Chapter 28

Kasgar and Lucius, as recruits of the Third Legion, were naturally slated for Space Marine augmentation.

But since the Emperor's Children were currently in a state of rebuilding from scratch, the Gene-seed essential for the procedure had to be extracted from Fulgrim's blood and slowly cultivated.

With Gene-seed in such dire shortage, the recruits' augmentation surgeries could only proceed one by one through a lottery.

And clearly, Lucius had reaped that unexpected windfall.

"Awesome!"

"Kasgar, you can just get ready to eat cookies every day from now on, hahaha!"

Bounding with joy, he hopped out the door to follow the apothecary Melusine.

"Wait!"

"Apothecary, can I ask how long my augmentation surgery will be delayed?"

Seeing this, Kasgar quickly called out to her.

"You?"

She looked Kasgar up and down. "Your situation is special. Most of your augmentation surgeries won't be done by me."

"Huh?"

Even though she really did look like a mad doctor, and might one day earn the title of Warhammer's "Legendary Body-Mod King,"

as the Chief Apothecary of the Emperor's Children, her skill was absolutely beyond reproach.

If Kasgar wasn't having his augmentation done by her, then who?

"You'll find out when you get to Terra."

Melusine didn't reveal much, only leaving that remark before closing the door and leaving with Lucius.

After Lucius left, only Aqua and Kasgar remained in the room.

"...Was I a bit too harsh just now?"

Out of nowhere, after she had sheathed her blade, Aqua asked somewhat awkwardly.

Her gaze was no longer as cold as before, but filled with gentle apology.

"Sorry, I can never quite control my expression or words during a fight."

"When I win, I always habitually spout some inappropriate taunts. If I hurt you, I'm truly sorry."

"It's nothing."

Kasgar offered a smile in return.

"Actually, what you said does have some truth to it."

"Fulgrim really has wasted too much time on me."

She was a Primarch who pursued perfection in everything.

But even she, with her superhuman abilities and willpower, had her own fragile side.

"I can feel it—ever since she regained her memories and joined the Great Crusade, the burden on her shoulders has only grown heavier."

As a Primarch, she had to devote herself entirely to the Great Crusade.

As a role model, she had to lead by example, with every word and action achieving flawless perfection.

As the master of the Third Legion, she couldn't let the dead warriors who had bestowed upon her the double-headed eagle emblem be tarnished.

And even... as Kasgar's wife, she had to bury all that pressure deep inside, showing only the brightest smiles and happiest joy to her beloved.

She couldn't let the Emperor, her sons, the fallen spirits, or Kasgar down.

She couldn't let anyone down.

She had to be... perfect.

Kasgar could sense the immense psychological pressure lurking beneath the Violet Court Phoenix's lively exterior, like a turbulent undercurrent.

"I have to help share some of that burden."

"Otherwise, in the future, it might crush her."

Kasgar let out a heavy sigh, his training sword still swinging tirelessly in his hand.

"But tell me, what can I really do for her?"

He smiled bitterly.

"So that's why your swordplay looks so impatient?"

"Yeah."

"Don't I know that haste makes waste? But the difficulties we'll face are too many, and the enemies we need to defeat are too strong."

"If I don't try to push myself a little, only the darkest ending awaits us."

"I see."

Aqua nodded in approval.

"Since you already have the resolve and fighting spirit to persevere, I naturally won't hold back in swordsmanship."

"Then I ask for your generous guidance."

Kasgar nodded in response as well.

He felt that the distance between them had narrowed considerably.

Then he watched as she picked up the cookie tray and walked toward him.

"--How about having a cookie first?"

"Trust me, they're really delicious."

The dagger was finally drawn.

"Esteemed Lady Aqua, I am grateful for your guidance in swordsmanship. But on this matter, please allow me to decline."

"Really not eating?"

"--No."

Kasgar's gaze was firm, his expression solemn.

Like a hero of great righteousness, or a martyr ready to face death with dignity.

"Hmph, fine, don't eat then."

Aqua Duna huffed as she packed up the tray.

Then, she picked up a training sword from the side and resumed her combat stance.

"In that case, are you ready, Kasgar?"

"Now, your guidance time has come."

She deliberately stressed those two words.

"Hiss--"

"Oh, ow ow ow ow."

Aqua Duna was indeed a talented sword instructor.

If only she weren't overly confident in her own cooking.

Her depth of study in swordsmanship was such that even Fulgrim, a Primarch skilled with the blade, would have to admit inferiority.

But at the same time.

The cookies she made were so tough that even the Twilight Commando, renowned for their resilience, could barely withstand them.

Aqua gave him two choices.

Eat, or don't eat.

Both seemed to lead to death.

But faced with the threat to his life, Kasgar chose to endure her storm-like barrage of blows instead.

Feeling the countless bruises all over his body, he couldn't help but feel helpless.

She said it was to train his endurance, but he had no doubt that a fair amount of it was pure payback.

"You didn't piss her off on the very first day, did you?"

Fulgrim asked teasingly as she applied white ointment to his back.

Back when Fulgrim guided him, she used the Love-Dove Sword. Even in sparring, it was always with restraint.

Seeing Kasgar beaten like this, she felt both sympathy and a hint of schadenfreude.

"Hiss--it still hurts."

"Nope. But hey, Fulgrim."

"When's my Space Marine augmentation surgery scheduled?"

"Yours..."

Fulgrim leaned in, gently cupping her hand to whisper in Kasgar's ear.

"The Emperor said your surgery will be partially customized by Him personally."

"Huh?"

On the Pride of the Emperor.

He connected with the psychic communication of that old acquaintance.

"Old friend."

"Number Three has successfully returned to the Imperium. We are en route back to Terra."

How did he perform?

"Far exceeded my expectations."

As he spoke, a smile crept uncontrollably to his lips.

"I have to admit, your suggestion back then did have some merit."

He meant that among those brats, some women were indeed needed to prevent family conflicts, huh?

Hah, I remember you didn't agree at the time.

"I won't deny that."

He admitted.

"And this trip has brought an unexpected gain."

Unexpected, yet still within the plan.

"A new member will soon be joining our family."

Oh?

"He's a very interesting fellow."

He lifted his head, gazing at the dazzling, colorful radiance beyond the Geller Field.

A hint of nostalgia flickered in his eyes.

"And when the time comes, we may call him—"

"Number Twenty-One."

Alpha Omega was also Number Twenty.