"Trickster"

After rescuing the Knight World of Dametus, Nimrod sets off back to Mezoa to prepare for the decisive battle against the core of the Mitu — the Manache system.

The 5th Legion was left behind to help the Knights of Veroni cleanse the Mitu had fled to the mountains.

When Santiago Bergkamp led his five squads into the forest, the first thing they encountered was not the Mitu Xenos, but the Xenos monsters that Dametus had driven into the forest.

For centuries, the Knights of Dametus had struggled to resist the attacks of the Mitu, unable to send young knights to hunt dangerous monsters as they had in the past.

Nourished by the darkness, the Xenos monsters have grown stronger once more, preparing to launch an attack on the knights and reclaim the world that rightfully belongs to them.

When the Shadow of Order were still hundreds of meters from the edge of the forest, they keenly spotted the monster dwelling inside the hollow branches of a rotting tree.

"Attack!" Santiago gave the order, Shadow of Order raised their Bolter and unleashed a barrage of bullets at the monsters they thought were undetected.

The Adamantine Warhead easily pierced the rotting tree trunk; the explosion and the excruciating pain shattered the cephalopod monsters' plan to ambush them, tearing apart their arched shells.

Large sections of tree trunks on the inner side shattered, and hordes of head-and-legged monsters emerged from them.

The Shadow of Order thus gained a clearer view of their appearance: they were humanoid in shape overall, but their arms and legs were brachiopods, and their heads resembled those of an octopus.

They immediately recalled that Knight Dametus had mentioned that there were monsters in the area that resembled hybrids of cephalopods and mammals.

The knights of Dametus called them Nords because the sound they made when they spat ink resembled the High Gothic word "Nord."

The Nords opened their mouths, emitting strange cries of the same name, and spewed out large amounts of ink to cover their retreat.

Santiago raised his staff and infused it with Psionic Energy.

The inlaid Fire Dragon Rune shone brightly, and molten flames shot into the sky, burning large swaths of black ink to ashes.

The Shadow of Order strode forward, launching a fierce attack on the terrified, fleeing cephalopods.

After the battle, Santiago drew his own crafted dagger, a tool for Reaping materials, and carefully selected and cut off the intact tissues.

A Shadow of Order, bewildered, asked:

"Lieutenant, what are you collecting these for?"

"Father," Santiago addressed him, making it clear that he was referring to the Primarch, "One of his greatest hobbies was appreciating all sorts of strange and unusual things."

"The dangerous Catachan Brain Leaf and Mordian's Golden-Rimmed Sun Flower were both highly favored by him."

"When I was fortunate enough to serve as a member of the Honor Guard, I encountered all sorts of strange things during battles, and I would always collect them."

"The Nords can spit ink; you see, the upper half of their lips is red, but the lower half is black. I think Father might be interested."

Upon hearing this, the Shadow of Order's eyes flashed, and he drew his combat sword from his waist.

"I'll help too."

Apart from the Shadow of Order responsible for guarding the area, everyone else sprang into action.

Santiago then ordered the troops to rest, and with two pairs of Nords lips still attached, he left the perception range of the Shadow of Order.

He took out a ritual knife, created a Spirituality atmosphere, and began to pray to the Black Emperor.

Although there was no altar here, Santiago received the gift twice, and he completed the ritual in faith, offering the two lips in his hands as a sacrifice.

"The Black Emperor of the Shadow of Order"

I pray for Your watchful gaze.

I pray for Your favor.

I offer you the sacrifice I hold in my hand.

Without scales or the "Iron Law of the Monarch," the Trickmaster " finished his first recitation after reaching the "offering" and began to repeat it a second time.

He had just recited it for the third time when black mist churned before his eyes, and a mysterious gate appeared out of thin air.

A fierce wind surged within the Wall of Spirituality, and two pairs of Nords lips flew through the gate.

In the Fourth Layer Space of the "Nation of Disorder," Nimrod saw the pair of lips and immediately recognized them as a pair of Nords lips, a potion ingredient for the "Hanged Man" Pathway, Sequence 9 "Secrets Suppliant."

