Warhammer: Black Emperor

Chapter 869 Wasn't Luo Jia someone the War Commander brought to support him? Why would he speak up for me?

The Akum-Sothos Cluster in the Solar System, the Soul of Vengeance.

“Lord Nimrod, the path we have walked is one of glory and mourning.” Ezekiel Abaddon, who was ordered to greet Nimrod on behalf of the Warmaster, proudly puffed out his chest.

The long, narrow space leading to the foyer of the strategy room has a glass ceiling that is 200 meters high.

The starlight filtering through the pillars spilled onto the walls between the columns, recording millions of lines of handwritten names and numbers. These were the names of Imperial soldiers who had fallen in all the military operations the flagship had participated in, including those from the expeditionary fleet, the Astartes, the auxiliary forces, and the Titan legions.

As Pastor Pat looked around, two-thirds of the anteroom was filled with gilded inscriptions, each one a record of a great battle lost and a planet of glorious triumph.

There is no such record of the Shadow of the Kings, nor could there be.

The flagship of "Shadow of Order," in the major battles it participated in over the past century, has reported figures to the War Council that differ more or less from its actual existence.

Once visitors examine each item carefully, they will discover the anomaly.

Fabricating fallen soldiers would contradict the original meaning of recording honors.

However, the death culture of the Fourth Chapter of the Order of Shadows also has a similar way of commemorating the dead, with the lower decks of their warships being built into burial grounds for their fallen comrades.

Abaddon stopped on a pillar near the gate, his gaze sweeping over Lord Nimrod, over Ramsay who was identical to the Primarch, and then over Howard Finder, Chapter Master of the First Chapter, and Bukayo Arshavin, Chapter Master of the Third Chapter.

He pointed to the inscription at the top of the colonnade: "Akum-Sothoth Cluster, the origin of the Warmaster's achievements."

"The blind king has tarnished the name engraved on the entire column."

"The war commander will personally behead their leader."

[That depends on whether Horus has the ability.] Nimrod's eyes narrowed.

As he pondered, Abaddon pushed open the tall wooden door painted in gold and scarlet.

Ten Shadowmoon Wolves clad in ceremonial armor stood along the twenty-meter-long ceremonial avenue, their powered lances crossed in pairs, separating like dominoes as the Primarch passed by.

Ninglu stepped onto the wide, semi-circular platform and immediately turned his gaze to Horus Lupecal's side.

Standing to his left was Saint Gillis, whose white wings flowed like a cloak, and to his right was Loka Aurelion, whose bald head was covered with scriptures.

[It wasn't Peturabo and Ruth; the former was close, the latter hostile, so the more suitable Primarch brothers were chosen.]
As Nimrod pondered, Horus strode over with a broad smile.

“Ninglu, your Fifth Warband acted swiftly, recapturing fifty-two worlds, even more than the ‘Raven Guard’ known for its infiltration operations.”

“Saint-Gilles and Loga have only just arrived, and I haven’t even had time to tell you that they’ve joined us as well.”

"[Do you think I'll believe you?]" Ning Lu's eyes remained calm. "Commander Zhan."

He exchanged greetings with Saint Geres and Loga, then turned and walked toward Kovas Corax, who was dressed in black armor and had pale skin.

Corax's dark eyes stared into Nimrod's obsidian eyes, trying to discern sorrow, but he only saw silence.

The three members of the Council of Four Kings, Captain Tarek Togarden of the Second Company, Captain Hastel Cyyanus of the Fourth Company, and Captain Horus Asimand of the Fifth Company, stood on the terrace in the shadow behind the Warmaster.

"Little Horus" Asimand looked at Lord Nimrod and Ramsay, who was known as "Little Nimrod".

Their faces were almost identical, with chiseled features, equally deep obsidian eyes, and lustrous yellow skin.

But he could still recognize the two at a glance. Besides Lord Ninglu's imposing figure, his transcendent majesty, no matter how he tried to conceal it, was still awe-inspiring.

