After achieving a breakthrough in the Manachean System, the Eleventh Legion began purging the Mitu xenos.
Lewis von Valancius, believed he had fulfilled his duty to his human kin. He decided to travel to the domain granted to him by the Primarch and begin developing it.
Under the great dome of the Mitu capital, he met the Primarch.
Nareth sat upon a radiant throne and asked the Rogue Trader:
"Lewis, how will you develop the world of House von Valancius?"
Lewis had long prepared his answer. He replied:
"My lord, I've heard that the Fourteenth Legion has already concluded the war on Zavarich. That world has a foundation in place, I want to begin from there."
Nareth nodded, approving the Rogue Trader's idea.
"Arsena, request that Mezoa provide assistance for the development of von Valancius territory."
"Before you depart, I have a gift for you. You and Arsena may wait in the rest area."
Arsena led Lewis out of the temporary office to a rest area, where he asked the Rogue Trader what aid he would require.
Nareth returned to the Kingdom of Disorder and ordered the void apes to prepare a potion.
For Lewis, he had chosen the "Lawyer."
Traveling everywhere, a Rogue Trader would face countless different circumstances, and the Lawyer's aptitude for finding loopholes in rules and exploiting weaknesses in opponents was a perfect fit.
Moreover, considering that future members of House von Valancius would inherit Lewis's beyonder traits, the Black Emperor pathway would be even more suitable, allowing Nareth to influence their lineage, even if unforeseen successors appeared.
After drinking the potion and consolidating his new power in accordance with the knowledge in his mind, Lewis bowed excitedly.
"Thank you for your gift, my lord. I will follow your will and explore more valuable worlds for you."
Once Lewis departed, Nareth turned his attention to Arsena.
"How is construction on the Ramilies-class star forts progressing?"
Though the situation in the Coronid Deeps was largely settled, time was still needed to purge the remaining Mitu populations. Development of the new territories had to begin as well.
For years, perhaps more than a decade, Mitu remnant fleets would undoubtedly stage guerrilla resistance throughout the vast region of the Coronid Deeps.
The coming "Second Rangdan War" would engulf the northern galaxy, and the key development zones would require protection by Ramilies-class star forts.
"My lord, according to your earlier agreement with Mezoa, you accepted their request."
"The first five star forts constructed by Mezoa will be used to establish a complete system-defense network."
"Cypra Mundi's second star fort will be completed in two months. Triken's and Vostroya's will require two years and nine months, and five years and eight months respectively."
Nareth nodded slightly and ordered:
"Bring up the star map of the Coronid Deeps."
Arsena approached the holotable, inserted a datapad, and projected the star map.
Nareth stepped forward and selected two coordinates: Cyclothrathe and another unnamed world, the location of the future Abyss Port as he remembered it.
He spoke to Arsena:
"The first-phase development priority of the Coronid Deeps will be these two planets."
Several days earlier, Pell had prayed to the Black Emperor, announcing that the Eleventh Chapter had already seized Cyclothrathe.
"Cyclothrathe will be designated an industrial world. Recruit skilled workers from Cypra Mundi, Triken, and Vostroya."
Nareth pointed to the unnamed planet. "This is the largest warp-lane convergence point in the Coronid Deeps. Name it Abyss Port."
"Its role will be the central hub of the entire region. Begin large-scale colonization. Recruit settlers from Necromunda."
"The second starfort built by Cypra Mundi will be stationed at Cyclothrathe."
Nareth remembered that during the Second Rangdan War, Rangdan deployed more than a dozen war-moons. Thus, he planned to station several starforts at the key worlds of the Coronid Deeps as the core of the defensive line.
"When Triken's and Vostroya's forts are completed, deploy them at Abyss Port and Damaetus respectively."
"Construct portals on Cyclothrathe and Abyss Port."
All portals built by the Eleventh Legion were placed only in fully controlled key systems.
Currently deployed portals were in the Segmentum Obscurus was Vostroya, Cypra Mundi, Vigilus System, Mordian, Triken, and Kasai; in the Segmentum Solar Necromunda; in the Segmentum Pacificus Tanith; and in the Segmentum Ultima Catachan, Osiris, and Talassar.
