Nimrod, what exactly do you want?

Perturabo leans against the Throne, overlooking Akurduana.

"You've grown quite a bit."

When he first met Akurduana, the Emperor's Children was a size smaller than Baben Falk.

Now, wearing the new Power Armour, he seems to have undergone a second growth spurt, towering over his tallest and most robust son, who is clad in Tyrant-pattern Terminator, by half a head.

"I see no signs of the depravity of Fulgrim and those Emperor's Children in you."

"Your transformation did not come from those Distortion— " Perturabo swallowed the "Warp."

"Of course not," said the newly appointed "Guardian," Akurduana.

After Akurduana swore an oath to protect the ancient spirit of Palatine, he once again received the power bestowed by the Black Emperor and, in accordance with His oracle, conveyed the situation of the Taran to Perturabo.

Perturabo was easier to persuade than he had expected; before he could even convince him, Peturab had already agreed to leave Taran.

Akurduana couldn't help but recall the analysis of the Second Company Captain Solomon Demetri.

"Lord Perturabo's strategy was flawed. The Corrosion Virus Bomb he released in Taran acted like a leveling agent, dragging the Astartes, whose combat capabilities were not on the same level as ordinary civilians, into the same quagmire of armored warfare."

"Poor visibility reduces the effectiveness of the Iron Warriors' signature heavy firepower strikes."

Solomon believes that the actions taken by Frix and the other members of the Iron Warriors X were also not optimal.

"After destroying Taran, they initially paid no attention to these ordinary people; they were scattered throughout the world, seemingly searching for something."

"But the Taran's vengeful fury ignited in the Death World, and even the Iron Warriors could not quell the inextinguishable flames."

[The Iron Warriors' tactics are still not as versatile as the Shadow of Order; Lord Nimrod's offspring will never get bogged down in Taran's quagmire.]

Perturabo stared at Akurduana with his icy blue eyes, and only after eleven heartbeats had passed did he slowly speak.

"From Nimrod?"

A chilling light pierced Akurduana's eyes, and he felt as if he had shrunk.

This is not a change in physical appearance, but a suppression of will.

"Your Majesty, you have a clear vision."

Perturabo fell silent again. "What does Nimrod want?"

"Taran, or the hidden secret of this world."

Akurduana thought about it seriously upon hearing this.

"I think so."

The Black Emperor must have set his sights on the Death World beneath his feet, but it's uncertain whether he'll be interested in that secret.

[Primarch seeks should also attract my Lord.] Akurduana thought thoughtfully.

Perturabo fell silent again, so long that Akurduana felt his attention was drawn to the distance.

What does Nimrod want to do?

He had assumed that the loyal Nimrod would hate him for following Horus, just as Ferrus Manus hated Fulgrim.

But he sent Akurduana to remind himself of Fulgrim's despicable actions.

The Shadow of Order harbors less hatred for the Iron Warriors than other legions that follow their fathers; their advance is extremely restrained, far slower than during the wars at the Galaxy Core and Rangdan Xenocides.

They simply occupied key locations such as Sapphire City after the Iron Warriors retreated, without launching a pursuit.

"You will meet again, and then you can ask him yourself."

Perturabo remained silent for the fourth time. [Nimrod, let me see what you really want.]

You can stay by my side.

He rose from his the Throne and walked outside.

Six Iron Circle Automata emerged from the darkness and surrounded him.

Since the Heart of Hydra punished Fulgrim, the Iron Circle Automata have completely replaced the Primarch's Honor Guard.

Their cold-blooded mechanical hearts were utterly loyal, and Perturabo rewarded each of them with an emblem of an Iron Warriors.

They are the perfect combination of loyal servants and incorruptible guards, unwavering in their loyalty.

Frix and Akurduana followed Perturabo out.

Perturabo stepped out of his secluded dwelling, where he had been living in seclusion for months, and a shadow quietly loomed over the back of his head.

Crack!

With a faint crackling sound, a shadow swept down, and hooked claws struck Perturabo from behind.

The Iron Circle Automata to Perturabo's right rear suddenly raised its massive Storm Shield.

Boom!

The blade of the dark claw struck the energy field, producing a piercing explosion.

As soon as Frix stepped out of the bunker, he raised his arm, and a barrage of bullets flew towards the dark shadows.

Blazing flames poured from the backpack, and steel wings flapped as it took flight.

Perturabo reached for his waist and drew the Skull-Breaker Warhammer.

He whirled around, staring at the lightning-splattering claws.

"Corvus Corax!"

"Perturabo!"

Corax's wings, fueled by flames, swooped down on Perturabo from above.

"For the Emperor— "

The four Warhammer hissed, their energy fields drying the yellowish-brown air, sending wisps of smoke rising.

Corax swayed and dodged left and right, avoiding the powerful sweeping Warhammer.

His arm twisted, and his lightning-fast claws lunged at Perturabo's throat.

The deadly tip of the energy field came into view in his icy blue eyes, and he suddenly raised his arms.

The Skull-Breaker Warhammer roared up, striking Corax's claws with ferocious force.

Corax flicked his wrist, using the recoil to leap into the air.

He soared into the sky, his dark eyes blazing with flames that clashed with the biting cold.

"Traitor----"

The Corax activated its backup fuel, propelling its steel wings through the air.

He twisted his body, circling as he searched for the direction of the hunt.

Six Iron Circle gathered around Perturabo, their shields linked together and interlocked.

Corax circled three times, but still couldn't find an opening in the shield wall.

Above the Eyepiece, the energy level steadily decreased.

He pushed the jetpack to its maximum power, shouting, "Die!"

Corax twisted his body to the side and squeezed between the two Iron Circle.

The scythe-like claws hissed as they lashed out at Perturabo, the scorching metal tearing through the yellowish-brown air.

In an instant, the shadow swept in front of Perturabo.

The dazzling light of electric sparks, and the flying sparks sprinkled onto the visor.

Click!

An Iron Circle twisted its body and blocked Perturabo's path.

The gleaming blade pierced the steel body, and the energy field hissed.

Boom!

The debris scattered like raindrops, splattering onto the ground with a soft thud.

Your perfect Imperium is built on Lie—

"Perturabo shouted coldly, Skull-Crusher whistled through the air."

Bang!

Corax twisted his body with all his might, the flight pack blaring a piercing alarm, its energy completely drained.

He stumbled and flew backward, his flight pack crackling and exhaling puffs of mist.

Dark eyes met icy blue eyes.

Your Imperium will be reduced to ruins—

Corax fell into the shadows, disappearing in an instant into the haze of smoke.

"Father, I will immediately dispatch personnel to search for Corax."

Perturabo's gaze swept over the damaged Iron Circle, and based on the combat data from the previous battle, he conceived a series of improvement plans.

"No!"

Corax is a master of stealth.

We don't have time to waste here.

He activated the Teleport device, "Summon all Iron Warriors, march to Terra!"