In the boundless universe, a mixed fleet consisting of two major Imperial Legions was soaring through space: a formation jointly composed of the Word Bearers and the World Eaters.
"Lorgar, where are we on the route?"
Projected onto the screen inside the main bridge of the Word Bearers' battleship was a solemn bald man wearing black and red Power Armor, with a massive ruby embedded in his chest.
That ruby had a vertical pupil, which made it look unsettling, like a living person's eyeball.
This was the Grand Marshal of the rebel forces, the leader of the Luna Wolves, a being second only to one and above ten thousand in the Imperium.
Warmaster Horus Lupercal.
"Four more hours of travel."
The one reporting to Warmaster Horus was another bald man, wearing the standard-issue Power Armor of the Word Bearers.
From Warmaster Horus's address, it was clear this was Lorgar Aurelian, the leader of the Word Bearers and one of the twenty Primarchs.
He was also leading a portion of the Word Bearers' fleet to rendezvous at the Veridian System in the Storm Nebula, located in the southwest of the galaxy.
Since the Ultramarines would number around 200,000, relying solely on the Word Bearers and a large group of rabble, even with Weapons of Mass Destruction, might still not offset the numerical advantage.
After all, the Word Bearers, at full strength, only had a little over forty thousand astartes in total, barely reaching 50,000.
This meant one Word Bearer had to face four Ultramarines. What terrifying firepower would be needed to equalize such a disparity in forces?
However, the Ultramarines were a powerful and wealthy Legion, possessing first-rate weapons and battleships. Therefore, after discussions between Warmaster Horus and his fellow rebel brothers...
To be safe, another force had already departed: Lorgar personally leading the Word Bearers, acting alongside a splinter fleet of the other traitor Legion, the World Eaters, to pincer the Ultramarines and wipe them out completely, like wrapping dumplings.
This fleet carried over 70 Titans, and combined with those from Khor-Pharon's side, the total number immediately reached 135.
Likewise, these Titans had been fully enchanted by the forces of Chaos; they were all Zombie Titans.
They were highly integrated biological and mechanical entities, looking much like the stinking cans used by Mortarion of the Death Guard.
"Is that so? I understand."
Horus nodded. He was relatively reassured regarding Lorgar, and since the conflict between the Word Bearers and the Ultramarines was irreconcilable, he wasn't worried about Lorgar holding back.
"How are things going with those fellows from the Adeptus Mechanicus of Mars? Are you getting along well?"
Horus knew there was an important figure currently within the Word Bearers Legion—the younger brother of one of his key partners.
When Lorgar heard this question from Horus, he naturally knew who he was asking about.
When he recalled his foster father's report to him, his tone became hesitant, and in the end, all his thoughts condensed into a single sentence.
"That individual seems a bit extreme."
"Hm?"
Horus hadn't expected such words to come from his brother's mouth.
So Lorgar recounted the events that had transpired to Horus, painting a picture of an individual who was rigidly conservative but also extremely fond of slaughtering his subordinates.
Furthermore, there seemed to be a hint of loyalty involved. After all, one certainly shouldn't shout "For the Emperor!" among the rebel forces, right?
"Hahaha."
The usually stern Horus laughed for a second. He shook his head, saying that massacring subordinates was just a minor issue.
"If it was a machine spirit ritual, then there's truly no problem."
When the Emperor first appeared, he was designated by the Adeptus Mechanicus of Mars as the Omnissiah, the walking incarnation of the Omnissiah in the mortal world. Therefore, the phrase "For the Emperor" is usually part of a machine spirit Ritual.
Moreover, Horus had a high tolerance for that Archmagos. As long as he didn't genuinely betray them, any behavior could be temporarily accommodated.
Who told him he had a good older brother?
Fabricator-General Kelbor-Hal, the current de facto controller of the Adeptus Mechanicus of Mars after its schism, and Warmaster Horus's high-level partner.
That individual possessed outstanding talent and keen political insight, earning the Emperor's high regard. It could be said that even if he hadn't rebelled alongside Horus, he would essentially have been the next de facto controller of the Adeptus Mechanicus.
After purging the loyalists within the Adeptus Mechanicus of Mars, Kelbor-Hal knew that entrusting the Adeptus Mechanicus to Warmaster Horus was an unprecedented gamble, so he hoped his younger brother would return to assist him.
Although Belisarius Cawl was also a living legend of the Mechanicus, he was truly inferior to his older brother.
