The Great Magos Rian Ramillies Joins the Fold

After preparing accommodations for the representatives of the Huangquan VIII in the reception area of Paragon City, Wojciech Belik headed to the Primarch's palace.

Moments later, he was led by Arsena Dunn to meet the Primarch.

"My lord, Huangquan VIII agrees to provide either Invisibility Shroud or Anti-Auspex device, based on the previous conditions. Your choice is yours."

Nimrod, recalling that the Tech Sergeant were studying the Aeldari's Cameleoline Cloak, said:

"I want Anti-Auspex technology."

He then looked at the Primarch's Attendants: "Select 'Lawyer' from the Honor Guard to form a negotiation team with the Tech Sergeant to discuss the details of the alliance with the Huangquan VIII."

During his discussions with the Tech-priest, Nimrod defined Wojciech as the "middleman." As Sage of the Adeptus Mechanicus, Wojciech was not the Shadow of Order and therefore unsuitable to represent him in negotiations.

After 23 Work Cycle of negotiation, Nimrod reviewed all the terms and conditions, examining them from a "Lawyer's" perspective, and then approved the agreement.

After five Work Cycle, the signing ceremony between "Shadow of Order" and Forge World: Huangquan VIII was held at the Primarch's Palace.

Four Tech-Priest dressed in red-trimmed black robes carried the Omnissiah Bell on their shoulders, while eight Tech-Priest carried incense burners on either side.

They chanted binary hymns and followed the Sage, dressed in dark gray robes, into the palace.

They were branded with the emblem of the Forge World the Huangquan VIII on their chests. The emblem consisted of four parts, from top to bottom: half of the Holy Gear, a variant of the letter A, a skull, and the number VIII.

The Sage in the dark gray robe stopped in his tracks, and Sonic Array synthesized sound from his mask rang out.

"This unit // Forge World Huangquan VIII Sage / Selhi -H25 / To the Primarch // King of Vostonia // Ruler of Necromunda // Ork Purifiers //..."

The Sage mechanically, without pause, recited the twenty-three titles precisely.

"Greetings, Lord Nimrod."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Sage Selhi," Nimrod replied with a smile.

Wojciech Belik, Sage of the Adeptus Mechanicus, a liaison authorized by the Primarch, and the person who connects the two parties in the transaction, stepped between them.

"In accordance with the voluntary will of both Lord Nimrod and Huangquan VIII, a friendly alliance has been reached."

The Primarch's Attendants unfurled the parchment, and the Tech-Priest retrieved the Data Slate. After both parties verified that everything was correct, the Primarch...

Nimrod and the Sage, representing the Fabricator-General, wrote their names and stamped their seals on two different carriers and four copies of the "Covenant between the Primarch Nimrod and the Forge World: Huangquan VIII".

Incense wafted through the air, Great Bell of the Omnissiah tolled.

Wojciech declared, "The God of All Machines bears witness to the covenant, Omnissiah blesses the agreement: never to be forsaken!"

After the signing ceremony, the Huangquan VIII crew left the palace, Wojciech reported to the Gene Primarch.

"My lord, I have received a message from the Great Sage Rian Ramirez. He requests to visit Vostonia and meet with you."

Upon hearing this, Nimrod narrowed his eyes slightly and fell into deep thought.

[Ramires, he should be commanding the Mechanicus Ark, exploring the Galaxy right now. What brings him to see me?]

He had previously offered to trade for Attack Moon, but I wasn't interested in his offer.

Now, the Attack Moon has been dragged away by the Forge World of Graia, and the reason he's looking for me is...?

Nimrod pondered for a moment without success. He knew little about Ramirez, and even his memory of him was only because of the powerful Star Fortress.

He thought with a touch of sarcasm, "[They can't be coming to me because they're about to do a divination and got their hands on the STC ahead of time.]"

Nimrod knew this was impossible; he had never mentioned it to anyone, and Ramirez couldn't possibly know.

"Tell Ramirez that I welcome the Great Sage."

Although Nimrod only knows that he discovered one technology of the Ramillies-class Star Fortress STC, he is very likely to discover other STCs and other technologies in the future.

After all, if a Sage is someone who possesses sufficient knowledge in a certain field and is widely recognized by Tech-priest, then Great Sage is a top scholar in that field.

