Chapter 435: Black Templars Garrison
After Archmagos Vox left, two clear mission paths existed simultaneously in Ryo's processor.
One was to immediately return to Nexum, take over the large-scale forge complex newly registered under his name, "Anvil of Fortitude" Number Seven, reactivate it, and bring it under his direct control; the other was to continue focusing on the current research projects and infrastructure of the Death World base.
His logic core reached the optimal solution with almost no redundant weighing process.
Acquiring a ready-made, fully equipped large-scale forge factory was indeed a crucial step in elevating his material foundation over the long term.
However, personally going to Nexum to invest massive amounts of time and energy into managing a colossal industrial system meant he would be forced to temporarily shelve the core projects with even greater potential here on the Death World—the in-depth research of the Genesis Particles, the advancement of the "Avatar" project, the formation of the Iron Guard force, and the continuous preparation for dimensional exploration.
The long-term value contained within these projects far exceeded that of immediately managing a factory located within another sovereign star system.
Ownership was key, but direct management authority was not an immediate necessity.
Ryo quickly made his decision.
He summoned the apprentice who exhibited the most stable performance in administrative management and foundational engineering, designated Logis-7.
"The ownership documents for 'Anvil of Fortitude' Number Seven have been transmitted to your data slate," Ryo's synthesized voice issued the command without inflection. "Your mission is to travel to Nexum, represent me in completing the formal handover of authority, and oversee the preliminary reactivation process of the complex."
"Prioritize the restoration of basic metal smelting and standard parts production lines. All decisions must follow preset management protocols, and major matters are to be reported via encrypted link."
"As you command, Lord Magos." Logis-7 calmly accepted the mission, not displaying any excitement or anxiety at being entrusted with such a heavy responsibility, and immediately began planning the itinerary.
Ryo then redirected the vast majority of his computing resources and attention back to the Death World.
He brought up detailed geological scans, energy vein distributions, and the orbital defense network coverage of the base and its surrounding areas.
This remote, unnoticed Death World was displaying increasingly high strategic value in his eyes.
Its location was hidden, it possessed a stable and continuously strengthening base, the orbital defense system had begun to take shape, and the surface was garrisoned by loyal Skitarii and the growing Iron Guard force. Furthermore, it had the "Hunt" Company of the Steel Hounds Titan Legion as a strategic deterrent.
More importantly, this was an excellent location for him to conduct taboo research and test cross-dimensional technology, free from the direct surveillance of Mars or other Forge Worlds.
Gradually transforming and building this place into a fully functional and highly autonomous stronghold that belonged entirely to him personally held far more long-term significance than owning a factory on Nexum.
That factory could serve as a supply node for resources and conventional equipment, but this place was his true foundation. It was the embryonic form of a unique "Forge World" that belonged exclusively to him, which might be born in the future.
His mechanical tentacles swept across the holographic map, marking several potential expansion zones: plains that could be used to deploy more mobile forges, mountain ranges suitable for excavating deep storage facilities and shelters, and the protective borders of the canyon experimental zone that required further reinforcement.
He did not immediately initiate large-scale civil engineering projects, but first optimized existing resource allocation.
The newly arrived mobile forge was prioritized for connection to the energy network, initiating trial production of basic metals to provide immediate support for the base's daily maintenance and spare parts for the Iron Guards.
At the same time, he commanded engineering units to begin leveling ground and pre-laying infrastructure for future expansion.
Everything was proceeding in an orderly manner.
Ryo was like a patient architect, no longer satisfied with merely an outpost base, but systematically constructing a solid fortress capable of independent operation, self-development, and supporting his exploration of the endless sea of knowledge.
While Ryo focused on building his foundation on the Death World, the promotion and application of warp drive technology on the Holy Terra level was steadily advancing according to the framework established by Rogal Dorn.
The Martian orbital shipyards, once the focal point of debate, were now dominated by unprecedented production efficiency.
Driven by both the new technological order and the will of Terra, the first batch of fully completed "Crescent-class" cruisers had successively left the construction docks, marking the Imperial Navy's official entry into a new era of faster-than-light travel.
