Within the fourth layer of the Kingdom of Disorder, Nareth nodded with satisfaction after hearing Wilshire's report.
"This is good news. The new standards Kerri establishes will help us create Agri-worlds different from most Imperial planets."
For the foreseeable future, before he obtained the secrets of Aeldar Maiden World creation or beyonders of the "Mother Pathway" like Marlena gained the ability to transform entire worlds, targeted improvements for each world were the best approach.
"You should already know from the last War Council that Lorgar Aurelian proposed establishing Chaplains. The Emperor ultimately decided to let each Legion decide."
"I have decided to establish the Chaplain position to scrutinize the minds of the Shadows of Order and boost morale in battle."
"Do you wish to continue as Chapter Master, or shift to leading the Chaplains?"
Wilshire fell into thought. After over ten seconds, he spoke.
"My Lord, I prefer commanding the Shadows of Order in battle."
"Of course, I will ensure the Second Chapter becomes Your most faithful believers."
"Good." Nareth didn't press. He preferred beyonders of the "Visionary Pathway" for this role, but currently lacked a suitable candidate.
"Among your ranks, is there anyone suitable to serve as a Chaplain?"
This time, Wilshire replied without hesitation.
"Martin. His will is firm, loyal to You. He is the most suitable candidate."
"I have already granted him power, making him a member of the Court." The Martin Wilshire mentioned had long been within Nareth's sight.
Besides him, Nareth had elevated thirty-six "Bards" within the Second Chapter from this batch of Honour Guard and selected fifty-two "Spectators" from other Chapters.
They were all equipped with Crozius Arcanum, becoming the first Chaplains.
But Martin's abilities were somewhat inferior to Wilshire's, not meeting his standard. He could only serve as the second-in-command for the future Chaplaincy system, overseeing Court members of the "Sun Pathway".
'I'll leave the position vacant for now. Select a Chaplain Master when a suitable candidate emerges.'
As Nareth pondered about to send Wilshire back, he heard him speak.
"My Lord, I discovered that the guard-caste on Gardinaal use a special type of amber in their prisons. They call it Body-binding Amber."
"The amber isn't natural; it's synthesized using various biochemical energies."
"I thought you might be interested."
Hearing Body-binding Amber, Nareth immediately realized Wilshire might be referring to the main ingredient for the Sequence 6 "Judge" potion, of the "Justiciar Pathway".
"After you return, conduct a ritual and offer a portion of the amber to me."
He then sent Wilshire back to the Glory of Light. After a brief wait, a whispering sound reached his ear.
The "Baron of Corruption's" spirituality extended, touching the shimmering golden sphere.
A crystal case appeared in Nareth's hand. The Primarch recalled briefly, confirming the golden-yellow amber inside matched the shape of Body-binding Amber described on the Blasphemous Slate.
The "Baron of Corruption's" spirituality extended again, touching Wilshire's sphere, saying, "I am very interested in them."
After severing the connection with Wilshire, he touched Howard Fenders's sphere.
Nareth then saw Howard swing his arm, a Power Fist crashing onto an Aeldar's head.
'Is Howard pursuing Eldar pirates near Elysia?'
He whispered, "Pray to me after the battle concludes," then transmitted the message through the subtle connection to the sphere.
Unable to prepare a potion for Howard immediately, Nareth willed himself to leave the Kingdom of Disorder.
Returning to reality, his comm-bead buzzed.
Nareth pressed the comm-bead, hearing Arsena's voice.
"My Lord, the fleet has exited the portal, arriving in the Vigilus system."
"Good," Nareth replied, then left his quarters. The black wolf Freddie and the gyrinx John immediately rose, following him.
Shortly after, Nareth arrived on the bridge.
Seeing him, Arsena immediately reported.
"My Lord, the ship is proceeding towards Vigilus. Estimated arrival within one ship-day."
Nareth nodded, ordering, "Open the viewport shield."
During the battle with the Saim-Hann, he had come and gone in haste, never observing this star system crucial to both humanity and the Aeldar.
Motors hummed. Shutters rose on both sides of the window. Arsena approached, stopping slightly behind and to the side of the Black Emperor.
"My Lord, besides Vigilus and its moon, Neo-vellum, there is another important planet in this system."
"The system's edge holds the planet Nemendghast , along with its asteroid belt, rich in mineral resources."
"The Arbiter Lord has developed it into an industrial world, entirely controlled by the Legion. Its output even surpasses some Forge Worlds the Imperium is developing."
"Besides standard military and civilian equipment, it has made the fastest progress in adapting the Squat Void-Shield technology."
Following Arsena's explanation, the Primarch's gaze traversed the void towards the system's edge.
Countless celestial bodies of varying sizes and irregular shapes orbited Nemendghast like grains of sand.
The Primarch's pupils constricted. Focusing his vision, he could see high-powered lumen lights illuminating the space around the asteroids.
Vehicles, like ants, moved in constant streams, transporting the products of steel foundries to cargo ships.
Nareth withdrew his gaze, looking towards the system's primary star.
Arsena, who had been observing the Black Emperor's movements, spoke.
"Because the fortress-class void shield was excavated here, local houses have a strong preference for shield technology."
"Of course, none of these houses individually possesses the technology to construct and maintain an entire hive city."
"The ruling House Agamemnus only has technology for constructing and maintaining a single dome. But under the guidance of Librarians and Techmarines, they can manufacture components for the Rangdan personal energy shields, accelerating the Legion's deployment."
Nareth nodded slightly. In his Warp Insight, invisible psychic shields shimmered with colored light, protecting each hive city.
"My Lord, there is a peculiar matter I believe warrants your attention." The "Polymath" alerted him.
"What is it?" Nareth asked.
"The Legion's base here is established in the Megaborealis continent in the planet's north, protected by a fortress-class void shield."
"Strangely, the shield's energy consumption is twelve and a half percent higher than in other planetary regions."
Though the energy consumption itself wasn't particularly noteworthy, even less than the consumption required to support other worlds due to local water scarcity, the "Polymath" still deemed it worth noting.
Nareth didn't turn. Following the flight path, he looked towards the northern continent of Vigilus.
After a brief recollection, he knew the reason.
"Deep beneath the Megaborealis continent lie rich deposits of Blackstone. Though not excavated or utilized, their natural energy field interferes with the void shield."
"Instruct the Techmarines to commence excavation."
Nareth recalled that originally, House Agamemnus, after excavating the fortress-class void shield, couldn't maintain it.
Thus, they struck a deal with the Forge World of Stygies VIII, ceding control of the Megaborealis in exchange for the Tech-Priests' maintenance.
Later, the Xenarite faction of Stygies VIII, which revered xenos technology, discovered Blackstone-related tech while exploring Necron ruins and began excavation.
After the Great Rift opened, during the massive battle for Vigilus among various factions, Stygies VIII cared nothing for Imperial civilian lives, only defending their mining shafts, even refusing to share drinking water they extracted from polar glaciers.
Because Nareth intervened early, the Megaborealis of Vigilus, the Blackstone beneath it, and the Doomsday Weapon, the Voidclaw, were all within his domain.
.....
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
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