[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-warhammer-the-11th-primarch-the-black-emperor":3,"chapter-warhammer-the-11th-primarch-the-black-emperor-warhammer-the-11th-primarch-the-black-emperor-chapter-158":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Warhammer: The 11th Primarch - The Black Emperor",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1510939,1962,"Chapter 158: The Conferment of Lewis von Valancius as a Rogue Trader","warhammer-the-11th-primarch-the-black-emperor-chapter-158",158,"\u003Cp>Vostroya, Paradigm City, Royal Palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nareth sat upon a black throne, behind which were thirty-three swords, each bearing a crown. His gaze was fixed on the man entering the palace, Lewis von Valancius.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his left hand, Lewis held a cage half his height, supporting it with his right hand underneath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nareth's attention was drawn to the creature inside the cage, a parrot half a meter long with vivid, striking plumage and a beak shaped like a spike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had a long, multicolored tongue that extended from its mouth, occasionally flinging behind its head or wrapping around the back of its neck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nareth immediately recognized it, a Silver-Tongue Parrot, the core ingredient in the potion for the Sequence 8 \"Swindler\" of the Error Pathway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lewis approached the throne, placed the cage gently on the floor, and knelt on one knee in the customary Vostroyan etiquette.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lewis von Valancius pays respects to the Primarch.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The parrot's tongue instantly snapped back into its throat like a colorful serpent retreating into its hole. Then it loudly repeated:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lewis von Valancius pays respects to the Primarch.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lewis quickly explained, \"Having heard of Your Excellency's fondness for rare wonders, I encountered these peculiar parrots during my voyage through the Woolf System. I present it to you as tribute.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nareth smiled upon receiving the offering. The missing ingredient for his potion now lay before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I am very pleased with your gift,\" he said. \"Is this the only one?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lewis let out a quiet breath of relief and replied, \"My lord, I captured fifty-six of them. They are currently being well cared for by locals. I will have them delivered shortly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nareth nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Rise.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lewis stood, respectfully waiting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nareth lightly tapped his finger on the throne and asked, \"What discoveries did you make during your journey?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Prepared in advance, Lewis pulled out a datapad and projected a starmap before Nareth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My lord, I discovered five star systems and twelve habitable planets, including the Woolf System and the Maine System…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I've submitted the starmap and system conditions to the Lord of Secrets. He is currently leading the 9th Chapter's Shadows of Order to bring those worlds under control.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While no particularly remarkable worlds were found, the newly charted route connecting Vostroya and the Crystal Mirage was a major strategic contribution.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nareth turned to Arsena and said, \"This route will bring a constant flow of crystal to Vostroya. It shall be named the Crystal Corridor.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, he looked back at Lewis. \"Lewis, I promised you that upon completing your mission, you would become a Rogue Trader.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Arsena has already prepared the confernmet ceremony. You will be the first Rogue Trader appointed by me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lewis knelt again, visibly emotional.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you for your trust, my lord. I will give everything to serve you faithfully.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Rise.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nareth recalled a memory, ten thousand years in the future, House von Valancius would be recognized as one of the three largest Rouger Trader Dynasties in the Koronus Expanse, having started with just a single escort ship granted by the Emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Vostroya's shipyards will begin constructing a new class of cruisers. The first cruiser produced shall become your future flagship.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you, my lord.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lewis knelt for the third time to express his gratitude.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three Days Later\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lewis von Valancius, dressed in a black ceremonial uniform, strode proudly into the palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three servo-skulls adorned with colorful ribbons floated above and beside him, chanting:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The conferment ceremony for the Rogue Traders is about to begin! Primarch Nareth shall present the Warrant of Trade to Lewis von Valancius!