Slau Dha and the Cult's Schemes

Nimrod flicked his wrist, delivering a backhand thrust using the second principle of the "Osberh-Waya" style.

The Dire Avenger Exarch swung his sword to block the attack, then unleashed a furious slash.

In a single moment, the two clashed more than ten times.

The Primarch was astonished to discover that the enemy, after blocking its attack, was actually able to launch a ferocious counterattack.

Nimrod deduced the other party's identity from his magnificent armor and the banner behind his head.

[The Dire Avenger Exarch]

"War Mask?"

Nimrod knew that in order to become a bishop of each War Shrine of the Craftworld Aeldari, one must master the ultimate Mystery of one's tribe and permanently accept the "War Mask."

The "War Mask" is not a real mask, but a Mindset.

Different paths require different Mindset. The Aeldari are immersed in a certain Mindset, just as they are immersed in a certain emotion, and from that Mindset to their skills.

Walking on the path is not only a way to hone the walker's skills, but also a way to cultivate the walker's inner self by using the Mindset as a template.

What Warrior need is anger; they must learn to "switch to war mode" during battle, unleash their anger, and use the art of killing.

They also need to learn to control their rage in times of peace and to hide it.

The "War Mask" is the Warrior's wartime mode, allowing the Aeldari to focus their energy on a state of rage and slaughter.

This state is not a second personality; they are still themselves and will not fall into a state of mindless rage, only knowing how to hack and slash.

They need to become "the Warrior within me," fully immersing themselves in the role of Warrior, thinking and acting like one.

After confirming the identity of the Dire Avenger Exarch and the means to counter him, Nimrod had an idea.

Although my Thales Mindset has begun to take shape, its application is limited to the realm of mental conflict.

I had planned to discuss my Mindset with Magnus after his return, and then expand on the topic to the realm of combat.

Now, however, is a good opportunity. At least in close combat, the "War Mask" is no less effective than the Mindset Magnus has cultivated, and may even be stronger.

Thinking of this, Nimrod decided to capture the Dire Avenger Exarch alive and obtain the "War Mask" and the Mystery of the Path of the Warrior and the Avenger's Way from him.

After he deciphers its Mystery, he will refine it into a version suitable for Astartes and humanity.

The Primarch, having thought of this, fixed his eyes on the Dire Avenger Exarch.

The Dire Avenger Exarch, enraged, felt a chill run down his spine. Before he could react, the Primarch pounced on him without warning.

He dodged to the side, swinging the hilt of his longsword downwards in an attempt to block the attack.

The Primarch twisted his wrist, pressing down on the Aeldari's blade, and used the second derivative technique of the "Osberh-Vaya" method he had deduced to aim directly at the Aeldari's arm.

The dark blue, charged sword pierced the arm of the Dire Avenger Exarch, unleashing a searing, excruciating pain.

The Aeldari Warrior, wearing a "War Mask," suppressed the excruciating pain of losing his right forearm with rage.

The Fierce Avenger launched a new salvo, using a spectrometer and Monofilament Dart to precisely distinguish between friendly and enemy targets at close range.

Taking advantage of the opportunity created by his subordinates' attack, the Dire Avenger Exarch desperately dodged backward, drawing his Power Lance from behind with his left hand and thrusting it at Nimrod.

Nimrod raised his left arm to shield his face, and Monofilament Dart shot out, striking the black armor.

He sensed the Honor Guard members approaching the battlefield behind him, Shadow of Order raised their Bolter and launched an attack on the Fierce Avenger.

The Warrior of Biye-Tan ignored the incoming bombs. They were known as the "Swordwind" and shared the belief that dying for the Craftworld was an honor. Their fighting spirit was unmatched among all the Craftworld.

Slau Dha Autarch, told them that to restore the glory of the Aeldari Empire, they must kill Nimrod and let the Monkey and the great enemy of Chaos perish together.

Nimrod keenly sensed that the Fierce Avenger regarded him as a Slaaneshi Daemon, and their attacks were furious and merciless.

Thinking of the Aeldari's prophecies, his mind raced.

[Is their target not Arenis, but me?]

As the Primarch thought this, his eyes flickered with light, and his Brainy Cat's black eyes also began to glow.

A vast amount of Warp energy converged and, along with the Primarch's consciousness, spread to the Aeldari.

