Warhammer: Black Emperor

Chapter 538 Ruth, since you despise psionic powers, you might as well not wear the cloak.
865 years.

After accepting the sacrifice of Flamini on the Shadow of the Throne, Nimrod returns to the real world.

Just as he was about to adjust his counter-offensive plan based on the support from other legion task forces, he noticed that Arsène Dunn had walked in.

“My Lord, the Second Company Commander Akulduna of the ‘Son of the Emperor’ will arrive in the Caligum Gate space tomorrow.”

"The 'Ultramen' fleet will also arrive tomorrow, commanded by Glenn Warsotto."

Ning Lu nodded, thinking to himself.

[Guilliman clearly chose this position because he considered my past experience rescuing Wasotho.]
His timely rescue prevented the suppression fleet led by then-Commander of the 13th Legion, Wosoto, from being completely annihilated in the Osiris Sector.

As Ninglu pondered, the silver-haired Primarch attendant continued to report.

"The 'Word Bearers' fleet, delayed for unknown reasons, will arrive in two standard months."

Ninglu was not surprised by this; since Lojia returned to the Empire, his legions had been moving slowly.

He was constantly scolded by Old Man Huang for this.

Seeing that the Black Emperor's expression remained normal, Alsena continued his report.

"The Emperor will convene the War Council at nine o'clock in the next standard ship cycle."

"I see."

The following day, Nimrod's psionic projection traversed countless light-years and descended upon Terra's golden palace.

His eyes flashed. The Mars Foundry Director hadn't arrived yet. Clearly, after Shana's rescue, he had no urgent matters to attend to and arrived just in time, as usual.

Ning Lu also noticed that the seating order had not changed, but there was an extra figure.

Unlike other Primarchs who participated through psionic projections, he, like Makado, attended in person.

He was tall with long limbs, and his whole body looked as sharp and angular as the claws of a raptor.

His face was long and thin, with a very noticeable scar on his left cheek.

His jet-black braids were tied up with gold rings and hung down onto his magnificent armor, which was adorned with white fur and glittering ornaments.

Horus, as always, introduced himself to Ninglu in the tone of a good older brother.

“Ninlu, I followed my father and found our brothers on the vast grasslands of Chogoris.”

Ninglu keenly noticed a hint of pride and pleasure in Horus's tone.

"Chagatai Khan".

“Welcome to the team, Chagatai,” Ninglu said with a smile.

"Ninglu." Unlike his sharp appearance, Chagatai's voice was elegant, carrying an air of noble dignified grace.

"Star Hunters were excellent hunters, and so was the Shadow of Order, but they willingly stooped to playing with witchcraft."

Unsurprisingly, Nimrod heard Russ's mockery once again.

Thinking of Rus's conspiracy against him, Ninglu's eyes turned cold. He was about to speak when Chagatai spoke again.

“Russ, thank you for the invitation, but I have no interest in hunting with you.”

Ninglu's eyes lit up. He thought of Chagatai Khan, who had the best relationship with Saint Gilles and Magnus, and who jointly led the use of psychic energy in the empire.

He had the worst relationship with Ruth and Mortarian.

During the grand birthday celebration, after receiving Russ's plea for help, he ignored it, broke through the "Alpha Legion's" blockade, and left directly.

[The addition of Chagatai Khan will boost our influence in the War Council.]
"The weeds of Chogris have blocked your eyes."

“The men of Fenris are the best hunters; you will see that in the war against the aliens.”

After Rus finished speaking, he ignored Chagatai Khan and addressed Ninglu.

“Ninlu, my wolf lord will defeat Sanchez and win even more glory.”

"Do you dare to continue the previous bet?"

“If I win, Sanchez will hand over the wolf helmet to my wolf lord.”

"So you lost?" Ning Lu said coldly.

"I can't possibly lose." Ruth's icy blue eyes were as cold as knives.

“I remember you saying the same thing several times,” Ninglu said dismissively.

Ruth paused for a moment to calm her anger before continuing.

"Scarson will definitely beat your brat."

"If I lose, my cloak will belong to Sanchez."

Ninglu's eyes lit up. He knew that Ruth's cloak was a psionic cloak he had made from the fur of the Great Wolf Blackmane after killing it.

