Debut! (Seeking Follow-ups)

Three days later, inside an Ork Warship.

Francis stood before a giant green experimental vat, repeatedly recalling what he had said to Kelbo earlier.

"Sigh, Emperor. I hope you remember me kindly."

"For you, I've said so many things against my will. In truth, I'm just a conservative research technician at heart."

Francis sighed profusely, feeling he had sacrificed too much.

Kelbo, walking in from outside, heard Francis muttering to himself and immediately asked, "Brother, is it really that difficult!"

"After all, Ork Gene is extremely unstable; they're more like a fungus."

Yes.

Over these three days, Francis had been continuously modifying Ork Gene to create Ork arms.

However, there were indeed minor setbacks.

Because of the Ork Gene's powerful regenerative ability, once a single Ork arm was created, it would quickly grow into a complete Ork embryo.

Even when fused with other genes, it would only create new species of Orks.

For this reason, Francis had pulled in Kelbo, who was researching Ork Technology, for a genuine technical discussion.

"Yes, as expected, the initial direction was a bit off. This time, by borrowing principles from the Adeptus Mechanicus, we might be able to create bio-mechanical arms for auxiliary work."

Francis stroked his chin, looking at a pouch-like Ork creature in the vat before him, which resembled a gauntlet.

It had wide, dual fingers mutated from Ork arms, and its legs had softened and mutated into tentacles that served as the binding mechanism for the upper arm.

A protrusion resembling an Ork face grew on the forearm; inside was a castrated Ork brain, with its self-awareness section removed and replaced by countless mechanical chips and biological tentacles.

When someone inserted their arm into this creature, the biological tentacles would connect with the wearer's neural network.

The remaining Ork brain would serve as a sub-brain, assisting the wearer in using Ork Technology.

"This is art! Brother, aren't you really considering joining the Adeptus Mechanicus?"

"I can establish a Gene-Tech department specifically for you."

Kelbo quickly walked to Francis's side, gazing at the pouch-like Ork creature in the cultivation vat. He couldn't help but exclaim, "What are you planning to call this new creature?"

"Heh heh~, let's just call it 'Beast Brain'."

"This still has flaws; it can't be mass-produced currently."

Francis patted the other man, then continued with data recording, preserving the creature's gene sequence.

"And its lifespan is very short. I still have to make them myself, as the mutations aren't very heritable."

Seeing his meticulous attitude, Kelbo fell silent. It was the first time he had seen such a thorough researcher.

Suddenly.

Francis blurted out, "Brother, how about we become sworn brothers?"

Kelbo: ???

Outside the Ork Warship.

"Why aren't they out yet? This battleship is almost repaired, why are they still on the Ork Warship?" Magnus asked, utterly perplexed.

He couldn't understand why Francis was willing to stay with these iron lumps.

"It's all because of those Adeptus Mechanicus people that day. Who knows what Francis said to them, that they're actually willing to help us repair the battleship."

Leman Russ's slightly stubbled face showed a hint of weariness.

Before, Francis always took him along for everything, but after arriving on Prospero, he didn't bring him along for anything.

It was truly a case of out with the old and in with the new.

Even Horus's corruption was something Magnus had been pacing and muttering about for the past two days.

He kept asking Magnus what to do. If he knew what to do, he wouldn't be standing here waiting for Francis.

Although he had already sent people to Terra to transmit this message, no one knew what the outcome would be.

In the Warp, a small battleship piloted by a Space Wolf was circling within an energy vortex.

"What should we do? We seem to be trapped here." Several Astartes asked the Lexicanum behind them.

"The Primarch's order is that the mission must be completed quickly!"

"But in this situation, we clearly cannot complete it." The Lexicanum's answer caused everyone to lower their heads.

With a crack.

Everyone looked up and saw the Lexicanum appear within the deck's protective layer.

"What are you doing! Come back quickly, this is still the Warp!"

"You'll die if you go out there!"

"Don't do anything foolish! We can get out of here."

Everyone rushed to the control panel, frantically pressing the activation buttons.

Unfortunately, the deck was in the process of completely shutting down the Gellar field.

At this moment, the system would not allow them to activate it.

The Librarian then saluted in the direction of the Emperor, then saluted in the direction of the Primarch, and finally saluted his comrades.

