Warhammer: Black Emperor

Chapter 741 Old Man Huang, why did you give me Guilliman's Makulaq Banner?

Terra, the Vena region of the Nordic peninsula.

The lean and youthful Harlan Swincellen looked up at the holographic screen, his eyes shining as he stared at Ramsay, who was exactly the same as the Primarch.

The legend of the Emperor leading the conquest of the Moranson Federation echoed in my mind, and the story of his powerful warriors swinging their heavy punches to send mad scientists' modified warriors flying flashed through my mind.

He clenched his fists, just like the other boys around him—Treve, Amada, Kennett—all of them, and the others who had been chosen all had eyes full of longing.

Three days later, after Primarch Nimrod's triumphant celebrations, they will leave their home in the Frozen North and head to the Imando training center, halfway across Terra.

"I must become the shadow of order."

“Shadowmoon Wolf is the best,” Trevi shouted.

Amada looked at the magnificent hall and the military flags on the video screen.

"Pass the test and become the Emperor's warrior, that's all."

“No, it’s not the same,” Kennett shouted.

“Of course it’s different,” Harlan thought of the words of the person who had chosen him, “I want to be the best.”

At the same time, inside the Eternal Gate, a hall that can accommodate a thousand people walking side by side.

Nimrod gazed at the Supreme Captain Schulzer, who held the flag high and hung the tapestry, and a memory flashed through his mind of Loka Aurelion's pilgrimage to the Eye of Fear, led by the native Ingsal of Cartier.

The future shown to Logar by the demon prince Ingsal, who was promoted by the four peddlers, includes his offspring, the Word Bearers, attacking the Eternal Gate guarded by the Fist of the Empire.

Loka strolled through the hall and stopped beneath a military flag. The flag depicted a white world with people in cloaks holding triangular flags.

The flag of Valhalla.

Ning Lu collected his thoughts and thought to himself.

Logar made a pilgrimage to the Eye of Terror in 967, and Valhalla must have joined the Empire before that.

Yes, the next divination in two years will be at Valhalla.
As Ninglu pondered, his gaze rolled forward along the tapestry that resembled ocean waves. Luo Jia's vision could only see 100,000 military flags, but his superhuman eyesight could encompass a million battle flags.

But he still couldn't take in the entire hall; the battle flags of all the legions from every world on the empire's map stretched deep into the hall.

More than two million flags have been raised in this hall, and another one million will be raised in the coming decades.

Ninglu had no idea how to proceed. After Xu Erzele got back into the car with a smile, the convoy continued for another two hours before he finally saw the old man Huang standing on the marble steps at the end of the hall.

His gaze was drawn to the majestic fortress behind him, its dense ceramic steel shell covered with layers of opulent gold.

Ninglu curled his lip. Before the gate of this magnificent and solemn fortress stood two wolf-faced warhound Titans as guards.

The Titan Warhound's imposing body and the cannons powerful enough to destroy an entire city seemed somewhat unworthy of this magnificent and ornate fortress.

The completed imperial palace consumed a quarter of Mars's fine gold reserves.

Ning Lu turned his gaze to Old Man Huang.

Old Huang held a battle flag in his hand.

Ning Lu's lips curled up; Old Man Huang was addicted to giving away battle flags.

[After the "Randan War," Old Man Huang took me into the basement. I picked out a flag, and he assumed I liked it?]
The "Chaos Mentor" glanced at it but did not see any spiritual radiance.

[Although it wasn't anything magical, what Old Man Huang took out was certainly no ordinary item.]
Ning Lu's gaze sharpened as he examined the flagpole in Old Man Huang's hand.

The flagpole gleamed with a dazzling golden light, the battle flag itself black. The "Shadow of Order" legion emblem, outlined in molten gold, shone brilliantly.
Disordered black arcs form wings, spikes, and an abstract crown above.

His name, Nimrod, was inscribed on the flag in Gaugothic and Vostochny languages.

Around the banner, written in High Gothic script, were the major victories won by Nimrod and the "Shadow of Order":
The words "Wheel of Flames, Orc" were written in green.

"The Abyss of Colony, Mito" is painted with shimmering ripples.

……

In the upper right corner of the battle flag, in a corner indistinguishable to the average person, lies the almost invisible, transparent "Randan," a symbol of the Empire's desire to prevent the cruel alien from being remembered.

The banner, about one-fifth of the way up, is painted in blue and red and reads "Supreme Valia, Ripper".

[This material, this style, it seems a bit familiar...]
A glint of light flashed in the eyes of the Gene Primitive, focusing on the flag.

[Materials I've never seen before.]
Suddenly, a name flashed through Ninglu's mind: the Banner of Macurag.

The memory of the Macurag Banner rose in his mind; it was the most precious of all the banners the Ultramarines possessed.

It records the entire glorious history of the Ultramarines and is only brought to the battlefield when the entire chapter is mobilized, and is held high by the only officer with the title of High-Ranking Standard Bearer.

It was personally awarded to Robert Guilliman by Old Man Huang.

In the forty-second millennium, it recorded the names of seventy-seven chapter commanders, from Guilliman to Maneus Calgar.

[Old Huang, why did you give me Guilliman's Makulaq Banner?]

No, it's the banner of Vostochny now.
As Ning Lu pondered, the car rolled forward, finally completing the journey that had lasted several hours.

He stepped out of the car and came to Old Man Huang.

A smile appeared on the emperor's face, and he said loudly:

"Ninglu, you have won once again."

“You have swiftly submitted to the High Varia, like a winged horse.”

"I have specially ordered the craftsmen to forge this battle flag for you, to commemorate your glorious achievements in the great expedition."

The Lord of Mankind said expectantly, "May you continue to soar and gallop, defeat all of humanity's enemies, and have your name engraved on the battle flag."

Ning Lu's eyes flickered almost imperceptibly.

[Old Huang wants me to keep winning for him.]
He took the gold flagpole and examined the flag surface carefully.

Although it's not a very valuable tangible reward, the battle flag has excellent fire resistance, and any breaches will go unnoticed.

A durable and undamaged battle flag, imbued with historical significance, will inspire a sense of honor and morale even amidst the shadows of order when it appears on the battlefield.
Ning Lu thought about this and agreed that it was a good idea.

Well, after all, surrendering to the High Valia wasn't a brutal battle; getting a reward is already pretty good.

That's more meaningful than just a few words of praise.
While he was pondering, he took the battle flag.

"Thank you for your gift. The banner of Vostonia will fly over the battlefield and win every war."

In the Navia region, Harun Swincellen stared intently at the holographic screen, his fists clenched so tightly that his nails dug into his palms, yet he remained oblivious.

The conviction that shone brightly in his mind was that he must become the shadow of order, and under that battle flag, win victory for Lord Ninglu.

(End of this chapter)