The Meeting of Two Master Thieves

"Wow!"

Blood Ravens, who had come closer, exclaimed in surprise as it looked at the name displayed on the data panel of the artifact.

Hero Kasgar?

Is it the ancient legend of Kasgar who was able to kill the traitor Primarch Philus?

The divine detection device does not lie—only an existence containing immense power will trigger its detection function and complete its report.

The Blood Ravens have been habitual thieves for so long, yet there isn't a single counterfeit or inferior item in the Relic Treasury, all thanks to the detection artifact.

According to current Imperium records and legends, in order to portray the Hero Kasgar's power and the deep bond between the two leaders of the Third Legion, most legends take this opportunity to embellish Hero Kasgar's strength.

After the Third Legion Primarch Fulgrim, was urgently teleported away from Istvaan III by Kasgar using Psychic Power, Philus was instantly killed by Kasgar in a fit of rage.

Space Marine slay Primarch!

Whether the legend is true or false, the traitors of the Iron Hands will never hear from Philus again.

"No wonder. I heard that the Sons of the Emperor recently collaborated with the Adeptus Mechanicus to try to awaken this ancient hero, but due to a sudden attack by the Black Legion, the Stasis Field containing the Hero Kasgar disappeared."

"I object. We can't handle something this hot."

"Should we hurry up and make our move? The navigator said that the Warp Storm here is getting increasingly violent—we must act immediately if we want to."

Within this hidden repository of sacred artifacts, the numerous Blood Ravens participating in the meeting engaged in a heated discussion.

"We need to plan our route and teleportation points so we can seize this ancient hero."

Gabriel Angelos made his final judgment.

Despite the ever-approaching storms of the Warp, the allure of the ancient Hero Kasgar was too great for them to resist.

Even if they cannot guarantee that they can keep Kasgar in the future, they can use him as a bargaining chip to exchange for relics with the Emperor's Children Chapter.

The Sons of the Emperor, the most glorious Chapter, surely possess what the Blood Ravens need in their reliquary.

Even if we get caught, it's not a loss.

If no one notices it, or if the other party simply doesn't care, that would be even better!

They, Blood Ravens, could then confidently and proudly announce to the world—

—This is the sword that the Hero Kasgar used.

—This is the armor worn by the Hero Kasgar.

—And this is the Hero Kasgar himself!

Ah~

Just thinking about it is so exciting!

After all, which Space Marine Chapter hasn't dreamed of acquiring a real ancient hero?

"But wouldn't doing this seem a bit heretical?"

It's understandable that the Blood Ravens Legion collect some relics—but if the relics truly possess the power to save the Imperium of Man, shouldn't the Blood Ravens have transferred them to the Sons of the Emperor Chapter as soon as possible?

"."

Regardless of whether it should be handed over or not, I'll just pick it up first!

If they wait until the Inquisition finds out, they can say that they accidentally picked it up during their Penitent Crusade.

—Anyway, the Inquisition will definitely not find out.

"Ready to complete the Warp jump."

"Blood Ravens, remember our slogan."

"Walk softly into the village, don't use a small gun!"

"Commander, aren't things going a little too smoothly for us?"

The Blood Ravens, who had descended from the shuttle onto the deck of the Strike Cruiser, still found it hard to believe what they were seeing, dragging along the Stasis Field.

Everything was progressing far too smoothly.

Guided by the Chief Librarian and concealed by Psychic Power, the Blood Ravens arrived around the mine where the sacred artifacts were hidden.

I had imagined facing incredibly difficult traps and formidable enemies.

But in reality, this is just an ordinary mining world, with nothing on it except for the laborers who are always working and a large number of mines.

Soon, they discovered a landing capsule wrapped in purple and gold above the exposed vacuum environment of the mine. Inside was an extremely exquisite coffin-shaped marble, amethyst and gold-encased Stasis Field.

He lay quietly inside the landing capsule, with no one, including Ren Tieyong or any ordinary guards, remaining motionless in place.

It was as if they were waiting specifically for their arrival.

