Warhammer: Empire Reboot

He glanced at Lawson.

"Moreover, the real operating system of the empire's dark side is the navigation, communication, logistics, and military network established by the Seal Holder. My taking over as regent is just another title; the actual work still falls on the Seal Holder."

Dante sighed and did not insist any further.

The Lion King was right. The core of the Empire's dark side was the Lawson system, and the title of Regent was more of a political symbol.

The Lion King didn't give Dante much time to be disappointed and immediately moved on to the next topic.

"Master of the Seal, our First Legion has a question that requires your opinion."

Lawson leaned back in his chair.

"What's the problem?"

Should the First Legion be rebuilt?

Lawson looked at him strangely: "This is an internal matter of your First Legion, why are you asking me?"

Dante was also a little puzzled. The Dark Angels' internal affairs were always decided behind closed doors, so why were they being discussed in such a public setting? And why did they need to ask Lawson's opinion?

The Lion King shook his head, very seriously: "This is not a family matter."

He turned to look at Azrael and nodded slightly.

Azrael stood up.

Immediately afterwards, all the Dark Angels' Grand Masters and Chapter Masters rose to their feet.

The metallic clang of power armor echoed from the seating area as a dozen Space Marine commanders, clad in dark green and bone-white armor, descended from the tiered seating and lined up in the center of the conference area.

Then they both knelt down on one knee.

Azrael's voice rang out in the council chamber.

"Dark Angels, and all the Unforgiven Chapters of the First Legion..."

"I swear allegiance to Lawson, the agent of the Emperor's will and the dark hand of the Empire."

More than a dozen senior mentors and battle group leaders bowed their heads at the same time.

The council chamber fell silent.

The chapter leaders on the Blood Angels' side exchanged glances. Seth raised an eyebrow, while Dante's gaze shifted back and forth between Lawson and the Lion King.

Lawson looked at the Dark Angels leaders kneeling before him, then at the Lion King standing beside him.

What exactly do you want?

The old lion answered with unusual seriousness.

"The First Legion has taken many detours over the past ten thousand years, wasting too many resources that should have been used on the battlefield due to internal strife. I am back, and these detours will end here."

"But the correction is not enough. The First Legion needs a new anchor. I have been investigating for several months and have come to the conclusion that the Emperor has chosen you as the pillar of the Empire's dark side. The First Legion is loyal to the Emperor's will, and you are the agent of the Emperor's will. The logic is very clear."

Lawson seemed to understand something; he now understood the old lion's plan.

This matter is not complicated, and there is no conspiracy involved.

Dark angels don't just want simple "loyalty"; they want a sense of belonging.

For ten thousand years, the First Legion has been the loneliest warband in the galaxy.

They carried the secrets of the Caliban, distrusted any external forces, refused any external assistance, and even rejected Lord Lawson's logistical support.

This extreme self-isolation protected the secret, but it also pushed them to the brink of collapse.

The battle on Dragon Spirit Star was a turning point. They witnessed Lawson's power and efficiency firsthand, and also experienced the cost of being isolated and helpless.

Now the Lion King has given them a choice: no longer be alone. Stand beside those chosen by the Emperor and become part of a larger system.

He was the only option.

Dante's heart stirred. He glanced at the old lion, then turned to the chapter commanders of the Holy Blood Angels and gave them a meaningful look.

The chapter leaders of the Holy Blood Angels immediately understood.

They were the least burdened of all those present.

In recent years, it has become deeply intertwined with Lawson's system and cannot be separated from him anymore.

Pledge allegiance to Lawson? It's more natural for them than anyone else.

Dante stood up and walked to the center of the meeting area.

The veteran, dressed in golden Terminator armor, knelt down on one knee before Lawson.

"The Holy Blood Angels, and all Bloodline Chapters, swear allegiance to Lawson, the agent of the Emperor's will and the mastermind behind the Empire's darkness."

Behind him, Seth was the first to kneel down.

This usually arrogant Flesh-Tearer chapter leader knelt down more readily than anyone else.

The other Holy Blood Angels commanders knelt down one after another.

Inside the council chamber, all the top commanders of the two largest Space Marine forces on the dark side of the Empire knelt before Lawson.

Lawson reached out and helped Dante up.

"Brother, you're the empire's secret regent, and I'm the secret hand appointed by you. You're going to pledge allegiance to me? Doesn't that create chaos?"

After Dante stood up, his expression became very serious.

"Don't let things get chaotic! We are loyal to the Emperor's will, not to the hierarchy of administrative positions. Regent is regent, and loyalty is loyalty. Let's each stick to our own principles!"

