Warhammer: Start with a dog.

Chapter 754 The Warriors' Society and the Next Destination -
Loken was not unaware of the existence of warrior societies independent of the chain of command; on the contrary, he knew that such secret groups might have existed within the Legion for more than half a century.

Where the conclusion that the native warriors and rulers there—though they have been separated from the Terran humans for so long, even to the point of reproductive isolation—came from is not important for now.

What is certain, however, is that the strength and respectability of the warriors' associations in that world, marked by various ferocious local animals, left a very deep impression on the Legion warriors.

After Davin finally surrendered, the Legion left, and they parted ways with the Word Bearers, the first warrior societies began to quietly rise within the Legion.

Loken himself had never joined such an association, and he had told his subordinates not to join either, for a very simple reason.

Because the emperor himself had expressed his opposition to it.

The Emperor claimed more than once that such secret gatherings were far too dangerous to be associated with more clandestine but worse cults—such as those secret organizations that tried to preach among ordinary people that the Emperor himself was the living God, or even that they had so-called divine words of the Emperor to proselytize.

However, the person who prevented Loken from expressing his views further in public was Kerri Sindeman in the past.

When the tenth company commander sought his advice on whether he should rigorously investigate and prevent the formation of societies within his company, this wise preacher, a staunch believer in the truth of the Empire, told him not to worry too much.

“As far as I know,” the old man said, “these associations are actually not harmful. They are simply a way for soldiers to seek brotherhood in their non-combat time. The main purpose is to establish some kind of connection that transcends rank and position, which helps officers and soldiers get to know each other and talk about things. It is perpendicular to the chain of command and can make soldiers more loyal to the Empire.”

Nevertheless, Loken believed that it was inappropriate for the Legion to have secret groups independent of the chain of command, especially since the Emperor himself did not approve of it. Therefore, his 10th Company never had any known members who had joined the Warriors' Association, a fact he was quite proud of.

But the coin found among Zhu Bo's belongings shattered his illusions, and it was also confirmed that the lieutenant whom the Lord of Steel had told him about, whom he trusted so much and shared life and death with, had secretly joined the Society without his knowledge.

Therefore, it is now clearly impossible for him to go looking for Sindman.

The credibility of the lead preacher's words is gradually decreasing in his mind—doubt naturally grows when the truth you tell others repeatedly contradicts reality.

When Loken asked his company for clues but no one came, and then he discovered that the coin had mysteriously disappeared from the packaged warrior's belongings, he immediately slipped away from everyone and went to the Iron Lord's residence to request an audience.

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"Did he really say that to you back then?" The Iron Lord sat sprawled out in the armchair that matched his size, and Loken heard him utter a deeply wistful sigh.

"I used to think of him as a learned old scholar who was quite open-minded and responsible, but was later misled by missionaries... It seems I have to be there in person to know how outrageous the details are. In this godforsaken place, even good intentions can make you an accomplice."

"My lord?" Loken asked in a low voice, "What do we do now?"

"You've always been pretty decisive, haven't you?" The Iron Lord glanced at him sideways, while the Warmaster, his fingertips sparking as he scribbled on the data panel, looked up from the pile of documents. "Don't get sidetracked. Gavial is a straightforward warrior," Horus's voice said helplessly. "Just tell him what to do."

"Hmph, cough cough cough! Alright." The Lord of Iron finally straightened his back and sat up.

Loken looked at the distinct territories of the two Primarchs in the room with a mixture of worry and annoyance: the Iron Lord had only a few documents and data boards beside him, with more chessboards, small tools, paints, or other things unrelated to work and combat, while the Warmaster's desk was piled high with petitions, demands, requests, and other documents from various fleets and Terra that were enough to make one's head spin at a glance.

Those ordinary bureaucrats sitting in the safe offices at the back of the room make endless demands and requests of the warlord. On what grounds?
Furthermore, is the Lord of Steel really worth the Warmaster lowering himself to such an extent, even to the point of ruining his image? In these few encounters, Loken has already discovered that the Warmaster is a completely different person in front of the Lord of Steel compared to in front of others.

This discovery inevitably hurt the heart of the loyal Moon Wolf. Could it be that, looking at the entire legion, there wasn't a single loyal son who could make his father relax in front of him for even a moment?
"So far, no one has approached you to recommend you to join them or anything like that, right?"

The Lord of Iron's question pulled him back to reality, and he quickly shook his head.

“No. After I found it, I did as you said and deliberately let Nairo see the silver coin. I… I can’t believe he really said that. I always thought he had nothing to do with such associations!”

"Hmm, it can only be said that the warrior societies within the Shadowmoon Wolves are far more deeply entrenched than people estimate, and someone actually allowed such an organization outside the normal chain of command to flourish within his own legion... Tsk, I find it hard to say whether his actions contributed to the ambitions Abaddon developed after his father's fall. After all, rebuilding a destroyed command structure from scratch is difficult, but what if this person already had other organizational foundations to begin with..."

"The Sixteenth Legion's organizational structure has such serious hidden flaws. Otherwise, why do you think I, who seem to be widely loved, actually have to spend extra effort to satisfy everyone? The things that the Sons of Horus inherited from their father make them much more difficult to manage than the Iron Warriors."

The warlord said somberly, "The result of wanting to be a perfect successor who is impeccable in terms of reputation, image, merits and achievements is the biggest defeat in history."

Loken clenched his fist. He was determined to stop the tragic, dark future that was said to befall the Legion and the Warmasters, even if it cost him his life…

But of course, it has to be kept secret...

He glanced furtively at the Lord of Iron.

"Now it's clear, when will we set off?" The Primarch he was observing turned to ask his brother.

"Within two days," the war commander replied succinctly. "Within two days, the entire fleet will weigh anchor and set sail for the 140-20 world."

He squinted as he examined the distress call document. "In the Blood Angels' distress signal, Company Commander Fromm called it 'Murder Star'."

(End of this chapter)