Warhammer 40K in a box

Chapter 522 The Rejuvenated Nearl

On Rostov-2, the Nearl family's settlement is now a vibrant place. Ten years have completely transformed this once barren desert, scarred by sandstorms and covered in gravel.

Above the family territory, a massive ecological dome, like a transparent protective shield, steadily emitted a faint blue light.

This advanced barrier effectively filters out the harsh stellar radiation and frequent sandstorms from Rostov-2, creating a stable microclimate inside.

Beneath the dome, the desolation of yesteryear has vanished without a trace.

Through meticulous design and maintenance of an environmental control system, this place has been transformed into a lush oasis: genetically optimized tall trees with lush foliage sway gently in simulated breezes; crops thrive in neat hydroponic farm towers and open fields; and clear artificial waterways flow along anti-gravity transport pipelines supported by a refined gold framework, nourishing the well-planned town and fields.

A town with a unified style surrounds the heart of the territory—the central castle of the Nearl family.

This magnificent building combines the solemn spires of Gothic architecture with a practical and sturdy alloy frame. Thick ceramic steel composite armor covers the adamantite skeleton, and large energy pipelines are faintly visible on its surface, demonstrating power and protection.

At the top of the castle, the crest of the Nearl family gleams under the starlight.

The territory has a strong sense of daily life.

On the wide streets, pedestrians come and go, and hover transport vehicles shuttle back and forth. Among them, the most eye-catching are the non-combat mechs with sleek lines and various functions.

They efficiently perform various tasks necessary for the daily operation of the territory.

In the vast farmland, agricultural models precisely carry out sowing, harvesting, and spraying operations. Multi-jointed robotic arms ensure that every crop is cared for, and sensors monitor the soil and crop conditions in real time.

At the edge of the storage area, heavy-duty transport models easily move tons of hay bales or building materials using magnetic suction claws, while the hydraulic system emits a deep and powerful operating sound.

Along waterways and main roads, maintenance personnel flexibly switch between forearm tool modules to repair pipes, clean road signs, and inspect underground pipelines, ensuring the integrity of the infrastructure.

At key intersections and around family facilities, patrol vehicles stand guard silently or move along preset routes, with wide-area sensors continuously scanning the environment to maintain the territory's security information network.

These robots are etched with the coat of arms of the Nearl family and the gear and skull emblem of the Cult of Mechanics. They are an indispensable cornerstone of the territory's prosperity, undertaking heavy tasks ranging from herding and farming to maintenance and patrolling.

This vibrant scene is inseparable from the strong support of Governor Chen Xi of the Sub-Sector over the past ten years.

Ten years ago, when the Nearl family arrived at the Rostov II with only four surviving Knights and displaced people after the devastating invasion of the Tyranids, all they saw was an endless Gobi Desert.

The entire planet has only two pitiful cities; the rest is desert.

Chen Xi generously allocated this land, which possessed a precious oasis and a stable water source, to them. This was like sending charcoal in snowy weather, giving the family, which was on the verge of extinction, a foothold and a chance to breathe during its darkest hour.

The governor's support went far beyond that.

He continued to provide the Nearl family with brand-new knight armor and the crucial "Iron Throne"—the core of the knight armor and a sacred relic carrying the will of their ancestors.

It should be noted that the greatest trauma to the family ten years ago was that the vast majority of knights, along with their machines and the Iron Throne, perished in the swarm of insects.

The loss of the Iron Throne means that the family's core heritage and legacy have been almost completely severed.

If it weren't for the former High King's strict order for Marna to lead Margaret, Maria, Zofia, and their people to evacuate, thus preserving the last spark of the family, the name of Nearl would likely have been completely lost.

Chen Xi also gave the Linguang family a valuable opportunity to prove their worth and earn merit during the "Rostov Expedition".

In that massive military operation, he issued a call to arms across the vast star system in his capacity as governor, summoning the free knights to join the battle.

Many free riders who responded to the call and fought bravely chose to settle in this emerging sub-sector.

Chen Xi entrusted the responsibility of recruiting and managing these valuable combat forces to the Lin Guang family.

