Malcador's Plan Meets a Setback Before It Has Properly Begun
Sol System, Angry Vanguard.
The Adeptus Custodes Arcatus Vendix Centorio, stood on the bridge, watching his golden-armored colleague Ludivicus, approach.
"By order of the Seal Sigillite, arrest Balthasar Kuturi."
"He has never used Psionic Energy since being removed from the Varia Superior's Librarian."
"That's not important. What's important is the order of the Sigillite," Ludivicus emphasized.
"I understand. Arrest Balthasar Kuturi immediately."
Inside the dark cabin, Balthasar Kuturi, the former Chief Librarian of the "Raven Guard" think tank, sat cross-legged, draped in a long black robe.
Suddenly, hurried footsteps sounded, followed by rapid knocking at the door.
As a cold mist filled the air, the door slid open.
"Imperial Fists" Company Commander Noritz appeared at the door. "Balthasar, the Adeptus Custodes is here to arrest you."
A thought struck Balthasar: [A test for the Sigillite?]
Just as our Lord prophesied.
He stood up. "Why are you telling me?"
"You upheld the honor of Astartes during the Deliverance Rebellion and made no Error in the Operation Gnosis; you should not be unjustly punished."
Noritz stepped aside, and Balthasar walked past him.
"Grateful."
Balthasar started running towards the flight deck.
He did not use his prophetic abilities, not because he was not good at it.
He is not known for his prophetic abilities. Since becoming the "Baron of Corruption," he has focused on the field of telekinesis, which he has mastered by utilizing the Rule Line, "force," and "Geometry."
However, prophecy still greatly helps in escaping at this time.
After all, the Adeptus Custodes has a limited number of personnel, and while they are arresting him, they can only block off a portion of the helipad.
He does not use prophecy because of the Black Emperor's oracle.
He had completely abandoned his identity as Raven Guard, ever since his father removed him from his position Chief Librarian and handed him over to the Adeptus Custodes.
He has fulfilled his duty as Raven Guard; from now on, he will serve only the Black Emperor.
Balthasar's Spirituality was suddenly stirred; a familiar presence was right ahead.
He looked around and then walked over to a Cogitator.
Balthasar a forceful pull, accompanied by the crackling of electric sparks, the Cogitator was lifted up.
The "Baron of Corruption" twisted his waist and back, using his arms to violently fling the Cogitator away.
Arcatus raised his Guardian Spear to meet the oncoming Cogitator.
Sizzle!
The friction of the golden combat boots generated sparks, leaving two deep grooves on the deck.
Arcatus ducked, but the impact still sent him sliding backward.
A look of surprise flashed in his eyes beneath the helmet. The Adeptus Custodes was a perfect creation meticulously crafted by the Emperor, and its power surpassed that of the Astartes, not to mention that Balthasar was Librarian.
Arcatus pressed the Runic Rune, and the force field roared, blasting the Cogitator into a pile of debris.
He looked at Balthasar, who had suddenly appeared before him. Balsa was not wearing armor, yet he was taller and stronger than any of the Raven Guard.
Bang!
A fist, as big as a cannonball, slammed into the golden armor, Auramite Armor and sending debris flying in the wind.
[He's so strong even with his bare hands?]
The Guardian Spear swept across, cleaving Balthasar in two.
Balthasar ducked down and bumped into Arcatus in the chest.
The Adeptus Custodes's chest caved in, and Arcatus was sent flying backward.
In Arcatus's world, the fist is getting closer and closer.
Crack!
With a loud bang, a Spear thrust diagonally toward Balthasar.
Balthasar twisted his body to avoid Ludivicus's attack.
Arcatus took a deep breath, suppressing the excruciating pain in his chest with his willpower, and swung his Guardian Spear.
The blade hovered over Balthasar's head.
Balthasar clenched his fists, the Black Emperor's oracle echoing in his mind.
He loosened his fists and surrendered.
Terra, deep within the Imperial Palace.
Malcador held a scepter, looking down at the former curator of the "Raven Guard" Chief Librarian standing below the long steps.
"Balthasar Kuturi, you have perfectly passed the test I set for you."
"The willpower you displayed under extreme pressure is exactly the quality I admire."
"The Legion's Librarian is full of powerful Psyker, many of whom are stronger than you in Psionic Energy, but are loyal and powerful."
Willpower makes the best Warrior.
He descended the long steps and came before Balthasar.
"Rest assured, if I see Corax, I will tell him that you will not be returning to the Raven Guard Legion, but I have no doubt that you will continue to serve excellently."
"For whom does the Sigillite serve?"
Malcador turned and raised his right hand.
His palm glowed with a ghostly green light as he aimed it at a hidden door beside the long staircase.
Click.
The hidden door opens.
Balthasar turned his head and saw Yumojin, the Chief Librarian of the "Salamanders" think tank, walking out of the door.
He had met Yumojin once, during the trial of the Black Emperor for blasphemy in Nikaea.
He and Yumojin once stood side by side before the Black Emperor, like two guardian knights beneath a divine throne.
The current Yumojin is completely different from before; his armor no longer bears the legion's insignia, displaying its original gray color.
"Yumojin will explain everything to you."
Malcador turned and left, walking out the door and looking at his chosen one approaching.
"Lemuel, have you found Fel Zarost and Severian?"
"The Sigillite." Lemuel Gaumon bowed respectfully.
After Nagase Yasushi, the chief elector of Malcador, and Promus, the former Chief Librarian of the Ultramarines, died at the hands of the Thousand Sons and their Primarch Promus, he was brought before the Sigillite and became the new elector.
He had considered changing his name to Promus in memory of his deceased friend, but Marika's image lingered in his mind.
He still has a wife; he can't completely abandon the past.
Lord Nimrod had personally told him that he would see Marika again.
"I searched every inch of Arabi's underground, but found no trace of the Night Lords's activity."
"I searched every path leading from Mount Rakaposhi to Terra, but found no trace of the Luna Wolves."
The Sigillite gazed into the distance, "Dorn agent?"
"I did indeed encounter Dorn Dorne's agents—"
They engaged in open and covert struggles, uncovering each other's dark secrets; his hands were stained with the blood of hundreds of loyal followers.
But I don't think so.
The Sigillite nodded, acknowledging Lemuel's assessment.
Lemuel once incorporated a fragment of Magnus, which was eventually separated by the Thousand Sons, but Magnus's vast knowledge was imprinted on him.
In my mind.
His will, mind, and insight were also transformed under the reshaping of the Primarch gene.
There are many ordinary agents under Thames, but Lemuel is undoubtedly the best.
Like Lemuel and Balthasar, Yumojin was a pillar of the Imperium of Man in the future plan he constructed after his divination.
Fel Zarost and Severian were originally two of them, but his plan encountered setbacks before it even got off the ground.
He predicted that there were eight most suitable candidates, two of whom were completely out of his sights.
Beep----
Malcador's Communicator rang, and when he answered it, Dorn's voice came through.
"Jaghatai is back."
Malcador detected a barely perceptible tremor in Dorn's rock-like voice.