The galaxy is a colossal chessboard of unceasing, blazing flames. Above the vast starry sky, it is built upon mountains of bones forged from blood and loyalty. Since ancient times, this has been the playground of the gods, the game of conquerors, and for the Emperor, this was already second nature.
But the gears of fate began to turn. Beneath the brilliant lights, a ripple appeared in this game.
The moment an unstable factor was introduced, the river of fate began to change. Nineteen pieces on his board began to flash and move continuously. The threads of the gods became tangled on every piece. He closed his golden, luminous eyes and began calculating every subsequent move, fifty steps and a hundred steps ahead, weighing the pros and cons of the endless future.
He heard laughter echoing in the obscure darkness beneath the light.
"number twelve?"
He whispered... "Listen, stop shocking me!"
Angron said to System AI with a very serious expression.
But across from him was Eunomous, this Gladiator was very conflicted. What... shocking him?
After several days of flight, the Gladiators had found a tribe dozens of kilometers away from Desheiya City. During this time, the group repelled several waves of pursuing forces and continuously fought guerrilla warfare under Angron's command.
However, Angron had also grown familiar with System AI on his head. Even though to others, Angron always seemed to be muttering to himself like a madman, every battle resulted in their victory.
Because of this, the few voices of doubt were suppressed by Eunomous.
But only Angron knew that the one truly helping them achieve victory was System AI in his head. Every time the enemy advanced, System AI would timely provide the direction of the enemy's movement.
And he and the others only needed to set up an ambush and use the captured weapons. This resulted in them seizing a considerable amount of supplies after several battles.
Several vehicles, thousands of firearms, and hundreds of suits of Adamantium Power Armor stripped from corpses.
They even managed to establish their own base.
[If you foolishly charge out unprotected again, angron unit two! At least get me off your head first! If you must die, please don't take me with you!]
The System AI was furious. Although he understood that, as the leader of the Gladiators' resistance, Angron should be the first to charge, the System AI felt Angron's lack of protection was suicidal. Even if Angron was a Primarch and shouldn't be so fragile, as a certain large blue bird would say, everything in the world is subject to change!
If Angron were blown up by a single shot, where would he find such a good body in a short amount of time!
"Angron, why don't you go rest for a bit?"
Eunomous tried to persuade Angron to take a break, as Angron had been too busy lately.
"No! Eunomous, I actually have something I need to discuss with you!"
Angron shook his head.
"To liberate Nuceria, we need to give our organization a name."
Angron looked at Eunomous.
"What do you think we should call it?"
Although Eunomous had a high reputation among the Gladiators, he did not want to usurp Angron's authority.
"How about World Eaters?"
Angron smiled proudly, and then, immediately after saying the words, he collapsed onto the ground and began convulsing.
"Angron!!!!"
Eunomous watched the seizing Angron and quickly joined the others to lift him up.
"I think that name might not be so good!"
Angron was subdued by the electrical shock.
Right in front of everyone, he raised his hand and, with a bitter expression, vetoed his own suggestion.
[Listen, change this damned name for me! I would rather call us the Nuceria Liberation Front than this disgusting World Eaters!]
[Also, I think you should exercise your body!]
The System AI's angry voice left Angron somewhat confused. What was wrong with World Eaters? He thought World Eaters sounded great!
But then he felt the concern of the others.
Angron waved his hand, indicating he was perfectly fine, even flexing his biceps—a rare joke among the Gladiators.
Eunomous said nothing, but he became even more worried.
"Child, liberation doesn't happen overnight. Perhaps we should take a long-term approach!"
Eunomous subtly expressed his concerns.
Angron looked at Eunomous. He scanned Eunomous's aged face. Even though he was now wearing Adamantium Power Armor stripped from a High Knight, Angron knew that his old comrade had fought in the arena for years; his bravery was still there, but he had to admit, he was old!
[He is more like a father than your father ever was.]
Angron listened to the System AI's words. Although he was curious, he held back. Take the System AI on his head, for example; he had never seen this kind of nail before. In his memory, most people who had the nail implanted basically went mad, like rabid dogs craving death.
But... no one actually wanted to die.
Just as Eunomous said, no one wanted to die.
"How is Yochuka doing?"
Angron suddenly asked.
Yochuka was a slave, a boy about ten years old, captured by the Slave Masters from a certain tribe. This time, the System AI had brought him out too. Basically, most of them had been brought out; only a small portion remained permanently in that slaughterhouse.
"Not bad. At least now he can see the red sands and smell the scent of freedom."
Eunomous smiled.
"So, back to the topic, Angron, what kind of name do you intend to give us."
[War Hounds! How about War Hounds! Your future sons will also bear this name!]
"War Hounds, how about that?"
Angron wasn't afraid of the System AI continuing to shock his brain nerves; he just genuinely didn't think the name was... fine, he compromised.
"Hey, everyone! We have a new name now! War Hounds!"
Eunomous roared, laughing loudly as he raised the local tribal liquor they were using to celebrate toward the sky.
"For the War Hounds!"
"For the War Hounds!!!"
"For Angron!!"
"For Angron!!!"
Countless Gladiators began to cheer wildly.
[Angron, guess what kind of message I intercepted?]
"What?"
Angron asked.
[The city of Desh'ea is planning revenge against you and has set up a conspiracy for you.]
The System AI stared at the information on the data screen. He had found the meeting records of these people by hacking the data, and the target of the invasion was the Servitor recording the meeting.