Chapter 106: Von Valancius

After ten work cycles, the Thousand Sons Legion did not arrive.

Ninglu realized that the 28th Expeditionary Fleet must have encountered obstacles, so he decided to wait no longer and began issuing orders to the Eleventh and Second Legions to commence a new round of conquest operations.

He sat upon the Command Throne and spoke to Arsena Dunn.

"Begin."

The Primarch Attendant raised the Control Staff, causing the Star Map to manifest above the strategic table.

The Primarch began to issue orders methodically, "Using Vostonia as the base, I am dividing the Star Map into twelve war zones, with each Chapter responsible for one."

He first looked at Howard, who had changed from having blond hair and blue eyes to black hair and black eyes, and spoke.

"Howard, your Chapter is responsible for the war zone directly below; your mission is to capture the two marked star systems."

"It is worth noting that intelligence provided by Altar One of the Adeptus Mechanicus indicates Eldar activity in that region, so you must remain vigilant."

"..."

After Ninglu finished issuing orders one by one, Suarez stepped forward, bowed respectfully to the Primarch, and asked.

"My Lord, what is our mission?"

"No rush; before I issue your orders, I have other arrangements."

"To increase mutual understanding, I have decided to dispatch a squad to join the 22nd Expeditionary Fleet and operate alongside the Faceless."

Ninglu looked at the th Legion Adjutant standing behind the gathered Chapter Masters and called to his progeny with a smile.

"Joffer, step forward."

Wearing black power armor, carrying a bolter on his back, and a Chainsword at his waist, the Adjutant strode before the throne.

"Father."

Ninglu nodded slightly and then said.

"Joffer is the progeny I have selected."

The squad led by Joffer consisted of only thirty Order Shadow, and the Faceless would be able to find ways to avoid them.

"I hope you will also dispatch a squad to remain by my side."

Suarez turned back, exchanged glances with the Company Captains of the Second Legion, and spoke.

"My Lord, the Faceless will obey your command; we shall select an elite squad later to await your deployment."

"I believe both of our Legions will benefit from this."

Ninglu said with a smile, signaling to Arsena, and the Primarch Attendant immediately operated the Control Staff.

On the Star Map, a region far to the east of the Vostonia system lit up, and the Primarch spoke.

"This region is referred to as the Beast by the Adeptus Mechanicus, where a small kingdom of Ork is entrenched; your mission is to purge that system."

The eyes of the Faceless Company Captains lit up in unison; at the prospect of independent operations and a system infested with Xenos, they could not help but salivate.

Over the next fifteen work cycles, the nd Fleet and the twelve Chapters of the Eleventh Legion departed one after another, racing toward their targets.

After Ninglu finished listening to the relevant report from Arsena, the Primarch Attendant turned to say.

"My Lord, you ordered me to scout for suitable candidates to conduct exploration on your behalf."

"I have found fourteen suitable candidates within the supply fleet of the Imperium; I have already obtained their dossiers, please make your decision."

Ninglu picked up the Data Slate with his left hand to review the candidate profiles sent by Arsena.

When he viewed the third person, his black pupils constricted.

Lewis Von Valancius, Captain of the Imperial supply ship Drake from Terra.

Ninglu examined the holographic image; his features seemed carved from marble, and a confident smile radiated from his face.

His head was held high, his hands clasped casually behind his back, looking full of fighting spirit.

【Von Valancius.】

Ninglu could not help but think of the Rogue Trader dynasty that would make a name for itself in the Koronus Expanse in the future.

Von Valancius, Winterscale, and Korda were the three largest Rogue Trader families in the Koronus Expanse.

【Is it a coincidence?

Or is this Lewis the ancestor of the future Rogue Trader dynasty?】

Ninglu quickly reviewed the profiles of the other candidates, and after looking through them all, he spoke.

"I want to see this Lewis Von Valancius."

"As for the others, issue deployment orders in my name."

"You shall act on my behalf to issue them orders to explore the unknown regions, using Vostonia as the center."

Two Terran hours later, Ninglu met Lewis, who had arrived in a rush, feeling both nervous and excited.

The Captain attempted to look at the Primarch, but his mind immediately went blank.

It was not until Ninglu's voice, which sounded like a tolling bell, rang out that he regained his senses.

Lewis lowered his head, focusing his gaze on the ground at the Primarch's feet.

"Lewis, you hail from the Von Valancius family of Terra and are a noble."

Lewis replied to the Primarch's question in a standard Terran accent.

"Yes, my Lord."

"You have lived a life of comfort; why take the risk to engage in void travel?"

"My Lord, I have loved reading biographies since I was young; the Von Valancius family library contains a biography of the ancient Terran navigator Francis Drake."

Lewis's azure eyes shone, his words brimming with ambition.

"I have read that biography five times and have often marveled at his great explorations."

"Now is an even more exciting era, a magnificent era; the Emperor has ended the endless civil wars on Terra and initiated the 'Great Crusade'."

"I hope to participate in it and become one of the architects of this great undertaking."

Ninglu nodded; he used his mind-reading ability to obtain the same answer from within the mind of Lewis.

He was a person with an adventurous spirit, he had a firm will, and he longed to establish great achievements.

"Very good, you are an ambitious young man."

Hearing Ninglu's praise, the blonde noble expressed his thanks with standard aristocratic etiquette; he did not look up, listening intently to the words of the Primarch.

"I am giving you an opportunity now; I will help you realize your dreams."

"I think you need a Warrant of Trade to gain the right to explore unknown regions."

"My lord, I am willing to serve you."

Lewis said excitedly, "Not just for the Warrant of Trade, but because you are a great Primarch, the noble scion of the Emperor."

Ninglu nodded slightly, and he called out to the Primarch Attendant.

"Arsena."

The Primarch Attendant operated the Control Staff, forming a Star Map on the strategic table.

Compared to the complete Star Map from the previous Legion meeting, the scope of this Star Map was much smaller.

After staring at the holographic image for a moment, Lewis recognized that one of the two highlighted star systems was Vostonia.

There was another highlighted star system on the Star Map; they were scattered across several star systems, and besides the direct route, several star systems on both sides were marked.

"Your mission is to explore all the star systems between Vostonia and the Crystal Illusion; once you have completed the entire exploration, you will receive the Warrant of Trade granted by me."

"I will also bestow upon you a Frigate and an elite team to accompany you in exploring the sea of stars."

Lewis's original plan had been to transport supplies for the Imperium, accumulate merit, and look for an opportunity to become a Rogue Trader; he had not expected the opportunity to come so quickly, and he immediately said.

"As you wish, my lord, I will certainly not disappoint the Emperor's scion."

After Lewis took his leave, the Communication Bead in Arsena's right ear rang; after listening to the message, he determined it was an emergency and immediately reported to Ninglu.

"My lord, the 28th Expeditionary Fleet has arrived, and Ahriman of the Thousand Sons Legion is on his way."

(End of chapter)