Malcador's Request, Nimrod's Condition
In the banquet hall, Terra's finest chefs presented the Primarch with delicacies prepared from ingredients sourced from across the Galaxy.
The moment the chef lifted the silver lid, the rich aroma of black truffles collided with the tenderness of the steak, filling the air with fragrance.
Roasted pork knuckle and Wagyu beef sat opposite each other on a porcelain plate, the marbling of the five-year-old ham resembling neat Geometry.
Caviar was sprinkled onto the salty sea urchin, instantly creating a miniature monsoon in the central air conditioning duct.
Nimrod sat on his throne, savoring the delicacies.
The Primarch was enjoying the feast for his taste buds, while the many officials and nobles attending the banquet, though wanting to speak with him, could only wait for an opportunity.
Nimrod listened to Malcador talk about the progress of the "Great Crusade" and responded to his questions.
He noted that Malcador mentioned that Horus suddenly accelerated his pace of conquest after parting ways with him.
The Luna Wolves employs less diplomacy and peace, and more rapid strikes to conquer newly discovered worlds.
[It seems to be secretly competing with me.]
There's really no need for that; I have no intention of comparing my battle record with Luna Wolves.
I will dedicate a portion of my Legion Warrior to the conquest of the world, so the Primarch's first-place victory is still yours, the Warmaster's position is yours, and you were chosen by the Four Ruinous Powers.
While Nimrod was pondering, Malcador suddenly changed the subject.
"The glorious achievements of the Great Crusade are inseparable from the efforts of the people of Terra. The talented young men selected from Hive City have ensured the steady increase in the numbers of each legion."
"According to statistics, the average working hours of the people of Terra have increased by 19.34 percent. It is thanks to their sacrifices and the supplies provided by the various Forge World that the Great Crusade was able to proceed smoothly."
"..."
Nimrod slightly, offering no comment.
"This is a sacrifice of honor."
Malcador remained silent for a moment, seemingly surprised by the Primarch's indifferent response.
His gaze was deep, and after a moment of contemplation, he spoke in an appreciative tone.
"I have heard that the world under your rule, Nimrod, is prosperous and thriving, which is admirable."
Nimrod seemed to understand what Malcador meant when he heard this.
"I hope that Vostonia can become an important supply hub in the surrounding area, ensuring the resupply of fleets passing through."
As the "Great Crusade" progressed and the Imperial Palace entered a phase of full-scale construction, Malcador felt the increasing pressure on his shoulders, which added another wrinkle to his face.
Upon seeing the intelligence reports on Vostonia's prosperity, especially its explosive growth in industrial capacity, he immediately realized that if Nimrod were willing to provide nearby supplies for the "Great Crusade," the pressure would be greatly reduced.
The officials and nobles exchanged bewildered glances, realizing that Chancellor Malcador was using this public occasion—an opportunity Primarch the Primarch to gain honor and praise—to force him to agree.
If the Primarch gene disagrees, it will be accused of disregarding the bigger picture.
"Vostonia's current situation is the result of the hard work of its people; it was not easy."
"Furthermore, I will be undertaking large-scale development in the other worlds that the Legion has reclaimed, and this has been approved by the Emperor."
Upon hearing this, everyone turned their gaze to Malcador, whose face, hidden beneath his hood, was shrouded in mystery, making it difficult to discern his features.
Just when Malcador thought Nimrod would refuse, the Primarch suddenly spoke up.
"Despite the many difficulties facing Vostonia, I am willing to contribute more to the 'Great Crusade' and shoulder some of the supply burden, but I have one request."
Nimrod naturally wanted to get some benefits. He remembered that during the "Great Crusade," the main supply responsibility was borne by the Forge World of the various Adeptus Mechanicus, in addition to the worlds conquered by Terra and the Emperor and non-Legion fleets, which were directly under the control of the Imperium.
It wasn't until the Emperor initiated the "Webway Project" and Malcador took charge of all political affairs that he began to determine the taxes that each world should pay.
This move, Malcador's other policies, provoked the resentment and resistance of almost all Legiones Astartes, who viewed the tax collectors as Vulture.
After Horus stole his Anathame from Erebus, causing his diplomatic failure with Interex to fail, the Warmaster instructed his men to delay him.
The Warmaster, having discerned the flaws in the tax system, spoke frankly about them.
"The Council of Terra has placed a heavy burden on the shoulders of the emerging worlds, which may be enough to crush them. Taxation is premature, too broad, and extremely harsh. Many worlds will resist, leading to widespread riots."
"If the peasants we conquer hear that there is a new master, they will simply shrug and accept it silently. But if the peasants we conquer hear that they have to hand over one-fifth of their income, they will surely pick up pitchforks."
Thus, when Horus betrayed them, he garnered support from many worlds when he proclaimed the call to overthrow the tyranny of Terra.
In fact, the Legiones Astartes, designed as a weapon of war, had no obligation to supply the Imperial Fleet; they were the ones receiving supplies.
Even in the future, the homeworlds of each Space Marine Chapter will be tax-free, with the only thing to be surrendered being Gene-seed.
However, Nimrod agreed to Malcador's request and took on additional responsibility.
On one hand, it stems from his confidence in the world's production capacity under his control, his Shadow of Order, and the Beyonder he has cultivated.
On the other hand, the supply fleet will also bring more local specialties, giving him the opportunity to obtain more potion ingredients, and he will take corresponding measures.
Malcador was taken aback when he heard this; Nimrod had actually agreed. A glint of shrewdness flashed in his eyes.
"Nimrod, what do you want? Just say it."
"My fleet needs a resupply point in the Solar Segmentum. One of my Psyker, Malena Skala, divined a world whose fate is intertwined with mine: Necromunda."
Necromunda is the largest Hive World in the future Imperium, containing thousands of Hive City and a production capacity comparable to several, or even dozens, of Hive World or civilized worlds combined.
If Nimrod can conquer Necromunda, it will not only gain a strategic foothold in the Solar Segmentum, but the production capacity gained will also be able to largely offset the consumption.
As for the prophecy, it was, of course, a reason fabricated by Nimrod, an excuse he found to know about this undiscovered world.
"But she couldn't divine the star map to this world," Nimrod, looking at Malcador. "I've heard you're a powerful Psyker; I hope you can offer me Revelation."
Malcador hadn't expected that Nimrod's request was simply to deduce the star map leading to Necromunda, something he could do, and was even easier than improving his supply capabilities, which couldn't be improved in the short term.
"No problem. Come to the Astropathic Chamber tomorrow, and I will perform a divination for you."
"After that, we'll discuss and finalize the scope of the supply."
Feeling slightly relieved of the pressure, Malcador couldn't help but smile genuinely. He stood up and raised his glass.
"Gentlemen, let us raise a toast to the generosity of the Primarch and to the sacrifices of the people of Vostonia."
"The Imperium will remember their sacrifices and contributions."
Numerous officials and nobles quickly raised their glasses, accompanying the two most powerful men in the Imperium as they drank the sweet wine.
The following day, Nimrod arrived at the Astropathic Chamber in the northeast corner of the Imperial Palace.