Fulgrim on the Great Crusade

"I don't understand why his helmet was also painted red."

Even if he is the Sons of the Emperor, like the Ultramarines, he will paint those who have been punished for their mistakes red.

But if that's the case, why is he able to take on the important responsibility of being the Chief Lord Commander?

Hill didn't know was that the reason Kasgar wore the red helmet was the very reason he became the Chief Lord Commander.

"They might even be favored by the Emperor and invited to banquets."

Hill could understand why the Emperor invited him, implying that he possessed exceptional abilities.

But what he couldn't understand was why he would wear a red helmet under such circumstances!

A surge of competitive spirit, seemingly from nowhere, suddenly filled Hill's heart.

His helmet was even redder than mine!

Even though someone's helmet is redder than mine, they can still lead the legion as the Chief Lord Commander!

"Interesting. Sir, I'd like to request permission to speak with him."

"Go."

Guilliman nodded and stood at the front of the funeral procession, preparing to address Cicero's next ceremony.

"Actually, we can see for ourselves."

"Oh! You can do that?"

"Isn't this a bit inappropriate?"

"What's wrong with it? Hill, you're just too conservative. Listen to me."

Guilliman could hear the whispers between Kasgar and Hill.

It seemed that Kasgar was demonstrating some of his thoughts and insights to the Ultramarines, while his lieutenant listened attentively and occasionally offered his own opinions.

However, Hill, who is known for his aggressive tactical thinking within the Legion, and even Guilliman sometimes wonders if he is too pragmatic, seems to have earned the reputation of being "conservative in thinking" in front of Kasgar.

But in front of Kasgar, he was like a greenhorn.

The time is almost up.

While curious about what kind of tactics Hill could use to call it excessive, it was now his turn to take the stage and give his speech.

In the Battle of Gardinal Prime, not only did Chapter Master Cicero die in battle, but roughly half of the Ultramarines also suffered heavy casualties as they led the vanguard against enemy fire.

After Ducane finished his address to the fallen Iron Hands warriors, Guilliman stepped onto the stage.

He moved everyone present with his eloquent and persuasive words.

It must be admitted that even the ambitious Guilliman's oratory skills and charisma are still unmatched by those of non- Primarch.

With heavy steps, Guilliman stepped off the stage.

"Look, when I press the button on this spear shaft, it does this—"

"Oh oh!"

Like two mischievous children, while Guilliman was speaking, Kasgar showed off his superb skills to Hill as if he were showing off.

Every now and then, he would receive exclamations of admiration from Hill.

Guilliman: "."

What are they doing?

The funeral concluded with Philus's final eulogy.

The Iron Hands seemed to have little affection for Gardinal.

After conquering the star system, he handed over the task of governance to Guilliman and then piloted his warship to leave the Gardinar System.

Guilliman was left to oversee the postwar restoration and reconstruction work on the Gardinal Prime.

According to Philus, that's what Guilliman does.

Really.

Although he wanted to refute it, Guilliman couldn't find any reason to do so at the moment.

Under his rule, countless worlds flourished and prospered.

Rather than letting the Primarch, who is not good at governance, make a mess of domestic affairs, it would be more harmonious to hand it over to Guilliman to handle the matter.

--but!

Why did they dump everything on him?!

Sitting in front of a mountain of documents, Guilliman closed his eyes in anguish.

He was piloting the 12th Expeditionary Fleet to fight wars, not to farm.

Exhausted, Guilliman caught a glimpse of Hill chuckling foolishly beside him out of the corner of his eye.

"Ionid, you seem very happy."

"Ah." He regained his composure from his reverie. "My lord, I am very sorry."

"Is it the outcome of your conversation with that Commander, the Sons of the Emperor, that makes you happy?"

What did he say to you?

"Interesting."

"This approach is unique and will greatly help us address the problem of Ultramarines movement."

"If it could be integrated into the Holy Scriptures"

Guilliman listened to Hill's report and muttered to himself.

That's fine.

However, the priority now is to complete the task of terraforming the Gardinar System.

After hesitating for half a second, Guilliman pulled out a document from the mountain of files beside him.

