Chapter 1022 - 1021: Magnus: If My Sons Are to Follow Anyone, There Is No One I Would Trust More Than You

Within the fourth layer of the Kingdom of Disorder, Chapter Master Howard Fender knelt on one knee.

"My Lord, the preliminary operations carried out by Maria's assassins have been highly effective. The Chapter has suffered only one hundred and forty-nine casualties."

"The Elysian Drop Troops sustained heavy losses in the assault on Gate Forty-Two, twenty-five thousand eight hundred killed."

"The Chapter has now secured one hundred systems and three hundred and eight worlds within the cluster."

Nareth nodded slightly. Maria Kournikova had recently reported to him that seventy-two of her Beyonders had fallen.

Overall, the cost of seizing this territory, second only to the Coronid Deeps in size and currently the most productive, had not been excessive.

The key factor was the absence of large hostile forces in the region; Horus Lupercal could not afford to commit substantial forces to the Akum-Sothos Cluster at this time, given the loyalist encirclement.

Leaning back against his throne, Nareth thought to himself: 'Horus, you sought to seize my Coronid Deeps, but you never expected me to strike first.'

'I seized this moment and took the most radiant jewel in Horus's crown of conquest, stepping on his head to become master of eleven hundred worlds.'

Nareth withdrew his thoughts and spoke:

"Excellent."

"Your next task is to consolidate the Akum-Sothos Cluster, establish a teleportarium around Gate Forty-Two, and integrate it into the Legion's network."

"By Your will."

Howard acknowledged, then black mist engulfed him, returning him to reality.

With a thought, Nareth returned to the material world.

He left his quarters and strode to the Primarch's office.

After Nareth ascended his throne, Arsena entered as well.

"My Lord, all the foundries on the Diamat are now under our control. The final engagement with the Alpha Legion ended four days ago. The Forge World has resumed operations according to Your will."

"The war for the Gordian League's territories has also concluded, the xenos have been purged, and the Alpha infiltrators have been eliminated."

Nareth nodded slightly. "Rest briefly, then proceed to the Eastern Fringe."

"The Triplex Phall produces war engines, and the Thramas Sector's vast population, both are critical strategic assets."

"Kurze and Alpharius will be waiting there for us to walk into their trap."

The Primarch's Aide had already learned from the Black Emperor's revelations that it was not the publicly appearing Omegon who commanded the Alpha Legion, but Alpharius.

"Horus believes that two Legions led by two Primarchs will be enough to bog us down, but he knows nothing of Your supreme power."

After praising the Black Emperor, Arsena continued his report:

"Torgun of the White Scars, along with Menes Kalliston and Sul Kontep of the Thousand Sons, have arrived aboard the Shadow's Sovereignty and await Your audience."

"Send them in."

Moments later, Menes, Sul, and Torgun arrived before the Primarch's office.

Both Thousand Sons felt the tides of the Great Ocean recede, their psychic abilities fading.

They frowned simultaneously, looking toward the collapsed void.

'Blanks.'

'It is said that aside from the Emperor, Lord Nareth commands a considerable force of Blanks, so the rumors are true,' Sul thought.

'Why would Lord Nareth, who so strongly supported the Librarians, gather Blanks?'

Menes glanced at Torgun beside him, recalling the mysterious runic array Torgun and Hasik had laid beneath Tizca's ruins.

It was composed of geometric figures, containing infinite mysteries.

Torgun felt an instinctive revulsion rise within him, but he immediately recalled the Black Emperor's teaching: "You should regard interaction with the Untouchables as an opportunity to temper your will."

He suppressed the innate aversion and entered the Primarch's office with the two Thousand Sons.

Torgun looked upon the Black Emperor, seated against his throne, his marble-like face like a god from Old Terran myths.

His eyes were deep and focused; when they fixed upon him, it felt as if the light of a star was shining upon him.

"My Lord."

Sul stared blankly at the kneeling Torgun, his reverence for Lord Nareth was beyond imagination.

Though Menes had lost his psychic power, his long study of Athanaean arts allowed him to glean much through observation.

'Torgun's reverence for Lord Nareth... seems to surpass even his reverence for his Primarch, it goes beyond father and son, resembling the Word Bearers' worship of the Emperor.'

Following Torgun's gaze, they looked toward the majestic figure on the throne.

Sul saw a blazing, burning star; Menes beheld countless geometric figures spiraling, converging, and intersecting.

Bang! Bang!

Both knelt simultaneously and said in unison:

"Lord Nareth."

The "Mentor of Disorder" maintained his supernatural "majesty" that compelled submission, gazing at the two "corroded" subjects.

"My Legion is about to march to the galactic east, to engage the traitor Legions, the Night Lords and the Alpha Legion."

"Are you willing to serve me?"

"My lord, Your will is our desire."

Nareth nodded with satisfaction. With nearly nine thousand Thousand Sons and over six hundred White Scars joining, his forces in the coming war in the Ghoul Stars would be greatly strengthened.

"You will all be seated on my war council."

Torgun's eyes lit up, he had finally earned the Black Emperor's trust.

Menes and Sul felt even more fortunate for their choice. 'If we had followed other Primarchs, we could hardly have earned such trust.'

"You will resupply at the Diamat, and Arsena will provide you with intelligence on the traitor Legions."

Even the Thousand Sons of the Corvidae and Athnean Cult knew little of the Alpha Legion, far less than the Shadows of Order's detailed intelligence.

"By Your will."

After the three departed, Nareth rose from the Primarch's office and walked to the palace.

He stepped inside; the doors closed slowly behind him.

He looked at Magnus. "You sensed it, didn't you?"

"Your sons have arrived aboard my flagship. I have just met with them."

"They swore allegiance to you and will fight on your behalf," Magnus said, his eyes shimmering with the light of wisdom.

When Menes and Sul passed through Obsidian Avenue, he had already sensed the presence of his two sons and confirmed their identities.

Nareth nodded and asked with a smile: "Are you satisfied with their decision?"

"The galaxy is about to undergo great upheaval; every Thousand Son will have to make a choice," Magnus said somberly.

"If my sons are to follow anyone, there is no one I would trust more than you."

"Then, would you like to see them?" Nareth asked.

"No!" Magnus shook his head.

"They are already on a path of light, I can give them nothing more."

"In truth, I have already begun to feel weak."

"My soul is drifting toward decay due to its shattered nature. I do not wish for them to suffer the pain of losing their father a second time."

....

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