Warhammer 40: Doom

Chapter 333 New Bloodline

After taking a sip of tea, Doom got up to leave—he simply couldn't stand the two old smokers puffing away; the tobacco smell permeating the cramped hut was suffocating.

In contrast to Prima, who was reluctant to leave, Sintra personally saw him off, waving goodbye at the entrance of the crystal cave.

"Please go back." Doom looked back every step of the way, watching the elder enter the cave. The dimensional cave disappeared again before he left with peace of mind.

He did not linger for long; the two ancient saints had been separated for a long time and had too much pain and sorrow to express.

Sintra has been out of touch with the real universe for too long and desperately needs to learn from its own kind about the changes in the universe today compared to 60 million years ago.

Leaving the Crystal Mountains, Doom raised his left arm and summoned a star map from his arm armor, marking several key locations in the southern part of the Eastern End Starfield.

After marking the location, he took the key from his waist: "Sophia, dispatch a fast fleet to this sector and find a giant fortress similar to the model."

"If the target is found, the fleet need not be returned to Nur. Instead, an outpost should be established on the spot to make it clear that the fortress is the property of the Nur constellation."

Sophia's phantom appeared in a flash, her scanning rays enveloping the key before dissipating into the air.

"I will follow your instructions."

The order was issued quickly, and several standing fleets departed from the Nur Star Cluster to explore the Eastern End Star Region.

Doom dared not neglect those ancient weapons and immediately dispatched a fleet to search for them and check their condition.

Having made sufficient preparations, he checked the time and saw that it was still early, so he wasn't in a hurry to teleport away. Instead, he began to stroll through the wilderness, heading back towards the main domain he was guarding.

The Royal Majesty cruise ship has a very good ecological environment, but compared to Nur, which is listed as a "paradise world", it is still a bit narrow and cramped.

Along the way, Doom encountered many modified races: centaurs, unicorns, and fairies with transparent wings.

The arrogant creations left over from the Golden Age knelt down to pay their respects, praising King Norwick's greatness and offering their sincere blessings.

When he returned to the old palace on the wind and the glow of the sunset, he saw a man and a woman, two young people, waiting expectantly in the inner courtyard.

Upon seeing Doum appear, the girl's emerald eyes lit up. She lifted her long court dress and trotted up to him, stopping only when she was close. She lightly placed her hands on the sides of her dress, her fingertips lifting the hem as she curtsied, her voice clear and melodious like a nightingale's song: "Uncle."

The armored warrior caught up, slowly removing his helmet to reveal brown hair and blue eyes. He performed a warrior's salute, his hoarse male voice, tinged with puberty, full of respect: "Uncle."

The boy's face resembled Flano's, but his youthful cheeks, still developing, were slightly thin, and even the ceremonial armor seemed ill-fitting.

“Luo Xi.” Doum’s sharp gaze melted, his eyes filled with pity. He stroked the girl’s soft blonde hair with his large hand, and his deep, magnetic voice was tinged with guilt: “You’ve grown up. I almost didn’t recognize you.”

The young girl stood tall and held her head high, with an elegant and noble demeanor. Her face was fair, and her skin was as delicate as porcelain. At two meters tall, she was considered quite tall among Nur women. Wearing a long court dress, she exuded the majesty of a princess.

She was in the prime of her life, a budding age, possessing a vibrant and lively beauty.

“Alex.” Turning his gaze, Doom placed his hand on the boy’s shoulder, feeling the boy’s strong bones, and sighed at how time flies: “You’ve grown into a great young man.”

The prince of the Norwick family, with his upright posture and resolute gaze, studies at the War Academy, learning the laws of war, and also goes on expeditions with the Night Guard to experience the vastness of the starry sky.

Looking at the brother and sister in front of him, Doom was filled with emotion.

He led his army to conquer the void, but missed the growth of his family's new seedlings. Every time they met, it felt like a lifetime had passed, and the voices and smiles he once remembered had changed.

Perhaps when they meet again, they will have grown up and chosen suitable partners to continue their lineage.

“Forgive me,” Doom knelt down on one knee and said to them, “I cannot be by your side to witness your growth.”

"Surrounded by enemies in the void, I need to leave you to destroy the aliens and the great enemy, and to fight for human survival space."

"What you have done is incredibly noble; it is for the sake of our race." Luo Xi gently stroked his uncle's cheek, wiping away his guilt with his hand. His clear eyes gradually reddened, becoming slightly misty.

