Duel Once More

At this very moment, inside the Primarch fleet of the Sons of the Emperor.

The Pride of the Emperor

After a period of adjustment, most of the Astartes and Imperial Army from the 28th Expeditionary Fleet accepted these pointy-eared Abhumans as a much-needed personnel supplement for the 28th Expeditionary Fleet.

There's no way around it, their technology is just too good.

While some fanatical individuals might see this as a compromise with the Xenos, the Sons of the Emperor, as the legion responsible for diplomacy and etiquette in the lore, are not overly xenophobic towards intelligent Xenos that can communicate.

At most, you'll call me "Mon-keigh," and I'll call you "Xenos."

They get along very well.

When Kasgar was in power, he naturally wouldn't have opposed this trend.

—Anyway, the future Lord Regent did it.

This is the time for the presentation.

At this time, most of the Astartes and their crew would gather in the ship's large assembly hall to listen to the Imperium preachers proclaim the Imperial Truth.

The Corsairs, led by Yriel, naturally wouldn't go looking for trouble.

They're not so foolish as to think that if God says he's not God, then he really isn't God.

Yriel would often gather the Eldar crew aboard the Pride of the Emperor at this time to jointly worship the shrine of the Phoenix King Asuryan.

He bowed three times devoutly before the statue of Phoenix King Asuryan.

"Sister, but I still have some questions."

"Do you think that human with the power of the Phoenix King is a bit too weak?"

As she spoke, Yriel glanced at the painting of Fulgrim hanging in the corridor.

"As Young God of the Empyrean, he, like her, is currently in a nascent stage before awakening."

"Perhaps their current understanding of the power of the Empyrean is still very superficial, but one day they will accept their true nature."

"By then, their power will be unstoppable."

Four words.

The future is promising.

"Princess Irill, what exactly is this love story between her and our New Phoenix King that the Young God spoke of?"

Hearing this, Yriel felt somewhat embarrassed.

Shortly after the Corsairs joined the 28th Expeditionary Fleet, Fulgrim, sensing a great sense of crisis, frequently reenacted stories from the era of Chemos before them.

He then demonstrated the [Thirty Years, Centaur, Golden Ring] to all of them.

This deeply shocked the young Eldar who had not experienced the Great Fall.

The New Phoenix King is in love with a Young God.

Some unpleasant images appeared in Yriel's mind.

I heard this thing is really popular in the Imperium of Man.

Not only do high-ranking Planetary Governor and nobles enjoy watching it, but it's said that even the lower-class people in the Hive City who toil all year round like to watch it during their limited free time.

"But the New Phoenix King doesn't seem to object to this."

Yriel recalled the old gold ring that Kasgar had worn on his right hand back then.

"He must have his own deeper meaning in doing this!"

How dare you question God's decision?!

Friend!

As she spoke, she placed the thirtieth oil painting in the corridor, depicting Kasgar and Fulgrim wearing Centaur gold ring, next to the shrine of the Phoenix King.

And so, Kasgar accepted the offerings of thirty Aeldari for thirty minutes and thirty seconds.

Back to the Iron Fist.

"You're challenging me?"

Philus looked at Kasgar, who was full of ambition, and smiled disdainfully.

"Even your master, the unparalleled swordsmanship of the Second Captain Aqua Duna, was defeated by me."

"And what gives you the audacity to provoke me?!"

Philus's words became increasingly sharp with each utterance.

Kasgar didn't know whether this was her hot-tempered older sister's true nature or the influence of that damned Warp Daemon.

"With this."

As he spoke, Kasgar revealed the Psychic Flame in his hand.

Stay away from him

This is a cursed flame; you must not get close to it.

That's what the voice from the depths of Philus's heart told her.

"I never imagined that my sister, who so devoted herself to the Imperial Truth, would have a Wizard husband."

She found it somewhat repulsive.

"But back then, witchcraft did indeed save the lives of your two lieutenants and Amar, didn't it?"

Kasgar actually hated witchcraft.

But after his hands started to catch fire, he realized that he actually hated two things.

