Chapter 1017 - 1016: Coronid Has Only One Chapter; My Grand Army Will Shatter the Rule of the Shadow of Order

Inside the Warmaster's temporary command center on Isstvan V, Horus Lupercal spoke.

"Omegon has brought me word, Nareth has seized the Diamat. The supply fleet I dispatched failed to bring back our supplies."

Nareth's reaction speed was far swifter than he had anticipated; not only had they lost the supplies, but they had also lost the Ordinatus siege engines secretly forged for him by the forge world.

"To win this war, we must possess a stable war base to supply us with armaments and every resource we require."

As Horus spoke, he gestured to his Equerry.

Maloghurst stepped out from the shadows, raising his control staff to project a glowing star map.

Fulgrim glanced at the spinning, radiant display and spoke with keen interest:

"The Coronid Deeps."

"Precisely." Horus nodded.

"The Coronid Deep lies in the northeastern realm of the galaxy, a remote region where the Emperor's loyal dogs can hardly threaten us."

"Flamini has developed this region extensively; its productive capacity is now no less than an Imperial sector. If not for Malcador and the others holding it back, the Gothic Sector would already be established."

"The Cyclops Cluster alone contains two forge worlds, nineteen advanced industrial worlds, and eighty-six primary industrial worlds."

Mortarion gazed at the gleaming stars. "Nareth will not sit idly by while his territory is seized, he is known for settling scores."

"The Terran nobles call him the Bloody Monarch, a fitting title."

"Once we achieve victory, he will pose no threat," Horus clenched his claw.

"In truth, I look forward to settling scores with him."

"As for the Coronid Deeps, there is only one Chapter there. Perhaps the Kalium Gate could reinforce with one or two more Chapters, but that is still far too thin. My grand army will crush the Shadows of Order's rule in a heartbeat."

"We should go as well," the voice of a Keeper of Secrets echoed inside Fulgrim's mind.

"We shall claim victory, this will prove your perfection to the Dark Prince."

A smile spread across Fulgrim's face. "I will follow you."

"I have been tracking Jaghatai's movements. Omegon's blockade at Chondax has failed," Mortarion said.

Horus sighed inwardly. His perfect plan had already been hit by a series of unforeseen changes: The expedition sent to Prospero to hunt psykers had returned empty-handed, and instead lost five thousand of his sons under Boros Kurn.

Before the Isstvan III purges, the disloyal elements of the World Eaters had vanished.

Vespasian and Lucius of the Emperor's Children, along with Nathaniel Garro of the Death Guard, had exposed his purge plan.

Khârn had failed to retrieve the Moon Wolf for him, though he could vaguely feel that the entity so closely bound to him still existed.

Balsar Kurthuri of the Raven Guard had issued a warning prior to the encirclement, allowing tens of thousands of enemies to escape.

Fortunately, the overall situation remained within his control, and his strategic objectives had been achieved.

Now, it was time to embark on a new campaign, to shatter the myth of the Shadow of Order's invincibility.

"The White Scars are now scattered, fighting a guerrilla war. His true target is the Kalium Gate," Mortarion said.

"He intends to pass through it, I will stop him."

Horus nodded. "Not only must you stop Jaghatai, you must also cut off any fleet heading there."

"Establish a siege around it and constantly wear down the defenders' strength."

"Ships unfit for blockade duty will accompany me to the Coronid Deeps."

The Kalium Gate could project fleets across the galaxy, but those wishing to use that navigation hub would have to enter the range of the gate network.

At the very moment Horus was deploying the next phase of the war, within the fourth layer of the Kingdom of Disorder,

Zso Sahaal, a member of the Night Lords' Kyroptera, knelt in the black mist.

"My Lord, our father has ordered the Legion to set sail, returning to the Salamas Sector in the Ghoul Stars."

Nareth nodded slightly. Next, he would face Konrad Kurze and Alpharius.

Both were Legions skilled in infiltration, but their combat styles were entirely different.

"Where has the 14th Chapter been deployed?"

"Father ordered them to the Fiamme Sector, to hunt down the loyalists who fled Isstvan V," Zso Sahaal replied respectfully.

Hearing that Kurze's deployment of the 14th Chapter matched his memories, Nareth gave the order: "You will go immediately and persuade them to join us, to fight against the rebels together."

The 14th Chapter was largely composed of Terran-born companies; most Night Lords were Sons of Night recruited from Terran prisons during the Unification Wars.

Praetor Morthax was proud of having served the Emperor for two hundred years. After Kurze's rebellion, his twisted sense of justice led him to fight neither for the Emperor nor for his gene-father.

They self-destruction.

They abandoned the Night Lords' war strategies, fought the Proximan Sacramentii in open ground, walked unarmed toward the enraged Imperial forces, and willingly submitted to execution.

After the Terran veterans fell in their suicidal charge, the remaining Chapter members also fought for neither side, like many Night Lords, they established a warlord enclave known as the Corrosion Realm.

"You must tell Morthax: if he serves me, I will not order him to fight against Kurze and the Night Lords."

"They may strike at other traitors, or at xenos rising again in humanity's weakness."

"You must also contact Kasati Nuon immediately, unlike Morthax, he is willing to fight his former brothers," Nareth continued.

He knew that in a Legion full of criminals and madmen, few dared to defy Kurze.

Cassati was one of the few. He hunted down many traitors and fought under Corax's command, playing a key role in the liberation of the Carandiru system.

Since he could be claimed, Nareth would not let him slip by.

"By Your will," Zso Sahaal said reverently.

The moment Nareth sent Zso Sahaal back to reality, he heard ethereal prayers once more.

He extended his spirituality, touching the pulsing spiritual light orb.

He saw Akurduana kneeling at the altar, holding a blade in his hands, a silver hand firmly gripping its hilt.

Nareth pondered a moment, then pulled Akurduana into the Kingdom of Disorder.

"My liege, I have retrieved the Fireblade forged by Ferrus for Fulgrim, and offer it to Thee."

Nareth raised his hand, and the blade fell into his grasp.

He ran his fingers along the blade, finally resting on the silver hand.

With a thought, the "Mentor of Disorder" extended his spirituality, black mist surged.

The space around the throne immediately fell into chaos, the silver hand and the blade slowly parted.

With another thought, the silver hand vanished into thin air. He raised his hand.

"The Fireblade is yours."

"Soon, you will receive new power from me, then you will be able to wield it with ease."

The "Weapon Master" could barely use the Fireblade, being a Primarch's weapon, it was never quite comfortable in his hands.

"Thank you, my liege, for this gift."

Akurduana took the blade with both hands in reverence, then reported:

"Our father has ordered departure, target: the Coronid Deeps. The main force of the Sons of Horus and part of the Death Guard are also heading there."

"To my knowledge, over one hundred and fifty thousand Astartes will take part, with the Legio Tempestus serving as the main armored force."

Nareth paused. [Hmm... so it's not the Sons of Horus and Death Guard attacking the Coronid Deeps anymore?]

"My liege, when should I turn my coat and strike them a heavy blow?" Akurduana asked.

"And Perturabo?"

"He has returned to the western reaches of the galaxy," Akurduana replied.

[So Perturabo is also not going to Phall?] Nareth thought to himself.

"In that case, for now, do not reveal yourself."

"I have already made deployments. Flamini can hold off the rebels."

A flash of surprise crossed Akurduana's eyes. The Coronid Deeps held only the 6th Chapter of the Shadows of Order, even with the power bestowed by the Black Emperor, they could not hold against such a host.

He gazed at the majestic figure on the throne and said slowly:

"By Your will."

....

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

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