"How is that even possible…
That newly appointed commander not only granted us power, but also gave Chaos warbands willing to obey actual Chaos warships?!"
Adis reread the information in the vox-channel, and his shock deepened.
Just moments ago, like his captains, he had received the new commander's warp-gift. Then, immediately after, he received a follow-up message from that same commander.
That new commander was astonishingly generous. Beyond arms and warp-fuelled power, he even arranged voidcraft—Chaos warships, genuine spaceborne assets.
"What staggering generosity!" Adis drew a deep breath, his trust growing even stronger.
"When the Flame Angels followed the former Chaos Warmaster Abaddon on campaign, we never received rewards like this. Instead, we suffered heavy losses.
Now this new commander has only just arrived, and he's already bestowed so many gifts. That alone proves how wealthy he is.
He's far more generous than that stingy, incompetent former Chaos Warmaster!"
The Flame Angels' warband leader grew ever more emotional, his resolve to follow this new master hardening.
And it was not only him. His captains felt the same.
"My lord, we are willing to follow the new commander…"
"This chance comes only once. We cannot hesitate again!"
The Flame Angels were terrified of missing their moment to swear fealty—only to fall back into the same poverty and powerlessness as before.
They did not even possess a single escort vessel of their own. Whenever they went on an expedition, they had to hitch rides on other people's ships.
What humiliation.
"The Flame Angels swear to follow the commander unto death, and under the commander's leadership, to launch a grand crusade against the Imperium."
"For the commander!"
Impoverished for so long, the Flame Angels were faster than the other warbands in declaring loyalty, their war-cries rolling outward.
Their action was like striking flint. The fire of fealty spread rapidly.
"For the commander!"
"The Iron Warriors are willing to swear loyalty to you!"
The Chaos Space Marines no longer hesitated. Shouts of allegiance echoed across the warp-tainted battlefield.
Those voices gradually became a surging tide, sending the Chaos host's morale soaring.
"Savior-brother, you've seized control of this army so quickly…" Perturabo said, astonished.
In the past, even when he appeared personally, he had never received support from the Iron Warriors at this level—much less from the Chaos warbands who had come to lend aid.
"I haven't done much," Eden said, looking down upon the wave of warriors. "I merely gave them what they've been starving for."
There was no helping it. Those Chaos Space Marines had it miserably rough. Compared to warriors of Eden's domain or the Terror Legion, they looked like beggars.
They would fight to the death over a single weapon, and they had no security at all.
Even when they went to war, they had to bring their own weapons and armor, and they received little reward.
They lived on plunder—on taking.
And if they ran into a leader like Perturabo, so twisted and cruel, it became even worse.
Fight well? No reward.
Fight even slightly poorly? One in ten executed.
It was like paying to do illegal hard labor, with no insurance and no protections.
So Eden barely had to lift a finger. He offered them a sliver of "regular army" treatment—some equipment, a little structure—and instantly earned their support.
"Perhaps only you, brother, can do this," Perturabo said. His thoughts were clearer now, the earlier malice gone, and he quickly grasped the key.
It was simply because the Savior was too wealthy. Other Chaos commanders could not possibly match this.
Those Chaos commanders were short on resources themselves. They had to raid everywhere just to keep moving—how could they afford generosity on this scale?
If they could keep their legions functioning at all, that was already impressive.
"So that's it… Only when you're rich can you do as you please," Perturabo thought, staring at the Savior's back.
"Still, it isn't enough. I must give more and earn more loyalty, enough to offset the rejection my identity will trigger."
Eden rode his grotesque engine-disc slowly toward the mustered ranks, descending to the ground.
He knew that if the Chaos Space Marines' loyalty wasn't "farmed" high enough, then the instant his true face was revealed…
Chaos would erupt into turmoil, perhaps even resistance.
If that happened, he would have to spend more strength suppressing them, and large numbers of Chaos Space Marines would die.
That would be a needless waste of the armed strength he was about to claim.
Not worth it.
Their cheeks still weren't full enough. They needed more rewards, more gratitude, more debt.
"Warriors, I can smell loyalty in the air."
Hellfire flared around Eden as his words rolled across the battlefield. "You are worthy to follow me and ignite a fiercer war than ever before."
He swept a hand and pushed out a new transmission:
"You deserve greater gifts. Any warrior who dares to fight will receive the rewards he has earned!"
What Eden broadcast was a comprehensive rewards charter. Every confirmed achievement would be compensated accordingly.
It was intoxicating.
More importantly, every obedient Chaos Space Marine would receive abundant supplies.
Even if weapons, armor, or vehicles were damaged in war, repairs and replacements would be provided—keeping their fighting strength at peak.
They would no longer have to live in poverty, scavenging other people's weapons and armor just to survive.
This was Eden's trump card.
In Chaos Space Marine terms, it was the equivalent of a full benefits package—insurance, provisions, and guaranteed replacement gear.
