Warhammer: Black Emperor

Chapter 819 What normal person would think of writing their own biography before they die?
“Maccard proposes that a chronicler be stationed alongside the greatest generals of the Empire in each expeditionary fleet.” The Emperor surveyed the Primarchs.

"They are poets, journalists, photographers, and writers who will document this great expedition for humanity."

Magnus's colorful eyes shifted to orange. "I support Macado's suggestion."

"In fact, since the beginning of the Great Expedition, many people have spontaneously gathered around the expedition fleet to record everything."

"But they received no support; they were brutally driven away by soldiers and even deliberately abandoned in a dangerous, savage world."

Macardo held the scepter in his right hand, gazing admiringly at the book worn by the Primarch.

“You trust them, and I’ve heard that Mahawatus Karimacus has been writing for you.”

Magnus's eyes turned blue. "That's right."

“The army is not a place for them,” Leman Russ said with disgust.

“If all journalists want to walk on the front lines, they should be given weapons.”

"In this way, at least before they die, they can fire a damn bullet at the enemy, and they can also deplete an enemy's bullet. That's what makes them useful."

“They are a burden to the expeditionary fleet and need extra protection,” Roger Dorn said bluntly.

"We have to take their safety into account when we take military action."

“Their presence is detrimental to our military operations.” Because Nimrod had rescued Omega from the clutches of Sloth at Bal Savor, he had been the Primarch of the Twentieth Legion on the surface.

Only the Emperor, Macardo, and Constantine Waldo, the commander of the Imperial Guard who had clashed with Alpharis in the defense of the palace, knew of his existence.

Seeing that few agreed with him and that most Primarchs opposed the Chronicles officially being stationed in the Legions, the Emperor turned his gaze to the nearby area, ignoring the taciturn Llane.

"Horus, Nimrod, Robert, what are your thoughts?"

Guilliman felt the eyes of his other Primarch brothers fixed on him, and the pressure pressed down on him through psionic projections.

After a few seconds of deliberation, he spoke slowly and tactfully.

"I believe history should be recorded."

[I really hope you hold this attitude towards the history of the Second Reich.] Nimrod curled his lip.

His gaze swept almost imperceptibly over the person who left the handprint, [material for the imperial propaganda machine?]
Before the establishment of the Terran Council, write down the glorious achievements of the Primarchs, a history to remember them, as a consolation for the loss of power.
I don't need such a glorious record, and besides...
He couldn't help but grumble inwardly when he thought about Horus appointing Pedronila Viva of the Capinus family to write his biography.

[What sane person would think of writing their own biography before they die?]
"I disagree," Ning Lu stated unequivocally.

The narrator was not a major problem for him.

Most of them originated from Terra, were loyal to the Empire, and had ideological conflicts with the "Shadow of Order" in many ways.

Like the inconspicuous preachers in the "Shadow of Order," they are a minor nuisance.

The speakers had varying degrees of influence within each expeditionary fleet; Kyrell Hindman, the chief speaker of the "Shadowmoon Wolf," wielded immense influence throughout the entire 63rd Expeditionary Fleet.

Even before his retirement, Gauconda Pajako could serve as the Emperor's mouthpiece, rebuking Forgrim's recklessness.

However, the preacher has almost no influence within the Shadow of Order, Ultramarines, Dark Angels, Word Bearers, Space Wolves, and World Eaters.

The aliens swept away by the "Dark Angels," and the worlds traversed by the "Space Wolves" and the "World Eaters" were left with few survivors, and reconstruction was left to the subsequent colonization fleets.

The Ultra Warriors penetrate every world, guiding its development; preachers are no match for these politically astute superhuman warriors.

Those who advocate change the systems, cultures, and even beliefs that dominate the world in every way, rendering preachers ineffective.

The Shadow Order currently lies somewhere between the Ultramarines and the Word Bearers; it has not yet widely propagated the Black Emperor's beliefs, nor have preachers played a role.

"I welcome the Chroniclers to officially join the Expeditionary Fleets." Horus sensed his father's resolve and wanted his and his brothers' achievements for the Empire to be remembered. "The Chroniclers will be assigned to various Expeditionary Fleets, and you must cooperate with their work." The Emperor said in a deep voice, his voice penetrating and reaching the Primarchs' minds, scattered across the galaxy and countless light-years away, through psionic projections.

Ninglu silently accepted the result, glancing at Magnus.

[Well, although it's a minor inconvenience, there are some things we can use to our advantage.]

I can control the chronicler to write what is beneficial to my achievements and my great image, just as Magnus controlled Mahavatus Karimacus to write the Book of Magnus, using it as propaganda material.
He habitually finds a way to exploit the rules even in unfavorable situations, which is not difficult for a master of mind control like himself.

After seeing that the Primarchs had accepted his orders, the Emperor continued.

"The other reason I've summoned you here is that a type of alien called the Bone Drinker has recently invaded the Solar Starfield."

"Ruth and Coz are clearing them out, but the progress is far from satisfactory."

"Many transport routes were severely disrupted, affecting supplies to the expeditionary fleet..."

A emotionless, mechanical voice rang out, coming from the other head of the double-headed eagle, Kelbo Ha, the Mars Foundry Director, who sat opposite the Emperor.

"The efficiency of material supply has decreased by 5.2%, of which ammunition supply has decreased by 10.48%..."

He rattled off a series of numbers that made the members of the War Council realize the urgency of dealing with the aliens.

“The wolves are already hunting them, it won’t be long…” Ruth roared in frustration.

Coz folded his arms together, standing like a carrion vulture.

"We have no time!" the Emperor said in a deep voice.

"The alien problem must be resolved immediately to restore smooth transportation."

His gaze swept over the various Primarchs, finally settling on Ninglu.

"Nimrod, my Pegasus, I need you to act immediately and wipe out the Bone Drinkers."

Ninglu glanced at Omega, his mind racing with images of the Bone Drinkers.

He remembered that this alien, known to the Empire as the Bone Drinkers but actually named Ak Haris, was ultimately wiped out by the Alpha Legion.

Alpha Legion's pharmacists collaborated with the bio-sages of the "oil guy" to develop a biological weapon.

Using their expertise in infiltration warfare, the Alphas discovered that some human communities were offering human sacrifices to the Bone Drinkers in order to avoid being completely annihilated.

Alphareis then dispatched agents to infiltrate these worlds to gather intelligence, and successfully gathered the alien spores in one place before destroying them with a Cyclone Torpedo.

After surviving, Ak Harris attempted to prey on humans in other worlds, only to discover that the neighboring humans had been infected with an artificial virus specifically designed to kill them.

Ultimately, the alien race, which both the Space Wolves and the Midnight Lords found troublesome, was completely wiped out by Alpha.

[Infiltration, biological viruses.]

My legion can do that too, and Mikel should be able to target only the Bone Drinkers.

Hmm, such a troublesome alien must be a potion ingredient.
Ning Lu thought of this and readily agreed.

"I will follow your command."

As Ruth and the other Primarchs, harboring resentment at the entry of the Chronicles into the Legion, rapidly faded their psionic projections, Nimrod gazed towards Terra.

[Well, that chronicler should probably embark on his journey soon too.]
A smile played on his lips as he ended the psionic projection and returned to the Shadow of Reign.

(End of this chapter)