Warhammer 40: My Fiancée Fulgrim.

Chapter 46 The War General's Birthday Celebration

"Lord Horus, you were looking for us?"

Entering the staff room at the bow of the HMS Vengeance, Second Company Commander Togarden of the Shadowmoon Wolf Company knocked on the door and inquired.

Several days had passed since their 63rd Expeditionary Fleet cleared and swept away the entire Dalit system.

As the aliens in the galaxy were defeated and eliminated one by one, most of the expeditionary fleet successfully returned home, except for a small number of troops left to maintain order in the local area.

They will soon return to Holy Terra along with the Soul of Vengeance, as requested by the Emperor.

Now, the eight Primarchs who have successfully returned will gather deep within the palace of Holy Terra to discuss a matter of vital importance.

Horus and the Shadowmoon Wolves, as the sons of the First King, naturally wouldn't miss this grand event.

During this return journey through the warp, Primarch Horus suddenly summoned all officers of the Shadowmoon Wolves, from company commander rank and above, to this conference room for a meeting.

"Ah."

Seeing that several company commanders were following behind Togarden, Horus stood up and answered.

The Eye of Horus at the center of the pearl-white armor still sees all things, and together with the black wolf pelt on his shoulder, it is the noblest symbol in the legion.

Horus, who was beloved by all the Shadowmoon Wolves, had a furrowed brow at this moment.

"Have you all heard about how the Emperor's son, Acting Governor Casgar, defeated the Xenomorphs on Silent Star?"

Hi.

So that's why you summoned all the company commanders?

"Phew, Lord Horus, why didn't you say so sooner?"

"We can't present you with the grand gift we prepared for your coronation as a War General now."

"Torgardon said jokingly, and Horus's expression turned somewhat surprised as a burst of laughter came from behind him."

"Warmaster?"

How did you find out about this?

"How did you find out, my lord? From Holy Terra to the very frontier of the human empire, this matter has been the talk of the town."

"I suspect that there's no need for any Star Speakers to contact us; the whole world will be discussing who will become the Imperial War General."

Since the news came that the eight existing Primarchs would be returning to the Imperium to hold a meeting, a rumor that the Emperor would elect a Warmaster at the meeting has been spreading throughout the Imperium.

Some busybodies have suggested that the collective return of the expeditionary fleet was a way for the war commanders to go back and "pay a grand birthday greeting" to the Emperor.

Moreover, even among the crew of the Vengeance Soul, there were betting games on "who can become the War Master".

"Of course, I, being loyal, have bet ten Skyhawk coins on you."

Togarden gave a perfunctory bow, which drew another round of laughter.

"Tarik (Torgarden's name), but I've heard you seem to have suppressed other Primarchs as well?"

Even Company Commander Abaddon, Togarden's closest friend, made a sarcastic remark about it.

"Then you can only blame the bookmaker for being too ruthless. Everyone who said we Shadowmoon Wolves bet on Horus, making it impossible for him to continue playing."

"I have to find a balance—"

"Alright, Company Commander, all done."

Horus smiled, glanced at the company commanders present, and finally fixed his gaze on the somewhat reserved newcomer.

His pearl-white power armor, inlaid with amber-colored Eye of Horus, gleamed as new, clearly showing that it had been meticulously maintained.

The newlywed was handsome, with some freckles, and his hair was the gray-gold color common in Kosonia, shaved into a buzz cut.

However, judging from his upright posture and tense facial expression, he seemed a little too "resolute".

"It seems we have a new company commander."

“This, this is the newly appointed 10th Company Commander, [Gavial Locken],” Togarden introduced. “I tried to persuade him, but he’s still a bit reserved.”

"Nice to meet you! Lord Wolf Shepherd!"

As if he had received a command, he opened his mouth and let out a thunderous battle roar.

This was immediately followed by a perfectly standard military salute, to show respect for the Primarch.

This was definitely the longest burst of laughter the company commanders had ever had.

It made everyone laugh. "Please, Company Commander. You don't need to do that."

Even Horus himself couldn't hold back.

In wartime, the Shadowmoon Wolves' discipline is as impeccable as that of a fierce but intelligent wolf pack.

But now that the war is over, Shadowmoon Wolves have naturally returned to being a harmonious family.

All legion warriors and all brothers in arms will live together in harmony here.

At least for now.

"Let's get back to the main topic."

Horus adjusted his laughing expression and tone, then turned to the giant projection device behind him.

"Company commanders, you have all fought very well in the alien extermination campaign in the Dalit Galaxy."

"As members of the Shadowmoon Wolves, your battles have proven the glory of the Sixteenth Legion."

He then abruptly changed the subject: "But that's not enough."

"The battle between the Casca and the Sons of the Emperor on Silent Star makes me feel tense."

"Back when I was the only Primarch under the Emperor, I was very proud of my status as the Firstborn Son."

"A thirty-year lead makes me believe that my achievements and legion will far surpass those of my brothers and sisters who came after me, and I believe that I will definitely become the most trustworthy elder brother in everyone's hearts."

"But it seems that none of my brothers and sisters are simple."

Although Horus considered himself to have made great contributions, he dared not say that he was absolutely certain of being appointed as the War Master.

“Philus, who is most closely connected with the Cult of Mechanics and possesses countless heavy firepower; Rogdorn, the defense master who owns the Mountain Array; and Guilliman, the recently returned Lord of the Five Hundred Worlds and Son of War.”

"They are all formidable rivals to me in the competition for the title of general manager."

Horus paused for a moment.

He couldn't possibly ignore him.

The most powerful, and also the most likely, Primarch to be chosen.

His strongest rival.

"And then there's that taciturn commander of the Second Legion."

My siblings are indeed very capable.

But it seems a bit too ambitious.

This made him, who considered himself the eldest brother, feel somewhat lost.

"Are you wondering what this has to do with the battle between Casca and the Son of the Emperor on Silent Star?"

He let out a deep sigh.

"I have to say, Casca and his team have far exceeded my expectations."

"Even the Third Legion, which I previously thought had almost no chance of being rebuilt, might be built by him and the Fugrim into something even more terrifying and powerful than us in the future."

As he spoke, the projection equipment behind him changed, displaying the appearance of several alien warships.

"These are images left behind by the mechanical cultists stationed on the Silent Star."

"The alien fleet that invaded at the time was extremely large. Even though they were not equipped with Void Shields as defensive facilities, their super-heavy firepower and sturdy shells were still incomparable to the Moon-class forces that remained behind."

The projected image changed to the surface of the Silent Star, which was covered in poisonous miasma.

Countless alien-like crystal structures were launched from the warships onto the ground and began firing at the Son of the Emperor's defensive fortifications.

"Hmph, it's not a big deal."

Abaddon was clearly somewhat unconvinced.

"If I were to lead five hundred Gastrin (an elite Space Marine force of Shadowmoon Wolves) to prepare in advance, we could still hold the surface defenses."

"Perhaps it is indeed possible."

Horus nodded.

"But what if I told you that Casgar not only held out but also launched a counterattack, without even deploying a Space Marine company?"

(End of this chapter)