Chapter 288: The Archmagos Rian Ramirez Defects

After preparing accommodations for the representatives of Huangquan Ba Hao in the reception area of Exemplar City, Wojciech Belik headed to the Primarch's palace.

A moment later, he was led by Arsena Dunn to have an audience with the Primarch.

"My Lord, Huangquan Ba Hao agrees that, based on the previous conditions, they will provide either the Invisibility Shroud or the Anti-Auspex technology, at your choice."

Ninglu thought of the Techmarine currently researching the Eldar's Chameleon Cloak, and so he said:

"I want the Anti-Auspex technology."

He then looked at the Primarch Attendant: "Select a 'Lawyer' from the Honor Guard and, together with the Techmarine, form a negotiation team to discuss the details of the alliance with Huangquan Ba Hao."

In his dealings with the Mechanicus, Ninglu defined Wojciech as a "middleman"; as a Sage of the Mechanicus, he was not part of the Order Shadow and was not suitable to negotiate on his own behalf.

After twenty-three work cycles of negotiations, Ninglu reviewed all the terms, scrutinized them from the perspective of a "Lawyer," and approved the agreement.

Five work cycles later, the signing ceremony for the alliance between the "Order Shadow" and the Forge World Huangquan Ba Hao was held in the Primarch Palace.

Four Tech-Priests in black robes with red trim carried the great Omnissiah bell on their shoulders, while eight Tech-Priests walked on either side holding incense burners.

They chanted the Binary Chant, following behind a Sage in deep gray robes as they walked into the palace.

Imprinted on their chests was the emblem of the Forge World Huangquan Ba Hao, composed of four parts: from top to bottom, a half-sacred gear, a variant of the letter A, a skull, and the number VIII.

The Sage in deep gray robes stopped, and a synthesized sound array emanated from his mask.

"This unit // Sage of Forge World Huangquan Ba Hao / Sergio-H25 / pays respects to the Primarch // Monarch of Vostonia // Ruler of Necromunda // Ork Purifier //..."

The Sage mechanically and incessantly recited twenty-three titles with precision.

"Greetings, Lord Ninglu."

"It is a pleasure to see you, Sage Sergio," Ninglu responded with a smile.

Wojciech Belik, a Sage of the Adeptus Mechanicus and the liaison officer authorized by the Primarch, as well as the person facilitating the transaction between the two parties, walked between them.

"In accordance with the voluntary will of both Lord Ninglu and Huangquan Ba Hao, a friendly alliance is hereby reached."

The Primarch Attendant unrolled a parchment scroll, the Tech-Priests produced data slates, and after both sides verified them to be correct:

Ninglu and the Sage representing the Forge Director wrote their names and applied their seals upon two carriers and four copies of the "Alliance between Primarch Ninglu and Forge World Huangquan Ba Hao."

Incense smoke drifted, and the great Omnissiah bell tolled.

Wojciech spoke up: "The God-Machine witnesses the alliance, the Omnissiah blesses the agreement, may it never be forsaken!"

After the signing ceremony, the delegation from Huangquan Ba Hao left the palace, and Wojciech reported to the Primarch.

"My Lord, I have received a message from Archmagos Rian Ramirez; he requests to visit Vostonia and meet with you."

Upon hearing this, Ninglu narrowed his eyes and fell into deep thought.

【Ramirez, he should be commanding a Machine Ark exploring the galaxy right now; what business could he have with me?

Previously, he had proposed trading for the Battle Moon, but I did not find his bargaining chips appealing.

Now that the Battle Moon has been towed away by the Forge World Graia, why is he looking for me?】

Ninglu pondered for a moment without result; his knowledge of Ramirez was limited, and he only remembered him because of the powerful Star Fort.

He thought somewhat jokingly: 【It couldn't be that he found out I am about to perform Divination and get my hands on an STC, could it?】

Ninglu knew this was impossible; he had never mentioned it to anyone, and Ramirez could not possibly know.

"Tell Ramirez that I welcome the Archmagos's arrival."

Although Ninglu only knew that he had discovered one technology from the Ramirez-class Star Fort STC, it was highly likely that he would discover other STCs and other technologies in the future.

After all, if a Sage is someone who possesses sufficient knowledge in a certain field and is generally recognized by the Mechanicus, then an Archmagos is a top-tier scholar within a certain field.

