Chapter Summaries

Ron rushed to the Throne Palace as Guilliman and the Emperor’s online argument threatened to become a real fight. The Emperor beat Guilliman, then apologized and entrusted the Imperium to him, Ron, and Jaghatai Khan, leaving Guilliman battered but smiling.

• Ron analyzed Guilliman’s reforms and the Emperor’s anger as he hurried toward the Throne Palace.
• Guilliman entered the Throne Room with Jaghatai Khan, discovered the Emperor had the Sword of the Emperor, and realized the Emperor was Roman Prodigal from the forum.
• The Emperor confronted Guilliman about his criticism and challenged him to stand and fight; Guilliman charged, and the Emperor struck him down.
• The Emperor and Guilliman exchanged blows and voiced their grievances until the Emperor admitted he had been too strict and apologized.
• The Emperor entrusted the Imperium to Guilliman, Ron, and Jaghatai Khan, then ordered them to take Guilliman for treatment as the battered Primarch smiled on the floor.

Guilliman recovered from his duel with The Emperor after Ron and Jaghatai Khan joked about his humiliating defeat and the medical team gave him an extravagant treatment. Once he was well, Guilliman privately warned Ron that Savior's Territory lacked the resources to sustain Webway construction and revealed that he had brought Ultramar's remaining surplus supplies.

• Guilliman tried to stand after his duel with The Emperor, and Ron and Jaghatai Khan helped him up while recording his struggle.
• Guilliman asked Ron for footage of his duel, but The Emperor's psychic slap knocked him unconscious outside the Throne Palace.
• Ron recorded Guilliman's face-down pose, then arranged treatment at his private infirmary while Felix worried over his wounded lord.
• The medical team healed Guilliman's injuries and removed his scars, leaving him restored and feeling better than ever.
• Guilliman privately told Ron that he had brought resources from Ultramar and warned that Ron's territory could not afford the costs of Webway construction.
• Ron admitted that he had run out of money and that the situation was troublesome.

Ron struggled to fund Dawn City's Webway construction, but Guilliman’s support and Ron’s surplus supplies turned the crisis into a profitable exchange for Ultramar. Ron planned new ways to raise money and resources as Guilliman warned him of a newly discovered Chaos Legion near the Eye of Terror.

• Ron explained that Dawn City's Webway repairs, defenses, Holy High Towers, and other projects had left his liquid resources short, though he refused to lower living standards in his territory.
• Guilliman offered resources from Ultramar's Five Hundred Worlds, then discovered Ron's stated 15% shortfall was far beyond what Ultramar could cover.
• Ron sent Guilliman home with warships, Titans, ammunition, and other supplies, and Ultramar's officers realized their support mission had earned them enormous returns.
• Guilliman warned Ron that a legion of fallen Space Marines had appeared near the Eye of Terror, and Ron suspected it might be connected to The Lion, Lion El'Jonson.
• Ron told Guilliman he would raise funds through Webway land finance and commercial zones, while also preparing to borrow from heretics and xenos by force.

Ron sent The Savior's forces across the Galaxy to plunder resources under Abaddon's name, gaining materials for Webway construction while provoking several factions into seeking revenge against the Black Legion. As Abaddon celebrated his growing power and prepared new Blackstone weapons, he announced that the 15th Black Crusade was about to begin.

• Ron disguised The Savior's raiding forces as the Black Legion and sent them to seize resources across the Galaxy.
• Skin-Peeler returned to find his fortress and people plundered, then set out to avenge the raid after seeing the Eye of Horus symbol.
• The Overlord of the Thokt Dynasty blamed the Black Legion for raiding his Tomb World and launched a fleet to retaliate.
• Huron Blackheart learned that the Black Legion had plundered Showit and planned to raid its forge district rather than accept the insult.
• Ron received the stolen resources at Dawn City, dismissed the consequences for Abaddon, and returned to his construction plans.
• On Savagar, Abaddon celebrated the Black Legion's recovery and declared that its new weapons would support the coming 15th Black Crusade.

Abaddon planned his 15th Black Crusade with Blackstone Arks of Omen, but the Red Corsairs and other forces turned against the Black Legion. Ron learned that Abaddon’s forces were under attack and led an expedition toward Savagar to seize the Blackstone, leaving Guilliman to defend Dawn City.

