Warhammer 40: Doom

Chapter 22 No Need to Fear
“You probably wouldn’t believe it,” Daisy gestured with her hand, raising her palm to a height of about 1.2 meters above the ground. “He’s grown this tall.”

Novick paused, a look of surprise flashing in his eyes. He really hadn't expected that a three-month-old baby could grow to 1.2 meters tall; it was indeed very abnormal.

"It's just that he developed a bit too quickly. Doom fell from the sky and survived unharmed in the center of the explosion. It's understandable that he's somewhat extraordinary."

“No, that’s not it.” Daisy shook her head. “That’s not what I’m afraid of. Doom can eat at least a hundred pounds of pure meat a day, so I can understand why he’s developing so fast.”

“What I fear is his learning speed. In just three months, or more precisely, two months ago, I had nothing left to teach him. He had read one-fifth of the treasures in the great library and could recite them backwards.”

“Norwick, my king.” Daisy rose and knelt on the lawn, her emerald green eyes fixed on her husband as she asked, “Doom’s learning ability and extraordinary qualities terrify me. There is often only a fine line between genius and madness.”

Norwick was shocked by his wife's words.

He remained silent, staring at the stone table before him, his eyes unfocused, clearly deep in thought and unable to spare any attention.

The wife's concerns were not unfounded. Knowledge can sometimes be a curse; it records not only the glory of humanity's past and the understanding of all things, but also profound darkness between the lines.

Queen Daisy waited quietly, knowing that King Norwick was thinking and confident that he could come up with a solution.

She had been troubled by this matter for a long time, and today Norwick finally made a decision.
After a long while, King Norwick came to his senses, lowered his eyes and looked at his wife: "From now on, you don't need to guide him too much, nor do you need to fear him. You just need to love him, truly love him, and always love him."

"like?"

"Norwick, I really like that kid. Everyone who's met Doom likes him."

Daisy brushed a stray blonde hair behind her ear and asked, puzzled, "I don't quite understand what you're saying."

"Does Doom respect you?" Norwick didn't rush to answer his wife's question, but instead asked a seemingly unrelated one.

“Very sensible and well-behaved.” Daisy pondered for a moment and found that apart from her intuition of inner fear, she really couldn’t find anything wrong with Doom.

"He's also very obedient. He carefully considers everything I teach him and then executes it perfectly." Daisy smiled involuntarily as she said this: "Doom's ability to act is exemplary."

No mother dislikes her own child, especially one who is outstanding.

“No! No! No!” King Norwick shook his head, interrupting his wife’s endless praise: “That’s not what I’m asking about. You’re talking about his talents and gifts.”

"What I want to ask is, does he respect you and love you subjectively?"

This time, Daisy didn't answer in her haste. She thought carefully, recalling every moment she had spent with Doom.

Thinking of that child, he would tell jokes when she was tired, massage her shoulders with his still-childish hands to relieve fatigue, and even bring her a basin of warm water to wash her feet.

As one's knowledge and experience grow, one may sometimes offer clever but ultimately misguided suggestions in an attempt to help oneself.

Although there was sometimes fear and apprehension, the concern contained in those clear eyes was so intense.

So much so that sometimes when their eyes met, Daisy would even doubt herself, feeling guilty for betraying that genuine concern because of her inner fear.

“He respects me and loves me very much!” Daisy’s emerald green eyes narrowed slightly as she gave the answer in a gentle voice, with unwavering certainty.

Norwick nodded, smiled easily, and asked her, "What are his hobbies?"

Not knowing what answer her husband was seeking, Daisy answered truthfully, only this time with a hint of helplessness in her expression: "Doom really likes those old holographic games, and he also likes to eat fried meat."

As a mother, it's very disheartening to face an exceptionally talented child.

After a child has perfectly completed all their homework, it's hard to refuse when they make a request based on their interests.

Fried foods and video games, those "bad habits" that give human mothers headaches, still exist.

Listening to his wife's story, Norwick laughed rather unkindly. His serious face broke into a wide grin, revealing his white teeth.

"Norwick!" Daisy gave him a reproachful look. She let out a long sigh, wondering whether getting those things would be good or bad for Doom.

