Warhammer, about my years with the Wolfpack

"I need to discuss this with my brother," Horus said. He wanted to agree to the Traveler's proposal. On the one hand, he believed no one was more suitable than himself to temporarily command the Emperor's Children. On the other hand, Horus also believed that under his command, the Emperor's Children would regain their former glory and take the Legion to a higher level.

"That is a matter between the two Primarchs. Please do as you please, sir." The traveler said indifferently.

With this issue resolved, the atmosphere of the meeting suddenly became very relaxed, as the punishment for Fulgrim and the Imperial Children Legion was concluded. Horus was quite satisfied with this outcome. And now, with all the issues resolved, Horus did not want to end the meeting.

"Have you communicated with my other brothers?" Horus asked with a smile.

"No, I'm specifically responsible for dealing with the evil in the Warp. They are so terrible that even mentioning their blasphemous names can lead to pollution and corruption. So, my work is a bit shady." said the traveler.

"Your Excellency is the real hero behind the scenes." Horus said with emotion.

"Just doing some work." The traveler waved his hand and said.

"Then you don't have your own team?" Horus asked curiously.

"I'm not very good at commanding large-scale troops. I usually carry out small-scale operations, eliminating some key points, and then others will come to solve the problem. Compared with my colleagues, I may be more outstanding in personal combat ability, that's all." The traveler said quite modestly.

"Your fighting prowess truly astounds me," Horus declared. Before meeting with the Traveler, Horus had surveyed the battlefield where the Traveler had previously fought the Great Daemons. He perceived the battlefield as a massive armored clash between two armies of Knight Titans. Vast swathes of deck and cabins were ripped apart by brute force and psychic energy. The Legion's standard equipment would likely be mere cannon fodder. Horus had seen powerful psykers before, but he had to admit that, aside from the Emperor, he had never seen anyone as powerful as this one. Perhaps only Malcador and his brother, Magnus, renowned for his psychic prowess, could compare.

Chapter 329 Horus's Invitation

"A servant of the Emperor who is as powerful as the Primarch, proficient in small-scale combat, but not proficient in commanding large legions?" After listening to the traveler's self-narration, Horus made a judgment about this servant of the Emperor.

Horus agreed with what the Traveler said. First of all, this guy was very strong, and his personal ability was simply MAXIMUM. It was not surprising to Horus that he could defeat some weaker Primarchs in a duel. After all, when Guilliman fought in the ring with Ramon, the Emperor's attendant stationed on Macragge, both sides maintained a tacit silence after the battle. And if psychic powers were taken into account, then some of his brothers were even worse off. For example, Dorn once engaged in unlimited combat with an Emperor's attendant in a certain area. The two sides fought for 300 rounds and ended in a draw... After all, the difference between those with psychic powers and those without psychic powers in unlimited combat is really huge.

Horus believed the Traveler's claim that he wasn't proficient in large-scale combat. After all, as a Servant of the Emperor, they could easily assemble their own forces, even fleets, if they needed them. The entire arsenal and technology of the Imperium would be open to them, but it was clear that this man had no troops of his own, not even helpers. Ultimately, he had to take down Fulgrim himself. This proved that this man was truly incapable of commanding large-scale forces, which reassured Horus. After all, if the Emperor's Servant were too all-powerful, the Primarch would be embarrassed.

"After completing this task, does your Excellency have any other important matters?" Horus asked.

"Uh. After things here are settled, I need to go back and report on my work." The traveler understood Horus's thoughts.

"If there are no other pressing matters, could you please stay a little longer? After all, we will be handling the affairs of the Emperor's Children Legion together, and there will be opportunities for cooperation in the future. Would you mind getting to know each other better now?" Horus extended the invitation. Horus had a deep interest in these powerful beings, and he needed such individuals to assist him, even if only temporarily.

Although some of the Legions' most talented individuals had perished or disappeared for various reasons during the long Crusade, their fame and deeds etched a lasting impression on Horus. Furthermore, the Iron Warriors' Vice-Leader still existed, so much so that even when Horus met Perturabo, he felt a sense of inexplicable pressure. It wasn't that Cyjanus was incompetent, but rather that the opponent was simply too strong!