Leveraging his family's long-standing chivalrous tradition and the prestige he had built on the battlefield, Marna successfully persuaded a significant number of the free knights to swear allegiance, ultimately integrating them into the Nearl family and making them a powerful force on the road to revival.

Therefore, every new machine and Iron Throne provided by the Governor is not only a powerful war machine, but also the key to the continuation of the family bloodline and spirit.

Over the past decade, the family has cultivated a large number of loyal servants who have officially become family members through hard work and marriage, proving themselves in the new mechs and the Iron Throne, and eventually rising to become new knights.

Those free knights who joined, whether they were previously wandering nobles or heirs of lost lands, ultimately bound their bloodlines and futures closely to the Nearl family through marriage.

Their next generation will inherit the Lin Guang surname and glorious traditions.

Today, the Linguang family has not only recovered its strength, but its scale has even surpassed its former glory.

The family possesses over twenty powerful knight mechs, including three awe-inspiring Dominator Knights.

This power is enough to deter any potential opportunists.

Indeed, a significant portion of the power of the family's core knights comes from these newly integrated, non-pure-blood knights.

Sometimes, gazing at these knightly mechs, bearing different bloodlines yet fighting for the same name of "Near Light," a trace of indescribable melancholy would sweep through Marna's heart—a sigh for the fading purity of the ancient bloodline's inheritance, like the last echo of an ancient bell in the corridor of time.

However, the bond of marriage has welded the old and new bloodlines together like steel, ensuring the purity of the next generation's bloodline and the unity of the family.

This unity, forged through sacrifice, acceptance, and rebirth, served as a solid foundation, firmly supporting the family's future and ultimately soothing the slight unease in his heart.

At this moment, Marna Nearl stood on the towering terrace of her family's newly built castle, overlooking the vibrant territory beneath the dome: the streets were orderly, the farmland was lush and green, robots and citizens worked in harmony, and in the distance, the shouts of servants and the clanging of metal could be heard from the training grounds.

This hard-won prosperity brought a deep sense of relief to his weathered face. He felt it was time—time to formally hand over the duties of the family's long riders, and the Commander Knight machine that symbolized supreme command, to his niece, Margaret Nearl.

That powerful mech should have been piloted by her, but ten years ago she was too young to shoulder the responsibility of leading the entire family.

Now, after a decade of tempering in the flames of war and the practice of managing his territory, Margaret has grown into a calm, wise, and highly respected knightly leader, fully capable of inheriting this weighty responsibility.

However, the transfer of supreme power within the family is a major event with far-reaching implications, especially now that most of the elite knights are still serving on the front lines of the expeditionary force.

Marna knew that this matter required careful planning and that they had to wait for a suitable time when all the core family knights could gather.

A steady knock sounded, carrying an undeniable sense of solemnity, interrupting Marner's deep contemplation of the family's future. The sound was firm and powerful, striking the heavy oak door as if carrying a weighty significance.

“Go in,” he replied in a deep, steady voice, as firm as a rock.

The heavy oak door to the study was pushed open silently, and Margaret Nearl, dressed in a simple yet well-tailored knight's training uniform, stepped into the room.

She maintained the upright posture and orderly rhythm characteristic of the Knights of Casimir as she walked, each step appearing firm and powerful.

However, her slightly rapid, not yet fully calmed breathing, and the unfolded parchment scroll in her hand bearing the prominent governor's insignia, clearly indicated that an extraordinary message had arrived.

Marna slowly turned around, her grey-blue eyes gently falling on her niece, who was also the future heir of the family.

“Margaret, what makes you so hurried and breathless? There’s no need to rush, just tell me slowly.” His tone carried the concern of an elder, and also implied the composure and tolerance of a clan leader.

Margaret stopped in front of her uncle, her right hand precisely and forcefully placed on her left chest, performing an impeccable knightly salute. Her voice rang out clearly and respectfully: "Long Knight of the Nearl family, my respected uncle. I have just received a direct order from Governor Chen Xi of the Sub-Sector."

