Time moved into 843.M41. The war in the Coronid Deeps was gradually drawing to a close.
The First and Fourteenth Legions were the first to depart the following month, with honor and pride.
The various Chapters of the Eleventh Legion also began to withdraw in batches.
Leading the 11th Chapter, Nareth set off to return to Vostroya in October.
Only the 6th Chapter was left behind to continue cleansing the remaining Mitu xenos.
Inside the Primarch's palace, Nareth listened as Arsena presented the consolidated war report against the Mitu.
"My Lord, I have compiled reports from all participating Chapters."
"We have suffered the most severe losses in our history, with a total of 10,480 fallen."
"Among them, the Eleventh Chapter suffered the most severe losses, with 2,913 fallen."
A stream of names flashed through Nareth's mind, he could even picture the faces of many.
"The number of casualties for the First Legion is uncertain; my advisors estimate between 8,500 and 10,500."
"The losses for the Fourteenth Legion are more certain, approximately 5,700."
Nareth gave a slight nod. A great price had been paid to resolve the xeno threat.
He had gained a sector, a world with mineral deposits meeting the standards of a Forge World, the vassalage of the allied Forge World Mezoa, and the allegiance of the Veroni Knight House.
'Until the Second Rangdan War in 862.M41, there are no major xeno forces to fight. For the coming period, I can develop my territories steadily.'
'I should make good use of the divination opportunity available every three years to enhance my strength.'
'Hmm, I must also consider preparing in advance to deal with the Rangdan threat, conducting relevant divinations.'
As Nareth pondered, his aide continued:
"My lord, the Emperor has convened a new War Council. It begins five days from now at 10:00 ship-standard time."
"Understood."
Five days later, Nareth's psychic projection traversed the void, appearing in the Golden Palace on Terra. He swept his gaze across the long table.
He was first pleased to find that the one seated next to him was no longer the unpleasant Leman Russ, but had been replaced by Roboute Guilliman.
Russ was seated between Guilliman and Vulkan. It could be expected that, at least during War Councils, he would no longer be near Nareth.
Sitting in the same row as Nareth, at the very end, was Magnus.
Horus was still seated to the right of Malcador. Flanked beside him, in order, were Ferrus Manus, Rogal Dorn, Hannibal, Fulgrim, and a new member.
Like Nareth, this new member also possessed a pair of wings on his back.
The difference was that his wings were white.
Sitting opposite, Horus Lupercal wore a smile and, in the tone of a good elder brother, introduced the new member to Nareth.
"Nareth, we have welcomed back another brother, Sanguinius."
Nareth nodded slightly and looked at Sanguinius.
"Welcome back, Sanguinius," Nareth said with a smile. The faction supporting psychic use had grown stronger again.
"Nareth, I have often heard Horus speak of you," Sanguinius replied with a radiant smile.
"You never let him slow down." Sanguinius's joke immediately found agreement.
"I can attest that this is indeed true," Fulgrim said, revealing an equally perfect smile.
Both Fulgrim and Sanguinius had received guidance from Horus and fought alongside him.
No one in the War Council doubted the truth of their words.
Drawing on his memories, Nareth considered the relationships between them.
'Fulgrim and Horus get along well, but he's even closer with Manus."
'Sanguinius and Horus are the best of friends, close enough to joke freely with each other.'
'After Horus became Warmaster, Sanguinius was his staunch supporter, even speaking on his behalf.'
As Nareth pondered, Horus's eyes flickered.
He had indeed accelerated the pace of his expeditions because of Nareth. When the Shadows of Order campaign against the Mitu began, the Luna Wolves had slowed their pace.
Horus began employing diplomatic means, reclaiming human worlds with a more glorious image.
When he realized that the numerous worlds of the Coronid Deeps would become new accolades for Nareth, he immediately quickened his pace.
"This is the reason our Father entrusted the Legions to us: to bring more worlds into the Imperium."
"In this Great Crusade, no one wishes to fall behind, and I am no exception."
Horus said with a laugh, steering any discussion about himself that might be seen as jealousy towards a perspective of motivating his brothers.
"You should also accelerate your conquests. Father awaits your good news."
"Nareth, if your your little witchlings can't handle it," Russ bared his teeth and said, "my Wolves would be happy to offer you assistance."
Before Nareth could speak, the angry one-eyed giant Magnus, maintaining his gentlemanly demeanor, said:
"In barbaric age of ignorance, people savagely burned those they called witches."
"It was a savage past, revealing that our species does not hesitate to kill one another. Words born of fear have claimed the lives of tens of thousands, merely to appease the ignorant who cannot accept new ideas."
"I believe that within this War Council, among those leading the Imperium forward, there should be no ignorant individuals."
Sanguinius applauded Magnus's words, speaking with a smile.
"The use of psychic powers will benefit us."
"Those who can wield psychic powers and attack like other Astartes give us more options on the battlefield."
Nareth, with a smile on his face, looked around at everyone.
'In the current War Council, I'm not the only one supporting psychic use.'
Just then, a voice like grinding stone spoke.
"The use of psychic power is very dangerous. Although Father permits it, it should be used with caution."
Nareth followed the sound; the speaker was Dorn.
'Hmm, Dorn opposes psychic use, but he is not a staunch opponent.'
Nareth knew Dorn was always blunt, but he didn't pay it much mind.
Malcador gave a light cough and spoke to end the debate.
"Caution is indeed warranted. This is also the Emperor's meaning."
The attendees then began casual conversation. Manus and Fulgrim discussed the art of forging, with Vulkan occasionally joining in.
Hannibal spoke up: "Nareth, I made a brief stop at Incaradion on my way."
"Your sons have already helped the Forge World restore order and resume operations."
Nareth's eyes grew profound. Hannibal's expedition fleet was heading deep into the Segmentum Ultima.
Two terms suddenly flashed through his mind: Attila and the Ymga Monolith.
To confirm his conjecture, he asked, "Hannibal, is your fleet's target the eastern side of the galaxy?"
"Yes," Hannibal replied with an elegant smile. "I have heard that xenos are harassing many human worlds."
Nareth fell into silent contemplation, thinking to himself.
'I recall that regarding the Ymga Monolith, Imperial records state it was discovered by an expedition fleet led by a lost primarch during the early Great Crusade.'
'The original Eleventh Primarch hadn't been rediscovered at this point in the timeline, so it must have been Hannibal who discovered it.'
Attila held little value for Nareth. Although the "Attilan Rough Riders" would become elite units in the future Astra Militarum, they didn't particularly suit the characteristics of any of his Chapters.
But the Ymga Monolith was different; it was a relic of the Necrons.
'I remember Hannibal discovered something remarkable. What could it be?'
'If there truly was a major discovery, it would indeed be worth performing a divination for.'
As Nareth pondered, the psychic projections of the Emperor and Constantin Valdor appeared in the Golden Palace.
.....
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