Upon learning of Evelyne's imminent arrival, Dukel escorted Efilar to the hall of the Ecclesiastic Temple to wait.
Soon, he encountered this legendary Eldar warrior from the Warhammer universe.
The legend surrounding Evelyne wasn't just about her past as the Thirteenth Princess but also her rise to command the Death Army, leaving behind a trail of interstellar legends.
As a member of the Eldar race, Evelyne resembled the elves of fantasy tales—tall, slender, with pointed ears.
The Eldar, originating from Slaanesh, once indulged limitlessly in desires, leading to the birth of the Chaos God. Most perished upon its descent, creating a new Eye of Terror in the galaxy.
The surviving Eldar now scattered across Craftworlds, striving to rebuild their shattered civilization.
Dukel observed Evelyne, commander of the Death Army, before him. His intense gaze inadvertently pressed upon her.
In truth, his reserved demeanor momentarily left him at a loss for words.
Only when Evelyne could no longer bear his penetrating stare did she speak first.
"Great Son of the Emperor, Evelyne of the Death Army greets you."
Evelyne bowed gracefully, her manners impeccable.
"Hello," Duke nodded.
Evelyne wasn't surprised by Duke's seemingly cold reception. Most Primarchs, proud demigods, were not easily approachable. Before departing, Guilliman had specifically warned her about Duke's taciturn and serious nature.
Considering the purpose of her visit,
"I'm here on behalf of His Highness Guilliman."
"He wishes to inquire if you're prepared for an expedition to Terra?"
Evelyne asked Duke, her voice pleasant and slightly magnetic.
"That's precisely my intent," Duker replied.
"Then you should depart as soon as possible. The forces of Chaos are expanding, and warp storms are intensifying. Soon, your fleet may find warp travel impossible."
"If Terra is your destination, hasten your preparations."
Upon hearing Evelyne's counsel, Duke merely nodded without comment.
"I have my own plans regarding this matter. Thank you for delivering the message. Guilliman is fortunate to have your alliance."
Like other Imperials, Duke harbored little goodwill towards most xenos.
After all, the Necrons sought only to exterminate all organic life, Orks thrived on warfare, and Tyranids consumed indiscriminately.
Not to mention the T'au.
Only the Eldar, who bore a semblance to humans, could establish communication.
The Eldar boasted their own unique Webway and deep understanding of the Warp.
Yet, Duke restrained any enthusiasm towards Evelyne due to ancient animosities between their races. Future encounters might determine whether they were adversaries or allies.
She had risked her life to convey Guilliman's message, and Duke acknowledged her efforts.
However, this didn't guarantee that he wouldn't confront her with lethal intent in their next encounter.
"I also hope that His Highness Dukel can commence the expedition promptly."
"Once Chaos encroaches upon the entire Imperium, reversal may prove impossible!"
Observing Duke's lingering hesitation, Evelyne stepped forward anxiously.
But instead of a welcoming gesture, she was met with the cold muzzle of a gun.
"Too close, Eldar!"
Efilar brandished her bolter, forcing the Eldar warrior to retreat.
Evelyne raised her hands in surrender, signifying no ill intent. She stepped back, offering a slight salute.
"Since your resolve for a Terra expedition is firm, His Royal Highness has one last message—"
"—May we meet again beneath the Throne."
After conveying Guilliman's instructions, she gracefully departed.
Watching her depart, Duke pondered the implications of an expedition.
Leading such an endeavor wasn't merely challenging—it demanded responsibility for the lives and well-being of Imperium citizens and soldiers alike.
He possessed the strength to face this challenge without fear.
Yet, he couldn't lead his forces to senseless deaths.
Moreover, an expedition wasn't solely about battling demons; it entailed substantial civilian logistics and post-war reconstruction efforts.
Nearly a year since his awakening,
Under his firm rule, numerous policies had taken effect, though tangible outcomes would require several more years.
Thanks to the tireless efforts of the Great Sage overseeing ship constructions, most warships had undergone extensive upgrades. Armed with new macro cannons, void shields, and lance batteries—all relics of the Golden Age—the battleships held a formidable advantage in interstellar warfare.
And then there were the new power armors.
Reflecting on Gris's modifications, these enhanced armors could outfit an elite regiment.
After nearly a year of development, Heart Network membership had surged to nearly 50,000. Bolstered by advanced technology, each member's capabilities far surpassed their previous standards.
"Perhaps it's time to call upon a Second Legion."
"But before recruiting soldiers, we must address subspace navigation."
Warp travel's unpredictability posed immense risks. Even with seasoned astropaths and navigators, safe passage was far from guaranteed.
Many fleets were lost forever within the Warp during large-scale jumps.
Returning to his quarters, Duke contemplated solutions to this pressing issue.
Eventually, an answer surfaced.
The greatest hazard in warp navigation stemmed from surging warp storms.
Duke devised a solution.
He proposed deploying powerful psykers across fleets.
Interconnected, these psykers could form a potent psychic barrier—the Mind Matrix—to withstand warp storms.
However, high-level psychic proficiency was essential. Participants needed at least Mastery Level Three—Mind Manifestation.
As time passed,
[Achievement Unlocked!]
[Force Field · Mind Matrix: When formed with other psykers, creates a protective barrier against subspace storms; Cost: 0 (Prerequisite: Mastery Level Three in Mind Manifestation)]
Duke chose to freely distribute this technology.
This practical capability would become standard equipment for the Second Legion henceforth.
News of this innovation spread swiftly, sparking intense interest.
The Mind Matrix marked the first technology necessitating collaboration among psykers within the network.
It prompted speculation and lively discussion among the Imperium's members.