• Abaddon outlined a swift, destructive Black Crusade and offered Huron Blackheart a place in it after the Black Legion plundered Red Corsairs territory.
• Huron rallied the Red Corsairs to attack Savagar, seeking Black Legion technology and a chance to replace Abaddon as Chaos Warmaster.
• After reports said Abaddon’s fleet had been raided and attacks spread across the Eye of Terror, Abaddon asked Moriana to use her prophetic abilities.
• Ron learned that the Departmento Mechanicus needed more Blackstone for Dawn City and received intelligence from the Red Corsairs about Abaddon’s supply and the assault on Savagar.
• Ron gathered a resource-raiding force and set out with Jaghatai Khan, while Guilliman stayed behind to guard Dawn City.
• As Ron’s fleet raced through the Eye of Terror, he learned that Abaddon was facing a coalition of Chaos warbands, Orks, Necrons, Aeldari, Beastmen, Tyranids, and daemons.

Ron arrived at Salvador after holding a Fortune-Changing Ritual and led his forces into the chaotic battle over the Black Legion’s forge zone. His fleets seized Blackstone Arks of Omen, weapons, and other spoils, while the whereabouts of Abaddon remained unknown.

• Ron worried that the Black Legion had advanced its blackstone technology through Vashtorr’s legacy and hurried his fleet toward Salvador to claim its weapons and resources.
• Ron and Jaghatai Khan performed a Fortune-Changing Ritual aboard the Dreamer, after which the fleet traveled without further mishaps and reached Salvador.
• Ron found the battle still underway and sent his three battle formations into the forge zone while the Dreamer stayed back under guard.
• The Legion of Fear obstructed the Red Corsairs as rival forces seized or destroyed most of the Blackstone Arks of Omen; the Red Corsairs escaped with the last two, which Steel-Tooth Orks partly stripped of blackstone.
• Ron celebrated as the Redemption Elite Fleet captured three Arks, the Legion of Fear took blackstone weapons, and the Steel-Tooth Orks gathered more blackstone, then wondered where Abaddon was before a heart-wrenching scream rang out.

Ron and Jaghatai Khan led the Savior Fleet into the chaotic battle around Abaddon’s Ark of Omen and fought their way toward its core. As Huron Blackheart defeated Abaddon and claimed the title of Chaos Warmaster, Ron’s arrival interrupted the execution.

• Ron chose to join the battle, and the Dreamer charged toward the Ark of Omen with Jaghatai Khan and the fleet.
• The Dreamer survived an Ork siege bolt, destroyed the Ork Space Fortress, and carried Ron and Jaghatai Khan toward the Ark.
• Ron and his warriors boarded the Ark by vehicle and raced through the fighting toward Abaddon.
• Huron Blackheart and the other high-ranking enemies overwhelmed Abaddon, while the Chaos Gods rejected his plea for aid.
• Huron tore away the Talon of Horus, declared himself the new Chaos Warmaster, and pinned Abaddon beneath his foot.
• As Abaddon prepared to die, an engine roared and a powerful presence arrived.

Ron charged into the battle in a relic-equipped vehicle, rescued Abaddon from Huron Blackheart, and survived the surrounding forces until Jaghatai Khan and the reinforcements arrived. After breaking through the attackers, Ron reached the badly wounded Warmaster and forced him to keep fighting.

• Ron struck Huron Blackheart with his Dark Gold Anti-Gravity Vehicle, interrupting his attack on Abaddon, then bombarded the Necron Overlord and tried to protect the fallen Warmaster.
• Huron Blackheart and the gathered Chaos forces and xenos turned their attacks on Ron, but Ron activated his many shields and endured until Jaghatai Khan arrived with Thunder Custodes and White Scars Devastators.
• Jaghatai Khan helped Ron break through the encirclement, then fought the Tyranid Hive Lord while Ron faced the Ork Warlord and cowed it with a powerful roar.
• Ron escaped the Ork Warlord and reached Abaddon, who had been knocked against a wall by a stray shell, while Huron Blackheart remained tied up fighting the Black Legion and the Custodes.
• Abaddon expected Ron to kill him, but Ron slapped him awake, treated him with Panacea, and ordered him to stand and remember the Black Crusade.

