Warhammer: Black Emperor

Chapter 342 Cooperation and Exchange with Magnus
Tizika, the Eastern Mountains, the Scholar's Tower.

The gold and silver bookshelves were crammed with heavy esoteric texts, translucent crystal chips, engraved prints, skeletons covered in inscriptions, and scrolls bound in leather cases.

The gilded hall appeared somewhat cramped due to the bookshelves crowding it out, especially with the two giants deep within.

Magnus, with his scarlet hair, now had a single, spirited pale blue eye, speckled with brown spots.

“Azek Ahriman told me that some people in the War Council hated the psychic powers of our two legions and slandered us as wizards who abused unclean magic.”

"My father described to me more than once the future, an inspiring and progressive new human kingdom, a bright tomorrow created by scientists, philosophers and warriors working together."

"Sadly, there are still people whose eyes are blinded by the fog, questioning the precious skills and doubting the brave explorers."

He looked at Ning Lu, his eyes brimming with excitement.

"We can work together in many ways to pursue a bright and inspiring future."

"We can reach a consensus on many issues in dealing with narrow-minded people."

Magnus extended his right hand, looking expectantly at Nimrod.

Ning Lu extended his right hand and grasped the red arm: "That's right."

"We will not be alone."

He thought to himself: [There is also Saint Gilles, who will return in 843, and Chagatai Khan later.]

Magnus's return and the resurgence of the "Thousand Sons" will divert much attention, allowing extraordinary individuals to better remain hidden within think tanks.
"Our cooperation should not be limited to responding to attacks from others."

"While you are saving your offspring, I will be heading to the wasteland."

Magnus's eyes turned gray, and he spoke in a sorrowful tone.

"If there really is such a thing as a talent curse, then the Soul-Devouring Bee is the curse of those who master the mysteries of the ether."

“Many people I know have been killed by the Soul-Eating Bees. I remember the male Soul-Eating Bees swarming at me.”

"They were like a storm of sharp pincers and claws. Fifty people died in the blink of an eye. Then the female bees were filled with clusters of illusory eggs. Dozens of my friends knelt down in fear, their brains implanted with soul-devouring bee eggs."

He was lost in memories: "Even today, the screams of the deceased still echo in my mind, and I think that cruel memory will remain forever."

“That’s exactly what I’m trying to say,” Ninglu said. “The threat of the Soul-Eating Bees must be dealt with.”

Magnus shook his head. "They are too dangerous, even for Astartes."

"Let Tizka become a land of light, and leave the wasteland to them; this is the best option."

"My offspring will not be consumed by the Soul-Eating Bees. We should collect and record the knowledge we find to bring light to more of our fellow human beings."

“No,” Nimrod continued, his amber gaze filled with confusion, “Before conquering the stars, you must first conquer your homeland and leave a safe kingdom for your people.”

"The Thousand Sons will encounter great trouble in the process of clearing out the Soul-Eating Bees because of their psychic talents."

"I am willing to help you get rid of the Soul-Eating Bees."

Magnus's eyes lit up instantly. After a few seconds of thought, he said, "But this will come at a great cost; many Shadow Order members will die."

“There will be sacrifices.” Ninglu agreed with Magnus’s statement, but the sacrifices would not be as great as the other party imagined.

Unlike Qianzi, the extraordinary ones are not like a light in the eyes of the Soul-Devouring Bees.

This means that as long as tactics are used properly in battle, the number of Soul-Eating Bees can be kept within a reasonable range.

The Shadows of Order can also use extraordinary abilities to hunt and cleanse.

[It not only yields materials for potions but also serves as a test for extraordinary individuals like "Hunters," honing their abilities.]
“But this sacrifice is worthwhile,” Nimrod said with a smile. “My sons are willing to help the people of Prospero.”

"They will also draw wisdom from this city of scholars' light."

Nimrod anticipates another reward: Prospero's future treasure trove of knowledge.

He recalled that after the Burning of Prospero, Magnus rebuilt the Pergamon Gallery, which contained about 60 million books reconstructed from his memory, but this was still far less than any of the many libraries in Tizica.

"On behalf of Prospero and all the people, I express my gratitude to you and the Shadow of Order."

Magnus bowed slightly, then solemnly said:

"The shadow of order will be in Prospero, enjoying the same treatment as the Thousand Sons; knowledge will make them wiser."

“Now it’s time for our exchange,” Magnus said, his eyes flashing.

A moment later, Amon entered with several apprentices, carrying silver trays.

"These fresh fruits are cultivated using psionic arrays in the underground mountain. Their freshness and juiciness are no less than those of any other world."

After Amon and the others left, Ninglu sat down on a stone chair and picked up a mango that emitted a rich aroma.

He took a bite, and the sweet juice filled his mouth.

"It's amazing that such delicious fruit can be produced even underground where there is little sunlight."

Magnus smiled and said, "This is the power of knowledge, a miracle that the ignorant can never comprehend."

As they ate and chatted, Magnus recounted how he embarked on a wasteland adventure after failing to gain further knowledge in Tizcan.

"I traveled alone through city after city, and finally arrived at a city that was a ruin lying at the foot of a cliff."

"I followed the mountain path, climbed up the cliff, and at a bend in the road, I saw a tall stone statue, a magnificent giant bird made of colorful stones."

"It is so lifelike, as if it is about to take flight. Its slender neck is as elegant as a swan's, and it stands on the edge of the cliff."

Ninglu's eyes flashed. The colorful giant bird made him have a certain guess, and at the same time, it awakened his memory of Magnus's journey.

