The son of the God-Emperor in Warhammer Fantasy

In the throne room, the conversation between Magnus and the Emperor continued.

"Her power seems to have a unique benefit in creating Grey Knights," the Emperor said with a hint of doubt in his voice. "The power of that alien god is very special. I suspect... you know of the Fall of the Eldar."

"You mean?!" Magnus's eyes widened at the mention of the Fall of the Eldar.

Although Magnus, the Primarch of the Thousand Sons, was foolish in many ways, he was undoubtedly highly knowledgeable, like a professor. He suddenly realized something, "It seems you've found a treasure?"

"Not necessarily, but at least it's not harmful. My conversation with Cegorach was based on this." The Emperor didn't elaborate further, and Magnus didn't press on. Some things were better left unsaid.

"...But that alien god is ultimately an alien god. The Grey Knights are your last gift to humanity. They must not be tainted by an alien god," Magnus warned the Emperor after a moment of contemplation. "How can you tolerate this? If you can tolerate this, why couldn't you tolerate me and the Thousand Sons back then?"

"What makes you think you are purer than her? She is more human than you. She has absorbed human faith for over a thousand years as a deity. Magnus, don't judge my plans with your inferior intellect." The Emperor's face, shrouded in endless miracles and light, showed a trace of thinly veiled anger. "Magnus, think with your head. Why didn't I kill her? Over ten thousand years, you've learned nothing but how to mess things up."

"Fine, very well." Magnus was equally frustrated, "Yes, you can send Guilliman on the Indomitus Crusade, let Vulkan focus on rebuilding the Storm Warriors, send Jonson on a crusade against the Tau, and let Ryan, Fulgrim, and Angron fight on that special planet. And me? You tricked me into sitting on the Golden Throne, giving me only a few days of freedom each year. Fine, I endure it for you, and now you despise me?!"

"This is the only way you can still contribute to humanity, Magnus," the Emperor said coldly. "I don't want to repeat what you messed up."

"Ugh! Always bringing that up!" Magnus grumbled, stopping his accusations against the Emperor. Indeed, he had messed everything up.

The throne room fell silent again, only the sounds of the Golden Throne's operation and the tech-priests' constant repairs and adjustments remained. Magnus wanted to ask more but remembered he had used up his allotted questions. Any further inquiries would likely be ignored by his omnipotent father.

He hated this feeling.

After careful consideration, Magnus tried to speak, "Jonson should be back soon, right, Father?"

Previously, the Primarch of the Dark Angels, Lion El'Jonson, had received orders from the Emperor to lead the Dark Angels in attacking a crucial homeworld of the Tau Empire. The mission included the entire Dark Angels Chapter and a full Mechanicum defense army.

Jonson was somewhat dissatisfied with constantly being sent against the relatively weak Tau, but he completed his mission efficiently. He and the Mechanicum's defense army formed a coalition, invaded the homeworld, and ruthlessly decimated the Tau reinforcements. After nearly wiping out all surface creatures, Jonson discovered the planet's greatest secret.

The homeworld housed the Tau Empire's highest technological achievements of the past few centuries. The tech-priests began excavations in ecstasy, while Jonson collected numerous alien technologies, feeling satisfied with the results.

Now, Jonson and his Dark Angels, aboard the massive ship Caliban, led a fleet of Mechanicum cargo ships laden with the latest Tau war machines and technological research, returning to Mars.

Since the Emperor's return, he had greatly improved the Mechanicum's status, making it directly answerable to him rather than the High Lords of Terra.

Despite this, the Mechanicum wasn't particularly grateful. To them, the Mechanicum had never been part of the Imperium; the Emperor had merely restored their rightful status.

Yes, many humans mistakenly believed the Mechanicum was the blind head of the Imperium's double-headed eagle. This was completely wrong. From the Forge Lords to the lowest cogboys, they viewed the Imperium and Mechanicum as equal partners.

The return of the Emperor and the numerous STC modules had delighted the tech-priests. Many high-ranking Mechanicum members, including Archmagos Dominus Belisarius Cawl, had visited Terra to meet the Emperor, presenting their demands and taking away many new technologies they felt were rightfully theirs.

"They have arrived on Mars," the Emperor said, seemingly more talkative after drinking some wine. "If it's your wish, you can soon meet Jonson."

"Who wants to see him..." Magnus muttered, clearly not fond of Jonson.

"...Sometimes, I miss playing chess in the Warp with three others." The Emperor added, sipping his wine, "Though given the chance, we all wished to destroy each other."

"Three others? Chess?" Magnus was puzzled.

"Me, Tzeentch, Cegorach, and the Deceiver Trazyn," the Emperor explained, putting down his wine glass. "We played a game of military chess."

"Military chess? I didn't know you enjoyed that," Magnus said, curious.

"Using star systems as the board, Primarchs and countless soldiers as pieces," the Emperor said calmly. "In that game, you wouldn't even qualify as a piece, Magnus. If you want a chance to prove yourself, better understand the nature of the Warp and the universe. Sitting on the Golden Throne isn't just a punishment; see what you can learn."

