Warhammer: Black Emperor

Chapter 865 I Am Also a Subject of the War Commander's Intimidation
The black Skyhawk shuttle landed on the main boarding deck of the Vengeance Soul, and Nimrod led the Fifth Chapter Lord, San Diego Bergkamp, ​​and the High Priest Pat off the flight deck.

Company Commander Ezekiel Abaddon and Primarch Squire Marrogst led a ceremonial guard to greet them.

"Lord Ninglu." After the two greeted the Primarch together, Marrogst spoke.

"The War General awaits you in the reception room." A golden seal fastened his cloak below Marrogst's neck.

Ning Lu's eyes narrowed. Although he addressed him with "you" (a respectful form of address), he held his head high and deliberately emphasized the authority of the "war commander."

Marrogst is known as the Twisted One in "Shadowmoon Wolves" because of his intelligence, experience, and meticulousness. He is keenly aware of every detail and undercurrent of the expeditionary fleet.

Abaddon and others may excel on the battlefield, but Marrogst is Horus's trusted advisor in politics, offering advice in private settings outside the Council of the Four Kings.

His every word and action represents Horus's attitude.

[A show of force?] Ninglu nodded without saying a word.

Pastor Pat's eyes gleamed with gold, and he was about to stand up when the Black Emperor's "majestic" voice suddenly echoed in his mind.

"Don't be impatient."

He gripped the scepter tightly, suppressing his anger. [Heretical!]
Abaddon glanced curiously at the Star Lord. He knew that this first psionic artisan of the "Shadow of Order" had made his greatest contribution by leading the repair of the Caligum Gate and by being stationed in the star sector, he could quickly reach various war zones.

But apart from that, he had no notable military achievements in the empire.

[Not Howard Findlay, not Bukayo Arshavin, not even Sanchez.] Abaddon thought regretfully.

“Please follow me.” Marrogst, wearing the Mark IV power armor, held his head high, almost matching the jaw of Abaddon, who was wearing the Terminator armor.

I walked silently past the magnificent golden pillars.

A cold mist filled the air, and the door slid open.

Horus rose from his throne, clad in full, snow-white ceremonial armor, with a wide purple scale cloak draped over his shoulders.

Ninglu's eyes flashed as he was drawn to the old ring on Horus's left little finger.

It radiates a spiritual glow.

He had two such rings. One was the Pegasus Ring that Old Man Huang gave him on the night of the "Wheel of Flames" battle celebration ceremony.

The other was one of the three rewards he received in exchange for generously keeping Ruth's secret about the wolf's malignant mutation: the whale ring worn on Hannibal's corpse.

Ninglu, wary of Old Man Huang's prying eyes, rarely wore the Pegasus Ring, keeping it in the armory along with the Whale Ring.

"Ninglu, my brother, welcome."

Horus smiled broadly, his eyes scrutinizing him.

"Commander," Ning Lu said calmly.

"I didn't expect that I would be the first person you contacted."

Nimrod remembered that Horus would speak with the Primarchs, a practice that was common among those who ascended to the position of Warmaster.

Perhaps, except for the autistic Ryan.

He originally thought that his primary conversation partner would be either his close friend Saint-Gilles for advice, or a Primarch with a more neutral relationship who would be easier to gain support from. Roger Dorn, who had participated in the "Urano Victory," would be the best choice.

But he didn't expect that Horus would meet him first.

Horus really values ​​me.

Hmm... or more accurately, fear?
“Nimrod, we do not address each other by rank.” Horus smiled and nodded to San Diego and Patriarch behind Nimrod.

"I feel a great sense of responsibility and do not know how I can live up to the Emperor's expectations."

"Therefore, I am eager to receive your advice."

Ning Lu looked directly into his deep, inquisitive eyes. "I believe you are the most suitable candidate."

“Your words have allowed me to sleep peacefully tonight.” He embraced Ninglu intimately.

The pearly white armor clashed with the black armor. Horus pressed Nimrod into a high-backed chair before striding back to his throne, which was covered with wolf skins.

"I think you would be willing to help me."

He gestured to Primarch's servant, Marrogst.

Ninglu crossed his arms, knowing that Horus's real test had begun, and he would not believe just the words of intimacy and friendliness.

Marrogst picked up the control staff and projected a detailed holographic image.

The "traveler" San Diego glanced at it and immediately recognized the cosmic region that the holographic image pointed to.

"Akum-Sothos Cluster".

“That’s right.” Marrogster and Abaddon’s faces showed a mixture of pride and anger, while Horus’s face also showed a hint of reminiscence.

Nimrod knew Horus's thoughts as soon as he heard about the Akum-Sothoth Cluster.

Every world that a Primarch first conquered holds an irreplaceable significance.

The cosmos they personally incorporated into the empire's territory is not merely cold statistics, but also the foundation of the legion's faith and the origin of military achievements and personal glory.

The home planet of "Shadowmoon Wolf," Kosonia, did not bear all of this, because after his genes awakened, he was sent to Old Man Huang by the oil guy and did not conquer the entire world.

Kosonia is the root of the culture and belief of the "Shadowmoon Wolf" gang, but the Akum-Sothos Cluster is the origin of military achievements.