Aside from these rare and unforeseen figures, the Emperor's Chamberlain is essentially the highest-ranking lieutenant a Primarch can obtain. As a result, not all Primarchs have the opportunity to obtain one. And now, those brothers who follow the Emperor's Chamberlain around also have a reason.

Guilliman clearly had a permanent resident of the Emperor's Retinue, for Guilliman and his Ultramar were incredibly important. Currently, apart from combat prowess and command prowess, Guilliman's Ultramarines were the largest of all the Legions. In the most recent troop count, the Ultramarines themselves reported 25 men... Horus, however, doubted this figure. It wasn't too many, but too few. Many Primarchs and Legions were wary of Guilliman, but he also had a group of supporters, so the concerns were mostly just talk. Therefore, it was only natural that the Emperor assigned Guilliman an Emperor's Retinue to assist and monitor him.

There should be one beside Jonson. Horus felt a chill at the thought of the Lord of the First Legion. Jonson struck Horus as a heartless machine, a machine perfectly capable of carrying out the Emperor's orders, cold and efficient to the extreme. Indeed, the entire Dark Angels Legion was like this: they were secretive, powerful, and deliberately distanced from the other Legions, avoiding all unnecessary tasks, solely for the sake of battle, carrying out missions that would make anyone else shudder. The Emperor had bestowed nearly all the goodies upon the First Legion, so it was only natural that they would have a personal attendant.

Then there was Dorn. The Emperor's favor for him was practically written on his face. Dorn's Legion wasn't large, but it possessed one of the largest fleets of any Legion, at least one of them. The Emperor even referred to Dorn and his Legion as his own Guards in front of his fellow brethren. Dorn was indeed accompanied by an Imperial Handmaiden during several battles. Horus felt this person was a permanent member.

Ferrus was another Primarch who had extensive interactions with the Emperor's attendants. At least one of the attendants, the Professor, worked with Ferrus for a significant period. As for the other Primarchs, Horus had no definitive evidence that his brothers had a clear subordinate relationship with the Emperor's attendants. They typically collaborated on a mission, then retreated when it was over. As for whether other Primarchs had such connections, Horus could only say he had no idea. Some Primarchs would not comment.

"Jonson, Ferrus, Guilliman, and Dorn." Horus thought to himself. Obviously, these people were his biggest competitors. So Horus made this suggestion.

"It's fine with me. If the Emperor really doesn't need me recently, then I can stay here for a while and help out." said the traveler.

"Alright, I'll apply to my father myself," Horus said happily. "If you can remain in the Luna Wolves for a long time, I'll reserve a place for you."

"I'm not good at planning big picture things," the traveler said. "You can have me eliminate someone, but when it comes to commanding, there are more suitable brothers to take over."

The Traveler planned to place a sock puppet in the Luna Wolves. That's right, a sock puppet in the very heart of the Traitor Legion. This decision was a carefully considered one. Firstly, the Luna Wolves were judged differently from the other Legions. Their betrayal was driven purely by the treachery of their Primarch. Before Horus declared his Heresy, the Luna Wolves were essentially one of the most loyal Legions. This also meant that, initially, the Legion was largely immune to Chaos infiltration.

This is a significant difference from other Legions. The Word Bearers were betrayed from the Primarch down to the rank and file, while the Emperor's Children betrayed from the top down because the Primarch was seduced into betraying them. While Mortarion and Angron may not have much regard for Chaos, they harbor a deep resentment towards the Emperor and the Imperium. It can be said that, with the exception of Magnus, who was tricked into betraying them, the Luna Wolves were quite good before their Primarch's misfortune. They also had many loyalists, and the Traveler's purpose in staying here under a pseudonym was to increase the number of loyalists and retain them.

