Warhammer: Black Emperor

Chapter 881 Father, thank you for your foolish decision that has caused discontent among the brothers.
Nimrod's psionic projection traversed the void, following the guidance of the Star Speaker, and arrived at the Soul of Vengeance.

He had just taken his seat to the lead of the Star Speakers' chorus when he immediately sensed the enormous changes in the War Council.

Not only did Kelbo Har, the Mars Forging Director, Markard, and Constantine, the Commander of the Guards, leave with the Emperor no longer presiding over the War Council, but the seating order of the Primarchs also changed.

The seat opposite Warmaster Horus Lupecal was empty, highlighting the shift from a dual-headed empire to a single, undisputed authority.

From the seating arrangement, Nimrod discerned Horus's intentions and how he was using this meeting to demonstrate his shaping of new political relationships.

Unsurprisingly, to his right was his close friend and advisor, Saint-Gilles.

This was the inevitable choice; choosing anyone else would have been seen as a betrayal of friendship.

Opposite him was another close friend whom he had mentored, Forgrim. The snow-white-haired Purple Phoenix was clearly proud to be seated there, and her eyes kept glancing at Fernus.

Beside Saint Gilles is Loka Aurelion, whom Yuri "repented" after the destruction of the Perfect City.

Old Man Huang was pleased with Loka's transformation, and Ninglu could sense his satisfaction with his "effective teaching" in several war councils.

His record improved rapidly, and the number of worlds that surrendered to him has surpassed that of Ryan Aljonsen, second only to Horus, Nimrod, and Robert Guilliman.

His legion numbered over 150,000, making it the fifth largest legion in terms of size.

He was also invited by the warlord to become his staff and advisor.

Nimrod was most surprised to see Peturabo sitting next to Forgrim.

[Clearly, Horus had two purposes in doing this: one was to win him over, and the other was to warn him not to get too close to me.]

Although I have a close relationship with Peturabo, the Primarchs have decided that they will never act solely based on relationships, and Peturabo is no exception.

He hasn't yet been overwhelmed by the lack of glory in guarding the borders, nor destroyed by the guilt of slaughtering his home world. His primary role is that of the Iron Lord of the Yellow Emperor; he will support the War General appointed by the Yellow Emperor, regardless of his true intentions—Horus has considered this.
Although Nimrod was surprised by Horus's move to win over Peturab, he was not worried about his subjugation plan.

[Perturabau will eventually discover that Horus is also using him as a consumable, and he no longer wants to be Horus's hammer.]
Beside Logar was Mortarion, shrouded in a hood, who was undoubtedly Horus's advisor and strategist.

Nimrod learned from Balsa Kouturi, the head of the Ravenguard's think tank, that Kovacs Corax and Guilliman had gone to the Emperor to warn him that Mortarion might not be loyal to the Yellow Man, but rather to Horus.

Old Huang's answer was exactly the same as he remembered: "Loyalty to Horus is loyalty to him."

The rock-like Roger Dorn beside Perturabo, along with Sanguis and Loga, was present at the meeting. He went to the Soul of Vengeance after the Battle of Gate 42.

[Well, while Dorn adheres to principles, he is not pedantic, nor does he lack political acumen.]

Dorne strongly recommended that Loken join the Council of the Four Kings, hoping that he could become the "No Craftsman".

However, since I activated "Terra" beforehand, Cyranus didn't die, and Loken naturally didn't have the chance to join the Council of the Four Kings... Hmm, Cyranus might become an obstacle for Erebas in Devon. How will he deal with it?
As Ninglu pondered, his gaze swept across both sides, and he found himself positioned between Mortarian and Leman Russ.

Ruth's icy blue eyes shone with an unusual light as she scrutinized herself, seemingly searching for something.

Across from Ninglu's gaze, Ryan, who hadn't fought Helav but was still absent from Ulanno, sat silently opposite him.

Five days ago, he learned from a communication sent to Caliban by the Dark Angel who "corroded" the gene seed that Ryan had gathered about 100,000 people to go to the western edge of the galaxy to wipe out the psionic alien races that were entrenched there.

Ryan truly believed Old Man Huang's lies. "My father once felt it necessary to remind me that all battles are the same."

It must be said that Ryan took the initiative and worked silently to do a lot of work.

In this respect, we are the same, only our starting points are "slightly different."
Ninglu sighed inwardly, his gaze sliding to Guilliman standing beside Ryan.

