Witch of Mars

As a newly promoted Arch-Magos, Kragg Izaris did not follow the rigid conventions of other Mechanicus. Compared to hiding in a laboratory to conduct research, she preferred to follow the warriors of the Omnissiah on crusades across the stars to explore the fascinating technologies buried in the long river of history.

Relying on her uncanny talent for "grave robbing," Kragg's technological prowess grew rapidly. She officially debuted on her hundredth birthday, using a Collapse Bomb to eliminate the teacher who had tried to control her, thereby earning the title of Magos.

Because the Adeptus Mechanicus is riddled with factions, the drama of master and apprentice killing one another has become a daily occurrence. Kragg's act of killing her master was not even considered a big deal; it even earned her the title of Witch of Mars.

According to Kragg's vision, once she was free from her teacher's control, she would surely soar to great heights, perhaps even ascending to the throne of a Forge Lord.

However, just as Kragg was feeling smug, reality gave the Magos a harsh slap in the face. The 100-year-old Mechanicus was no match for those old-timers. Within just six months, she was carved up by various factions, falling from a rising star to a piece of roadkill.

Until this moment, Kragg finally understood why her teacher was unwilling to let her go out on her own. Compared to handing over technology and being manipulated by a teacher, the academic competition outside was far more brutal. A single misstep meant death without a burial ground—they would truly, physically eliminate you.

"Quack! Don't dismantle me! I don't want to die!"

But heaven never closes all doors. Just as Kragg had been picked clean and was being placed on the Operating Table to be dismantled into parts, news of the return of the Second Primarch, Mordred, reached Mars.

Arriving with this news was the Emperor's order for an Arch-Magos to be dispatched to the Second Legion.

Although the Adeptus Mechanicus believes the Emperor is the incarnation of the Omnissiah, the Omnissiah is the Emperor—what does that have to do with the Primarchs? The Adeptus Mechanicus and the Imperium are on equal footing!

Currently, only four Primarchs have returned to the Imperium. Aside from Ferrus of the Iron Hands, who is proficient in technology and can earn the heartfelt approval of the Mechanicus, the other three are merely treated with respect.

Not to mention that this newly returned Lord Mordred comes from a Feral World. Like those barbaric Space Wolves, only a fool would go to be a preschool teacher for a savage.

But the problem is that military orders cannot be defied. Even if they didn't want to go, Mars had to send an Arch-Magos. So, who was the most suitable candidate?

Driven by a desire for survival, Kragg volunteered, stating that as long as she was spared, she would guarantee the completion of the mission.

It must be said that after being beaten down by society, Kragg had truly grown. Without anyone forcing her, she reserved a shred of dignity for herself.

Just like that, the 100-year-old Kragg was promoted on the front lines, becoming the youngest Arch-Magos of Mars, and was exiled at light speed the very day she received her title, kicked toward a Serene World located in the Extreme Sector.

"Truly, I am such a fool. If I had known it would end up like this, I would have definitely developed my own faction before taking out that old man, instead of making such a hasty debut."

Looking at the Arch-Magos Kragg, who was draped in red robes, Mordred, standing on the bridge of the Exemplar, Nodded. After a slight pause, he asked the question he most wanted to know.

"So, although you are an Arch-Magos in name, you aren't qualified in essence. Mars sending you here is actually just utilizing waste, a way to fob me off."

Hearing the Primarch's evaluation of her, Kragg's endocrine hormones immediately rose by five percent. But upon Realizing that Mordred Said Correctly, she fell into a state of self-abandonment, and even the few tentacles extending from her robes drooped down.

"Yes, you are right, I am just a piece of trash!"

Whether Kragg was trash remained to be seen. Mordred continued to ask: "Then, did you bring any staff with you when you came to join me?"

Kragg shook her tentacles, and the living skin on her face pulled into an expression uglier than crying: "My Lord, you know my situation.

Aside from the supplies deployed to you by the Regent and the early education machine given to you by the Emperor, my foundation was long ago picked clean. Even this body of mine is just pieced together."

Perhaps to prove that what she said was true, Kragg lifted her robes, revealing the flesh-and-blood body beneath, which was covered in suture marks. There was not much metal cybernetics on her whole body; one who didn't know better would think she was from the flesh-ascension faction that specialized in biology.

"Fine, in that case, just follow me from now on. Nothing else needs to be said—as long as you are willing to be obedient and offer me your loyalty, I certainly won't throw you away after using you like others do. After all, you are my teacher!"

"Really?"

Kragg, who had experienced the ups and downs of life and had almost been turned into a Servitor, was already traumatized and desperately needed a little nest that could provide her with shelter. And this Second Primarch looked very gentle.

The word "gentle" was not appropriate to describe a Primarch, but it was the first word that came to Kragg's mind.

"Really, I, Mordred, have never swindled anyone in my life. Follow me, and I guarantee you won't suffer!"

Following the promise was Mordred's perfect smile. An indescribable power flashed through the Arch-Magos's mind, and it was as if the sound of dice rolling echoed in the void.

"Wuwuwu! My Lord, I, Kragg Izaris, promise here that no matter when or where, I will always be your most reliable gear. I will absolutely never harm you like my teacher did.

Actually, I lied just now. I still have a junior fellow apprentice at the Ryza Forge World. I will send a message to call him over right now."

Life is like a boomerang. Half a month ago, Mordred said that Old Man Huang's charm was useless, but now he just wanted to say: it's truly fragrant!

At this, Mordred reached out and grabbed Kragg's mechanical tentacles, activating the essential skill of a virtuous person: "Walking Arm-in-Arm."

"Don't belittle yourself so much, Kragg. The moment I saw you, I knew you were my best teacher. We can make progress together. You came at just the right time; I just got a good treasure and am waiting for your help."

Without giving the Magos a chance to react, Mordred dragged her away from the bridge and ran toward the engine room.

Ten minutes later, looking at the Master Computer core, which was tightly sealed by a group of Atlas soldiers, Kragg's tentacles trembled wildly, and she emitted a sharp binary screech.

"My god! Such an intact data core—I've never seen one in all the years I've spent digging through ruins. My Lord, with this, I could even create a new academic faction."

Without waiting for Mordred to speak, Kragg had already spontaneously run off to participate in the decryption work, her whole body shining with the radiance of a workhorse.

Just as the Arch-Magos was burying herself in hard work, the 9th Company Captain Joseph appeared behind Mordred: "Father, I have already investigated the information on this Arch-Magos. It is basically consistent with what she said herself.

However, her teacher is not dead, but rather faked his death to escape. His current identity is none other than that junior fellow apprentice of Magos Kragg. Should I..." The 9th Company Captain made a throat-slitting gesture, the meaning of which was self-evident.

"Tsk! JOJO, I know you spent a few years in the Twentieth Legion, but you can't be this dark!

As the second brother of all the Primarchs, the Second Legion must set an example in the future, so..."

"So I should kill him openly and honestly?" Joseph's answer made Mordred sigh again. He slapped him on the back of the head and scolded him while pulling his ear:

"How the hell can you put this kind of thing out in the open? I mean to do it cleanly, preferably getting the evidence, so our Arch-Magos doesn't have any misgivings, understand?"

"Understood." The 9th Company Captain nodded rapidly: "Don't worry, Father, I have nine ways to make him vanish from the face of the earth, nine!"

"Hahaha, go, go. Remember our Atlas motto—Nothing is true, everything is permitted!"