Of course, the Traveler didn't expect to be able to stop Chaos's corruption of Horus. He didn't have the ability to do so. When the fateful moment arrived, the demons of the Chaos Gods would surely bring the power of the Four Gods to trouble his incarnation. The Emperor and the Traveler would lend their power to others, and Chaos could also do so, but they rarely did so, only granting their subordinates a tiny amount of power when they deemed it necessary.

The reason for this, the Traveler could understand, was that Chaos Demons and their respective evil gods were fundamentally one. Greater Demons were simply fragments of the evil gods' power, sharing a common essence. This led to a dilemma: while a Greater Demon might not be unable to harness the power of an evil god, the difference between a Greater Demon possessing divine power and one possessing only psychic energy was immense. Given the Chaos Evil Gods' selfish and dark natures, they would inevitably prevent the flow of divine power in any form. After all, what if a Greater Demon were to awaken?

When the Traveler had this thought, he had already foreseen the end of his avatar. The great demon, empowered by the four gods, would be annihilated in a great battle. The four great demons, also under the power of the evil gods, were immediately incinerated after their use as tools. The Traveler would lose a vest and some power, but he would also save many loyalists, and he considered this a suitable deal.

"Your Excellency is too modest." Horus said.

"Well, now that some of the current matters have been concluded, I can temporarily serve you and your legion before the Emperor issues new orders. Of course, there is a prerequisite. I need to complete the ritual on Fulgrim first. After that, Fulgrim will be handed over to my colleagues and the Imperial Guards, and then temporarily leave his legion." said the traveler.

"Okay, I hope Your Excellency can completely solve Fulgrim's problem. When I saw Fulgrim's fall, my heart was extremely heartbroken." Horus said.

"After a while, my brother Mortarion and his legion will join me. He has formed a force specifically to deal with fallen psykers and cultists. I think this force has something worth learning from. So, I hope that Your Excellency can get along better with him." Horus said rather obscurely.

"Is Horus gathering his own factions?" the Traveler wondered. The Emperor had no intention of appointing a single Warmaster to command all the Primarchs, but factionalism was indeed on the rise within the Legions. To maintain close ties, the two factions would likely move frequently, especially with the Battle of Ullanor approaching. Unlike the background story, which showed the Battle of Ullanor being supported by the Emperor and the Custodes, the Emperor had decided to let the Primarchs resolve the issue themselves. This Ork warlord was definitely not something Horus could handle on his own, so he was mobilizing forces. Other contenders might also participate in this battle.

Horus knew full well that Mortarion was far from friendly towards the Emperor, and held a deep-seated hostility towards psykers, even though the current Tower of Magic had already begun to play with the metaphysics of the Seven. It was clear that Mortarion and his Legion would not be particularly friendly towards the Emperor's servants, so Horus hoped that the Traveler would be more tolerant.

"I won't offend anyone who doesn't offend me," the Traveler said with a smile. He had no particular thoughts about Mortarion. If the plot against Fulgrim was intended to partially recapture him, it was because Slaanesh was the weakest and their own forces were the most prepared. Considering recapture of Magnus was essentially due to his importance and inherent loyalty. Mortarion was different. In fact, to some extent, Mortarion and Nurgle were on a two-way street.

Mortarion loathed the Emperor, though he also disliked psionics. However, he did have some esoteric plans. When the Primarch himself was disloyal, it was extremely difficult to change fate. Therefore, the Traveler could only try to pry into Mortarion's side, with no real intentions towards him. However, when the time came, they would simply draw their swords and decide the outcome.

"Okay. Mortarion is not an unreasonable person, he is just a little sensitive sometimes." Horus said.

The meeting wasn't long. Horus still had many things to attend to, and the Traveler also needed to consider the next steps. Purifying Fulgrim was merely a ritual. The Traveler could indeed remove the Chaos taint and divine power, but it couldn't sever his fate. Even after this purification, he would be tainted again in the future. This was something the Traveler couldn't handle. However, at the Traveler's level, he could still make some adjustments, such as making Fulgrim doubt his so-called perfection, or causing a clear split in his personality. After all, only with this split would the Traveler and the loyalists have an easier time succeeding.

