Kalium Gate Zone, Aboard the Shadow's Sovereignty, Primarch's Office.
Nareth, buried in data slates, heard a vague prayer sound in his ear.
He glanced at the hanging clock. There were still ten minutes until Arsena was scheduled to report.
With a thought, he went to the fourth layer of the Kingdom of Disorder.
Extending his psychic energy, he saw Thierry Viera with hands clasped pointing downwards, and on the altar, two lotus roots bundled together.
With a thought, he pulled Thierry and the lotus roots into the Kingdom of Disorder.
"My Lord." After bowing, Thierry briefly reported to the Black Emperor his attendance at the Ventrillian coming-of-age ceremony, the granting of his former armor suit, and how he won people's hearts.
Finally, he said, "This lotus root grows in Ventrillia's magma. It is quite special. I thought You might like it."
Seated high, Nareth had already recognized the offering Thierry presented as Fire Lotus Root, the only missing material for Sequence 6 "Conspirer," the subsequent Pathway of "Pyromaniac."
"I am indeed interested in this. Order the candidates who passed the final assessment to collect them."
By your will." Thierry accepted the command, immediately deciding to have the Techmarines develop harvesting tools.
After sending Thierry back to the Blade, Nareth returned to the real world.
Two minutes later, Arsena, carrying a data slate, entered the Primarch's Office.
"My Lord, the fleets of the Dark Angels and Space Wolves have arrived at the Kalium Gate."
Nareth leaned back on his throne, asking with interest, "Who are the commanders?"
The Dark Angels had been the main force in the original Rangdan War.
Leman Russ, during the Third Rangdan War, had set aside his feud with Lion El'Jonson to jointly cleanse the Rangdan homeworld.
"The Dark Angels commander is Urian Vendraig. He leads five Chapters, including the Eighth Chapter. His flagship is the Gloriana-class battleship Paradigm of Hate."
"The Space Wolves commander is Amlodhi Skarssen Skarssensson, Wolf Lord of the 5th Great Company."
After reporting, the silver-haired Primarch's Aide requested instructions from the Black Emperor.
"Whom will You receive first?"
"Vendraig." After deciding, Nareth instructed further. "Luther has asked me to keep his secret. Ensure Vendraig avoids any possible contact with him."
"By your will." Arsena acknowledged.
Five standard hours later, Nareth watched Vendraig enter the office.
He keenly noted the suppressed melancholy clinging to this man, the Legion Master of the First Legion before the Lion's return.
He was a far cry from the confident and energetic figure who had won glory in the war against the Mitu.
'Hmm, more and more Terran-born are being exiled to Caliban by the Lion. Vendraig must also feel the Lion's alienation.'
'As the former Legion Master, he's not even second-in-command, let alone a place in the top hundred.'
'Luther is the nominal second-in-command of the Dark Angels, but the one the Lion truly trusts most now is Corswain, the Legion's strongest swordsman. Vendraig is relegated back to the Eighth Chapter.'
"Lord Nareth," Vendraig saluted respectfully, then made his request directly. "Please assign me the most difficult task."
The Primarch heard the fortitude and bitterness in Vendraig's tone. It reminded him of the Dark Angels after the Karkasarn Campaign, when they were censured by Guilliman and crazily attacked xenos across the galaxy, seeking to prove themselves.
A thought flashed through Nareth's mind: 'Vendraig is quite unfortunate. Should I do a good deed and "corrode" him? Hmm... but in my memory, Vendraig dies in the Karkasarn Campaign. I don't know his level of loyalty to the Lion. If I keep him close and fail to "corrode" him, Luther would be exposed.'
"Your Legion will be responsible for relieving the Fortress World Resilience."
Nareth decided not to take the risk for now. Luther was far more important than Vendraig.
He also felt Vendraig hadn't yet reached despair; he was still trying to prove himself to his gene-father.
Perhaps, after suffering setbacks at the Fortress World Resilience, an opportunity might arise.