The consciousness of the Primarch first crashed into the Mind Gate of the Dire Avenger Exarch, the burning phantom of a majestic deity.

[His devotion to Khaine, the God of Combat, and the burning rage behind the "Mask of the God of Combat."]

Nimrod seemed to be deep in thought, his consciousness bypassing the tough "hard nut to crack" and spreading towards the other Fierce Avenger.

Immediately, his consciousness seeped into the gate of the Fierce Avenger's burning rage.

A look of surprise flashed across Nimrod's eyes as the name Autarch Slau Dha appeared in his mind.

He remembered that Slau Dha Resurrect John Grammaticus, granted him the ability to become Perpetual, and made him a Cabal agent of the Cult.

Nimrod then saw another scene.

[What? I'll get the Spear of Dionysus? I've influenced the plan for humanity and Chaos to perish together?]

The Horus Heresy was not just a battle between rebels and loyalists, but also a struggle between humanity and Chaos, involving all factions in the Galaxy.

Cabal believes that the Chaos Gods have invested heavily in humanity, and that the Four Gods allowed the Emperor to steal the "fire," and that if humanity perishes, Chaos will perish as well.

Granmatikas was a key pawn in the Cabal, persuading the "Alpha Legion" for their cause.

Granmatikas also disguised himself as Archaeologist Kallen Sebaton and discovered a mysterious artifact known as the Fulgerite.

Grammatikas, carrying the Fulgerite capable of killing Perpetual, is tasked with killing the Primarch Vulkan, who could potentially disrupt the Cabal's plans.

Aeldari Farseer Eldrad Ulthran persuaded Gramaticas to believe that prophecies are not absolute and that humanity is on the front lines against Chaos.

Granmaticas ultimately sided with his own race.

And it all started with Autarch Slau Dha.

Nimrod's mind raced. He didn't want the Spear of Dionysus Horus, the god of the Four Gods.

In his opinion, it would be more in his long-term interest for the Old Man in Yellow to sit on the Golden Throne.

During the Horus Heresy, preserve your strength and seize as many benefits as possible.

But if the prophecies of Cabal come true, then he will wield the Spear of Dionysus to do something that will significantly impact the situation.

Nimrod also had a bad feeling, which was almost a prophecy for the Primarch.

The Old Man in Yellow didn't give me a chance to choose; he just forced the Spear of Dionysus on me.

During the "Horus Heresy," he would use Sympathetic Magic to devise a plan, assigning me a role to destroy the vessels of the Four Gods.

If I were to demonstrate my strength, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, even without considering the prophecy, the Old Man in Yellow might be capable of doing it.

This is possible, depending on my advancement to Sequence level, at Sequence point I, wielding the Spear of Dionysus, can rival Horus, the vessel of the Four Gods.

A cold glint flashed in Nimrod's dark eyes. Being manipulated and used as an obstacle to be eliminated filled him with anger.

After being dragged into the Warp by the Four Ruinous Powers and feeling powerless, he once again realized that he had to take control of his own destiny.

I don't want to be a pawn, I want to be a player.

He must become the "Black Emperor," he must ascend from the Great Old One, he must become Pillar!

The Primarch's eyes blazed with fury as he Flash Step before the Dire Avenger Bishop.

Even Khaine's mortal avatar, wearing the "War Mask," couldn't keep up with the Primarch's speed.

A flash of blue light, and the left arm holding the Power Lance was severed at the shoulder.

Wilshire and other members of the Honor Guard keenly sensed the anger of the Primarch.

They accelerated forward, launching a fierce attack on Biye-Tan's "Swordwind".

Even filled with rage, the Shadow of Order did not lose their composure; the beliefs forged by the Primarch in the Legion transformed their anger into power.

Regaining his composure, Nimrod channeled his Spirituality, activated the Power Fist, and golden light enveloped the Dire Avenger Exarch's body.

As the light faded, the extremely viscous, transparent liquid that had been flowing formed what appeared to be a giant amber, "Imprisonment" the Dire Avenger Exarch.

The Crimson Chain wrapped around Nimrod's right little finger shimmered, rapidly replenishing his depleted Spirituality.

He turned his gaze toward the governor's residence; he knew Slau Dha was there.

Slau Dha paid a heavy price just to lure herself into an ambush.

He also needs to think about how to deal with the future, and the most urgent thing is how to deal with Slau Dha.

[The Serpent's Trap, Sword of Vaul.]