Seizing the Opportunity, the Idea of Controlling the Forging World Emerges

When the Shadow of the Throne arrived in the Sol System, before Nimrod had even gone to Mars, he received a request for a meeting from Malcador.

After landing at the Eternity Gate starport, he headed to the Imperial Palace.

Nimrod entered the administration hall and noticed that, in addition to Malcador, who was wearing a gray robe and holding a long staff decorated with Aquila, there was also a Tech-priest wearing a red robe.

"Nimrod, welcome. You astutely detected the crisis of Osiris's rebellion and offered assistance before the 13th Legion's suppression fleet was completely annihilated."

"I'd like to know, what's the current situation in Osiris?"

"Sigillite, my legion has ended the Xenos in Osiris," Nimrod replied.

"Eleven star systems have returned to the Imperium's embrace, and I accept the demands of the newly formed human government, freed from Xenos enslavement, to provide them with refuge."

"I have faith in your legion; they can restore order to the region," Malcador said confidently.

"Let me introduce you to Ruben, the Envoy Magos from Mars, who brings the request of the Fabricator-General."

Nimrod looked at Ruben.

What would Mars' demands be?

"Ruben greets you," according to the Sage's standards, Ruben has undergone relatively few mechanical modifications, and to facilitate diplomatic activities with various forces, he still uses his fragile flesh and blood vocal cords.

"Chosen God of All Machines, you have brought back the divine template." Ruben placed what he considered the most important title above all others.

"The Primarch of the 'Shadow of Order,' The Monarch of Vostonia, the Purifiers of the Ork..." Ruben recited Nimrod's title in standard High Gothic with intonation.

"Lord Nimrod."

"Envoy Magos, it is a pleasure to meet you." Nimrod looked at Ruben inquiringly, waiting for him to make a request.

"The Forge World Incaladion, ravaged by civil war, desperately awaits your salvation."

Nimrod seemed lost in thought, Incaladion.

I remember the Fourth Legion nearly exhausted its front-line troops at Incaladion.

Later, Perturabo, upon his return, deemed his performance insufficient and subjected him to Decimation.

He thought of Lucius, whom he had visited before. [Every Forge World is Iron Fortress; has the Old Man in Yellow chosen his Pegasus again—I'm here to tackle this tough nut?]

Seeing that Nimrod remained silent, Ruben immediately spoke up, saying, "The Mechanicum Skitarii will follow you to Incaladion."

"No need," Nimrod refused, recalling that the Fourth Legion, the Mars Mechanicum Skitarii, and the "Death Skull Titan" Legion had participated in the battle to recapture Incaladion.

However, Incaladion overlooked the Fourth Legion, which suffered the greatest losses, and regarded Mars as their liberator.

After Horus launched his rebellion, the Tiger Eye Titan Legions and the House Mordred immediately followed the Mars Fabricator-General and the Death Skull Titan Legion, firmly standing with the rebels.

The Fourth Legion fought a bitter two-year war in 842 and 843, making great sacrifices, but was ultimately completely forgotten, just like their father, Perturabo, was always overlooked.

I cannot refuse the Old Man in Yellow and Malcador's demands to attack Incaladion, but I will seek a proper return for the price I have paid.

I rescued Incaladion alone, so the xenophobic Incaladion, "Tiger Eye," and Mordred will only have one object of gratitude and loyalty: me.

With this in mind, Nimrod decided to turn the heavy responsibility entrusted to him by the Old Man in Yellow and the inevitable loss into an opportunity; he wanted to take control of Incaladion.

[Yes, I own several star systems centered on Catachan in the Ultima Segmentum, and I also effectively control eleven star systems in Osiris. In the future, I also have territories such as Sulekh, which require a Forge World to provide supplies.]

With the Fabricator-General in Incaladion already dead and the country weakened by nearly fifty years of civil war, it was at its most vulnerable.

This is an opportunity for me to completely control this Forge World.

Nimrod's eyes gleamed. Controlling a Forge World was no easy task, and besides its own military strength, Mars would not stand idly by.

In the past, even if Nimrod had this idea, it would have been difficult for it to come to fruition.

Incaladion is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, it is weak and powerless, and he is in charge of suppressing the rebellion, which allows him to legitimately take control of the entire Forge World before any intervention.

Incaladion xenophobic, even after the reconquest, he resisted other forces and remained loyal only to the one who had saved it.

Thinking of this, Nimrod spoke up amidst the astonished gazes of the Sigillite and the Envoy Magos.

"My legions can quell the internal strife in Incaladion."

Ruben's face lit up with joy; no need for Mars to activate the Mechanicum Custodians.

"Lord Nimrod, I have long admired your reputation, and meeting you today confirms that it is indeed well-deserved."

The Sigillite also smiled, "Nimrod, your father will be happy to hear this news."

"Lord Nimrod, please allow me to remind you that the new Gloriana-class Battleship built for you has been completed and is awaiting your delivery," Ruben said kindly.

"Thank you for reminding me. I came to the Sol System precisely to receive it."

Nimrod then returned to the Shadow of the Throne.

On the way to Mars, he gave instructions to Arsena Dunn.

"The Emperor has entrusted me with the task of quelling the Incaladion."

"In addition to the First Chapter and 7th Legion Battle Chapters of the Ultima Segmentum, the 11th Chapter which follows me, and the Fourth Legion which came to take over the Gloriana-class Battleship, the 5th Legion is being dispatched to Incaladion to participate in the battle."

"Summon the 'War Griffons'." To ensure that Incaladion's gratitude and loyalty are directed towards himself, he can only summon loyal allies.

The "Dark Fire" is closely related to the "Lord of Destruction" who follows Horus, and since it will take time to fully subdue it, it is excluded first.

He chose the "Void Walker" to fight alongside the Legion in the "First Rangdan War".

Nimrod hoped that the Crown of Miracles of Graia and the Titan Legions Morning Light would play a role in the Second Rangdan War.

Based on the upcoming Legion wars, he decided to recruit the "War Griffons" to participate in the war.

"Yes, my lord." The Primarch's Attendants immediately relayed the Primarch's command after leaving the palace.

After the Shadow of the Throne docked at the Mars starport, Nimrod stepped off the deck and met Adams, who was waiting for him.

"My lord." Adams's voice rarely carried such excitement; he was the second chapter Chapter Master in the legion to acquire the Gloriana-class Battleship.

"Adams, this is the honor you deserve."

"Lord Nimrod," Sage from the Adeptus Mechanicus approached, a synthesized Sonic Array emanating from his mask.

"Assets // Gloriana-class Battleship / Length 24.17 km / Mass 134.52 MW."

"According to contractual obligations, at the current time, Mars may provide Nimrod Primarch with the means to fulfill the treaty. Please confirm whether you accept the transfer."

"Accept the handover," Nimrod said to Adams. "Go and receive your warship, my Death Lord."

"Yes, my lord." Adams led his Chapter to begin taking delivery of the Gloriana-class Battleship.

Fourteen days later, Shadow of the Throne and the Gloriana-class Battleship, which Adams named Death Wither and Wither, set sail for Incaladion.

Ultima Segmentum, Incaladion.

The grid of stars burst into light, and a gap was torn in the vacuum.

A dazzling mist and magnificent lights burst forth as ships surged from nothingness into reality.

First came dozens of ships, then hundreds.