"Alajos, Holguin, Stenius... I am about to issue our deployment. Listen closely..." Bruce began, reciting the mission parameters while wearing the grim, 'grumpy cat' expression of Lion El'Jonson.
The Dark Angels Legion had one sterling quality: from high-ranking officers to the rank-and-file, they could instantly grasp a commander's intent. As long as they were given a clear direction, they would handle the rest themselves. Of course, it was best if those orders were explicit—and closely monitored—lest their execution "deviate" into something else entirely.
Before long, Bruce finished outlining the Dark Angels' role in this operation. To summarize: they would lead the vanguard, coordinate with the Night Lords, and then call it a day. Logistics would be handled by others afterward.
On paper, this order was practically sacrilegious. Having the Emperor's proud First Legion play second fiddle to the degenerate scumbags of the Eighth Legion felt incredibly bizarre. But considering they were in Night Lords territory and their Primarch, Konrad Curze, was present, intervening as "collaborators" was technically logical.
However...
Though the Dark Angels understood the orders, their expressions were foul—as if they had collectively swallowed something repulsive. They only held their tongues because "The Lion" himself was right there.
"Hmm? You all look like you have something to say." Bruce asked, curious about their awkward reaction. Normally, when he issued orders, they would respond with zeal, cheering for the Lion and the Legion. Today, they were visibly cringing.
Could it be...?
Has the secret that I'm impersonating the Lion and remote-controlling the Dark Angels been exposed?!
At that thought, Bruce narrowed his eyes. He began calculating how to signal Sevatar. If things went south, he might have to aim the main cannons at the Invincible Reason. If the truth about the Lion's imprisonment got out, a civil war might erupt prematurely. Silence through force wasn't the best solution, but it was certainly the cleanest.
"Lion... Lord Lion..." Seeing the others paralyzed by silence, Nemiel stepped forward once again. Some things had to be corrected! He couldn't let the Lion continue down this path of error!
"Hmm?" Bruce glared. You again?!
"Nemiel, what is it now?" Bruce demanded sharply. "I am suppressing these damned heretics for the sake of my brother's legion and the Imperium. Do you have an objection to that?"
Whatever the issue was, Bruce decided to take the moral high ground first. To an outsider, it might seem strange why the Lion was so hell-bent on helping Curze, but so what? Can't two brothers just get along?
"I have no objection to the mission. Your actions align with the interests of the Emperor and the Imperium," Nemiel answered clearly.
"Then what is the problem?" Bruce was genuinely baffled by this "straight-arrow" brother. If you don't have an objection, why step out looking like you're about to conduct an inquisition?
"What I mean to say is, Lord Lion... you must be mindful of your conduct. You are the Master of the Legion, a son of the Master of Mankind!" There was a hint of genuine worry in Nemiel's voice.
"?" Bruce's head was filled with question marks. Mindful of what?
"You haven't been handling legion affairs for days. Instead, you've been staying at the Scarlet Devil Mansion. Is it because of... her?" Nemiel's hostile gaze locked onto "Curze" (Remilia/Small Curze).
Everything made sense now! Why the Lion was so obsessed with the Scarlet Devil Mansion as if he'd been bewitched—the "potion" was this little girl!
Sitting on Bruce's shoulder, the "small Curze" was indeed conspicuous. She sat there swinging her legs, sipping tea, and occasionally patting Bruce's head like she owned the place. She was impossible to ignore. When the Dark Angels first established the link, they thought it was a signal error. But the reality was far more disturbing.
Their Lion King was actually allowing a little girl to sit on his shoulder, seemingly unbothered by her presence even during a high-level war council.
"Nemiel, you overstep. I am the Master of the Legion; I have the right to do as I see fit!" Bruce clenched his fist, releasing an aura of Primarch-level intimidation.
From any angle, Nemiel was being presumptuous. Since when did a subordinate dictate what the Lion could or couldn't do?
"But..." Recalling being knocked unconscious by a single punch previously, Nemiel suppressed his terror to speak his mind. "You cannot do this! It damages the dignity of a Primarch! It stains the honor of the Dark Angels!"