Among this newly launched batch of ships, three specially reinforced "Crescent-class" Strike Cruiser variants were prioritized and allocated to the Black Templars Chapter.
This arrangement was both a recognition of the timely support provided by Sigismund and his warriors during the previous crisis, and a reflection of the Primarch's high regard for this expeditionary fleet, expecting the powerful mobility to further enhance their strike range and efficiency.
Sigismund received a direct order from Holy Terra.
Dorn instructed him that, to ensure the absolute security of Magos Ryo and his research base, and simultaneously as a manifestation of the Imperium's continuous attention to this critical region, the Black Templars were required to dispatch at least one full company to be permanently stationed on that remote Death World.
Accompanying this military transfer order was a letter of appointment personally signed by Rogal Dorn and stamped with the seal of the Imperium's Supreme High Command.
The document announced in concise and unquestionable official wording: Based on the recognition of the outstanding contributions of Explorer Magos Ryo, and the practical need to ensure the security and independence of his research projects, the star system designated XG-733 (the system where the Death World currently inhabited by Ryo was located) was hereby permanently allocated as the private property of Ryo and his lawful heirs.
All resource extraction rights, construction rights, and defense rights within this star sector belonged exclusively to Ryo. Its legal status was equivalent to that of a Knight World directly subordinate to the Imperium or a specific Forge World enclave.
This appointment formally bound Ryo and this remote star sector together in a jurisprudential sense.
From then on, in the official records of the Imperium, this would no longer be a forgotten Death World, but "Ryo's Fiefdom."
Sigismund had no objections to this.
He quickly selected a company renowned for its tenacity and positional defense from the Black Templars' expeditionary fleet.
The members of the company boarded the three brand-new "Crescent-class" Strike Cruisers, carrying the necessary heavy equipment and supplies to sustain a long-term deployment.
Led by the Black Templars' vessels, a small fleet sailed toward the star sector where the Death World was located.
When the three sharply-contoured "Crescent-class" cruisers, painted with the Black Templars' insignia, along with the accompanying transport ships ended their voyage and appeared in the orbit of the Death World, the base's sensor array immediately captured the signal and performed identification.
Ryo received a communication request.
Sigismund's resolute face appeared on the communication screen, the bridge of one of the "Crescent-class" ships serving as the background.
"Magos Ryo," Sigismund's voice was as direct as ever, "by the order of Primarch Dorn, a company of the Black Templars is to establish a permanent garrison stronghold here. This is a copy of the appointment document."
He transmitted the relevant document data packet.
Ryo quickly browsed through the document.
He was not surprised to obtain the legal ownership of this star system. This was the inevitable result of the power and value he brought, and it coincided with his plan to build this place into his private foundation.
The garrison of the Black Templars, however, was a double-edged sword: On the one hand, the permanent stationing of an Astartes Chapter company would greatly enhance the defense of this place, forming a powerful strategic deterrent; on the other hand, it also meant that his activities would constantly be under the watchful eyes of the Imperium.
"Document confirmed," Ryo's synthesized voice was steady as usual. "Welcome to the Black Templars' garrison. The base will provide the necessary orbital berths and surface liaison permissions. The specific location of the garrison can be determined jointly by your Company Captain and my Skitarii commander, Marshal Anvil-7."
"Agreed," Sigismund nodded. "The company commander, Captain Hector, will be responsible for the specific defenses here. He will coordinate directly with you."
The communication ended.
The status of the Death World updated within Ryo's processors.
It was now not only his experimental base and the embryonic form of a future Forge World, but also a private fiefdom legally recognized by the Imperium, possessing an Astartes Chapter company as an official garrison.
He brought up the star map, looking at the point of light representing his own territory.
Power and responsibility always walk hand in hand.
The ownership of this star sector brought greater autonomy, but it also meant he needed to shoulder the corresponding defense and development obligations.
The arrival of the Black Templars, while providing protection, also drew an invisible boundary.