Flamini's Premonition

In the eighth month of 844, Flamini, who had just completed the Haemastamen implantation, used Psionic Energy to probe his own body.

More than two years have passed since the bone implantation; his long bones are clearly visible, and his thoracic cavity has ossified.

His ribs grew into bone plates, interlocking and overlapping, forming a unified whole, giving him a skeleton far superior to his peers, matched by bulging muscles all over his body.

Flamini clenched his fists and walked toward the training deck.

To acquire the superhuman powers inherited from the Primarch, one must undergo persistent training.

Flamini's mind conjured up the image of his Primarch, whom he had witnessed defeating the enemy in Manachia.

Flamini stopped in front of the weapons rack and picked up a single-edged axe.

Although he foresaw that he would use weapons like scepters in the future, he still needed to have a basic grasp of other weapons.

Flamini swung his axe, and a sharp whooshing sound filled the air.

He then twirled and played with the axe in his hand, the light reflecting off the blade and making it gleam.

Flamini held the axe across his chest, his left hand gently stroking the blade, as several disjointed images flashed through his mind.

He knew the weapon was made of fine steel, its blade's pronounced curve forged by the craftsmen of Vostonia.

After familiarizing himself with the weapons, Flamini walked toward the training cage.

He pressed the start button, and the metal door opened.

Flamini stepped into the training cage, raised his one-handed battle axe, and assumed a standard fighting stance.

The motionless Target Dummy suddenly came to life, its sharp blade spinning rapidly as it slashed down at him.

Flamini blocked out the hallucinations that flashed through his mind, relying solely on his physical senses to track the trajectory of the Target Dummy's weapon swings, and parried with his axe blade.

The training cage echoed with the loud clanging of metal.

Five minutes later, Flamini, having completed his one-handed axe defense practice, used the axe handle to block the blade. Before another blade could strike, he suddenly stepped forward, and the blade slashed at the Training Dummy.

Two hours later, Flamini, having finished all his training, returned to his cabin.

The cramped cabin contained a large bed that seemed disproportionate to his size.

Flamini picked up the Data Slate and reviewed the operation briefing.

[Target Planet: Segmentum Obscurus, Colonid Sector, Zhuya.]

The Mitu Xenos attacked Zhuya, resulting in the deaths of 174 miners.

In the last two Sun months, the Mitu launched a total of 29 attacks of varying sizes.

...]

Flamini Chapter for some time and already knew that the other Chapter had all left the area from the Coronid Abyss, which had been renamed the Colonid Sector District.

The Sixth Legion was ordered to remain in this area.

He also astutely learned that Zhuya's development was carried out at the behest of the Chapter Master Pascual.

Before leaving, the Primarch designated Judang Star and Abyss Port as key development areas, and their construction became the focus of the Colonid Sector district development.

[Zhuya was chosen by the Chapter Master to develop the city; besides the planet's abundant mineral resources, there may be other factors involved.]

Flamini had never met the Chapter Master and knew little about Pascual, so he put himself in the Chapter Master's shoes.

The Colonid Sector is vast, and the Chapter Master will surely feel the pressure of being given command.

The best way to prove it is to create a world of your own.

Zhuya is the perfect opportunity.

After making some guesses, Flamini turned his attention back to the Data Slate.

[Primary task: Your mission in this battle is to familiarize yourself with the battlefield environment under the guidance of your instructor.]

Secondary task: Due to the death of the 13th Company's Lexicanum, you are temporarily assigned to assume his duties.

Flamini put down the Data Slate, a hint of disappointment flashing in his eyes. He longed to swing his blade at Mitu and avenge his followers who had died at the hands of the Xenos and the hundreds of millions of humans.

But he also knew that since the modification surgery was not yet completed, he could only go to Zhuya to experience the atmosphere of the battlefield, and he could not even see the battle.

After fifteen standard ship days, the fleet arrived at Zhuya.

Upon arriving in Zhuya, Flamini, like the others undergoing transformation, was not given the opportunity to go to the surface.

Day 5, the warship's mess hall.

