But this pride receded as quickly as a tide, swallowed by the surging darkness deep within her memories.
Her gaze lowered slightly, and her voice became deep, imbued with a profound, almost suffocating bitterness: "I am also… the traitor who instigated the Great Rebellion. I betrayed Father, and personally destroyed everything we built together…"
Her fingers unconsciously tightened, and the servo-motors in her Power Claw joints hummed softly.
When the words "I messed everything up" left her lips, her voice seemed to have exhausted all its strength, leaving only a heavy weight suspended in the air.
At that moment, she stood there, as if bearing the guilt of the entire galaxy, those memories belonging to Horus Lupercal like invisible chains, firmly pinning her in the shadow of the past.
"No, you are not him!" Alex's voice was decisive, like a thunderclap cutting through the heavy atmosphere of the cabin.
This denial was not a reprimand, but rather a sharp blade attempting to sever the chains.
The woman suddenly lifted her head, and her molten-gold eyes instantly erupted with a sharp, knife-like radiance, piercing directly into the Sub-Official's gaze.
Deep within those mortal pupils, she clearly caught a majestic and warm golden light, not of this world—that was a manifestation of the Emperor's will, like a lighthouse piercing through the fog.
She parted her lips slightly but did not speak immediately.
The initial shock quickly settled in her sharp gaze, transforming into deeper contemplation and understanding.
Pride and despondency flickered across her face like light and shadow, finally subsiding into an unprecedented clarity.
She slowly nodded, her voice regaining its steadiness, yet containing a newfound strength: "You are right. I am not the one who has already fallen."
This time, she was no longer passively bearing that heavy history, but actively taking on everything that this name represented—the good, the bad, and the possibility of change.
"He made an irreparable mistake," her tone became firm and resolute, "and as a part of Horus Lupercal, I have the chance to make amends for all of it.
This time, the opportunity to save the Empire is right before me, and I cannot miss it again."
She slightly raised her head, her gaze burning as if piercing through the bulkhead: "I must seize it myself!"
"So I ask again," Alex asked once more, this time, his tone carrying guidance and confirmation, "Who exactly are you?"
This time, Hathor did not hesitate in the slightest. Her gaze was as steady as the cornerstone of a star, her voice clear and powerful, every word carrying immense weight: "I am Horus Lupercal! The Emperor's sixteenth son, Lord of the Sixteenth Legion! Gene-Seed Primarch of the Luna Wolves! The Wolf God of the Empire! Warmaster!"
She recited those glorious titles again, but this time, it was not to wallow in past glory or sin, but to clearly recognize the power, responsibility, and the future she, as an heir, must bear.
Following that, her tone gained a resolve and self-awareness that transcended the past: "But I am also new! I am me! Born from the same name, the same foundation of memory, I will reverse the mistakes of the past,"
Her voice was like an oath, every word clear: "And regain glory for this name, saving this Empire."
Alex looked at this being before him, who both inherited a heavy history and radiated a renewed will, and the stone in his heart finally settled.
He nodded with satisfaction: "The future of the Empire is bleak. We know that the Thirteenth will eventually regroup, but we cannot place all our hope on him alone.
Now, a being with your… source of power is invaluable.
But your identity is too sensitive—whether it's the source of your power, or the past carried by the name 'Horus.'
Therefore, for now, you can only hide yourself as an ordinary human. I hope you can understand the necessity of this."
"Don't worry," the woman nodded in agreement, "Even the past of the name Horus had a period of anonymity."
She then patted the ivory-white Terminator armor she wore, her gaze sweeping over the dagger at her waist, the Warhammer in her left hand, and the Power Claw in her right: "But my equipment…"
This set of exquisitely crafted weaponry, imbued with dark technology and ancient power, would be too conspicuous anywhere.
"Keep it here for now. Also, can you shrink your size? I remember… certain beings were in ordinary human form before returning to the Empire." Alex asked, choosing his words carefully.
"The power bestowed by Father allows me to conceal my identity," the woman confirmed.
"That's good. Afterwards, you will go to the Star District Governor as an ordinary person and serve as my administrative secretary. I need someone to help me manage this territory." Alex looked relieved, as if he had finally found a capable helper, "Although it's only a Sub-Sector, for mortals, managing such a vast territory is truly beyond their capabilities.
I imagine that with a Primarch's ability, managing a Sub-Sector should be no problem?"
"Of course," the woman did not reject the job, "Although not everyone is as skilled in management and operations as Guilliman, we can all fulfill this duty that originates from our Gene-Seed."
Alex's relieved expression deepened, as if a thousand-pound burden had finally been lifted.
He casually added, with a hint of subtle teasing in his tone: "Hmm, I do believe that. Of course, Angron might be an exception."
Regarding ability, the woman did not forget to ask Alex: "So, about this Astartes unit—do you need me to take over their training?"
Her voice was steady, yet carried an undeniable certainty: "Their current performance… is acceptable. But compared to the legions of the Great Crusade Era, they are merely tall in stature."
Her words were not disparaging, but based on standards ingrained in her bones.
Although she could only be considered a clone, the military talent and vast memories belonging to Horus Lupercal were undiminished—that was the art of command, most skilled in strategy among all Gene-Seed Primarchs, revered as the "Wolf God."
Fulgrim of the Emperor's Children, Corax of the Raven Guard… these famous Primarchs had all trained and learned under her (or rather, his) command.
Training these Ash Knights before her was as natural as breathing for her.
Alex did not answer immediately. He pondered for a moment, his gaze resting on Hathor's calm and confident face.
This inherent quality of a Primarch was exactly what he urgently needed at this moment.
"If possible," he finally nodded, his tone carrying the solemnity of entrustment, "I'll leave them to you for training."
Changing the subject, Alex raised a more practical question: "Also, what name do you plan to use? You can't keep using 'Horus,' can you?"
"Hathor Lupeca." The woman, or rather, Hathor, who now officially had a new identity, clearly stated her choice.
"Hathor…" Alex savored the name, a knowing smile appearing at the corner of his mouth, "The name of Horus's wife in Egyptian mythology? A good choice." He nodded, approving this identity symbol that was both connected and distinctly different.
With the name settled, Alex's gaze lingered on Hathor's splendid Primarch equipment, then he extended an invitation: "Perhaps you'd like to tour the place? Familiarizing yourself with the environment is always good. Also, we need to get you something more… well, more fitting for an 'administrative secretary.'"
He deliberately emphasized the last four words, with a hint of knowing teasing.
Hathor nodded readily, an almost imperceptible anticipation flashing in her eyes: "That's exactly what I intended. I also want to know what the Empire… and the Astartes are like now, after ten millennia."
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