[{"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-252":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},1510801,1962,"Chapter 252: The Gift Macador Gave the Victor of the Wheel of Fire","warhammer-the-11th-primarch-the-black-emperor-chapter-252",252,"\u003Cp>After the campaign of the Wheel of Fire ended, the Primarchs Leman Russ and Hannibal returned to Terra ahead of Nareth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While preparations for the celebration were underway, the Sigillite also unleashed the propaganda machine, flooding the Imperium with news.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All of Terra's citizens awaited the great event, the Emperor returning from the Great Crusade's frontlines, the return of one Primarch, and the triumph of three others, a moment they had long anticipated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the tenth solar month of 822.M30, the celebrations finally began. The Emperor, along with Primarchs Nareth and Ferrus Manus, arrived on Terra.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Massive crowds gathered around the Lion's Gate spaceport, looking skyward as two Stormbird gunships slowly descended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nareth and Manus stepped out to thunderous cheers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Countless servo-skulls, rigged with vox-amplifiers and silken banners, hovered around them, loudly intoning praises:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Praise the Emperor, Master of Mankind, Lord upon the Throne of Terra!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hail Lord Nareth, son of the Emperor, Primarch of the Eleventh Legion, Monarch of Vostoya, Slayer of Xenos, Purifier of Orks!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Welcome, Lord Ferrus Manus, Primarch of the Tenth Legion, the Gorgon of Medusa!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Imperial orchestra played sweeping melodies, blending with the hymns from the servo-skulls and the roaring cheers of the people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Malcador stood flanked by Russ and Hannibal, awaiting the three arrivals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the first time, Manus saw such a sea of humanity, the crowd's voices rising like crashing waves, chanting his name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sheer fervor pierced his cold, logical heart, though his face remained stern, his soul trembled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Across from him, Russ noticed the brief flicker in Manus's silver eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nareth sensed Manus's emotions instinctively, then turned toward Malcador as he stepped forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My Lord, welcome home.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor looked at his old friend. Compared to their last meeting, another crease had deepened upon his face, but now, it softened with a genuine smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My Sigillite, you have borne much.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From those few words, Nareth caught the depth of emotion: not only recognition of Malcador's burdens but also empathy and gratitude.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Malcador's weary features lit up with a faint smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It is my duty, and my honor.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he turned to Nareth, his tone low but heavy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Nareth, your deeds are worthy of song. The slaying of the Ork warlord is a victory to be remembered.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nareth inclined his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Glory belongs to the Shadows of Order. Their valor gave me the chance to face the warlord and strike down the enemy of the Imperium.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He noticed the Wolf King's gaze: both filled with honest admiration and sharpened with a challenging edge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, Malcador looked to Manus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Welcome home, Ferrus Manus, the Gorgon of Medusa.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Manus's reply, in harsh High Gothic, was like lead being poured: \"Sigillite, I am pleased to meet you. Nareth has told me of how you orchestrated the Imperium's logistics. It is… astonishing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They boarded open-topped vehicles prepared for them, rolling slowly through the jubilant crowds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At journey's end, they entered the Golden Banquet Hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the feast, Malcador had arranged a grand circular marble table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor sat at its head, with Malcador at his right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nareth, as the second Primarch to return and the greatest victor of the Wheel of Fire, was seated opposite the Emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Manus, newly returned, was placed opposite Malcador, closer to the Emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Russ sat beside Malcador, with Hannibal across from him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bounty of countless agri-worlds, prepared by Terra's finest chefs, was laid upon the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor first lifted a golden fork, drawing from a crystal goblet stacked with five hundred tongues of red herons, arranged like coral reefs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He tasted one, its flesh steeped in the sour tang of Masara wine, savoring the delicate blend.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After swallowing, he turned his gaze to Manus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ferrus, Medusa is barren in its yield. Tonight, enjoy the finest flavors of the stars.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, Father.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Manus forked another heron's tongue and scooped a salt-baked snail with a silver spoon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During his time aboard the Throne of Shadow's Sovereignity, he had eaten mostly seafood, fruit, and kraken steaks from the Symphony of the Sea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, he found himself fascinated by these unusual delicacies. But just as he was savoring them, two voices rang out at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The chef, mid-slice with a crescent silver blade over the lamb, froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Russ's shout was like a wolf's roar, Hannibal's like the rebuke of a refined noble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Russ shoved the chef aside with a massive hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No need to carve it, such meat is best eaten whole!