Iron Hands

Kasgar lowered his head, studying the anomaly in his hand closely.

The crack was minuscule—only a Space Marine's vision would catch it.

If it were just a small wound, Kasgar likely wouldn't have paid it much mind.

But this crack seemed... unusual.

Within the thin line of the fissure, he saw no skin or tissue. Instead, it emitted a golden-red glow, as if something was slowly flowing inside.

He tentatively touched it with his finger. It felt no different from ordinary skin.

What the hell was going on?

"Don't know."

Melusine's reply was short and blunt.

"But all readings show no issues. If nothing's wrong, it's likely a result of the modifications you underwent in the underground lab."

"Have you encountered anything unusual these past few days?"

"No. Just normal sword and etiquette training."

Aside from training under Master of Ceremonies Rylanor and Sword Saint Aqua, Kasgar hadn't run into anything strange.

Besides, this was Holy Terra, right near the Imperial Palace.

What demon would be stupid enough to cause trouble here?

"Then, Apothecary, is there anything else I need to do?"

"No need. I'll just log your current condition."

"By the way, you might not know yet." Melusine said slowly. "Fulgrim is back."

Fulgrim was coming back.

Kasgar wasn't exactly thrilled about it.

Because he'd read the original text—he knew exactly where she'd been gallivanting off to for the past three months!

To forge weapons for her future expeditions, she'd gone to the massive foundry at the foot of the Ural Mountains, and there she'd met another Primarch, Ferrus Manus of the Iron Hands.

The 10th Legion's Primarch, the Iron Hands, Ferrus Manus, Senior Sister, Hand of Fate—since some two-shot Boltgun target had taken that nickname, it had been retired.

The two had hit it off instantly and exchanged the weapons they'd forged as keepsakes.

The Phoenix and the Iron Tenth had a good relationship—that was written in the original text.

Still, that said...

But I was here first!

Kasgar was not happy about this.

"Kasgar!"

"Open the door! I'm back!"

Sitting in his room, unsure what to do, Kasgar heard shouting from outside.

Fulgrim had come looking for him.

"Calm down."

"The timeline's shifted now. I'm still alive. Maybe the plot's changed too?"

Like—

"Huh?"

Kasgar couldn't believe what he was seeing.

Standing outside the door was indeed Fulgrim, and she did have a Flame Sword at her hip.

But behind her stood another woman.

She wore a simple black combat suit, her muscles well-defined, half a head taller than Fulgrim.

As for Kasgar—even though he'd shot up in height, he still only reached the Primarch's chest.

Her jet-black hair was tied into a crisp, high ponytail. One eye was covered in pure silver, and both hands looked as if they'd been cast from the same metal, gleaming with an unnatural luster.

Was this... the Iron Hands?

Phyrus Malus?

The real Ferrus—no, wait, Senior Sister Philus?

Kasgar could hardly believe it.

"Kasgar, this is my sister, the master of the 10th Legion, Primarch Phyrus Malus." Fulgrim smiled as she introduced her. "Phyrus, this is the husband I told you about, Kasgar Sherlock."

"Pleasure."

Phyrus's words were terse. She extended her silver hand for Kasgar to shake.

"However, if I may be blunt—"

Her eyes narrowed slightly as she looked at Fulgrim with displeasure. "Spending too much energy on a mortal like that will only make you weaker."

As a textbook Social Darwinist, Fei Senior Sister didn't mince words or spare his feelings.

"Oh? But I don't think Kasgar is as worthless as you claim."

Fulgrim turned to face her, still wearing a smile, but the curve of her lips had dropped by several degrees.

Like a Mother Hen protecting her chick, she stood in front of Kasgar.

"Maybe there's potential for change in the future, but for now, I see no reason in him worth investing as much as you have."

Seeing this, Philus grew even more frustrated, as if disappointed in a lost cause.

"You see that, Kasgar? That's how she is."

"Like a Gorgon, baring her fangs at everyone."

With that, Fulgrim entered the room, sat down on the large bed at the center, and let out a snicker.

"I'll take that as a compliment."

Philus didn't bother to respond.

"Kasgar, guess why this Gorgon started venting at you the moment she walked in?"

"Heh heh, it's because of this!"

Fulgrim said, pulling out a Power Sword shaped like an exquisite Xhanabal Saber.

Kasgar had seen plenty of Master-crafted weapons before in Sword Saint Aqua's collection.

But he had never seen one more refined or more gorgeous than the one in her hand.

"This... this is?"

"It's a gift for you." Philus's voice carried a sour edge.

"Fulgrim spent nearly three months forging it. I thought she was going to trade it with me."

"I specially crafted a Flame Sword suited for her, but in the end, she—"

It seemed Fei Senior Sister's heartfelt effort had been wasted.

Poor Senior Sister.

Kasgar felt sympathy for her.

And he tried his best not to laugh out loud.

"Kid," she said through gritted teeth, "you'd better be worthy of this blade."

"If you haven't improved by the time the legions exchange and you come to the 10th Legion, I'll take it back."

"Hehe."

Fulgrim let out an embarrassed chuckle. "It's fine, I'll forge you a Power Hammer next time."

"Or should I return this Flame Sword to you?"

"No thanks. Once something's given, there's no taking it back."

"Hmph. I'm leaving."

She pursed her lips and turned to walk away.

After Philus left, the room grew much quieter.

Only Kasgar remained, slowly running his fingers over the beautiful Power Sword, his gaze never leaving it.

What a gorgeous sword.

Without the Disintegration Field activated, it was a master-crafted Xhanabal Saber; with it, a Master-crafted Power Sword.

Impressive.

Kasgar marveled.

No wonder it made Fei Senior Sister so envious.

"Like it?"

Fulgrim leaned toward Kasgar as she asked.

"Yeah. What's its name?"

"Zhanli."

She stroked the blade lightly and answered with a smile.

"Since you like it."

Her hand continued to wander.

"Hehe, then let Mommy check if your modifications are working properly!"

She let out a giddy laugh, her narrow phoenix eyes narrowing as she lunged toward Kasgar.

The moment she was back, she was already groping him all over!

And they still want him to be Tile Junior Brother!

Ah, why is Fulgrim so wicked!

Kasgar's eyes were filled with grief and indignation.

He thought of his pelvis, which had only just healed.

What was it supposed to do?

Fulgrim, I, I...

I'll fight you to the death!

He didn't win.

In this book, the gender-swapped Primarchs are only the Third, Ninth, and Tenth.

All three were targeted by Slaanesh.