A portal was under construction in the Segmentum Ultima's Veridia System, where Calth resided.
These portals served as the gateways linking all territories outside the Vostroya Sub-Sector.
Even if the galaxy returned to the Age of Strife and warp travel became impossible, Nareth's scattered territories could still travel as the Araneus Continuity did.
Cyclothrathe's value was unmatched, and Abyss Port would radiate influence over the entire Coronid Deeps. Both were worth the massive expenditure needed to build portals.
After settling all matters regarding development, Nareth issued another command.
"Miguel Cuesta will lead a joint librarium and techmarine team to research the Mitu arcane-biotech."
Miguel, being a psyker of the technomancy discipline, was best suited for this.
To enhance his abilities, Nareth had already made him a "Savant."
He then recalled another psyker, Ramsey, and the child he had rescued.
"Bring Ramsey and the child to me."
"By your will, my lord."
After the attendant left, Nareth entered a vault suspended high within the dome.
Judging from the Mitu numeral "3" carved on the gate and its scale, he assumed it belonged to the third-ranking Overseer.
Following the glow of spiritual radiance, he went straight to a shelf on the wall.
Resting there were eye-shaped, azure gemstones etched with straight violet lines.
Their soft glow made everything around them appear gentler, more beautiful.
Nareth had already searched the vaults of the presumed First and Second Overseers, his greatest find was right here: the main ingredient for the Sequence 7 "Witch" potion of the "Demoness" pathway, Violet-lined Blue Eyes gemstones.
He brought eighty-three pieces storing them back to the Kingdom of Disorder, he then entered the first layer space, and mentally commanded the Jokaero to prepare the sequence 9 "Secret Supplicant" potion.
For Ramsey, a psyker of the Biomancy discipline, Nareth had chosen the pathway due to the Sequence 6 "Rose Bishop," a stepping stone toward the fleshcrafting mastery of the Hanged Man.
Holding the black-red potion, his eyes flickered.
'Ramsey and Hathor Maat are both biomancy psykers.'
'Maat's talent and abilities are superior, but I made him a "Spectator." He will not gain strength there.'
'Once Ramsey ascends, I wonder which of the two will surpass the other…'
With this thought, he returned to the temporary office.
"Father, I have brought Flamini."
Ramsey saluted. Nareth immediately extended his hand.
"Drink it."
Ramsey grabbed the vial and downed it instantly.
After transmitting the necessary knowledge into Ramsey's mind, Nareth turned his gaze to Flamini.
The boy instantly felt the pressure of the Primarch's scrutiny.
As a powerful psyker, his learning speed far exceeded ordinary humans. By staying at Ramsey's side, he had already mastered Vostroyan language, the history of the Shadows of Order, and the Primarch's teachings.
Following proper Vostroyan etiquette, he knelt on one knee and said:
"Honored Primarch, thank you for saving my life. The enslaved humans of Manachea now bathe in the light of your hope."
"Rise," Nareth said with a smile, lifting the boy. "Tell me your story, I'm very interested."
Flamini relaxed slightly, feeling less fear of the towering giant before him. He described, clearly and logically, how he awakened his psychic gift, fled through the sewers, and led his followers in evading Mitu pursuit.
"You used your talent well," Nareth said.
"For someone your age, it is commendable."
Hearing the Primarch's praise, Flamini couldn't help smiling with pride.
He decided to seize the moment and made his request:
"Lord Nareth, Ramsey told me that children my age can undergo the trials and become honored Shadows of Order."
"I wish to serve you. Please grant me this chance."
"I accept your request," Nareth replied with a smile. Then he addressed Ramsey, newly ascended beyonder.
"You will train him. He will become a formidable librarian."
"No," Flamini shouted anxiously. "Lord Nareth, I have seen my fate, I will join the Sixth Chapter!"
"Compared to becoming a librarian, I want to serve as a Shadow of Order in the Chapter."
Nareth fell silent for several seconds. As Flamini began to grow uneasy, Nareth finally smiled.
"Very well."
.....
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
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