"The Fortress World Resilience has been besieged by xenos for three years. Though the fortress world hasn't fallen, the situation is precarious."
Arsena operated the control rod, highlighting the Fortress World Resilience on the galactic star chart. Amidst a sea of red dots, a single green sphere flickered alone.
"Dozens of Imperial worlds in the surrounding area have all fallen. They have lost strategic depth and all supply lines."
"The only unverifiable intelligence indicates the xenos have one war-moon in the entire subsector, over a thousand warships, and an uncountable number of xenos warriors."
"Thank you for your trust," Vendraig said gratefully. Powerful enemies were precisely what he urgently needed now.
As Vendraig left the Primarch's Office, he was met by two warriors draped in wolf pelts, clad in grey power armor.
"Urian Vendraig." Skarsen's voice was loud and harsh, emanating from beneath his wolf-pelt mask.
The black wolf pelt was fastened behind Skarsen's neck with bone buckles. The skull of a dead giant wolf and its long, sharp fangs formed his right shoulder guard.
"Wolf Lord Skarsen." Vendraig held his head high, glancing contemptuously at the giant wolf drooling at his feet.
They passed each other. His gaze lingered briefly on the Rune Priest, whose body was covered in talismans.
He saw a smile crease the Rune Priest's weathered face, but Vendraig merely walked past in silence.
Vendraig left them behind. Then he heard the Primarch's Honor Guard member say sternly behind him,
"Wolves are not permitted inside!"
Skarsen's grey Terminator armor towered over the Honor Guard member. The blade of the black axe on his back glinted in the lumen light.
"You think you can stop me?"
The Honor Guard member from the Seventh Chapter gazed fearlessly into the iron-grey eyes beneath the mask adorned with broken stone, eyes the same color as his armor.
"Leave them here, or go back."
"Listen, boy. My name is Amlodhi Skarssen Skarssensson, Wolf Lord of the 5th Great Company, Space Wolves." Skarsen's tone was exactly like a killer's, cold as ice.
"I heard you," the Honor Guard member said calmly. "Leave them here, or go back."
The giant wolves tensed, baring their teeth at the much smaller wolf.
The green-furred Catachan wolf, like its master, stared them down fearlessly.
"Wolf Lord, remember the Wolf King's orders. Remember our mission." Wyrdmake's voice sounded.
He said to the giant wolves, "Wait outside."
Skarsen said no more and walked forward.
Seeing the giant wolves didn't follow, the Honor Guard member let him pass.
As Skarsen passed the Honor Guard member, he saw the seven red arrows painted on his right pauldron. His iron-grey eyes were cold as knives.
The Shadows of Order felt a chill on his shoulder. Instinctively, his hand went to the Catachan Fang at his belt.
Wyrdmake smiled at the Shadows of Order. "Admirable courage."
The Shadows of Order saw the Rune Priest's smile. He keenly sensed it was like a Catachan viper.
He gripped his Catachan Fang tightly, watching the Rune Priest warily.
Wyrdmake, smile still on his face, followed his Wolf Lord into the Primarch's Office.
"My name is Amlodhi Skarssen Skarssensson, Master of the 5th Great Company, Space Wolves. I come by order of the Wolf King, heeding your call to war."
"Othere Wyrdmake, Rune Priest of the 5th Great Company, greets Lord Nareth."
"Lord Primarch, I hope to fight alongside the Librarians of Shadows of Order."
Nareth glanced at Wyrdmake, instantly alert.
He remembered that Wyrdmake, near the end of this millennium, would feign friendship with Ahriman to gather evidence against the Thousand Sons.
To gain acceptance, Magnus had Ahriman openly introduce the Thousand Sons to Wyrdmake.
This not only became evidence for Wyrdmake's accusations against the Thousand Sons at the Council of Nikaea, but also crucial intelligence for the Wolves when they launched their attack during the Burning of Prospero.