In an instant, the Chaos host boiled over. Cheers hit their peak.
"The Flame Angels are fortunate to have taken part in this war," Adis thought. "That being will lead us to glory!"
He and his warriors fell into fanatic fervor, staring at the new commander drawing closer.
Around that being, infernal flames burned and roared out a name:
Lord of Hell, Lord of Terror.
"What presence… Perhaps he is the hidden ruler behind the Terror Legion, a dreadful sovereign," Adis thought, his heart hammering.
A terrifying aura washed over him.
He could not help but recall the Savior—the Emperor of the Imperium—and compare him to this new commander, this Lord of Hell.
Adis had faced the Savior's might directly. Precisely because of that, he could sense the difference in strength with stark clarity.
"Our new commander, the Lord of Hell… his presence is already comparable to the Savior.
No. He is even stronger than the Savior."
Adis trembled, his voice rising with excitement.
"At last, we have an existence who can rival the Savior, who can stand unafraid of his pressure!"
He had personally witnessed the Savior's horror. Neither the Despoiler Abaddon nor Huron Blackheart could compare.
Even Perturabo, the Lord of Iron, had little chance of victory.
But now, everything was changing.
Then Adis saw the being's outline more clearly—and his expression abruptly changed.
He realized something, and his resolve hardened into steel.
Drawing a deep breath, the Flame Angels' leader roared:
"No. He is not a Chaos commander. Absolutely not!"
Adis's roar snapped the area into sudden silence. Iron Warriors and countless other Chaos Space Marines turned toward him.
Disbelief spread.
No one had expected a minor warband like the Flame Angels to defy the Lord of Hell.
All waited for the Lord of Hell's reaction. They knew slaughter was inevitable.
Perhaps the Flame Angels would be exterminated.
"Hm?"
Eden noticed the sudden shift. He stepped down from the Chaos engine-disc and walked toward the warband leader who had dared to oppose him, one slow step at a time.
His presence rose, flames licking outward.
"Warrior," he said, "you seem to have a different opinion?"
Eden had anticipated something like this. He was not surprised.
If anything, it was useful—perfect for establishing authority.
As the Lord of Hell approached, the crushing pressure intensified. The Chaos Space Marines around the Flame Angels swallowed hard, fear seeping into them.
They quietly backed away from the fool who didn't know how to live, leaving an empty circle of open ground.
"I…"
Adis realized what he had done. His breathing turned ragged.
He instinctively took a step back—only to find he had nowhere left to retreat.
Gritting his teeth, he still held to his point.
"Lord of Hell, you are not merely a commander…
You deserve a higher station. The Chaos Space Marines need your rule. You will lead us to achievements never before seen.
You should become the Warmaster of Chaos, the one who commands all warriors!"
Adis nearly shouted, pouring out what he truly wanted—what he had longed for all along.
Among the servants of Chaos, "Warmaster" was a special title: the supreme commander of all Chaos Space Marines.
Just like Warmaster Horus ten thousand years ago—worthy of the devotion of all.
But the servants of Chaos were not what they once were. Abaddon had faltered. Huron Blackheart's authority was insufficient.
The seat of Warmaster had remained effectively vacant; no one could truly unify hearts.
And now Adis finally saw a sliver of hope.
Besides this being—so mighty that even Perturabo was willing to submit, and so generous—who else was qualified to become the new Warmaster?
Only then would they have the power to oppose the Savior, the false Emperor of the Imperium.
"Warmaster of Chaos!"
"We beg for your command—slay the false Emperor, and let the galaxy burn anew!"
The Flame Angels had been terrified by their leader's sudden "madness," thinking they were about to be butchered.
Now they understood. They immediately rallied behind him.
"Warmaster! Warmaster! Warmaster!"
"For the Warmaster!"
The Flame Angels waved banners and howled. The frenzy infected the other warbands as well.
In moments, Chaos Space Marines across the field raised their weapons and roared, endorsing the Lord of Hell's ascension to Warmaster.
This was the will of the host.
This powerful, generous Lord of Hell was worthy of every Chaos Space Marine's allegiance.
"Tch…"
Eden stared at the black sea of warriors stretching to the horizon, all caught in feverish zeal, and involuntarily sucked in a sharp breath.
"This is moving even faster than I expected. I barely sat in the commander's seat, and now it's accelerating straight into 'Warmaster'?"
Those Flame Angels really had a sense for timing. Was this not the Chaos version of being draped in ceremonial robes and 'insisted' into the throne?
In the realm of Chaos Space Marines, the Warmaster was essentially an emperor.
So long as you had enough prestige and enough strength, you could command them all.
"Well, it just so happens that strength is the one thing I never lack.
Since failures like Abaddon couldn't seize the opportunity, then I'll serve as Warmaster."
Eden made his decision.
If he was the Emperor of the Imperium, then moonlighting as Chaos Warmaster was hardly a problem.
He lifted a hand slightly, and a wave of dominance spread outward.
