Chapter 998 - 997: I shall take control of the Belt of Iron.

In the fourth layer of the Kingdom of Disorder, Chapter Master Wilshire of the Second knelt on one knee amid the black mist.

"My lord, the news of the Warmaster's rebellion has not caused much of a stir in the Belt of Iron. None of the various powers are in a hurry to choose a side."

"The Forge World Atar-Median was the first to announce that it would continue to remain loyal to the Imperium, and it dispatched a subsidiary legion to Istvaan for support."

Atar-Median was born during the Great Crusade, rather than the Age of Strife.

In order to prevent Mars from interfering with its resources, the Forge World Phaethon carried out a political maneuver, sending one-third of its population aboard an exploration ark and dispatching it to the frontier of the known universe.

Thus, the new Forge World Atar-Median was born.

"Graia subsequently announced its loyalty to the Emperor."

Nareth nodded. Originally, during this period, another power that clearly took a stance was Valia-Maximal. Its long-standing grudge with Graia erupted, so it naturally decided to follow the Warmaster.

However, because Nareth had conquered it earlier and subsequently allied with Valia-Maximal, the war between the Legio Astraman and the Legio Laniaskara was smaller in scale.

Therefore, the conflict between Valia-Maximal and Graia was not as severe as in his memories, remaining limited to disputes over spheres of influence.

With the Shadows of Order controlling Valia-Maximal, the conflict between it and Graia was generally in a controllable state.

"Tell Chief Magos Unai-9 to immediately issue a declaration of loyalty to the Imperium and demand that all factions clearly state their positions."

"Any who betray the Imperium are to be struck down at once."

"Worlds attacked by traitor forces are to be reinforced."

The falme of "Ambition" blazed in Nareth's eyes. "I shall take control of the Belt of Iron."

"By Your Will," Wilshire answered respectfully.

"Gather all the Notaries. You will all go together to the polar glaciers." Nareth continued issuing instructions.

The advancement ritual for the "Priest of Light" required one to bury their entire body in ice that would not normally melt, in absolute darkness, before consuming the potion.

Valia-Maximal's greatest resource was the unique liquid-gas mixture extracted from its highly corrosive seawater.

The only thing locally with low corrosiveness was the polar glaciers, which were also the main source of drinking water.

"I shall bestow new power upon you."

Golden light blazed in Wilshire's eyes. As Chapter Master of the Second, he had always been a Court Viscount in the inner court, while the other lords were already Counts.

Even within his own Chapter, five of his Chapter's Chief Apothecary, Techmarine, Librarian, and others were Court Counts.

As the youngest Chapter Master in the history of the Shadows of Order, Wilshire felt the pressure.

He prayed devoutly to the Black Emperor every day, and now at last, he had received the Black Emperor's bestowal.

The black mist surged, swallowing Wilshire.

He came back to his senses and found himself already before the altar.

Wilshire knelt piously before the altar, clasping his hands together in reverse, and prayed to the Black Emperor.

"Black Emperor, Thou art the Lord of Order."

Only after praying devoutly eleven times did he slowly rise.

Wilshire used the ritual dagger to break the psychic wall and the Euclidean Runes" in turn, then issued orders, summoning the other "Notaries."

Amid soaring song, black Thunderhawk transports flew out from the Killing Song, forming formations with the craft of the Relic-class battleship Radiance and other ships.

The black Thunderhawks howled through the billowing smoke, flying toward the planet's far northern region.

The polar cyclone howled against the black Thunderhawks. Their spread wings trembled slightly, but the craft remained steady.

Inside the cabin, the Shadows of Order tasted jade berries while gazing at the massive orbital elevator gradually drawing closer.

Valia-Maximal's drilling platforms were buried deep beneath the ice. The purified water they extracted was sent up into the air through pipelines.

The Thunderhawks' wings tilted, descending in neat unison.

Landing gear lowered. The "Notaries" in black robes descended in groups.

First Captain Winterbourne and Second Captain Solier walked at the front of the column and came before Wilshire.

"Chapter Master."

Wilshire nodded. "Follow me."

He led the "Notaries" toward the gravity elevator. The envoy Magos waiting there swept his bionic eyes over Wilshire and the others.

