Chapter 102: I Want to Challenge a Company Captain

A Goliath-class Forge Ship the size of a light cruiser, carrying rare materials for the construction of the Fortress Monastery, hovered in high orbit above Vostonia.

Within the palace in Exemplar City, Ninglu received Archmagos Suero-HL-19 from Mars.

Sage Kaminski, who could be considered well-acquainted with him, and Kivior-2, the leader of the local Adeptus Mechanicus, accompanied him.

Since the Primarch returned to the Imperium, this was the first time the two Sages had seen him again.

Even though they had not retained their frail flesh, strange code could not help but be born and pulse within their logic engines; the two exchanged a glance.

The exchanged information code contained the same meaning: 【Ninglu // an existence as powerful as a god-machine / it is reasonable to unify Vostonia.】

A synthesized sound array rang out from beneath Suero-HL-19's red robes, "Respected Primarch, this unit is Suero-HL-19, greetings to you."

"Archmagos, welcome."

"I have designed a standard Fortress Monastery for you; it shall be a divine, perfect creation."

As Suero-HL-19 spoke, mechanical tentacles fiddled before his chest, projecting a green holographic image into the air.

Light pulsed on the faceplates of Kivior-2 and Kaminski; both were captivated by that perfect architecture.

It possessed a magnificent foundation, precipitous city walls, Adamantine Pillars as its ribs, and was crowned by laser turrets.

Just as the two Sages were intoxicated by the magnificent beauty designed by the Archmagos, Ninglu shook his head and said.

"I am not satisfied with its design."

"Please, Primarch, point out the dissatisfaction // unreasonableness."

"Arsena."

Ninglu summoned his attendant, and the silver-haired Arsena operated a Data Slate to display a scene before everyone.

Two green rays of light shot from Suero-HL-19's faceplate, and the mechanical voice transmitted from beneath the red robes revealed a cold, hard refusal.

"This does not conform to the beauty of logic; the servants of the Omnissiah would not build such crude things."

The two Sages behind him also agreed with the Archmagos's decision.

Although the main body of the building adopted a sharp, angular geometric cut, it presented an asymmetrical shape.

Viewed from a top-down perspective, the main tower was a tilted conical spire, piercing into the crust at a 44-degree angle.

Surrounding one side of it were thirty triangular irregular buildings, and the outermost perimeter consisted of eleven spiral-shaped irregular sub-towers.

Inside the building, asymmetrical characteristics that defied common sense were present everywhere, with labyrinthine, non-symmetrical passages densely packed within.

"No," Ninglu said majestically, "this is my Fortress Monastery, and you will complete it according to my will."

Ninglu had already decided to inject the concept of disorder into the design of the Fortress Monastery, adopting an irregular architectural form.

Even with mechanical bodies, the three members of the Mechanicus felt pressure.

After a few seconds of silence, the Archmagos finally yielded.

"As you wish."

Kivior-2 and Kaminski exchanged a glance, swapping logical calculation results.

【The Primarch has high authority in the Imperium / Vostonia belongs to the Eleventh Legion / there is no longer a diarchy // subordinate to him.】

After ending the meeting with the Adeptus Mechanicus, Ninglu lost no time in summoning Mikel and Thomas simultaneously.

The Primarch Attendant held a Data Slate and spoke methodically.

"Company Captain of the Ninth, the Primarch wishes to hear your briefing first."

Thomas stared at the silver-haired psyker for a moment; he felt a powerful will and powerful psychic strength from this mortal, not even weaker than his own, which was extremely rare.

"Father, there were 35,142 Candidates participating in the selection on Vostonia, of which 4,902 passed."

"There were 5,063 Candidates participating in the selection at the Cradle of the Sea, of which 842 passed."

Ninglu nodded slightly; Vostonia had only begun implementing birth policies for a little over ten years, and most of those who gave birth to eleven children were from various families; only among the hive dwellers were there those who already had several children.

He believed that as time passed, the supply of Candidates would become greater and greater.

The Primarch shifted his gaze to the Chief Apothecary; Mikel understood and immediately began his report.

"Father, following your will, I have stepped up the training of Apothecaries and attendants; currently, there are 61 Apothecary apprentices, and they have passed between ten and fourteen Gaizao Shouhu respectively."

"Once they complete their modifications, they can become intern Apothecaries."

"In addition, I have also trained 305 attendants; their levels vary, and they are capable of completing one to four surgeries."

After thinking for a moment, Ninglu spoke.

"Draft two Apothecaries and four intern Apothecaries, along with these attendants, to be stationed in the Vostonia system to perform Gaizao Shouhu on the Candidates who passed the selection."

"As you wish."

Mikel noted Ninglu's requirements on the Data Slate and continued the briefing.

"Currently, a total of 7,215 people have undergone Gaizao Shouhu, with 2,904 failures."

"Because of Malena's joining, the death rate has dropped significantly, with a total of only 484 deaths; the survivors are all qualified Auxilia Warriors."

Ninglu's mind flashed rapidly: 【30,240 children on Vostonia who did not pass the assessment, 4,221 at the Cradle of the Sea, totaling 34,461.】

He then issued an order: "Candidates who failed the selection shall form the Auxilia reserves."

"Those who failed the Gaizao Shouhu, except for those selected as Apothecary attendants, shall be assigned to the reserves to instruct them."

Arsena noted Ninglu's order; after the meeting ended, he would convey the Primarch's command.

The Chief Apothecary put away the Data Slate, his face beaming with a smile.

"Father, I think this is news you will be happy to hear."

"Howard Fender, Bukayo Arshavin, and Thierry Viera have completed all Gaizao Shouhu and become new Order Shadows; Techmarines are currently calibrating their power armor and weapons."

"Szczesny and other Candidates have completed or are undergoing the implantation of the Black Carapace; I have received no reports of abnormalities."

Ninglu was greatly pleased, and he nodded with a smile.

"Very good," he looked at the two, "you have completed my mission very well; I have decided to grant you a reward."

"Arsena, you go to the reception hall to communicate with them, and come in ten minutes later."

"As you command, my lord."

The Primarch Attendant led the two Order Shadows to the reception hall.

Arsena used this time to cross-reference the Data Slate, asking them about details not present in the report.

"Company Captain, which Candidates performed well during the assessment?"

"There were indeed thirteen who performed well, the most outstanding being Per Koscielny..."

Ten minutes later, the Primarch Attendant returned with the two Order Shadows.

Ninglu spread his hands, "The red potion in the left hand is yours, Mikel, and the dark red potion in the right hand is yours, Thomas."

"Drink them, and you shall receive the power I bestow."

The two Order Shadows did not hesitate; they took the potions from the Gene-Father's hands and drank them down.

A moment later, the Chief Apothecary became a Sequence 9 "Apothecary," and the Company Captain became a Sequence 9 "Mystery Pryer."

Ninglu said to the astonished two Order Shadows, "You are the new members of the Royal Court of Black Knights."

As he spoke, he sent the organization's information and members to them, then said to Thomas.

"Arsena's work requires your assistance; he will communicate with you."

At the same moment, Thierry, wearing power armor, had his golden eyes turn black, with fighting spirit rising within them.

The "Fighter" said to Howard and Bukayo.

"I want to challenge the First Captain, Saisake!"

(End of this chapter)