In the fourth layer of the Kingdom of Disorder, Nareth observed the golden griffin of Mancora that Thomas had offered.
He immediately identified it as the main ingredient for the Sequence 6 "Notary" potion, the subsequent sequence "Solar High Priest."
'I didn't expect Mancora to actually have griffins. No wonder the Chapter is named "Sons of the Griffin," and the Librarians master the "Griffin's Roar."'
With a thought, Nareth formed an idea and transmitted it to the psychic orb.
"Your thinking is correct. Start with the golden griffin."
Then, extending his psychic energy, he confirmed Wilshire was alone.
He brought the two golden griffins, one male and one female, to the second layer.
Psychic energy drained rapidly. A hundred-meter cliff rose from the black mist. The two golden griffins landed atop it.
Taking the third griffin, Nareth went to the first layer and ordered the space simian to concoct the "Notary" potion.
Aboard the Radiance, Wilshire was engulfed by black mist.
Arriving in the mysterious realm, he gazed reverently at the Black Emperor enthroned high.
"My Lord."
"Drink this." At the commanding voice, a dark gold potion materialized before Wilshire.
He took the crystalline potion, so clear it seemed to reflect one's soul, and drank it down.
Golden light surged from within Wilshire, instantly dispelling the black mist for a centimeter around him.
As if provoked, the black mist instantly enveloped Wilshire's form.
Wilshire's eyes gleamed, like two dark gold pages.
Sparks of light, like sparks, sputtered forth, then were drowned by the black mist.
The "Baron of Corruption" gazed at the "Notary." He keenly saw that those sparks were tiny, shrinking dark gold pages.
Moments later, Nareth observed the "Notary" who had reined in the overflowing power of the potion.
'Wilshire, now Sequence 6, can notarize beyonderabilities. Leading a dozen or so "Solar High Priest," along with numerous "Light Suppliant" and "Bards," he is fully capable of purging a world of Chaos cultists, even handling unexpected situations.'
'It's time to move ahead of the Word Bearers' legendary champion, Arguleon Veq, and seize the Dark Age of Technology ship, the Slaughtersong. Even if its AI has been corrupted by Chaos, or resists subjugation, the "Notary" can handle it.'
As Nareth pondered, Wilshire knelt and saluted, saying devoutly, "Thank You, my Lord, for Your gift. I will be able to contribute more for You."
"The counter-offensive is about to begin," Nareth instructed, sending Wilshire back to the Glory of Light.
Returning to the real world, Nareth had just settled onto his throne when the communication bead in his ear buzzed.
"My Lord, Gren Vosotho and Akurduana have arrived. Whom will you receive first?"
Considering his limited knowledge of the early-deceased Vosotho and lacking confidence in "corroding" him, Nareth pressed the communication bead.
"Akurduana."
Five standard ship hours later, a magnificent purple Aquila Lander slowly descended upon the Shadow's Sovereignty.
Stevens, the Honor Guard member guarding the gate, watched Akurduana approach.
The "Hunter" intuitively sensed that Akurduana was far more powerful than that foul Wolf Lord, Skarsen of the Space Wolves.
He felt confident he could contend with the Wolf Lord, but instinctively knew he would stand no chance against the 2nd Company Captain of the Emperor's Children.
The "Hunter" warily studied Akurduana. His armor was flawless.
Unlike other Emperor's Children, his armor had more gold than purple. Delicate etchings extended from his left breastplate down to his vambrace.
The Imperial Aquilla on his chest gleamed brightly, seeming ready to take flight, a unique honor granted to the Emperor's Children by the Emperor himself.
The helmet tucked under his arm was adorned with a horsehair plume. His red cloak billowed with the movement of his bolt pistol.
Akurduana's two longswords, tightly wrapped in yellow silk, were strapped to his legs.
Praise and rumors about this unparalleled swordsman, circulating among the Legions, flashed through the "Hunter's" mind:
'Fulgrim's Firstborn. First Sword of the Palatine. Leader of the Two Hundred Swords...'
'Rumor held he collected three hundred sixty sabers, each a masterwork weapon.'
'His swordsmanship was superb, with few equals; only Sigismund, Abaddon, and Raldoron could match him.'
'Hmm... that's only relative to other Legions. Our Chapter Masters are undoubtedly stronger. The Forge Lord has numerous mystical items. The Chief Apothecary is rumored to be near-unkillable. The Chief Librarian commands countless spells. They would all give him a difficult time.'