Only one Techmarine, servo-arms folded behind him, wore power armor. Everyone else wore black robes.

"Light Lord, I warned you before."

"The deeper we go, the lower the temperature. Where you are going is an extreme cold zone."

"Trust me, it is no less harsh than Fenris's glaciers. To lay down the machines there, we lost a Magos and four hundred ninety-three servitors."

"I understand," Wilshire said, a warm smile spreading across his face.

"Please open the path to that place for me."

"According to your request, the machines in that area have been temporarily shut down. Estimated time: three standard days."

"All surveillance equipment has been turned off."

"Thank you." As Wilshire finished speaking, the gravity elevator rumbled open.

Cold mist billowed, striking the black robes and immediately raising a layer of frost.

A golden light blazed in Winterbourne's eyes and shot outward.

The golden light spread rapidly, enveloping one hundred sixty-eight Shadows of Order.

The envoy Magos saw the frost rapidly vanish. The Shadows of Order walked calmly toward the gravity elevator. He thought in sudden realization.

'Psychic power.'

The gravity elevator howled downward. Fierce winds lashed around the cargo box, rumbling loudly.

Rumble!

The gravity elevator suddenly lurched, then stopped abruptly.

Crack-crack!

The speaker emitted a burst of static. A broken, intermittent voice came through.

"Light Lord—extreme cold currents—repair servitors—need twelve hours—"

Wilshire frowned and looked at the Techmarine.

"Can you solve it?"

"The gravity technology and environmental maintenance system they use, I have not seen them before, but I can try," the Techmarine replied.

His hands pressed onto the cogitator, tapping rapidly.

Line after line of binary code scrolled across the green screen.

After a moment, he suddenly stopped.

After pondering for over ten seconds, the Techmarine drew out a mandala-shaped key.

He inserted the Rosicky key into the interface, then tapped rapidly again.

Dong!

The floor suddenly trembled.

Rumble!

The gravity elevator slowly started and descended once more.

"How did you do that?" the Envoy Magos asked in confusion through the speaker.

"The systems we use are all unique."

"Technology discovered by the Forge Lord," the Techmarine said, putting away the Rosicky Key.

The envoy Magos recognized that the Techmarine was unwilling to explain in detail and did not press further.

The gravity elevator howled downward, finally stopping with a clang.

Wilshire stepped out of the gravity elevator. He glanced at the web-like tunnels around him and the stopped drill bits, then issued orders.

The Techmarine checked the surveillance equipment one by one. He, Winterbourne, and Olivier together set up a temporary altar.

The other "Notaries" dug ice pits, preparing the ritual site.

Three hours later, Wilshire and the other two each returned, holding a golden potion in both hands as if holding a sacred relic.

They came to the three ice pits dug in a triangle, then shed their black robes and jumped into the ice pits.

Six Shadows of Order stepped forward, pouring ice into the pits, completely burying the three.

A golden light flashed in Wilshire's eyes as he dispelled the "Blessing" of the full-fledged "Light Suppliants."

As the "Blessing" effect vanished, the icy cold struck the Shadow of Order body directly.

His body went stiff. Even his thoughts slowed.

Wilshire felt the potion in his hand, emitting golden light and heat, was especially alluring. He restrained the urge to drink it immediately.

"Praise my liege, and thank Thee for Thy bestowal."

After thanking the Black Emperor, he tilted his head back and drank the golden potion.

The potion entered his mouth. His tongue burned hot. His teeth blazed.

The potion slid down. Piercing golden light shone out through his throat, illuminating the dark ice cave.

Wilshire felt as if he had been thrown into a star. Blazing light scorched every inch of his skin. Flame ignited every cell in his body.

Amid the agony of burning, the glacier that had not melted for ten thousand years slowly melted, patting against his body.

Wilshire felt threads of coolness, slightly easing the burning sensation.

As the ice rapidly vanished, his pain eased somewhat. Countless golden rays surged in his mind. Countless pieces of information flashed madly.

Suddenly, two miniature suns blazed in Wilshire's eyes.

He leaned back, arms spread wide, as if embracing the sun.

A magnificent, pure, blazing pillar of light fell from above out of thin air.

The ice evaporated instantly. The "Priest of Light" leaped out of the ice pit.

....

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