Warhammer: Black Emperor

Chapter 536 Ruth's Plot: I Have a "Conspirator"

Carrighamn Gate, Shadow of Reign, Primarch Office.

Nimrod, engrossed in his data panel, heard the faint sound of prayers in his ears.

He glanced at the hanging clock; there were still ten minutes before Alsena was to arrive to report.

With a thought, Ning Lu arrived at the fourth level of the "Land of Chaos".

His spirituality spread, and he saw Thierry Vieira with his hands clasped upside down, and two lotus roots wrapped together on the altar.

With a thought, he pulled Thierry and Ou into the "Land of Chaos".

"My lord," Thierry bowed, then gave a brief report to the Black Emperor on his participation in Ventrilian's coming-of-age ceremony, the bestowal of the suit he had once worn, and how he had won people's hearts, before concluding.

“This lotus root grows in the magma of Ventrilian, which is quite special. I think you might like it.”

Ninglu sat high on his throne, having already identified the lotus root Thierry had presented to him as the only missing ingredient for the "Arsonist" Sequence 6 "Conspirator"—the Fire Lotus Root.

“I am indeed interested in this. You shall order the candidates who will participate in the final assessment to collect them.”

"As you wish." Thierry accepted the order and decided to immediately have the technical sergeants develop harvesting tools.

After sending Thierry back to the Blade, Nimrod returned to the real world.

Two minutes later, Arcena Dunn, carrying a data tablet, stepped into the Primarch's office.

“My Lord, the fleets of ‘Dark Angel’ and ‘Space Wolf’ have arrived at Cariham Gate.”

Ninglu leaned back on the throne and asked with great interest.

"Who is the commander?"

The "Dark Angels" were originally the main force in the "Randan War".

During the Third Randan War, Leman Ruth put aside his grudges with Ryan Eljonsson and joined forces to cleanse the Randan homeworld.

"The commander of the 'Dark Angels' is Urian Bendreig, who leads five battle chapters including the Eighth Battle Chapter. His flagship is the Queen of Glory-class battleship HMS Abomination."

"The commander of 'Space Wolves' is the Wolf Lord of the Fifth Company, Amlodi Skasen Skasenson."

After the silver-haired Primarch's attendant reported, he consulted the Black Emperor.

Whom do you wish to see first?

“Ben Dreg,” Ninglu instructed after making the decision.

“Luther asked me to keep it a secret for him and to keep Bendreg away from any possible contact.”

“As you command,” Arsena said.

Five sidereal hours later, Ninglu stared at Bendreg as he walked into the office.

He keenly noticed that Ryan, the former commander of the First Legion before his return, was shrouded in melancholy.

In the same war against the Mitu people, after winning glory, he was in high spirits and very different.

[Yes, more and more Terrans are being exiled to Caliban by Lane.]

Bendreg must have also sensed Ryan's alienation. As a former legion commander, he was not second to anyone, not even the hundredth.

While Luther is nominally the second-in-command of the "Dark Angels," Ryan currently trusts Kos Wayne, the Legion's strongest swordsman, most implicitly, and he has no choice but to return to the Eighth Legion.
“Lord Nimrod,” Bendreg bowed respectfully, then made his request directly, “Please entrust me with the most difficult task.”

The Primarch sensed the determination and bitterness in Bendreg's tone, which reminded him of the Dark Angel, who, after the Battle of Carcassan, was rebuked by Guilliman and sought to prove himself by launching a frenzied attack on all aliens in the galaxy.

A thought flashed through Ninglu's mind: "[Ben Dreg is quite pitiful. Should I do good deeds and 'corrupt' him?]"
Hmm... but the Bendreg I remember died in the Battle of Carcassan, and I don't know how loyal he was to Lane.

If Luther is kept by his side and fails to "corrupt" him, he will be exposed.
"Your legion will be responsible for rescuing the Fortress world from the fortress."

Nimrod decided not to take the risk for the time being; Luther was far more important than Bendreig.

At the same time, he also believes that Ben Dregger is not in despair and is still trying to prove himself to his genetic father.

