Aboard the Shadow's Sovereignty, after accepting Flamini's offering of the Slaugth, Nareth returned to the realspace.
He was just about to adjust the counter-offensive plan based on the support status of other Legion task forces when he noticed Arsena entering.
"My Lord, Akurduana, 2nd Company Captain of the Emperor's Children, will arrive in the Kalium Gate zone tomorrow."
"The Ultramarines fleet will also arrive tomorrow, commanded by Gren Vostho."
Nareth nodded, thinking to himself.
'Guilliman clearly remembers that I once rescued Vosotho, so he sent him as commander of the task force.'
His timely intervention had prevented Vosotho, then the 13th Legion's Legion Master, and his rebellion-pacifying fleet from being annihilated in the Osiris Sector.
As Nareth pondered, the silver-haired Primarch's Aide continued his report.
"The Word Bearers fleet is delayed due to unknown reasons. It will arrive in two standard months."
Nareth was not surprised. Since Lorgar's return to the Imperium, his Legion had always moved slowly.
He had been repeatedly reprimanded by the Emperor for this.
Seeing the Black Emperor's expression unchanged, Arsena continued.
"The Emperor has summoned a War Council for 09:00 next standard ship cycle."
"Understood."
The next day, Nareth's psychic projection crossed countless light-years and descended upon the Golden Palace of Terra.
His eyes flickered. The Fabricator-General of Mars had not yet arrived. Clearly, after Xana's relief, he had no urgent matters and would, as usual, arrive at the last minute.
Nareth also noticed the seating order was unchanged, but there was an additional figure.
Unlike the other Primarchs attending via psychic projection, he, like Malcador, was present in person.
He was tall and slender, with long limbs, his entire form sharp and angular like a bird of prey's claw.
His face was long and gaunt, the scar on his left cheek very prominent.
His black braids were bound with golden rings, falling upon his ornate armor, which was decorated with white fur and gleaming ornaments.
As usual, Horus, in the tone of a good elder brother, introduced him to Nareth.
"Nareth, Father, and I found our brother on the great plains of Chogoris."
Nareth keenly detected a hint of pride and pleasure in Horus's tone.
"Jaghatai Khan."
"Welcome, Jaghatai," Nareth said with a smile.
"Nareth." Unlike his sharp exterior, Jaghatai's voice was refined, tinged with an aristocratic nobility.
"The Star Hunters are excellent hunters. Shadows of Order were also excellent hunters once, but they have degenerated into meddling with sorcery."
Unsurprisingly, Nareth once again heard Russ's mocking words.
Thinking of Russ's scheme against him, Nareth's gaze turned cold. He was about to respond when Jaghatai spoke again.
"Russ, thank you for the invitation, but I have no interest in hunting with you."
Nareth's eyes lit up. He remembered that Jaghatai Khan had the best relationships with Sanguinius and Magnus, jointly championing the use of psychic powers in the Imperium.
His relationships with Russ and Mortarion were the worst.
During the Heresy, after receiving Russ's plea for help, he ignored it and, after breaking through the Alpha Legion's blockade, left directly.
'Jaghatai Khan's joining will bolster our influence in the War Council.'
"The weeds of Chogoris have clogged your eyes."
"The sons of Fenris are the true hunters. You will see that in the war against the xenos."
After speaking, Russ ignored Jaghatai Khan and addressed Nareth.
"Nareth, my Wolf Lord will defeat Sanchez and win even more glory."
"Do you dare continue our previous wager?"
"If I win, Sanchez will hand over his wolf helm to my Wolf Lord."
"And if you lose?" Nareth said coldly.
"I cannot lose." Russ's ice-blue eyes were cold as knives.
"As I recall, you've said similar words several times," Nareth said contemptuously.
Russ paused for a moment, suppressing his anger, before continuing.
"Skarsen will definitely defeat your whelp."
"If I lose, my cloak will be Sanchez's."
Nareth's eyes lit up. He knew Russ's cloak was made from the pelt of the great wolf Black Mane, whom he had slain, and it was a psychic cloak.
