Chapter 79: Horus's Attentive Care
Abaddon and his companions adapted to Omega's arrival quickly, this wasn't the first time they had witnessed a Primarch's return under Horus's guidance.
After the two sides finished their conversation, Horus had the affable Torgaddon escort Omega around the warship to familiarize him with its functions and weapons, helping Omega understand how to command in space warfare.
Inside the bridge, Horus, Abaddon, and the other two Mournival members sat together.
Abaddon, with his distinctive topknot, glanced at the others and asked tentatively, "Lord Alpharius seemed remarkably calm and composed when he encountered us. Regardless of whether his account was true or false, his demeanor suggested he is no ordinary individual."
"My brother is certainly no ordinary man," Horus said with a smile, gently steering the conversation away. "Discussion is fine, but don't make wild speculation."
It was no longer meaningful to pursue such questions. What mattered was that the last Primarch had appeared before him.
Hastur Sejanus analyzed, "It takes remarkable ability to build a powerful alliance in seven years, and to lead a decapitation strike personally, few could accomplish such a feat."
His voice carried the weight of considered judgment. "Primarchs are beings of extraordinary capability. The Imperium has finally awaited the return of the last son."
As long as the final Primarch remained lost, the Imperium of Man would feel incomplete, like having twenty seats with one vacant.
This incompleteness had aroused the curiosity and anticipation of countless souls throughout the Imperium, a sense that something remained unfinished, especially given the long duration of the Great Crusade.
Omega's return represented fulfillment, and also signified the end of that ancient tragedy in which the Emperor's twenty Primarch sons were scattered across the stars by Warp storm.
Horus understood human nature profoundly. He knew the Emperor cared deeply about the return of the last Primarch.
Considering the current state of the Imperium, Horus realized one thing: the Imperium was about to enter a new phase.
The Imperium's warships were massive, each one like a city, with shops, hospitals, training grounds, canteens, dormitories, and countless other facilities.
Warships had so many functions and corridors that even an ordinary person could get lost without a map.
Torgaddon explained the capabilities of the Gloriana-class battleship to Omega, implicitly revealing just how mighty the Imperium was.
Omega had scrapped countless warships over the past few decades. He could walk through a warship with his eyes closed and know which section was where, what shape the pipes and mechanical structures took inside the walls.
But in Torgaddon's eyes, it simply appeared that Omega had grown familiar with warship functions and space warfare during his time on planet Leviel.
The Next Day
After learning that Omega was proficient in space warfare and possessed extensive ground combat experience, Horus designated planet Leviel as Omega's homeworld and placed him in command of the Luna Wolves fleet in battle.
Horus patiently taught and communicated with Omega, and as the war progressed, he gradually came to understand that Omega was a master tactician.
The interstellar war situation on Planet Leviel had shifted. The Poor People's Alliance, led by Omega, had reached an agreement with the Luna Wolves, leaving only the Rose Council, representing the nobility, still fighting, unwilling to submit to the Imperium.
The Rose Council considered the Poor People's Alliance irreconcilable enemies.
They put up fierce resistance, but under Omega's command of the Luna Wolves and the Poor People's Alliance forces, they had no chance of victory. Planet Leviel was conquered in less than thirty days.
During this month, Horus, acting as an elder brother, maintained friendly relations with Omega without interfering in the war's proceedings.
After a month of contact, Omega had to admire Horus's methods.
Horus perfectly embodied the image of a generous, friendly, warm-hearted older brother.
If he were truly a fledgling Primarch, his first impression of Horus would be that of a true brother, someone he could rely on.
Although he didn't know what Alpharius was planning, Omega greatly admired Horus's character and talent. In his eyes, Horus appeared perfect, without flaw.
The war on Planet Leviel ended. The entire campaign had practically been Horus using the Luna Wolves Legion for Omega's practice.
Horus was generous and considerate, providing this trial to help Omega familiarize himself with commanding Astartes legions in battle.
