"The weapon the Attilans are best with is the hunting lance," Sanchez said helplessly. Teaching them how to fire a lasgun, how to swap power cells, it's all far too difficult."
"The Tech-Priests of Incaladion made preliminary modifications to the hunting lances, attaching promethium canisters below the blade."
Nareth nodded slightly, thinking to himself: 'Inferno Tip.'
He knew that in the future, the Rough Riders would use various spearheads on their lances, including common ones like the Inferno Tip and Armour-piercing Tip, as well as powerful ones like Plasma and Melta Tip that could detonate armor.
"Once the tip impacts the enemy, it detaches, simultaneously spraying intense flames that incinerate the enemy and leave burning fires among the enemy ranks."
"Afterwards, they need to switch to other weapons to continue their attack."
Nareth nodded. 'The Attilans need time to master essential skills like using lasguns; they cannot set foot on the battlefield in the short term.'
'Weapon research also takes time. For a considerable period, they won't possess the combat prowess of the future Attilan Rough Riders.'
Images of countless cavalry charging against and breaking through Necron forces surfaced in Nareth's mind, the peak battle of the Rough Riders in his memory.
On Loxar IV, a buried tomb was activated, and the Necrons awoke from their slumber.
The Attilan Rough Riders fought for three years, culminating in the Lumen Valley, where the Imperium assembled the largest cavalry charge in its history.
Eight hundred thousand cavalry launched an overwhelming charge that broke trough the Necron lines.
Nareth reined in his thoughts and asked:
"Are they suitable to become Hunters?"
Sanchez looked at the two tribes still fighting behind them.
"The Attilans are very suitable. Their guerrilla tactics, honed over thousands of years of tribal warfare, are effective tactics for hunting."
"They are adept at using terrain features and cover to conceal their movements, suddenly appearing on high ground or ridges, and charging quickly towards the enemy."
"Their weakness in learning ability also won't be a problem since they'll become Shadows of Order."
Nareth knew the Attilans rarely spent time learning to read and write; their lives were consumed by war.
Written language was largely the domain of scribes; even many elite nobles on Attila were unwilling to bother with such trivialities.
This was also the biggest difference from the world where Jaghatai Khan landed; Chogoris had a strong cultural atmosphere.
In the future, White Scars, poetry was even a mandatory.
Nareth nodded slightly and said, "In that case, your Chapter will recruit from Attila."
"As you command, My Lord."
As they spoke, countless massive, thick-furred, yak-like creatures appeared below, running under the drive of over a dozen Attilan herders.
Nareth knew those were creatures called Ovicarn. For the Attilans, they were the second most important creatures after their horses.
The Ovicarn's abundant flesh and black blood fulfilled the basic dietary needs of the steppe tribes.
He said to Sanchez, "The Attilans are all excellent herders. Ovicarn are delicious food."
"Both the Attilans and the Ovicarn should be introduced to agricultural worlds that raise livestock."
As the two conversed, the Stormbird flew over the herd, and a city came into view.
Groups of Attilans moved towards the city from all directions.
Attila's only city – Khanasan.
Nareth looked out. Even by Vostroyan standards, Khanasan was a prosperous city.
The Stormbird slowly landed, and the two entered the city.
The short, sturdy Attilans immediately noticed the group and burst into enthusiastic cheers.
Sanchez said with a smile, "My Lord, just as you informed me in the data crystal, the Attilans revere the strong. After the finest warriors of the tribes were defeated, they immediately offered their loyalty."
"They are passionate and unrestrained. Outside the city, they chase us as we saw earlier; inside the city, they offer cheers like now."
Nareth nodded slightly. Sanchez led the way along the broad road towards the Attilan palace.
Nareth noticed that the Attilan buildings were lower than those on other worlds.
Many residents of Khanasan used their own buildings to open shops, mostly selling hunting lances and various tools.
Incoming herders, leading their horses, searched through the stalls, stopping when they saw items of interest.
There were also many incoming herders setting up stalls to sell.
Their form of trade was quite primitive, without a unified currency, engaging in primitive barter.
Among the many short buildings, one resplendent, magnificent structure rose from the ground.
Sanchez followed Nareth's gaze and said:
"The chieftains of the various Attilan tribes are called Khans."
"The victor determined through their conflicts is called the Great Khan."
"He resides in the Khan's Palace in Khanasan, manages the entire city, and levies a certain tax from trade, usually one-eighteenth of the traded goods."
He turned slightly towards the Black Emperor and continued.
"Of course, once the Great Khan suffers defeat in conflict, he is immediately replaced."
"Wars between powerful Khans are on a much larger scale than what we saw earlier; thousands can die in the struggles."
"My Lord, should we intervene in their conflicts?"
"Keep it within limited bounds. Do not allow conflicts resulting in over a hundred deaths." Nareth instructed.
He knew the Attilan tradition of conflict had lasted for thousands of years, and the tradition of never-ending combat was the foundation that made the Attilans brave warriors.
He didn't want to force the Attilans to change completely, only to keep their competition within limited bounds.
'Although I initially refused Ferrus Manus's suggestion, Vostroya doesn't have traditions like Attila's, so I won't impose harsh policies on them.'
'Reducing the intensity of combat isn't contradictory to preserving Attilan traditions.'
"I understand," the Reaper Lord responded.
A buzzing sound came from the comm-bead in Sanchez's ear. He pressed it, then said to Nareth.
"The Great Khan and the Khans of the other major tribes have prepared a feast in the Khan's Palace."
Nareth followed Sanchez towards the grand palace gates. He saw over a dozen people wearing luxurious robes.
Seeing the black-armored giant was taller and more imposing than Sanchez, they were startled.
They knelt on one knee, placing their right hands over their hearts in salute.
Nareth noticed the strong odor emanating from them was no different from the commoners; clearly, they never bathed either.
"Rise," he said in Attilan. For him now, it only took over ten seconds to extract the language they used from the locals' minds.
"We have prepared the grandest feast to receive you."
The Great Khan finished speaking and led the way. Under the awe-filled gazes of the Attilans, Nareth walked into the palace.
A moment later, Nareth watched the Great Khan's chef, who nervously performed the final preparations on the food.
To ensure the best taste, it could only be done after they were seated.
A whole, massive Ovicarn rotated with a cracking sound. The aroma of charred fat from the firewood, mixed with the strong meaty scent of the meat and pungent spices, was carried by the breeze into his nose, overpowering the Attilans' strong odor.
Nareth picked up a fork and put nearly half a strip into his mouth.
The Ovicarn's fat melted in his mouth. The sweet freshness of the meat, mixed with the salty spiciness of the spices and the caramelized aftertaste, lingered in his mouth.
"Not bad," Nareth praised sincerely.
On the fourth day on Attila, Nareth stood atop the Khan's Palace, looking down.
Thibaut, 1st Captain of the 7th Chapter, "provoked" two Khans, shouting at them.
"I hear you two fight every time you meet. This time you want a full war again, gathering your warriors."
"Let me tell you, forget it, unless you can defeat me.
"Come on. I'll fight bare-handed. Charge me. Both of you."
The intelligence possessed allowed him to anger both Khans into roaring in fury simultaneously.
Thibaut
Thibaut, newly promoted to "Pyromancer," didn't use his newly acquired abilities. He knew strength was what most impressed the Attilans.
He neither dodged nor avoided, swinging his arms from below upwards, knocking the two long spears away.
Thibaut then extended his arms horizontally, knocking the two warhorses down.
Nareth withdrew his gaze and looked at Sanchez approaching.
"My Lord, news from Calth. The workers, delving deep into the caves, encountered a terrible monster."
.....
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