Fulgrim versus Fulgrim!

Dante felt as if he were in a vast void.

She could feel her body floating on a warm and peaceful golden ocean, like a small boat adrift in a vast sea of stars.

In this peaceful moment, Dante felt a lifting force—it was his mother, Sanguinius.

In addition, there was the Golden Armor warrior Sanguin hovering in mid-air.

Although his eyes were not yet open, the connection from his genes and blood allowed Dante to recognize the other person's identity.

"It is I, Dante."

"I am honored to declare to you: you are the child I am most proud of. Your bravery and Dreadnought are enough to ensure that you will always enjoy peace by my side."

"You've served for a thousand years, thank you for your hard work."

As if his own thoughts were completely open to the other, Sanguinius' words gently touched Dante, soothing the weariness and unease in her soul.

"Mother."

Is the war over?

That's right. In the final moments of the Battle of Baal, the Sons of the Phoenix stormed into the enemy flagship, killed the Norn Queen, and caused chaos among the Zerg swarm.

Finally, the moment the Shadow in the Warp the Great Devourer vanished from the warp, with the help of reinforcements from the Ultramarines, the Leviathan Hive Fleet, which had lost its command and was as disorganized as sand, was swept away and torn to pieces.

Although the swarm's absolute numbers are still considerable, without command, launching another attack on Baal will not be as easy as before.

With the help of the Ultramarines, Baal's crisis has been resolved, and she can finally breathe a sigh of relief.

Dante felt a surge of vitality within her, almost in a daze—the very power she once possessed, but now, only after death could she experience this state of being at her physical peak.

Yes, it's all over.

Dante recalled his conversation with the Archmagos Belisarius.

Although the Blood Angels successfully defeated the surging swarm of insects, unfortunately, in order to continue serving the Blood Angels, Dante chose the Primaris Surgery to enhance his abilities and lifespan.

Unfortunately, according to the Archmagos Belisarius Cawl, the success rate of the Primaris Surgery is only 40%. Dante's insistence on undergoing the Primaris Surgery likely led to a perilous outcome.

Seeing that even the long-deceased Sanguinius has appeared before her, she must be the one who guided her mother to escape the sea of suffering and return to the Golden Throne.

Oh, what a pity! (Reading in a monotone)

After serving for a thousand years, Dante finally earned the chance to enjoy eternal peace.

In fact, what sustained him for over a thousand years, besides responsibility and loyalty, was a prophecy: Legend has it that Sanguinius saw a [golden warrior] standing between the Emperor and darkness at the end of time.

Dante had assumed that person would be himself.

But it seems that it was nothing more than a somewhat arrogant and vain fantasy on her part.

But none of that matters anymore.

From then on, she would always stay by his mother's side.

"No."

As if reading Dante's thoughts, Sanguinius, whose eyes had been narrowed with a smile, slightly opened them and softly uttered a single word. "No."

"Mother.?"

As Dante opened her eyes in utter astonishment, she saw Sanguinius simply smiling.

"Mother! My Primaris Surgery ultimately failed, didn't it?"

"Tell me quickly, I've already finished my military service, right?"

Her Primaris Surgery couldn't possibly succeed, right?!

No.

Her mother still did not answer her question.

Sanguinius is still smiling.

Smile.

In an instant, the world spun around him, Dante felt his mother Sanguinius' smile rapidly becoming blurred and invisible.

"Keep it up, Dante!"

Click.

"You're awake? Commander Dante, the Primaris Surgery was a success!"

What was that sound?

As Kasgar continued his ascent deeper into the core of the Chapter beneath Angel's Fortress, he felt an extremely intense pain.

It sounded like a heart-wrenching scream of agony, and it seemed to come from Dante, the commander of the Blood Angels, but the person was much younger than Dante himself.

"What's wrong, Mr. Charlotte?"

"Nothing."

Who cares?

Kasgar continued to follow behind the Blood Angels was leading the way.

As the true hero capable of saving Baal and the Blood Angels, after successfully leading his men back to shore, Kasgar received a hero's welcome from the Ultramarines and the Blood Angels.

Not only was Dante willing to commemorate the heroic deeds of the Sons of the Phoenix as the greatest contributor to the Battle of Baal, as a major contributor in the first rank, even placing him ahead of Commander Dante.

It was the Sons of the Phoenix who first astutely discovered the Tyranid Fleet's weakness, using the forbidden Centaur gold ring to stop the swarm from advancing; and together with Sanguin, who descended from the sky, they released the genetic virus at the Norn Queen.

Without their crucial assistance, even ten thousand Blood Angels Space Marine not have been able to withstand the trillions of insect swarms.

Not only Dante, Kasgar also received an audience with the Ultramarines' Second Captain in this battle—not Titus, but Cato Sicarius.

Cato Sicarius's main purpose in coming was to discuss the Primaris.

Although Belisarius had mentioned this matter to Chapter Master Calgar on several occasions, given that the Primaris Technology was not yet mature and there was no precedent for Primaris Chapter, the issue could not be resolved.

To acknowledge that one of the Emperor's greatest creations, the Space Marine, could be improved by an Adeptus Mechanicus is itself a great blasphemy against the Emperor.

