Warhammer: Black Emperor

Chapter 77: Horus Loses His Favor
The Bucephalus, the Emperor's flagship during the early days of the Great Crusade.

A magnificent golden warship stood in the air. It was a giant made of gold and marble. An eagle with flapping wings stood on the bow, and the hull was covered with a huge city composed of statues and war temples.

The hull and wings tapered to a spear-like tip, and the engine blocks glowed a cold blue.

Imperial officials and officers welcomed their master, the Emperor, aboard.

There is another person to be welcomed, he is the second returning Primarch - Nimrod.

The gun arrays on the keel emitted dazzling light, and eleven rounds of artillery fire illuminated the entire Vostroya galaxy.

Chroniclers dispatched by Chancellor Malcador, who had not yet been officially recognized by the Empire, used cameras, data tablets, or paper to record this glorious moment.

"811.M30, the Emperor recovered the Eleventh Primarch on Vostroya..."

The clerks were more rigorous and they took careful notes.

"9133811.M30, the Emperor recovered the Eleventh Primarch on Vostroia. He was the second Primarch to return to the Imperium."

The first digit of the Imperial Calendar quantifies the degree of time accuracy, with 0 representing Terra, the standard reference.

9 is the final level, for areas that have not previously used the Imperial calendar.

The second to fourth digits divide the orbital period of a planet, that is, a sidereal year, into 1000 equal parts, 001-000, to mark the time when the event occurred.

The official return date of the Eleventh Primarch is: Year 811 of the Thirtieth Millennium, 133rd sidereal millennial, which is the largest discrepancy with Terran time.

Ningluo followed behind Old Man Huang, and behind him were Howard Ward, Bukayo Arshavin, Thierry Vieira, Szczesny, Rawlslev and others.

Considering that the Emperor did not like psykers, he did not allow Malena and Arsena to accompany him.

The Emperor said to Alpharius, who was holding a spear, "Take Nimrod and the others to the dining room first."

He then said to Nimrod, "I will speak with your brother, and you will see him later."

"As you wish."

Ningluo replied with a smile, he had sensed a powerful presence approaching rapidly in a spaceship.

He had already guessed the identity of the visitor, Horus, the First Son in the official records of the Empire.

Nimrod knew that when Leman Russ, the second Primarch to publicly return, was found, Horus was unhappy because he was no longer the only Primarch, and he found many reasons to try to convince Old Man Huang that his barbaric brother was not trustworthy.

Old Man Huang comforted and persuaded Horus to accept his brothers, and he played the role of a good big brother and helped many brothers adapt.

Obviously, Old Man Huang is now waiting for Horus and talking to him.

Nimrod followed Alpharius towards the dining room.

Sixteen sidereal minutes later, there is a circular viewing gallery surrounding the restaurant dome.

The Emperor of Mankind and Horus looked through the curved tempered glass at the dining table sixty meters below.

Bald Horus, his golden armor reflected the light like the morning glow under the light, the surface of the armor was covered with many runes, and a bright red cloak hung down behind him.

Horus looked at the Vostroyan with the most critical eyes, and after a full sixteen seconds, he spoke.

"I know the Reapers. I've commanded them. They are ruthless hunters who rely on their killing instinct."

"The Vostroyans are different. They don't have that sharp edge. They are bound by reason."

He showed his white teeth and said firmly.

"These two groups will not become battle brothers."

"The Vostroyans are not fit to serve you."

The Emperor was amused by Horus's lame excuses, and he laughed at the jealousy of his heir.

"Horus, the people of Vostroya understand warfare with guns and cannons. They conquered this system under your brother's leadership."

"They also conquered a world in another galaxy. The stars were no mystery to them."

Horus pondered. He was no longer alone.

He shouldn't care about this, but he does.

He was uneasy and embarrassed.

Sensing his son's struggle, the Emperor placed a hand on Horus' shoulder.

The touch shook Horus' soul, and love surged within him, and he tried to resist it with all his might, but he could not deny it.

"I understand your disappointment," the Emperor gazed into his eyes. "You and I have fought side by side for many years. It is natural for you to feel this way..."

The Emperor's just-right humor continues to increase.

Horus reveled in it, as in the sunlight, even though the light emanating from the Lord of Mankind would have burned him.

“…This is sibling rivalry.”

"But I need him. We need him too."

"Brotherly competition is encouraged because it drives you to work harder."

The Emperor's voice suddenly became powerful. He was still smiling, but his tone was mixed with majesty.

"But I will not tolerate discord between you."

"You have to cooperate. You have to learn to fight together."

Horus' will bent under the weight of the Emperor's attention, and worry gripped him that this new brother would be able to do the same, that he would no longer be unique.

"You're going to give him a legion?"

Horus asked the Emperor.

"Father, forgive me, but is this wise?"

"I also gave the gang leader of Cosonia a legion. That is your birthright, and so is he."

The aura of wisdom emanating from the Emperor made Horus feel ashamed of his doubts.

"If I can't trust you to learn how to work with others and lead them as my eldest son, then I have overestimated you."

He said this kindly, but the thought of disappointing his father filled Horus with horror.

"I will not fail you, Father," he vowed. "I will be his friend. I will help you teach him."

Horus walked towards the dining room. At the same moment, Nimrod, who had been listening to the conversation between the two, also stood up.

Moments later, the two Primarchs met in a luxurious suite.

"I am Horus, Primarch of the Sixteenth Legion, the Luna Wolves."

Just as Horus was wondering whether his brother, who was taller than him, could speak High Gothic, Nimrod spoke.

"Nimrod, Primarch of the XI Legion. I know they were formerly known as the Reapers."

Nimrod's voice was standard, and the picky Horus could not find any problem with the pronunciation.

"You want to change them," Horus raised his eyebrows. He began to try to put aside his narrow-minded feelings and said in a calm tone, "That is not an easy thing."

"You'll see."

Nimrod said as a matter of course.

"You don't have much time."

"I know."

"I wish you all the best," Horus said as he turned and walked to the door. "Sesak and Sanchez, I can smell their blood. They are coming."

(End of this chapter)