He stated magnanimously that this technologically advanced world would be handed over to Omega for governance, and could later serve as a recruitment world to replenish the Alpha Legion's forces.
After a whole month of Horus's combined efforts, Omega was nearly ready to call him "big brother" on the spot.
On the bridge of the massive warship, nearly thirty kilometers long, Horus, seeing that the war had ended perfectly and judging the time right, suggested to Omega that he be escorted to Holy Terra to meet the Emperor.
"Good," Omega replied simply, inwardly praising Horus's excellent hospitality.
"Haha, have the Astropaths prepare, I will personally communicate with our Father!"
Horus was overjoyed and immediately went to the Astropaths' sanctum to send the faster-than-light message.
Abaddon and his three companions chatted politely with Omega, while Torgaddon gave him a brief overview of Terra.
After Torgaddon finished, Abaddon continued. "Lord Alpharius, the Alpha Legion you will be leading is considered quite successful among all the Astartes Legions, already possessing two dedicated star sectors for governance."
Omega feigned surprise. "Two star sectors! Hmm.. It seems the Alpha Legion has done quite well even without my return."
Abaddon chose his words carefully. "Each Legion has its own unique culture. For example, the White Scars operate on a system similar to steppe tribal alliances. Their company commanders are all called Khans, not subordinate to each other, obeying only the command of thier Primarch Jaghatai Khan."
His tone remained diplomatic. "The Alpha Legion has participated in the Great Crusade for nearly 180 years, a considerable span. Perhaps changes have occurred within the Legion during your absence."
Omega immediately understood what Abaddon meant. The other man had guessed that the Alpha Legion's company commanders were developing independently, which would explain how the Legion had functioned if the Primarch had already returned but remained hidden.
Under the watchful eyes of the four Mournival members, Omega smiled calmly. "I returned too late, so it's understandable the Alpha Legion underwent such changes. As long as the Legion improves, that's what matters."
Hearing this, the four realized Omega indeed knew nothing about the Alpha Legion's current operations.
Aximand said, "Before the Alpha Legion established the Medias Sector, there was little cause for concern. They had territory and considerable strength, having conquered three star sectors in thirty consecutive years, achieving remarkable results even in the Eastern Fringe."
He paused. "Things are different now. The Medias Sector used to be an alien domain with a tiny human population. To develop this sector, the Alpha Legion chose to relocate criminals and vagrants from surrounding sectors to increase the population."
His tone carried subtle concern. "This practice is unprecedented in the Imperium. Perhaps this Legion has undergone changes unknown to us."
"I understand. Thank you for the warning," Omega said solemnly.
'The approach did attract attention,' he thought, 'but if we didn't do this, where would the star sector get its population? Directly moving populations from other star sectors would have even worse consequences.'
Horus appeared just as the discussion concluded, enthusiastically announcing that the Emperor was very pleased to hear the news and had asked him to accompany Omega back to Terra immediately.
Sitting beside Omega like an elder brother, Horus said happily, "When the other Primarchs gather on Terra, we'll hold a grand welcome ceremony for you. It's been so long since we've had such a celebration!"
Omega nodded, and Horus laughed, ordering the Luna Wolves to set sail.
The Luna Wolves fleet had no time to deal with Leviel's aftermath. Horus and his warriors turned the fleet around in orbit, embarking on the voyage before making the Warp jump back to Terra.
One Month Later
The Luna Wolves fleet emerged from the Mandeville Point near Pluto, carrying Omega straight toward Terra.
Holy Terra....illuminated by countless lights from buildings thousands of meters tall.
The capital of the vast Imperium was extraordinarily prosperous and bustling, with flying vehicles crisscrossing the sky like rivers of light. Countless administrative documents were issued from this world to coordinate the entire Imperium.
The light reaching toward the heavens was like the flame of human civilization itself, dazzling and magnificent, burning fiercely and endlessly.
[End of Chapter]
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