Bait

Night falls.

Byzas's day-night cycle is similar to Terra's, and its solitary satellite high in the sky even performs, to some extent, the function of the moon.

"Kasgar, have you found anything?"

As she slowly entered the ornately decorated room, Fulgrim gently patted the table, chairs, and sofa carved from ancient wood, as if acknowledging the maker of the furniture.

With Kasgar's help, she took off her long, still slightly warm Adamantium boots and plopped down on the sofa with extremely unladylike manners.

Unfortunately, it's still a bit small.

"Phew, at least I can finally take a short rest."

Fulgrim smiled with relief.

As a Primarch always presents herself perfectly, she always behaves with utmost poise and decorum in front of others.

Of course, this is under the condition that there is no interference from Kasgar.

When Fulgrim is alone or with Kasgar, her mischievous personality, hidden deep within her perfect performance, will be revealed.

As her possessiveness towards Kasgar intensifies, it seems increasingly impossible to keep the truth hidden any longer.

The best example is that he had the other party act as his male concubine before.

Their accommodations were located not far from the Governor's Mansion, outside which lay a tranquil Garden of Nurgle, with loyal Sons of the Emperor taking turns standing guard at the gate. This was quite a luxury for Byzas.

"I haven't found any further clues."

After walking around the room and finding no listening or surveillance devices, Kasgar sat down next to Fulgrim.

Seeing Kasgar sit down, Fulgrim revealed a mischievous smile, rotated his sitting posture ninety degrees, stretched, and put his feet on the other's thighs.

"Then I'll punish you by making you rub it for me."

Her fair, slightly pink toes bounced up and down happily, as if urging Kasgar to hurry up.

"What do you think is going to happen? This assassination attempt."

"Needless to say? Nobles."

"It's always those nobles."

Fulgrim reluctantly let her silvery-white hair fall down her back and found a comfortable position to close her eyes and rest.

"They're not just after me, they're also targeting that old Governor."

Why did they kill the Governor?

"They are unwilling to submit. The Governor has agreed to almost all of our demands, but the nobles are afraid that their power will be taken away by a terrifying Imperium from outer space."

"Even if it means self-destruction, it's worth it?"

"There's nothing we can do; fools Dreadnought. That's just how things are."

"And what about Byzas? Do you have any new findings?"

After a pause, Fulgrim asked, seemingly enjoying the service from Kasgar.

"I asked the preacher Pike before, and she seems to have obtained quite a few reports from the Byzas Continental Government."

"Since the assassination attempt, Governor Pandion seems to have placed all his bets on us, and has given us easy access to key documents."

The most frequent reports were of uprisings.

After civilization declined and aristocratic oligarchs controlled all aspects of people's lives, the exploitation of the lower classes intensified as the nobles lost confidence in the future.

Riots and protests seem to permeate all government documents.

"This is another one who only collects Tithe and then doesn't care about anything else."

But saying that seems a bit dangerous.

But it's alright, since the 30K era still preached the Imperial Truth and sent out many preachers.

This is quite important.

"Apart from the better environment, it's no different from what we encountered on Chemos."

Fulgrim sighed and concluded, "Any further discoveries?"

"Yes, there is a name."

It seems that many names of uprisings and folk associations appear in Byzas's official records.

Kasgar frowned deeply. "Sabazius."

A name that starts with S.

"I've heard this name from the assassins too. Who is it?"

"Folk tales, but they are more than just folk tales."

An existence that their Sons of the Emperor has yet to encounter.

Kasgar was pondering how to phrase his words.

Perhaps it's a legend, or some kind of veiled hint about demons; who knows?

It's really hard to find the answer in the original text, which is full of Riddler.

He didn't want to be like Old Man Huang, saying nothing and watching the other person fall into the ditch.

But he wasn't sure if the "Sabazius" the Byzas spoke of actually existed.

Kasgar looked at his right hand, which was covered with golden-red cracks.

"It's so itchy."

As he pondered, he heard Fulgrim's soft chuckle beside him.

He seemed so engrossed in thinking that he neglected his work.

"Hmph, take this!"

She grinned mischievously and gently kicked Kasgar's chest and face with her feet.

"Fulgrim".

"Um?"

"Do you have a better way? A way to completely eliminate those stupid guys?"

Byzas' political environment was complex and intricate, and to completely eradicate it and turn it into an asset for the Great Crusade often required a long period of transformation.

But the Sons of the Emperor do not have that time.

They must act quickly.

"It's difficult."

After a moment of thought, she answered.

During the assassination attempt at the banquet, Fulgrim taught them a terrible lesson.

But this also made them hesitant to act rashly, and they went into hiding from then on, not daring to take any action on their own.

"I."

Kasgar patted his chest and offered his services.

"The only thing that can make you worry is me in their eyes."

"They will most likely target me next, kidnapping me to negotiate with you."

"I happen to need to speak with the Apothecary."

"This is the best opportunity to lure the snake out of its hole."

"No!"

Fulgrim vetoed it quickly.

"Do you have a better way?" Kasgar sighed.

The answer is no.

"But I'm still worried about you."

"Unless... you wear this."

A silver-white metal collar, with her name, Fulgrim, engraved on it in exquisite artistic lettering.

It seems to be another magical artifact she created herself.

"As long as I wear it, I can sense your signal and provide assistance at any time."

Wherever it is, as long as it does not leave the planet, it emits a faint sensation.

Coupled with its sturdy material, comparable to a riot shield, Kasgar was doomed.

"You rascal, you didn't prepare this thing a long time ago, just waiting to take it out now, did you?"

"Whee."

She didn't answer, but her actions betrayed her eagerness.

Click.

Before Kasgar could answer, she took it up to him first.

"Wait, Fulgrim, where's the key?"

"What?"

"I mean, where's the key to this thing?! I can't possibly wear it for the rest of my life."

"Ah—I swallowed the key."

She opened her mouth wide in a triumphant manner, her eyes filled with a smug smile.

"You're prepared to wear it for the rest of your life."

It was late at night.

The Sons of the Emperor, who were guarding the Garden of Nurgle mansion left to the extraterrestrial visitors, suddenly disappeared for reasons unknown.

The door was quietly opened, Kasgar glanced around furtively before slipping out of the Manor.

He spotted three or four assassins crouching under the eaves of a house not far away.

The group seemed surprised by Kasgar's sudden escape.

"Could it be bait?"

"It's possible. Otherwise, why would he go out at this time? There must be something fishy going on."

"Hmm, let's take another look."

It seems these people are very wary of Kasgar's every move.

Then, the assassins saw him knock on the door of the Apothecary Melusine's Manor.

The other party reluctantly opened the door, and after looking around again, he tiptoed into Melusine's room.

"?"

"Damn it! This guy is having an affair even though he's already with Starlight Princess!"