Ron inspired Abaddon to reject the Chaos Gods and fight with his own power, then joined him in battling Huron Blackheart. As the space battle escalated around them, Ron received information that suggested he had prepared a way to end the conflict.

• Ron provoked Abaddon into reclaiming his fighting spirit, and Abaddon awakened power drawn from his own will rather than the Chaos Gods.
• Abaddon rejected the Dark Gods, accepted Ron’s help, and led the Black Legion into battle beside Ron and their combined retinues.
• Ron and Abaddon fought Huron Blackheart together, but Huron survived their assault and revealed that he had been stalling for a devastating attack.
• The Blackstone Fortress fired on the ship, while the Dreamer intercepted further attacks and carrier-based fighters engaged the Purgatory Dragons.
• Ron received new information, looked toward Blackheart, and said he had prepared for this and that it was time to end the conflict.

Ron and Abaddon fought through an endless Chaos assault while trapped inside a Warp-sealed region, until Ron’s Blackstone drill shattered the seal and opened the way for Imperial reinforcements. With Redemption Knights and a Titan turning the tide, they spotted the exposed Huron Blackheart fleeing.

• Ron and Abaddon joined forces against the Chaos forces as the gods strengthened the blockade, while Huron Blackheart hid and sent wave after wave of war machines to wear them down.
• Ron and Abaddon fought off more than twenty Chaos Knights and numerous Chaos Engines, but fresh enemies arrived and Huron taunted them from hiding.
• Thunder Custodes brought Ron’s Blackstone machine into the trapped region, where its giant drill ruptured the seal between the Warp and reality.
• Ron’s forces activated Teleport Homers, bringing in Redemption Knights and a Redemption Titan that devastated the Red Corsairs and Chaos machines.
• Ron and Abaddon saw Huron Blackheart exposed and fleeing after the Blackstone device disrupted his Chaos-given powers.

Ron’s forces defeated Huron Blackheart and plundered Salvador, while Huron’s soul escaped and Abaddon turned his attention toward destroying the Red Corsairs. Back aboard the Dreamer, Ron reviewed the spoils and prepared to open Dawn City and establish the Pan-Galactic Trade Association.

• Ron pursued Huron Blackheart in the Redemption Titan, whose attacks and allied forces overwhelmed Huron while Ron stayed safely on the Suspension Platform.
• Carter beheaded Huron, and the Thunder Custodes burned and sealed his remains, but the Chaos Gods took his soul.
• Ron returned to the Dreamer with Abaddon and the captured spoils, including two Blackstone Arks of Omen, while Abaddon’s Black Legion regrouped in Salvador.
• Abaddon learned that Ron had spared him because Huron seemed the greater threat, then vowed to destroy Huron and the Red Corsairs before renewing his crusade against the Imperium.
• Ron reviewed the plunder with Jaghatai Khan and planned to refit the Blackstone Arks as warships.
• Half a month later, Ron reviewed plans for the Pan-Galactic Trade Association and anticipated Dawn City’s opening and the Imperium’s reconstruction.

Ron oversaw Dawn City's transportation, trade, and housing plans as the city expanded into a major hub for the Imperium. After arriving with Jaghatai Khan, he met Guilliman and revealed plans for an elite residential district, leaving his brothers stunned by the prices he proposed.

• Ron reviewed Dawn City's spaceport construction and outlined plans for its Imperial Star Map, Throne Coin economy, housing, and commercial real estate.
• Ron received word that the Dreamer had docked, then took a Space Elevator with Jaghatai Khan to Dawn City's surface to meet Guilliman.
• Ron and Jaghatai Khan drove through the developing city, where a new traffic-control system forced Jaghatai to slow down and stop at a red light.
• Ron met Guilliman at a cleared construction site and showed him a plan for large residences for himself, Guilliman, Jaghatai Khan, Lion El'Jonson, and the Emperor.
• Ron described the district's prime location and named a price for its luxury residences, leaving Guilliman and Jaghatai stunned.

