I, Vashtorr, Truly Desire Progress

Although not at the same time, but in the same place, how could a member of the Second Imperium not hold a ceremony to swear allegiance?

Mordred led Mortarion into the Secret Room adorned with Legion banners, placed one foot on Mortarion's knee, and forced him to kneel before the Emperor's statue.

"Little Mo, now you're one of us. With the Death Guard joining us, our Second Imperium is truly thriving! Quickly kowtow to Master Huang."

Mortarion didn't believe in gods or ghosts, but what could he do when the Emperor was displayed on the altar? Kneeling before his father was perfectly justified.

Not cold or somber.

After prostrating himself, Mortarion took the incense and candles from his brother and placed them in the hands of the Emperor statue. However, seeing the neatly arranged banners of the various legions, Mortarion felt a little uneasy. It turned out he was the one who came later.

"Second Brother, something doesn't seem right. The Empire only has 20 legions, but you've listed so many here. Who among them isn't from our Second Legion?"

"Good question!" Mordred put his arm around Little Mo's shoulder and explained from left to right:

"Due to the special nature of its legion, Space Wolves and Atlas only have a cooperative relationship. However, Russ is a very good person. When you meet him in the future, don't be fooled by his appearance. This guy is very smart. They provided 20% of Atlas's stolen goods."

Even though he had just returned to the Legion, Mortarion knew about the Space Wolves, who were essentially the internal police of the Imperial Army. He never expected that they were all his people. The Second Imperium was truly not without its flaws.

"As for the second Salamanders, it's simpler. I wouldn't tell anyone else, but it's different for you, Little Mo. I'll give you a heads-up: the Salamanders was just there to make up the numbers."

"Score?"

Mordred nodded, explaining that starting a business was difficult, and they hung up the Salamanders flag to attract funding.

And he even drew the flag himself.

This explanation makes much more sense, since Mortarion remembers the Salamanders Banner as having a lizard head, while the one hanging in front of him looks more like a dog's head.

"But don't underestimate the Salamanders. Apart from being a bit slower than normal people in terms of reaction, their legion is extremely strong, and they are quite honest and loyal. It's just that Vulkan is a bit of a scoundrel."

Vulkan is a black-faced, black-hearted fellow. Not only does he love to tattle, but he also secretly keeps a diary. Do you keep a diary?

Mortarion shook his head, indicating that he never kept a diary; what respectable person would write their innermost thoughts in a diary?

"And the next few are even more important, they are core members of our Second Imperium."

"Since Chemos is relatively close to Serenity, the Son of the Emperor and Atlas have an excellent relationship. It's just that poor boy Fulgrim has been acting strangely lately, always sticking to Ferrus. You'd better not let him target you; he doesn't produce milk!"

Mordred might have some misunderstanding about him. This was the second time he had said he liked drinking milk. But before Mortarion could explain, Mordred dragged him toward another banner. "This big bat is the Night Lords of the Eighth Legion. Koz is our youngest brother, and he is currently studying for his primary school degree in Macragge."

Just treat it like a little kid. If you need anything, go and cooperate with Sevitar, the real Legion Commander of the Eighth Legion.

"As for the Iron Warriors, you've seen them too. They're the short guys mixed in with Atlas. Not only are they hardworking and diligent, but they're also top-notch at dust removal. Praise them a couple of times now and then, and you're guaranteed to gain a herd of chosen beasts."

But if you ever meet Perturabo again, whatever you do, don't mention her height. She hates it when people call her short.

This kind of mundane family life was quite enjoyable for Mortarion, who had never experienced familial affection. In comparison, the Yellow Skins that only knew how to send people on the Great Crusade right away was simply inhuman.

"As for the remaining few, the Blood Angels, like you, have just found their original bodies. If it weren't for the infrastructure troops still being in Baal,..."

So I brought the main force over to help rebuild Barbarus.

The Thousand Sons are a bunch of protein lunatics. If you ever see them on the battlefield, it'll shatter your worldview, but it's just another way of using Psychic Power. Don't overthink it, just let it happen naturally!

"Who was the last one?"

Following Mortarion's finger, the banner of the World Eaters appeared before him. Even with some hesitation, Mordred spoke:

"You mean the World Eaters? They're currently searching for a new home planet in the Misty Sector, but that place is a bit ominous; it's called the Vigil Star."

I've already tried to persuade Angron, but he won't listen. He says this place is located on a major transportation route, and the people are quite fierce, making it extremely suitable as a recruitment base. He even accuses me of being feudal and superstitious.

"Actually, you should have realized by now that my so-called Second Imperium is just an alliance organization, mainly based on mutual benefit and win-win. Those with strength contribute their strength, those with money contribute their money, and we also help out our brothers."

Moreover, the Emperor and Malcador were aware of this plan, but they simply chose not to say anything. After all, our small circle could greatly alleviate the pressure on the Department of the Munitorum; otherwise, the people in the Department of the Munitorum would be worked to death, and orders from all sides would be booked for 300 years to come.

