Chapter 1006 - 1005: There Are Gods in This World, and the Black Emperor Is the One True God

In the fourth layer of the Kingdom of Disorder, Hasik knelt on one knee amid the black mist, holding up the bronze mask with both hands.

"My lord, in accordance with Your command, I have bound Magnus's soul fragment within it."

Nareth raised a hand and beckoned. The bronze mask fell into his palm.

He extended his spirituality, probing the Death Consul mask "linked" to himself.

Magnus was placed within the greenish mist. His drifting figure looked more solid than the palace soul fragment, and colder.

'I have already obtained the second of Magnus's soul fragments. The Prospero one is one of his five main fragments. Hmm, next is how to use them.'

Nareth pondered briefly, then decided to follow his earlier plan: wait until after advancing to "Count of the Fallen" before making a decision.

"You have done well."

Both Toggon and Hasik had been "corrupted" by him, changing their fates. Originally, they would have used Jaghatai's descent to the surface to launch a mutiny and seize power.

But just as they were about to succeed, Arvida had torn open the aetheric veil, allowing Jaghatai to teleport back to the flagship.

Torgun, who had worshipped Horus, was captured alive and later served to redeem his crimes.

Now, not only was he free of the stain of treason, but he had also advanced to Sequence 5 "Reaper."

Hasik, as the Noyan-khan commanding the most White Scars warriors, was slain by Jagatai when the Legion fell into internecine slaughter.

Now, he had not died in a failed rebellion and power seizure.

Nareth thought of Torgun's reverence for him and spoke. "You will inform Torgun of my honored name and the manner of invocation."

"Afterward, have him, along with Menes, Sul, and the other Thousand Sons, head to the eastern reaches of the galaxy."

In the Imperium's administrative divisions, Prospero belonged to the Forzare System of the Prospero-sub Sector in the Segmentum Ultima, relatively close to the Ghoul Stars on the eastern edge of the galaxy.

This was convenient for "corroding" them. After gaining this force, their advantage in the war against the Alphas and Night Lords would also be greater.

Hasik asked, "My lord, how may I serve Thee?"

Nareth recalled the Battle of the Kalium Gate and thought that Jagatai would most likely return to defend Terra, the usual choice for most loyal Primarchs upon learning of Horus's rebellion.

"You will stay by Jagatai's side for now, awaiting my commands."

'Hmm, I've taken quite a few of Jaghatai's sons, but I've also spared him many troubles.'

'Not only did he arrive at Prospero a year early, but he also did not encounter Mortarion here.'

'Without Hasik, the warrior lodges within the White Scars were too weak to stir trouble, and he suffered no betrayal.'

Although Hasik felt regret, he restrained his urgent desire to serve the Black Emperor.

"By Your will."

The black mist surged, swallowing Hasik.

When he raised his head again, he was back at the altar aboard the Qingzha.

Hasik came to the door and found Torgun.

"Torgun, I think you have had doubts about many things before."

Torgun nodded. He thought of Hasik's real-time contact with Lord Nareth across countless light-years, and the bronze mask that had suddenly appeared and now vanished.

Flames rose in Hasik's eyes, illuminating his face.

"Now is the moment for you to learn the truth, to understand the truth."

"Come with me."

He turned and walked into the chamber. For the first time, Torgun stepped into a cabin Hasik forbade anyone to enter.

Torgun paused. He gazed at the obsidian altar before him, the thirty-three steps, the eleven burning candles, the black iron scales on the left, and the cast-iron book in the tray on the right.

While he examined them, Hasik quickly re-laid the "Euclidean Runes" and came before Torgun.

"Today I will tell you a truth: the Imperial Truth is an utter lie."

"There are gods in this world, and the Black Emperor is the One True God."

"The Black Emperor?" Torgun asked.

"Correct." Hasik's eyes blazed.

"Lord Nareth is the identity by which the Black Emperor walks the world."

"The Black Emperor, Lord Nareth." Torgun's eyes shone as if stars flickered before them.

Three hours later, having heard the true word, Torgun strode out of the cabin with his head held high.

He had finally proven through action his loyalty to Lord Naretj, no, his faith in the Black Emperor.

He could follow in the footsteps of the one true God in the world.

Torgun accompanied Hasik to the reception room. Menes Kaliston, Captain of the Thousand Sons' Fourth Fellowship, and Sul Kontep, were already waiting inside.

"Lord Hasik, Torgun." Sul spoke gratefully.

"Afiel asked me to convey his thanks on his behalf. You saved tens of thousands of Tizca's people."

Torgun suppressed the truth that wanted to burst from his lips. "The one you should thank is Lord Nareth."

"Of course." Sul said quickly.

"Without him, we could not have escaped the wasteland purgatory."

Menes had changed into new armor. The Apothecary's treatment had faded the greenish black on his face somewhat.

His gaze swept over the two men's waists. He did not see the mysterious mask.

He restrained the urge to use the Tianxiao arts to probe and spoke.

"Now is the time to choose the path for the future."

"What is Lord Jagatai's decision?"

"Father ordered the Navigators to find a way to Terra. He has decided to return to defend the Throneworld," Hasik answered.

"But the Warp turbulence is growing worse, especially the routes to Terra. Until a route is found, the White Scars will disperse into smaller units and harass the traitors."

"I will meet with Lord Nareth. You shall come with me," Torgun said.

Menes nodded, but Sul frowned.

"With all due respect, Terra is the epicenter of the storm."

"We should return to the humanity's homeworld and await the Emperor and the Regent's orders."

Menes knew Sul's reasoning was not wrong, but he had not seen the full picture.

'Lord Nareth, Hasik, and Torgun, how had they captured a Primarch's soul fragment, and for what purpose?'

'Lord Nareth might be the hope of the future.'

As he pondered, Hasik spoke.

"Terra considers you traitors."

"The Sigilite and the Terran Guard will not trust you."

"We will not stop atoning because of difficulties," Sul said resolutely.

Menes sensed Sul's resolute attitude. He ascended to the sixth level of the Enumeration.

Everything around him became clear. He used the Athenean arts to perceive his surface thoughts.

"We will not be trusted, which means they will expend strength guarding against us."

"We will also not be deployed to key battlefields. We cannot fulfill our value, much less atone."

As Sul's eyes dimmed, Torgun spoke.

"Lord Nareth will trust you. You will fully unleash your power, striking the traitors' forces on other battlefields, thereby also weakening the strength they can throw at Terra."

Torgun's words struck Sul's heart like a blade.

"In that case, I am willing to go with you to meet Lord Nareth."

....

If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.

[email protected]/DaoistJinzu