So, the Traveler prepared to engage in some rhetoric... To better address Fulgrim's problem, the Traveler first had to understand the essence of Slaanesh behind Fulgrim. Was it perfection? Was it decadent luxury and elegance? No, neither. Ultimately, Slaanesh's essence is the ultimate pursuit of sensuality! Elegance and beauty are subjective terms. The same action can be considered elegant by some and artificial by others. This is similar to perfection. Perfection is an evaluation, one that carries a certain subjective bias.

For example, some Mechanicus favor levers and pistons, so Titans are perfect. The Eldar also have Titans, but theirs are slender and agile. Orks prefer red-painted, black-smoking, creaking iron giants. What's poison to one may be honey to another; perfection largely depends on personal taste, practicality, and various moral and other constraints.

After some preparation, the traveler came to Fulgrim's room. After his identity was verified, the traveler saw Chemos's phoenix again.

"Horus said you will exorcise the demon for me and then send me to my father." Fulgrim's face was half covered by white hair, and he looked haggard. His tone was bitter but also full of pride. Although Fulgrim had given in to Horus, he remained as proud as a peacock with its tail spread out before everyone else.

"You're right." The traveler sat opposite Fugen, and the talk therapy began.

Chapter 330: Talking to Fugen

"Extend your left hand." The traveler spoke.

"Are you giving orders to a Primarch? I don't hear any respect in your words. Do you think that you are the father's special envoy, so you can tell his offspring what to do?" Fulgrim's heart was suddenly filled with a rebellious mentality.

"I have the same attitude towards the Emperor, believe it or not." The Traveler snorted coldly. "I'll say it again, hold out your left hand. I don't want to say it a third time. Do you want to try?"

"You are just a prisoner who has made a mistake, and I am your jailer and savior. I have come here with a mission, and I hope you can recognize this reality." The traveler had no interest in indulging Fulgrim.

"I..." Fugen's face twisted slightly. He took deep breaths, clenched his fists tightly, and then unclenched them. He observed the traveler's expression. The latter was so calm, as if he didn't care about Fugen's identity or his skills.

"You give me a sense of déjà vu." After hesitating for a moment, Fugen stretched out his left hand. He observed the traveler's expression and recalled the existence that had made him tremble hundreds of years ago.

"Does this sound familiar? Is it because someone has defeated you before?" The Traveler sneered. "Get used to it. In this dangerous and strange galaxy, there are many who can challenge the Primarchs, and even defeat them. You haven't been to the Randan battlefield, have you? Primarchs who have been there wouldn't be as surprised as you are." The Traveler extended his hand, and a stream of psychic energy connected him and Fulgrim.

"Look at your pale hand and the sweet perfume emanating from it. I don't know how you define perfection. I really want to know if this is caused by your distorted aesthetic or the corruption from the Silver Palace of Bliss?" asked the traveler.

"You are a guy who doesn't understand art and doesn't know what elegance is." Fugen snorted coldly.

"Then tell me, what is elegance? What is art? Who holds the right to define it?" The Traveler smiled. "Look at your overly extravagant attire and scent, and that affectation. It's no longer refined, but rather a distortion. There's a reason you've been targeted by demons from the Warp."

"That's because they don't understand art. How can ordinary people understand my pursuit of perfection and art?" Fugen retorted.

"Ordinary people? Do you know that those beings that you cannot reach all rose from the ordinary, and greatness was born in the ordinary, whether it is the emperor or some other beings. They were born at the beginning of civilization. When they used stones to carve the first picture for recording on the wall, when they used flint to light the first bonfire, when they used trees to make the first spear. They awakened wisdom and created civilization. You are a child over 100 years old, but you have better talents and a better family background. All of this is given by your father. You can't even make your own way. So tell me, where does your sense of superiority come from?" The traveler said with a smile.

"A child over 100 years old?" Fugen showed an expression of disbelief on his face.

