Chapter 565: An Old Madman

A massive tomb-class burial vessel, shaped like a crescent moon, docked at the tomb world Giderum.

The Crowned One, Zanderek, ate in his chambers while watching the burial vessel emit emerald light.

At his table, his captives and honored guests watched in grimaces as Zanderek swallowed food judged harmless by forty poison inspectors.

He chewed deliberately, as if his useless metal mouth could truly taste flavor, then the crushed food spilled from his metallic skeletal frame onto the floor.

"This old bone is crazier than the wildest kid I've ever seen," muttered a green-skinned Warboss seated beside Thor.

Thor, Battle-Chief of the Sons of the Phoenix, had to nod in agreement with the alien's remark.

Thor had been captured by Zanderek, the Deathless Crowned General, roughly three or five years ago.

At the time, his battle-band had accidentally collided with Zanderek's main force; to cover the escape of his comrades, Thor stood alone on the flagship and challenged Zanderek to a one-on-one duel.

Thor had to admit that though the old general was slightly mad, his martial skill was undeniably superb—he lost to him with regret.

He expected to die then, but after disarming him, Zanderek did not kill him; instead, he declared Thor a worthy opponent and, per the Necrontyr Noble War Accord, guaranteed him the dignity due a captive.

Zanderek kept his word: he ensured Thor received honorable treatment, invited him and other captives to weekly meals, politely explained Necrontyr culture, customs, and technologies, and even trained with Thor, teaching him combat as if Thor were a guest of honor.

Gradually, Thor came to understand Zanderek's mindset.

He believed himself still a living Necrontyr, and even thought Thor, the green-skinned Warboss beside him, the Genestealer Patriarch, the Eldar Pirate Captain, and the Astra Militarum Commander were all Necrontyr.

All battles between them were merely internal Necrontyr disputes—a noble civil war among aristocrats.

Thus, Zanderek adhered to the Necrontyr Noble War Accord: he used no assassination units, including Death Marks; employed no savage or chaotic warfare; respected enemy commanders; honored all dueling challenges; and treated captives with courtesy.

Thor had to admit: though mad, this old general was oddly endearing and worthy of respect.

Zanderek held a favorable impression of Thor as well.

He claimed Thor displayed the bearing befitting a Necrontyr noble and promised that if Thor ever defeated him in single combat, he would release him.

Zanderek lifted a cup of hot tea and poured it into his mouth; the scalding liquid spilled through his metal skeleton, then he spoke slowly:

"I shall release you. My fleet will deposit you where you wish to be freed."

This statement stunned the captives near the table, then sparked an uproar.

"By the Emperor, what Necrontyr trick is this?"

"Are you mocking Big Tooth, old bone?"

"This must be the power of the Four-Armed, Two-Limbed, Thirty-Six-Legged God-Emperor."

"By the ass of Xighoch, iron lump, you've finally gone completely mad."

Zanderek did not rush to respond to the captives' outbursts; he merely shook his head with faint resignation, as if saddened by their loss of Necrontyr noble etiquette.

"Why?" Thor asked in a clear voice: "Zanderek, I have not yet defeated you. Are you trying to humiliate us this way?"

Thor's words pleased Zanderek. He gave a slight nod and said: "No. This is to protect you—and to protect my honor."

"The Silent King has summoned us. I must answer that call and temporarily depart from Giderum."

"In this age of crumbling rites and fallen decorum, too many former nobles have abandoned their honor and etiquette, sinking into baseness and shame."

"Even many among my own subordinates have become such disgraceful creatures. If I leave, they will likely kill you to eliminate any threat."

"To preserve my honor, my honored guests, I beg you to depart safely from my tomb world."

"Old bone, Big Tooth swears you'll regret this. Big Tooth may not beat you, but Big Tooth knows someone who will—Big Tooth will find the biggest, toughest Bonecrusher chieftain and smash your iron lump to pieces!" the Ork Warboss bellowed, pounding the table.

"Zanderek, by my oath to the Emperor and Saint Doraemon, I will leave," Thor said, fixing Zanderek with a steady gaze. "But I owe you a fight. Wait—I will return for a one-on-one duel."

A faint smile seemed to cross Zanderek's metal face: "I await your vengeance—and look forward to capturing you both again, so you may keep this old man company."

At that moment, a towering Necrontyr wielding a scythe entered through the door and approached Zanderek, bowing respectfully to the old general.

He was Obiron, Zanderek's Vanguard Guard—a terrifying opponent in Thor's eyes.

Zanderek was only slightly stronger than Thor; Obiron utterly crushed him.

Among all humans Thor had ever seen, only a handful—Karn, Sarokin, and perhaps a few others—could reliably defeat Obiron.

"My lord," Obiron leaned close to Zanderek's ear: "The Law Emperor Imotek has arrived."

Zanderek belonged to the Sothek Dynasty; the de facto Law Emperor of Sothek was Storm King Imotek.

Zanderek served him directly, yet Imotek held deep reservations about the Silent King and could not comprehend why Zanderek intended to answer his summons.

"Forgive me, gentlemen. My Law Emperor calls me—I must answer his inquiry."