My Life as A Death Guard

The Endurance, 7th Company Training Hall

Now

<+>

“Hey, kid! Time to head back!”

“S-sure, right away!”

Beside the dueling cage, Hades sat in a simple chair, rolling up his sleeve as he waited for Apothecary Leo to finish collecting his daily health data.

Today’s duels had taken extra time, and as it was nearly rest hour, the training hall was practically empty. Branka stood off to the side, arms crossed and watching Hades with clear impatience.

“Thanks,” Hades said.

Finally, Apothecary Leo put away the blood extractor, a massive tool almost the size of a boltgun. Hades nodded slightly in thanks.

Leo gave a small nod back, focusing on the data from Hades’s blood analysis.

This was, without a doubt, the most resilient blood he’d ever seen.

“Alright, I’ll speak with Branka and see about lightening your training load in the coming days.”

Yes!

“Thanks so much!”

Leo chuckled, watching Hades’s expression of relief.

This kid never complained, no matter how tough the training got.

For now, the intensity had been gradually reduced on Leo’s advice to allow his body time to recover.

“No problem. Make sure to get rest, and come to me if anything feels off.”

“Of course! I’ll come find you right away!”

Hades nodded enthusiastically as Leo unfastened the binding around Hades’s arm. He glanced over at Branka and motioned to Hades that he was free to go.

“Thanks, Leo!” Hades called out.

Branka, seeing Hades coming over, gave him a solid clap on the back.

“Let’s go!”

But even then, Branka didn’t miss the chance to flash Leo a grin.

Leo was used to it; he ignored Branka, focusing on packing up the med-kit and other mobile equipment.

Branka and Hades left.

Their footsteps echoed down the corridor.

Since it was late, most of the Death Guard had already returned to their quarters, leaving only the two of them in the hallway.

They chatted here and there as they walked, with Hades thinking back to a recent encounter in the same hallway.

“Hey Branka, do Tech-Priests ever walk around the Legion ships alone?”

“Huh? What’re you talking about? When do those guys ever like to walk around on their own?”

On Legion ships, Tech-Priests were always accompanied by the Master of the Forge; it was both hospitality and surveillance.

Speaking of Master of the Forge… Branka couldn’t help feeling a bit annoyed.

When Garro found out that Enrique had taken Hades to the Armoury previously, he’d summoned Branka with an unimpressed look.

Sure, it ate into Hades’s rest time, but it didn’t affect his training, right?

Though lately…

“But I really saw a Tech-Priest walking alone in the hallway,” Hades interrupted, pulling Branka out of his thoughts.

“Then you must’ve imagined it.”

Damn it.

Enrique’s still been pestering Branka for Hades lately.

Wasn’t he busy enough hosting the Tech-Priests already?

After falling into the trap last time, Branka wasn’t about to get caught again and had reported the situation directly to Garro.

The result? Enrique sent Tech Sergeant Alberto over to harass him every day.

Why’s your 7th Company equipment wearing out so fast? Why’d you order so many power armor units last time? Why don’t you worry about the combat servitors before I do something drastic?

Sigh… It’s all Hades’s fault!

At this, Branka threw an exasperated glance at Hades.

Hades didn’t notice, though, as he was busy recalling that Tech-Priest.

A… strange Tech-Priest walking alone in the hallway?

Branka likely wouldn’t know much about this either.

Looks like he’d have to visit the Armoury again.

As they neared the rest area, a figure quietly appeared in their path.

It was Laine, a veteran from the First Company.

Laine looked at Hades, then turned his gaze to Branka.

Branka seemed to sense something and immediately straightened up.

They saluted each other.

Then Branka gave Hades a firm pat on the back. “Off you go, kid. Someone wants to see you.”

Laine nodded at Hades, indicating that he should follow.

Hades raised an eyebrow but showed no surprise.

He knew—who he’d been waiting for had finally come to find him.

Branka left naturally.

Hades then looked at Laine.

If it was a veteran from the First Company, then odds were…

It was First Company Captain Barasine.

Who would have thought? Hades had always assumed that someone who had once controlled an entire legion wouldn’t be so willing to relinquish his authority.

But what if that was his actual intention?

Laine’s face remained calm as he looked at Hades, offering no explanation. Likewise, Hades had no intention of asking any questions.

Laine navigated the hidden paths of the Endurance with ease, leading Hades down secluded passages where they didn’t encounter a single soul.

They walked for what felt like a very long time.

Finally, they arrived in front of a concealed meeting room door.

The door looked like it had been forgotten in some corner of the Endurance. Its paint had not been changed to green, instead bearing the dark red color of the Dusk Raiders.

Hades raised an eyebrow.

Laine opened the door and motioned for Hades to enter.

Without hesitation, Hades stepped inside.

Seven company captains sat in the room, with one seat left vacant.

They looked at him.

<+>

The Enduance, Armoury.

Now.

<+>

[Enrique, Master of the Forge of the Death Guard, may I ask if the Death Guard will be applying for a new batch of tech-sergeant training courses within this Terran standard year?]

The scent of incense with a hint of motor oil wafted from the censers beneath the Tech-Priest’s red robe.

[Thank you for the suggestion, but our Primarch, Lord Mortarion, has just returned, and most of the recruits are reluctant to miss training with him.]

[Enrique, Master of the Forge of the Death Guard, do you mean to say that the Death Guard will not apply for tech-sergeant training within this Terran year?]

Enrique looked at his counterpart.

This time, the Tech-Priest from Mars was not the usual Si-3965uf.

It seemed that with the Primarch’s return, Mars had increased its attention toward their legion.

[Based on my personal calculations, I do not recommend the Death Guard forgo tech-sergeant training; the number of tech-sergeants in the Death Guard currently cannot meet the legion’s needs.]

This was true. But the Barbarus recruits of the Death Guard were insistent on not missing the chance to train under Mortarion.

Even though Enrique had urged the companies to submit their reports quickly, few names had come in, and the quality was not very high.

Except for Hades—but he hadn’t been reported by Garro.

Originally, Enrique had planned to use this Mars transport ship to get Hades onboard and out of their hands—once he was on the Mars ship, it wouldn’t be under their control anymore.

But it was clear that remarkable individuals were sought after by everyone.

Hades had been noticed by someone higher up.

Enrique furrowed his brows imperceptibly.

[Thank you for the suggestion. The Forge Division will issue another announcement about tech-sergeant recruitment within the Death Guard, and we will notify you before the Mars transport ship departs.]

The Tech-Priest opposite him clicked softly a few times.

[Very well. May the Great Crusade be victorious.]

[May the Great Crusade be victorious.]