"I know and am familiar with many people, not just the Emperor, but also certain beings you've encountered and left a deep impression on you. I know them all. Their realms and abilities are beyond your imagination. I've discussed many issues with them, including the so-called perfection, the self, and the path."

"You're not the first person to be targeted by the evil in the Warp, and you won't be the last. You've treated me very badly. But as a senior, I still have to remind you: if you want to achieve your true self and complete a leap in essence, never trust the words of the evil gods in the Warp. Don't have any relationship with them other than confrontation, because they won't accept you as their subordinate. When you offer your loyalty, or think you can control the evil gods, when you get excited about what they give you, they have already nurtured you and shackled your upper limit."

"Think about it. You are so young, your experience and knowledge are so limited. You are lacking in knowledge, and your minds are full of loopholes. And you are so proud and conceited. How could you possibly have the illusion that you can control the Chaos God? Even without them having to make a move, some of the most experienced people in the galaxy can fool you. Even we, who have experienced things you can't imagine, are still on thin ice in this galaxy."

"Do you understand what I mean?" the traveler said seriously.

--------

"My lord." Sejanus looked at Horus in front of the monitor and said with some concern.

"Huh... He seems to be trying more than just reminding Fulgrim," Horus said after a long breath. The Luna Wolf Lord was certain that this being before him was aware of his constant surveillance. He also took this opportunity to speak to Fulgrim, saying things that would be inappropriate to say directly to Horus.

"Perhaps this lord is just giving a kind reminder. After all, when faced with evil that we don't understand, it's never too much to be on guard. Moreover, if even such a brilliant person as Lord Fulgrim has been tempted, then it's only right for others to take it as a warning," said Sejanus.

After interacting with people like Balder, Sejanus had to admit that within human civilization, there are always those who are special and exceptional. They are so powerful that they can serve as partners with the Emperor. In their eyes, the Primarchs, though powerful, are still just children. For ordinary people, hundreds of years may be a blink of an eye or a leisurely experience. What's even more terrifying is that these people are not created through genetic modification like the Legionaries, but are completely natural. Their experience and strength astound everyone. Yet, at the same time, they maintain a low profile. For long periods of time, they have been almost invisible. Yet, there is no doubt that these people play a huge role and, even now, continue to guide the development of human civilization.

Cyjanus respected these beings, but he also knew that, due to their power and experience, they didn't have much respect for the Emperor's children—the Primarchs. Basically, they cooperated when they saw eye to eye, but when they didn't, they parted ways, a matter of out of sight, out of mind. And if things went beyond certain bounds, these beings would even take action against the Primarchs, as was the case this time.

Sejanus recalled the actions of this self-proclaimed monk, the Emperor's retainer, during this operation. It could be described as a stroke of genius, not only for his exceptional combat prowess, but also for his precise handling and response to the entire incident. He had eradicated the Emperor's Children's hidden dangers while minimizing any negative impact.

"A friendly reminder? Maybe there's also a warning in it? After all, many things in this world cannot be solved by reminders alone. Iron and fire are still needed at critical moments." Horus said with a sigh.

"My lord, sometimes, it's simply necessary," Sejanus hesitated, then soothed. This incident had a profound impact on Horus. If he considered Angron's rebellion and the Emperor's punishment a unique case, then this time, his best brother, Fulgrim, considered the foremost among all the Primarchs, had also been seduced and fallen to such a degree. This filled Horus with a deep sense of unease. After all, as the brethren had said, if Fulgrim could fall, then so could others. Horus wondered, if one day another brother fell, and he needed to deal with it, would he be able to shoulder the responsibility? Although he felt a pang of reluctance, he considered that perhaps one day he would be tasked with a similar mission.

"The war is far from over, it's just taken a different form. Perhaps, endless war is the underlying tone of the galaxy," Horus said thoughtfully. Meanwhile, the Traveler continued to pamper Fulgrim.