He hadn't expected this unexpected gain; his Spirituality immediately spread, conveying his will.

"I am very interested in the lips of the Nords. You, in the name of Royal Court, have requested Carlo to order their collection."

Although Carlo is the Chapter Master, he is Sequence 9 "Lawyer" and is merely a Knight in the Royal Court.

Santiago, however, was the only lord of the 5th Legion and was Nimrod's most favored candidate.

The Royal Court, established nearly thirty years ago, has already taken root in the Shadow of Order.

Unaware of the Royal Court's titles, the Shadow of Order gather around the Royal Court members and obey their commands when their commander falls in battle.

If two members of the Royal Court are present, they will be selected based on their Chapter command rank first. If they are of the same rank, the Royal Court title will be used as the basis for determining the commander.

Lower-ranking Royal Court Acolyte would also consult with those of higher rank when formulating tactics and other strategies.

Santiago's influence in the 5th Legion was not limited to his position as adjutant; when he formally sent a request, Carlo would generally accept it if it did not affect the Chapter Master's decision.

On the surface of the Moon II of Planet Dametus III, Santiago, kneeling on one knee, spoke, "As you command, my lord."

Santiago rose, pierced the Spirituality atmosphere with a ritual knife, switched communication channels, and sent a message to Carlo.

He did not make the request directly in his Royal Court title, but rather in a more conciliatory personal capacity.

"My lord, the Nords' lips are half red and half black; my father would be interested in them."

"I think you should issue an order requiring the Shadow of Order to begin the search."

Several seconds later, Carlo's voice rang out.

I accept your offer.

Santiago then returned to his group, and five days later, during a resupply, he confirmed that the Chapter had already begun its requisitioning.

The Nords's lips were neatly placed into a cooling box and transported by a transport ship to a warship in the void.

After resupplying, Santiago led five squads into the forest from another area.

The terrain in this area is swampy, and a squad from his company had previously lost contact.

The company commander issued an order requiring the company to enter the area to search for and rescue their comrades and to engage any enemy forces that might launch an attack.

Following the company commander's instructions, Santiago arrived at the marker and entered the forest.

The Shadow of Order stepped into the swamp and trudged forward.

After twenty-seven minutes of helmet-based timer activation, Santiago stopped, his gaze deep, and activated his "Warp Vision."

He saw creatures slowly rising from the swamp.

"Prepare for battle!"

As soon as Santiago gave the order, a figure three times the size of an ordinary Nords leaped out.

He uttered a strange voice, a psychological shock echoing in the minds of those under the Shadow of Order: "I am God! Surrender!..."

All the Shadow of Order paused, and Santiago felt a mental stab pierce his mind.

He immediately recalled that the knights of Dametus had mentioned that among the Nords were Xenos who claimed to be gods, and that these most Malice creatures possessed the ability to communicate and demanded obedience from newcomers.

Other races and travelers who had come to this world were manipulated by them, and they also attempted to control the knights.

Santiago immediately ascended to the second level of Thelema's Mindset, his spine emitting dazzling light, and he roared:

"Wide awake!"

Santiago's voice echoed in the minds of the Shadow of Order, dispelling the Nords' Psionic Energy control.

The "Trickmaster" raised his hand and swung it at the Nords, "Flash" striking the Nords's eyes.

He had been hiding in the swamp, never having seen the light, and his eyes were stinging.

With another wave of his hand, the "Trickmaster" conjured a dark Black Veil that enveloped him and his opponent.

A smirk played on his lips. "[Not only can you guys spray ink, I can create a 'Black Veil' too.]"

The "Trickmaster" rushed into the "Black Veil," and as he raised his hand, a loud bang was heard.

The Nords's hearing was disturbed, and he turned and walked toward the direction from which the sound came.

The "Trickmaster" felt as if his body was dissolving slightly while he was performing his magic tricks.