"The Akum-Sothos Cluster is extremely important to the Empire. Its crisscrossing starport routes are a vital hub for the Empire, and the equipment forged by the massive, ever-operating forges supports the Great Expedition."

Marrogst proudly praised Horus's achievements. "But now, the riots that have broken out have disrupted the supply of materials and interstellar transport."

Nimrod leaned against the throne, gazing at Horus with the burning flames of rage in his eyes.

The rebellion in the Akum-Sothos Cluster was not only a blatant challenge to the authority of the Empire, but also an insult to the personal honor of the Warmaster.

Horus felt Nimrod's gaze, and instead of hiding his anger, he used it.

“Ninglu, the Emperor has appointed me as the War Commander, and I will never tolerate rebellion.” He rubbed his left thumb against his little finger.

“The Shadowmoon Wolves have just been through a major battle. I need you to deploy six battle groups.”

Horus stared at Nimrod with a sharp gaze.

[Here it comes. First, he emphasizes the emperor's appointment, admonishing me of its legitimacy, then he issues orders, demonstrating his authority.] Ninglu thought silently.

He suddenly felt a sense of familiarity; the political tactics Horus was employing at this moment were similar to his order for the Ultramarines and the Word Bearers, two discordant legions, to work together to eliminate the Gathrac Greenskins.

On the surface, these are all actions that demonstrate the authority and power of the war commander.

However, while Guilliman's actions only remained at this level, they contained a hidden conspiracy.

Even after Horus took over as Warmaster, changes were inevitable!
In the past, his methods were gentler and more secretive.

This is not surprising. Primarchs are human, and Horus is no exception. Upon ascending to a high position, he naturally undergoes changes, and it is only natural for him to display his authority.
Ning Lu pondered for a moment, then spoke calmly.

"My legion experienced a great battle with the Hera, and the number of dead exceeded 40,000."

Even knowing that Horus's "three fires upon taking office" would be directed at him, he would not refuse.

Besides the fact that it was not the right time to openly defy orders, it was also because the alien that started this rebellion—the Blind King—should be a potion ingredient for the "wrong" Sequence 4 "Parasite".

The Blind King parasitizes the eyes of humans, manipulating them to worship them as gods, and thus controlling one hundred worlds within the star cluster.

Although he has decided to join the war, he will not allow Horus to control him and must make his stance clear.

"I will send four battle groups to participate in the war."

Abaddon frowned, while Marrogster stared coldly at Ninglu.

The two Primarchs locked eyes, and their wills clashed on a supernatural level.

Ning Lu remained calm, his deep eyes swallowing the incoming arrows.

A few seconds later, Horus broke the silence and nodded.

"In that case, four battle groups."

"Commander, will any other legions join the battle?"

“Kovas will join us,” Horus replied immediately, clearly having planned this all along.

[As expected, Corax was still involved in the "Battle of Gate 42," Nimrod thought to himself.]

He remembered that in addition to Horus and Corax, two Primarchs participated in the battle: Peturabo and Leman Russ.

In the early stages, the four legions swept through the outer forces of the Akum-Sothoth Cluster with unstoppable momentum.

Ultimately, when attacking the heavily guarded Gate 42, Horus issued the most "foolish" battle order of his life.

He ordered the Raven Guardians, skilled in stealth, raids, and precision strikes, to lead a frontal assault on the Stargate's fortified defenses.

Kolac immediately objected, arguing that the Fourth Army should be responsible for the assault, and that his army should launch a feint attack.

Peturabo immediately refuted Corax, despising his cowardly tactic of avoiding the main issue.

Just as Corax and Peturabo were about to duel, Rus intervened and warned Corax.

"The commander's orders are not to be questioned. Duty and honor require everyone to do their duty."

Unable to disobey the Warmaster's orders and under pressure from the other two Primarchs, Corax ultimately had no choice but to yield and send Terran to lead the assault.

In the aftermath of the war, the Terran Ravenguard, who suffered heavy casualties, suspected that their Primarchs had taken the opportunity to purge those they had always disliked.

After exiling "Space Shark", Corax transferred all the remaining Terran to the "Ash Claws" chapter and exiled them to the Ghoul sector.

The Raven Guard eventually became the smallest Astartes legion before the grand birthday celebration, with only 80,000 men.

Corax declared that he would no longer obey Horus's orders, a move by the Warmaster to establish his authority, which inadvertently exposed the conflict between the Primarchs.

[Korax was the only Primarch who thought Horus's methods were too cruel, so it was inevitable that Horus chose him as a target to establish his authority.]

I never expected that I would also be the target of the War General's power-building efforts.

Well, putting ourselves in Horus's shoes, his thought was: "Since Nimrod's merits are second only to mine, and he obeys my orders, the other brothers will naturally follow suit as well?"
Ning Lu pondered for a moment before speaking.

"Since the commander is unharmed, I will return to prepare for battle."

Horus rose and saw him off.

"Looking forward to our reunion soon."

Ninglu nodded and led San Diego and Pat toward the Skyhawk shuttle.

Horus watched as the black eagle slowly took off, then returned to the cabin with Marrogster and Abaddon.

"What do you think of Ning Lu's opinion on my appointment as the war commander?"

(End of this chapter)