----------

"I believe that perfection exists and is worth pursuing. We must have goals. Only in this way can we keep working hard and not get lost in mediocrity. You accuse me of accepting malicious gifts from the void and using certain forbidden technologies. I accept this accusation, but what I need to say is that many of my brothers are using some forbidden technologies. I think as my father's most trusted and most capable person, you should know what AI is and what abominable intelligence is. Why do you appear in my legion instead of pointing fingers in front of my other brothers?" Fugen said loudly.

"Ehmmmm." The Traveler didn't know how to respond to Fulgrim's words. After all, generally speaking, AI technology should be restricted. The consequences of AI still reverberate today; during the Great Crusade, the Imperium of Man destroyed numerous AI-controlled worlds. The Emperor and the Traveler knew which AIs could be used and restricted, but it was clear that some things couldn't be shared with the Primarch. Certain principles, if expressed, would shatter some people's perspectives.

"There are some things you can't grasp. But your brother can. Technically, you're only average among your brothers. It's not because you lack talent, but because you focus too much on appearance and vanity. Technically, you're not as good as Perturabo, Ferrus, or Vulcan in forging. Your brother clearly has better judgment and a stronger will than you. You're too easily deceived by appearances, especially so-called perfection." The traveler spoke.

"The world is not perfect. In terms of the mathematics that analyze everything, there are so many infinite non-cyclic constants that bother everyone. Perfection is the peak and the limit in your understanding. However, this world has no limits. Don't be disappointed because of it. You should be happy about it, because this infinity allows you to constantly climb new peaks, both in yourself and in civilization. This is the constant driving force for human and individual progress. Fugen, you have almost infinite life. The pursuit of exploration and transcendence, and the realization of real value are always more meaningful than the pursuit of superficial refinement and so-called perfection. Because these behaviors can make people truly grow, rather than deliberately covering up their own faults and pretending to be perfect." said the traveler.

The Emperor's corruption was multifaceted: the implantation of xenogeneic organs, the gradual deterioration of his aesthetics and perceptions, his psychological vulnerability, even to the point of falsifying war records, and his addiction to sensual pleasures and various so-called "battle potions." All of this gradually led the Emperor into the arms of the Dark Prince. While Fugen and the Emperor appear to be pursuing perfection, in reality, they are lost in the ultimate pleasure. They are obsessed with the praise of others and their extravagant appearance, their mental appetite for excitement is growing, and they disregard morality and discipline. It can be said that Fugen and the Emperor's pursuit is not so-called perfection, but rather a certain ultimate experience and feeling.

After the Heresy, the Emperor's Children indeed veered further and further down this path. Their relentless pursuit of excitement, using drugs and unimaginable acts of depravity to satisfy their senses, only resulted in their thresholds becoming increasingly strained. Their spirits gradually became hollow, and many even considered themselves beyond redemption. Ultimately, a Legion with a glorious history, renowned for its tactical sophistication, was ultimately shattered. Theoretically, the fate of the fallen Emperor's Children was already sealed. Their spirits gradually became hollow, their pursuit of excitement becoming a path of no return, ultimately resulting in their demise in battle or their collapse and death from the effects of the excitement exceeding their mental and physical limits. In reality, even Lucius, the Chosen Champion of Slaanesh, seemingly blessed with immortality and the ability to be resurrected over and over again, saw his spirit steadily drained from him.

"Your words cannot shake my determination to pursue perfection." Fugen sneered.

"Haha, really?" The Traveler said with a smile. He had already sensed the stirrings in Fulgrim's heart. After all, this time, Fulgrim had indeed been bewitched and corrupted; he couldn't deny it. Furthermore, after the Traveler revealed Slaanesh's true nature, Fulgrim realized a problem. Even if he accepted Enkari's so-called "perfection," Fulgrim felt that he and his Legion had grown stronger. However, in reality, facing those he once admired, he still couldn't defeat them. Fulgrim concluded that he still couldn't defeat the Khan's former second-in-command, and he also believed that he might not be able to defeat the Emperor's servant across from him.

