31. Settle the Score Later

"Nice to see you again, Corporal Kius."

Handshake, shake, smile—all in one fluid motion. Karyl took two steps back, then looked up at Sarlun behind him and nodded.

The corporal studied him with a complicated expression. After a long while, he finally spoke slowly.

"My lord. May I ask a question?"

"Within the bounds of my ability, I will answer anything I know."

"When did you come aboard?"

Karyl spread his hands, his smile unchanged. "That is rather a long story. Why don't we deal with a more important matter first? What do you think, Corporal?"

As his words fell, the Shield-Captain approached carrying two Drukhari. Blood ran down his golden armor, soaking the deck at his feet and tracing one bloody pattern after another.

Kius's expression grew even more complicated. At that moment, a viewport to their side was suddenly flooded with boundless light. It was so brilliant that it nearly swallowed the corporal's face.

Only after a full half-minute did it slowly fade. But that was not the end. More, smaller explosions continued to erupt, working together to destroy a massive Aeldari warship without the slightest restraint, dancing wildly amid the searing heat and bringing forth even greater radiance.

The corporal took a deep breath, drew his gaze back, and asked expressionlessly, "What problem do you intend to resolve?"

Karyl said nothing. He merely lowered his head and glanced at the two Drukhari whose limbs had been severed. They had likely once held high status and lived privileged lives; the armor they wore differed markedly from that of the Kabal warriors dead around the deck.

But now, they probably wished they were already dead—a simple glance alone made their remaining bodies tremble violently.

One of them even tried to beg for mercy outright. Unfortunately, before it could utter