Chapter 130: Malcador

Malcador's attendant pulled the heavy doors open for him, and the Primarch walked into the Observatorium.

The turquoise tiles paved across the interior of the dome reflected the bright radiance of hundreds of candles; the shadows cast by the flickering flames made the numerous mysterious patterns on the dome appear to shift between light and dark.

Looking up, Ninglu noticed that the specific content depicted by those patterns was not easy to discern—some were star sign markers, while others were mythical monsters originating from the ancient eras of Terra.

At the very apex of the dome was a mass of shadow, an area that the candlelight could barely reach.

Many years ago, a certain face had been carved there, but the details were no longer distinguishable.

Ninglu cast his gaze toward it, keenly sensing that the pattern was different; it was as if it were alive, hiding within the darkness, staring expressionlessly at the space below.

【Originating from some mythical creature? A remnant of Spirituality? Is that creature a high-Tier Potion Material?

According to the special connection between Potion Materials of the same pathway, it is very likely related to the "Darkness" pathway.】

"That is merely the lingering shadow of an ancient creature."

Malcador knew the Primarch's perception was sharp, and he offered a self-deprecating smile.

"Ever since the master I serve, your father, set out, I have come here to gaze at the stars less and less."

Ninglu withdrew his gaze, sensing Malcador's reluctance to speak of it; he did not press further, instead following Malcador's lead and turning his eyes to the room.

Ancient brass Astronomy Telescopes, orreries, and armillary spheres were stacked neatly, several mahogany cabinets held various uniquely shaped items for Divination, and the bookshelves were also filled with books.

Ninglu saw the glow of Spirituality upon several of these items.

【Hmm, Malcador certainly has quite the collection, and they are all Potion Materials I am unfamiliar with.

Which is to say, they are at least mid-Tier Potion Materials.】

His gaze then shifted to the black-and-white checkered floor, paved with marble, while the gilded walls all around shimmered with a dim, aged luster.

Twenty pillars supported the dome, and two of the capitals were each engraved with an emblem.

One was a black wolf's head under the moon, while the other was blurred; only when a common person approached could they see it was a chaotic pattern composed of disordered black arcs, wings, spikes, and an abstract crown.

Malcador wore a robe of fine material but simple design; the staff his seemingly frail body leaned upon appeared to be crafted from pure steel, yet the eagle emblem at the top was of exquisite craftsmanship.

In Ninglu's supernatural vision, the material of the staff was not steel, but a peculiar psychic material; he also noticed obscure runes carved into the staff's shaft.

"You have worked hard."

Ninglu said sincerely; the heavy burden of the Imperium's operation rested upon the shoulders of one old man, and even with his immense power, it was a heavy load.

"I have grown accustomed to it; from the day I pledged my loyalty to him, I had anticipated this day."

Malcador's tone was profound, as if he had fallen into memories.

After more than ten seconds, he finally came back to his senses and said with a self-deprecating laugh.

"Apologies, I fell into memories; you should understand, no matter how one measures it, I am an old man."

Seeing Ninglu nod, Malcador changed the subject and spoke.

"Divination requires information; besides the name Necromunda, I need more information."

Ninglu had anticipated this and spoke immediately.

"I saw Necromunda, there was an octopus-like creature, and I saw fish-men kneeling to worship him."

He looked up at the dome and said thoughtfully.

"It gives me a feeling similar to that thing on the ceiling."

"I think, in the Warp, that should be the most obvious one."

"I also saw spiderwebs entwined around Necromunda and spiders lurking upon them, and at the same time, I heard the fearful whispers of countless people."

Hearing this, Malcador said in a grave tone.

"Faith..."

After a moment of silence, he realized he could not deny the existence of what a Primarch with keen perception had sensed.

"I believe the Emperor and Horus have already spoken with you about the Imperial Truth; there is no need for me to repeat it."

"Your perception is correct; faith is nothing but a fragile, delusional fantasy of humanity. That octopus creature is merely a slightly more powerful being, no different from those above my head. It is precisely because of their power that ignorant believers worship them."

"When they encounter a more powerful existence, they will be shattered, just like that shadow painted on the dome."

After finishing, Malcador walked to the cabinet and took out the items he needed.

"As for that spider, it is even more of a delusional thing; let me reveal its falsehood for you."

A moment later, a massive parchment scroll was spread out; it was as large as a wall.

