Warhammer: Black Emperor

Chapter 246 "The Great Expedition" - The First Person Below the Primarch in the Early Stages

After reaching an agreement with Fernus Manus to cooperate in the development, Nimrod returned to the ancient ruins and found Gabriel.

"I have decided to send you to lead a group of technical sergeants to remain in Medusa, and then follow the Tenth Legion."

"There are things we can learn from them."

“Yes, Father,” Gabriel said.

Three hours later, a transport ship from the Shadow of the Throne delivered the armor that the Primarch had originally worn from his private armory, which he had kept as a souvenir.

The armor that Wojciech Belik made for him could not compare to that of the top master forger Malevoles, but it was fine to wear for a period of time.

Ninglu controlled the golden armor, a mixture of star god essence and living metal, which flowed from the rest of his body to the golden wings on his back.

Gabriel then used the mechanical arm on his back to adjust his armor, allowing his wings to move freely.

Nimrod then went to the site of Manus's clan assembly to participate in the celebration in which he proclaimed his return to the empire to the Medusa and pledged allegiance to the Yellow Man.

Instead of flying at top speed, he folded his wings and carried Gabriel and Arsène Dunne aboard the Stormbird.

As the gunships arrived at the clan assembly site, Gabriel looked down at the endless rows of steel wagons and exclaimed in amazement.

"The smallest of the Medusa people's steel wagons was at least 100 meters long, and their families, machinery, and personal belongings were all stored inside."

"They are a nomadic tribe that drives steel carts."

The "deduction student" looked down with deep blue eyes.

"Medusa's sky is perpetually dark due to pollution, the planet's geological structure is extremely unstable, and earthquakes and volcanic eruptions constantly create and destroy mountains and oceans."

"This world reminds me of Fenris. Without a doubt, Medusa should also be classified as a world of death according to the Ministry of the Interior's classification standards."

With her long silver hair flowing, the Primarch's servant said in confusion.

"What I don't understand is that Lord Manus was called Gorgon by the various clans and was regarded as a demigod. He could have ended the disputes and placed the whole world under a unified regime, but he did not do so."

"His approach is different from that of other protogenes."

Ninglu spoke up to clarify the question for the original body attendant.

"This is Manus's philosophy: he believes that limited competition is beneficial to overall development."

"This is the result of his calculations, and the sacrifices made in this process are an acceptable price to pay."

"Most of the time, the decisions he makes after careful calculation yield the best results."

Manus threw Stormwalker into Medusa to reshape him, and the common conflicts between Terran and native races in other legions were resolved under his ruthless methods.

This is similar to Nimrod sending "lawyers" and "arbitrators" to the lunar training and terraforming center, starting with changes in recruit training; the methods are different, but the underlying idea is the same.

They all used the Legion's homeworld culture to change the mindset of Terran recruits.

The final result is the same: only a very small number of people still hold onto their old beliefs, but they are all loyal to the Legion and the Primarch.

"Manus's cold and hard exterior is just the surface; a passionate side lies hidden within him."

“Gabriel, you will see in the future Tenth Legion that Manus will treat his sons with an almost harsh attitude, but will also defend them on any occasion.”

"This is also something you need to be careful about. When you are communicating with the Tenth Legion, you should maintain respect and learn from them the mysteries of mechanics and calculation."

“Father, I understand.” Gabriel noted down the father of genetics’s reminder.

Gabriel had no doubt about the words of the Father of Genetics, and believed that the Father of Genetics shared the same attitude as Manus in protecting offspring.

The Stormbirds descended slowly, and Nimrod walked toward Manus's steel wagon.

“Lord Nimrod,” Gabriel Santo greeted him respectfully in his newly learned High Gothic.

Ninglu smiled and greeted him before opening the door.

After the hissing of steam and a wave of dry heat, the entrance to the iron forge opened.

Ninglu stepped inside and saw a relief that occupied the entire other side, depicting a heavy hammer striking an anvil, with the cracks caused by the impact outlined by silver veins.

On one side of the gate are mythical creatures of Medusa, such as Garuda.

Santo led the way to a gate made of shimmering diorite, white marble, and steel.

The guards at the gate bowed respectfully and then opened the gate.

As Nimrod entered the gate, he saw Manus standing before his personal banner in the steel hall.

It was a work created with velvet and a great deal of silver, depicting his defeat of a silver dragon named Asinos.

The Empire's Skyhawk banner stood in the center, Alpharis stood beside the banner, and in front of him, the Emperor stood in the center.

On the left side of the platform, Nimrod saw banners forged from velvet and gold, depicting the scene of him killing Garuda.

The banners are vividly depicted, clearly the work of Manus. Among the Medusa, only his silver eyes could pierce through the flames of the Burning One.

Manus looked at Nimrod, his silver-coin-like eyes instantly turning liquefied.

In a flash, he recorded Ninglu's physical data in his mind for use in forging armor.

Ninglu ascended the high platform and stood before his banner.

He saw that Azek Ahliman and his brother Olmuzd Ahliman, along with his friend Apofis, were also attending the celebration as representatives of the Fifteenth Army Corps.