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On either side of the hall stood Nareth's Honor Guard and representatives of the Vostroyan nobility and social orders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the envious gazes of the other family heads, Lewis approached the black throne and knelt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Out of the corner of his eye, he glimpsed two Honor Guards holding marble tablets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Warrant of Trades could take many forms, such as parchment, digital files, or more. Nareth chose the most traditional and solemn format: stone tablets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His attendant, acting on his behalf, engraved the contents using powdered black onyx:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"By my will and the authority herein, I confer upon this individual the sacred Warrant of Trade, charging them with my grand design...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You shall be an exemplar of humanity, unyielding in adversity, forging paths through darkness… You shall shatter endless nightmares, tread thorn-covered roads, and accomplish great deeds.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the bottom right corner was an almost imperceptible seal, chaotic black curves surrounded by wings, spikes, and a stylized crown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Lewis hadn't been kneeling nearby, he might've missed the black sigil. But he couldn't miss the name Nareth engraved deep into the tablet, in the Primarch's own hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nareth rose and took the ceremonial longsword from Arsena, placing it lightly on Lewis's shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I, Nareth, confer upon Lewis von Valancius the Warrant of Trade. As Rogue Trader, you shall venture into the dark beyond the Imperium, claiming the unknown in my name.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lewis placed his right hand over his heart and solemnly swore:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I, Lewis von Valancius, grateful for the Primarch's favor, shall strive with all I have. The von Valancius bloodline shall serve eternally, expanding your dominion.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The noble families of Vostroya looked on with admiration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Vostroya was flourishing, war loomed ever near. But as a Rogue Trader, Lewis would explore and colonize the unknown void, and all newly claimed worlds need only pay tribute to Nareth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the ceremony, Nareth addressed the assembled nobles:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You have all contributed to my rise. I will give you and your descendants the chance to become Rogue Trader.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Eleventh Legion has discovered many isolated worlds.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Each family will be granted an escort ship to depart from Vostroya.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sixteen Days Later\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nareth received a report, transport ships had arrived from the Watch System, carrying spoils recovered by the First Chapter from an Aeldar wreckage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among the inventory, he noted thirty-six Gyrinx and ordered them brought before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mindcats resembled large domestic cats, with fluffy orange or ginger fur and bright blue eyes. Though not intelligent by human standards, they possessed a rare ability: resonance, forming empathic, almost telepathic bonds with their owners, like true friendship.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When near their masters, Gyrinx could enhance cognitive speed and reaction times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nareth sat on his throne, black eyes focused on the Gyrinx, confirming they were not potion ingredients.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, he was not disappointed; these were incredibly valuable pets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adult Gyrinx could master spells from six psychic disciplines, including rare ones like \"Freeze Time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Nareth's memory, Rogue Trader, Terran nobles, high officials, and future psyker-inquisitors all kept Gyrinx as companions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sweeping his awareness across the gathered cats, Nareth selected three: one for himself, and the other two for Maria and Tierney.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As \"Assassins\" and \"Marauders,\" they needed to stay hidden. These gifts would be made privately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pointed to four more cats and instructed Arsena on how to distribute them:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Howard, Bukayo, Adams…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He named other exceptional legionaries, notably excluding the likes of Christian, who he did not deem worthy, while including captains like Szczesny and Bwako.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Arsena, you, Marlena, and Diana shall each adopt one as well.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A psychic bond with a Gyrinx didn't require being a psyker, and even the psychic-dead Dark Aeldar often kept them as beloved pets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, stronger psykers found it easier to form bonds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Craftworld Aeldar cherished Gyrinx deeply, regarding them as family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Princess Regent\", no, Yvraine, had a family Gyrinx named Lurinis.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, Nareth stepped to the cage, opened it, and lifted his chosen Gyrinx.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[email protected]\u002FDaoistJinzu\u003C\u002Fp>",1263,"2026-06-06T05:05:10.769Z",1,"novelbin.me","ee5f685601fad52e8f8c4a5dc47fbe192d22f2ffbba4c7a4a9aaa7f59a80e256","warhammer-the-11th-primarch-the-black-emperor-chapter-483","warhammer-the-11th-primarch-the-black-emperor-chapter-482",698,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fwarhammer-the-11th-primarch-the-black-emperor-cover.jpg"]