The cloak grants Ruth the ability to pass through the Gates of Death and return whenever needed.

Ruth left him to return at the end after the grand birthday celebration because he had a psionic cloak made from the fur of the Great Wolf of Death.

[Ruth, since you despise psionic powers, wearing a psionic cloak isn't appropriate. You might as well not wear it at all!]
Upon realizing this, Ning Lu immediately agreed.

"It's a word."

"I accept the bet on behalf of Sanchez."

Horus and Saint Gilles, Phenus and Phorgrim, Peturabo and Magnus, exchanged glances at the same time.

They both read the same thought in their friend's eyes:

Sanchez will win, Skarsennes will lose.

Guilliman saw Nimrod and Ruth on the verge of war and was about to intervene to mediate, but to his surprise, they quickly reached a wager.

He sighed helplessly as he watched the Mars Foundry Director walk into the hall.

Then, a golden light shone, and the Emperor and Constantine Waldo arrived at the same time.

The emperor's gaze fell on Ning Lu, and he spoke in a deep voice.

"The aliens have launched a massive invasion of the Empire's territory, and the northern part of the galaxy is ablaze."

"Fourteen expeditionary fleets were destroyed, and five Titan Legion designations were revoked."

"I want to know how the war is progressing."

When Ninglu heard that Old Man Huang was ignoring Peturabo, he looked at Peturabo.

Although he showed no expression, he was clearly unhappy about being ignored.

Nimrod's gaze swept over Hannibal at the same time, and he keenly noticed that Hannibal's cheekbones were higher and the bone spurs on his face were more prominent, as if they were about to pierce through his skin.

The physical changes are more obvious.

Hmm... It's unusual that he didn't actively participate in the war against Ran Dan.

He found a more suitable food... or an alien that he could enjoy alone without being discovered.
Ninglu withdrew his gaze and then first mentioned Peturabo's crucial role.

"Petulabo has built an ironclad defense around Shana, and the alien offensive has been contained."

"I am about to launch a counterattack. My legions will be deployed through the Caligum Gate to key areas of the alien-occupied territory."

Ninglu will not, as he remembers, wage a long war with Ran Dan that will last for twenty years.

He aims to complete the decisive battle within ten years and annihilate Ran Dan's main force.

"very good."

The Emperor nodded in satisfaction. "The Omen Order will fully cooperate with your plan."

"I will order the Eighth and Twelfth Legions to provide you with support."

Ning Lu's eyes lit up; perhaps there was another opportunity to "corrode" him.

As he pondered, the emperor smiled and said.

"I hope you can win the victory soon and wipe out the aliens."

I will prepare a grand celebration for you.

Ning Lu's eyes flickered slightly as he thought to himself.

The celebration isn't important; the key is the reward.

Old Huang, it's been so long since I've visited your treasure trove.
"As you wish."

As the war council ended and Nimrod was about to leave, he suddenly heard Saint Gilles's magnetic voice.

"Nimrod, Magnus, stay a moment."

After the other figures disappeared, Nimrod and Magnus looked at Saint Gilles together.

Saint Gilles' smile was as perfect and warm as his pure white wings.

"You have just seen Chagatai's attitude."

"According to the intelligence I have obtained, he is not averse to psionic energy."

“He’s a brother we can win over, but who among us can talk to him?”

Upon hearing this, Nimrod knew that Saint Gilles wanted to bring Chagatai into their political alliance.

He remembered that it was originally Saint Gilles who stepped forward to reach an agreement with Chagatai Khan.

Previously, he wouldn't have cared who negotiated with Chagatai Khan.

But now, faced with Rus's conspiracy and considering Chagatai's attitude towards him, this is an opportunity.

Thinking of this, Ning Lu spoke up.

“I spoke with him,” he then explained, “because it would be easier for me to meet with him through the Carrieme Gate.”

Saint Gilles and Magnus thought of the Chagatai Khan mentioned in the intelligence, who was unrestrained and eccentric, as elusive as those star hunters. Nimrod would be more likely to find him for a face-to-face meeting, so they both nodded in agreement.

(End of this chapter)