Chapter 137: The Book of Thelema

The Primarch nodded slightly, then walked to an observation platform and looked at the telescope upon it.

Compared to the giant telescopes like those of the Knight Mechs, it was not large; it was merely a bronze telescope the height of an ordinary person.

"My lord..."

The observer realized it was his place to introduce it to the Primarch, and he tried his best to maintain his usual composure.

"This telescope has a history of over ten thousand years; it is a creation from the early 'Age of Technology,' an era when there were not even Warp Engines..."

Ninglu nodded slightly, thinking to himself.

【The primary mirror of the telescope has a spiritual glow; it must be a Potion Material, though not one I am familiar with.

Hmm, it is most likely a Potion Material corresponding to the 'Astronomer' of Sequence 5 for a 'Knower,' or perhaps a Potion Material corresponding to the 'Stargazer' of Sequence 5 for a 'Mystery Pryer.'】

He then said to Bradshaw and the observer: "I will take this telescope."

That afternoon, Ninglu toured the entire Great Observatory, found five Potion Materials, and also selected four other items, ordering them to be sent to his courtyard.

In the evening, he returned to the courtyard and met Arsena Dunn, who had returned from the Cranium Library.

"My lord, while I was browsing books today, I saw a collection of poems by Erich Baum."

"It shone with a spiritual glow, so I requested it along with several other books."

The Primarch Attendant said, holding the poetry collection up to the Primarch with both hands.

Ninglu flipped through the table of contents and, seeing "The Moon" and "Dresden at Night" within, knew it was the main material for the "Midnight Poet."

After placing Erich Baum's poetry collection on the table, Ninglu continued to speak.

"After selecting from the many factions seeking an audience with you, I have drafted a preliminary list."

Ninglu took the Data Slate and saw Talawa within it.

In the Primarch's mind, thirty-three plans brewed instantly, including cooperation, conquest, alliance...

"Tomorrow night, I will meet with the Patriarch of Talawa."

He did not know much about Talawa and could not determine their current situation or their purpose in seeking him out; only after meeting them could he decide which approach to adopt.

After arranging the meeting for tomorrow, Ninglu cast his gaze toward the courtyard.

"You shall represent me and express my gratitude to the people of the Great Observatory."

The director of the Great Observatory led several observers to deliver the astronomical instruments the Primarch had selected to the courtyard where the Primarch resided.

The Primarch Attendant walked out of the villa and expressed thanks on behalf of Ninglu.

Ninglu returned to the third floor, entered the "Kingdom of Disorder," and directed the space ape he had named Anthony to prepare one portion each of the "Lawyer" and "Arbiter" Potions.

Afterward, the Primarch summoned Hollis and Bradshaw, accepted the Cold Stone they offered, and watched them drink the golden and black potions respectively.

A moment later, after instructing the newly promoted "Arbiter" and "Lawyer," the Primarch spoke.

"I have a mission to entrust to you."

The two new knights of the Royal Court said excitedly.

"Father, whatever you command, I will give my all."

"You will go to the Moon and forge the Terra-born Candidates into an Order Shadow."

Terra-born will continue to enter the various Legions for some time; although their proportion will continue to decline, they are also members of the Order Shadow.

Rather than waiting for them to join the Legions and then receive cultural indoctrination, it is better to brand them with the mark of the Order Shadow while they are undergoing transformation and training.

Seeing a flash of disappointment and gloom on the faces of the two Order Shadows, Ninglu smiled and said.

"Your responsibility is significant; thousands upon thousands of candidates will become Order Shadows under your guidance."

"I selected the two of you from the Honor Guard; this is a testament to my trust in you."

Upon hearing this, Hollis and Bradshaw realized their Gene-Father's trust in them and immediately bowed, saying.

"We will certainly give our all to teach the candidates to become Order Shadows."

"Those who are eliminated during the promotion process but have accepted the Legion's culture should also be sent back to Vostonia to become Legion servants or join the Auxilia, depending on their circumstances."

"Before you head to the Moon, you must also formulate a training plan and report it to me for finalization; it must cover governance, law, and other related content."

The two training officers for the new Terra-born candidates accepted the order and left to begin drafting the new training plan.