The Primarch also recalled Wyrdmake's reminder to Skarsen at the office door.
'A mission... The task Russ gave them is probably to gather intelligence, taking this opportunity.'
Nareth knew the cunning hidden beneath the Wolf King's rough exterior.
He had sent Wyrdmake to befriend the Thousand Sons. He had suspected that the remembrancer Kasper Ansbach Hawser was Magnus's eqquiry Amon in disguise, and had tried to exploit that.
'Hmm, in my Legion, the beyonders disguised as Librarians, plus the actual Librarians, make up a large number. It's quite possible Russ has already launched a scheme against me. Besides the large number of psykers in my Legion, are there other reasons?'
The Primarch's eyes deepened. His mind raced.
'Could it be my order to conceal conquered territories, the sudden apparent slowdown in expansion, that aroused Russ's suspicion? Or did he detect my little ambition? ...'
Thought after thought flashed through Nareth's mind. 'Russ, since you want to play schemes, let's play properly.'
The Primarch released his pressure, gazing coldly at Skarsen.
"Take off your mask."
Skarsen felt a mountain pressing down on him. He felt colder than being on a Fenrisian glacier. His body trembled. He bit his lip.
After a second, he reluctantly raised his hands, unfastening the mask's clasps. His arms trembled in the inner struggle.
Skarsen's weathered face was revealed. He was clean-shaven, with prominent cheekbones.
Wyrdmake gripped his rune staff tightly. He felt the pressure vanish and instinctively raised a hand to wipe the cold sweat from his brow.
"The Seventh Chapter will accompany your Great Company. Librarian Okafor will accompany Wyrdmake."
Wyrdmake's eyes lit up. He said, By your will."
After Skarsen and Wyrdmake left, Nareth immediately went to the Kingdom of Disorder. Extending his psychic energy to confirm Sanchez was alone, he immediately ordered the Jokaero to concoct Sequence 6 "Conspirer" potion, using a giant ice worm from the fjords of Fenris's glaciers and one Fire Lotus Root.
While waiting, he couldn't help but think.
'The two main ingredients for "Conspirer" are ice and fire. Truly opposites. Hmm... The "Conspirer's" control over flames increases, corresponding to the Fire Lotus Root. The burrowing worm perhaps corresponds to aspects of deception, confusion, and scheming.'
Moments later, Nareth brought the "Conspirer" potion to the fourth layer.
Extending his psychic energy, he pulled Sanchez into the Kingdom of Disorder.
"Drink this."
Sanchez took the iron-black potion. He saw a large amount of reddish rust floating inside.
Sanchez downed it. As the liquid reached his stomach, he felt an itch in his brain. His thoughts became more agile and clear.
Two flames lit up in his eyes, gleaming brightly in the black mist.
After the newly promoted "Conspirer" reined in the overflowing power of the potion, Nareth instructed.
"The Space Wolves 5th Great Company will accompany your Chapter. Be wary of their schemes."
"Especially that Rune Priest, Wyrdmake. He is a cunning wolf."
'Russ's scheme... I have a "Conspirer."'
Sanchez's eyes flickered. He felt his mind possessed higher intelligence than before.
As the Black Emperor spoke, schemes of misdirection, confusion, and deception brewed in his mind.
"By your will."
After sending Sanchez back to the Void Hunter, Nareth went to the second layer. Using psychic energy, he formed a one-meter-diameter, one-meter-deep simulation of a magma lakebed and inserted the remaining Fire Lotus Root into it.
Then, he ordered the Jokaero to concoct another "Hunter" potion.
Returning to the real world, he called to the Honor Guard member at the door.
"Stevens, come in."
The Honor Guard member from the Seventh Chapter strode quickly into the Primarch's Office.
"Father."
"This is your reward."
Moments later, the newly promoted "Hunter" knelt.
"Thank You, Father, for granting me this power. I will faithfully perform my duties and win glory for You."
.....
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
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