Read, fill in the information, and sign.

Completed in one go.

It's efficient, but it's still far from enough considering the volume of files he has to process.

I really hope that after the Great Crusade ends, I can abandon these boring jobs and go back to Ultramar to farm.

Guilliman thought to himself.

In any case, Guilliman wouldn't be doing clerical work his whole life.

"My lord! Look at the sky!"

"We have new guests."

Before the Gardinal Prime, it seemed that Roboute Guilliman was not the only Primarch had come at this moment.

[Completing Warp]

The Pride of the Emperor from the 28th Expeditionary Fleet has appeared in orbit above the Gardinal Prime after the warp-in is complete.

Fulgrim has arrived.

Her reason for coming here was simple—to pick up Kasgar.

After all, it was agreed that the Gardinar Campaign would only be completed under the Iron Hands.

Therefore, as soon as the time came, the Sons of the Emperor fleet, which was not far from their star system, rushed here, ready to ask Philus for people.

Iron Fist, bridge.

"I'm surprised you got here so quickly, sister."

Philus looked at the Primarch rushing in and said with a smile.

"Logically speaking, Astropathic Communication should be delayed by at least several days. But judging from the speed at which you arrived, it seems that the warp time was planned in advance."

"Of course, or rather, I had already prepared for this."

"How is Kasgar doing here with you?"

Fulgrim scanned back and forth, finally spotting Kasgar on one side of the bridge.

However, the latter seemed somewhat apprehensive and hesitant to step forward.

It was as if they were avoiding her.

"What? Are you shy?"

Fulgrim smiled and rushed forward, taking the other person's hand.

"Your relationship is surprisingly good."

For once, Philus revealed a mischievous smile.

"Well then, Fulgrim, I have also commissioned the outstanding artist who accompanied our 52nd Expeditionary Fleet to create a masterpiece recording our battle on the Gardinal Prime, as a gift for the two of you."

Look—

She tore off the red cloth covering the picture frame.

It was a beautiful oil painting depicting the damaged walls of the Gardinalians and the exploding Shield Generator.

At the very front of the screen is Kaska, leaping high into the air, holding the injured swordswoman Aqua in his arms.

"I call this painting 'Fulgrim on the Great Crusade'."

"What does this mean? Who is this?"

"Kasgar."

"And what is that in his arms?"

"Second Captain Aqua Duna, Sons of the Emperor".

Where is this?

"Battle of Gardinal Prime".

"Then what does this have to do with the name of the painting?"

"Fulgrim on the Great Crusade"

Philus said with a smile.

As a Primarch, she seemed to really enjoy seeing Fulgrim get angry over Kasgar, finding it a source of amusement for her.

That's really strange.

"Hmph, then I'll accept it."

Given the friendship between Fulgrim and Philus, it was obvious that the other was joking.

If it weren't for that abstract name, this painting could easily have been hung on the Pride of the Emperor, serving as a point of reference on the Legion's path to glory.

After all, Kasgar was in grave danger, rescuing the Sons of the Emperor, Second Captain Aqua Duna, from a crisis.

This is certainly a heroic act.

Even if Fulgrim is extremely possessive, she could not possibly have any objection to Kasgar's act of risking his life to save Aqua Duna, who is known as the "Phoenix Eldest Daughter".

"Be careful next time, don't push yourself too hard."

Fulgrim removed Kasgar's helmet, stroked his hair, and spoke gently.

She's so kind.

"In that case, let's go back—"

"Wait! Don't rush off yet, I still have something to collect."

Philus said with a smile.

"It's him."

Philus grinned mischievously and reached out to hook her arm around Kasgar's shoulder.

"Ka, Si, Jia—?"

"Could you explain to me what it means to lose yourself or your sword to your opponent in a duel?"

"Me, me."

Cold fingers brushed across Kasgar's neck.

Although her beautiful face maintained a smile, it seemed that she wasn't smiling inside.

Help! Help!

Kasgar looked at Amar with despair in his eyes.

The other person's eyes were darting away.

Then came Santo.

He lowered his head.

