Nareth turned the triangular prism in his hand. Information about Novaris flashed through his mind.
'A world of towering mountains and broad valleys.'
'Countless feudal kingdoms of varying sizes, ruled by nobles, cover this world.'
'The Novarans are resilient, skilled swordsmen with superb weapon-forging skills. Each must forge their own weapon as a rite of passage.'
'...'
Novaris was the homeworld of the Silver Templars Chapter, founded during the Ultima Founding in the 42nd Millennium. It lay on the edge of the Ultramar region.
The Silver Templars were a clear genetic reflection of Guilliman's combative nature. The duel-loving Novarans were the perfect source of recruits.
He had already selectively taken the jewels of the Five Hundred Worlds of Ultramar. The rest he could take or leave.
But after learning the Ultramarines' progress from Gren Vosotho, he realized there were still some worlds worth taking.
After the information about Novaris flashed through his mind, he silently intoned.
'Star chart from the Kalium Gate to Novaris.'
'...'
After intoning it eleven times, he tossed the dice.
The triangular prism tumbled through the air. The moment it landed in his open palm, a brilliant scene unfolded before him.
He memorized the star chart and encoded it on a data-crystal, sighing inwardly.
'Guilliman, I 'don't' want to take from you, but your pace is too slow.'
'Besides, Novaris is not valued in your realm.'
He recalled that Novaris would be long occupied by the Slaaneshi warband, the Flawless Host, only to be liberated during the Indomitus Crusade.
By the time it returned to the Imperium, the planet had lost a quarter of its population.
With this thought, he returned to reality and summoned the Knight Lord.
After bowing, Thierry Viera unstrapped the blade forged by the Katheri master-smith from his belt.
"My Lord, this sword has been with me for sixty-five years. It meets Your requirement."
"Good." Nareth nodded. The psychic blade vanished from his hand.
The Jokaero in the first layer of the Kingdom of Disorder began concocting the "Guardian" potion, using the black giant and the blade, long used by the sword's owner as materials.
Thierry looked at the Black Emperor with awe, then began his report.
Moments later, Nareth turned his right hand. A pale red potion appeared.
He placed it on the table. "Drink this."
Thierry, excitedly thanking his Lord for the gift, took the potion.
He looked at it. The entire bottle seemed wrapped in tangible dawn light. The pale red liquid was barely visible within.
He drank. The moment the liquid slid into his stomach, his two hearts began to pump simultaneously.
Holes appeared in his hearts. Light, like dawn, shone through them, illuminating his body, the largest in the Legion, second only to Nareth's.
His consciousness was wrapped in dawn light.
Warm, intoxicating light plunged him into a strange, blissful state.
Through the haze, a low voice, like thunder, sounded in his mind.
"Recall the vow you made."
The commanding voice jolted him from his stupor. He instinctively obeyed the Black Emperor.
He immediately recalled summoning his Honor Guard and three Chapter companies one and a half years ago, and the vow he had declared to them in Dunnish.
"I, Thierry Viera, swear to you: I will do my utmost to protect my battle-brothers."
The Black Emperor required him to declare his vow to the object of his protection. He could not vow to Him.
He needed no protection. He required only devout service.
The scene flashed through his mind: his battle-brothers, in black armor, orange swords on their right shoulders, kneeling on one knee, hands on their swords.
The sound of their kneeling echoed in the light.
The memory cleaved the mist.
The dawn light receded. The newly promoted "Guardian" knelt on one knee.
"My Lord, I thank You for Your gift."
"I will guard the Legion. I will serve You!"
Nareth nodded, looking at the "Guardian's" robust form.
Though he had not grown taller, he was more solid. With his beyonder abilities, if he focused on defense rather than attack, he would be the strongest among his men.
With this thought, he placed the data-crystal on the table.
"You are to go to Novaris immediately. Unite the local feudal kingdoms. They will be your Chapter's recruiting world."
The Eighth Chapter would be the first to have three recruiting worlds suited to its culture. He thought with feeling.
'Worlds suited for "Warriors" are the easiest to find.'
"By Your will."
The "Guardian" took the data-crystal, delighted. His Chapter, which he had sworn to protect, would be strengthened once more. All thanks to the Black Emperor's gift.
The Eighth Chapter was the first to depart. Then, the main forces of the other six Chapters, under Nareth's orders, headed for Sak'trada Deeps.
As the Fifth Chapter took the lead, passing through the Ramillies-class Starfort defensive zone and advancing, the Eighth Chapter's fleet arrived in realspace.
Novaris was a feudal world of low technological development, still bound to its planet. The fleet reached Novaris Prime's orbit without incident.
Shadow-pattern Stormbirds launched from the black ships, flying towards a planet with no concept of air defense.
Thierry looked down through the narrow viewport at the beautiful world below.
Vast oceans, blue as ribbons.
Snow-capped peaks rose into the clouds.
The Stormbird flew over vast deserts and mangrove swamps, heading towards the area with the densest life signs, as detected by the auspex matrix.
A flash of silver caught his eye. Countless warriors in silver armor, swords in hand, fought below.
He noticed that the warriors on both sides fought only in single combat. No one fought multiple opponents.
He gained a direct understanding of the Novarans' dueling culture, mentioned by the Black Emperor in the data-crystal.
A method for subduing the locals immediately came to mind. He ordered.
"Pilot, open the hatch."
He walked to the hatch. His Honor Guard Captain, Joe Vatalla, in his black armor suit, followed close behind.
Though only a "Warrior," Joe was only slightly shorter than the "Dawn Knight" company captains.
As the winner of Ventrillian's coming-of-age ceremony, he had received the Huntress armor suit Thierry had once worn before becoming a full Shadows of Order.
The suit's adaptive growth system had modified his body, and over a week, he had inherited Thierry's combat experience while wearing it.
Skilled in the Sabatius sword style, Joe was the Chapter's dueling champion, having defeated many "Weapon Masters."
Thierry leaped first. The number on his helmet display read 9,400 meters.
Joe and the others followed. Wind howled against their black armor.
A thunderous crack sounded in the ears of the combatants below. They stopped fighting, looking up at the falling black meteors.
"Meteorites!"
They shouted excitedly. Meteorites were excellent sword-forging material.
Nobles from both kingdoms quickly retreated, rubbing their swords eagerly, waiting for a chance to claim the forging material.
One warrior in ornate armor frowned.
The falling meteorites were unusual. They lacked the usual fiery trail.
As he looked up in confusion, the black "meteorites" fell rapidly. He saw the shape of one clearly.
His pupils dilated. It was a giant.
A light like dawn shone from him.
BOOM!
.....
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
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