Witchcraft, and not knowing witchcraft.

After hearing Kasgar's explanation of Psychic Flame, Philus's expression softened slightly.

In the previous battle, the Psychic Flame did indeed effectively suppress the Gardinalian Sorcerer.

In the subsequent analysis report and post-war reflection, the Psyker from Gardinal was found to have possessed an almost superhuman level of Psychic Power.

It can not only suppress the best of the Thousand Sons Librarian, but can even intermittently influence the Primarch for a period of time.

Kasgar played a crucial role in thwarting the assassination attempt and saving the lives of many Primarch guards and Amar.

"And because my Psychic Power have not been awakened for long, it is difficult for me to fully grasp the specific effects of this flame."

"At the same time, since the Iron Hands Legion does not have Librarian, I have no way of judging how much power the Psychic Flame can unleash."

"Therefore, I hope to learn about my innate power by fighting powerful enemies at the Primarch-level, and to save more allies and eliminate more enemies in future battles."

Kasgar's expression was sincere, and his words were earnest.

"Where's Amar? Why didn't he come to help you with the test?"

After hearing what Kasgar said, Philus's tone softened somewhat.

"He"

Kasgar laughed and said, "We tested it before; he couldn't withstand my flames."

As he spoke, he looked at Amar seemed a little bewildered.

Hey! It's your turn!

Say your lines!

"Huh? Ah!"

"Yes, yes, yes."

Thousand Sons Librarian nodded repeatedly.

"We tested it before; the Kasgar's Psychic Flame are extremely mysterious and seem to be something I can't withstand."

A powerful enemy.

Unlike the enemies Philus had encountered before who were known for their brute force.

This time, the challenge comes from Casgar Sherlock, Commander Kasgar of the Emperor's Children Legion, and is from a Wizard.

"Alright. In that case, show me your power."

"But challenging a Legion Primarch to a duel is not so easy."

As she spoke, Philus revealed a slightly malicious smile.

"I need you to provide your bet."

Her finger pointed to Kasgar's waist.

"For example, the Power Sword that Fulgrim gave you."

The Senior Sister does indeed hold a grudge.

She also seemed saddened that her sincerity had been betrayed by Fulgrim.

And he was always ready to snatch the sword from Kasgar's hands.

"Or rather, Kasgar Sherlock, you can bet yourself."

Philus looked at him and smiled.

"If I lose, I will gather the strength of the entire legion to forge Power Sword for you that is better, stronger, and sharper than this one."

"Although I won't lose."

Do you accept this offer?

"I have no objection, let the competition begin."

After a moment's thought, Kasgar decided to take the bet.

Although the swords were precious, especially since they were a gift from Fulgrim.

But compared to burning half the galaxy, this is indeed a small price to pay.

You will fail.

"A complete defeat."

Standing in the large Dueling Cage designed by the Primarch, the fully armed Kasgar felt the pressure from his Primarch opponent.

Unlike the Primarch who would show him endless mercy, like Fulgrim once did.

Like a ferocious female leopard that would choose its prey, Philus's towering shadow completely covered Kasgar.

"Are you ready, little one?"

Seeing the opponent's fighting posture, even though Kasgar knew that the opponent was just training, he was still a little scared.

Who knows if this demon will suddenly possess Philus Senior Sister it did on the Istvaan V?

Then give him a [Lion's Flying Headbutt]?

"Go for it, Kasgar! Don't embarrass the Sons of the Emperor."

Aqua, who was sitting to the side, shouted with a smile.

A very familiar scene.

However, this time, it was Aqua who was watching the show, not Kasgar.

The two poles reversed.

"Let's begin."

As she spoke, Philus lowered her center of gravity and rushed towards her opponent at an extremely fast speed.

She does not equip herself with weapons in duels.

Or rather, her Iron Hands, covered in silver liquid metal, were her best weapon.

No matter the level of attack, it could not penetrate her incredibly resilient hands.

Faced with this fierce attack, Kasgar chose to dodge to the side.

Today, he has chosen a superb Power Sword crafted by Fulgrim.

