Chapter 103: Honor Duel

The news that Thierry Viera had challenged Saisake spread like a whirlwind throughout the Eleventh Legion and the Vostonian Warriors who had undergone the Gaizao Shouhu.

When the First Captain heard the news, his eyes were filled with fury.

A Warrior who had just completed the Gaizao Shouhu, having never utilized the power of an Astartes nor been tempered in the fires of war, actually dared to challenge him, a veteran of countless battles; it was truly an overestimation of his own capabilities.

"Tell him I accept his challenge."

"Don't say I'm bullying him; I'll give him five days to prepare."

"Right beneath the Hive Tower of the Primarch, I will make him understand what a true Astartes is."

Saisake said confidently; he did not take Thierry's challenge to heart, but since this overconfident challenger was a confidant of the Primarch, perhaps he could use this opportunity to prove himself before the Gene-Father.

Five solar days later, before the duel between the two had begun, a squad of Warriors clad in red armor appeared at the Hive Tower.

Saisake and the honor guard he led, along with several Company Captains who had come to watch the battle, immediately recognized that the pattern on their shoulder pads was the familiar Legion insignia, the same one that had been painted on their own armor before they welcomed back the Gene-Father.

A moment later, Ninglu sat upon his throne, with thirty-three swords behind him, each impaling a crown.

He tapped his fingers lightly against the back of the chair, looking at the Primarch's sons before him.

"You come from Terra?"

"Father."

A red-armored Warrior with a Power Sword at his waist and a bolter on his back, who had earned the qualification to represent his battle-brothers through his strength on the journey here, spoke up.

"We all come from the various Hive Cities in the Asian region, and we completed our Ascension on the Moon."

"According to our results, we were assigned to the Eleventh Legion."

The instructors at the training base would organize every five hundred Astartes into a training squad to conduct further training for them.

They would pass training assessments in subjects such as bolter marksmanship and swordsmanship, and be ranked according to their performance.

The top twenty-five would be sent to the Sixteenth Legion to serve under the Primarch of the "Luna Wolves," the first-found son of the Emperor.

The remaining Astartes would be randomly assigned to various Legions until Ninglu's return.

Every training squad from the twenty-sixth to the fiftieth place would be assigned to the Eleventh Legion.

"How many of you are there?"

"Father, there are three hundred and fifty battle-brothers in total; we have been ordered to come to Vostonia to report to you."

Ninglu noticed that one of the sons had medical equipment hanging from his left arm; he was clearly an Apothecary.

He raised a hand and pointed, "You are an Apothecary?"

"Yes, Father. I received Apothecary training at the genetic laboratory on the Moon and passed the assessment."

The Apothecary with long black hair answered excitedly; upon seeing the Gene-Father for the first time, he felt a close connection between himself and the Primarch.

"How many Apothecaries are there? What about the interns?"

"Father, besides me, there are five other Apothecaries."

"There are seventeen intern Apothecaries, and fifty-two attendants capable of performing surgery."

The Apothecary had already guessed the reason the Gene-Father was asking him: it was to perform the Gaizao Shouhu on the Candidates.

When they were selected for the Eleventh Legion, the recovery of Gene-seed and the Gaizao Shouhu provided as an additional value were enhanced; clearly, their role in the expansion of the Legion was highly valued.

Ninglu tapped his fingers twice against the back of the chair, pondering silently in his heart.

【These Terra-born veterans, although also raised as tools of war, have not yet been tainted by the bloodthirsty killing habits of the Reapers, making them easier to change.】

Thinking of this, he spoke.

"You may return for now; the Techmarines shall repaint your armor according to the Legion's heraldry."

"Before I issue orders, you may familiarize yourselves with the homeworld, but do not disrupt the local order."

Hearing Ninglu's stern warning, the sons replied in unison.

Watching their departing backs, Ninglu could not help but think.

【I should send representatives to the Moon to guide the Terra-born recruits in accepting the Legion's philosophy and culture while they are still receiving their education.】

After Ninglu had made up his mind, he stood up from the throne, walked to the window, and looked toward the training ground.

The outcome of the battle between the Vostonians and the Terra-born would influence the intensity of the reforms he would undertake in the next phase.

As the red-armored Warriors boarded the dedicated elevator, they also saw the two groups of people on the training ground through the window.

"They are also sons of the Gene-Father; let us go and see."

The red-armored Warrior with the Power Sword at his waist suggested, and it was approved by the other Warriors; they all wanted to understand the other Junluanzhanshi, as they longed to know those Junluanzhanshi who fought among the stars.

Eighth Captain Robin saw Fourth Captain Adams and Seventh Captain Sanchez actually standing together with those Vostonian newcomers, and he said angrily.

"You two, instead of being with us, are actually standing with those Vostonians?"

Adams was as he always was, his expression devoid of any fluctuation.

Sanchez raised an eyebrow, his deep eyes appearing as if they had locked onto prey.

"Robin, all Order Shadows are sons of the Gene-Father."

"We who stand together are the true sons of the Father; you should join us."

A dark glint flashed in the eyes of Third Captain Samir; he noticed that several other Company Captains were lost in thought, so he immediately spoke up.

"Words are useless; victory is the only truth."

He placed all his hopes on the First Captain, as Saisake had always been considered the Legion's most excellent Warrior.

Arsena walked between the two groups; Saisake looked at the Wizard with contempt, but he did not dare to question the Primarch Attendant, for the silver-haired mortal was the representative of the Primarch.

Arsena glanced at the two groups, then saw the red-armored Warriors walking over, and only then did he speak.

"This is an honor duel between First Captain Saisake and Thierry Viera of the Vostonian Order Shadows."

The Primarch Attendant's voice was clear and loud, like a sounding horn.

"The duel weapon is the Chainsword, and the goal of the duel is to draw the first drop of blood from the opponent's torso or to subdue the opponent."

"A severed limb, an eye injury, or a cut to the front of the throat also counts."

Injuries that would be grave or even result in Death for a mortal are not fatal for an Astartes.

The rules of an honor duel are also more relaxed; otherwise, both sides would be restricted and unable to display their full strength.

"No armor, no firearms."

Arsena paused, and only after seeing both Astartes adjust their grips and activate the Chainswords in their hands did he speak.

"The wager is the honor of both sides."

The Guanzhe all wore solemn expressions; the wager was not merely personal honor, but the superiority or inferiority of two cultures.

"Ready!"

The two Order Shadows saluted each other; they were both scions of the Gene-Father.

Afterward, they each leveled their Chainswords and entered a combat stance.

Saisake lowered his body, his sword tip pointing toward the ground, like a predatory beast.

Thierry held his sword with one hand, positioned before his chest, gazing at his opponent.

The silence was immediately broken as the First Captain let out a roar and charged toward Thierry.

(End of this chapter)