Lawson then looked at the Lion King.

"You're putting me in a difficult position. I'm the Dark Side Manager of the Empire, not the Emperor. I don't have that much power."

The difference between the "shady side of the empire" and the "empire's ruler" is just two words, but their spheres of power are worlds apart.

Dante and the Lion King exchanged a glance.

The Lion King spoke, explaining that he had discussed the matter repeatedly with Azrael and the various mentors before he arrived.

"The Seal Bearer, do you still remember the organization you established during the Battle of Vigilant Planet?"

"Nakmund Guardian of the Wartime Command?"

"Yes, that Dominion has you as its supreme commander, Calgar as its military advisor, and all battle groups are under its command. It is not a formal institution in the Imperial administrative system, but a military command center temporarily set up during wartime. Its legitimacy comes from the needs of the war, not from Terra's appointment."

Dante's eyes lit up.

He guessed what the Lion King was going to say.

Sure enough, the Lion King continued, "The war in the dark side of the Empire is far from over. The threats from Chaos, Orcs, Tyrande, Necromancers, and Eldar have never diminished. The dark side of the Empire needs a unified war command center."

"I propose the establishment of the Supreme War Control Court of the Dark Side of the Empire."

Everyone in the council chamber was listening.

"I propose that Lawson, the Dark Side Ruler of the Empire, also serve as the Lord of the Supreme War Court and the Acting Regent of the Dark Side Armies."

Lawson raised an eyebrow; the list of titles stacked together was quite long.

The Lion King continued, "I, Leon El Johnson, serve as the First Grand Marshal of the Expedition and the Sword of the Dominion. I am responsible for expeditionary operations and external expansion on the front lines of the Empire's Dark Side."

He looked at Dante.

"Dante serves as the Regent Warmaster of the Supreme War Court of the Dark Side of the Empire and the Shield of the War Court, responsible for the defense and order of the Empire's existing territories in the Dark Side."

"All chapters of the First Legion and all chapters of the Holy Blood Angels will be placed under the command of the Supreme War Council. Other chapters of the Empire's Dark Side may also be accepted by the Council if they wish to join."

The Lion King scanned the council chamber, finally looking at Lawson.

"The legitimacy of the Dominion comes from the needs of war, not from Terra's administrative appointments. It is the war apparatus of the Empire's dark side, and the boundaries of your power are not limited by the title of the Dark Side's Sealholder, but are defined by the Dominion's war authority."

Lawson understood the Lion King's design.

This plan cleverly circumvents several political difficulties.

Lawson does not need to accept the title of Dark Regent; the Lord of the Dominion is a newly created wartime position whose power is derived from the needs of the war.

When he meets Guilliman in the future, Lawson will not be his subordinate, but the head of the Empire's dark wartime military command center.

Secondly, the identities of the Lion King and Dante are precisely defined.

The Lion King is the sword—responsible for offense; Dante is the shield—responsible for defense.

Both worked within the framework of the Dominion, but the final decision-making power rested with Lawson.

This is more reasonable than the Lion King being regent. The Lion King is good at fighting but not good at governing, while Dante is good at maintaining the status quo but not good at expanding. The two are each in their proper place.

Third, the Domination Court has an open structure; the First Legion and the Blood Angels were founding members, but other chapters from the dark side of the Empire can also join. This means that Lawson's command is not limited to the two legions, but can continue to expand.

Finally, and most importantly, this plan transformed Lawson from "the de facto ruler of the dark side of the empire" into "the legitimate supreme military leader of the dark side of the empire."

It's perfectly legitimate!

Dante was the first to express his opinion.

“I support it. The Supreme War Council has a clear structure and well-defined responsibilities. What the dark side of the Empire lacks most is unified command. With the Supreme War Council, the military forces of the dark side can be united as one.”

He looked at the chapter commanders of the Holy Blood Angels.

Seth was the first to nod: "The Flesh Rippers support us!"

The other battle group leaders subsequently expressed their support, unanimously agreeing.

There was no suspense on the side of the Holy Blood Angels; their bond with Lawson was too deep, and this vote was just a formality.

On the Dark Angels' side.

Azrael declared, "The Dark Angels Chapter supports you!"

Belial: "Diewing supported!"

Ecovacs: "Ravenwings support!"

Nakil: "Support from devotees!"

The chapter leaders of the Unforgivables chapters took turns expressing their opinions, and none of them objected.

Lawson looked at the council chamber filled with Space Marine commanders who had expressed their support.

He looked at the Lion King, then at Dante.

In this council chamber, they joined forces and presented him with the highest military power in the shadows of the empire.