"Now, let us discuss the recruits from Kislev, Forrix. Tell me, how many aspirants can my homeworld provide for the Legion?"
"Your visit today surely concerns more than just the fortress-monastery, does it not?"
After concluding the tale of Kislev's conversion to the faith, Perturabo furrowed his brow slightly and spoke. It was time to address the "true business"—the critical matters regarding the continued existence of an entire Astartes Legion.
"Indeed, My Lord. What I truly came to report is the progress of our recruitment projects on Kislev," replied Forrix, First Captain of the Iron Warriors, with a slight nod.
"Tell me, do my people match my gene-seed? Are they fit to be the neophytes of the Fourth Legion?"
As the Iron Tsar of Kislev and Master of the Fourth Legion, Perturabo was naturally preoccupied with this issue.
"My Lord, I bring you... good news."
Forrix answered with a visible look of satisfaction. For a member of the notoriously somber and stubborn Iron Warriors to show such a expression was a sign of truly exceptional news.
"Oh? If even you are moved to such joy, it must be news worth celebrating," Perturabo remarked, acknowledging his son's rare display of emotion.
"It is, My Lord. After the first round of genetic screening, we found that the randomly sampled young men of Kislev are highly compatible with your gene-seed. This is likely due to the inherent high adaptability of your genetic strain, which prevents rejection during organ implantation."
"Following an internal session, we have concluded that the Kislevite populace is an exceptionally high-quality source of manpower for the Fourth Legion. We should protect and expand this resource."
"Therefore, for this intake, we are selecting only the best of the best to avoid over-taxing the population. We need Kislev to provide quality recruits for the foreseeable future," Forrix explained, eager to satisfy his father with the results of his labor.
"Reasonable. Kislev must maintain a balance between providing armaments and providing manpower. If she leans too heavily toward one side, it will severely hinder the Fourth Legion's construction and supply lines."
"Your resolution is correct. Maintain a recruitment quota that does not damage Kislev's industrial capacity. If necessary, issue conscription exemptions to those working in military production lines so they may contribute to the Great Crusade through their labor," Perturabo instructed, satisfied enough that he offered no further corrections.
"Additionally, My Lord, our meeting reached another conclusion."
"We must immediately begin the colonization of other worlds. Beyond expanding the Fourth Legion's domain—the 'Tsardom'—this will increase the Kislevite population and expand our pool of potential recruits."
Forrix continued his report, a hint of pride in his voice after receiving Perturabo's approval.
"Very well. It makes sense. Kislev needs the resources of other worlds, and by migrating enough people to these new frontiers, the Tsardom's industrial system will be strengthened."
"Do it. Have them prepare the colonization plans. The Terran Administratum will not dare to question a Primarch seeking to expand his domain," Perturabo said with a dismissive wave of his hand.
"Furthermore, the colonization of Norsca is nearing its final phase. Thanks to the hard work of the Kislevites transported there, the villages and towns abandoned during the barbarian rebellion are revitalized. According to the Governor dispatched by the Veche Council, Norsca's first quarterly output is already higher than its pre-war peak."
"Our colonization there is a success. Within ten years, Norsca will likely be the most successful colony of the Tsardom," Forrix added, completing the update on the post-war situation.
"Norsca..."
Perturabo fell into a contemplative silence at the mention of that place. To him, Norsca felt "wrong."
While it was normal for barbarians to defeat Imperial troops, their ability to fight the Fourth Legion's Astartes to a standstill was baffling. He had personally witnessed those barbarians engaging Astartes in small numbers; as mortals, they were far too powerful. This cast a shadow of suspicion over the Norscan tribes in his mind.
More importantly—and this was something he could not reveal to Forrix—when he had used his warhammer to shatter the sacred statue of the Norscan god to subjugate the tribes, he had heard laughter. It was the laughter of a hunter watching prey enter a trap, a mocking, echoing roar.
Though it seemed like a hallucination, the Iron Tsar was certain that as the statue's head crumbled, he had heard laughter emanating from the Warp.
Unsure of the laughter's origin, Perturabo sensed that he must never let anyone know of its existence. To reveal it would surely invite disaster upon himself and those he cared for. He buried this memory deep within his mind, vowing to use scientific methods to explain the anomaly he encountered in Norsca.
Seeing his father fall into a sudden silence, Forrix fell silent as well, feeling awkward. As an Astartes skilled at reading his commander's moods, he knew better than to speak when the Primarch wished to be alone with his thoughts. The office was filled with an uncomfortable quiet.
"My Lord, an urgent matter! I must report to you in person!"
The door to the office was pushed open as Suvorov, Captain of the Second Company and another of Perturabo's confidants, entered with an anxious expression.
"What is it, Suvorov? What causes such urgency?" Perturabo asked, snapping out of his thoughts.
"The Sixteenth Primarch, Lord Horus Lupercal, and his Luna Wolves Legion are engaged in a bitter struggle in a nearby sector. They are calling for any nearby Imperial forces to provide support."
"We just received the distress signal. Shall we move to support the Sixteenth Legion?" Suvorov asked quickly, fearing that any delay would result in a missed opportunity on the battlefield.
"Horus... the First Found?" Perturabo mused, his voice taking on an inscrutable tone. "Very well. It is time I met one of my brothers. Until now, I have not seen a single one of them."
"Forrix, Suvorov, relay my orders. Notify the entire Fourth Legion: it is time to begin another campaign."