"Could this be fake? Or some kind of bait?"

Blood Ravens opened the ornate outer packaging with suspicion, examining the Stasis Field inside the coffin to see if an ancient hero truly lay there as the legends had it.

Click.

Lying in the Stasis Field was indeed Belisarius himself, wearing the Armor of Fate, with his gilded signature.

This armor, which looks so different from the others, can't be wrong.

"Hurry. The Chapter Master's communications tell us that the Warp Storm is intensifying—we must get back to the Strike Cruiser and complete the warp jump as soon as possible."

They had little time to hesitate any longer; the Warp Storm brewing in the void urged them to return to Blood Ravens headquarters immediately.

"Let's take this back first."

With the spirit of "better to make a mistake than miss an opportunity," the Blood Ravens transported this somewhat strange Stasis Field back to their own Strike Cruiser.

"Should we verify it? The Chief Librarian expert has examined it and confirmed that the entity within this armor possesses Psychic Power energy that even he cannot detect, without a doubt."

Although it's unclear why the Hero Kasgar, whom the outside world has been searching for so desperately, would so simply lie in this godforsaken mining world.

But faced with the impending Warp Storm, they didn't have much time to think about such issues.

"Check the Stasis Field to ensure it is solid, then put it into the highest-level relic repository."

After a thorough second inspection, the Blood Ravens Legion spoke.

Blood Ravens's Relic Treasury.

As a Chapter capable of withstanding the Inquisition's scrutiny and even bringing out Legion relics (including Chaos artifacts like Skarbrand's Blade), the Blood Ravens's vault for storing relics is naturally much more hidden and secure.

As the saying goes, experience makes perfect.

As Blood Ravens who once roamed the relic vaults of other Chapter, their guard and protection of the relic vaults were naturally the most stringent—only highly respected elders within the Chapter would know the exact location of the highest-grade relic storage.

In an inconspicuous corner of the Relics Hall, there was a dark, spherical artifact that glowed with fluorescent green, collected by the Blood Ravens —believed to be a Xenos artifact for storing space—which, when opened, could tear open a dark green spatial rift in front of one.

Once you step into this crevice, you'll find yourself in the pocket space inside the artifact.

—The pocket space was surrounded by a dark metal object, with a faint dark green light shimmering in the gaps between the metal.

The Stasis Field of Kasgar, the hammer of Philus, the Fist of Dorn of Rogal Dorn, the Codex Mechanicus, and a Xenos- looking metal artifact, among many other relics, lie here quietly.

Etc?

Xenos- looking metallic object?

This is--

Grin.

A ghostly green light flickered in his eyes once more.

"Finally, I've found this place!"

After a not-so-long hibernation, another notorious thief who roams the galaxy, the Trazyn the Infinite Trazyn the Infinite, has opened his eyes again.

"This equipment comes from the Primarch. Hmm, it's the Greater Daemon's weapon."

Not bad, not bad.

Sure enough, you can steal more from a den of thieves than from anywhere else.

Having learned this, Trazyn, who was also very experienced in stealing Trazyn the Infinite, accidentally had his own mecha moved into the Blood Ravens's relic vault during one of the other party's "visits".

Perhaps it was a shared understanding between heroes, Trazyn the Infinite Trazyn infiltrated Blood Ravens's relic vault in the same way as Kasgar.

These items are of great research value and commemorative significance.

But for an ancient relic that has been wandering the world for hundreds of thousands of years, Trazyn himself is older than these relics.

It has some research value, but it's not enough to warrant adding it to his Trazyn.

Compared to these inanimate objects, Trazyn prefers to collect historical figures from time and space, and displays them in his Stasis Field in the form of famous scenes.

In other words, he prefers 1:1 scale figurines to weapons and equipment.

Trazyn glanced at these priceless relics.

He casually picked out a few representative symbolic items and stuffed them all into his pocket.

His gaze then stopped in front of the crystal that was shimmering with a pale blue light.

"Is this the Codex Mechanicus?"

