Warhammer: Black Emperor

Chapter 412 Becoming the Temple Chief, the Third Company Commander's Ambition to the Think Tank Director
Magnus's gaze finally settled on Hathor Matt, and with a scholarly, curious smile, just as he had when he stepped onto Prospero's podium, he began to speak.

"Hasor has discovered something interesting about the Skots. Let's hear what he has found."

“Welcome Hathor Matt of the Brightfeather School, who brings us his discovery,” said Amon, Primarch Attendant and Company Commander of the Ninth Society.

The Mind Reader looked at the Primarch. Unlike Peturabo and the other Primarchs who did not show emotions, his father displayed obvious curiosity, his one eye sparkling with bright curiosity in its violet color today.

Amon remained hidden from view. Even though the Primarch had placed the Sosmes Mark to shield psychic powers, he did not reveal his body. One could only determine his location in the direction of Azek Ahriman's "Black Raven School" by listening to the faint sounds coming from it.

Ahriman's gaze lingered on him, a mixture of scrutiny and wariness.

[Is he warning me to surpass his position and gain greater power within the "Thousand Sons"?]
The "mind reader" rapidly surveyed its surroundings, while simultaneously feeling a sensation of dissolving within its body.

Finally, his gaze returned to the father of genes, whose perfectly sculpted face, crafted by the "Bright Feather School," radiated a captivating smile.

In order to fulfill Lord Nimrod's orders and elevate his own status in his eyes, Hathor decided to reveal information that few people knew.

"The Skots should actually be called the Wotan Alliance, or the Space Dwarves."

"Wotan is also known as the Ancestral Core, from which all space dwarves, whether Hearthblood or Ironblood, originate from the genetic templates stored within."

“I think Father must have already discovered that they not only have strong resistance to mind magic, but also to other psionic spells.”

Magnus nodded slightly. "Indeed, their bodies are exceptionally resilient."

"Please allow me to demonstrate for everyone." Hathor took the data tablet from his waist after the Father of Genetics nodded.

He tapped his finger lightly, bringing up the secrets of the Wotan Alliance that Lord Ninglu had given him.

Although he believed that Lord Nimrod, whom he served, was wiser and more powerful than the Father of Genetics, he had no doubt about his father's insight and that one must have something substantial to gain his father's attention.

Although the "mind reader" was unable to discern Lord Ninglu's explicit thoughts, he believed that the cloning brocade technique was not a secret that should absolutely not be revealed.

Moreover, this part of the data panel mostly contains gene template data from non-Grimnir sages. The Father of Genetics would not have any interest in creating space dwarves without psionic talents; he was simply curious about knowledge.

The text and images flashed before the eyes of the many Thousand Sons. Even though their psychic powers were blocked, the Thousand Sons still possessed Astartes' superhuman vision and could see the contents of the text.

However, they did not have access to the writing system of the space dwarves, and with their psychic powers blocked, they could not quickly decipher the information using only their brains.

With furrowed brows, they began to decipher the Space Dwarfs' script, combining Hathor's "analysis" with the Gothic text.

Magnus’s violet eyes sparkled, and images and words flowed through his mind like a river.

A moment later, Magnus's purple eyes flashed, "Cloning brocade technology, weaving genes..."

"The technology of the Wotan Alliance is indeed unique."

"Any other discoveries?"

Hathor paused for a moment. Compared to pure knowledge like the cloning brocade technique, Lord Nimrod had also given him a rune.

This rune is one of the runes in the warp circuit used by the Sage Grimnir, which serves to gather psionic energy.

Lord Ninglu told him that he would decide whether to show it to his genetic father depending on the circumstances.

The "mind reader" cannot be precisely measured, nor can the display of runes significantly enhance his standing in Magnus's eyes.

In an instant, Hathor made a decision: he would give it a try. He now believed this was the only chance he could earn a place alongside Ahriman in Magnus's eyes.

Before the "Thousand Sons" reunited with the Father of Genetics, Ahriman was the de facto commander of the Legion, leading it through that dark age.

Ahriman's secondment has not yet been completed, so he still has a chance.

Once Ahriman completes his secondment, his chances of filling the vacant think tank director position are much slimmer than Ahriman's.

Becoming the director of a think tank grants more power, and more knowledge and secrets will pass through his sight.

He would then be able to offer even more to Lord Ninglu.

Hathor made a decision after thinking about this. He raised his arm and quickly sketched a pentagon nested within a circle as a rune.

Because the Sothmes mark isolates the warp, the rune had no effect whatsoever.

But Magnus keenly sensed the difference in this rune: "This is a rune that can cause psionic changes; it does not belong to the category we know."

"A good discovery. Anything else?"

“That’s all. This rune is my greatest discovery.” Hathor knew that Lord Nimrod had captured several mind servants and might have mastered the complete warp circuit, but he was clearly unwilling to give it to the Father of Genesis.

Magnus nodded with a hint of regret. He could sense that the rune was incomplete and seemed to be part of some kind of psionic array.

This situation had occurred twice before after "Thousand Sons" left Prospero, where they found more than a dozen incomplete runes in the ruins of two different civilizations, all of which once belonged to lost civilizations.

However, the runes obtained in the past are far less effective than those from the Wotan Alliance this time.

[It would be great if we could get the complete version.]
After a moment of disappointment, Magnus addressed the crowd.

"My fellow members of the Council of First Seats, Hathor has completed a perfect journey through the 'Shadow of Order' with my brother Nimrod."

"He also added to the Legion's knowledge of the Wotan Alliance during the battle with the Skot Alliance, and discovered a rune containing strange power."

"Given his achievements, his reputation in the 'Thousand Sons,' his knowledge and abilities, and his understanding of the art of Bright Feather, he should rightfully serve as the Temple Head of the 'Bright Feather School' and as the Company Commander of the Third Society."

Hathor's eyes flashed with disappointment upon hearing this.

Although he became the second company commander after Amon, who did not need to be seconded, and became the head of the Temple, one of the five major factions, his performance still fell short of his expectations.

From the moment he was seconded, he was destined to become a company commander.

Within the "Bright Feather School," no one, whether Prospero or Terran, possessed psychic powers comparable to his.

Even Hastur and Ihoden, the founders of the "Bright Feather School," had long surpassed him in skill, and the Temple Chief was nothing more than a piece of cake for them.

What he wants is the vacant position of think tank director.

The "mind reader's" eyes swept over the crowd congratulating him, and he saw a solemn look in Ahriman's eyes as he looked at him.

The "mind reader" looked at the father of genes again and found his one eye scanning between himself and Ahriman.

Could it be that the Father of Genetics will choose between me and Ahriman to serve as the Legion's think tank?
My contribution was not useless; rather, it earned me this opportunity.
Hathor suddenly felt as if stars were exploding inside him.

He thought to himself, "[I have become a true 'mind reader'!]"
(End of this chapter)