In the fourth layer of the Kingdom of Disorder, after hearing Wilshire's report, Nareth thought to himself.
'I didn't expect the Slaughtersong's AI to be quite... human, actually enjoying listening to songs.'
'Hmm, Wilshire's handling was effective, appealing to its hobby.'
'Once a "Contract" is signed, it cannot be broken.'
A "Contract" established by a "Notary" cannot be broken by a Sequence 5. Even a Sequence 4 demigod wishing to forcibly break it would pay a considerable price.
Though the Slaughtersong's AI was intelligent, it clearly wouldn't exceed the level of Sequence 5. It would be bound by the "Contract."
With a thought, Nareth returned to the real space.
The communication bead in his ear buzzed. He activated it. Arsène Dunn's voice came through.
"My Lord, we have arrived in Terra's orbit. The Sigillite has prepared a welcome ceremony for you and Lord Omegon."
The black Aquila shuttle slowly descended onto the landing pad at Lion's Gate Starport.
Servo-skulls draped with ribbons sounded their vox-synthesizers.
"Lord Nareth, Primarch of Shadow of Order, Monarch of Vostonia..."
"Welcome, Lord Nareth, son of the Emperor, Primarch of the Eleventh Legion, who has come to your side."
"Praise Lord Nareth, who rescued his brother Omegon from the clutches of evil xenos."
"..."
Voices praising Omegon also sounded.
"Welcome, Lord Omegon, son of the Emperor."
"Primarch of the 20th Legion. He is the seventeenth of the Emperor's sons to be found."
Hearing this, Nareth cast an almost imperceptible glance at Alpharius, who was holding the Pale Spear. A smile tugged at his lips.
'Alpharius, the unknown first Primarch to be found.'
'Omegon, however, is no longer the publicly last-found Primarch.'
'The 20th Legion, which would not have been publicly revealed until the Third Rangdan War, has now been advanced exposed to public view.'
Nareth recalled that Alpharius, in order to find Omegon and endorse the Lion's views on secrets, had sought out the Lion, who was commanding the war against the Rangdan.
Before that, the Alphas had operated on the Imperium's secret fronts, using the names of Astartes from other Legions.
Nareth then thought of the publicly acknowledged first-found son, Horus Lupercal.
'Horus, I suppose I've helped you save your pretense.'
'Omegon met you using the name Alpharius, yet you were completely unaware, thinking you had found Omegon yourself.'
'You didn't know Alpharius had found his brother over a century ago.'
As Nareth pondered, his gaze naturally fell upon the "unremarkable" Astartes in the crowd.
He keenly perceived Alpharius's hidden excitement.
He was excited by the reunion with his twin, yet had to hide his emotions.
'Now, Omegon is Omegon, and Alpharius is Alpharius.'
Omegon's gaze met Alpharius's in the crowd. In an instant, they both knew the other was their missing half.
Omegon's entire being thrummed, but he exerted himself to suppress the urge to walk towards his twin.
In that exchange of glances, he understood his twin's desire to conceal his identity.
Simultaneously with his excitement, Omegon felt discomfort. His instinct for concealment made him uneasy being exposed to so many gazes.
Malcador, holding his eagle-headed staff, walked before Nareth and Omegon.
He said comfortingly to Omegon, who was uncomfortable being in the public eye.
"Omegon, welcome back to the Imperium."
"Your father will be pleased by your return."
"I hope to see Him as soon as possible." As Omegon spoke, his gaze swept over his twin.
"You will," Malcador said. "I have also prepared a celebration for you."
Then, he turned to Nareth.
"I must also thank you, Nareth."
"You rescued Omegon from the xenos, sparing him further torment."
Aboard the specially prepared vehicle, facing the cheering Imperial citizens lining the route, Omegon adapted. He waved to the enthusiastic crowd, eliciting deafening cheers.
The vehicle slowly started. Streamers fluttered.
The Imperial citizens cheered for Nareth with a fervor no less than for a returning Primarch.
"Conqueror of xenos! Lord Nareth will purify the evil xenos!"
"Eternal victor over humanity's enemies! Lord Nareth will surely win the war!"
"..."
After the long procession, the vehicle stopped before the Ceremonial Hall.
Malcador walked to Nareth and Omegon's side and said quietly.
"Nareth, preparations are made. The War Council will convene tomorrow."
As Nareth entered the hall, he immediately felt the burning gazes of the Imperial nobles.
Navigator families like Orsellio, through cooperation with Nareth, had gained immense wealth and prestige, envied by many nobles.
The existence of Shadow of Order allowed the Navigator families to handle crises and many other aspects more effectively.
House Drake's position within the Solar Auxilia was also increasingly consolidated. The Auxilia under Barton's command numbered over ten million.
Dishes of exquisite cuisine, prepared by the Imperial chefs, were brought out one after another.
Nareth savored the specialty fruits from an Agri-World. The Palace chefs had hollowed out their flesh, leaving only the firm rind.