"The older you get, the more you realize how ferocious the terrifying enemy you face is, and the burden of the future rests on your shoulders, yet we cannot share any of that burden for you."

"Welcoming you back and allowing you to temporarily escape terror and bloodshed is the only thing we can do now."

Alex turned his face away. The boy was always very emotional. His sister's words brought tears to his eyes, but he didn't want to show his vulnerable side.

“You’re always so sensible.” Doom said with deep emotion, wiping away the glistening tears on the girl’s cheek with his thumb, and giving her an encouraging smile: “In the near future, you will also shoulder important responsibilities.”

"Nur's ever-expanding territory belongs to you in the future; it will be a heavy responsibility."

Doom had long foreseen that the future of humanity belonged to mortals, and that the future of the Norwick siblings was destined to be glorious and dazzling.

Luo Xi shook her head, her beautiful face solemn: "You are the eternal king of Norwick." "I am not," Doom denied his niece's words: "Nothing is eternal, the universe will end, and even gods will have their end."

"Study hard so that you can better rule your people in the future."

"Let's go." Doom interrupted Luo Xi, pinching her open mouth to end the heavy topic.

He stood up, put his arm around the siblings' shoulders, and walked towards the back of the palace: "Don't keep your father waiting."

Flano was already waiting at the table. He nodded to Doom, and the family sat on either side of the stone table for their family dinner.

Out of royal etiquette, no one spoke at the table, and the entire meal ended in silence.

Since it was a family dinner, the women of the family were responsible for clearing the table, while the men sat on the lawn and talked about other things.

Doom's previous amiable demeanor vanished, replaced by a grim expression. He tried to control his emotions, narrowing his eyes as he scrutinized Alex.

On his left arm guard was a report of achievements.

In his past studies, the Academy of Domination reported that Prince Alex's grades were only average.

It wasn't that he lacked talent; it was simply that he didn't put all his energy into studying politics and strategy. He preferred wielding guns and swords and was more passionate about the way of the warrior.

"As the future king, it is important to govern knowledge."

An unprecedented sense of unease welled up within him, and Doom spoke earnestly: "The way of the warrior is good; it hones one's skills and cultivates resilience and courage."

He did not deny Alex's efforts, but instead explained the stakes from a different angle: "You are royalty, and you are destined to be a commander in the future."

"Having frequently accompanied warriors into the void, you should know how many warriors, as commanders, could lose their lives in the void due to a single impulsive or ill-considered decision?"

Alex's face turned pale. Despite his uncle's caution, the unintentional pressure he exuded made him grit his teeth and resist.

Flano, sitting to the side, smiled and watched with interest as his son was scolded.

He has talked about similar topics countless times.

The stubborn and naive son believed that by honing his skills to the fullest, he could catch up with Doom's power and become the next "King of Warriors".

When Alex was still young, Doom left Nur. The young boy did not know the specific concept of his uncle's power.

The brother returned with Leman Russ, while the son went to the stars to learn warrior skills. When he returned, Doom had already left Nur.

This time, facing Doom, Alex finally had a concrete understanding of his uncle's power.

This reunion after many years may change his excessive pursuit of the way of the warrior.

Alex knew perfectly well. He gritted his teeth, and every cell in his body trembled under his uncle's gaze.

He once aspired to be the King of Warriors, honed his warrior's skills, and hoped to become a powerful and respected warrior.

Ideals are beautiful and bright, but reality is cruel as a knife.

With just one disapproving look from his uncle, his pride in his resilience and courage was shattered, leaving him with no courage to refute.

“I understand…” Alex replied, head bowed, biting his lip in resentment, his voice trembling with tears.

He finally understood.

The veterans of the Night Watch spoke of this: any proud warrior, when facing the King of Warriors, will be unable to suppress his instincts and tremble.

The smell of blood told Doom that Alex had bitten his lip, and his voice softened slightly: "You need to understand your place."

Human strength has its limits, but wisdom has no end.

"A wise commander is far more difficult to achieve than a powerful warrior; to command the overall situation is an innate mission of royalty..."

Flano suppressed a laugh as he listened to his brother admonishing his son.

When Doom stated that "wisdom far surpasses brute force," his gaze swept over the other man's bulging muscles, and he almost blurted out, "You're absolutely right!"

(End of this chapter)