Manus looked down at the representatives of the various clans below, his voice as heavy as lead, "Warriors of the Medusa clans, today we gather here to usher in a new era."

“My Father, Lord of Mankind, descended from the eternal night.”

The furnace roared and the flames flashed.

"I, Phenus Manus, in the name of my steel hands, with the furnace and flames as witnesses, vow to serve the Emperor forever!"

Members of the Medusa clans, led by Gabriel Santo, knelt on the ground.

"We follow Gorgon, to serve the Emperor forever, the forge and the flames bear witness to my oath!"

The emperor smiled and said, "I accept your allegiance. Rise!"

After the banquet began, Manus spoke to Nimrod.

"I made this banner for you to record the scene of you slaying the golden Garuda."

Nimrod was not surprised at all. Manus had a cold exterior but a warm heart. Many of the weapons he created were given as gifts to other Primarchs, not just those who were on good terms with him, such as Forgrim.

“Manus, it is a work of art. Thank you. I will take it back to my palace and hang it in the highest place.”

He gestured for Gabriel to come forward and introduce him to Manus.

“My son, Gabriel, only my forge master, Rosicky Cech, is more skilled in mechanics than him!”

Gabriel stepped forward and said respectfully.

“Gorgon of Medusa, Gabriel pays homage to you.”

Manus gazed at Nimrod's offspring before him, noticing the servo arm behind him, the chainsaw on it, and the various tools assembled there.

They are all meticulously forged, their craftsmanship no less than that of the tools made by the steel fathers he carefully trained.

“Gabriel, you are an excellent craftsman. You will be welcomed in my legion.”

On the tenth star day after the end of Medusa's celebration, the fleet of the Tenth Legion, the Stormwalkers, arrived at Medusa.

Ninglu accompanied Huang Laohan back to his flagship, the Busepharos.

The Emperor's flagship held a grand welcoming ceremony for yet another Primarch.

The scribes, without permission, boarded the spaceship and passed through the dangerous outer ring of Medusa.

They stood in the welcoming crowd, taking careful notes.

"822.M30, the Emperor, accompanied by Primarch Nimrod, retrieved the Tenth Primarch..."

"The king of Vostoria, representing the lords of mankind, engaged in a contest with the Gorgon of Medusa to excavate ancient ruins."

"The two Primarchs, having ultimately discovered ancient ruins of similar value, joined forces to develop them in the name of the Emperor..."

Ninglu stood with the Emperor in the circular observation deck surrounding the restaurant's dome.

Ninglu looked down and saw the Medusa people seated in the restaurant, unlike the unruly, playful wolves.

They sat down meticulously, scrutinizing everything around them.

The emperor's eyes flickered, and he spoke.

"General Amadeus Ducaine has arrived. He has pioneered the 'Storm and Hammer' tactic, which I believe will become a valuable military asset for the Empire."

Ninglu looked down. It was the first time he had seen Du Kane. In his memory, Du Kane was the number one person below the Primarch in the early days of the Great Crusade.

Dukaine wore a sturdy MK I Thunder-type power armor, covered with inscriptions of the team and battle.

Platinum was etched onto the cheek guards of his towering helmet, bearing the emblem of the Eye of Horus, which he was so proud of.

Nimrod knew that Ducaine, who was born in Terra Alebbia, had experienced thousands of battles and finally created the Empire's classic tactic, "Storm and Hammer," during the "Rust Star Campaign."

He ordered the Stormwalker to remain still, while he personally led the auxiliary forces as an anvil to stir up the storm, waiting for the orcs to come out in full force.

Ducaine's forces resisted the attacks with their iron will amidst the wave of greenskins until the last greenskin broke out of the fortress and was sufficiently dispersed, at which point they finally used the Stormwalkers as a heavy hammer to bring them down.

The Tenth Legion's small amount of armor and air power quickly scattered the orc forces, achieving the victory with only minor casualties.

They supported other battlefields and earned the respect of many legions, with the Fourth and Thirteenth Legions spontaneously learning from them.

After that, Huang Laohan personally led the Tenth Army Corps into battle.

Horus greatly admired Dukain and bestowed upon him the emblem of the Eye of Horus.

He also sent Azekair Abaddon temporarily as Dukan's squire to learn from him.

Ninglu recalled what he knew of Dukaine.

"Storm and Hammer" is a tactical system that looks simple but is actually extremely complex and precise. It is also the source of the future "Iron Hand" tactics. Manus further developed this tactic.

He was appointed commander of the legion, a position equal to that of company commander Santo, who was also the highest-ranking commander under Manus.

The previous reapers disdained such tactics and did not learn from the Tenth Legion. I can propose to Manus that we conduct joint military operations.
While Ninglu was pondering, Ducaine and Manus looked at each other for ten seconds before Ducaine knelt down to pledge allegiance to his genetic father.

Old Huang nodded in satisfaction and spoke.

"Come with me. It's time for me to know about the series of brilliant achievements you've made in the Wheel of Flames."

(End of this chapter)