Chapter 224: Primarch of the Second Legion

Ninglu, accompanied by Rosicky Cech and Arsena Dunn, boarded the Frigate.

He said to the Master of the Forge: "Conduct a test on the Frigate and confirm whether the Geller Field can coexist with the Ape Field."

Light and shadow flickered in Ninglu's eyes as he looked outward.

His "Warp Vision" immediately discovered an invisible energy barrier outside the ship's hull.

【The Ape Field is a tangible energy barrier.】

A moment later, the Geller Field was activated.

【Hmm, the Geller Field does not project a barrier to block Warp intrusion, but rather projects a space that conforms to the laws of operation of real space, wrapping the ship within it.

The Geller Field is a "bubble" created by psykers sealed deep within the ship; it envelops real matter, stabilizing the reality around the ship amidst the ever-changing Warp.

Demons that usually cannot exist in the real world are thus repelled.】

After carefully discerning for a moment, Ninglu concluded: the tangible energy barrier—the Ape Field—can coexist with the non-energy barrier of the Geller Field.

【Such an energy barrier should consume energy.

The Old Ones' method of fusing technology and psychic power is truly peculiar; the Ape Field's consumption is very low, not even requiring a reactor like the Fortress-class Energy Shield.】

Twenty-nine minutes later, the Master of the Forge completed the inspection and returned to report to the Primarch.

"Father, I have confirmed that the Geller Field and the Ape Field can coexist."

"The Ape Field is a special energy barrier; it cannot block attacks from the physical world, but it can block the erosion of the Warp."

"I have discovered that the Ape Field's energy consumption is relatively low, but it still consumes energy continuously while active. I believe we should research a device to control the activation and deactivation of the Ape Field."

Ninglu nodded; keeping the Ape Field active at all times was a waste, especially since he could only control two space apes for replenishment and needed to use them sparingly.

"Lead the Techmarines and research an Ape Field control device."

"I obey your will."

Ninglu sent the space apes onto the Capital Ship of the Fourth Chapter and brought out another space ape that had just established a connection from the "Kingdom of Disorder," letting them begin constructing the Ape Field.

After returning to the Shadow of Sovereignty, the Primarch decided to launch a new round of offensives, and he said to Arsena.

"Begin a new round of offensives; order the Second, Eighth, and Ninth Chapters to launch an attack on Planet Eight, and the Fourth and Eleventh Chapters to launch an attack on Planet Four."

"The Fifth Chapter will relieve the Ninth Chapter to guard the Battle Moon, and the Third Chapter will return to Modian to rest."

"Dispatch half the forces of the First, Sixth, Tenth, and Twelfth Chapters to come to the Wheel of Fire to participate in the battle."

The eight Chapters of the Eleventh Legion were all engaged with the Orcs and had accumulated combat experience; it was time to let the other four Chapters receive tempering as well.

After arranging the various affairs of the Legion, Ninglu led his Honor Guard and boarded Planet Four.

Two stellar months later, Ninglu received a report that the Primarch of the Second Legion had finished the grand celebration on Terra and had already arrived at the Wheel of Fire.

Ninglu returned to the Shadow of Sovereignty to receive Hannibal.

At the obsidian dining table, Ninglu looked at Hannibal opposite him; he was not wearing armor, but was dressed in brown casual attire, looking like a noble from Vostonia.

His short golden hair was neatly combed to the left, the corners of his mouth were raised with sculptural elegance, yet a predator's sharp glint lurked in the depths of his eyes.

Ninglu shifted his gaze to the front, where the claws of the razor crab glowed coral red after being steamed.

The moment the chef lifted the crab shell, a salty, fresh aroma rushed toward them.

Ninglu placed the cream-like crab meat into his mouth; it immediately slid into his esophagus and fell into his stomach, the tender sensation lingering on the tip of his tongue.

The shells of the salt-and-pepper mantis shrimp were fried in hot oil into hollow patterns, dry and crispy, white tinged with red.