So, the ultimate question arises: before Fulgrim chose to accept temptation and fall, he couldn't defeat certain beings, and after accepting so-called "perfection," he was still defeated by some beings. Simply put, wasn't his "perfection" in vain? Fulgrim pursued perfection, but at the same time, he hadn't fallen into luxury and indulgence. He still pursued excellence. But when he realized that the blessings of certain beings in the Warp couldn't allow him to achieve excellence or reach the level he desired, why did he continue on this path?

"Okay, that's all I have to say. We will meet again in the future." The traveler said with a smile.

Chapter 331 Abaddon and Loken

After several days of sailing, Horus's squadron rejoined the main fleet. With the assistance of Cyjanus, Horus began attending to various official duties, ranging from those within the Legion itself to those concerning the Emperor's Children and Fulgrim. The Traveler, meanwhile, attended to matters of his own interest. Meanwhile, within the infirmary of the Vengeful Spirit, Abaddon, nearly beaten to death by Fulgrim, found a rare moment of rest. Meanwhile, his comrades gathered under the guise of visiting him.

"Abaddon, you are really great. I heard that you have persisted under the Primarch long enough. This will be a new record for you. All associations will sing your name." Young Horus Eichmand said jokingly.

"Damn it, damned feat! I would rather not have experienced this abysmal battle. Yes, it was abysmal. More than half of my brothers, my closest brothers, were slain. Damn the Emperor's Children! Their blasphemous weapons and appearances make me sick to my stomach just thinking about them. I don't have a single favorable impression of those Emperor's Children now, not even a little bit!" Abaddon roared angrily, waving his fists in anger. In this battle, he had brought 100 brothers, men he could trust with their lives, but in the end, under the onslaught of Fulgrim and his Emperor's Children, 70 of them were killed. Of the remaining 30, perhaps 10 would be recruited into the Dreadnoughts.

"Well, this time things are unexpected. But fundamentally, this is the corruption of some existence in the subspace. Father takes it very seriously, and he is considering how to deal with this crisis." Torgaddon comforted.

"Really? I'm willing to join this force. I'll be on the front line and deal with them," Abaddon said.

"Uh..." Torgaddon did not respond. Abaddon looked at Loken who had been silent beside him, and then looked at little Horus. It was obvious that these two people had no intention of speaking for him.

"Well, judging from the current situation, the leader of this army has not yet been determined." Togarton said with a little embarrassment.

"No, I don't know anything about that. Why is it so? Shouldn't I be the one who takes the lead in such challenging tasks?" Abaddon said with a look of surprise on his face.

"You are indeed a good fighter, really, you are really a good fighter. We all admire you for being able to hold out under Primarch Fulgrim's sword for such a long time." Loken said silently.

"Loken, I understand the underlying meaning of your words," Abaddon sighed. "I know what you all want to say, and I also know what Father and Sejanus are thinking. I understand everything." Abaddon's face was slightly dejected. "You think I'm not prudent, that I overemphasize my own abilities, like a reckless man. Torgaddon and Loken are more stable than I am, so Father has chosen someone else, is that correct?"

"We just have different missions, Abaddon. You are still the First Captain and you need to deal with various enemies. Dealing with the threat of the warp is just one branch of our numerous missions. You have more important things to do." Torgaddon comforted.

"150 sets of brand new Centurion Terminator power armor. The Primarch still values ​​you very much. You can choose the personnel from the army yourself." Loken said on the side.

"150 sets? Can 150 sets erase the sadness in my heart? Originally, I was the first person in the legion to face the evil in the warp, but now, everything seems to have nothing to do with me. Are you humiliating me?" Abaddon stared at Loken and said.

"Ten original Iron Wolf battle mechs, yours is Chapter Master-level. They also come with an additional, enhanced Stormbird," Loken said, his face twisted slightly. The Luna Wolves traded with other Legions, trading various products. When it came to specialized armaments, all purchased equipment was first sent to Loken for commissioning and testing, with some modifications adapted to the Luna Wolves' specific needs. After all, each Legion had its own distinct tactical characteristics. For example, while the Iron Wolf battle mechs were similar, the Iron Hands' original Iron Wolf was designed as a secondary armored unit and a commando for urban combat. It wasn't meant to withstand the brunt of direct combat.