The Chaos host fell silent at once, waiting for their new Warmaster to speak.
"We do indeed need a new Warmaster. I am willing to bear this difficult responsibility.
I swear I will lead you to greater glory. And I will enter Holy Terra, become the Emperor of the Imperium, and wash away every shame the warriors of Chaos have endured!"
The Lord of Hell's voice rolled across the battlefield, igniting the blood of the Chaos host.
This oath was grander than anything the former Warmaster Abaddon had ever sworn.
That one only ever organized Black Crusades and plundered.
But the Chaos host remembered: the Warmaster's ultimate goal had always been to break into Holy Terra and seize the Imperium's highest authority.
That was the cause they desired—the cause they had pursued in suffering for ten thousand years.
From the Chaos Space Marines' perspective, they were not traitors. They had merely lost an internal war.
One day they would storm Holy Terra, cleanse their humiliation, and claim the power and status they deserved.
"You have shown such loyalty. You should receive greater rewards."
Eden walked to the Flame Angels and raised a hand. A Chaos engine delivered several suits of mastercrafted Terror Armour.
He did not forget these perceptive opportunists—especially their leader.
Without that "assist," Eden could not have acquired the title of Warmaster so smoothly.
Now that he held the name of Chaos Warmaster, he could do far more: absorb more Chaos Space Marines, and do it under the banner of legitimate Chaos tradition.
"Warmaster!"
Adis stared at the mastercrafted armor, becoming even more loyal, more fanatical.
He wanted nothing more than to charge into battle at once—strike the Imperium, strike the Savior—to repay the Warmaster's favor.
"Flame Angels, loyal warriors of Chaos… are you willing to become the sons of the Lord of Hell?"
Eden brought up their dossier and launched a shamelessly smooth "adoption" offensive.
For Space Marines, this meant something deeper than ordinary loyalty—a bond akin to blood.
When Guilliman returned, he took in not a few Space Marines from other forces.
Only a sacred, tightly bound relationship like this could prevent betrayal and ensure true safety.
Just like within the Iron Warriors: many warriors carried gene-seed that traced back to Dorn, yet they still recognized Perturabo as father.
Even the one-in-ten executions did not break them into rebellion.
Now the atmosphere was blazing hot, the pressure was at its peak—this was the best possible moment to claim sons. Chances like this did not come often.
Adis trembled at Eden's words.
He felt even more moved.
"What trust. What honor. The Lord of Hell is willing to accept us…"
For the Flame Angels, this was a blessing beyond measure.
They would become the Warmaster's direct-line troops, with richer supplies and better treatment—at the very least, no longer forced to rely on "ninth-hand" Chaos ships.
And more than that: the being before them was clearly a primarch-like form, stronger still, not some inhuman daemon.
Adis felt no resistance—only pride.
"Fa… Father."
Adis led the Flame Angels in kneeling halfway to the ground, completing the rite in a voice of utter reverence.
From this moment onward, the Lord of Hell would become their gene-father, and in time they would receive his warp-tainted bloodline.
Other Chaos Space Marines looked on with envy.
Given the Lord of Hell's wealth and generosity, the Flame Angels—now the Warmaster's direct-line—might one day enjoy treatment no worse than the Terror Legion's warriors.
Everyone knew this being had close ties to the Terror Legion.
Eden seemed to sense their thoughts. His gaze swept across them slowly, eyes full of encouragement.
The Chaos Space Marines seized the opening. One after another, they knelt halfway and performed the blood-rite.
The cries of "Father" rose and fell in waves.
They offered up all loyalty—becoming sons of the Lord of Hell, becoming the Warmaster's direct-line troops.
Life and death, together.
Eden was even more satisfied. Who would have thought that stepping out once would net him so many "adopted sons"?
A harvest beyond expectation.
In the future, he could continue—under the name of Chaos Warmaster—until he gathered every Chaos Space Marine of every allegiance, even those claimed by the Dark Gods themselves.
And with that, he could march into the Warp with far greater peace of mind, leading these forces to haul Guilliman-brother back.
"Adis, my good son…"
Eden helped the Flame Angels' leader to his feet.
His face gradually revealed itself, exposing his original features.
There was even a trace of gentleness to it.
Now he was the Chaos Warmaster, with Perturabo and others standing behind him. He no longer feared that revealing his true identity would cause problems.
Besides, these Chaos Space Marines had already boarded his pirate ship. They would not lightly betray their gene-father.
They could only walk this road to the end.
"Fa… Savior?!"
Adis looked up, voice full of loyalty—then saw the Savior's face.
Huh?
The Flame Angels' leader thought his eyes were deceiving him, but everything in front of him insisted otherwise.
The Lord of Hell—his gene-father—was the Savior, the Emperor of the Imperium.
In that instant, Adis fell into profound confusion and dread.
It seemed he had just done something truly catastrophic—dragging countless Chaos Space Marines into a pit.
What now?
(End of Chapter)
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