Chapter 186: Malcador's Gift for the Victor of the Wheel of Fire

Terra Imperial Palace, banquet hall.

Servo-skulls adorned with ribbons drifted back and forth in the air, repeating a synthesized audio track.

"Malcador the Sigillite, Regent of Terra appointed by the Master of Mankind, welcomes the Emperor's progeny, Ninglu and Leman Russ."

"Ninglu, Primarch of the Eleventh Legion, Monarch of Vostonia..."

"Leman Russ, Primarch of the Sixth Legion, Wolf King of Fenris..."

Bronze braziers spat dark red tongues of flame, creating the atmosphere of a Fenrisian hearth.

On the oak table, a whole beef rib split along the bone seams to reveal pink muscle, the crisp sound of fat popping on cherrywood charcoal resonating strangely with the hum of a jazz double bass.

A waiter in white gloves served a suckling pig with skin roasted to a crackle.

Beneath the charred, crispy skin, a translucent layer of fat, like melted beeswax, slowly overflowed at the angle of the carving knife.

A Black Angus tomahawk steak hit the 280-degree cast-iron plate, hissing as it seared deep brown caramel marks between the marble-like grains.

The head chef in a linen shirt struck a copper bell, and four burly men carried in an oak wine barrel.

Malcador drank the mead in his cup and said admiringly.

"If this wine is less than a thousand cups, its flavor remains hidden."

"It took the warriors of Fenris a mere few years to brew a mountain-defying spirit that even heroes cannot overcome; it took us even longer to make it this mellow."

The Wolf King was overjoyed upon hearing this.

"Malcador, drink as much mead as you want."

Ninglu keenly sensed the Sigillite's appreciation for Fenrisian mead and culture.

【As expected, just like in my memories, the Wolf King has the best relationship with Malcador. So much for hating psykers.】

"Ninglu, you should also drink your fill of mead; I believe you will like it."

Ninglu felt Malcador's intent; he wanted to foster a brotherly friendship between Ninglu and Leman Russ.

【Perhaps he also wants to secure my and the Wolf King's support in the War Council.】

Before the formation of the Council of Terra, the War Council was the actual governing body of the Imperium.

Aside from the Emperor, Malcador, and the Fabricator General of Mars, every Primarch and the Captain-General also held a seat on the council.

"I prefer Lasvolt."

Ninglu said with a double entendre; the Sigillite fell silent for a moment upon hearing this, then changed the subject.

"Ninglu, I must express my gratitude; the support you provided for the Great Crusade has made the Imperium's expansion in the Obscurus Sector much smoother."

"I will also provide supplies for you and Russ in the war for the Flame Wheel System."

Speaking of this, Malcador said with great interest.

"I heard Russ mention that you are conducting a series of hunting duels."

"You and your progeny have won every victory; this time, the purge of the Orks in the Flame Wheel is a new hunting duel."

"I have prepared a gift; the one who severs the head of the Ork warlord shall receive it."

Ninglu was taken aback; Malcador had also prepared an item for the Battle of the Flame Wheel.

【This is a change brought about by my arrival.】

"I discussed with the Emperor who would win; he and Horus favor you, but I favor Russ."

"The Fenrisians will transform into Space Wolves; they will bloom in the starry sky, and the result this time will be different."

Malcador's gaze was profound; his words caused the Space Wolves to shout and roar.

Jorin and other Fenrisians were undergoing transformation and attending the event; Enoch Lashwin, sitting beside him, looked at Sanchez provocatively.

"Sanchez, you only won because I didn't go to Fenris."

"I will challenge you in the coming war to take back the Wolf King's sword."

"Only a Space Wolf is qualified to wield the Wolf King's sword."

Sanchez looked directly at the former master of the Sixth Legion; in the early days of the "Great Crusade," few could rival Lashwin.

But he was now merely a Wolf Lord of the "Space Wolves," while Sanchez was no longer who he once was.

【I am a Reaper Lord, a Black Court Baron who has received the Gene-Father's grace three times.】

The "Provocateur" touched his sword, "If you want it, come and take it, but you will inevitably be the one who fails."

"Wait."

Ninglu suddenly spoke to interrupt the verbal clash between the two, his gaze fixed on Leman Russ.

"Since the sword was gifted, how can there be talk of taking it back?"

"Are your whelps afraid to accept a challenge?"

"Afraid to accept an honor duel between Astartes."

The Wolf King used crude language to mask his use of Astartes tradition to force Ninglu to agree to the duel.

Ninglu waved a hand, stopping Sanchez from speaking.

"My Reaper Lord is naturally daring enough to accept a challenge."

"But he is a Commander, not a brute with nothing to do; he cannot be challenged just because someone wants to."

"To challenge him, one must put something on the table."

Ninglu did not want Sanchez to face endless challenges from the Space Wolves just because he held a sharp blade.

He had to set a threshold for this so that Sanchez would gain something after winning.

"I am no brute; I am a Wolf Lord of the 'Space Wolves,' not some nobody."

Enoch Lashwin shouted, clenching his fists; if the person opposite him were not a Primarch and they were not at the Imperial Regent's banquet, he would have charged over to wash away his shame.

Leman Russ understood Ninglu's meaning immediately upon hearing this.

"I will provide a stake for my whelps, but your whelps won't be able to take it."

"The one who will win the victory is Lashiven."

"I will also sever the head of the Ork Warlord! The Space Wolves will prove at the Wheel of Fire that we are the best hunters!"

Ninglu's black eyes were profound, "The Space Wolves are excellent hunters; victory belongs to the Order Shadow."

Seeing the two Legions and their progeny at daggers drawn, Malcador sighed imperceptibly, and a new wrinkle appeared on his weathered face.

"Let us see who wins and who loses after the Orks at the Wheel of Fire are purged; I will prepare a gift worthy of the victor."

The day after the banquet ended, Ninglu met with Suo'er, the Patriarch of Talawa, at his villa.

Suo'er, dressed in a grey robe, said to the Primarch.

"My lord, I have received reports from the Teriken system."

"My clansmen have discovered a large quantity of rare minerals beneath the surface of Teriken I and have already established a new base there."

He looked at Ninglu with admiration: "My lord, Teriken I is truly amazing."

"It possesses a beautiful environment that has long since vanished from Terra, yet it is also a highly efficient industrial base."

"Environment and efficiency, these two contradictory concepts, are perfectly fused together in your world."

The Primarch listened to Suo'er's praise with a smile, then asked.

"Then, for what purpose have you come on this trip?"

"I wish to obtain your support on this trip; Talawa wants to develop and grow in the Teriken system, rather than being limited to the main planet."

"We have provided weapons for the Emperor since the beginning of the 'Unification War', although the Adeptus Mechanicus has now taken over this responsibility."

Suo'er's expression darkened, but his gaze immediately brightened.

"But after the Imperium was established, we have been responsible for the manufacturing and maintenance of the weapons for the Custodes."

"We will bring the 'Dark Age of Technology' techniques shared with us by the Emperor, as well as this experience, to Teriken."

Ninglu nodded with satisfaction, and he stood up and said.

"Patriarch Suo'er, I wish Talawa success in taking flight in Teriken and blooming with brilliance in the galaxy."

On the third day after arriving at Terra, the Primarch met with the Patriarch of the Drake Family, who was accompanied by two black-armored Warriors.

(End of this chapter)