On the fourth day of Ninglu's arrival on Terra, he took Arsena, Hollis, and Bradshaw through the secret underground passage of the Imperial Palace again.

Stepping into the strange and eerie passage, Arsena immediately felt his psychic powers completely suppressed; having lost his strength, he felt his own weakness.

The "Reader" has no combat-related extraordinary abilities, and even Ritual Magic could not be used because the language had not yet been researched and the ritual procedures had not been finalized.

The Primarch Attendant subconsciously rubbed the Ring he wore on his finger and touched the orb he carried, finding strength within them.

Arsena's will faced a severe test; he walked nearly a hundred meters before his pale complexion returned to normal.

Hollis and Bradshaw, having become extraordinary beings, had their spirits strengthened and no longer fell into the illusions of the crystals overhead due to inheriting their Gene-Father's superhuman perception.

This time, they were prepared and loaded the Cold Stone piece by piece into their Astartes-pattern backpacks.

After loading more than half, they slung them around their necks and placed them in front of their chests.

Ninglu's goal today was the Cranium Library; after receiving the poetry collection Arsena offered last night, he had fine-tuned his plan and moved his visit to the Cranium Library forward by three days.

Walking out of the secret passage and arriving at the foot of the Great Observatory, he walked in the opposite direction of the entrance.

Passing a group of statues, he stopped for a moment in front of a tall statue carved from agate and quartz; it was the great Copernicus and the first page of his masterpiece.

This statue was also the most shining work of art among the many, but it was not a Potion Material.

After pausing to admire it for a moment, Ninglu continued forward, walking along the Gilded Avenue toward the Cranium Library.

With the clear search objective of a "Briber" and relying on a wider range of Spirit Vision, he finished walking through this magnificent library in just one day.

He found one hundred and eleven books; besides the main materials for the Sequence 8 "Midnight Poet" and Sequence 9 "Reader," one book that was not a Potion Material was his greatest harvest.

The Book of Thelema!

Thelema is written as Θελημα in Ancient Greek, meaning "Will."

This book records the various mysteries of the Will.

As Ninglu flipped through this book, he could not help but think.

【Most psykers call the art of honing the will "the layout of fate," while others call it "Akasha."

The Shamans of the Space Wolves call it "Wyrd," and the Farseers of Qiaogelisi speak of "Mastering the Endless Storm."

There is only one who uses the term Thelema, and that is the Thousand Sons.】

Within one minute, Ninglu finished reading this book, which was written in letters and symbols vastly different from Gothic.

【Hmm, the text within contains a certain peculiar charm and pattern, which will be of great help to Arsena's research into occult languages.

The symbols are also very special; by comprehending the mysteries within, one should be able to research some runes.】

Ninglu thought of the runes that Magnus had comprehended from books, and decided that he, too, should set about researching some runes to strengthen the will.

【My progeny have strong senses and are easily influenced.

Future corruption by Chaos will be a huge challenge; relying solely on their own will to cope is still a bit too much left to chance.

Researching runes and engraving them as decorations on the Legion's power armor should be able to slightly amplify their will and increase their resistance to corruption, just like those runes of the Qiaogelisi Shaman that slightly increase speed.

The magnitude of this improvement will not be too great, but considering the future scale of the Legion, it will always have some effect.】

The Primarch then thought of the Mind State techniques that Magnus had comprehended and taught to his progeny.

【Hmm, I can also comprehend my own Mind State techniques from this, and then teach them to my progeny; they will no longer just hone their will through training, but will also be able to actively use techniques to improve.

When Magnus returns to the Imperium, I will exchange ideas and make improvements with him.

There are also the unique Mind State techniques of the Eldar, which can also be absorbed and incorporated to continuously perfect the Mind State techniques I create.】

Thinking of this, Ninglu picked up the Book of Thelema and said to Bradshaw.

"Tell the curator to send the three hundred and thirty-three books I selected to my courtyard."

Besides Potion Material, he also selected some books related to monster lore, strange tales, and geography, to be handed over to Tierni for review later.

Upon returning to the courtyard, Ninglu received the Patriarch of the Tarawa Tribe.

(End of this chapter)