The cloak granted Russ the ability to pass through the gates of death and return when needed.
After the Heresy, Russ's promise to return at the end times was precisely because he possessed this psychic cloak made from Black Mane's pelt.
'Russ, since you abhor psychic powers, wearing a psychic cloak is inappropriate. You might as well not wear it!'
With this thought, Nareth immediately agreed.
"It's a deal."
"I accept the wager on Sanchez's behalf."
Horus and Sanguinius, Ferrus and Fulgrim, Perturabo and Magnus simultaneously exchanged glances.
They all read the same thought in their close friend's eyes:
Sanchez will win. Skarsen will definitely lose.
Guilliman saw the tension between Nareth and Russ and was about to offer mediation, but unexpectedly, they quickly reached their wager.
He sighed helplessly and watched the Fabricator-General of Mars enter the hall.
Then, a golden light flared. The Emperor and Constantin Valdor arrived simultaneously.
The Emperor's gaze fell upon Nareth. He said solemnly,
"The xenos are massively invading Imperial territory. The northern galaxy is burning."
"Fourteen Expeditionary fleets have been annihilated. Five Titan Legions have had their designations revoked."
"I wish to know the progress of the war."
The Emperor ignored Perturabo; Nareth looked towards him.
Though he showed no expression, he would clearly be displeased by the slight.
Nareth's gaze also swept over Hannibal. He keenly noticed his cheekbones were more prominent, the bony spurs on his face more pronounced, seeming ready to pierce the skin.
'The physical changes are more evident. Hmm... He hasn't actively participated in the war against the Rangdan. That's unusual. He's found more suitable prey... or xenos he can consume alone without being discovered.'
Nareth withdrew his gaze and first mentioned Perturabo's crucial role.
"Perturabo has established a defensive line centered on Xana. The xenos offensive has been contained."
"I am about to launch a counter-offensive. My Legion will be projected through the Kalium Gate into key areas of xenos-occupied territory."
Nareth would not, as in his memory, fight a twenty-year protracted war with the Rangdan.
He aimed to achieve a decisive victory within ten years and annihilate the main Rangdan force.
"Excellent."
The Emperor nodded with satisfaction. "The Ordo Sinister will fully support your plan."
"I will order the Eighth and Twelfth Legions to provide you with support."
Nareth's eyes lit up. Perhaps there would be another opportunity for "corrosion."
As he pondered, the Emperor said with a smile.
"I hope you will achieve victory soon and cleanse the xenos."
"I will prepare a grand celebration for you."
Nareth's eyes flickered slightly. He thought to himself.
'The celebration isn't important. The key is the reward. Hehe Golden Man, it's been a long time since I last visited your vault.'
"By your command."
The War Council concluded. Just as Nareth was about to leave, he suddenly heard Sanguinius's magnetic voice.
"Nareth, Magnus, please stay a moment."
As the other figures vanished, Nareth and Magnus both looked towards Sanguinius.
The smile on Sanguinius's face was as perfect and warm as his pure white wings.
"You saw Jaghatai's attitude just now."
"According to my intelligence, he is not rejecting psychic powers."
"He is a brother we can win over. Which of us should speak with him?"
Hearing this, Nareth knew Sanguinius wanted to bring Jaghatai into their political alliance.
He remembered that originally, Sanguinius was the one who approached Jaghatai Khan and reached a consensus.
If it were before, he wouldn't have cared who spoke with Jaghatai Khan.
But now, facing Russ's scheme and considering Jaghatai's attitude towards him, this was an opportunity.
With this thought, Nareth spoke.
"I will speak with him," he then gave his reason. "Through the Kalium Gate, I can meet with him more conveniently."
Sanguinius and Magnus recalled the intelligence on Jaghatai Khan, unfettered and acting independently, as elusive as the Star Hunters themselves. Nareth would indeed find it easier to locate him for a face-to-face meeting. They both nodded in agreement.
.....
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
[email protected]/DaoistJinzu