[Horus placed the three of us in the middle area, both to demonstrate his magnanimity in not leaving potential competitors at the end, and to remind us that we were also potential competitors?]
Fernus Manus, standing beside Russ, was also a strong candidate for Warmaster, but he had long realized that his meticulous calculations and ruthless leadership of the other legions would only lead to conflict.

Magnus, opposite Fernus, was the only remaining Primarch who cared about seating order, but his attention was clearly elsewhere.

Ninglu recalled the scene of Huang Laohan and Magnus talking in Ulano, where their psychic powers were blocked. Although he hadn't heard the content, he knew what the two had discussed.

Magnus's supposed greatest discovery, however, did not win the old man's praise.

He explicitly rejected Magnus's involvement... which can be considered reaping what he sowed...
Ninglu's eyes darted around, looking at Vokan beside Fernus.

No wonder that after witnessing the online world firsthand during the "Internet Wars," Wokan was extremely disappointed in Huang Laohan.

The rudimentary, dilapidated network tunnel, with his involvement, Fernus's involvement, or Magnus's expertise in psionic abilities, wouldn't be a flawed replica. But how could Old Man Huang trust the Primarch? Hmm... best not to trust him. Anyway, I don't want to get involved in his plans; if he's going to do it, I'll do it myself.
Ninglu thought to himself indifferently, his gaze sweeping over the last three Primarchs. They were all people who, for various reasons, had been ostracized or had chosen to wander on the fringes.

Chagatai enjoyed traveling alone, "galloping on horseback".

Conrad Coates, walking in darkness in prophecy.

Omega secretly infiltrates, not wanting to be noticed or have its secrets exposed.

Although Angron supported and cared for Horus, he was still absent due to his disdain for psychic powers.

Kovacs Corax broke with Horus and refused to accept the command of the Warmaster.

Nimrod's gaze had just swept over the fifteen Primarchs besides himself and Horus, and he was trying to make sense of the Warmaster's thoughts, when Horus spoke.

"I think you all already know about the formation of the Terra Council."

“We’ve been reduced to a subordinate department,” Mortarian said coldly.

“The Astartes shed their blood for the Empire, and now a new institution has appeared out of nowhere, seizing the power to rule the Empire.”

"The most ridiculous thing is that none of them are soldiers."

Mortarion's discontent and mockery permeated the air, echoing in the hearts of all Primarchs.

Luo Jia looked around, his golden eyes shining brightly.

[Father, I thank you for your foolish decisions to leave the Great Crusade and form the Terran Council, which have caused discontent among our brothers.]
The words of the false emperor flashed through his mind: "The empire does not belong to me; it belongs to all mankind."

How ridiculous!

Your goal of mortals ruling over mortals is a naive and laughable fantasy.

Before the might of the gods, mortals are insignificant; faith is the most powerful weapon, and the rule of humanity must be based on faith in the gods.
As Loka felt contempt for the emperor, Ninglu crossed his arms and looked at Horus.

The War Council was downgraded to a subordinate department of the Terra Council, with its responsibilities limited to expeditionary warfare, which was the primary reason why he never considered vying for the position of Warmaster.

Even though he has a "disordered country" that can resist the corruption of the four peddlers, the warlord's power is really too small.

In particular, he does not yet have the strength to establish his own country in the short term.

As Ninglu pondered, a rock-like sound crashed into the silvery-white palace.

“I don’t think today’s meeting is about questioning my father and Makado.”

“I agree with my father’s decision. The entire empire should be ruled by humans, and we are their shield,” Volkan declared loudly.

“Naive,” Coz said coldly.

"Mortals are foolish and greedy; when they try to govern themselves, they will only turn into maggots."

“Their bodies are weak, and they are incapable of making rational decisions.” Finus Silver Coin’s eyes darted around.

Horus glanced at his arguing brothers and sighed inwardly.

He suppressed his disappointment at being stripped of immense power so soon after becoming a war commander, and buried a slight resentment within himself.

"I will have a good talk with my father."

He spoke with fervor, adding, "Don't forget, we still have 4,659 expeditionary fleets, and more than 6,000 secondary forces participating in the surrender operation."

"We continue our great expeditions throughout the galaxy, expanding the territory for mankind."

“Every Astartes is a hero who fought for the Empire. They will not be forgotten. As the Warmaster, I will make sure that we are never abandoned!”

Magnus's single eye swept over the Primarchs, and seeing that Horus's highly persuasive words had temporarily calmed their discontent, his ever-changing eyes turned golden.

"I have good news."

(End of this chapter)