Moreover, Ramirez also possessed a Machine Ark.

In Ninglu's memory, there were three individuals during the Great Crusade who could be called geniuses in the technical aspects of the Adeptus Mechanicus, and Archmagos Ramirez was one of them.

The other two were the Sage Land, who unearthed STCs like the Land Speeder, and the Tech-Priest Malevolus, who forged armor for several Primarchs.

As for Doracor, his rise began with the Great Birthday.

"As you command, my Lord, I will convey your will to Archmagos Ramirez," Wojciech then added.

"The Forge World Griffin IV, after being rejected by you, has sent another message requesting production authorization for the Belik Battle Tank."

Ninglu did not mind authorizing a few more Forge Worlds, provided the other party could cough up enough of a price.

"Tell the Forge Director of Griffin IV that if they provide technology of equal value to that provided by Huangquan Ba Hao, they will receive the authorization."

————

In the eleventh month of the year 825, the Machine Ark Explorer arrived in the Vostonia system.

Archmagos Ramirez, accompanied by Wojciech, headed to the Primarch Palace.

He wore a red robe and possessed not a shred of flesh on his entire body, yet the mechanical voice he emitted was no different from human vocal cords, merely as calm as a pool of water.

"Rian Ramirez pays his respects to the Monarch of Vostonia."

"Archmagos, welcome," Ninglu nodded with a smile in return.

Ramirez's bionic eyes stared at the Primarch for twelve seconds.

He scrutinized the Primarch's physique and expression, and scrutinized the weapons and equipment on his person.

His gaze lingered for one second each on the black armor, the Sword of Vaul, the Silver Power Fist, and the Spear of Dionysus, and then lingered for six seconds on the golden mechanical wings.

"The achievements you attained at the Wheel of Fire are admirable; capturing the Ork Battle Moon has brought a new direction forward for the followers of the God-Machine."

"The sacred templates you recovered at Nova Polia demonstrate that you are one favored by the Omnissiah."

"The Vostonia and Necromunda under your rule have production capacities that crown the worlds of the Imperium."

"Sepra Mundi and Triken are even comparable to Forge Worlds."

Ninglu accepted the Archmagos's praise with a smile, remaining calm while thinking to himself.

【Actually, Ramirez left some things out; just counting the heavyweight STCs, I also have the Fortress-class Energy Shield, the Simulacrum Chamber, the Punishment-class Reactor, and the Auto-charging Void Shield.

As for Sepra Mundi and Triken, they were originally the sites of the Mechanicus's chosen Forge Worlds; I simply intercepted them.

Of course, their current production capacity cannot compare to large Forge Worlds like Mars, Huangquan Ba Hao, Graia, Lucius, or Triplex Phall, but they are indeed capable of rivaling newly established Forge Worlds and those smaller Forge Worlds starting at the same time.】

"Hmm, Ramirez shouldn't have come all this way just to praise me, right?"

As Ninglu pondered, Ramirez continued.

"You are one favored by the Machine God; please allow me to follow by your side and assist you in retrieving the sacred templates."

"My Machine Ark, the Explorer, will provide supplies for your Warriors during battle."

"My Skitarii will fight for you."

Ninglu was stunned; he had not expected the Archmagos to come to pledge his service.

Naturally, he would not refuse such top-tier talent, so he stood up immediately and said kindly.

"Rian, welcome to the fold."

"I have already received news of a new Standard Template Construct, and I shall accompany you to retrieve it."

Ninglu knew that the Archmagos was not yet fully loyal to him.

It was just that he had discovered nothing for decades, while Ninglu had made a major discovery in a short time, so he believed that following Ninglu would lead to the discovery of an STC.

If he wanted to truly win him over, he had to show him the miracles of the Machine God and a major new STC discovery.

【The Ramirez-class Star Fort will, after all, still be named after you!】

However, this is also worth it.】

The Archmagos's bionic eyes flickered, and his logic engines spun at high speed.

【Ninglu's last discovery of a sacred template / two years and eleven Terran months ago.

New sacred template news in less than three years // Impossible // Illogical // Probability lower than one in a hundred million.】

Twelve seconds later, he masked his suspicion and spoke.

"That is excellent; I shall await your summons."

(End of chapter)