“You don’t need to worry or be afraid.” Norwick smiled as he gently stroked his lover’s white hand. “He loves you, is interested in the outside world, and has his own interests.”

"Everything you've said proves that he possesses humanity and has complex human emotions; he's not a monster in human skin."

“Darling,” Norwick said, taking his wife’s hand in his and kissing the back of it, “you have raised him very well, keeping the pure white paper clean.”

"There is no need to be afraid of him. Human nature is the foundation for distinguishing between good and bad in the world, and you have laid a very solid foundation."

"You should be confident, and even more so, proud. To be a good mother to a child of extraordinary talent, you need the courage to accept his extraordinary nature. At the same time, don't see him as some kind of superman. Even if he could shatter a planet with one punch, he's still your son." "The innate talent that Doom has displayed is beyond his control. Don't worry about his superficial strength; at his core, he's a child who needs love and guidance."

"I understand." Daisy listened quietly to King Norwick's point of view, and many of her concerns and worries dissipated, bringing peace to her anxious heart.
"I will do as you say, love him without any reservations, and accept his extraordinary qualities."

“Sometimes I feel powerless and lost,” Daisy said, feeling much relieved after her husband’s encouragement. A gentle smile returned to her porcelain-white face. “I worry that I won’t be able to teach him.”

"Now I understand. If I can't give guidance, I'll give him love. Besides love, we can only give our children less and less."

"You always provide guidance with your wisdom." The Queen leaned against the King's lap, enjoying a moment of peace and comfort in the quiet courtyard.

Because she knew that after their brief reunion came another parting, and that it wouldn't be long before the king would set out again to destroy the green-skinned orcs.

The direct threat from green spores has diminished considerably, but they continue to sprout from the ground like a stubborn tinea.

Research by the War College has revealed that green skins possess asexual reproductive characteristics similar to fungi. They do not need to mate; shed hairs or skin flakes that fall to the ground will take root, absorb nutrients from the soil, and then the green skins will emerge from the soil like mushrooms.

The troublesome nature of the species means that even if operations against the Greenskins are successful, the post-war management is more important and time-consuming than the war itself.

"Norwick".

Daisy whispered her lover's name again, and asked sadly, "Ennio and Flano, do they really have no chance?"

"Ah."

The response was heavy, yet as firm as steel.

Norwick and Daisy had two sons: Ennio Norwick and Flano Norwick, both of whom were very accomplished.

Before Doom arrived, Ennio, the eldest son, was the best choice in Norwick's mind to be the successor and the leader of the Night Watch.

Like the kings of Novik generation after generation, they led the people of Nur in search of the faintest hope, and ventured back into deep space.

Things are different now. King Norwick sees true hope—the hope of breaking free from his shackles!
"I feel sorry for Ennio."

He couldn't see his wife's face; she was slumped over his lap. Norwick heard a slightly choked voice: "For decades, he has worked tirelessly to meet your expectations, never daring to slacken, and has devoted himself to understanding and carrying on your legacy."

Hot tears fell, shattering on the cold armor.

Norwick clenched and unclenched his fists, his mind racing with hesitation, questioning whether his decision had been hasty.

But now it's different; nothing can shake his resolve.

"Did you see Doom's talent?" King Norwick stroked his lover's back, soothing her sorrow. "Can Ennio catch up with him?"

"The finish line that Ennio has yet to reach is his insignificant starting point."

“I think you, who have had the most contact with Doom, should understand this point and comprehend my choice.”

The queen's body trembled as she stammered, "This is so unfair! Can Ennio accept this?"

“The world is inherently unfair.” Nowick sighed. “If Ennio truly understood me, he would know that the choice I made was the right one.”

"The Norwick family's oath is not between thrones, but across the vast universe."

After they finished speaking, they fell silent. Daisy stopped crying and fell asleep leaning against Norwich.

After a while, a palace maid rushed into the courtyard, looking flustered, and said, "Your Majesty, the Third Prince has run off to the arena!"

"Take me there!" Daisy suddenly opened her eyes and got up to leave. Unexpectedly, a large hand grabbed her.

“I’ll go too. I haven’t seen Doom since the siege.”

　I don't know why, but it seems like I missed the first wave of recommendations, which made me feel a little uneasy.

　　come on! Come on!

(End of this chapter)