Chapter 1015 - 1014: Ferrus, I Will Take Care of Your Sons for You, and I Will Deal with the Sapphire King in Your Behalf

Within the fourth layer of the Kingdom of Disorder, Captain Alastor Rushal of the 89th Company of the Raven Guard knelt in the black mist and reported with reverence.

"...Balsar Kurthuri gave the warning when we were three kilometers from the traitors. Most of the Raven Guard followed us in the withdrawal."

"A total of five thousand two hundred and sixty Raven Guard departed with me."

Nareth nodded slightly. He recalled that in the original course of events, the loyalists had been caught in the traitors' concentrated fire only a hundred meters from the ambush point.

Taken utterly by surprise, tens of thousands of loyalists had perished under the barrage.

Now, with Balsar's early warning, the number of survivors had greatly increased, and most of them had followed Balsar out.

"Fortunately, the fleets of the Sons of Horus, Emperor's Children, and World Eaters had already left the Isstvan system. Only part of the fleets of the Word Bearers, Iron Warriors, Alpha Legion, and Night Lords remained to form the encirclement."

Nareth knew that Horus Lupercal had ordered his fleet to withdraw ahead of time, creating the illusion of resupply to manufacture the tactical opportunity Ferrus Manus had seen.

"The fleet centered around the Iron Fist unleashed its vengeful fury upon the traitor fleet."

"I followed Your command, leading most of the ships out with me."

"Among them were one thousand nine hundred and eighty Salamanders, led by Cassian Vaughn."

Hearing Cassian's name, Nareth could not help but note the twist of fate.

Before Vulkan's return, Cassian had once been appointed by the Emperor to command the 18th Legion.

His fate had thus been altered, he did not die in the campaign of Taras Division.

However, he also lost the unique Dreadnought chassis, the Dracos Revenant, personally forged by Vulkan.

In Nareth's memory, Cassian had even used the Dracos Revenant to withstand a lance strike.

Later, when the Ebon Drake came to Isstvan V to investigate the truth and search for the Primarch, they were astonished to find that Cassian was still alive.

The Dracos Revenant had influenced the automata to follow him; his charisma inspired all his followers, eventually giving rise to the Disciples of the Flame, a sect distinct from the Salamanders' mainstream Promethean Creed.

They believed that Vulkan's power resided in all forged things, even in the weapons of their enemies.

However, that dangerous creed was completely erased by Imperial authority after the Heresy.

'It is a pity that Cassian lost the Dracos Revenant, but if he pledges loyalty to me, I can bestow new powers upon him.

Hmm... at Sequence 6, his overall capabilities would rival the Dracos Revenant, though his defense and recovery would not be quite as monstrous.'

As he pondered, Alastor continued his report: "The current leadership of the Iron Hands consists of Iron Captain Ulrach Branthan of the 65th Clan Company, along with Iron Fathers Frater Thamatica and Sabik Wayland."

"His fleet, centered on the strike cruiser Sisypheum, numbers one thousand three hundred and seventy."

Nareth nodded slightly. 'Unexpectedly, the Sisypheum was also brought out, along with Nykona Sharrowkyn, who followed Alastor, so all are accounted for.'

He recalled that under the continuous refitting of Iron Father Frater Thamatica, the Sisypheum had been transformed into a vessel far surpassing its class.

Even more legendary were its crew; they had accomplished a series of incredible feats, gathering crucial intelligence for the Imperium and bringing back assets vital for weathering the crisis ten thousand years later.

First, the Sisypheum traveled to the Forge World Cavor Sarta, seized by the Word Bearers, and captured Kryptos, a strategic asset critical to both traitors and loyalists.

Nykona Sharrowkyn infiltrated the Forge World Hydra Cordatus, and during a meeting between Fulgrim and Perturabo, he wounded Fulgrim.

Their final adventure brought back the Magna Matter, containing the genetic material of all Primarchs. Roboute Guilliman later gave it to Belisarius Cawl for the development of the Primaris Astartes.

'The Magna Mater is something I must claim at all costs.'

'Kryptos is also very useful. Although Cavor Sarta is not a first-tier forge world, it possesses many unique technologies.'

'Hmm... I should take the opportunity to poach them as well, though now is not yet the right time.'

'Cavor Sarta was a forge world directly under Mars' jurisdiction; taking direct action now would cause trouble after the Heresy.'

'Though not major trouble, since I know the Word Bearers have their eyes on Kryptos and Cavor Sarta, there is a better path.'

As a true "Mentor of Disorder," it is only natural to use circumstances to one's advantage, striking the traitors in name, while seizing the Forge World in reality.

Nareth reined in his thoughts and leaned back against his throne.

'The Iron Hands, having lost their father and burning for revenge, will be much easier to win over.'

'However, there is a complication: I must contend with the Sapphire King for its food.'

Nareth recalled that the Shadows of Order operatives he had dispatched to the 52nd Expedition Fleet had already brought back records of the systems they passed through.

'Once I have some free time, I can visit them one by one to search for Mimir's Vault.'

'Even if I can't get all of it, I can secure at least most of it.'

'Ferrus really did contribute quite a lot, so I might as well help resolve the greatest threat troubling the souls of the Iron Hands.'

With that thought, Nareth had already made up his mind. He said to himself:

'Ferrus, rest in peace. I will take care of your sons for you, I will make good use of your discoveries, and I will deal with the Sapphire King on your behalf.'

Nareth withdrew his thoughts and gave the order: "Lead them to the eastern reaches of the galaxy."

Since there were new subjects to claim, it was time to act.

"By Your will."

The black mist surged, returning Alastor to the Tempest-Approaching.

"Once Legions like the Night Lords openly declare their rebellion, Dorn and the others will launch mass arrests of traitor Legion members on Terra."

As Nareth murmured, his eyes suddenly lit up.

He extended his spirituality, touched Keon's spiritual light orb on Terra, and confirmed he was alone, then pulled him into the Kingdom of Disorder.

"My Lord." Keon looked at the Black Emperor enthroned above and bowed in reverence.

"Zagreus Kane has accepted his identity as Fabricator-General of Mars. He is actively moving on Terra, attempting to gain the support of the Council of Terra to retake Mars."

"However, Lord Malcador and Lord Dorn do not have enough strength to reclaim Mars from the Dark Mechanicum. They have adopted a blockade strategy, using imperial fleets to intercept battleships traveling to and from Mars, severing its connection with the outside world."

"Kane hasn't given up; he has been running about actively seeking support from all sides. But recently, the frequency of his activities has dropped significantly, he seems to have gained something."

Nareth heard the concern in Kyon's words. "Not yet."

"The Emperor has required him to join a secret war."

'I wonder if Kane will still sell out the Custodes without Arkhan present.'

'Regardless, he cannot possibly obtain actual support; the Imperium lacks sufficient strength to strike at the Dark Mechanicum.'

'When he finds himself out of options after begging everywhere, that will be my moment to extend a helping hand. Providing help in a time of dire need is always far more valuable than adding icing to the cake.'

....

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

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