--Even if the other party is favored by Guilliman, and is a behemoth with modular thinking integrated from countless people, it's still the same.

As the mother group of the Blue Smurfs, the Ultramarines cautious about making any modifications to them.

However, the outstanding performance of the Sons of the Phoenix in the Battle of Baal was enough to endorse the Primaris Technology.

Belisarius Cawl, the Archmagos handpicked by Roboute, Guilliman Gene-father of the Ultramarines, successfully convinced the invincible Second Captain Cato Sicarius of the power of Primaris Technology.

"However, our Chapter Master is currently engaged in a fierce battle with the Chaos enemy in the Extreme Star Zone."

"--Those scum. While our armies are on the front lines defending against the Zerg invasion, the damned Chaos dregs are spreading corruption within the Imperium."

The purpose of Chaos is extremely clear.

While spreading chaos, the corrupting army of Chaos, led by the Great Unclean One [Rainfather] Rotigus and [Father of Plagues] Ku'gath, marched entirely toward Macragge, where the Guilliman Stasis Field was located.

If even Lord Regent Guilliman is corrupted by Chaos, then perhaps a large number of Ultramarines based on the Gene-father will break away from the Imperium and join Chaos — the Horus Heresy that once nearly extinguished humanity's hope will be repeated.

We must stop the continued spread of Chaos corruption!

But Calgar was clearly in a bind at this moment—the threat from the Zerg swarm was constantly gnawing at the eastern part of the galaxy. With the Five Hundred Worlds of Ultramar caught in a pincer attack by Chaos and the Tyranid swarm, even an endless Blue Smurfs had its limits.

"If the entire group is Sons of the Phoenix Primaris, they can assist other Ultramarines in the defense of Macragge, and..."

Belisarius and Kasgar exchanged glances.

[Promise him, Kasgar! This is the key to our Primaris Technology reaching a wider audience! As long as we can gain the trust of the Ultramarines, our future development will no longer be hindered!]

[Well said, but I reject your offer, Belisarius. We--]

The most important thing now is development.

Despite the Sons of the Phoenix' impeccable performance in the recent Battle of Baal, they still lost hundreds of elite Primaris Sons of the Phoenix warriors, a loss that deeply saddened Kasgar.

He urgently needed to expand their still-small Chapter, but there was no time to immediately throw their thousand-odd warriors from one meat grinder to another.

[Tsk, Primaris, and after the successful defense of Macragge, the 3,000 new recruits promised to you will also be delivered before you head to Macragge.]

[Okay, deal.]

Well, on the other hand...

With the Plague Wars and the Zerg invasion happening simultaneously, even the Ultramarines are finding it difficult to cope when caught in a pincer movement.

The Blue Smurfs, who make up nearly 90% of all Space Marine, are far too important; Kasgar must seek their support.

Without the support of the Ultramarines, any idea of seizing power from the High Lord is nothing but empty talk.

Conversely, if Kasgar had the support of the Ultramarines, even High Lord Vandire would not dare to act rashly when faced with a massive Blue Smurfs of Smurfs.

The Sons of the Phoenix should indeed join the Plague Wars immediately!

"I will lead the Sons of the Phoenix's army to the Extreme Star Zone as quickly as possible, and together with your esteemed organization, defeat the invasion of Chaos and the Xenos enemies."

"However, before that, I have one more request."

"My mother's body is just ahead, Lady Charlotte."

Kasgar only asked for one thing—that he could enter...

According to Sanguin, also known as Horus, a portion of the soul of Fulgrim may very well reside here.

Sanguin did not know the exact location of the fragments of Fulgrim; her appearance would only occur when the Blood Angels faced an absolute crisis.

--If there was anywhere she had ever felt a trace of Fulgrim, it was in the secret chamber where Sanguinius' remains were kept. And only in this place was she, as Sanguin, never set foot in.

As Kasgar continued its descent, the surrounding anti- Psychic Power devices and security measures were continuously strengthened.

Although many of the Defensive Fortifications in Angel's Fortress had been rendered ineffective by the swarm's attacks, the Blood Angels would still place their mother's remains in the safest place in Baal's territory.

Finally, after nauseating Kasgar's numerous and somewhat daunting challenges, in the center of a magnificent and solemn hall, lay a Stasis Field encased in a stone coffin.

"Sanguinius."

Kasgar stepped forward.

Beneath the transparent glass in the center of the sarcophagus lay the bloodless face of Sanguinius.

Thanks to the meticulous restoration efforts of the Blood Angels, the once ravaged Sanguinius (barrel version) now rests peacefully, as if asleep.

A tiny point of light, unseen by the accompanying Blood Angels, surged from the heart of Sanguinius in the sarcophagus directly towards Kasgar's brow.

Kasgar saw a lot.

That was the sense of crisis Fulgrim felt when she first met Sanguinius —a being more perfect than herself, whom she had always believed could not exist in this world, had appeared.

Previously, she only thought that the Emperor could barely be considered a match—but that was the charm of a thousand faces created by Psychic Power, and Fulgrim was not jealous of it.

