Having commanded Szczesny to reorganize the Fourth Regiment, Nimrod slipped away from prying eyes and returned to the Nation of Disorder.
Once more, he confirmed that the Gnaw-Octopus's ink-sac was not among the potion materials already unlocked on the Blasphemous Slate.
The potion formulas for Sequence 9 and Sequence 8 had been fully revealed, but for Sequence 7, only the "Briber" of his pathway and the "Interrogator" of an adjacent pathway were accessible.
Nimrod placed the ink-sac in solitude within a palace on the first layer of the True Realm, then sank into contemplation, drawing upon his understanding of potion materials.
[The higher the grade of a potion material, the greater the spirituality it typically contains, and the more arduous its acquisition.
The Fra'ow's Night Shards are evidently harder to procure than the Lung Spider's pulmonary sac.
The Gnaw-Octopus's ink-sac harbors even greater spirituality and is far more challenging to obtain. It must be a mid-sequence potion material—the first of its kind I've acquired.]
Beyonders of Sequence 9, Sequence 8, and Sequence 7 belong to the low sequences, while those of Sequence 6 and Sequence 5 are mid-sequences.
Nimrod gazed intently at the ink-sac, analyzing further.
[The materials required for potion formulas seem to follow an intrinsic logic.
The 'Savage' requires an Ogryn's arm, which is overt; the 'Arbiter' demands a gavel, similarly related; the 'Sailor' needs a Siren Stone, tied to the sea.
Less obvious materials conceal an intrinsic logic I've yet to discern. As for the source of spirituality in potion materials, its origin remains elusive.]
He turned and strode out of the palace. [Given this, the ink-sac, hailing from the ocean, is likely a potion material for the 'Sailor' within the Tyrant pathway.]
Returning to the material world, Nimrod summoned his retinue to hear their reports.
"My king, one hundred seventeen veterans and twenty-seven recruits perished," Szczesny reported glumly, his voice heavy with frustration. The grievous losses inflicted by a mere sea-beast gnawed at him, fueling a desire to rend it asunder, though the female shaman had intervened.
At that moment, Marlena stepped forward.
"I have a proposal that could swiftly secure the Sicilians' loyalty."
"Oh?" Nimrod's interest piqued. "Speak."
"Fang-Ceph wrought countless deaths among the Sicilians. If you dispatch Trinio's warriors to carry a portion of its remains to each tribe, proclaiming your triumph, you will win their fealty."
"No other Gnaw-Octopus in the Coral Sea boasts such a colossal form."
"Very well. We shall proceed as you suggest."
Nimrod accepted Marlena's counsel. For him, the loss was merely some meat.
"My lord, I request to personally oversee this task," Szczesny interjected eagerly, his faint resentment toward the shaman dissipating.
"It is yours."
Granting Szczesny's request, Nimrod watched as he hastened to the shore, dismembering Fang-Ceph.
Tentacles were severed one by one, and the head was divided into seven distinct segments.
Marlena's strategy proved effective. After the Fourth Regiment eradicated the Fra'ow invaders across the islands, when Trinio's warriors displayed Fang-Ceph's remains and recounted the tale of Nimrod's descent from the heavens to slay the Coral Sea's overlord, Sicilian tribes eagerly pledged allegiance.
Sea-Guards clamored to join Nimrod's banner, and the Fourth Regiment adhered to Szczesny's prior selection criteria.
Two stellar days later, the Fourth Regiment's ranks were fully restored.
Reporting this to Nimrod, Szczesny received orders to continue recruiting Sea-Guards without limit.
As the conquest of the Cradle of the Sea surged forward, Nimrod received a communique from Rosicky.
"King Nimrod, Vostonia is in turmoil. Mutants in over thirteen hives have launched assaults."
"Lukpo and Tezwok, under your rule, are also in rebellion."
Nimrod's brow furrowed slightly. He had departed Vostonia with no hint of mutant unrest, and his instincts sensed a hidden force orchestrating the chaos.
"What is the scale of the uprisings?"
"Regrettably, detailed intelligence is lacking. I urge your immediate return to Vostonia."
Nimrod fell into deep reflection.
