On the surface of the fifth planet, the central world in orbit among the nine circling the yellow star.
Pell, clad in a black robe, walked down the ramp. The captain followed his master with awe.
Pell's eyes were deep as he scanned his surroundings.
The "Baron of Corruption" realized that completing the Black Emperor's task was also a way to master the power bestowed upon him.
He had been a "Baron of Corruption" for some time, but he found the Shadows of Orders of his Chapter and the Vostroyan Auxilia difficult to "corrode."
They were all loyal to the Black Emperor.
Pell came from Tetzvok Hive, where the Black Emperor had first appeared. He had blurry memories from before becoming a Shadow of Order and occasionally returned to Vostroya. He knew how much the people of his homeworld loved their Monarch.
He wholeheartedly agreed with their loyalty and had not tried to interfere.
The "Baron of Corruption" had only "corroded" a few high-ranking nobles of the Aventine Auxilia. The results were insufficient for him to master his power.
He patiently waited for an opportunity. Now, it had come.
"Corrupting" the targets on this fifth planet was a good opportunity.
Through questioning the captain, he had already formed a plan.
Three standard hours later, he entered a bar called the Sour Lemon.
A drunk slumped by the entrance, pouring liquor into a burly man's mouth, suddenly felt enveloped by shadow.
He squinted and saw a giant in a black robe, the tallest, most robust man he had ever seen.
Liquor spilled from his mouth, soaking his neck in an instant.
Cough, cough, cough...
Forgetting to swallow, the burly man came to his senses. He frantically swallowed, licked.
As liquid splattered, Pell found a spot to stand amidst the fearful gazes.
The tables and chairs meant for ordinary people couldn't accommodate his body, enlarged by the "Barbarian" advancement, even larger and sturdier than a normal Shadows of Order.
The captain ordered drinks and food, looking ingratiatingly at his master.
Pell shook his head. "You eat."
An Shadows of Order's Lyman's Ear took in all the sounds in the bar: the sounds of pleasure behind the door, gamblers' excited shouts, and low-pitched transactions.
He glanced at a waiter, who had been reaching under the bar, and stopped. A sheepish smile appeared on his face.
Pell said to the captain, who had quickly finished his food, uneasy, "Let's go."
Two standard hours later, night fell.
Split Lip, with four of his men, staggered out of the Sour Lemon and into a dark alley.
A tall figure appeared before him.
"Split Lip, I have a deal for you."
"Who're you..." Split Lip's voice cut off. The giant before him cast a cold glance. His hand, reaching for his waist, froze.
"What..." He felt as if he'd plunged into an ice cave. His muddled mind instantly cleared. He swallowed and asked, fearfully, "Deal?"
"Attack an officer of the Defense Force."
"Ah..." Split Lip felt the man before him was more terrifying than anyone he'd ever seen, even more than the legendary invisible warriors. He alone could kill the five of them.
"Sure." He'd never do something that stupid. He'd agree, then skip town.
"I will give you a starship." The seasoned "Briber" spoke.
Split Lip's eyes widened. His breathing grew heavy.
A starship.
Not even the underworld bosses had a starship.
His breathing steadied. He thought to himself.
'He's lying.'
"Come out."
Pell said quietly. The captain stepped out.
"Transfer the control codes to him. Take him to receive the ship."
"As you command, my Lord."
"It's you, Hantsko." Split Lip's eyes widened. He couldn't believe the captain, who wouldn't even tip the waitress for drinks and always tried to shortchange her, was giving him his only ship.
Eight standard hours later, Split Lip, having acquired property for the first time not by theft, but legitimately, stood on his starship, the control codes clutched in his hand.
"My Lord." There was no reluctance on Split Lip's face. He spoke respectfully.
"Your command. Tell me who to hit."
With this ship, he could hire thousands of thugs.
If this place became too hot, he'd become a pirate.
Five days later, Barrios, with a squad of guards, hurried home.
Conflicts among the nobles of the throne world had intensified.
Previously, it had only been private skirmishes between their affiliated factions.
Now it had escalated into open conflict. Officials and officers aligned with various families were constantly being assassinated.
Even several nobles had been killed by rival factions.
The other worlds were also affected. Pent-up contradiction were erupting.
Yesterday, there had been fifteen attacks. Though no major families were involved, a law enforcement officer and four administrators had been attacked, two of them killed.
