, anticipating Mortarion's penchant for details.

Mortarion crossed his arms, silent.

He recalled his father once sending Silent Sisters to deliver weapons to Hades.

"So, I learned that subspace is inhabited by entities."

Mortarion's brow furrowed but didn't interrupt. Seizing the moment, Hades continued,

"These subspace entities draw power from our emotions. The stronger the emotion, the more they are attracted."

"Depending on the emotions of physical beings, these subspace entities are categorized."

"You better be clear about what you're saying."

Hades blinked, "This is just what I've gathered from the Silent Sisters, the Think Tank, and my own readings and deductions. There might be gaps, so I wanted your insight."

Mortarion stared, seemingly weighing the truth in Hades's words.

"Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

A critical hit!

"Because I wasn't sure if it was true. But today, after seeing that demon, or rather, the subspace entity, I became confident in the information."

"I didn't want to bother you with uncertain news, right?"

Hades continued, "Today, the demon we encountered can be categorized as—"

"Nurglings."

The last syllable hit, and Mortarion's frame shuddered. He was transported to the Grand Garden, where the delightful scent of decay wafted. He lazily lay beside a soft marsh, with Plague Toads occasionally praising the benevolent father.

His wings felt itchy, probably due to the mischievous Nurglings.

He didn't like those ever-screaming critters.

Mortarion thought, turning to shake off the Nurglings from his wings.

Wait, wings?!

Blinding light suddenly enveloped him.

Mortarion's face turned ashen, heavy breathing emanating from behind his mask. He shook off the vision and looked up.

"Mortarion, are you okay?!"

Hades gripped his hand. His chair lay toppled, clearly shaken as well.

Mortarion took a deep breath, looking at Hades again, "Hades, Nurglings, what are they?"

His voice was venomous.

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