This fellow had disagreed with his brother years ago, traveled far away, and became a Fabricator-General on a small Forge World, severing all contact.
Now that Kelbor-Hal had betrayed the Imperium, he hadn't forgotten his younger brother, instructing the Word Bearers to bring Belisarius Cawl back to Mars after they completed the mission to annihilate the Ultramarines.
"Let him do whatever he wants. Let him be."
Warmaster Horus gave Lorgar one last instruction before ending the communication. As a commander, he had far too many things to do.
"Understood."
Lorgar shook his head. He decided to give another instruction to his father.
The "father" here did not refer to the Emperor, but to Khor-Pharon, the First Company Captain of the Word Bearers. The relationship between the foster father and son was quite good.
Belisarius Cawl absolutely could not be harmed; his value far surpassed that of Lorgar and his foster father combined.
Lorgar knew clearly that...
If this bunch of rebels wanted to succeed and truly cripple the Imperial loyalists, they could afford to lose any Prince, but they absolutely could not lose the support of the Adeptus Mechanicus of Mars.
Having this esteemed individual among the Word Bearers was a stroke of luck. If they could establish a good relationship with him, the Word Bearers could receive more support from the Adeptus Mechanicus of Mars than their brother Legions.
"I hope Father listens."
Lorgar shook his head.
He was a connected individual, and strictly speaking, he wasn't their subordinate. Whether the Word Bearers could receive more weapon support in the future depended entirely on this esteemed person's mood.
Let him kill whoever he wants.
If the disappearance of a few useless people could satisfy this esteemed individual, Lorgar would even encourage him to kill a few more.
So, what was this esteemed individual doing now?
Archmagos Belisarius Cawl had shut himself away after completing the machine spirit Awakening Ritual, refusing all visitors. Even those who wished to curry favor had nowhere to go.
Kenmyo was holed up in his room conducting research. Having rarely gained control of such a knowledgeable body, he was immediately transcribing any questions he had.
Since the battle hadn't started yet, he had a bit of free time. The remaining matters were not his concern.
Sitting on a chair, Kenmyo stared at a small box he had just retrieved from his System Backpack, its entire surface made of black metallic threads, with many tiny lightning bolts visibly flowing across it.
[High-Tier Fallen Tech-Priest Treasure Chest]
Type: Treasure Chest (Personal)
Grade: Gold
Description: Although Heti Yason was young, he was an experienced Mechanicus Forge Master and, before his fall to darkness, a member of the Adeptus Mechanicus with ideals and faith.
Note: Treasure Chests are a type of special equipment that can be obtained probabilistically in B-rank and higher Simulations. Treasure Chests are divided into two types: Normal Treasure Chests and Personal Exclusive Treasure Chests.
Both can yield equipment, but Personal Exclusive Treasure Chests have a high probability of containing the owner's exclusive equipment or exclusive skills from their lifetime.
Treasure Chests are a special benefit exclusive to B-rank Simulations and above. Kenmyo guessed that the warhammer simulator provided this special support program because it feared he wouldn't recoup his investment.
A B-rank Simulation requires 10 million points to initiate, and under normal circumstances, a Simulation doesn't seem to yield many points.
Kenmyo rubbed his chin. Since coming to this world, he had killed two Servitors and two Tech-Priests.
Four units in total, but only the last one yielded a Personal Treasure Chest for him.
That is to say, not every unit killed drops a Treasure Chest.
Heti Yason was considered a mid-level minor cadre within the Adeptus Mechanicus, suggesting that Treasure Chests are only dropped by elite units.
Killing Khor-Pharon would definitely yield a Treasure Chest.
Kenmyo couldn't even imagine what grade of Treasure Chest he would get if he managed to kill a Primarch, but that was something he dared not contemplate.
Couldn't this be considered an indirect incentive for slaughter?
Kenmyo held the Treasure Chest in his hand. The current generated on its surface had no effect on him. He tossed it up and down, noting that it felt quite heavy.
[Do you wish to open the Treasure Chest?]
Kenmyo finally breathed a sigh of relief after seeing no prompt requiring him to spend money. Otherwise, having to pay to open a Treasure Chest would be an absolute loss.
[Yes]
Kenmyo immediately chose to open the Treasure Chest.
To be honest, he felt a little restless, as he was quite familiar with the matter of opening loot boxes. In his previous life, constantly failing to draw the desired items in gacha games was truly annoying.
He didn't know what he would get, but since it was free, his mindset relaxed considerably.