[The Fra'ow in the Cradle of the Sea have largely been purged. The remaining xenos can be handled by Szczesny's warriors.]
His obsidian eyes gleamed with resolve, recognizing an opportunity.
[The mutant rebellions present a chance to conquer Vostonia.]
With this realization, he made his decision.
Three stellar hours later, Nimrod convened a council, hearing progress reports before issuing commands.
"Szczesny, you shall temporarily command all armed forces in the Cradle of the Sea. Your mission is to subdue all Sicilian tribes and eradicate every invading xenos."
"My lord, I shall fulfill your mandate," Szczesny vowed.
"The task I previously assigned—have any among your subordinates shown promise?"
Szczesny, prepared, replied, "My lord, the steel warriors' minds were warped by that mad king. They are capable fighters but lack the caliber to lead independently."
"Among the local recruits, Jorginho stands out. He fought in five island campaigns and single-handedly persuaded three Sicilian tribes to swear loyalty to you."
"Very well. After this council, have him accompany me to Vostonia."
Throughout his conquests, Nimrod had gathered potion materials, including Siren Stones and rapeseed, sufficient to cultivate "Sailors" and "Planters."
Yet he would not bestow Beyonder status lightly; rigorous vetting was essential.
Nimrod had devised a preliminary plan. He could not personally oversee every Beyonder, especially after rejoining the Imperium.
He resolved to establish a recommendation system, where Beyonders he personally trained would nominate candidates, whom he would then observe closely for final approval.
"Vieri, your task is to rebuild Trani, restoring its food production capacity swiftly."
"As you command, my king."
Vieri responded with reverence. After witnessing Nimrod slay Fang-Ceph, his grudging submission had transformed into heartfelt fealty to the godlike giant.
"Marlena…"
Before Nimrod could continue, the shaman spoke.
"I wish to accompany you to Vostonia."
Surprised by her request, Nimrod inquired curiously, "Why this desire?"
Marlena's tea-brown eyes shimmered with aspiration, her face alight with yearning.
"I have long dreamed of venturing into the star-sea, to behold the worlds beyond."
"Now, at last, the opportunity arises. I wish to follow you and serve your cause."
Nimrod nodded slightly. Marlena was a formidable psyker, surpassing even Thierry in potency. Bringing her along would gain a capable ally, and without her influential presence as shaman, Szczesny could more effectively govern the Cradle of the Sea in his stead.
With this in mind, he declared, "Very well. You shall depart with me."
Nimrod, accompanied by Marlena, Jorginho, and other retainers, boarded the Pishichek and ordered its departure. Returning to his quarters, he entered the Nation of Truth to prepare a "Knowledger" potion.
---
Author's Note:
In response to several legion members inquiring when Nimrod will return, I offer this clarification.
First, I have not forced the return timeline to coincide with the novel's paid release, though that might boost initial subscriptions.
Second, regarding the first volume's plot, twelve plot points remain unwritten. Once completed, Nimrod will return to the Imperium, commencing the second volume, "The Great Crusade."
Note: Not every plot point can be covered in a single chapter.
Here are my thoughts. Nimrod does not wield a golden cheat (potion system and gene-primarch status) to effortlessly claim all. Before returning to the Imperium, he will forge a modest realm akin to a Rogue Trader dynasty.
Games Workshop offers no clear definition of a Rogue Trader dynasty. The Agamemnon Dynasty concentrates most of its wealth in a single vessel yet bears the title.
My definition is a realm with a formidable fleet and a self-sustaining world-system.
This system comprises an administrative planet, an agri-world, an industrial world, and at least one economically vital world generating immense value.
Vostonia serves as both administrative planet and industrial world; the Cradle of the Sea is an agri-world. Subsequently, Nimrod will undertake Warp travel to seize an economic world in another system.
I do not wish to rely on gene-sons to achieve this; that would be too facile and lack personal endeavor.
Of course, upon returning, the legion will conquer numerous worlds.
Those familiar with primarchs' returns know none achieved this, not even Guilliman or Dorn.
Finally, I understand most readers crave a swift return. I will moderately hasten the pace but must complete the essential plot points outlined in my plan.
The first volume is projected to span seventy chapters, with the paid release occurring after the return.