Perhaps, he will have a chance after suffering setbacks in defending the fortress.

"The fortress has been under siege by aliens for three years. Although the world of Fortress has not yet fallen, the situation is critical."

Alsena manipulated his control staff, highlighting the defensive fortress on the galactic star map. Amidst a sea of ​​red dots, a lone green orb shone brightly.

"Dozens of surrounding imperial worlds have all fallen, losing strategic space and all supplies."

"The only unverified intelligence suggests that the Xenomorphs have an artificial war satellite, thousands of warships, and countless Xenomorph warriors throughout the subsector."

“Thank you for your trust,” Bendreg said gratefully, for a powerful enemy was exactly what he needed now.

As Bendreig stepped out of the Primarch's office, he was met by two warriors clad in wolf skins and gray power armor.

“Urian Bendreg.” Skarsen’s voice was loud and stern, coming from beneath the wolf-skin mask.

The jet-black wolf pelt was secured to the back of Skarsen's neck with bone buckles, while the skull and long, sharp teeth of the dead giant wolf formed his right shoulder armor.

“Wolf Lord, Skarsen.” Bendreg raised his head and glanced contemptuously at the giant wolf drooling at his feet.

The two passed each other, and his gaze lingered for a moment on the rune priest covered in amulets.

He saw a smile on the rune priest's deeply lined face, but Bendreg simply walked past in silence.

Bendreg left the two behind, then heard the Primarch's Honor Guard speak solemnly behind him.

"Wolves are not allowed inside!"

Skarsen's grey Terminator armor enveloped the Honor Guard's body, the black battle axe blade on his back gleaming in the Lumen lamplight.

"You think you can stop me?"

Members of the 7th Legion's Honor Guard stared fearlessly into the iron-gray eyes beneath the mask studded with shattered stone fragments, eyes the same color as their armor.

"Leave them, or go back."

“Listen up, kid. My name is Amlodi Skasen Skasenson, the Wolf Lord of the Fifth Company of ‘Space Wolves’.” Skasen’s tone was like that of an assassin, cold as ice.

“I heard you,” the honor guard said calmly. “Stay, or go back.”

The giant wolves arched their backs and glared fiercely at the wolves that were much smaller than themselves.

The green-furred wolves, like their owners, stared at them without fear.

"Wolf Lord, don't forget the Wolf King's orders, our mission," Wardmaker's voice rang out as he addressed the giant wolves. "You all wait outside."

Skarsen said nothing more and walked forward.

Seeing that the giant wolf didn't follow, the honor guard members let him go inside.

As Skarsen walked past the Honor Guard member, he noticed the seven red arrows painted on his right shoulder armor and his iron-gray eyes, which were as cold as knives.

The Shadow of Order keenly sensed a chill on his shoulder, and instinctively reached for the Katachon Fang at his waist.

Wardmaker smiled at the shadow of order, "Admirable courage."

When the Shadow of Order saw the smile on the Rune Priest's face, he keenly sensed that the smile was like the venom of Katachon.

He gripped the Katachon Fang tightly in his hand, watching the Rune Priest warily.

With a smile on his face, Wardmaker followed his wolf lord into the Primarch's office.

“My name is Amlodi Skasen Skasenson, the fifth lord of the ‘Space Wolves.’ I obey the orders of the alpha wolf and heed your call to war.”

“Oshel Wardmaker, rune priest of the Fifth Company, greets Lord Nimrod.”

"Primarch, I hope to fight alongside the think tank of the 'Shadow of Order'."

Ninglu glanced at Wardmaker, becoming wary.

He remembered that at the end of this millennium, Wardmaker would feign friendship with Ahriman to gather evidence of the Thousand Sons' crimes.

In order to gain approval, Magnus had Ahriman openly explain the situation of "Thousand Sons" to Wodemaker.

It not only became evidence for Wardmaker's subsequent accusations against "Thousand Sons" at the "Nicaea Conference," but also became crucial intelligence for the Wild Wolves' attack during the "Burning of Prospero."

