Chapter 56: Expansion

When Nimrod led the Second Regiment into the Omsk Hive, the entire sprawling city was engulfed in a maelstrom of chaos and disorder.

Without expending excessive effort, he subdued the Vostonia's fourth largest hive, now bereft of its king and guard-captain, a headless beast floundering without leadership.

Having witnessed the remarkable efficacy of infiltration and decapitation tactics, Nimrod promptly compounded two "Assassin" potions, elevating Tesvitana and Dementieva—whose potential, though slightly inferior to Maria's, was matched by unwavering loyalty—into the ranks of Beyonders.

After dispatching the three Beyonders to continue their assassination operations, he swiftly scoured the royal treasury.

In the warrior-king's vault, Nimrod not only gathered materials sufficient for two "Warrior" potions but also discovered four Deep Pit Gladiator Belts, prized possessions of the fallen monarch. These belts served as the primary material for Sequence 8 "Pugirist" of the "Warrior" pathway.

Like most hives across Vostonia, Omsk's underclass faced the grim fate of being ensnared by the Union's binding contracts due to debts or other misfortunes, condemned to the wretched existence of Deep Pit slaves.

Among these, the most tragic were the Deep Pit Gladiators, doomed to fight to the death in the arena. In most hives, such arenas were sordid affairs, but Omsk was an exception.

King Mordel, consumed by an obsession with gladiatorial combat, not only established an arena but frequently attended to revel in the life-and-death duels. The four belts he collected belonged to the only four champions who achieved a hundred victories.

These champions earned the rare chance to challenge Mordel himself, only to perish in their final bout for freedom.

[The "Pugirist," also known as "Gladiator" or "Fighter," finds its material in the Deep Pit Gladiator's Belt—a fitting alignment of inner logic.]

Nimrod's thoughts turned to Thierry, and he summoned the noble to the palace.

The golden-haired aristocrat, upon arriving before his lord, immediately delivered a report.

"My king, the Second Regiment sustained minimal losses in prior engagements, with only one hundred and forty-two souls claimed by death."

Nimrod inclined his head slightly, his voice resonant with approval.

"Your performance has been commendable. In my absence, you have honed the Second Regiment into a finely tempered blade, elevating their combat prowess and fostering seamless coordination."

"Moreover, you slew heretical cultists and held the Lukpo Hive steadfast."

Thierry, hearing these words, felt a surge of pride and exhilaration. His efforts had earned the recognition of his monarch, and a smile involuntarily spread across his face.

Though his heart swelled with emotion, he maintained his composure, responding earnestly.

"I have not failed your trust."

Nimrod nodded again, his satisfaction evident. His profound obsidian eyes fixed upon the "Warrior," employing "Warp Insight" and Spirit Vision to scrutinize the man before him.

Through "Warp Insight," Thierry's emotions radiated fervor, his mental state robust and vibrant.

The "Warrior" pathway's enhancements were wholly physical, prompting Nimrod to focus his Spirit Vision on Thierry's corporeal form, bypassing his aura.

Thierry's limbs, vital for motion, glowed red. His head and brain shimmered with purple hues. Excretory and detoxifying organs blazed orange, while his digestive system gleamed yellow. His heart and regulatory systems pulsed green, and his throat, along with certain neural pathways, shone blue.

Yet, his body lacked a harmonious balance, instead exhibiting a discordant blend of red and white.

[Thierry's body has yet to achieve equilibrium. He has not fully digested the "Warrior" potion.]

Drawing this preliminary conclusion, Nimrod addressed Thierry to confirm his observations.

"Have you fully mastered the power I bestowed upon you?"

The "Warrior" did not respond hastily. He pondered for several seconds before speaking.

"My king, I have not yet fully mastered it, but I have discovered the true path forward."

Nimrod, finding Thierry's words aligned with his observations, spoke with authority.

"Continue along the path you have found. When you have wholly mastered the power I granted, you shall receive a further, mightier gift."

Thierry, invigorated by these words, felt a renewed sense of purpose. He dropped to one knee, declaring solemnly.

"I shall not betray your expectations."

"Rise," Nimrod commanded, his need for capable lieutenants pressing. He posed another question. "I previously instructed you to observe the warriors for talent. Have you identified any?"

"My king, the Iron Warriors are formidable combatants, but their minds, warped by the Mad King's indoctrination, remain rigid and unyielding."

"Beyond them, I have identified two individuals of note. The first is Buuka, once my personal guard-captain, now a platoon leader."

"He excels not only in wielding ballistic shields and protective gear but also in commanding fellow warriors to erect defenses, repelling enemy assaults with steadfast resolve."

Thierry, as he spoke, manipulated a dataslate, presenting Buuka's personal dossier to Nimrod.

"The second is Gyurgyur, a recruit I enlisted from the Lukpo Hive's garrison after your liberation of the city. Though only seventeen, he possesses a keen mind and fearless spirit. I appointed him as a shock-troop platoon leader."

Nimrod nodded with approval. "Order them to remain in Omsk and fight alongside me henceforth."

"Your Second Regiment has endured two consecutive battles. Though losses were light, it requires time to recuperate."

"As you command, my king," Thierry replied, though a flicker of regret crossed his heart. He yearned to continue fighting, to tread the "Warrior" path he had uncovered.

Nimrod, sensing his emotion, offered a reassuring smile.

"Do not be hasty. My return heralds the conquest of Vostonia. You need not fear a lack of battles."

"Once Vostonia is unified, respite will be brief. The galaxy teems with countless worlds and endless wars awaiting you."

"During this period of rest, you must replenish and train the Second Regiment."

Thierry's regret dissolved at these words.

"As you command, my king."

After Thierry's departure, Nimrod instructed Wojciech to contact Howard, ordering him to lead the Fifth Regiment toward the hive housing Altar Seven.

One work cycle later, Nimrod set out with a company each under Buuka and Gyurgyur, resuming his campaign of conquest.

Maria and her trio of "Assassins" infiltrated the hives containing Altars Five and Six, eliminating high-ranking targets before Nimrod launched his assaults, significantly reducing the resistance faced by the gene-forged Primarch.

After conquering these two hives, Nimrod stationed Buuka and Gyurgyur in each, tasking them with forming Vostonia's Seventh and Eighth Regiments.

Subsequently, he rendezvoused with Howard in the shantytowns outside Świdnica, capturing the hive of Altar Seven. In the palace, he summoned the "Arbites."

"My lord, per your directives, I have devised a comprehensive set of reforms for the dome system."

"Your wisdom is unmatched, my lord. By igniting the zeal of the underhive laborers, production efficiency will soar, and the hives will grow more stable."

"Preliminary data from Tezwok indicates an average capacity increase of two hundred and three percent, with food consumption rising by forty-one percent, yielding substantial overall benefits."

Howard, when first presented with these figures, could scarcely believe them. That underhive workers, once fed adequately, could unleash such prodigious strength was astonishing.

Moreover, these once-restive elements had transformed into loyal subjects, staunchly upholding order—a marvel beyond comprehension.

"Excellent work. Implement these reforms across all underhives swiftly, making them the new engines of Vostonia's progress."

Nimrod, employing "Warp Insight" and Spirit Vision to assess Howard, found him in exemplary condition across all facets. He inquired further.

"How have you mastered the power I bestowed upon you?"