Beneath the pale blue crystals, Blood Ravens recorded his description of this ancient relic.

To possess the technology of humanity's Dark Age of Technology.

Although it is still very backward for Necron, Trazyn can be used as historical evidence of the development of human technological history, which will be of great help to research.

Let's put this away.

As he pondered this, Trazyn used his silver metal fingers to remove the entire Stasis Field from the relic and held it in front of him.

The Adeptus Mechanicus, Perturabo, Chaos, and Blood Ravens were not the only ones eyeing the Codex Mechanicus.

An ancient relic that may contain all the technologies of the Dark Age of Technology, the Codex Mechanicus, has attracted the attention of countless forces to this Iron Citadel since its discovery.

Aside from the arrogant Eldar look down on human technology.

The trip was quite fruitful.

Finding a database that records the history of human technology is already a great achievement for Trazyn.

After all, humanity's reliquary certainly doesn't contain the historical figures from ancient times, sealed away in Stasis Field —that he most desires.

Huh?

His silver, Living Metal face seemed to show a hint of doubt.

"This is... Kasgar?"

Trazyn was also stunned.

Originally, the Trazyn the Infinite Trazyn only intended to take the "Codex Mechanicus" and leave, but when his gaze fell on the object beside him that was also sent into the vault as a sacred object, he immediately stopped in his tracks.

As a self-proclaimed historian, Trazyn could never have imagined that this man, who possessed a portion of the power inherited from the Ancient Aeldari, would lie right in front of him.

Kasgar, you bastard—

Trazyn couldn't wait to take this entire Stasis Field back to his space base!

He had wanted to add the other person to his favorites for a long time, but he hadn't found a good opportunity yet.

After all, as an existence that the five gods of the Warp take great care of and watch over, his true form has always been the object of contention among many forces. Even if Trazyn wanted to make a move against him, he could never find an opportunity.

But alas!

Just when he was about to give up, he found it in the Blood Ravens's warehouse!

(The Maelstrom is located near a straight line between the Milky Way's core and Terra, and is one of the most densely populated regions of stars. It is believed to be the center of the Milky Way.)

(That is to say, they are currently in the southern part of the Maelstrom, which is the southern part of the Milky Way.)

Blood Ravens is truly a blessed land!

Leaving aside the relics, even Kasgar himself possessed them!

Click.

The instant Trazyn's silver metal fingers touched the Stasis Field, the tiny flame that had been lurking near the Stasis Field switch ignited it instantly.

Bear!

As the stagnation of the Psychic Flame dissipated, Kasgar found himself in this pocket-like space, his eyes beneath his helmet meeting those of the Trazyn the Infinite.

"Well"

The two looked at each other in bewilderment.

"So, you and I came here for the same purpose?"

"... Even the infiltration methods are the same?"

Kasgar frowned, not having a good impression of this Trazyn the Infinite who had suddenly barged in wanting a piece of the pie.

This guy still owes him a whole shipload of Gene-seed!

Even if the debt is paid off, Kasgar won't give the alien that's always trying to collect its Xenos a friendly look.

The infamous bandit leaders, Blood Ravens and Trazyn.

Today, Kasgar encountered both of them.

"However, you may not know me yet, I am here for—"

Seeing that Kasgar had not replied for a long time, Trazyn thought that the other party might not understand him. He tapped the ground with his staff and raised his cloak behind him as he spoke.

"Give me back the money."

". Um?"

"Is it Trazyn the Infinite? You plundered an entire Gene-seed transport ship from our Emperor's Children Legion, preventing us from restoring our legion's organization for so long, wasn't that you?!"

Hiss.

Kasgar's words were a bit too sharp, and Trazyn regretted introducing himself.

"Give me back my money. There's no reason in this world to steal someone else's property and then pretend to be civilized."

Flames ignited in Kasgar's hands, and with the gathering of Psychic Power frost, it seemed he was determined to fight Trazyn to the death here.

"Wait, friend."

"Perhaps we can temporarily reach a cooperation agreement?"