But Sanguinius was so perfect and flawless, surpassing Fulgrim's efforts and understanding.

Although Fulgrim did not resent Sanguinius's perfection, she felt a deep-seated sense of frustration that was difficult to put into words.

Special!

It was when she got together with Kasgar!!!

So angry! So angry! So angry! So angry!!!

She hadn't even had a chance to be close to Kasgar for long after the Great Crusade! Yet he had to follow the Blood Angels to help her clear up some genetic defect!

A sense of loss arose spontaneously.

"I'm sorry, Fulgrim, but for the Great Crusade and the future of humanity, I must help every Primarch escape the vortex of corruption."

Kasgar sensed that unease and disappointment.

It was precisely because of her understanding and empathy that Kasgar mistakenly believed that the other party truly didn't care.

And so, buried deep within your disgusting unease and pain—the fragments of your soul, split from Fulgrim's inferiority complex—chose the being she most longed to be— Sanguinius.

This also protected Sanguinius's remnant soul from being torn apart by the Four Gods to some extent.

"Snort!"

The next moment, as the stream of light gradually traveled across Kasgar's body, he seemed to see a place shimmering with golden light, as if with the other party's help.

[The Golden Throne]

For some reason, even the moment he stepped inside, that word came to Kasgar's mind.

Did the Golden Throne preserve the fragments of Fulgrim's soul?

Under the vast, boundless Golden Light, Kasgar sensed the presence of Fulgrim.

Yes, right here.

Although Kasgar couldn't see the other, he could sense that Fulgrim's existence had been preserved by the Golden Throne —the largest fragment of the original body among all the other soul fragments.

Moreover, beneath this Golden Throne lurked a strange black shadow.

"Fulgrim, wait for me."

Kasgar said silently to himself.

All he needs to do is lead the Sons of the Phoenix back into Terra, and he will be able to see Fulgrim again, whom he has been longing for day and night.

It's not one of those fake swords that stab people!

That moment is not far away.

Just as Kasgar returned to reality from beneath the Golden Throne, the streak of light shot directly from Kasgar's right hand to another blade, the Power Sword [Zhanli] that Fulgrim had once forged for Kasgar.

"Kasgar!!!"

"You've finally shown up! I thought you hadn't even considered me because you were so focused on expanding your legion."

Kasgar sensed that the other's soul had already resided in this ancient, relic-like blade.

"It's okay, I'm here."

Sensing the other's pain, Kasgar offered gentle words of comfort.

As for whether they didn't consider the other side because they were focused on expanding their legion's size... well...

Kasgar has automatically avoided this pointed question!

"Please promise me, okay? Never leave me again? Please—don't leave me."

She wasn't whole; Kasgar could even sense her brokenness and her fear of leaving her.

It felt as if the other person was whispering in my ear.

"Hehe, but you probably can't have Kasgar all to yourself!"

Just as Kasgar agreed to the other party's request, another "Fulgrim" poked its head out from the Laerda in his left hand.

We're doomed.

"Kasgar!!!!!"

"Who is she? Why are you so close to her?"

"Didn't you say I was your Centaur? Why is there another guy next to you—"

Upon seeing another large, fat snake on the left, the self-conscious and uneasy "Fulgrim" cried out in a heart-wrenching, agonizing, and terrifying manner.

That's you, sis!

Why are you jealous of yourself, Fulgrim!

Despite Kasgar's repeated insistence that the Laerda could not be Fulgrim.

But now that he's at this level, how could he dare to provoke the newcomer Fulgrim?

Kasgar was genuinely afraid that the other person would explode on the spot in front of him.

"Now you think I'm Fulgrim? Didn't you always say I was actually the Laerda, and enjoy your emotional infidelity? Hehe!"

As if adding fuel to the fire, she whispered in the ear of another weeping Fulgrim, "Hmm? You used to always call me the Laerda, what, are you afraid to admit it now?"

"What!!!!"

"No! Kasgar! You've abandoned me, you healer!!!"

"I don't have a self."

As Kasgar looked at the two people arguing in his ear, he felt a sudden wave of exhaustion.

--Two living fathers.

"Hehehe, little sister, actually before you came, Kasgar and I did everything we should and shouldn't have done. Even after ten thousand years, the taste is still—"

"What?! That damned Laerda! I'll fight you to the death!!"

"Stop talking!"

"Good sisters, please stop arguing!"

Trying to comfort the two fragments and stop them from fighting each other, Kasgar felt his energy dwindling.

I hope I can hold on until the day I return to Terra.

"Prepare. Prepare to depart, Taitu, no, Nullus."

"It's time to prepare to depart for the Extreme Star Zone to support the Ultramarines."

"Kasgar is in command back on the Sons of the Phoenix's Strike Cruiser," he commanded.

"Commander?"

Titus noticed something was wrong with the other person. "What's wrong with you?"

[You Laerda, just die!!!]

[Little sister, even if I really die, the mark I leave on Kasgar's body will remain forever.]

[Aaaaaah, say that again!!! I'm going to kill you!!!]

[Hehehe, can you even hit me? Hehehe]

"Nothing."

Kasgar managed a forced smile.