"Recently" is a rather vague concept, depending on mutual agreement between the parties involved.
However, it was clear that a Priest from Mars and an old farmer from Barbarus had not reached any consensus on this matter.
Afterward, Hades first had a chat with Jin.
He then meticulously prepared some essential data for the Legion, along with an analysis report on how the 14th Legion could sustainably maximize its exploitation of Martian resources.
Yet the awaited ship from Terra did not arrive. Instead, the ship bound for the 12th Legion was ready to depart.
Peres of the War Hounds was one of the more well-regarded Techmarines on Mars. He was both meticulous and approachable, and compared to most War Hounds, he was calmer and more composed.
Aside from topics related to his Primarch, he got along well with most of the other Techmarines.
So, without a doubt, on the eve of his departure, most of the Techmarines came to bid him farewell.
First, the Iron Warriors presented him with a rare No. 478 cruciform screw and its matching nut. Then the Imperial Fists gave him a book on architecture.
The Ultramarines contributed a handwoven banner with fine stitching; the Salamanders gifted an exquisitely carved combat dagger; and the Emperor's Children offered a piece of art.
Oh, the Blood Angels and the Emperor's Children gave the same gift.
The Space Wolves, however, did not bring a gift, though the wild game served that evening came courtesy of them.
It was a lively scene, but, unusually, one figure who was often active among the crowd was absent.
"Perhaps it's because of that incident."
A few days earlier, Hades of the Death Guard had encountered some misfortune while out hunting with the Space Wolves and the White Scars. It was an entirely abnormal event—a motorbike blown to smithereens and—
A blood-drenched Hades.
The Techmarines, of course, refrained from asking questions.
And so, Peres's farewell party continued in the absence of one individual. Everyone tacitly avoided mentioning the lively Death Guard, focusing instead on the evening's protagonist.
As the night deepened, the Techmarines gradually dispersed. Soon, only a few War Hounds remained. With Peres leaving the next day, they planned to stay up late to chat and bid him a proper farewell.
However, the hall doors slowly creaked open.
The missing figure had arrived, fashionably late.
"Ah, sorry I'm late," Hades said apologetically, smiling at Peres.
Peres blinked.
What was Hades doing here at this hour?
"Well... time is tight, and because of personal reasons earlier, I didn't prepare a farewell gift."
"But I do have a... prophetic suggestion. Are you interested in hearing it?"
"It's about your Primarch."
Peres raised an eyebrow in surprise. He glanced around and found his War Hounds brothers also looking at him with astonishment.
"Go on," he said.
Hades pulled out a chair and sat down slowly.
"Actually, when our Primarch returned, the Death Guard's Librarius prophesied a piece of information."
Sorry in advance, Fernando.
"Near the Ultima Segmentum, another Primarch might appear."
As soon as Hades finished, the War Hounds exchanged bewildered glances.
"Our Librarius couldn't discern the exact location, but it seems to be in this area," Hades said, projecting a map from the device on his arm. He circled a spot near Nuceria.
In previous experiments, as long as the names of the Four Chaos Gods and certain critical details weren't mentioned explicitly, nothing would go wrong!
Even though Mortarion himself had seen the recordings of a Nurgle Daemon, as long as "Nurgle" wasn't named, there was no issue!
Hades couldn't directly intervene in this matter. But if the War Hounds could find their Primarch ahead of time, they might save Angron and the 12th Legion.
If they could locate him before Angron was nailed down by the Butcher's Nails, they could rescue him.
If not, at least the 12th Legion wouldn't suffer the same catastrophic fate as in the original timeline, where Angron's fury led to the Legion's downfall and corruption.
Of course, that depended on them not directly killing Angron's allies on Nuceria.
"Later, our Librarius performed another divination. The prophecy warned of caution."
Even if they couldn't find Angron, following the original trajectory, the Emperor would directly teleport an enraged Angron onto the War Hounds ship.
Hades's final warning to the War Hounds was clear: tread cautiously. Avoid sending a captain directly to confront Angron.
That was all he could do to guide them.
Peres of the War Hounds looked at Hades, his mouth dry.
He could never have imagined that this Death Guard would say such things.
"Apologies, brother, but is this true?"
Hades's usual casual demeanor was entirely absent. His expression was grave as he nodded slowly.
"This was a prophecy our Librarius suddenly received when our Primarch was found," he explained.
"Afterward, based on the prophecy's guidance, the Librarius sought me out and instructed me to deliver this prophecy to the second Techmarine to come greet me."
"That's you, brother."
Hades looked at Peres.
"At first, I was skeptical, but when I saw you walking toward me to greet me, I was convinced. It's your Legion."
Peres blinked, his eyes dry.
Could he trust such a vague prophecy?
Yet, a brother from another Legion had gone out of his way to inform him. Hades didn't have to say anything to the War Hounds.
"Thank you, brother," Peres said.
"No matter what, I, Peres of the War Hounds, will remember this."
"And I will bring it back to my Legion."
Hades exhaled slowly.
This was all he could do.
Although by this time Angron was most likely already implanted with the Butcher's Nails, if the War Hounds acted wisely, they could at least avoid the worst fate in their original timeline.
<+>
Later – Gloriana-class Battleship: Conqueror, Command Room
"Sir, Techmarine Peres of the 3rd Company, just returned from Mars training, has requested an audience with you."
The Legion Master, busy with administrative paperwork, didn't even look up.
"Tell him to speak with the Master of the Forge."
These Mechanicum-worshipping Space Marines were not favored in the 12th Legion. The Legion Master had no time for peripheral matters.
The War Hounds Space Marine delivering the message hesitated before speaking again, his tone uncertain, as though he could hardly believe his own words.
"The Techmarine claims... he wishes to speak with you about the matter of the 12th Legion's Primarch."
The Legion Master's head shot up abruptly.
"What did you say?"
The messenger repeated his words.
The Legion Master frowned deeply.
"If this is some kind of joke, I won't forgive him," he growled.
"Let him in."
The Legion Master stood by the window. His desk was covered with documents, but at this moment, he had no interest in any of them.
"Peres of the 3rd Company, do you swear that what you say is true?"
"I swear."
Peres looked at his Legion Master, his gaze steadfast and clear.
The Legion Master fell silent.
A prophecy from another Legion, this specific, pointing directly to a region in the Ultima Segmentum, accompanied by a warning to exercise caution.
He pondered for a long time before speaking slowly.
"If I recall, the 8th Company, under Khârn's command, recently completed a campaign near the Ultima Segmentum."
"Send him to investigate."
A simple reconnaissance wouldn't delay the Legion's overall progress.
A prophecy from the Death Guard? The Legion Master sighed.
Not long ago, the Legion they had fought alongside had been called the Dusk Raiders.
But... may the prophecy be true.
<+>
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