"Just as I was witnessing its beautiful form, it tipped over from its base." "The sight of it falling filled me with a heartbreaking sense of loss, but then I noticed that the fragments formed a specific pattern where it had hit the ground."

"Three larger pieces form a precise equilateral triangle, and four white pieces form a perfect square."

Magnus excitedly stated, "I then discovered that by ignoring the two white stones and adding two gray fragments a meter away, it became a perfect rhombus."

"Choose five pieces and you can draw a pentagon the same size as a triangle, with a smaller hexagon inside."

"There are also decagons, intersecting triangles, concentric circles, and triangles composed of red, gray, and white fragments."

As Magnus spoke, he took a secret manual from the bookshelf.

“I recorded all the discovered diagrams in the secret text.”

“Just as I was writing my second book of secrets, Amon found me. He had been my mentor.”

"At first he thought they were just scattered pebbles, but after reading my secret manual, he was so excited that he couldn't contain himself."

Magnus stroked the book and continued, “I returned to Tizka and shared the secrets with my former mentors.”

"They were captivated by it, marveling at the beauty of the natural patterns."

"As with every great moment, they therefore neglected the precepts of the mind, and countless spirit-devouring bees swarmed in."

“I can understand.” After being promoted to “Corrupted Baron” and gaining the ability of “Geometry”, he conducted some research in his spare time.

He also unearthed from Slau Da's mind a keen perception of the study and understanding of natural figures, and gained a certain understanding of the power of geometric figures.

The image contains power.

A fervent orange-red gleam flashed in Magnus's eyes, and a shimmering light danced around his pupils.

"When the Soul-Devouring Bees attacked, the dormant power within me awakened, and with a wave of my hand, hundreds of Soul-Devouring Bees were reduced to ashes."

"Upon seeing the red graphic, Memphia and Sethega gave an order, and the Wall of Flames rose into the air."

Ning Lu knew that this was the origin of the future "Fire Phoenix School".

“Atep and Laxentep have seen the spiral pattern formed by the white fragments, and they shot down the beast.”

"The Falcon School," Ning Lu thought to himself.

"Hastur and Ihoden saw the octagon, causing the bodily fluids beneath the Soul Eater's exoskeleton to boil instantly."

[Yes, the "Bright Feather School," Hathor Matt will be their successor.]
“Fanec and Sosmes saw the lines and arcs where quadrilaterals, circles and triangles intertwined, and they understood the insane desire of the Soul-Eating Bees to implant their eggs into our brains.”

Ning Lu nodded slightly, thinking to himself: [“The Heavenly Owl School”.]
“Ammon was the first person besides me to see all these patterns. He saw images of the future environment in his mind and foresaw the dangers.”

Ninglu knew that Amon was most skilled in the "Black Crow School" techniques, but he also mastered techniques from other schools.

"This is how the five major schools of thought came about."

As Nimrod spoke, he silently pondered: [It must be Tzeentch who revealed the secrets of graphics and psychic powers to Magnus; what a generous gift indeed.]
“That’s right.” Magnus handed over the secret manual, which Ninglu took and quickly flipped through the symbols on it.

Yes, pure knowledge will not lead one astray.

But it was a lure, stimulating Magnus and the other Thousand Sons to explore more mysteries and knowledge.

Giving first and receiving later is a common tactic used by Chaos Gods like Tzeentch; the gifts of fate already come with a price.
Nimrod knew that the gift Tzeentch gave to Magnus did not contain the power of corruption, nor could it corrupt a Primarch.

The skills learned from this will not be more easily corrupted than those of the Flao people or the various psychic factions of future humans.

Nimrod also knew that Revel Avida of the Geometry School, the future Fourth Academy, would bring the skills of the five major schools to the Grey Knights as their first Grand Master.

Lemuel Gaumont, Azek Ahriman's apprentice and friend, and one of the four founders of the Inquisition, also brought what he learned from his mentor into the Inquisition.

Ning Lu pulled his thoughts away from the future and returned to the graphic itself.

[The diagrams in the crypt are directly related to psychic powers and cannot be directly applied to extraordinary abilities—specifically, geometry—but they did give me some inspiration.]
Afterwards, Nimrod exchanged techniques from the five major schools with Magnus.

He discovered that Magnus was superior to the Flao people in their etheric arts.

Ninglu silently weighed his own situation against Magnus's, combining his memories to draw a conclusion.

[In terms of pure psychic abilities, Magnus has a more comprehensive grasp, but the two areas I focus on are no worse than his.]

In terms of telekinesis, I have just been promoted to "Corrupted Baron," and I need time to improve the resulting physical abilities so that I can rival his falconry skills in the future.

In terms of mind control, possessing Osiris's mind-controlling abilities, I will surpass his Sky Owl Technique.
Finally, Nimrod and Magnus exchanged views on their feelings.

After hearing that Nimrod had learned how to use mental power from Thelma's teachings, Magnus asked him many questions.

"The power of the mind contains a strength that transcends the physical body."

"Compared to my mental techniques, your three-layered mental state is superior in terms of defense."

"Moreover, even those who are not psionicists can master it through willpower training. I think this is to address the potential crisis that your offspring might lose control due to their heightened senses."

Ning Lu nodded slightly. Through the exchange, he had grasped the first three levels of Magnus's lower level of mind and understood the three levels of the middle level.

He said, "Only psychics can control your state of mind and allow them to unleash their potential."

Nimrod stayed in Prospero for a month, and after exchanging views with Magnus, he set off to leave.

After the Shadow of Kings set sail, he casually placed the Spear of Dionysus on the ground and headed to the "Land of Chaos".

He wanted to divine the future of Kos.

The future pearl of the Eastern Galaxy.

(End of this chapter)