Santiago wasn't just doing it for the trick; his "Warp Vision" detected a rift in the Nords's back.

He had been injured; that was his weakness.

In order to penetrate his bloated exterior, the "Trickmaster" decided to mislead him.

The "Trickmaster" swiftly appeared behind the Nords, raised his arm, pressed it against the corresponding spot on the wound, and unleashed an "Electric Shock."

Unlike other magic tricks, the "Electric Shock" cannot leave the body.

The Nords's body trembled violently, and electricity coursed through his body.

With a loud bang, the wound that had been healed by Psionic Energy burst open.

The Nords let out a cry of pain, and the corpse crashed heavily to the ground.

Just as Santiago had killed the Nords leader, his Communicator suddenly beeped.

After the call was connected, the voices of the guards came through.

"The company commander has been killed in action; the Mitu have launched a surprise attack."

Santiago exited the Thelema Mindset and switched to the Mindset created by Magnus, calming his anger and sorrow.

He gathered information from the company's communication channel to sort out his thoughts.

First, a small squad was ambushed and wiped out.

After the company entered, several squads were attacked, Mitu took the opportunity to launch a surprise attack on the company commander.

Could it be that the Mitu and Nords have joined forces?

Santiago's gaze sharpened. [Even without an alliance, they've reached some kind of tacit understanding to deal with us simultaneously.]

He exited his Mindset state and saw that the five squads had wiped out all the Nords had attacked, so he gave the order.

"Follow me to avenge the company commander."

As the higher-ranking of the two adjutants, he was obligated to avenge the company commander and rebuild the company.

Santiago led his team toward the direction of the Honor Guard.

The team advanced rapidly and quickly arrived at the battlefield.

Santiago immediately saw that, apart from the pair of arms that allowed the Mitu Xenos to walk, its other three pairs of arms each held a whip more than two meters long, which resembled the swaying of a python.

Having been trained as a Psionic Energy craftsman and now being the 5th Legion's most outstanding craftsman, he immediately recognized the six whips as Psychic Weapon.

According to the Mitu, these are Arcane Weapons, created by combining weapon forging, Psionic Energy arts, and biotechnology.

As Santiago pondered, the company commander's guards angrily launched an attack on the Mitu Xenos.

The Mitu's six arms swung rapidly, the energy field crackling, and the explosives were detonated by Psionic Energy before they could reach his body.

He suddenly lashed out with his whip, striking one of the guards.

With a loud bang, the Power Armor was torn apart.

Just as he raised his other arm, ready to strike with the whip, the "Trickmaster" charged forward at lightning speed, and he pushed him forward with all his might.

Through the Eyepiece, a gale equivalent to level eight suddenly appeared out of nowhere, and the Xenos, caught off guard, was blown around by the "wind," causing the sea anemone's body to sway.

The whip grazed the guards' bodies and slammed to the ground.

With a wave of his hand, the "Trickmaster" caused a mist to rise between him and the Mitu Xenos.

After regaining his footing, Mitu saw the mist and spun rapidly, whipping his whip quickly.

The dense shadows made it impossible to get close.

When the "Trickmaster" was five meters away from the Mitu, he stopped and pointed at the Xenos's feet.

Mitu's feet seemed to be covered in grease; he slipped and fell heavily to the ground.

Santiago slung his staff over his shoulder, drew his Archaeotech Pistol, and fired the Psionic Energy bullets he had created at the Xenos.

With a loud bang, the sea anemone's body was blasted into a pool of blood mist.

The "Trickmaster" raised his hand and, with his remaining Spirituality, used "wind" to disperse the "Fog Creation."

He silently thought to himself, feeling that he had gained even greater control over the power of the "Trickmaster".

Although my individual magic tricks aren't particularly strong, effective combinations can be used to defeat powerful enemies.

As Santiago pondered this, another adjutant who had arrived at the scene spoke up.

"The company commander was killed in action, and Santiago avenged him. He was also favored by his father and should rightfully be appointed commander."