When a golden flash passed before his eyes, Kenmyo had a premonition that he might have hit the jackpot.
The contents of the Treasure Chest appeared before him one by one, and the system directly gifted him the authenticated equipment.
[You opened the Treasure Chest and obtained the following items]
[Obtained 100,000 points]
[Obtained Heart of the Machine (Inheritance Scroll)]
[SD-3 Ceramite Steel (Forging Material)]
[Special Alloy Ohal Steel (Forging Material)]
[One Unpublished Journal Article]
[Heart of the Machine (Inheritance Scroll)]
Origin: SRT-234 Forge World
Quality: Pale Purple
Category: Knowledge Skill Scroll (Novice Rank)
Prerequisites: Intelligence attribute 45 points or higher, possessing certain mechanical skills. (Possessing certain forging knowledge.)
Effect: Master and proficiently manufacture special weapons and various production equipment/instruments. (Similar to the manufacturing of conventional weapons and light-firepower lethal weapons.)
Note: As this is a Novice Knowledge Scroll, it does not include any design or construction knowledge regarding large equipment such as Titans or Battleships.
Rating: 2600 points (Pale Purple items are rated between 1600 and 2600 points.)
Selling Price: 12,000 points
Description: A special scroll that, when used, allows one to pass the Tech-Priest Examination—reputed to be the most difficult test in the Imperium—in one go.
If you want to become a Tech-Priest, this is something you absolutely cannot miss.
[SD-3 Ceramite Steel (Forging Material)]
Origin: SRT-234 Forge World
Quality: Pale Gold
Type: High-Strength Forging Alloy
Total Weight: 800 grams
Usage Note: A special, high-strength forging alloy currently under development, used for manufacturing Power Armor or special firearms. Every 100 grams added increases the armor's defense by 10% and the weapon's attack power.
Rating: None Yet
Selling Price: 2,000 points
Description: Just adding a little can create miracles. It's hard to imagine how luxurious it would be to craft an entire suit of Power Armor using only this material.
[Special Alloy Ohal Steel (Forging Material)]
Origin: SRT-234 Forge World
Quality: Silver
Type: Commonly Used Forging Material
Total Weight: 100 kilograms
Usage Note: A cheap and durable forging material, often used to manufacture the outer shells of small transport vehicles or defensive structures.
Rating: None Yet
Description: Is there any material cheaper than this? Sometimes it's even used for the framework of buildings.
[Unpublished Journal Article]
Title: Tech-Priests: How We Awaken and Use the Potential of Psychic Power.
Author: Heti Yason
Note: This item does not currently belong to any classified grade; it is purely an ordinary document with only reference value.
These pieces of equipment could either appear directly in front of him or be teleported into his backpack for later viewing, depending on his needs.
The humanization feature of the warhammer simulator immediately solved the problem of having too many materials with nowhere to put them.
Otherwise, if 100 kilograms of steel suddenly appeared in the room, he wouldn't have any space to stand.
Knowledge scrolls were always extremely rare equipment. Kenmyo hadn't expected to draw another knowledge scroll belonging to the Imperium of Man's own Master Mechanicus.
Since skills could likely be merged, and Kenmyo had the status of [Soul of the Great Mech Overlord], they should be able to overlap.
As for the other materials, materials were the one thing a Forge World never lacked. He just hadn't expected that Heti Yason could carry so much steel, which Kenmyo then immediately looted.
In fact, regardless of the knowledge scroll or the special material that could increase armor defense with just a small addition, the most practical item for Kenmyo was the 100 kilograms of steel.
Kenmyo didn't lack the technology; he lacked the materials.
Because the forging capability level of Kenmyo's original world was completely incomparable to that of the Warhammer world. Even knowing the forging methods, he couldn't independently develop things due to the limitations of equipment and instruments.
Rebar could not meet the minimum requirements in terms of hardness, density, flexibility, or ductility. However, this steel was high-quality steel from a Forge World, allowing Kenmyo to forge some qualified firearms and weapons. Otherwise, weapons made from the steel of his own world would likely explode after just a few shots.
Overall, the fact that one Treasure Chest yielded so many items exceeded Kenmyo's imagination.
To open a Pale Purple item from a Gold Treasure Chest made Kenmyo feel that his luck had definitely improved significantly.
Getting so many things on his first Treasure Chest opening felt like a very good start for Kenmyo.
He started imagining what kind of Treasure Chests he would drop if he killed those famous figures.