Chapter 107: The Ahriman Brothers (Three Updates, Requesting Monthly Votes)

Inside the palace of Exemplar City, Ninglu looked at the Data Slate in his hand; Arsena's report had caught his attention.

The Adeptus Mechanicus transport fleet had been attacked by Xenos ships—a type of chubby, cylindrical warship—and the Auspex had detected high-frequency psychic readings.

The Primarch swiftly reviewed the report submitted by the Adeptus Mechanicus; the Xenos warship was a vessel several kilometers long, with one end bulbous and equipped with a cluster of thrusters, while the other end tapered to form a thick, blunt prow.

Its most distinctive feature was the massive, petal-shaped blades extending from the stern, which shimmered with blinding light.

After scrutinizing the Xenos ship for several seconds, Ninglu thought to himself.

【Cylindrical ship, psychic.

A colonization ship of the Joegals?】

He remembered the Joegals were a Xenos race that had attempted to settle within the Imperium's borders during the "Great Crusade."

Shortly before the battle of "Istvaan III," a powerful Joegal fleet had been stationed in the Yota star system.

Because traces of psykers were tracked within this force, Malcador had dispatched the Sisters of Silence to support the "Death Guard," destroying the Joegals' colony and fleet.

【The Xenos fleet must be destroyed.】

As Ninglu pondered, two Astartes clad in ornate and exquisite armor walked into the palace.

He looked up; their crimson armor was engraved with various geometric patterns, and on their left pauldrons was the curved star emblem of the "Thousand Sons" Legion.

Having not yet reunited with their Gene-Father, the Thousand Sons' pauldrons did not yet bear the markings of their cults.

Standing on the left, the Thousand Son holding a crescent staff bowed in greeting first.

"Primarch, I am First Captain Ahriman of the 'Thousand Sons,' reporting for duty as ordered."

The other Thousand Son, who looked exactly the same, then spoke.

"My lord, I am Second Captain Ormuzd of the 'Thousand Sons,' reporting for duty as ordered."

The "Thousand Sons" Legion had not yet reunited with Magnus and had not adopted unique organizational structures like the cults; their current organization still followed the regulations of the "Codex Astartes."

Ninglu looked at the twin brothers before him; their faces were filled with the confidence of those possessing powerful abilities.

From the time the Thousand Sons' psychic talents began to manifest in the year 803, until the first Thousand Son died of the Flesh Change at Bijante in 823, the Thousand Sons had felt nothing but joy, reveling in the unique gifts bestowed upon them by the Emperor.

They were intoxicated by the power surging through their bodies and enjoyed the exhilaration of unleashing their psychic powers.

"My lord, please forgive our tardiness; we spent some effort indoctrinating the people of the 28-3 world."

Indoctrination?

Ninglu narrowed his eyes; he feared they were actually collecting their knowledge.

The Thousand Sons, like their Gene-Father, hungered for knowledge and the understanding of mysteries.

Ahriman's obsession in this regard was no less than that of Magnus.

"No matter," Ninglu said in a calm tone, neither warm nor cold, "I wish to hear a briefing on the status of the 'Thousand Sons'."

"As you wish."

As First Captain, Ahriman naturally took on the responsibility of reporting, and he began to speak.

"My lord, the 'Thousand Sons' Legion currently has nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine Warriors."

Ninglu's black eyes narrowed; the "Flesh Change" had not yet manifested, and the "Thousand Sons" having a strength of ten thousand did not exceed his expectations, but the number nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine still made him silently associate it with Tzeentch.

【If the Flesh Change is not a genetic defect, then it is a blessing from the "Changer of Ways."

Or at least, after the "Fate Weaver" set his sights on Magnus, he wove the Fate Silk and pushed the power of the mutation.】

Thoughts flashed through his mind as he listened to Ahriman continue his report.

"The 28th Expeditionary Fleet has 19 warships..."

After hearing Ahriman's report, Ninglu's black eyes focused on him.

"I hear you possess the ability of precognition."

After his initial surprise, Ahriman could not help but feel a surge of pride; his name and abilities had actually reached the ears of a Primarch.

Ahriman suppressed his pride and excitement, and he spoke in a humble tone.

"My lord, that is indeed true; it is a gift from the Emperor."

"I have a task for you."

Ninglu decided to hand the problem he had encountered to the future Chief Librarian of the "Thousand Sons," and he said to Arsena.

"Send the report of the Adeptus Mechanicus's encounter with the Xenos to Ahriman."

"As you command, my lord."

The Primarch Attendant stepped forward immediately, and the two Thousand Sons finally shifted their attention from the Primarch to the silver-haired Arsena.

They immediately discovered that this mortal had mastered the mysteries of psychic power; his surging power from the Immaterium caused their consciousnesses to probe the Primarch Attendant with scrutiny.

【He possesses great power, not even losing to some of the Thousand Sons.

But he is not as good as the Legion's elite, and far inferior to us.】

After Ahriman reviewed the data on the Data Slate, he said confidently to the Primarch.

"My lord, I can lock onto the Xenos's trajectory, it will just take time."

"I grant you time, go."

After the Ahriman brothers left, Ninglu pondered for a moment, then sent a message to Maria Kurnikova, summoning her to come.

Three standard hours later, the "Assassin," wearing a black hooded bodysuit, carrying a pair of curved blades on her back, and with two Fulao Boliren tucked into her belt, arrived beneath the Hive Tower; she intended to bypass the guards from the shadows as she had done before and appear in the palace.

But just as she approached the Hive Tower and pulled out her grappling gun, she felt two cold, piercing gazes.

Maria turned her head to look; they were two giants standing at the entrance of the Hive Tower.

The "Assassin" sensed that they had already locked onto her, and if she made a move, she would suffer a ruthless attack.

【They are the King's genetic progeny; things are different now than they were before.】

Maria wisely abandoned her habitual approach and honestly pulled out her communicator to send a message to the King.

Ninglu received the "Assassin's" report that she had arrived, and he said to Arsena.

"Continue to represent me and speak with those who have been chosen; as long as they can chart a complete route, they shall receive a Warrant of Trade issued by me."

Without having to pay a price, Ninglu naturally intended to fully utilize his status as a Primarch to gain benefits.

But measures to ensure their loyalty were still necessary.

A moment later, Maria walked into the palace; this was her first time meeting the monarch since the Primarch returned to the Imperium.

"My King, what are your orders for summoning me?"

Ninglu tossed the prepared data chip to Malena; the Assassin extended her left hand and caught the chip accurately.

"Arrange for your subordinates to infiltrate the targets' ships."

"Ten for Von Valancius, five for the other targets."

"As you wish."

After Maria received the mission, she immediately took her leave; the Assassin was not accustomed to being exposed to the sight of others, and even less willing to be exposed to the sight of the eleven Primarch guards.

Nine work cycles later, Ninglu received news from Ahriman that he had used Divination to lock onto the Xenos ships.

Ninglu decided to set out immediately to annihilate the Yuejia'er colony ships.

He boarded the Void Hunter and ordered the fleet to set sail.

(End of this chapter)