Ron explained to Guilliman and Jaghatai Khan that the Imperium’s wealth was concentrated among powerful families and officials while its broken tax system impoverished the central authority. He planned to use expensive Webway mansions to draw the wealthy elite into accepting his reforms, and revealed that he had already invited them to gather there.

• Ron estimated that developing Dawn City’s high-end residential district could generate wealth equivalent to that of a thousand first-class Imperial worlds, while insisting that Webway land would remain public property and only its use would be granted.
• Ron showed Guilliman and Jaghatai Khan data on the Imperium’s hidden wealth and explained how tax exemptions, corruption, and powerful families’ privileges drained the Imperial treasury.
• Ron compared the Imperium’s collapsing finances and fragmented rule to a failing dynasty, prompting Guilliman and Jaghatai Khan to reflect on The Emperor’s past decisions.
• Ron declared that the Imperium’s wealthy elite could afford the mansions and that selling them was a gentler way to extract resources than coercion.
• Ron revealed that he had invited the Imperium’s high-ranking figures to the Webway and intended to make them surrender resources and accept political and tax reforms.

Drew Ovila arrived at Dawn City with other high-ranking Imperial nobles, convinced they could use their power over the Imperium’s trade and resources to bargain with Ron over the Webway. After exploring the city and spending lavishly, he met with allied political leaders to plan pressure on the Savior before the coming negotiations.

• Ron studied the Imperial nobility for years while planning policies to draw their wealth into circulation and strengthen the Imperium’s industry.
• Drew Ovila arrived at Redemption Spaceport II-13, believing House Ovila and the other nobles could negotiate from a position of strength.
• Drew toured Dawn City’s commercial district, admired its prosperity, and bought expensive clothing and cigars from the Savior’s shops.
• Drew met with the Koda Family, the Vientel Alliance, Saiyakana Company, and other allies to coordinate their response to Ron.
• Drew urged the alliance to take a tougher stance in negotiations and pressure Ron to concede rather than risk turmoil in the Imperium.

The Lakas Pan-Sector Alliance planned to exploit the Webway dispute and The Savior’s reluctance to cause civilian suffering, while Ron decided to respond forcefully to resistance in the Ascalon Sector. He sent Grand Inquisitor Devere there with broad authority to suppress the rebels and prepare a loyalty education for the high nobles.

• Drew persuaded the Lakas Pan-Sector Alliance to wait for the outcome of the Ascalon Sector’s test of The Savior before taking action, while the Walter Dynasty cut local routes to the Webway and called for it to be freely accessible.
• Ron learned that Ascalon Sector officials were blocking routes, obstructing Imperial inspectors, and spreading opposition to his Webway policies, and he ordered Grand Inquisitor Devere to suppress the resistance.
• Ron kept the planned collective event on schedule but changed its location, ordering the Earth Planet Inquisition to help prepare the West Ice Vault Hotel for the high nobles’ loyalty education.
• Tako delivered Ron’s orders to Devere, who left his penitential cell and accepted the mission with broad authority to act.
• Devere secretly traveled aboard the Dark Gold Shuttle through the Webway toward the Ascalon Sector, prepared to carry out Ron’s demand for violent suppression.

Grand Inquisitor Devere assembled an overwhelming coalition to purge the rebellious Walter Dynasty in the Ascalon Sector, crushing its defenses and preventing its rulers from escaping or destroying the planet. Ron read the battle report and was stunned by the operation’s brutality, while Devere turned his attention to the next targets.

• Devere organized a vast force and ordered it to suppress the rebels, then learned the Walter Dynasty had entrenched its power through political alliances and secret pirate fleets.
• Voladi assured Devere that the Redemption Third Fleet would arrive on schedule and clear the sector’s orbital forces.
• Walter XIX prepared an escape and destruction plan as Devere’s fleet surrounded Walter Hive World, destroyed its defenses, and broadcast the purge order.
• Voladi’s fleet eliminated the dynasty’s pirates, while a Shadow Veil blocked escape routes and Imperial forces overwhelmed Walter XIX’s troops and thwarted the planet-destruction plan.
• Devere arranged for the planet to be taken over and began reviewing bloodline charts for the next stage of the purge.
• Ron read Devere’s battle report and exclaimed that the suppression was more ruthless than an Exterminatus.