The thought of the grand Primarch of the First Legion being "charmed" by a little girl... I cannot accept this! How would other Legions look at the Dark Angels from now on? This is the Lion! How could he have such... eccentric tastes?
"Is there something wrong with your head?" Bruce felt Nemiel was just looking for trouble. Is this cat-man asking for another 'Lion Flying Head Punch'?
"In short, I implore you to be prudent. You cannot continue like this. Staying at the Scarlet Devil Mansion is no excuse. If this persists, you will be corrupted... you might even fall!"
"What are you even talking about?" Bruce's temper flared. "How am I corrupted? How have I fallen?"
"That demi-human girl who flouts your majesty is proof enough! How can you allow her to be so... intimate with your Greatness?!"
At those words, several Dark Angels present actually cast looks of secret envy. To sit on a Primarch's shoulder—what an honor! Even just leaning against one would be a dream! How did this little demi-human girl do it? To make the Lion so captivated that he didn't even care about decorum?
It was too strange!
"None of your damn business!" Bruce barked. "My affairs are mine to decide. Besides, she is not an outsider. My relationship with her is far closer than any of yours. Remember your place, Nemiel. I don't want to hear this nonsense again. If I hear another word of it, you're going back to Caliban!"
"Alajos!" Bruce shouted, issuing the finality of his command. "Take the orders and execute them! I expect no mistakes, especially not in front of my brother!"
Honestly, Bruce thought. If I were the real Lion, what's the big deal if my brother Curze sits on my shoulder? You lot are just jealous! We're brothers—being close is a good thing!
"Yes, My Lord!" Alajos hesitated for a fraction of a second before submitting to the Primarch's will.
"Then that is all. I look forward to your performance."
Beep—
The holographic projection cut off as Bruce terminated the link.
For a moment, the command center fell into a silence named "Despair." Every face was a mask of complex emotions—mostly worry mixed with a hint of heartbreak.
Our... Primarch... what has he become? (Sob)
"Brothers!"
Amidst the confusion, Holguin was the first to step forward. He stood firmly on the side of the Lion and made a declaration.
"What happened today remains our secret! Everyone must comply!"
"We must never let this shame be known by outsiders."
"WE DEFEND THE LION'S HONOR TO THE DEATH!!!!!"
As Holguin roared, the others instantly hardened their resolve. They shouted in unison, burying the secret deep within their hearts.
"FOR THE LION!!!!"
The fact that the Lion preferred little girls over grown women... that must never be leaked!
Protecting the Lion's hobbies was the same as protecting his secrets. This was the ultimate expression of loyalty—the true honor of the Dark Angels Legion!
And so, the Dark Angels gained another secret to guard, and a deeper layer was added to the Inner Circle.
Join here to read ahead.
In Star Rail, Ultra-Beast Armored — Have I Caught "Equilibrium"? l (Chapter 80)
Uma Musume, But I Only Have Five Years Left to Live (Chapter 150)
Zenless Zone Zero: I'm a Doctor, Not a Bangboo (Chapter 115)
Ben Tennyson Wants to Join the Justice League (Chapter 110)
TYPE-MOON: Redemption Beginning with the Holy Grail War (Chapter105)
Yu-Gi-Oh! — Transmigrated into the White Dragon Girl (Chapter100)
"Is this chat group even serious?" (Chapter69)
I, Lord Ravager, Utterly Loyal! (Chapter100)
Can Playing Games Save the World? 65
Crossover Anime Multiverse: The Demon Hunter of an Unnatural World 70
From Junkman to Wasteland 60
Weekly Refresh of Overpowered 31
I'm Grinding Proficiency Like 40
From Kiana, Lord Ravager, Onwa 60
Honkai: Is This Still the Prev 42
Elf: My Starter Pokémon Is Inc 50
Warhammer: My Primarch Is Remi 50
From Demon Slayer to Grand Ass 50
The Way the Umamusume Look at 31
Uma Musume, but My Cheat Power 26
Naruto: Weaving the Future, Be 26
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