12th Month, 852 M30. Nareth concluded his visits to the various Navigator Houses on Uranus's moons.
He signed alliances with ten of these Houses. Among them, with Houses like Orsellio and two others, he reached deep alliances similar to the one with House Visscher. Two hundred and forty Shadows of Order became new shadow guards, stationed alongside Navigators for experience.
With the other seven Houses, he signed partial cooperation agreements.
Nareth provided protection to Navigator Houses in exchange for their services and exchanged star charts within certain scopes.
After personally attending and signing the alliance treaties with the three Navigator Houses like Orsellio, the Shadow's Sovereignty set sail.
After ordering the shields opened, the Primarch's gaze penetrated the void. He saw the grey substance accumulated over centuries around the Elysian Gate had mostly disappeared.
As if wiped clean, structures like star fortresses became much clearer.
Correspondingly, over ten thousand accumulated bottles of Siren's Dust were poured into the Kingdom of Disorder, forming a sea of sand.
Nareth withdrew his gaze, walking back to the throne.
Arsean followed him before the throne. "My Lord, a matter warrants your attention."
"The Eleventh Chapter has continuously participated in all recent Legion campaigns. Its numbers have now dropped to twenty thousand four hundred."
"Based on recruitment replenishment rates from worlds like Vostroya, it's estimated to require three replenishment cycles to reach thirty thousand."
The Third, Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, and Ninth Chapters, rooted in recruitment worlds, received ample suitable recruit replenishment. Their numbers had all reached thirty thousand.
The First Chapter, rooted in Elysia for a shorter time, still numbered twenty-five thousand.
The Eleventh Chapter, with Vostroya as its recruitment world, should also exceed thirty thousand. But continuous participation in major campaigns required a longer time for replenishment.
"I understand. I shall find a new recruitment world for the Eleventh Chapter."
Nareth misplaced the Dionysian Spear, then returned to his private office.
With a thought, he went to the Kingdom of Disorder.
Nareth went to the third layered space, finding the Dice of Prophecy fully charged.
He rapidly recalled known information about Aventinium.
'Prosperous Aventinium. The noble class possesses profound cultural heritage and noble demeanor.'
The new recruitment world Nareth selected for the Eleventh Chapter was Aventinium. This world was the future homeworld of the Bronze Consuls. He thought to himself.
'Another divination hijacking one of Guilliman's sons' destinies. I didn't intend to, but Aventinium is too suitable for the Eleventh Chapter, primarily following the "Black Emperor" pathway.'
The Bronze Consuls displayed unique noble grace and mastery of etiquette at court banquets, aligning with the order and implied noble ranks of the "Black Emperor" pathway.
Nareth didn't know much about Aventinium. But the Dice of Prophecy had proven that as long as the divination target was clear, divination could succeed.
After swiftly reviewing in his mind, he silently recited.
'The star chart from the Kalium Gate to Aventinium...'
After eleven silent recitations, he tossed the Dice of Prophecy in his hand.
The prism tumbled several times in the air. Upon landing in Nareth's open palm, a holographic-like image unfolded before his eyes.
Nareth memorized the star chart, inputting it into a data-crystal.
He returned to the real world, using the psychic link to have John perform a divination.
The Gyrnix grabbed a quill, writing a brief line on parchment.
He then leaned on the bed, performing dream divination.
Over ten seconds later, John's mind was empty. No images surfaced.
Through the psychic link, sensing this, Nareth thought to himself.
'John's divination ability originates from Sequence 8 "Robot." After advancing to "Lucky One," enhancement in this area was limited. He couldn't divine useful information.'
A thought carried Nareth to the fourth layered space in the Kingdom of Disorder. Spirituality extended, touching Pell Koscheny. black orb.
He saw Pell standing atop a tower, gazing into the distance.
Simultaneously, Vostroya, Shadowhold, the Eleventh Tower standing askew.
Pell stood atop the tower, observing the training grounds kilometers away. Candidates who had undergone several modification surgeries were practicing the Otsberg-Vaya.
Every Vostroyan practiced the Otsberg-Vaya. Youths aspiring to become Shadows of Order or Auxilia began training as children.
Pell's attention was drawn to two combatants fiercely dueling at the center.
A blonde candidate wielded a longsword. He stepped forward sharply, executing a swift thrust using Otsberg-Vaya form 1.
Movements repeated thousands of times were ingrained in his body. The longsword in his hand shot forth like a venomous serpent, aiming for the opponent's throat.
Another blue-eyed candidate met it with Otsberg-Vaya Form 6, raising his sword. Blades clashed, parrying the thrust.
The two candidates exchanged offense and defense. The blonde candidate used Otsberg-Vaya Form 12, body rapidly spinning, steps swift to evade the blue-eyed candidate's continuous thrusts using Otsberg-Vaya Form 16.
Blades collided, the clashing ring continuously.
Pell nodded with satisfaction. Future Chapter recruits' sword foundations were well-honed. In between offense and defense, they sought each other's openings, launching decisive strikes.
'Only the replenishment rate is somewhat slow. My Chapter originally had the highest numbers. But after successive battles, replenishment can't keep pace with losses.'
As Pell pondered, black mist surged before his eyes, instantly swallowing him.
Per found himself in the mysterious realm. He bowed toward the throne.
"My Lord."
Nareth's telekinesis extended, delivering a data-crystal before Per.
"You shall personally lead half the Chapter to Aventinium. Occupy this prosperous world. It shall serve as the Chapter's recruitment world."
John's divination didn't reveal Aventinium's situation. For caution, Nareth decided to have Pell personally go.
"Select new members solely from the noble class. Subject them to rigorous training from childhood. By the time they become Shadows of Order, they shall be exceptional individuals with masterful swordsmanship and superb marksmanship."
"This is precisely what I've been pondering recently. Upon return, I shall immediately act." Pell acknowledged. He hadn't expected his worries to be resolved so quickly.
After returning to reality, Pell immediately mobilized Chapter forces.
The Eleventh Chapter's fleet set sail three days later.
After a two-week journey, the fleet arrived at the Kalium Gate.
Taking only five solar weeks, the fleet was delivered to Aventinium.
Aboard the relic-class ship Son of Vostroya, on the bridge throne, Pell issued orders.
"Activate Augur matrix. Maximum power scan."
First Captain Gibbs reviewed the Navigator's report, exclaiming with admiration.
"Last time passing through the Kalium Gate, only two gate pairs were repaired. That journey took at least six solar weeks."
Pell nodded slightly. He said confidently: "In the future, travel time will grow shorter."
"Once the Kalium Gate is fully repaired, cross-sector delivery might be even faster than Warp travel through nearby systems using stable Warp routes."
Pell envisioned the future: Legion warships swiftly reaching all corners of the galaxy via the Kalium Gate. A smile appeared.
Moments later, the Mater of Vox's voice sounded in the comm-bead.
"Lord, Auspex officer team reports: Aventinium is in a state of war."
.....
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