The Primarch thought of the words Wardmaker reminded Skarsen of at the office door.

[The mission... the mission Rus gave them, it's probably not to take this opportunity to gather intelligence.]
Ninglu knew that beneath the wolf king's rugged exterior lay a cunning nature.

He sent Wodemaker to befriend the Thousand Sons, and he believed that the narrator, Casper Ansbach Hauser, was Magnus's servant Amon in disguise, and thus used him.

[Yes, in my legion, there are many extraordinary individuals disguised as think tanks, plus the real think tanks.]

It is indeed quite possible that Ruth took preemptive action against me.

Besides the large number of psionicists in our legion, are there other reasons?
The primordial organism has deep, penetrating eyes and a rapidly working brain.

[My order to conceal the conquered territories and the sudden slowdown in the conquest aroused Ruth's suspicion?]
Or did he discover my little ambition?
[…]
A series of thoughts raced through Ninglu's mind: [Ruth, since you want to play dirty tricks, then let's play them properly.]
The Primarch released its own oppressive aura, its gaze turning coldly towards Skarsen.

"Take off your mask."

Skarsen felt as if a mountain was pressing down on him; he felt colder than if he were on the Fenris Glacier. His body trembled, and he bit his lips tightly.

A moment later, he reluctantly raised his hands and unfastened the clasp of his mask, his arms trembling as he struggled internally.

Skarsson's weathered face was exposed; he was beardless and had prominent cheekbones.

Wardmaker gripped the rune staff tightly, feeling the pressure disappear, and subconsciously raised his hand to wipe the cold sweat from his forehead.

"The Seventh Battle Group will accompany you in Dalian, and the think tank Okafor will accompany Wardmaker."

Wardmaker's eyes lit up, and he said, "As you wish."

After Skarsen and Wardmaker left, Nimrod immediately went to the "Land of Chaos," where he spread his spirituality and confirmed that no one was around Sanchez.

He immediately ordered the space apes to concoct the Sequence 6 "Conspirator" potion using a giant ice worm that burrowed in the Fenris Glacier fjord and a fire lotus root.

While waiting, he couldn't help but think of it.

The two main ingredients of the "scheming manipulator" are ice and fire, which are indeed opposites.

Hmm... the "scheming mastermind" has further enhanced their control over fire, corresponding to the fire lotus root. The burrowing worms might represent aspects of intrigue such as deception and manipulation.
A moment later, Ninglu arrived at the fourth level of space with the "Conspirator" potion.

His spirituality spread, drawing Sanchez into the "Land of Chaos".

"Drink it."

Sanchez picked up the dark iron-black potion and saw a large amount of reddish rust floating in it.

Sanchez tilted his head back and drank it down. As the liquid entered his stomach, he felt a tickle in his brain, and his thinking became more agile and clear.

Two flames shone in his eyes, gleaming brightly in the black mist.

Ninglu gave the order after the newly appointed "scheming mastermind" had contained the overflowing power of the potion.

"The fifth company of 'Space Wolves' will accompany your battle group; beware of their schemes."

“Especially that rune priest, Wardmaker, he’s a cunning wolf.”

Ruth's conspiracy...

I have a "scheming mastermind."
Sanchez's eyes flashed; he felt his superhuman brain was even more intelligent than before.

As the Black Emperor spoke, a series of misleading, confusing, and deceptive schemes brewed in his mind.

"Follow Your will."

After sending Sanchez back to the Void Hunter, Ninglu went to the second level of space. He used his spiritual power to condense a lava lake environment one meter in diameter and one meter deep, and then inserted the remaining fire lotus root into it.

He then ordered the space monkeys to prepare a "hunter" potion.

Upon returning to the real world, he called out to the honor guard members at the door.

"Stevens, come in."

Members of the 7th Warband's Honor Guard strode into the Primarch's office.

"Father."

"This is your reward."

A moment later, the newly recruited "hunter" knelt down.

"Thank you for the strength you have given me, Father. I will do my best to win glory for you."

(End of this chapter)