The Shadow of Order lined up to approach the servants who provided food, filling their large bowls with Amino Porridge.

Because none of them had received Preomnor implants, the Amino Porridge they received was diluted, resulting in significantly lower calories and nutritional value compared to what the instructors received.

Compared to the food distribution machines of many legions, the food eaten by the Shadow of Order members is slightly different each day.

Flamini believed that this was intentional on the part of the Primarch, ensuring that the Shadow of Order would not be separated from ordinary people and that people would have a better understanding of them.

He scrutinized the company's servants, noticing a distinct pride in the cook.

The chef called out with a smile, "Ladies and gentlemen, today we have mango salad for your meal."

"The Rogue Trader Lewis von Valerius's cargo ship delivers fresh fruit to the Monarch's children."

Flamini discovered the respect that the cooks and other servants held for them.

As he was observing the Chapter's servants, a modified being from Manachia, who was also familiar with Flamini, asked him a question.

"Flamini, any new news?"

When can we go to the surface?

Compared to the others, Flamini was well-informed. He took on some of the Lexicanum duties, and therefore revised the reports submitted by the company's Shadow of Order daily.

Since others dared not question the strict instructor, they naturally made him their target.

Everyone around him turned their attention to Flamini, hoping to get information from Flamini.

I think it will take some more time.

"We'll likely be allowed to get onto the surface only after the surface conditions stabilize and are assessed."

Upon hearing this, the crowd was somewhat disappointed, and the person who had asked him the question pressed for an answer, unwilling to give up.

"How much longer? Give me an approximate time."

Flamini was about to refuse when a picture suddenly flashed through his mind: him walking onto the flight deck, with the timer above his head.

"Fifteen days later."

"That's great!" Flamini's words drew enthusiastic cheers from the crowd.

They only stopped shouting when they noticed the instructor's sharp gaze fixed on them.

Flamini sensed the probing intent in the instructor's gaze.

[The instructors are unaware of this information yet.]

A moment later, Flamini scooped up the juice with a spoon and put it in his mouth along with the pulp.

The ripe mango flesh is as soft and juicy as honey, melting in your mouth, and paired with crumbly nuts for a multi-layered taste experience.

Flamini's eyes narrowed slightly, revealing an expression of enjoyment.

He lived in exile in the sewers, feeding on fungal rats.

Only after becoming a candidate for the Shadow of Order can one occasionally eat vegetables, fruits, and other food.

Fifteen days later, the landing gear was lowered, and Flamini stepped off the landing craft, following his instructors toward the mining area.

Based on the company's tactical briefing, he knew that this mining area was newly opened by Zhuya, and compared to areas where attacks would yield greater results, the possibility of this area being attacked was lower.

Moreover, this place is located behind the front line, and the company has obviously assessed it as having a low risk, so only five instructors and veterans were assigned to guard it.

As Flamini pondered, a rumbling sound rang out, and a dozen metal machines emerged from the ground.

A giant drill pierced the earth's surface, and countless elliptical spheres enveloped in flames pulverized the rock.

A Terran-born instructor looked around them and began to introduce them.

That's Termite Drill, typically used for digging tunnels.

"Phase Shield Generator allow them to drill underground, and Melta Cutter pulverize the rock."

He paused for a moment, then continued:

"It can also be used to launch surprise attacks on enemy rear areas, appearing directly behind enemy lines."

During the "Imperium" Unification Wars, the "Salamanders"...

"Yes, back then they were called the 18th Legion. During the 'Storm Corridor' campaign, they used Termite Drill to launch a surprise attack on the governor's mansion in the Caucasian Wastes."

He paused here, his expression turning serious, and said:

"They encountered a large number of Sentinel robots in the underground corridor. Although they completed their mission, only 1,000 out of 20,000 people survived."

"While this isn't a failure, it serves as a reminder that we must consider all aspects more carefully before employing any tactic."

After listening to the instructor's words, everyone fell into deep thought.

Flamini suddenly had an image flash through his mind, and then he spoke:

"Instructor, the Mitu are launching a surprise attack along the tunnels they've opened."