"Of course not—"
Kasgar had intended to refuse sternly.
But... this was actually hard to say.
As the genetic progenitors of the Space Marines, Primarchs possessed an authority rooted deep within the genes of those Space Marines who had received their Gene-seed.
Some could order their children to bare their throats for execution, and they would still do so willingly.
There were ruthless people like Perturabo who could "overthrow their superiors," but that suppression undeniably existed and was effective. As for its exact effects...
He had no idea.
Faced with the very real possibility of becoming her Star Fury, Kasgar fell silent.
Seeing his conflicted expression, Fulgrim giggled, kissed him on the cheek, and changed the subject.
"Alright, I won't tease you anymore."
"Everyone, as the newly reborn Sons of the Emperor of the Third Legion, let's take a group photo together."
She pulled out a pict-recorder and smiled at everyone.
"With pleasure, my lord."
Vespasian froze for a moment, then replied.
"In the future, once we have a flagship, I will design a long gallery at its center."
"At that time, we will display the glory of the Third Legion and the history of our arduous beginnings through these relics, one by one, for those who come after us."
"I've already thought of a name for the gallery. It will be called the Path of Triumph."
Within the private cabin of the Pride of the Emperor, Fulgrim waved the photograph in her hand as though showing it off.
"And this photograph will be the beginning of our incomparably glorious triumph!"
The arrangements for Chemos were all in place, and negotiations with the various Imperial factions had progressed smoothly.
Not long afterward, Fulgrim and Kasgar boarded the Pride of the Emperor, passed through the Mandeville Point, and entered a lengthy Warp voyage that would take several weeks.
During that utterly boring stretch of time, they gained a little leisure.
"Let me see how the photograph turned out."
Kasgar looked at the picture in her hand, carefully identifying every Son of the Emperor.
First, standing at the very center of the photograph, were Fulgrim and himself.
Behind them stood the Legion's three commanders.
On the left stood a white-haired woman in lavishly decorated power armor, wearing a confident smile. She was one of the Sons of the Emperor's current three commanders, Adrol.
"Adrol?"
Kasgar's mouth twitched slightly.
It seemed the threads of fate had shifted a little, causing Commander Eidolon to lose something important.
It was fine.
Though you couldn't keep your little head, this time I'll make sure you keep your big one.
Kasgar offered her this distant consolation.
Beside him at the center was Commander Abdelon.
His expression was stern. Compared to the previous glamorous idol of a commander, he looked far more like a soldier.
On the right was Commander Vespasian.
He had short chestnut hair like a steel brush, dark skin, and a resolute, upright expression.
The true glory of the Third Legion stood straight in the photograph like a watchman.
His bright, piercing eyes stared directly into the lens, as though trying to see through it.
One familiar name after another passed through Kasgar's memory.
There were also Legion warriors unwilling to remove their helmets and show their faces.
Thus, Kasgar still did not know their true identities.
As for the silver-haired woman at the far right of the picture, with dark circles beneath her eyes and an impatient expression—
She wore a white lab coat over her power armor.
At the same time, unlike the others, several spider-like "walking legs" extended from her shoulders.
That was the origin of her spider nickname within the Legion.
The Sons of the Emperor's Chief Apothecary, Melusine.
"...Melusine."
Kasgar frowned as his finger slowly came to rest on her.
Fabius Bile, the Old Doctor Apothecary who would be crucial to the future of the Sons of the Emperor and even the entire world, was nowhere to be seen.
In his place stood Melusine, his daughter from the original story.
Was this a sign that the future would change?
Or was it a chain reaction caused by the appearance of a female Primarch?
"Just imagine it: by the time the Great Crusade has replenished our ranks, the Third Legion, under my super-super-super—superb leadership, will flawlessly overcome every challenge we encounter and become the model for all Legions—"
Now it was Fulgrim's time to fantasize.
"At that time—"
"Heh heh, I'll lead the other returned Primarchs along the Path of Triumph, explain the Third Legion's road to revival to them, and bask in their envious gazes!"
"Then they'll definitely say, 'Wow, as expected of the strongest, most beautiful, and wisest Primarch, Fulgrim!'"
Kasgar joined in, speaking in a pinched voice.
"'Ahhhhhh, great Fulgrim, we admire you so, so, so—so much!'"
"'Please tell us, how did you govern a planet, take part in the Great Crusade, and still make everything so utterly perfect?'"
"'We are all willing to take you as our example and learn from you!'"
"'Please teach us!!!'"
Whether the other Primarchs would say such things aside, the Wolf King Leman Russ might genuinely do it.
Ever since he had sampled Fulgrim's wine at the reception banquet, he had been desperately trying to ingratiate himself with the two of them.
He said the wine was somewhat mild on its own, but if it were mixed with wolf liquor, it would become unbelievably fragrant, and the more he drank, the more he liked it.
Kasgar had no doubt that, just to get some booze, that guy would be capable of any amount of flattery.
"Hehehe, I'm not actually that amazing!"
"Hehe. Hehehe."
Fulgrim raised her pale chin and gave a delighted, Tang-like laugh.
Kasgar smiled at the sight.
"Alright!"
"But talking without acting won't do!"
Suddenly, Fulgrim's smile vanished, and she swiftly rolled out of bed.
Though she was full of visions for the future, she had never been an empty dreamer who only talked and never acted.
Even while traveling through the Warp, she had to seize every moment and every opportunity to restore the entire Third Legion.
As the perfect Primarch, everything she did would become an example for the entire Legion.
She could not disappoint the Emperor's hopes, nor could she bring shame upon the double-headed eagle emblem on her chest.
She had to be at her best at all times.
That was her responsibility, her duty.
"There is still endless knowledge on this flagship waiting for us to explore. For the sake of our future cause, there is much more we need to accomplish."
"Kasgar, excuse me for now."
As she spoke, she hugged Kasgar and kissed him once more. Then she hurriedly changed into a magnificent purple robe, opened the door, and strode briskly toward the library.
Hopefully.
Hopefully, the future truly would be like that.
Rather than becoming a ruined, filthy flagship filled with incomparably depraved folly, never again possessing its former glory—
And letting her slit the throat of that blue fellow here, the one who loved duels but could never win one.
Before you continue