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He reached out, but Hannibal's motion was swifter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your cut was poor. Here, this is the proper angle.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a flick of his silver knife, Hannibal exposed pine nuts and figs within the lamb, swift yet elegant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, he devoured the entire carcass. Russ's eyes narrowed. For the first time, he felt his title of \"greatest eater\" threatened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He immediately tore into the roast ribs, downing whole racks at once, clearing his platter quickly. He glanced at Hannibal, who still ate with elegance, though two dishes remained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Russ smirked victoriously, downing a drinking horn of mead in one gulp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fenrisian mead, the drink of true warriors!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Malcador, setting down his utensils, smiled at Ferrus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You should try it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hannibal dabbed his lips with a handkerchief, his brow faintly furrowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You'll regret it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ferrus eyed the bronze horn Russ slid over. After a pause, he nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'll try.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Russ scoffed, instructing: \"Not drink, draw it in, like a warrior!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Manus downed it all. Fire burned his throat and belly, but he also caught a familiar undertone, the taste of machine oil.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'The Fenrisians are strange indeed. Their finest drink tastes of engine grease.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He muttered: \"I prefer Vostoyan Vosvoth.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Russ scowled but said no more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ferrus, outside the spotlight, returned to quiet observation. He cataloged their expressions, tones, and gestures, feeding them into his logical analysis.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Hannibal is close to Nareth, their bond strong.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Russ is reckless, combative, and harbors rivalry with Nareth, seeking to prove himself Father's worthiest son?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Nareth ignores Russ's provocation, calm and unmoved.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Hannibal, refined and food-obsessed, clearly despises Russ's crude gluttony.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Ferrus finished his assessment, Malcador rose first, setting aside his goblet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He drank once more, then motioned to his attendants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two servants followed as he approached Nareth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From a small box, he revealed a puppet, the size of a human fist. White lines radiated outward from the crown of its head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Through his psychic sight, Nareth saw it glowing faintly with spiritual light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'A relic… its aura is weaker than the Ring, likely a beyonder item of Sequence 5.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Malcador spoke: \"This puppet is among my collection of art. When my thoughts are troubled, I take it up, and chaos in my mind fades.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nareth's eyes narrowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Puppet… stagnated thought. Connected to the Fool's path? Sequence 5, \"Marionettist\"?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Malcador continued: \"It is the gift I prepared for the victor who slew the Ork Warlord of the Wheel of Fire.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nareth rose to the first layer of Thelema mindstate, taking the puppet. His thoughts stalled briefly, then cleared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Malcador's eyes widened; the lapse lasted only two seconds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your willpower is remarkable.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feeling the stares of others, Nareth replied calmly: \"My sons and I sense far more keenly than other Astartes. To keep from being crushed by such burdens, I studied will-forging from The Book of Thelema.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A fine technique,\" Malcador nodded, then smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I also have a more personal gift.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Vostoya gave much to aid me, supplying the Crusade. Today, five Forge Worlds sustain nearby armies, but I still owe them gratitude.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He signaled for another, larger chest to be opened. Inside lay a radiant suit of armor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This came from the vaults of false-king Arkad, spoils of the Unification Wars.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at Nareth's towering form, he said, \"Your sons can rework it into a half-plate under-armor.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nareth noted its glow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Weaker than the puppet, perhaps Sequence 6.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another unexpected gain. He inclined his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you, Malcador.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor's warm voice followed: \"Nareth, your deeds have greatly served the Imperium. Tomorrow, before the people, you, Russ, and Hannibal shall be honored.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As for you, Ferrus, the people will rejoice at your return. I await your future victories, and when they come, I will hold a celebration just as grand.\"\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>",1381,"2026-06-06T05:05:10.769Z",1,"novelbin.me","bca4d9132296ff4d5653a24c308c678173615810066fc3bf8c8ee673bf63c3e5","warhammer-the-11th-primarch-the-black-emperor-chapter-253","warhammer-the-11th-primarch-the-black-emperor-chapter-251",698,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fwarhammer-the-11th-primarch-the-black-emperor-cover.jpg"]