She gestured slightly to the scroll in her hand: "His Excellency the Governor wishes that our Lightbringer family can select several elite knights as soon as possible, and that several Relic Guardians accompany them, to depart immediately for the core forging factory of the Rostov III Forging World."

Sages Aurejana and Kaulda are leading a crucial research project and have made it clear that they need the assistance of the Knights.

His Excellency the Governor earnestly hopes that we can provide this support.

"The governor needs the power of a knightly family? The research projects of Sage Aurejana and Sage Caul?" Marna's brows furrowed slightly, a deep confusion appearing on his dignified face.

He could hardly imagine what kind of unique and necessary help the members of the Nearl family, who upheld the ancient way of chivalry, could provide in the depths of the temple of the Mechanicus sages, filled with binary chants, the heavy smell of engine oil, and unfathomable technological mysteries.
The profound and cold logic of forging the world seems to be separated from the iron-blooded path of honor flowing in the blood of knights by an insurmountable chasm.

However, Marner's unwavering loyalty to the governor's orders and his awe of the sage's almost divine status prevented him from harboring any doubts.

He pondered for a moment, then looked at Margaret with a knowing gaze, as if testing the future heir: "My niece, as the future leader of the family, these matters concerning the family's honor and responsibilities will ultimately fall on your shoulders."

Share your thoughts. What is your opinion on His Excellency the Governor's request? Is there any further detailed explanation in the scroll?

He held out his hand, gesturing for Margaret to hand over the scroll.

Margaret respectfully presented the scroll, while clearly explaining her views: "Uncle, the Lin Guang family has been greatly indebted to the Governor. As his loyal vassals, it is our indisputable duty and supreme honor to obey and perfectly execute his will."

Since Your Excellency the Governor has made this request, the family will naturally do everything in its power to dispatch the most suitable and capable individuals to respond to the call.

She paused briefly before offering a specific and well-considered suggestion: "Regarding the selection, I believe Maria is very suitable. Aunt Zofia is currently leading the family's main knight force on the front lines of the expeditionary force and should not be transferred at this time."

For Maria, this mission was both a sacred duty to the Governor and the two esteemed sages, and an invaluable experience.

A hint of understanding and expectation for her younger sister flashed in her eyes as she added, "Moreover, Maria has shown an extraordinary interest and talent in the mysteries of mechanical structures and the essence of forging techniques since childhood."

This opportunity to serve so closely with two such eminent sages and receive their teachings is a once-in-a-lifetime chance for her to enhance her own knowledge and perfect her chivalry.

Marner took the scroll that carried the governor's will, his gaze sweeping over the unique and authoritative seal and the concise yet weighty instructions.

His niece’s clear, insightful, and responsible analysis resonated in his ears.

He nodded slightly, a hint of approval and subtle admiration flickering in his grey-blue eyes: "Your considerations are thorough and prudent; Maria is indeed the right choice. However..."

He paused briefly, displaying the caution of a seasoned knight and his insight into the complexity of the situation: "After all, this matter is directly related to the core research of the two sages, and even more so to the important instructions personally issued by His Excellency the Governor."

We still need to clarify the details of the task, the time limit required, and the special requirements that the sages may have.

I will personally draft a reply letter to inquire of His Excellency the Governor about more detailed arrangements.

Go ahead and inform Maria so that she can begin preparations immediately and be ready to depart at any time.

Once the Governor-General gave clear instructions, the family immediately arranged for her to depart.

“As you command, Uncle.” Margaret gave another respectful knightly salute, her eyes showing both relief at having her mission delivered and deep concern for her sister’s upcoming unknown journey.

She turned and left the study, which was filled with ancient books and an atmosphere of contemplation, with steady and firm steps.

Marner stood alone before the enormous desk, facing the unfolded scroll, his gaze deep and unfathomable.

What peculiar and crucial point of intersection exists between the Mechanicus's profound and unfathomable research sanctuary, filled with the roar of gears, and the Lightbringer family's pride in their knightly power forged with swords and oaths?
This question, like the ever-flowing, cold, metallic glow of the light emanating from the edge of the ecological dome outside the window, lingered quietly in his mind, refusing to dissipate.

(End of this chapter)