Ron used the crackdown on the Ascalon rebels and the confinement of high nobles to force the Imperium’s elites toward submission. Drew Ovila chose to pledge House Ovila’s loyalty, but after the Grand Inquisitor’s brutal purge and the dismantling of the nobles’ alliances, Angels of the Emperor summoned Drew for investigation.

• Ron reviewed Devere’s successful campaign, kept the high nobles waiting at the West Ice Vault Hotel, and ordered more Inquisitors to guard them.
• On the way to the hotel, Drew Ovila grew suspicious of the Savior’s displays of force and persuaded some Alliance members to show goodwill instead of pressuring him.
• Drew offered rare Lakas Sector specialties and pledged House Ovila’s obedience, while the Koda Family heir and other nobles rejected his decision.
• The nobles discovered that the hotel had no exits and that their communications were intercepted, then began forming alliances as they waited for news from outside.
• News arrived that the Grand Inquisitor had exterminated the Walter Dynasty and its supporters; Angels of the Emperor then executed hundreds of related nobles in the hotel and began interrogating the rest.
• After Koda Family members disappeared into the interrogation rooms, two bloodied Angels summoned Drew Ovila.

Drew Ovila and the other high nobles endured interrogation after Ron’s crackdown, then learned the survivors would be allowed to discuss the Imperium’s future and Webway interests with him. Ron prepared to impose punishments and inheritance reforms before turning to a looming Chaos threat in the Dark Angels’ territory, then entered the conference hall.

• Drew Ovila followed the Emperor’s Angels into the hotel, terrified after witnessing nobles’ executions and the destruction of a rebellious family.
• Inquisitors interrogated Drew for days, and he confessed House Ovila’s hidden dealings, professed loyalty, and passed a psychic examination.
• The Inquisition announced that the nobles who remained were preliminarily judged loyal and that Ron would meet them to discuss the Imperium and Webway interests.
• Ron planned to punish noble houses, introduce the Tui-en Decree, and preserve stability while preparing to investigate a dangerous Chaos threat near the Eye of Terror.
• Ron arrived at the West Ice Vault Hotel and entered the conference hall with his escorts.

Ron addressed the Imperium’s high nobles after their punishments, secured their submission to new taxes and Webway policies, and laid out reforms meant to strengthen the Imperium’s economy. He left the meeting to officials and reflected on balancing noble power while Bayev reorganized the Imperial administration.

• The high nobles gathered at West Ice Vault Hotel and applauded Ron’s arrival, then shouted their loyalty after one noble called for the Savior’s eternal reign.
• Ron accepted the nobles’ cheers and announced new taxes, open access to the Webway, Imperial support for ports, and measures to regulate commerce and protect trade routes.
• The nobles agreed to the proposals, and Ron promoted Dawn City commercial projects before leaving the conference hall for officials to implement the policies.
• Ron explained that he intended to balance established noble factions with emerging forces rather than strip the nobles of all their wealth, and he reflected on the political burden of governing.
• Ron anticipated Bayev’s reorganization of Imperial departments, including removing their independent armed forces and requiring the Inquisition to submit verdicts to the Adeptus Arbites for review.

At a reception in Dawn City, Ron met merchants and encouraged investment while promoting the Imperium’s cultural revival. He then reviewed plans for a major campaign in Segmentum Obscurus, where he and three Primarchs would lead a sweeping offensive before reconstruction began.

• Sahim explained the ancient Terran piano piece and the Savior’s Renaissance movement to guests, while traders discussed new cultural goods and wines.
• Yor recalled how his support during the Battle of Baal had launched his canned Tyranid-meat business, then learned that Dawn City would be central to future commerce.
• Ron arrived with Milia, recognized Yor, agreed to try his latest canned food, and advised him to buy property in Dawn City.
• After Ron departed, Yor and other Rogue Traders decided to purchase Dawn City property despite its yearly taxes.
• Ron reviewed Dawn City revenues and preparations for an expedition into Segmentum Obscurus, where he and three Primarchs planned to crush threats and prepare the region for reconstruction.
• Ron frowned at the figures in his documents and complained that they were lower than expected.