Mortarion may lack experience, but he's not stupid. Each legion has its own strengths, and this alliance is developing rapidly. He wants to ride this fast train.

"What can the Death Guard do? Barbarus is useless, all it has is poison gas."

"Of course! I won't allow you to call my brother a loser."

Back on the surface of Barbarus, Mordred summoned Goff, and after extensive surveying, the Grand Steward had produced a development plan suitable for the Death Guard.

"Father, due to the unique environment of Barbarus, the people on this planet have a strong resistance to biochemical toxins, making it particularly suitable for developing into Agri World for growing mushrooms."

The mushrooms Goff was referring to were not ordinary mushrooms, but rather Psychedelic Mushroom cultivated by Atlas. They were highly praised upon their release and were completely harmless to humans, making them another pillar industry for Atlas.

If Barbarus's poisonous fog contained even a trace of Psychic Power, Mordred would have blown the planet up without a second thought, for fear of infecting Nurgle.

But since Barbarus's manure was used to grow mushrooms, it was perfect for the Death Guard to use for initial accumulation, and it could also slowly decompose the Psychic Power poison mist on them.

The Death Guard unanimously agreed to the proposal, knowing how popular Rick Cigarettes were in the Empire, and immediately urged their Primarch to accept the plan.

What the crowd didn't know was that while they were cultivating mushrooms on a large scale, a large amount of mycelium was also sprouting in the stagnant, Stagnant Rot Realm far away behind the Veil.

As one of the Four Ancient Ones, Nurgle represents the desire for life and the rejection of death; new life, stagnation, decay, and immutability... these are all among Nurgle's powers.

All things are subject to the endless cycle of birth and death, but Nurgle refused to die, breaking this cycle that should have existed.

Of the Four Merchants, aside from Slaanesh, the Youngest Lady, the origins of the other three are unknown. However, there is no doubt that Warp Chaos God, as rule-based entities, are definitely two sides of the same coin.

Just like the Khorne are known for their heartless killing, although they don't care where the blood comes from or where the skulls come from, the praise of courage and the pursuit of competition are also included in the Khorne's powers.

This is why the Khorne is so addicted to the game, always going all-in on card draws; the Khorne just wants to win, what's wrong with that?

So when new life forms appeared in his own territory, although he thought these little things tainted with subtle Fel Energy were strange, the Nurgle did not reject them. Instead, he bestowed upon these mycelia the same care as everyone else.

The adorable Nurgling hops around, removes the cap of a mushroom and places it on its head, transforming into a gardener to work diligently in the Sea of Souls that transcends time, nurturing large, plump, green mushrooms.

This scene was witnessed by Vashtorr, who had come to discuss cooperation.

As a Scroll King who dreams of becoming a god, Vashtorr's only goal is to ascend to godhood. After the Daemon Engine, which is a copy of Atlas Angel of Bliss, became a bestseller, he developed a path dependency.

Basically, as soon as Mordred launches a new product, Vashtorr launches the same one, not for any other reason than to prove that he is not inferior to others.

Why should I have to work underhandedly for the Four Gods in exchange for their assistance, while you, Mordred, who is showered with love and affection, are ignored by everyone?

In the Forge of Souls, in a cave undetectable by any detector, every creation issued by Atlas is displayed, and even the walls are covered with posters of Mordred. This is Vashtorr's determination; he wants to prove himself.

Val the Immortal desperately wanted to improve, but born from the curiosity and technological sparks of the Creator, he was a bit inexperienced. He didn't even know which race to sacrifice, and his own power highly overlapped with Tzeentch's.

The Khorne seized the power of some of the Vile Arts through war, Slaanesh tore off a piece of flesh with that strange little device, and even the Cursed made a Void Dragon disguise as Omnissiah.

Looking up and down, left and right, and then looking up, he saw that there were four buttocks sitting on the throne of the Vile Arts. Now even the Nurgle wanted to pat his plump, round buttocks.

The thought of this made Vashtorr feel like countless ants were crawling all over him. He desperately wanted to become a god; he dreamed of ascending to godhood!

Perhaps sensing the younger man's envy, the Nurgle was quite pleased and even brought out a bowl of thick soup to entertain Vashtorr.

Drinking the soup is one thing, but Vashtorr isn't some dirty-handed golden Ogryn. Don't finish this bowl of soup and turn yourself into a Splatoon.

Returning to the Forge of Souls and watching the Contract Demon frantically tightening screws on the assembly line, the Daemon demigod suddenly realized that if he continued like this, he might never ascend to godhood.

"I can't keep slacking off like this; I need to find a collaborator."

Vashtorr's first thought was of the Emperor, but he quickly suppressed the idea. The Cursed's reputation score had already plummeted to negative, and he wouldn't be able to renege on his debts.

"Then who can we turn to?"

Looking Vashtorr the Mordred poster on the wall, which featured a thumbs-up and a beaming face.