This time, when Nareth entered the "Kingdom of Disorder," it was different from before. Previously, it had been his consciousness, ethereal and formless.
Now, however, it was his "Astral Body," and the experience felt much more tangible and vivid.
His Astral Body, magnified several times the size of his physical form, had barely arrived in the "Kingdom of Disorder" when he immediately sensed a series of changes in this fog-shrouded realm.
The most obvious difference was the expansion of the illuminated area. A radius of a thousand meters around him was now bathed in light.
He also realized that the entire Kingdom of Disorder was inverted. Above him was a floor-like surface made of a material resembling obsidian, and he stood upon it, feet above, head below.
A realization dawned on Nareth:
'Kingdom of Disorder! The shadow of Order!'
He took a few steps forward and soon adapted to the mirrored sensation, as if walking on the opposite side of reality.
Approaching the Blasphemy Slate, Nareth noticed that five new Sequence paths had lit up, one of which corresponded to Sequence 8 of the "Lawyer" pathway.
Sequence 8 "Barbarian" Potion Formula:
Primary Ingredients:
1 Lung Sac of a Lung Spider
1 Pair of Ogryn Arms
Supplementary Ingredients:
1100ml of Black Vasvoth
1 Psionic Crystal
1100g of Mittal Steel
Extraordinary Abilities:
...
Some might find it strange that Sequence 9 "Lawyer" advanced into Sequence 8 "Barbarian."
But Nareth understood the logic behind it: When the law fails, force prevails—and that, too, is a form of order.
What caught his attention was that all the materials were glowing, indicating they could be found on Vostroya.
The Mittal Steel could be produced in the steel mill he had just seized, and with the Vosvoth Vodka already in his possession, he now had two of the secondary ingredients.
Psionic Crystals often appeared in regions with active Warp energy and were used as psychic materials. The long "Age of Strife" had been accompanied by Warp storms sweeping across the galaxy, so it was no surprise that Vostroya had Psionic Crystals.
He knew that Lung Spiders were a unique species found in Vostroya's hive cities. The only slight surprise was the Ogryn arms.
"There are Ogryns trying to make a living in this world?"
Nareth continued examining the other four illuminated sections and discovered they were all Sequence 9 potion formulas from different pathways.
Among them, three had all their materials available on Vostroya: "Arbiter," "Sleepless," and "Reader."
The one with no obtainable ingredients was "Martial Artist," as most of its materials were crops like rapeseed.
Nareth wasn't surprised. This planet, destined to be classified as an Industrial World by the Imperium, had long since had its ecosystem ravaged.
'I can begin gathering potion materials and start training subordinates.'
He noticed that the Chainsword was not among the unlocked potion formulas.
'Weapons are most likely materials for the "Warrior" pathway.'
With that thought, Nareth returned to the real world, he wanted to test something.
Drawing his Chainsword, he gripped it with his right hand and channeled his spirituality through his fingers.
When he re-entered the "Kingdom of Disorder," the Chainsword had followed him into the fog-shrouded realm. He placed it on the ground.
The weapon remained firmly in place, not falling through the shadowy dimension.
Nareth couldn't help but chuckle.
"After advancing to 'Lawyer,' my authority over this source has increased. I can now bring objects into the 'Kingdom of Disorder.'"
"The protagonist's essential, a storage space!"
He immediately stored all the Vosvoth Vodka in the "Kingdom of Disorder" and issued orders: every work cycle, one-twentieth of the forged Mittil Steel was to be delivered to the control room.
He also commanded the artisans to craft a suit of armor from Mithril Steel, sized for an average seven-year-old male, though slightly oversized, accounting for his accelerated growth as a Primarch. At his current rate, it would fit perfectly within a single month.
Just as he finished giving instructions, Roslov entered the control room.
"Boss, the Arbitrator sent a messenger. He's demanding you see him immediately."
"His tone was aggressive. I think it's because you took over the Magnitogorsk Steel Mill."
Nareth assumed a thoughtful pose, lightly tapping his forehead. Roslov's aura was dimmed, he was worried for him.
"Understood."
Nareth rose and made his way to the Hall of Arbitration.
The guards at the entrance eyed him with heightened wariness. One spoke sternly:
"Surrender your weapons."
Nareth handed his lasgun and Chainsword to his subordinates, who accepted them with both hands as if entrusted with a sacred duty.
Expression calm, he strode into the Hall of Arbitration, catching snippets of whispered conversation.
"Let me see, let me see! I missed him last time is that the boy? He looks no older than five or six at most."
"Yeah! He killed 'The Vulture' barely two days ago, and now he's taken down 'Iron Fist.' That old bastard was a real hardcase, even the upper hive big shots knew him."
"The big shot inside is Young Master Fender. Word is 'The Vulture' was one of his men. You think he's here for payback?"
"Pity. He's moving too fast. If he'd grown steadily, he could've been a real power, maybe even ascended to the upper hive."
Though both the underhive and upper hive were part of the same hive city, the divide between them was an insurmountable chasm. The dream of countless underhivers was to become upper hive citizens to "ascend," rising thousands of meters in elevators while achieving a simultaneous leap in social status.
Nareth noted the key detail in their chatter: an upper hive noble was inside the Hall of Arbitration.
He heightened his vigilance but also felt a flicker of interest for the coming meeting.
Stepping inside, he saw a handsome youth of about fifteen or sixteen with golden hair seated in the place of authority, his azure eyes scrutinizing him.
His complexion lacked the underhive's pallor, appearing fair and healthy.
Nareth's sharp eyes noticed the gorgeously crafted power armor the noble wore, its design reminiscent of the Arkan Confederation's Baroque-style plating.
The carapace armor encased a powered exoskeleton, the helmet fully enclosed except for a bulletproof visor providing a heads-up display.
Mounted at the ends of the arms were weapon systems, a heavy stubber for ranged combat and a drill for melee.
Unlike the Confederation armor, this suit lacked disposable rockets.
Nareth also discerned that this armor was unstable and difficult to maintain, a kind only noble houses with the means could preserve across generations.
[Do Vostroya's nobles all have gear this good, or is House Fender particularly well-connected with the Mechanicus?]
He couldn't be sure—this young Fender scion was the first noble he'd encountered.
Behind the noble stood four guards clad in carapace armor, fully armed.
The Fender heir remained silent, letting his gaze prompt Dimitrov to speak.
The Arbiter cleared his throat and barked:
"Nareth, what's your game? Was one forge complex not enough?"
"Just days later, you seize the Magnitogorsk Steel Mill."
"Will you come for my seat next? Take the entire Hantmann West Dome for yourself?"