Horus continued: "Our other brother, the Hammer of Olympia, Perturabo."
Perturabo sat alone in the last row, his appearance as if carved from the same rock as the mountains.
No one sat opposite Perturabo. He looked at Nareth seated in the second row, with only one empty seat between him and the Emperor. He knew that seat belonged to Constantin Valdor, Captain-General of the Custodes.
"Nareth, I have read all the campaign reports you submitted to the War Council. Your use of the Ramilies-class Starforts is impressive."
"Welcome back, Perturabo." Nareth replied with a smile.
'I took over the campaign at Inca'adion; the Fourth Legion did not suffer significant losses.'
'Perturabo probably won't return to his Legion and immediately find that his sons could have fought better, leading to a decimation.'
Nareth also thought about Perturabo's constant yearning for recognition. He mused to himself.
'Hmm, I should find opportunities to express appreciation to Perturabo in the future; perhaps it could yield some benefits.'
'He is a top-tier architectural designer. It's a shame he never got to complete those structures; I could help realize his designs.'
As Nareth pondered, Horus spoke again with a smile: "Our brother Sanguinius has just won a major victory in Teghar Pentarus."
"More worthy of congratulations is that he, during the campaign, named the Ninth Legion the 'Blood Angels'."
"The Ninth Legion has been reborn..."
Nareth noticed Horus deliberately paused for a second. He believed the other Primarchs noticed it too.
'Hmm, Sanguinius has already received guidance from Horus and has begun leading his Legion independently in combat.'
'Compared to Vulkan, who considers enemy lives during war, Fulgrim, who is dedicated to increasing Legion numbers, and Magnus, who hasn't yet led his Legion back to the Crusade, Sanguinius's achievements are rising quickly.'
'As for Horus's reminder, on one hand, it's congratulations, and on the other, it's reminding us that the former 'Revenants' are gone, only the reborn Blood Angels remain.'
Nareth watched and thought. Horus continued.
"They are holy angels..."
'Such fraternal love!' He inwardly sighed, then said to Sanguinius with a smile.
"Sanguinius, you have brought rebirth to your sons."
"You as well." Sanguinius's white wings trembled slightly as he looked at the psychic projection with its golden wings.
"Nareth," Malcador's eyes were profound, "the Aquila Landers produced by the worlds under your jurisdiction are highly popular among the Imperial nobility."
"They believe the quantity you supply is too low. Many nobles have approached me with requests for you to increase supply."
Perturabo, who was currently on Terra receiving his own honors celebration, offered an evaluation from technical and artistic perspectives.
"For those mortals, especially the nobility, the Aquila Lander is a work of art."
Fulgrim's face revealed a proud smile. The Aquila Lander reminded him that only the 3rd Legion had their Father's permission to paint the Imperial Aquila on their power armor chests.
"I have seen that aircraft. It can be called a work of art."
"Its wings' unique shape resembles the Imperial Aquila. The multiple independent engine exhaust ports on the wings converge, forming a distinctive wing appearance."
"That the nobility flock to it, I can completely understand."
Nareth looked at the two Primarchs who had given their assessments from aesthetic and professional perspectives, respectively.
"Fulgrim and Perturabo, since you appreciate them, I will order engineers to develop models tailored to a Primarch's physique, for your comfort, and gift them to you."
He then looked at the others and said, "If any of you require them, inform me. I will likewise gift them to you."
Gifting two or over a dozen Landers made no difference to Nareth.
Moreover, Nareth believed this was also a form of promotional advertising.
Once the nobility learned that the Primarchs themselves used the Aquila Landers, their desire for them would certainly increase.
"I would be pleased to receive such a gift," Hannibal said succinctly. 'Traveling via Aquila Lander to savor fine cuisine is elegant and shows respect for the food.'
"The artistic structure Perturabo described appeals to me. I would be happy to receive a gift from you." Magnus said. He was interested in knowledge, art and culture derived from it.
Nareth noticed Magnus and Perturabo beside him exchanging glances. The Cyclops revealed a scholar-like smile.
The Hammer of Olympia held the gaze for a moment, then looked away.
Nareth, drawing on his memories, considered the relationship between the two.
'Perturabo forges friendships like smelting steel; the beginning is extremely difficult, but once established, it becomes unbreakable.'
'Magnus, because of art, passed Perturabo's unilateral, numerous tests and became his friend. Their friendship is now beginning to sprout.'
'He also earned the respect of the similarly possibly autistic and stringent Lion El'Jonson.'
"Fancy toys. No wonder the sorcerers like them."
"Compared to a Stormbird, they're too fragile; they'd shatter with one hit," Russ said mockingly.
Sanguinius frowned deeply. "Russ, not every occasion calls for fighting and killing."
"Taking an elegant aircraft to meet lost human brethren, showcasing the enlightened side of the Imperium, persuading them to join willingly, is a better approach."
Horus, with a smile, agreed.
"I would be delighted to take an Aquila Lander to meet leaders of lost human colonies, show them the Aquila, and invite them to join the Imperium."
"On such occasions, compared to a Stormbird, taking an Aquila Lander is more fitting for our role as diplomats, conducive to establishing a harmonious atmosphere."
"The Aquila Lander is indeed more suitable for diplomatic occasions," Roboute Guilliman spoke, "but the safety concerns Russ mentioned cannot be ignored."
The other Primarchs remained silent. Their opinions on the Aquila Lander varied.
Lion and Rogal Dorn had no interest in non-practical artistic items.
Ferrus Manus, after calculation and assessment, believed much of the Aquila Lander's structure was used for useless decoration, but he did not voice this opinion.
Nareth was offering gifts. Even if one didn't want it, there was no need to mock it as Russ did.
Vulkan thought the Aquila Lander was fine, but he didn't wish to ride in it. Compared to a noble's aircraft, he preferred traveling with his sons, or even ordinary people, on a transport ship.
Nareth looked around and said, "Horus, Guilliman, Hannibal, Sanguinius, Fulgrim, Magnus, and Perturabo, I will have artisans meticulously craft Aquila Landers and deliver them to your flagships."
"Nareth, also design a batch specifically for me and the Imperial Administration," Malcador said.
"Horus, Sanguinius, and Roboute are correct. The Aquila Lander is the most suitable aircraft for diplomatic occasions."
"But it's not limited to diplomatic occasions. In many situations, it is the most appropriate aircraft. My officials need them."
"Agreed." Nareth accepted to the Sigillite's request.
.....
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
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