Finally, his gaze swept over Philus.

Her smile seemed to become increasingly strained after seeing Kasgar's despair.

Senior Sister, please stop!

Stop stirring things up!

"Okay, just kidding."

"If it weren't for Kasgar trying to protect me, he would never have asked me to fight."

"He had no choice but to do this to save me, so how could I bear to steal him away and interfere, sister?"

Philus always had a stern face in front of others, but she was very lively in front of Fulgrim.

Watching the two flirt seemed to have a special magic for her, making her laugh out loud happily.

"All right."

"Kasgar, you did a really good job helping the Iron Hands get rid of the threat and saving the Iron Ten Legion in such a short time."

"As for the remaining issues, we'll discuss them when we get back to the flagship."

Fulgrim spoke softly.

There was a gentle killing intent within it.

It was like that extremely relieved smile when he returned from fighting the Greenskin and found his home had been stolen by the Eldar.

"Etc!"

Seeing that Kasgar was about to be carried away by the Primarch like a chick, Amal of the Thousand Sons Intelligence Agency anxiously stepped forward to stop him.

Seeing the Thousand Sons blocking his way, Fulgrim's expression turned to—confusion.

Ah?

Kasgar, you don't even spare men?

"No! That's not what I meant!"

Amar repeatedly argued, "How about this, let's go to Aqua's room and talk in detail. She can testify for us!"

Aqua was sitting on the bed drawing and had no interest in the other three uninvited guests.

After suffering severe injuries, she was almost completely healed by the influence of the Kasgar's Flame.

Inside the room, as Amar explained, Fulgrim gradually learned the truth about why Philus had been affected.

"Just like the one we encountered last time on Byzas."

Kasgar explained, "These Warp Entity can subtly influence people's thinking, causing their ideas to become extreme and biased."

"And right now, only the flames in my hands can dispel it to some extent."

As for Fulgrim, with the protection of the Corsairs led by Princess Irill, he was not too worried about the influence of Chaos.

After all, in terms of seniority and experience, the Craftworld Aeldari are far superior to the Kasgar in their ability to resist confusion.

"But Thousand Sons, what's this about him wanting to go with you?"

"Let me explain this," Kasgar stepped forward to explain. "Currently, the Thousand Sons Legion seem to be encountering some difficulties in this regard as well."

"At that time, in order to save Philus from the influence of the Warp Entity, I agreed to Thousand Sons's request for help, and it was with their assistance that I was able to successfully rescue Philus."

As he spoke, Kasgar's confidence waned.

He looked at Fulgrim with a guilty look in his eyes.

Having just left the Iron Hands Legion, I now have to rush to the Thousand Sons Legion.

"Pfft."

"Kasgar, do you think I'll be angry? Disappointed that you can't be with me again?"

Kasgar nodded repeatedly.

"That's true to some extent."

She said it with a hint of reproach.

"But have you forgotten? Saving more people and lives in the sea of stars has always been our shared ideal."

"Since you have already agreed to Magnus, let's say goodbye to Philus and head to Prospero together."

She smiled and hugged Kasgar.

She's so kind.

Kasgar felt a tenderness emanating from the depths of his heart.

(At this point, there are still four standard Terra hours left before Kasgar's pelvis shatters.)

And you, Aqua?

"I and the Second Company will stay in Iron Hands."

She smiled at Fulgrim.

"After all, we are among the few people who know about the dangers of Warp Entity. If the same problem occurs again, I can ask you for assistance."

"Good."

"By the way, what have you been drawing all this time?"

Fulgrim nodded slightly, then curiously poked his head out.

Fulgrim had already prepared for the worst regarding Aqua's artistic talents.

But when she saw the things, her eyes lit up.

"You drew it very well, Aqua!"

Fulgrim's eyes lit up.

Unexpectedly, after failing miserably in almost every art form, including cooking, literature, sculpture, and music, he suddenly developed such a high talent for painting.

"The portrait of me and Kasgar that you drew is fantastic!"

—These are two Grox.

That's what Aqua wanted to say.

But it seems that these words can never be uttered again.