A rare feeling of exhilaration filled Magnus. The Primarch of the Thousand Sons felt an excitement he hadn't in a long time. His father hadn't given up on him. Sitting on the Golden Throne wasn't just for atonement but also to teach him something!

"I understand, Father." Magnus's voice carried excitement. "Look forward to my performance."

"Good." The Emperor remained cold, his rest over. He resumed his work, while Magnus closed his eyes, carefully controlling the Golden Throne's operation.

The throne room returned to silence.

...A line marking a change...

Old World, East of the World's Edge Mountains, the Dark Lands.

Tamu Khan and his army had reached the Dark Lands, a notorious, corrupted region.

The Kurgan Khan was no longer in his original lithe form as Slaanesh's Champion—he had discarded that body. Now, he resided in the body of a giant ogre, the "Mountain Crusher."

This change stemmed from a long campaign.

After deciding to head south, Tamu Khan realized that relying solely on his vast army and fierce warriors would not suffice against the Empire's forces—a nation of steel, magic, guns, and fortified castles. The Chaos Everchosen Archaon's failure during the second Chaos invasion, attacking from Kislev, taught Tamu Khan a crucial lesson. Kislev, with its staunch defenders, solid fortifications, and elite imperial reinforcements, proved an unwise target even for Archaon's half-million Chaos warriors.

Tamu Khan planned to strike from the south, attacking the Empire's weaker regions.

Facing a manpower shortage with less than fifty thousand troops, Tamu Khan realized conquering the Empire would be a long shot. Upon crossing the Altayan Mountains, he was delighted to find the Dawrkan tribe—a massive and powerful Kurgan tribe known for their fierce tempers and stubbornness, disliked by other northern tribes.

Tamu Khan sought to incorporate these formidable warriors, especially their renowned War Mammoth units—living siege tanks capable of crushing small enemy forces.

After a brief skirmish, Tamu Khan extended an olive branch to the Dawrkan. Their cunning leader, the legendary sorcerer "The Faithless" Sai, saw an opportunity to expand his power. After considering the pros and cons, Sai accepted the alliance on the condition of equal status with Tamu Khan, not as subordinates.

Tamu Khan agreed, quickly doubling his forces to over a hundred thousand. The combined army decided to cross the Sorrow Mountains, following the blood-and-glory-filled prophecy to invade the Empire from the south, like a dagger piercing its soft underbelly.

However, the journey proved challenging.

The once human-occupied Kurgan Steppe had become overrun by Beastmen, Greenskins, the Ogre Kingdoms, and Chaos Dwarfs due to increasing Chaos corruption over centuries. The first battle crossing the Sorrow Mountains was against a Beastmen horde, easily defeated by Tamu Khan's army, the Beastlord killed by his toad-dragon. Thousands of Beastmen were integrated into his forces.

But good fortune ended there.

Tamu Khan's army soon faced a major obstacle: the colossal fortress of Cathay's Western Protectorate on the Silk Road.

Sai's Dawrkan army suffered a crushing defeat attacking the fortress, losing over thirty thousand troops. The fortress, heavily fortified with elite troops and wizards, made a direct assault nearly impossible without a Pyrrhic victory.

Sai's defeat proved the Silk Road impassable. The army had to divert through the Ogre Kingdoms, crossing into the Dark Lands to attempt crossing the World's Edge Mountains again.

In the Ogre Kingdoms, they faced a real test.

The "Red Fist" ogre tribe blocked their path, forcing Tamu Khan to lead his army in a direct confrontation.

The Ogres' strength was undeniable. Tamu Khan's forces struggled against the Ogres and their giants. Ultimately, Tamu Khan had to personally charge on his toad-dragon

, dueling the ogre leader, the Mountain Crusher.

At that time, Tamu Khan still had the body of Slaanesh's Champion Sargas, showcasing incredible agility and blinding the Mountain Crusher with a rapier. The Mountain Crusher, however, seized the opportunity to tear Tamu Khan's body apart.

It seemed the Ogres had won.

The Mountain Crusher raised his hands in victory.

But the Ogres' low intelligence meant they didn't understand hesitation leads to defeat.

As the Mountain Crusher let down his guard, Tamu Khan unleashed his ultimate trick. From Sargas's shattered body, a white maggot spewed out, burrowing into the Mountain Crusher's mouth, down his esophagus, and into his chest, devouring the ogre from within!

The new Tamu Khan was reborn inside the ogre tyrant's body.

Thus, Tamu Khan transformed from a lithe champion wielding a rapier to a three-meter-tall giant ogre wielding a massive club. His victorious roar led the Red Fist tribe's Ogres and giants to surrender, swelling his army with more beasts and Beastmen.

The winter saw Chaos forces advancing over the Graywater River, from the desolate northern mountain paths to the ghostly southern forests, teeming with unholy legions. Whether numerous trolls, scorpions the size of watchtowers, or fierce Ogres, they faced three choices before Chaos: death, submission, or flight.

Now, the maggot king's army faced a murky black river.

Tamu Khan realized this black river marked the border between the Dark Lands and the Ogre Kingdoms!

The Chaos Dwarfs' fortress was just across the river!

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