The First Legion's Plea for Help

After two and a half years of relentless Ruinous Depletion by Mechanicus, Olympia has been ruined beyond recognition, and even Mordred's beloved pineapple is on the verge of extinction.

Fortunately, this situation is completely reversible. Given the Empire's overly advanced planetary terraforming technology, Olympia, which was not completely contaminated, can still be saved, and the solution is quite simple.

After all, Mordred isn't stupid. Why would she abandon a perfectly good world to seek out unhappiness? Who would praise suffering? Only by breaking free from suffering can one truly yearn for it.

After some backroom deals, with Mordred paying with an antique toaster, the group of Mechanicus readily agreed that improving the environment of Aoxing was their duty, and anyone who dared to cause trouble would die!

Perhaps having heard about the Dream Fleet and learned that the bio-weapon called the "Jingba Mushroom" was developed by Mordred, the Mechanicus held Mordred in high esteem, second only to the genius Big Mek, Ferrus.

The smooth transition disgusted Perturabo. She simply couldn't understand why a toaster could be used to deal with the Mechanicus, and she couldn't understand how the Adeptus Mechanicus, which occupied one side of the Imperial Double Eagles, could be so mercenary.

Watching the group of red-robed figures frantically scrambling for the bread machine, which eventually devolved into a brutal academic exchange resembling fistfights, Perturabo, bruised and battered, could no longer hold back:

"Second Brother, why are they like this? They look so unsteady?"

"Of course, it's my hard work and sweat that made them feel ashamed."

These words might have fooled him two years ago, but now only a fool would believe them. Perturabo had long seen through his Second Brother's antics. He never even bothered to put on an act, and now he was still trying to fool him? Did he really think he was Ogryn?

"Come on, I think it's because you have something they covet, and they're afraid of you that they're being so easy to talk to."

Upon hearing this, Mordred stared in disbelief, clutching Perturabo's head and sighing, a smug expression on his face.

"Wow, I didn't expect you to start thinking. You'll be harder to fool from now on."

That's right. It's because I'm better than them that I'm so easy to talk to. Use your super wisdom more often, and don't get so easily carried away.

If you observe carefully, you'll discover many interesting things. For us brothers and sisters, manipulating others is a piece of cake; even Russ can do it.

Don't look at me like that. My words may be harsh, but the principle is sound. I wouldn't even bother talking about others. I didn't actually ask you to use PUA on others. This is called skillful control.

Remember this: you are a fully- Primarch with sound thinking; you are the fourth Princess of the Empire. As long as you're willing to use your brain, you can accomplish almost anything.

In the past, Perturabo would definitely have retorted, but now she can tell who is truly good to her. Even though Mordred is still that jerk, she has learned to listen to opinions.

However, as they talked, Mordred noticed that Perturabo had a shy expression on his face, staring at her with pleading eyes:

"What are you looking at? I'm telling you, if you keep acting like that, I'm going to slap you!"

"It's that, that big thing, you know."

"I understand? What do I understand?" Mordred suddenly realized something as she looked at Perturabo's slightly fawning smile, and her own lips curled into a grin.

"I understand, I understand. To celebrate the Iron Warriors' victory expedition, the Forge World Inkarati will be sent immediately. It's yours."

However, on the other hand, this expedition wouldn't have been completed so quickly without my help. You have to grant me a small request.

I knew Mordred wouldn't give in so easily. After all, this is a complete Forge World, especially a world like Inkarati, which is right on our doorstep, is extremely valuable.

"What are your conditions first? I'm not someone who's so easily swayed."

"Hey, what nonsense are you talking about, Pepe? The moment I saw you, I knew you were a good prospect and had to join my organization. Come on, I'll take you to a great place."

Without a word, Mordred grabbed Perturabo and ran all the way to his temporary flagship. After twisting and turning, they pushed open the door to a Secret Room.

Looking at the peach tree laden with fruit in the center of the Secret Room, Perturabo was puzzled, but before she could think about it, Mordred ripped off the curtain covering the wall, revealing the Atlas banner behind it.

What does this mean?

"What do you mean? Of course, it's about recruiting you into our Second Imperium. Once you join, you'll reap huge benefits."

"The Second Imperium? You must be joking! The two of us can't possibly form Second Imperium, Father will kill me."

I knew this unlucky kid would say that. In order to prevent a situation like Russ's from happening again, Mordred prepared several extra flags this time, just in case of such an emergency.

"Laughable! Open your eyes and take a good look. What do you mean, just the two of us? Our Second Imperium is full of talented people; it's not as insignificant as you make it out to be."

With a pull of the mechanism, four banners fluttered down, making Perturabo's scalp tingle. These four banners included Space Wolves, Son of the Emperor, Salamanders, and even her own Iron Warriors.

"See that? Let me tell you, I've taken care of Russ of Fenris, Fulgrim of Chemos, and Vulkan of Nightfall Star. And with your Iron Warriors included, our Second Imperium now has a full five legions."

With a smug look on Mordred's face, he put his arm around Perturabo's shoulder. "Pepe, your Second Brother wouldn't cheat you. I've already reserved a spot for you. Just wait and enjoy the good life!"

What good fortune have I enjoyed that you would harm me like this? This is clearly forming cliques for personal gain; Mordred, you Ambition.

"Mordred, are you planning something like the Pluto Gate Incident? Don't drag me down with you if you're courting death!"

"What do you mean by 'looking for death'? The so-called Second Imperium is entirely a mutually beneficial alliance agreement. If you don't like it, I can just change the name. Or you can call it the One Heart Society, or Super Serenity, I'm not picky."

He was almost scared to death by that bastard, but then again, the alliance between multiple legions was indeed quite good; at least there was mutual support. Thinking of this, Perturabo was still a little uneasy.

"Are you sure this isn't forming cliques for personal gain, and that they've all joined?"

"How could you doubt me, Pepe? Second Brother, everything I said is true. The only thing I haven't explicitly invited is Vulkan. Believe me! This even has Russ's autograph. Who could imitate that scribble?"

Besides, if something truly major happens that affects the empire, we'll have someone to rely on, won't we?"

After much deliberation, Perturabo still signed his name on the flag, completely unaware that this so-called Second Imperium consisted of only two people.

Or perhaps she realized it, but she didn't say much. She just hoped that next time her bastard Second Brother was trying to fool people, he would make the props more detailed, at least not draw the Salamanders like a dog.

However, just as the two left the Secret Room Mordred suggested finding something to eat, two simultaneous distress messages were sent to Olympia.

"Father, hurry and persuade that dimwitted Primarch to help us! Those damn Ultramarines haven't even arrived yet, and we've been eating mushrooms for half a year! The Emperor wants the Iron Warriors to come quickly, mushrooms—"

This was a letter from Goff. Clearly, they weren't out of ammunition and supplies yet. As for why the Ultramarines were late, Mordred was completely unfazed and decided to include this extremely important information—that the Ultramarines would be late—in the Codex Astartes texts from now on.

The other letter requesting help made Mordred frown, because it was from Malcador, asking him to go and support the First Legion, who were fighting the Xenos.

Thinking about it carefully, it makes sense. Most of the Empire's military force has gone to the Extreme Sector, and the remaining seventeen Expeditionary Force, led by Ferrus and Horus, are currently fighting Xenos in the T'au Star Sector.

In other words, Serenity is now the closest unit, but the question is, why does the First Legion need Atlas's support? They are the First Legion!

In an instant, Mordred suddenly thought of a Xenos race, a powerful race that was bound to encounter the Second Legion.

"Rangdan"