Another member, Abaddon, stood in the light, behind Horus alongside Primarch's servant Marrogst.

Horus said to Marrogst, “Twisted One, show us the target.”

“Nimrod, Kovacs, we now only have one crucial objective left, the core of the entire star cluster—Merseyside.”

As Horus spoke, Marrogust lit up a planet.

Vast foundries marked with gray runes are scattered across the planet, while fifteen starports marked with blue runes encircle it. "But to set foot on Merseyside, we must open the gate—the forty-second stargate."

"Like the Gates of Elysium and the Gates of Hades in the solar system, it was built by the ancestors of the 'Dark Age of Technology,' only on a much smaller scale."

"Of course, it is far inferior to the Cariham Gate that the Emperor gave to Ninglu."

Ning Lu glanced at the scrolling data next to the holographic image. The diameter of the space domain considered to be Gate 42 was 1,290 kilometers, far less than the 3,000 kilometers of the Gate of Bliss.

However, the area around the stargate is also filled with artillery platforms and armed space stations.

Horus's eyes were fixed on Corax's dark eyes.

"My plan is for the 'Raven Guards' to capture Gate 42, and then for the 'Shadow of Order' to draw the enemy's main force away. I will personally..."

Before he could finish speaking, Corax's black hair fluttered, and his dark eyes were filled with astonishment.

"My legion excels at stealth and precision strikes, and Gate 42 is heavily fortified."

"'Shadow of Order' and 'Holy Blood Angel' are better suited for attacking strongholds!"

“Kovacs, the War Master has decided that we should do our duty,” Loja immediately retorted.

“Kovas, this is an opportunity. The Raven Guard will also encounter similar situations in the future. Due to the circumstances, your legion may also need to launch a strong attack.” Although Saint Gilles’ tone was gentle, it also showed his support for Horus.

He now understood why Horus had only invited him to board the Soul of Vengeance and had not summoned the "Angels of Blood".

Even if he wanted to help Corax, he had no chance.

Saint Gilles secretly decided that after the war council, he would persuade Horus to stop.

Corax's eyes were jet black without irises, or if they were, they would be as black as his pupils, but flames rose within them.

He knew that as the only Primarch to publicly criticize Horus, calling his methods too cruel, he would undoubtedly face repression, but he did not expect it to come so quickly and so cruelly.

[I have no reason to disobey orders, so I can only send Terrans...] Corax said, accepting reality with resignation.

"I……"

"I will dispatch the Tenth Legion to fight alongside the Raven Guards and breach Gate 42."

Kolac turned in surprise and looked at Ninglu.

Horus and the other two also turned their attention to Ninglu, but to their surprise, he took the initiative to take responsibility.

“In that case, let ‘Shadow of Order’ and ‘Raven Guard’ act together.”

Ning Lu was taken aback when he looked at Luo Jia, who had made the suggestion.

[Loga previously helped Horus put pressure on Kolac, but now she's offering advice that benefits me.]
Loja's words, seemingly simple, transformed Horus's mission, which was previously handled by two separate legions, into a coordinated operation.

But in reality, it benefits both legions. The Raven Guard can be deployed for more suitable harassment operations after breaking through Gate 42, and will also relieve the pressure on the Shadow of Order.

[Wasn't Loka someone Horus sent to endorse him? Why would he speak up for me?]
Saint Gilles quickly replied, as if a heavy weight had been lifted from his heart. "I agree with Loga's proposal."

Horus's gaze swept over the two people beside him. [I should look for Dorn and Ruth.]
He nodded slowly. "Okay."

"But the 'Dark Raven Guards' are responsible for the main attack on Gate 42, and the 'Shadow of Order' 10th Chapter has committed 4,000 men to support them."

Seeing Horus's resolute tone, Nimrod and Corax exchanged a glance and then spoke.

"As ordered."

Just as Nimrod was about to turn and leave, he suddenly saw Loka, who was holding a scepter, nod slightly to him before leaving with Horus.

(End of this chapter)