Warhammer begins in 2026

The blizzard of Fenris was completely left behind by the sea of ​​stars.

Neos and Huang Feng, along with the newly surrendered Leman Russ, returned to Terra, and the flagship slowly entered the solar system's navigation channel. Gazing at the azure and sacred home planet through the porthole, even the usually arrogant Wolf King couldn't help but feel a touch of solemnity and bewilderment in his eyes.

He was born in a frozen world, where he was used to eternal nights, cold waves, corpses, and ferocious beasts. He had never seen such a warm, peaceful, and vibrant world.

The flagship landed at Terra Palace Airport. The Royal Guard stood in formation, their golden armor gleaming, exuding an aura of authority and solemnity. The entire airspace was quiet and dignified, devoid of any trace of violence or aggression.

Ruth instinctively tensed his back, still clutching the Infinity Jug in his hand, his body still bearing the wild aura of the Fenris barbarians, completely out of place in the orderly and solemn Terra Palace. He looked to his left at the towering dome and to his right at the endless palace corridors, clicking his tongue softly, and sighing inwardly: This is the true "abode of the gods".

Neos casually instructed, "You should first get acquainted with Terra by following Huang Feng and meet your brother."

As soon as he finished speaking, a tall and composed figure walked out from the end of the corridor.

Horus, dressed in a neat military uniform, stood upright with a gentle and dignified demeanor, his manners composed and measured. Having studied at the Terra Academy, he had long since shed the youthful ruthlessness of the Xornia wasteland, possessing both composure and dignity as well as gentleness and humility, perfectly embodying the demeanor of an elder brother.

This was the first formal meeting between the two Primarchs.

Horus recognized the other party at first glance—his second brother, Leman Rus, the wolf king from the far north.

He stepped forward with a gentle smile and spoke first: "Ruth, welcome back. I am Horus."

Ruth looked up and sized up his brother.

Lacking a fierce aura or a wild, untamed spirit, Horus was gentle, steady, and reliable, like an unyielding mountain, inspiring trust at first glance. But Horus, accustomed to roughness, didn't bother with polite formalities. He grinned, stretched out his hand, and firmly grasped Horus's hand with a forceful grip, carrying the unique boldness of a Fenris warrior: "I've heard of you, the first brother to return! Father and Mother have mentioned you all the way!"

The instant they shook hands, Ruth subconsciously used the subtle force of a Primarch's contest to probe. In Fenris, when strong individuals meet, they must first assess each other's strength; this was a habit ingrained in his very being.

Horus remained completely calm, his palm steadily receiving the attack with composure and a balance of strength and gentleness. He caught the wolf king's probing without being aggressive, suppressing, or showing any weakness.

Russ's pupils brightened slightly, and he instantly held Russ in higher regard.

"Not bad, bro." Ruth laughed heartily. "No wonder you were the first to get back to your position. You really have the skills! Anyone else would have had their wrist go numb from that move."

Horus shook his head helplessly and chuckled: "From now on, we are all brothers. There's no need to test and compete with each other at every turn."

Huang Feng, standing to the side, looked at the two of them with a gentle smile in his eyes.

One is a perfect woman, mature and steady, who has endured hardship; the other is a wild wolf king, frank, competitive, playful, and straightforward. Their personalities are completely opposite, yet they are inexplicably compatible.

Ruth, completely at ease, sidled up to Horus, brandishing the psionic flask in his hand with a smug look on his face: "See this? My mother specially gave it to me—an unlimited supply of strong liquor! I could drink it for a lifetime and still not finish it!"

Horus's gaze fell on the antique and exquisite wine jug, and he nodded gently: "A fine gift. It seems your mother dotes on you."

"Of course!" Russ's tail was practically wagging, but then he lowered his voice and muttered, "But Father is too good at hiding his true colors. He looks so gentle, but he's really ruthless. I won two rounds of eating and drinking contests against him, but then he turned around and beat me senseless in a fight. He taught me a lesson I shouldn't have."

Upon hearing this, Horus couldn't help but chuckle.

