Chapter 188: The Drake Family and the Lucifer Blacks

In the Primarch's villa, Ninglu's gaze moved past Barton, the Patriarch of the Drake Family standing before him, to the black-armored Warriors standing on either side behind him.

The two black-armored Warriors had sturdy bodies, broad and thick shoulders, and rigid legs that looked as if they had been carved by a knife and axe.

Their weather-beaten cheeks and necks were covered in pale scars.

Ninglu felt the formidable aura they radiated, not inferior to a Fenrisian, and recognized their identities from the medals awarded during the "Unification War" that covered their chests.

He looked at Barton: "Barton, are they Lucifer Blacks?"

Barton, a Commander of the Solar Auxilia, said respectfully: "Yes, my lord."

"Please allow me to introduce them to you."

Barton stepped aside to reveal the Warrior standing to his rear left, clad in black flak armor, his right eye replaced by a bionic.

"Captain Xio; his swordsmanship is highly acclaimed, even among the 'Lucifer Blacks'."

Ninglu's black eyes narrowed as he looked at the Power Sword at his waist.

Xio's swordsmanship should be close to the limit of a mortal.

He remembered that the Lucifer Blacks Captain Chain had excellent swordsmanship and had once exchanged several blows with "Alpharius," leaving a sword wound on him.

Although "Alpharius" was actually impersonated by a First Captain of the "Twentieth Legion," the combat power of a First Captain during the Legion era far exceeded that of an ordinary Astartes.

Barton stepped to the right again, revealing another Warrior wearing a flak jacket, whose arm had been replaced by machinery.

"Shield-Guard Laurent; he once blocked ten of Xio's strikes."

Ninglu stared at the ancient medals on the chests of the two black-armored Warriors.

"The immense sacrifices the Lucifer Blacks made during the 'Unification War' and the merits you achieved are worthy of admiration."

Having received praise from the Primarch, both Xio and Laurent felt a sense of glory, and they bowed slightly.

"Primarch above, thank you for your praise."

Barton, nearly forty years old, sighed: "My lord, it is precisely because of their great sacrifices that there are now fewer than a hundred of them left."

"Captain Xio has only one Warrior, Laurent, under his command."

"The mighty lions that once galloped across the battlefield now serve as bodyguards for high-ranking officers."

Complex expressions appeared on the faces of the two Lucifer Blacks, containing both nostalgia for the past and sorrow for their current situation.

Ninglu nodded slightly; he knew that the "Lucifer Blacks" were never rebuilt throughout the entire "Great Crusade" era.

Rebuilt after the "Horus Heresy," they served as an elite Praetorian Guard to protect the Imperial Palace, while also frequently acting as bodyguards for Terra's nobility and High Lords.

Knowing the status and future of the "Lucifer Blacks," he had already guessed the intentions of Xio and Laurent, but he wanted the two to speak for themselves.

"What is the purpose of your visit?"

Xio stepped forward and spoke.

"My lord, please provide us with assistance to rebuild the 'Lucifer Blacks'."

Ninglu tapped his fingers on the back of his chair: "Why do you seek help from me?"

"Did the Sigillite not help you?"

Barton spoke before Xio, explaining to the Primarch.

"My lord, Lord Malcador is busy with a thousand tasks and has no time to attend to this matter."

He hesitated for a moment before continuing.

"Moreover, although the Lucifer Blacks do not have high requirements for equipment, the training time and resources for each Warrior far exceed the standards of the Solar Auxilia."

Ninglu nodded slightly, already understanding why the "Lucifer Blacks" could not be rebuilt during the "Great Crusade" era.

Although the Lucifer Blacks were stronger than many Auxilia, they took too long to train, and their combat power was not as good as that of the Astartes.

Cultivating "Lucifer Blacks" was not as effective as cultivating Astartes.

The "Great Crusade" consumed massive resources, so Malcador naturally would not spend effort on the inefficient "Lucifer Blacks."

"The worlds under your rule, my lord, are prosperous, populous, and resource-rich; you can help the 'Lucifer Blacks' return to their peak."

After Barton stated their purpose, Xio and Laurent's hearts sank when they saw the Primarch remained silent.

"If you lose them, who will guard you?"

Hearing the Primarch actually considering his own safety, a warm current surged through Barton's body, and he puffed out his chest.

"My lord, I am not yet so old that I cannot hold a sword, and the Drake Family also has elite guards, although they are far inferior to Xio and the others."

"Xio and Laurent are my guards, but they are also my friends, my brothers; we have fought side by side."

"I hope they can reshape the glory of the 'Lucifer Blacks'!"

Xio and Laurent looked at Barton with gratitude; Ninglu took in the expressions of the three at a glance and said with a smile.

"Barton, your safety is also important; under my command, there are a large number of Warriors who have not yet undergone complete Gaizao Shouhu."

There are over fifteen thousand Vostonia Auxiliary Army Warriors who have undergone at least one Gaizao Shouhu.

Ninglu supported the rebuilding of the "Lucifer Blacks" precisely for this reason.

He hoped that some Auxiliary Army Warriors would become better Warriors after being influenced by the culture and strict training of the Lucifer Blacks.

"I will select elites to provide you with guards."

Talawa is relatively independent, and the Drake Family is the largest family among those fully belonging to the Imperium to defect to the Primarch.

Most of the Terra forces currently defecting to Ninglu are military forces; the Drakes have been in the military for generations, and family members all serve in the Solar Auxilia.

In his memory, the Drake Family remained prosperous and enduring, continuing for ten thousand years, with family members serving as Lord Commanders of the Astra Militarum in every generation.

Even the marginalized collateral branches would receive a Warrant of Trade and become Rogue Traders.

Dispatching guards could both protect Barton's safety and exert influence over the Drake Family.

Ninglu looked at the two black-armored Warriors and said.

"You may select the first batch of recruits from the Auxilia to recover quickly."

"You may also select new recruits from the worlds under my rule; in worlds outside of Vostonia, your priority is second only to the Legions."

"You will receive reinforcements in weapons and equipment; every soldier will be equipped with at least Carapace Armor, and those at the rank of Captain or above may receive Precision Power Armor."

Xio and Laurent had not expected the Primarch to be not only willing to provide help but also so generous to them; the two knelt on one knee.

"My Lord, the 'Lucifer Blacks' will swear their lives to your service."

"Whatever you command, I shall obey."

Ninglu stood up from the throne, walked before the two, and helped them up.

"No need for such formalities," he turned his head and said to the Primarch Attendant, "Arsena, take them away."

"Barton, you stay."

After the Primarch Attendant left with the two Lucifer Blacks, Ninglu said to Barton.

"You should know that my Legion has already controlled six star systems with Necromunda as the core."

"My Lord, I know; a beautiful blitzkrieg by six Chapters."

Barton's eyes shone; he had defected to Ninglu because he admired the Primarch's swift and precise strikes.

The attacks of the "Luna Wolves" were more ferocious and their combat records more conspicuous, but the "Order Shadow" were more precise and lethal, and they brought a brand-new order to the worlds they reclaimed.

Compared to Horus, Barton admired Ninglu more.

"Necromunda has a large population, but it has not been fully utilized; I need elites from the Solar Auxilia to go and reform the old-style armies."

Ninglu would not leave the Fourth Legion on Necromunda for long; once Adams established order, he would transfer the Death Lord away.

"My Lord, I will select retired elites from Drake and the affiliated families."

"They will take the elite soldiers under their command and go to Necromunda to forge a loyal and elite army for you."

While Ninglu was meeting with the various families, inside the "Kingdom of Disorder," the Black Wolf began to experience a cycle of Nightmare.

(End of chapter)