[{"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-256":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},1510805,1962,"Chapter 256: The Constellation Defined by the Emperor","warhammer-the-11th-primarch-the-black-emperor-chapter-256",256,"\u003Cp>Nareth walked along the underground passage of the Palace, all the way to the entrance of the Great Observatory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the entrance stood three golden-armored Custodes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the middle, the Captain-General of the Custodes, Constantin Valdor, spoke to Nareth:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lord Nareth, the Emperor, your father is waiting for you in the Hall of Constellations.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nareth gave a slight nod. Without Valdor's guidance, even without opening the Warp Insight, he could already see the dazzling light radiating from the Emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stepped forward and entered the Hall of Constellations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entire palace lived up to its name; walking inside felt like stepping into a sea of stars.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Covering the walls around the hall was a vast star chart. The Emperor stood with his back to Nareth, gazing at the starry mural.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without turning, the Emperor said, \"Constellations are ancient and unreliable concepts of astronomy. The Great Crusade fleets have already begun mapping a far more detailed cosmos.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His tone sank into memory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But in the distant past, men believed there were twenty constellations.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"One day, all twenty of you will return to my side.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Each child will embody the character and philosophy of one constellation. Tell me, which one do you favor most?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nareth looked across the murals. Besides the zodiac, there were eight other renowned constellations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Corvus clearly corresponded to Corvus Corax.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Orion, with its belt and sword, in the Emperor's mind should belong to Leman Russ.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Hydra, from the myth of the many-headed monster, fit Alpharius and Omegon best.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment's thought, Nareth replied:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's hard to say which I favor most.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sextans, named by Hevelius in honor of the instrument he used to measure celestial heights, represents science, culture, and philosophy. I was born among his race's creation, Vostroya.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Scutum, also named by Hevelius, symbolizes protection and duty. That is what I pursue, sheltering Vostroya and the worlds under my rule, guiding them to prosper; that is my responsibility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Crater, formed by four fourth-magnitude stars, symbolizes strength and victory, power and restraint. That is why I maintain Vostroya's arbitration system.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, memories stirred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'After the victory at Ulanor, the Emperor had a similar conversation with Horus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Let me think, how did Horus answer?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Hmm, if I say it now ahead of time, when the Emperor later hears Horus repeat it, his reaction will be priceless.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that thought, Nareth quickly added:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I like Leo, with its kingly majesty; Scorpio, clad in armor, sharp and deadly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As for Taurus, though stubborn, I admire its perseverance. Libra suits my pursuit of balance.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nareth then recalled how the Emperor had once assigned Horus his constellation and given him a ring. He already guessed why he had been summoned today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'The Emperor is about to assign me to one of the twenty constellations and hand me my ring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes… I recall Horus was defined as Sagittarius.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nareth's eyes glimmered. He pointed at the bow-wielding centaur, a charging warrior.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'If I say what the Emperor will later tell Horus, it'll be amusing indeed.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I favor Sagittarius, the unbeatable warrior. It is the most warlike of constellations, fierce, merciless, flamboyant, swift, never retreating until its aim is achieved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In antiquity, it was the greatest of constellations, the sign of centaurs and cavalry, the hunter of the battlefield.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor suddenly turned, eyes flashing, locking on Nareth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfazed, Nareth continued: \"The crimson bow of Sagittarius was once the mightiest weapon of its age, unstoppable in battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As time passed, myth fused knight and steed into one, creating the centaur.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It is the perfect union of man and war-machine. When I command my legions, it is as if I myself am a centaur charging across the battlefield.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he finished, he looked at the Emperor. The Emperor was silent for a long while before finally speaking:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I appreciate your choice, but I am surprised you did not mention another constellation.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The one I believe suits you best.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His golden eyes fixed on the radiant wings behind Nareth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Pegasus. That is the constellation that best represents you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In Greek myth, when Perseus slew Medusa, the winged horse Pegasus sprang forth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You, at Medusa, slew the golden mechanical eagle and gained golden wings, just like the legend.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor turned back to the mural, raising his hand toward the stars:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you see this painting?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"To rule the galaxy is humanity's birthright!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"One day, all those shining lights will belong to us.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He lifted his gaze, piercing through the dome and the choking smog of industry, his voice fervent:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Imagine it, Nareth.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Every planet, with its own unique culture, and on each one, we will build a magnificent realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No blood sacrifice, no xeno oppression, so long as no great mistakes are made, this dream is within reach.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lowering his gaze, his golden eyes locked onto Nareth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Pegasus has both the courage to overcome every obstacle and the wisdom to master its extraordinary power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You are Pegasus. You will bring ruin to all of mankind's enemies and deliver me victory on every battlefield.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor extended his left hand, palm open, revealing a golden ring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nareth looked at it. Weathered by time, its design was nearly worn away. Still, he could just make out a hoof and wings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet despite the faded pattern, its spiritual brilliance shone dazzlingly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'This ring corresponds to a high-order relic. There are twenty such rings.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'I cannot be certain if the Emperor gave one to every Primarch. The only one I know for sure is the Sagittarius ring, given to Horus at Ulanor.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Perhaps some rings never reached their intended Primarchs. When the grand ceremony begins, I'll have to see if I can acquire them all.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Nareth thought this, the Emperor continued:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It was forged in Persia, the year before I was born.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Pegasus Invincible, this is you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My Pegasus, strike down the foes of the stars and bring me endless triumphs!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nareth accepted the Pegasus ring and said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My lord, as you wish.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the fifth day after arriving on Terra, Nareth returned to the Throne of Shadow's Sovereignity to meet with the \"Swindler\" Tierney.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Private office of the Primarch aboard the Throne of Shadow's Sovereignity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My lord, while acting as the 'Swindler,' I obtained 250 rare items from various noble houses, chiefly the aristocracy of Europae.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They are the great powers of Terra, and I could not maintain my deception for long. To ensure these treasures could be offered to you, I abandoned my false identity as Erik.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A solar month ago, when the families failed to reach me, they realized they had been deceived and began searching for me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tierney frowned deeply. He had underestimated the power of Terra's noble houses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once they united, he was forced to flee Terra to avoid capture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"To prevent exposure, and more importantly, to avoid causing you trouble, I only brought these five portable items with me this time, in secret.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Please, my lord, send a ship to collect them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nareth shook his head slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No need for such trouble.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He transmitted the rites of the offering ritual directly into Tierney's mind, then said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Perform them accordingly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shock filled Tierney's eyes. In his heart, he thought: 'The Black Emperor descended upon Vostroya to unify the people!'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It took him several seconds to calm his emotions before he spoke:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My lord, I understand.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My lord, there is one matter I believe should concern you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"About a year ago, rumors began spreading across Terra, rumors unfavorable to you and to the Shadows of Order.\"\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>",1266,"2026-06-06T05:05:10.769Z",1,"novelbin.me","0fbbf1bc6ae7f0bcab6ab8015bba76972557be621ecdad2d5deb2c8503f3a86f","warhammer-the-11th-primarch-the-black-emperor-chapter-257","warhammer-the-11th-primarch-the-black-emperor-chapter-255",698,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fwarhammer-the-11th-primarch-the-black-emperor-cover.jpg"]