Hiss~ The field on the deck deactivated, and the Librarian stood alone on it, his body rapidly corrupting and mutating at a visible rate.

Even with half his face rotted away, the Librarian still shouted the slogan.

"For Russ and the All-Father!"

Then he leaped off the deck, unleashing his psychic power with all his might, until with a boom!

The Librarian's self-detonation triggered a psychic storm, instantly blasting the battleship out of the energy vortex.

The Space Wolves had once again upheld their promise to the Primarch.

However, they seemed to be affected by some power, unable to leave the Warp.

Until they saw a constantly beating heart floating in the Warp.

The dread in their souls made them unwilling to stay here.

It was a pity that an invisible force utterly crushed them, their scarlet blood turning into nourishment for the heart's beat.

As the heart beat faster and faster, with a thump!

The heart exploded, and a tall figure emerged from it—Horus!

An invisible pressure surrounded him, the terrifying aura released by the surging Chaos power within him.

This aura made the surrounding Chaos creatures feel awe and fear, as if he had become the undisputed overlord of this domain.

After falling to Chaos, Horus's appearance had changed significantly.

He was no longer the loyal Warmaster he once was.

His physique had become more imposing under the baptism of Chaos power, his muscles sculpted and defined, exuding an arrogant dominance.

His skin had been eroded by the dark power of Chaos, taking on a deep, grayish-black hue, as if blending into the background of the Warp.

His head, once the symbol of pride for the warriors of the Imperium, had now been transformed by Chaos power.

His eyes flickered with an unusual light, proof of the Chaos fire burning deep within his soul, revealing a profound and unfathomable wisdom and madness.

His armor, originally a masterpiece of the Imperium's craftsmanship, had now been enhanced by Chaos power, becoming more robust and imbued with an evil aura.

This armor was inlaid with countless runes and patterns representing the power of Chaos, which shimmered with Horus's movements in the Warp, as if cheering for his arrival.

His weapons, the great hammer "Worldbreaker" and the power claw "Claw of Horus," were now even sharper and more destructive under the blessing of Chaos power, capable of tearing apart any obstacle in his path.

"I've told you many times, I will not join you."

"I will bring new life to humanity!"

"I will conquer this space, so I will not join you."

The corrupted Horus stood there, talking to someone unknown, the only certainty being that he was now incredibly strong!

So strong that Horus felt he could defeat the Emperor.

Four distinct energy fluctuations surged towards Horus, without any consideration for whether he could withstand such power.

Countless psychic storms raged in the Warp, completely blocking any entity that could enter.

Strange sounds permeated the Warp, as if celebrating something.

Until the storm subsided.

Horus's figure had vanished from the Warp.

Meanwhile.

On Devon Planet, outside the Serpent's Lair.

"Damn Erebus! It's been several days, and the Primarch still hasn't woken up!"

"What exactly are you trying to do!"

"Are you trying to start a war between Legions?"

Abaddon angrily grabbed Erebus by the collar, glaring at him fiercely.

"I've told you, the Warmaster's condition is serious. It requires more time."

"You've all seen it, the Warmaster's aura is constantly strengthening, which means he's almost recovered!"

Erebus the Word Bearer tried to explain.

Unfortunately, the four of them weren't entirely convinced and were gradually surrounding Erebus.

Erebus the Word Bearer tightened his grip on his power hammer, as if a fight was truly imminent. As long as he used the power of Chaos, he believed he could escape unscathed.

It was at this moment that familiar yet unfamiliar footsteps sounded behind them.

The four men's bodies trembled, and their eyes filled with ecstasy.

"It's a Primarch! The Primarch is standing!"

"That's right, it must be a Primarch!"

"The Emperor protects, the Primarch is finally well!"

"Primarch, sob sob sob~"

When the four men truly turned around, a hint of confusion appeared in their eyes.

The ominous aura emanating from the other person felt unfamiliar to them. Moreover, such immense power seemed to be something they had only witnessed in the Emperor.

Could the person before them truly be the Primarch—Horus?

Until.

"I have returned! My children."

The voice, laced with the power of Chaos, made the men immediately kneel on one knee, lowering their proud heads.

Only Erebus the Word Bearer remained standing with a smile, as if proclaiming his equal status with Horus.

It was a pity that Horus did not think so.