Chapter 81: From This Day Forward, You Are the Order Shadow

【Hmm? What does Huang Laohan mean, hinting for me to choose a weapon, the Spear of Dionysus? Don't even think about it.】

Ninglu smiled, "That's right, I want to choose a weapon."

With a mischievous glint, he took a step to the left, paused for two seconds in front of the Spear of Dionysus, then strode toward the silver power fist.

"I choose this one."

A trace of disappointment flashed imperceptibly in the Emperor's golden eyes; he wore a smile, seemingly considering things for Ninglu.

"You only have one chance; have you thought it through?"

"I will give you a chance to choose again."

"No need, I have already chosen; I want this one."

The disappointment in Huang Laohan's eyes deepened, enough that Ninglu, relying on his keen perception, could detect it.

He pretended not to notice and turned his head to look at the gauntlet.

The Emperor walked over, and even though he was disappointed, he kept his promise to introduce the item to the Primarch.

"This gauntlet was also obtained during the 'Unification War'; its original owner was the techno-warlord Jimaliangsi."

"During battle, it released an invisible force field that restrained a squad of Custodes."

"After I killed Jimaliangsi, it became part of my collection. I discovered that it occasionally releases a golden glow, and surrounding objects are disturbed by some kind of power, becoming more..."

His golden eyes flickered; the Emperor instantly thought of the appropriate word.

"Ordered. The objects around it will arrange themselves according to some internal pattern."

"In my treasure vault, more than a dozen weapons once left their positions and rearranged themselves by size."

"Later, I set up a Runic Array, and no more strange incidents occurred."

As the Emperor spoke, he deactivated the Runic Array, his golden eyes sweeping over Ninglu's left hand.

"Jimaliangsi's left arm underwent cybernetic modification, likely just to wear this gauntlet."

"If you wear it, it will be a perfect fit."

Ninglu picked up the silver gauntlet and put it on; he immediately felt something peculiar.

Huang Laohan was right there, but he did not probe further and secured the power fist.

Ninglu spread his left palm, then squeezed it tightly.

The size was perfect, expanding and contracting with ease.

"Let's go."

The Emperor said, taking the lead as he walked outside.

Ninglu followed by his side, suppressing his surging Spirituality and his curiosity about the silver gauntlet.

At this moment, he heard Huang Laohan speak.

"I have spoken with your brother, Horus; he will help you adapt, and you will act together."

"When he believes you are capable of serving as a Legion Commander, you will independently command the 33rd Fleet in battle."

Ninglu nodded; he knew that every Primarch experienced this process upon their return. There were three main people who taught the Primarchs to adapt to the transition—the Emperor, Malcador, and Horus.

Horus and Vulkan were taught personally by the Emperor, while Russ learned by Malcador's side.

Because both had other important matters, Horus served as the instructor most often; brothers like Shengjiliesi and Fulgrim all followed him to learn.

Horus established friendly relationships with most of his brothers during this process, which was also one of the sources of his immense influence.

Now that Ninglu was added to the mix, he did not feel any resentment toward the Emperor's decision.

Ninglu said, "I will prepare as soon as possible."

The Emperor nodded in satisfaction. As the two walked out of the private vault, Ninglu looked back with lingering attachment.

As Ninglu walked toward the tarmac, his communicator suddenly rang. He opened it, and Woyiqiehe's voice sounded.

"My King, in accordance with your orders, the armor has undergone targeted adjustments; you may put it on now."

Ninglu had seen the armor crafted by the Artisans and was not satisfied, so after explaining the improvement plan to Woyiqiehe, he had him take charge of communicating with the accompanying Artisans.

After a moment of thought, he decided to return to the Sawtooth first to don the armor before heading to his new flagship.

On the way, he issued an order to Howard to mobilize twenty-nine regiments to the Relic-class warship.

As a powerful Capital Ship, a behemoth with no Warriors stationed yet, it could carry over seventy thousand people.

One stellar hour later, at the Casting Deck of the Sawtooth.

Under the service of numerous technical Artisans, Ninglu donned the armor specifically crafted for him.

The entire set of armor was pitch black; apart from a red cloak, no excessive decorations had been added, save for a pattern branded on the chest.

The symbol on the chest was the emblem of the "Black Emperor" path, composed of disordered deep-black arcs, wings, spikes, and an abstracted crown.

The pattern on the chest was similar to the background color; if an ordinary person did not look closely, they might overlook it as a shadow.

Saisake and the twelve Company Captains standing nearby could naturally see it clearly.

Ninglu had already spoken with all the Legions, and now he decided to issue the reform plan for the Eleventh Legion he had been brewing, transforming the "Reapers" into his own Legion.

"As you can see, from this day forward, the Legion's power armor will be repainted; the color will be black."

"Woyiqiehe, show them the pattern on the chest."

Woyiqiehe held the Data Slate against his chest, the gazes of the Company Captains making him feel the pressure.

The Company Captains saw the pattern on the chest clearly; compared to the one on Ninglu's chest, it only lacked the abstracted crown.

After a moment of silence, they spoke in unison.

"As you wish."

Ninglu walked in front of them; he had adapted to this armor while walking. He looked down at them and continued to state the reform plan.

"All ships and vehicles of the Legion are to be repainted."

"You are no longer called Reapers; from this day forward, you are the Order Shadow."

The Primarch noticed that the Company Captains were momentarily stunned.

First Captain Saisake asked directly.

"Father, why must the Legion name be changed? And what is the meaning of Order Shadow?"

"An Imperium must never be built upon a foundation of slaughter."

"Slaughter is merely a means; what is more critical is the new order we bring to each world after conquest."

Saisake subconsciously wanted to retort; the Astartes were the Emperor's angels of Death, and the Eleventh Legion even more so.

When he looked into his Gene-Father's pitch-black eyes, he felt a pressure like a mountain.

Saisake's lips, which had just parted to reveal his teeth, snapped shut as if drawn together by magnets.

He tilted his head slightly to avoid his Gene-Father's gaze, thinking silently to himself.

【It is just a Legion name.】

Ninglu keenly sensed that Saisake, along with Third Company Captain Samir, Seventh Company Captain Sanchez, and Eighth Company Captain Robin, all frowned.

They did not object, but they had not accepted the philosophy he had conveyed.

He did not speak to question them; the "Reaper" had been treated as a butcher's blade, and habits were difficult to change overnight.

Ninglu would also not be like Kelakesi, driving his cruel-handed progeny to the edge of the galaxy.

He decided to change them subtly over time, and he continued.

"But battle and slaughter are still essential, so we are the shadow of order."

"We shall be like shadows, shrouding our enemies."

"Order shall be born from the shadows."

Ninglu stated part of the reason; the other part was that he intended to bind the entire Legion to the Order Shadow.

The Order Shadow pointed toward the "Black Emperor."

The paint scheme and the Legion emblem on their chests were all means of establishing that connection.

Hearing Ninglu say this, the four Company Captains who had just felt a slight aversion also smoothed their brows, and they said in unison.

"We are the Order Shadow; we use slaughter as our means to bring forth order!"

Ninglu nodded in satisfaction, and he continued.

"Convey my philosophy to the Warriors of your companies and complete the preparations."

Afterward, Ninglu and Woyiqiehe boarded a transport ship and headed toward the Relic-class Warship.

The other three transport ships were loaded with the Eleventh Legion's apothecaries and medical equipment, among other supplies.

(End of chapter)