Stevens, new to the Court, thought firmly, then speculated uncertainly.
'Perhaps many Court Barons can also match him, or at least come close. Our Chapter's First Company Captain, Thibault, and Seventh Company Captain, Sanda, are both "Pyromaniacs."'
With this thought, Stevens stood even taller.
Akurduana's eyes swept over the Primarch's Honor Guard, a gleam of admiration in them. A perfect smile on his face, he nodded in acknowledgment and entered the Primarch's office.
The moment Akurduana stepped into the Primarch's office, his bronzed skin felt dry. His heart raced. He swallowed hard.
Seeing the Primarch, he instantly understood why Lord Nareth, like his father, Sanguinius, or Horus, often appeared in people's dreams.
But this was indeed perfect, different from his father's charm. It was a sculptural, majestic beauty.
Akurduana felt an impulse. He felt the familiar brush in his hand, parchment spread before him.
He wanted to immediately use his most proficient art form to depict this perfect Primarch, who belonged in dreams, upon it.
'Perhaps I cannot complete it in one sitting.'
Akurduana thought regretfully, 'It would be a flawed piece.'
Nareth, leaning back on his throne, observed Akurduana, maintaining his pressure.
Drawing on his memories, a plan to "corrode" Akurduana was already brewing in his mind.
"Akurduana, you will serve by my side."
Akurduana's eyes gleamed. He bowed.
"This is my honor."
'I have a chance to complete Lord Nareth's portrait.'
One standard hour later, Vosotho entered the Primarch's Office thirty seconds early.
"Lord Nareth, I wish to personally thank You for Your rescue at Osiris."
The Primarch scrutinized Vosotho, whom he was meeting for the first time. He keenly noted the melancholy clinging to him.
Memories and intelligence related to Vosotho, Guilliman, and the Ultramarines surfaced in his mind. He immediately understood.
Like most Primarchs, Guilliman considered the Terran-born incongruous with the Legion.
In Nareth's memory, Guilliman had relegated all Terran-born to the 22nd Chapter, responsible for executing Exterminatus.
Though Vosotho and the Terran-born had survived thanks to his rescue, the substantive situation hadn't changed.
Although the politically astute Guilliman hadn't exiled the Terran-born like the Lion or Corax, even making Vosotho Chapter Master of the First Chapter, his status was clearly inferior to Marius Gage's.
Guilliman governed nearly two hundred worlds. Of the two champions he had appointed, Vosotho, the former Legion Master and current First Chapter Master, was not among them.
'There's a chance, but the difficulty should be close to Balsar Kurthuri.'
In an instant, Nareth assessed the possibility of "corroding" Vosotho, then said with a smile,
"This was inevitable amidst chance, a result you earned." Seeing Vosotho's puzzled look, he continued.
"The Legion under your command held out in the rebellion incited by the Osiron mind-control seeds across eleven systems until my arrival."
The melancholy in Vosotho's eyes lightened slightly. He smiled and said,
"My Lord, I have brought the First and 22nd Chapters. It is my honor to follow You in cleansing the xenos."
Nareth nodded slightly, pondering the deep meaning behind Guilliman's arrangement.
'Does Guilliman believe the billions enslaved by the Rangdan's cruel methods warrant Exterminatus to purify them? Or does he wish to use the xenos to further weaken the Terran-born within the Legion, eliminating unstable elements?'
Unable to conclude, he turned his thoughts back to Vosotho.
'Two Chapters. Terran-born. A not-inconsiderable difficulty for corrosion. Worth a try, but not a primary target.'
"You will campaign with me and be responsible for logistics planning."
Vosotho bowed. "My honor."
Nareth then summoned Arsena Dunn and issued orders.
"Order the full-scale counter-offensive to begin."
"The First Chapter will depart from Abyss Port, attack Gallen, and thrust straight towards Forge Keep."
"The Twelfth Chapter will transit through the Kalium Gate, project into the Puhlheim Sector, and liberate the 1.4 billion people enslaved by the xenos."
Thinking of his plan to "corrode" Akurduana and the approaching Thierry Viera, Nareth continued.
"The Emperor's Children 2nd Company, and the Ultramarines First and 22nd Chapters, will accompany me on the campaign in the Rosa Subsector."
"The Squat League fleet will accompany me as well."
"The Eighth Chapter, upon returning to the Kalium Gate, will immediately be projected into Rosa."
Arsena recorded each order meticulously, transmitting them to the respective Chapters.
.....
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
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