Furthermore, Ramirez also owns a Mechanicus Ark.

In Nimrod's memory, three people in the Adeptus Mechanicus were considered geniuses in terms of technology during the "Great Crusade," and the Great Sage Ramirez was one of them.

The other two are the Sage Land, who discovered the Land Speeder and other STCs, and the Tech-Priest Malevolus, who forged armor for several Primarch.

As for Belisarius Cawl, his rise to power began with the Great Birthday Celebration.

"Yes, sir, I will convey your will to the Great Sage Ramirez," Wojciech then added.

"After being rejected by you, the Forge World Gryphonne IV has sent another message requesting a production license for the Belik Battle Tank."

Nimrod didn't mind authorizing a few more Forge World, as long as the other party could pay a sufficient price.

"Tell the Fabricator-General of Gryphonne IV Huangquan VIII if they provide technology of equal value, they will be granted authorization."

In the eleventh month of 825, the Mechanicus Ark Explorer arrived in the Vostonia System.

The Great Sage Ramirez, accompanied by Wojciech, traveled to the Primarch's Palace.

He was dressed in a red robe, his body devoid of flesh and blood, yet the mechanical voice he emitted was indistinguishable from that of a human, calm as a still pool of water.

"Rian Ramirez pays his respects to the Monarch of Vostonia."

"Great Sage, welcome." Nimrod smiled and nodded in return.

Ramirez's prosthetic eye stared at the Primarch for twelve seconds.

He examined the Primarch's physique and expression, and scrutinized his weapons and equipment.

His gaze lingered for a second each on the black armor, the Sword of Vaul, the silver Power Fist, and the Spear of Dionysus, and then for six seconds on the golden mechanical wings.

"Your achievements on the Wheel of Fire are truly remarkable. Capturing the Ork Attack Moon has brought a new direction forward for the followers of the God of All Machines."

"The sacred template you retrieved in Nova Polya proves that you are favored by the Omnissiah."

"Vostonia and Necromunda, under your rule, boast the highest production capacity in the entire Imperium."

"Cepra Mundy and Triken are even more comparable to the Forge World."

Nimrod accepted the Great Sage's praise with a smile, remaining calm as he thought to himself.

[Actually, Ramirez didn't mention much. Besides the STC that can be called heavyweight, I also have Bastion-class Energy Shield, Simulacrum Sanctum, Punishment-class Reactor, and Auto-recharging Void Shield.]

As for Cepra Mundy and Triken, they were originally the chosen Forge World of the Adeptus Mechanicus, but I intercepted them.

Of course, their current production capacity cannot compare with large Forge World such as Mars, Huangquan VIII, Graia, Lucius, and Tri-Phal, but it may indeed be comparable to newly established Forge World and those small Forge World that started at the same time.

Well, Ramirez shouldn't seem like he'd come all this way just to praise me, right?

While Nimrod was pondering, Ramirez continued.

"You are favored by the God of All Machines. Please allow me to stay by your side and help you retrieve the sacred template."

"My Mechanicus Ark Explorer will provide supplies for your Warrior in battle."

"My Skitarii will fight for you."

Nimrod was taken aback; he hadn't expected the Great Sage to have come to pledge allegiance to him.

He naturally wouldn't refuse such a top talent, and immediately stood up, saying kindly.

"Rian, welcome to the team."

"I have received news of the new Standard Template Construct. I will accompany you to retrieve Standard Template Construct."

Nimrod knew that the Great Sage was not yet completely loyal to him.

He had not discovered it for decades, but he himself had made a major discovery in a short period of time. He believed that following him would lead to the discovery of STC.

If you want to truly subdue him, you must show him the miracles of the God of All Machines and the new major discoveries of the STC.

[The Ramillies-class Star Fortress will ultimately be named after you!]

However, it was worth it.

The Great Sage's righteous eye flashed, and his Logic Engine spun rapidly.

The last time Nimrod discovered a Divine Template was two years and eleven Terra months ago.

Less than three years later, there's a new message about a sacred template // Impossible // Illogical // The probability is less than one in a billion.

Twelve seconds later, he concealed his doubts and spoke.

"Very well, I await your summons."