They stuffed the rind with minced beef and fish, seasoned with sea salt and several spices, and grilled repeatedly over fire.
Nareth placed a piece of the meat in his mouth. The fragrant, fresh and delicious flesh perfectly blended with the fruit's sweet and sour.
He picked up a glass of wine, swirled it slightly, and looked at Alpharius standing guard nearby.
His gaze occasionally met Omegon's, then quickly shifted away.
As the banquet ended, Nareth noticed that Omegon, the central figure of the celebration, had vanished from sight.
'Alpharius and Omegon must have found a secluded corner and are eagerly starting to communicate.'
'No one knows the Palace better than Alpharius.'
'After discovering the Palace's defensive loopholes, he had infiltrated the Custodians' defenses. It was after killing a Custodian and finding the Guardian Spear convenient that he developed a liking for that weapon.'
The next day, Nareth entered the Golden Palace in person for the first time.
As he walked into the hall, he saw Horus enthusiastically introducing Omegon to the expressionless Perturabo.
"Nareth," Russ's annoying voice sounded. "The witch-boys couldn't hack it, had to call for help?"
Nareth took his seat, not even glancing at him.
"Need I remind you? Your Wolf Lord's achievements lag far behind my Reaper Lord's."
Russ snorted. "On Fenris, we say, 'The hunter who lives longest is the victor.'"
"I have a saying for you too: Enjoy the last days of wearing your cloak."
"I will not lose!" Russ's psychic projection glared fiercely at Nareth.
Nareth ignored him. He noticed the Fabricator-General of Mars enter the hall, his gaze lingering on Nareth for a second from behind his faceplate.
A golden light blazed. The Emperor arrived with Constantin Valdor.
Seeing Omegon's face, identical to Alpharius's, Constantin recalled a scene from years ago.
The first time someone had breached the Custodians' defenses and barged into his master's landing zone.
That first dereliction of duty was branded into his memory. It meant his defenses had a loophole, that someone might threaten his master.
"Omegon, welcome. I hear you've settled in well."
Nareth understood the implication in the Emperor's words. Omegon was perhaps the only Primarch who needed no instruction; his twin Alpharius had fulfilled that role.
"Father." Omegon rose and saluted again solemnly.
The Emperor smiled and nodded, signaling Omegon to sit, then looked at Nareth.
"Nareth, you proposed convening this War Council to launch the decisive battle against the xenos."
"I want to hear your plan."
"Taxal is the main xenos base invading the Imperium," Nareth, prepared, answered. He knew the Emperor wanted the war concluded quickly.
"Winning the decisive battle will annihilate the main xenos force. The remnants in other systems can only struggle to survive."
"If we don't crush their main force, Imperial territory will continue to be attacked. More and more humans will be enslaved."
The Emperor's eyes blazed with golden light. "What do you need?"
"At least one hundred fifty thousand Astartes, and the assistance of two Primarchs."
Originally, over three hundred thousand Astartes had participated in the Taxal decisive battle. Now, launching it nearly a decade early, he needed more support to prevent Shadow of Order from suffering heavy losses.
At the very least, he needed other Legions to deploy one hundred fifty thousand troops.
The moment Nareth finished, Omegon eagerly spoke.
"Father, I am willing to assist Nareth."
He and Alpharius had discussed it and reached a consensus: Nareth was the best candidate for Warmaster.
This war was an excellent opportunity to express their gratitude and support.
"Good," the Emperor agreed, nodding. His gaze swept over the assembled Primarchs, seeing Russ's undisguised eagerness, the hidden gleam beneath Mortarion's rebreather, Dorn's calm and resolute face. Finally, he said.
"Lion, Roboute. Assist Nareth. Crush the xenos at Taxal."
"My Lord, as you command."
Nareth looked at the Lion. 'Indeed, Lion, as the original protagonist of the Rangdan War, you wouldn't miss it.'
"As you wish," Guilliman nodded to Nareth. To fight alongside the key brother among the Dauntless Few, he believed victory was assured.
Nareth smiled back. But he knew the Slaugth at Taxal were even more powerful than those on Bar'Savor. Guilliman was clearly outmatched.
'Guilliman, prepare the stretcher bearers…'
'Hmm... his Honor Guard?'
Nareth reconsidered. 'At least the war plan will be more comprehensive.'
'And, the number of Primarchs participating in the Taxal decisive battle is four. Or perhaps five.'
'Depending on whether Alpharius and Omegon are considered one entity or two.'
One by one, the psychic projections departed. Nareth noticed only Ferrus Manus remained.
His leaden voice sounded. "Nareth, I have something to discuss with you."
Omegon glanced at Ferrus and the Fabricator-General of Mars, then left with Malcador to attend his welcome celebration.
The Fabricator-General of Mars rose. His mechandrites swaying, he walked towards Nareth.
.....
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
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