The reason for not choosing his most commonly used sneaky shield poke is quite simple.

Boarding Shield can stop bullets, but it can't stop a human cannonball like Philus.

If he were to actually get hit by that, even if he were holding a large shield, he would be sent flying.

Take flight!

But he talks as if he could beat Philus without a shield.

Even though Kasgar tried his best to dodge, Philus's Iron Hands still almost grazed past him.

A series of counter-attacks met Kasgar's forward slash.

Immediately afterwards, Kasgar took to the air.

"Kasgar, where is your proud flame?"

Philus asked, somewhat puzzled.

It was clearly stated that only the Primarch could test the strength of this flame, so why has Kasgar been relying on his physical strength to withstand it all this time?

I don't understand.

But if that's all there is to it, then she'll gladly accept the [Zhanli] from Kasgar's hands.

With that thought, she clenched her fists again and charged toward Kasgar once more.

This time, however, Kasgar not only did not dodge at all, but he even blocked the sword that was held in front of him.

It was as if he wanted to take the punch head-on with his own body.

"What are you doing?!"

At the last moment, Philus chose to hold back.

Even if she has a slightly explosive temper, she wouldn't go so far as to deliver a flying punch to a subordinate who has just made a great contribution, like the Lion El'Jonson.

Now!

The moment Philus withdrew her strength, the Gold-Red Flame on Kasgar's right arm ignited instantly.

Then, risking a heavy punch to the chest, Kasgar's right hand climbed up her silver arm.

In an instant, flames burst forth.

Kasgar is searching.

He firmly believed that Philus would never say anything that would encourage the Iron Hands to undergo mechanization and become increasingly inhuman.

They must have been bewitched by some unknown creatures!

The instant the flames scorched Philus, Kasgar began scanning her soul.

Something's strange!

Right here!

After realizing that something was amiss, Kasgar's flames tried to identify the other party.

It really was you!

In that instant, the vision from the Empyrean allowed him to see the other party's identity clearly.

The Sapphire King!

A demon from Slaanesh!

Born in the past, but through the hatred of its own flesh and blood emanating from the Iron Hands of death in the future, it attached itself to that Space Hulk.

Ultimately, after Philus boarded the warship, she secretly infiltrated the Primarch's consciousness.

Subtly guide the Primarch to accept the future of full mechanization under the Iron Hands!

Thus, a closed loop of cause and effect and destiny is formed.

"Damn it, you guys are everywhere."

Kasgar could sense that, when faced with his flames, this demon, skilled at bewitching people, had nowhere to hide!

Fire!

Burn it!

Flames engulfed the damned demon.

Even without a sound, Kasgar could still seem to hear the other's screams.

Continue!

Increase the firepower!

As Kasgar's will was conveyed, the flames from his right hand intensified.

I want to see this damned demon completely wiped out of the world!

It'll be soon!

It'll be soon!

Kasgar could feel that his opponent was becoming weaker and weaker under the scorching heat of his flames. Soon, he would be done!

Even though her chest was throbbing with pain from Philus's attack, just a little longer—

"Is this all the strength you have?"

"How ridiculous."

Bang.

With a tremendous tremor, Kasgar was impatiently blasted away by the Primarch.

He and his prized flame were extinguished so easily by Philus's punch.

He didn't burn to death.

Feeling pain all over his body, Kasgar was somewhat helpless.

All I can say is that the plan was far too hasty.

Even burning that unknown demon in Byzas took him so long.

It would be far too difficult to burn a named and powerful Greater Daemon to death in such a short time.

It's possible if Asuryan really comes in person.

But Kasgar is ultimately just a new body reborn from the ashes of the Phoenix King.

Fire is merely a special ability used to fight demons.

However, this does not mean that it is a panacea.

If only it were that easy to burn a Greater Daemon to death.

Kasgar thought to himself.

But the reality is that even Guilliman, wielding the Emperor's Sword, would have to fight Mortarion for a while if he really encountered him. Not only could he not burn Mortalian to death, but he couldn't even win a fight against him.

"Now, this is really a difficult situation."