However, within the Luna Wolves, these expensive war machines were sometimes deployed not as auxiliary forces but as specialized units, serving as rapid maneuvering and penetration forces. They were more rigorously divided into specialized assault, heavy fire support, and infiltration models. These were all developed by Loken's technical sergeants. Furthermore, those receiving these equipment underwent systematic training, learning how to operate and maintain them before being distributed.

In reality, it's impossible for all equipment to reach the frontline troops. Loken would certainly keep some as a strategic reserve for the Legion to meet unexpected needs. He would also conduct some "equipment loan" operations within the Legion. For example, if a company or battalion needed to carry out an independent mission, Horus would not personally arrange the equipment transfer for a specific company or battalion, after all, the Primarch had many things to do. In such cases, the Council of Four Kings would generally take the lead.

Sejanus and his team issued the order, then sent the company or battalion commanders to negotiate with Loken in person. After all, the Legion's combat units and the Darkhan world were separate entities, and Sejanus and his team couldn't always track the production and maintenance of Darkhan equipment. Therefore, the Council of Four Kings only issued a "guidance." The extent of the specific negotiations with Loken depended on the actual situation on the Darkhan Forge World at the time, as well as Loken's own opinions.

Of course, personal likes and dislikes are inevitably involved. And within the Luna Wolves, due to the existence of warrior societies, these likes and dislikes and factional strife are even more pronounced. The fundamental reason Loken was able to ascend to the position of Quartermaster-Forge Master of the entire Legion was that he himself was not affiliated with any society and was generally fair in his conduct.

Often, Horus would give extra gifts to outstanding or favored sons, and these gifts also required Loken's assistance. For example, now. Abaddon's battle-damaged equipment, any that could be salvaged and repaired, would remain his, and 150 sets would be taken from the Legion's inventory, which was already considered a reward. As for the specific amount, Horus, in his busy schedule, had no time to carefully arrange it. Just dealing with Fulgrim was already a bit overwhelming. So, after drawing a line, he left Abaddon and Loken to discuss it themselves.

"Loken, we were once good friends. What has caused you to become so stingy?" Abaddon's anger faded to resentment. "Many company and battalion commanders say that after Loken left the Legion and went to the Forge World of Dal'Khan, he no longer resembled a Legionnaire, but rather a profiteer of the Mechanicum, haggling over a screw or a piece of wire. I didn't believe it at first, but I do now."

".......You TM......." Loken raised his fist and looked at Abaddon lying on the bed.

"An extra Flying Dragon gunship. The highest-end model. Also with related accessories and sufficient consumables. If you agree, it's a deal!" Abaddon put forward the conditions.

"You kid! Extra Dragon gunships? I still have Sky Patrollers in my warehouse. Do you want to take one too?" Locke said with red eyes.

"Forget about that. That's for Father," Abaddon said, shaking his head. Honestly, compared to the already mature Mutalisks and Bear gunships, the Sky Patrol was still incredibly difficult to produce. So much so that for most Legions, the Sky Patrol was directly controlled by the Primarch. Even the Iron Hands, a Legion with exceptionally close ties to the Space Wolves, didn't have many in stock, let alone the Luna Wolves.

"Let's go out for a walk. It seems that the two of them will continue discussing for a long time." Torgathon patted little Horus on the shoulder and said.

"Okay, you guys take your time chatting." said little Horus.

----------

"Give me more new recruits. Your conditions are negotiable." After the other two members of the Council of Four Kings left, Loken sighed and said.

"Loken, honestly, I feel like we should be friends," Abaddon said, his expression changing. "We shouldn't be so confrontational. I'll find a way to deal with the manpower issue."

The saying, "Once you're in the world, you have no choice," is quite true. In fact, when Horus decided to establish the Legion's Forge World on Dalkan and appointed Loken as its Governor and Forge Master, the entire Legion was divided into two parts: one was naturally the former combat unit, and the other was the planet to which the Legion belonged. These different parts had different interests.