"Cooperate? Why would I cooperate with the culprit who almost wiped out our legion?"

"This"

"Friends, we will only lose more if we fight here."

He didn't really care about the fact that he stole a whole shipload of Gene-seed from Kasgar.

So what if it was stolen?

If Trazyn had any sense of shame, would he still be called the Trazyn the Infinite?

"To be honest, besides the Gene-seed, I have also preserved a powerful warrior from ancient times for you."

"Who?"

Regardless of whether the words were "theft" or "protection, "Kasgar immediately asked.

"Sword Saint Aqua Duna - she did not die, but was protected by me in the static field."

Aqua is not dead!

This was perhaps the best news Kasgar had heard since waking up.

Why are you telling me all this?

But his wariness of Trazyn had not diminished in the slightest.

"That's obviously to achieve better collaboration with you."

"Perhaps I can assign you an assistant. When you have the need or the sincerity to make the exchange, I would be willing to exchange some of the collections you are interested in."

To exchange an inanimate object for a former comrade-in-arms, or for the hope of rebuilding and reviving the legion.

This is obviously more cost-effective.

"To show our sincerity—you can choose from our collection first, how about it?"

Trazyn's silver finger pointed to the vast stockpile of Blood Ravens artifacts displayed behind him.

Make a deal.

The two men held hands tightly, displaying their social skills.

Kasgar was naturally somewhat dissatisfied with Trazyn, but he held back because Tarasin had protected Aqua and they would be exchanging her later.

"Then I want this Codex Mechanicus," Kasgar said. "It's the stolen goods I promised to get back for Perturabo."

"As you wish."

Trazyn, with great gentlemanly manners, handed the small blue crystal to Kasgar.

"And that [Forgebreaker] is an artifact crafted by my wife, Fulgrim, and I have the right to inherit it."

"It's up to you."

"And that one."

"For you."

"Ah, that one too—"

"Friend, although I let you choose first, your appetite is a bit too big."

Kasgar left the other party nothing.

Of course we won't keep it. The Blood Ravens's inventory is clearly the crystallization of our human wisdom. How could we possibly give it to you, Xenos like Trazyn?

Trazyn: "."

"Friend, is there any possibility?"

"The pocket space you are in now is made from the technology of us Necron?"

Hiss.

This Kasgar is so shameless, truly worthy of being called...

—No wonder he is Trazyn's strategic partner!

Although Trazyn appeared somewhat displeased, in his heart he had already accepted Kasgar as a guy.

If you ever need anything, call your bros, and we'll steal it together.

"Oh My God!"

Kasgar, who was still searching for artifacts in the distance, suddenly shouted.

"Isn't that my Laerda!"

That's right.

Right there in the Blood Ravens's relic treasury, in the center of the Stasis Field, stood a slender and elegant sword blade.

"Kasgar!"

The "demon" in that Laerda isn't right; it should be the sword spirit now, and it seems quite excited.

"I knew you'd wake up! I knew you'd come to save me!"

"Quick, get me out of this awful place!"

It believed that Kasgar would definitely come to its rescue!

It has always firmly believed this.

And Kasgar will not disappoint it, it will bring it back to the real world.

Right?

Then it met Kasgar's smile.

Of course not.

"Perfect, Trazyn. I can't let you go empty-handed."

"Take this noisy thing. If you can, use it to exchange for that ship Gene-seed."

"Then I shall respectfully accept your offer."

Trazyn smiled as he accepted the Laerda.

Although not many relics were obtained, this failed and re-transformed Slaaneshi Daemon still has considerable collectible value.

Not to mention that Kasgar used it to cut off Philus's arm, laying the foundation for humanity's victory in the Horus Heresy.

It has great collectible value.

"No! No!!!"

"I don't want to be sealed inside Stasis Field!!!"

But that's not up to them.

"Help me! Help me!"

As if in a final, desperate cry, the Laerda shouted at Kasgar at the very last moment before Trazyn put it into his pocket.

"I! I can tell you clues about Fulgrim!!!"