Barrios had to be careful. His patron, House Simeone, had a feud with House Gonzalez spanning over a thousand years.
When he saw his four-story building, he smiled.
A warm hearth and his wife's embrace dispelled the weariness of the day.
Footsteps made him change expression. He dropped and rolled.
RAT-TAT-TAT...
Dense fire swept down five guards. Barrios swiftly drew his laspistol and rolled behind a vehicle.
He raised his arm, firing a blinding beam. He peeked out.
His face went pale. Only two of his guards remained. A hundred thugs were pouring from the alley.
"Damn..." Barrios cursed.
Desperate, he knew he had no chance today.
He didn't understand why these gangsters would risk death. Attacking a Defense Force officer would surely bring retaliation.
"By the Emperor!" Barrios roared, firing.
Suddenly, a black figure flashed through his vision. Limbs scattered in a mist of blood.
Barrios's eyes widened.
He stared blankly at the approaching giant. He had never seen anyone so tall, so robust.
"Thank you."
"Who are you?"
"Just a mercenary. Pell." Pell replied calmly.
Barrios's eyes lit up. He looked at the giant eagerly. "A man of your skill is wasted as a mercenary."
With Pell on his side, he needn't worry about his safety.
With his help and House Simeone's patronage, he could rise high. Becoming a General of the Defense Force was not impossible.
"Thank you, my Lord. I would be honored to serve you," Pell said, 'excitedly.'
Three standard months later, in the meeting room of House Simeone's estate.
Barrios respectfully reported to Pell, seated at the head. "My Lord, I have secured control of over half the Defense Force."
Viscount Simeone then said, admiringly: "My Lord, I have invited thirty-six allied, associated, and friendly families, including Cardozo and Almada, to a banquet tomorrow evening."
"Acknowledged."
After all the "corroded" had left, the "Baron of Corruption" went to the door and tapped the rune.
Outside the door, the rune turned from green to red.
No one in House Simeone dared disturb him now.
Soon, black mist rose, swallowing his form.
"My Lord."
In the fourth layer of the Kingdom of Disorder, after bowing, Pell looked around.
He saw two blurry figures nearby, barely recognizable as Bukayo Arshavin and Flamini.
"My Lord," the "Soul Assurer" Bukayo spoke first. "I have mastered the situation in the 4th Planet's Defense Command and am hidden beneath its headquarters. I can send the high-ranking officers to sleep."
"My Lord," the "Calamity Priest" Flamini said next. "I have planted bombs under the 1st Planet's Defense Force headquarters. Detonating them will bury them in fire."
"My Lord," the "Baron of Corruption" Pell finally said. "I have taken control of most of the Defense Force..."
Nareth scrutinized Pell. Within the Kingdom of Disorder, he could clearly see that Pell's spirit was still mottled, not seamless.
'His digestion has accelerated significantly, but it's not complete.'
'He can't advance with me.'
'No need to wait. Countless worlds in the vast galaxy meet the requirements.'
The "Mentor of Disorder" advancement ritual required a world that had existed for over eleven hundred years with intact order.
Nareth could name many such worlds with a moment's thought. Several were already in his plans.
During the Great Crusade, for instance, there was that Sector, conquered by the Thousand Sons, Space Wolves, and Word Bearers.
It comprised six systems, enough for nearly twenty to advance to "Mentor of Disorder."
It was in his plans, of course, not just for advancing beyonders. Just as he had chosen 'Terra,' the Shrike's beak could pierce Astartes power armor; it might be a potion ingredient.
The Avenians, isolated for millennia, had developed their own unique civilization. Their vast repository of knowledge amazed Magnus and his Thousand Sons.
He thought of Ramsey, the "Rose Bishop," whom he had not brought into the Kingdom of Disorder.
Earlier, when he had extended his psychic energy to touch Ramsey's orb, he had seen him hidden inside a corpulent noble lounging in a rocking chair.
'Plus the 2nd Planet, besides the throne world, the 3rd Planet four of the eight nearby worlds cannot quickly support 'Terra.''
'It's time to create the final chaos and advance to "Mentor of Disorder."'
Reining in his thoughts, Nareth issued the order.
"Execute the plan at 23:11 tomorrow evening."
....
Vostroya Tizca Hive -> Tetzvok Hive, to avoid conflicting name with Prospero Tizca
.....
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
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