The Emperor walked side by side with the Fabricator General of Mars into the golden palace. The Sigilite, Malcador, and the Captain-General of the Adeptus Custodes, Constantin Valdor, followed behind.
After receiving the salutes of those present, the Emperor scanned the assembly, finally fixing his gaze on the Fabricator General of Mars, and spoke in a deep voice.
"There are many Forge Worlds within the Belt of Iron. After Mars established contact with them, Graia, Kalibrax, and Valia-Maximal submitted and formed alliances with Mars."
"Relying on their support, most worlds in the Belt of Iron submitted smoothly as the expedition fleets advanced. However, the Hydrinoxis Conclave of Valia-Maximal remains obstinate and has rejected our demands."
The mechadendrites behind the Fabricator General of Mars rose, and a holographic starchart materialized above the long table.
As the mechadendrites gestured, the Belt of Iron region expanded, displayed before the Primarchs.
Upon hearing this, Nareth understood the purpose of the Emperor convening this war council: Valia-Maximal in the Belt of Iron.
The Belt of Iron was located in the southwest of the galaxy, stretching from the Segmentum Pacificus to the Segmentum Tempestus.
Numerous Forge Worlds, established during the Age of Strife, had been completely isolated during the thousand years of Old Night, unaware of anything beyond their own mechanical realms, leading to ever-growing cultural differences between them.
One of the eight great Forge Worlds of the future, Graia, which had allied with Nareth, had established a mutually beneficial pact with Mars.
The three Titan Legions provided by Graia, Kalibrax, and Valia-Maximal supported the Imperium's expansion into the Belt of Iron.
In the later stages of the "Great Crusade," the Imperium encountered Valia-Maximal in the Tempestus Segmentum.
This Forge World sought to demonstrate its strength through war to secure better terms in negotiations.
'Though this is a rational choice, one must also possess sufficient strength!' Nareth recalled that under the assault of the Raven Guard, Valia-Maximal had been forced to resort to diplomacy again within a few weeks, eventually reaching an agreement with Mars.
As he pondered, he saw the Emperor's gaze fall upon him.
"Nareth, my Pegasus, you shall enlighten the Archmagi of Valia-Maximal, leading them to submit to the Imperium."
Nareth recalled that after Valia-Maximal signed the agreement and submitted to Mars, the news failed to reach the participating Legio Astraman in time. This resulted in Valia-Maximal losing several crucial forge cities and countless lives.
This consequence, born of ignorance rather than hostility, etched the name Graia into the memories of Valia-Maximal's people as a name to be hated.
That hatred erupted decades later, directly leading to Valia-Maximal siding with Horus.
'Pointless hatred... this is an opportunity…'
'If I lead this war, I can not only prevent Valia-Maximal from targeting our ally Graia but also seize control of this Forge World.'
'During the "Iron Disaster" in the Belt of Iron at the Heresy, I can then take the opportunity to control even more Forge Worlds.'
'Valia-Maximal is far weaker than powerful Forge Worlds like Graia, so I am capable of controlling it.'
'Yet Valia-Maximal is not too weak either; a Forge World controlling over twenty star systems would be a strong foothold within the Belt of Iron.'
Nareth's ambition blazed. Realizing this was his chance to seize control of Valia-Maximal, he readily accepted the command.
"As you command."
Nareth rose alongside the other Primarchs, saluting the Emperor. Just as he was about to end his psychic projection, a voice like poured lead rang out.
"Nareth," Ferrus Manus's silver eyes fixed on him. "I will deliver your armor to the battlefields of the Belt of Iron."
Nareth nodded with a smile. "I look forward to receiving your work."
He ended his psychic projection, his consciousness returning to his body aboard the Shadow of Regicide. He then pressed a communication bead and summoned Arsena.
Moments later, Nareth, leaning back against his throne, commanded his Primarch's Aide:
"Assemble the Second and Tenth Chapters at the Kalium Gate."
Nareth chose the Tenth Chapter again due to its size and the large number of former Faceles.
The tripod walkers forged by Gardinaal for the 2nd Chapter were the optimal choice to counter Valia-Maximal's Legio Laniaskara.
Of course, Nareth would not rely solely on his own Legion. Besides the assured assistance of Graia's Legio Astraman, he would also summon another ally.
"Send a request to Stygies VIII, demanding the Legio Vulcanum I, the Dark Fire provide assistance according to our pact."
Nareth decided to seize this opportunity to corrode the commander of the Dark Fire, bringing him into submission.
Considering the Legio Vulcanum II, Lords of Ruin followed Horus, completing this "corrosion" before the Heresy was essential.
"By Your will." Arsena, with hair silver as snow, recorded his commands on a datapad.
"Instruct the Chief Navigator to chart a course to World 33-59."
Considering the time needed to assemble the two Chapters and the Legio Vulcanum I, he decided to head immediately to another world in the Antimar Subsector to obtain the divined fragment of Be'lakor's relic.
"By your command." Arsena closed the data slate, then spoke before departing.
"My lord, Aevos Jovan awaits your summons in the reception hall."
Nareth nodded. "Send him in."
With a thought, the space monkey in the first layer of the Kingdom of Disorder began using ginkgo leaves and other materials to concoct "Doctor" potion.
Arsena walked briskly past Etrich, the chieftain of the Sorbor tribe, and left the Primarch's office.
Before Aevos even entered the Primarch's office, he felt his throat dry, the air thick with the stench of copper with every breath.
He took a deep breath, suppressing the discomfort, and stepped inside.
Aevos saw a towering, robust man, slightly shorter than the Shadow of Order, but taller and more muscular than any soldier in the Solar Auxilia.
He carried a lasgun on his back and a short sword at his waist.
The hilt was carved into a lifelike eagle's head.
Aevos immediately knew he was a Vessorine, and the source of his revulsion and discomfort.
He shifted his attention from the Vessorine, focusing on Nareth.
"My lord, I have followed all your commands, read the Chirurgeon's examination report..."
Nareth gave a slight nod. As he turned his hand, a vial of translucent potion, pale green tinged with cyan, appeared in his palm.
"Drink it."
Nareth made no attempt to conceal this from Etrich. The Vessorines were the best mercenaries in the Segmentum Obscurus, their loyalty to their employers no less than any devout follower of the God-Emperor. Moreover, he had the "Shadow Contract" binding the man.
Aevos joyfully took the vial. As he opened the stopper, he was met with an enticing aroma.
"I thank you, my lord, for this gift." Unable to wait, he tilted his head back and drank the potion.
Etrich, serving as guard for his first day, stood alert inside the door of the Primarch's office, ready to respond to any attack at any moment.
He couldn't understand the pair's conversation, but from the corner of his eye, he saw Aevos drink a vial of pale green liquid.
'It seems Nareth gave that man something.' As the potion touched his lips, Aevos felt as if he were on Ryne, tasting the morning dew-laden new shoots of mandrake branches.
He quickly snapped out of his intoxication with the refreshing flavor, becoming as calm as when he had performed countless surgeries for Solar Auxilia soldiers on the battlefield. He began to meditate, gathering the overflowing power of the potion.
Nareth gazed at the newly advanced Sequence 8 "Doctor" and commanded.
"Your task is to oversee the modification of Upsilon and Phi-grade Vessorines."
Nareth judged that the Chirurgeons, supervising the attendants, would have little difficulty modifying Sigma and Tau-grade Vessorines, but Upsilon and Phi-grade modifications carried a significant risk of failure.
Aevos Jovan, the First Medical Officer of the Solar Auxilia, now possessing the abilities of a "Doctor," was truly capable of responding in time.
....
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
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