He knew his father's personality all too well. He seemed cold and gentle, but in reality, he controlled everything and had a vast understanding of the world. His playfulness and tantrums were just expressions of his tolerance. In terms of true strength, no one could match him.

"You'll understand later." Horus patted his shoulder. "Father was never stingy with winning or losing; he was just saving face for us."

Ruth nodded as if he understood, then curiously pressed for details about Horus's life on Terra, the appearance of the Legion, and the wars of the Great Crusade, chattering on and on without any airs of a Primarch, like a young boy who had just returned home.

Horus was incredibly patient, answering all my questions with gentle understanding and tolerance towards his passionate and straightforward brother.

Huang Feng watched quietly as the two original hosts who had returned stood side by side, and a sense of peace settled in his heart.

After a brief chat between the brothers, a summons attendant from the Terran palace slowly approached, bowed, and announced in a loud voice that the court officials were already lined up and waiting. According to imperial protocol, the newly returned Primarch must formally meet with Terran central officials, military and political councilors, and representatives of the Cult of Mechanics to complete the official ceremony.

Horus immediately abandoned his relaxed, conversational demeanor, his entire being instantly transforming into one of dignified solemnity, displaying the bearing of an elder brother. He turned to look at Rus, who was still playing with the wine jug with a look of novelty and curiosity, and softly instructed him, "Rus, the next event is an audience at the Imperial Court. Be respectful and solemn, and do not speak recklessly."

Ruth quickly suppressed his playful expression, carefully put away the Infinite Wine Jar, tucked it into a hidden compartment in his personal storage, scratched his head to restrain his wild nature, and nodded seriously: "I understand, it's the rules, I won't say anything out of line."

Huang Feng walked beside the two, leading them into the magnificent and solemn core court of Terra. The hall was solemn and dignified, filled with Terran elders, political officials, military and political commanders, Martian sages, and a group of central ministers responsible for imperial law, logistics, and sector governance. The officials lined both sides, their attire impeccable, their auras imposing, and their gazes all fixed on the two Primarchs.

Previously, the Terran officials had only seen Horus, the first Primarch to return to power, and were already used to his gentle, steady, and accomplished demeanor. Now, seeing the second Primarch with a completely different temperament, everyone's eyes held a hint of surprise and scrutiny.

Horus stepped forward first, his posture upright and proper, his manners impeccable, his tone calm and measured, and he faced the officials with composure.

His speech was refined and measured, revealing a strategic vision and leadership qualities that earned him the nods of approval from the Terran officials. They had long since tacitly agreed that Horus was a natural-born commander, perfectly suited to lead the army, maintain order in the court, and be reliable enough to shoulder the core responsibilities of the Great Expedition.

When it was Leman Russ's turn to step forward, he offered no elaborate pleasantries, unaccustomed to courtly formalities. He stood ramrod straight, his tone frank and resolute, carrying the straightforwardness and sincerity unique to the warriors of the Icefield: "Leman Russ, Lord of the Sixth Legion. From this day forward, my sword, my legion, my life, all belong to Terra. Wherever my father and mother direct, I will fight my way, sweeping away all enemies for humanity!"

Without flowery language, yet every word was powerful and resounding, exuding a fierce and battle-hardened aura. His presence instantly commanded respect from the officials who had been scrutinizing him.

The court elders stepped forward, holding the imperial edict, and publicly read out the official investiture of Leman Russ, confirming the organizational affiliation and combat responsibilities of the Sixth Legion's Space Wolves, and formally incorporating him into the core combat force system of the Imperial Great Expedition.

The sages of the Mechanical Cult also stepped forward to pay their respects, and took the initiative to report on matters related to military equipment repair, warship forging, and equipment adaptation. They promised to tailor-make icefield combat equipment and polar combat gear for the Sixth Legion and do their best to complete the Wild Wolf Legion's combat configuration.

Throughout the proceedings, Horus calmly answered the questions from the officials, demonstrating clarity, thoroughness, and consideration of both military and political advantages and disadvantages, court rules, and the overall situation of the expedition; Horus, on the other hand, stood quietly to the side.