The chef peeled off the crispy shell, and Ninglu put the shrimp meat into his mouth; the sweetness of the shrimp meat and the stimulation of the salt and pepper collided in his mouth.

Ninglu savored the delicious seafood from the Cradle of the Sea and cast his gaze toward Hannibal.

Hannibal elegantly used the fork in his hand to spear a steak of Iron-scaled Kraken.

Charcoal fire licked the bone-in steak, the fat bursting into golden sparks under the high heat, the myoglobin turning into amber meat juices, winding down along the marble-like marbling.

The snowflake-like fat layer of the ribeye melted into liquid gold during the searing, the charred, crispy crust enveloping the tender fibers, delicate and juicy when bitten into.

"Truly delicious!"

Hannibal's face was filled with an undisguised smile, and he spoke in a standard and modulated tone.

"I have eaten even more delicious steaks; if there is an opportunity in the future, I will host a banquet to treat you."

Hannibal's smile was charming, and his High Gothic was very standard; Ninglu had only heard it from the mouths of Terran nobles.

The Primarch looked at Hannibal, who resembled a Terran noble, and he keenly captured a trace of strangeness mixed within.

【What kind of steak? Is it something normal people eat?】

Ninglu's eyes narrowed slightly, his peripheral vision sweeping over Suarez and Erlin to Hannibal's left.

Their cheekbones had proliferated outward more obviously, the junction of their foreheads and parietal bones was clearly raised, and the signs of calcification in the muscle fibers from their temples to their mandibles were more apparent.

Ninglu's peripheral vision also swept over Madsen to Hannibal's right; he had not yet undergone modification and was just an ordinary person.

His pupils were gray, and there were obvious blue-gray patches on his neck and wrists.

【Suarez and Erlin have clearly eaten a lot of Xenos during this time.

Madsen, even more so, has no idea what he has eaten for his body to have such obvious abnormalities.】

Ninglu's stomach could not help but feel a trace of discomfort; he did not touch the steak again afterward, focusing on savoring the seafood from the Cradle of the Sea.

Hannibal and his sons ignored other food, eating only the Iron-scaled Kraken steak.

After the banquet, Hannibal elegantly took a white handkerchief from his jacket pocket and wiped the oil stains from the corners of his mouth.

He folded the handkerchief, even the creases being the same as before.

Hannibal looked at Ninglu and said in an impassioned tone.

"Ninglu, my brother, Father and Malcador asked me to follow you to learn and understand the mysteries of war."

"When shall we begin?"

Ninglu leaned back against his chair, scrutinizing Hannibal.

【The urgent tone he deliberately displayed is to cover up something.】

After carefully distinguishing for a moment, he thought to himself.

【It is somewhat similar to the smile the Wolf King has when hunting, but there is also a great difference.

It lacks a bit of wildness, and has more of a craving for food.】

Ninglu's gaze narrowed, and he asked tentatively.

"Hannibal, you seem unable to wait any longer."

Hannibal stood up: "That is correct, I have long heard of the Ork, and now I wish to see them for myself."

Suarez, Erlin, and Madsen stood up at the same time, a green light flashing in their eyes.

Ninglu also stood up following this, and he spoke.

"Then let us depart."

In the Primarch Palace, as servants were dressing the Primarch in his armor, Ninglu asked Joffer.

"During this time traveling with the Faceless, have you discovered anything unusual about them?"

Joffer pondered for a moment, then spoke.

"Father..."

Joffer met the eyes of his Gene-Father, and after hesitating for a moment, he spoke.

"I cannot be certain, but I believe the Faceless have done something to the corpses of the Orcs."

"They always show an unusual eagerness toward me and the others after a battle ends, and they always choose that time to converse with us."

"..."

After Joffer recounted the unusual details he had keenly observed, he continued.

"I wanted to discover what they were hiding, but I never found a suitable opportunity."

"I understand," Ninglu nodded, "you have completed my mission."

A moment later, Ninglu handed a bottle of "Arbiter" Potion to Joffer, instructed him on how to become a Beyonder, and then headed to the boarding deck.

(End of this chapter)