"Compared to a Data Slate, I am still more accustomed to the traditional way."

This time, Malcador did not let himself fall into memories for long; he began the Divination.

Ninglu noticed Malcador slightly raise his staff, and a brilliant psychic radiance shot straight toward the shadow at the highest point of the dome.

Invisible ripples surged; the constellations and mythical creatures on the dome all emitted a brilliant light, and the entire Observatorium seemed to merge into the waves of the Warp.

The Primarch's perception, combined with the Fulao people's knowledge of Ether, was rapidly analyzed in his brain.

【Psychic Array.

The stars powering it come from the stones of many stars, which have been refined with psychic power in the Warp.

Those painted mythical creatures also provided the materials for Malcador to set up the Psychic Array, including at least blood.

What a grand gesture! In the entire Imperium, those with the ability and materials to set up such a Psychic Array can be counted on one hand.】

The Primarch's exclamation flashed by, and he then looked at Malcador; his eyes instantly turned profound, and he looked up at the Dome, his gaze piercing through the barriers of the physical world.

The entire space seemed to enter a wondrous state; after an unknown amount of time, he withdrew his gaze and began to sketch figures on the parchment.

As his brush moved, a Star Map slowly took shape.

Ninglu noticed that Malcador's expression remained normal, and the light flickering within his "Warp Insight" did not change in the slightest; clearly, this Divination did not consume much of his energy.

A moment later, Malcador was silent for a while, retracted his surging power, and then closed off his psychic energy.

He looked at Ninglu, "The Star Map you wanted is ready."

"I also saw the octopus and spider you spoke of."

"The octopus creature is currently in a deep slumber; its faith exists only among the fish-men and a small number of humans, so you need not deal with it."

Malcador paused for a moment before continuing.

"I do not doubt your abilities, but it sleeps beneath the ground; once it awakens, it will be a catastrophe for all of Necromunda—the earth will crack, and countless people will be swallowed."

Ninglu nodded slightly; he did not possess the desire for battle or the competitive spirit that Malcador worried about.

【In his memories, the great octopus remained in slumber until the Great Rift opened; there was indeed no rush to deal with it.】

Fighting it now would be a catastrophe for Necromunda.

When he has the strength to crush it, he will deal with it then; even if it is not a Potion Material, it can be used to make other things.】

"As for the spider you sensed, as I said, it is merely a delusional faith of the people of Necromunda."

"It is like a small fish in the ocean; a single wave will scatter it."

"Although it is delusional, after you reclaim Necromunda, you should also eradicate these illusory faiths and let those ignorant masses receive the call of the Imperium."

Malcador emphasized his tone to ensure the Primarch took it seriously.

"I sense Fear and Death from that spider; a faith rooted in this will only create ignorant believers, and they will be a persistent, destabilizing factor in that world."

Ninglu looked at Malcador with admiration; as expected of the wise man relied upon by the Emperor, Malcador had actually deduced the hidden dangers of Necromunda based on partial information he had foreseen.

One of the major destabilizing factors of the "outstanding" Necromunda is the Corpse Grinder Cult and the faith in the Great Unclean One of Khorne, which is closely linked to the local culture.

The spider is the symbol of all the fears of the people of Necromunda, and hunger is one of them.

Those who die of hunger become food for the spider.

To overcome the fear of hunger, countless laborers in the Lower Hive and Underhive began to practice cannibalism, thus giving birth to the Corpse Grinder Cult and beginning to worship the Great Unclean One.

"I understand; I will set about resolving it."

Hearing Ninglu so confident, Malcador did not continue to press the matter.

"I hear you have an interest in all sorts of peculiar things, and I have some private collections."

"Since you were willing to take on the responsibility of supplies this time and helped me solve a significant problem, I have nothing else to give you; you may choose one item from my collection as a private gift from me."

Malcador did not doubt that the Primarch's wisdom allowed him to see through the methods he had used in public earlier; now was the time to mend their relationship.

Divination was merely a trivial effort for him, and since Ninglu had this hobby, he wanted to use it to draw closer and establish a friendly atmosphere for finalizing the scope of supplies later.

Ninglu had not expected an unexpected gain, so naturally, he would not refuse.

Malcador's treasury is not as good as the Emperor's, but it should contain some high-Tier Potion Materials, right?

With anticipation in his heart, a smile could not help but appear on the Primarch's face.

"Then I thank the Sigillite."

(End of this chapter)