Chapter 297: Kasei: Suitable to be Warriors

Kasai System, the Eighth Legion's flagship, Blade of the Blade.

Thierry Viera stood before the star map table, gazing at the magnified Kasai Prime.

The Communication Bead in his ear buzzed; Thierry pressed the rune, and the Sound Array Master's slightly magnetic voice entered his ear.

"My Lord, the Auger Matrix Master reports that scans show forty-eight cities on Kasai Prime."

"This world possesses orbital defense facilities that are not particularly dense; orbital drop losses are expected to be low."

"Our goal is to have them pledge loyalty to the Emperor; it will be the Chapter's recruitment world," the Knight Lord said.

"Activate the Sound Array Matrix at maximum power and conduct an all-channel, multi-language broadcast covering the planet."

"As you command, my Lord," the Sound Array Master replied. The communication channel went silent, and after a dozen seconds, his voice sounded again, "Standard propaganda procedures initiated."

The Eighth Legion's fleet arrayed in orbit around Kasai.

Four hours of ship time later, Thierry's communicator rang again.

After he connected, the Sound Array Master's voice came through.

"My Lord, the Kase Noble Alliance has confirmed we are fellow humans and has agreed to pledge loyalty to the Emperor."

"They have lowered their orbital defenses and invite you to the surface."

After Robin died, Bukawu, who succeeded as First Captain, spoke up to remind him: "They know they cannot resist the fleet."

"Inviting you to the surface might be a trap."

"It is more likely that these nobles are still weighing their options," Thierry's gaze was profound, "If we can demonstrate our strength, they will be convinced."

"If they think there is still a chance, perhaps they have other intentions."

"Assemble the honor guard; accompany me to the surface."

He looked at the worried-looking Bukawu: "Your company, prepare for orbital drop."

"Once the Kasei make any unusual moves, drop in for support."

After the Stormbird landed on the tarmac, Thierry stepped off the deck and looked at the welcoming Kase nobles and the surrounding guards; his black eyes narrowed.

Regardless of gender, the Kasei were all around two meters tall, even taller than the Vostonians, who were already on the taller side among human populations.

The nobles were even more slender, all exceeding two meters.

The Kasei were not as bulky as the Catachan Auxiliary; their physiques were more balanced.

Every Kasei wore a long sword at their waist, and the nobles' scabbards were intricately carved.

The Order Shadow sized up the Kasei with the eyes of a "Weapon Master," forming an initial impression in his mind.

【Judging solely by innate physical constitution, they are very well-suited to become Warriors.

Coupled with the superb swordsmanship my Lord mentioned, they are even more suitable.】

While Thierry was deep in thought, a tall man wearing bronze armor and a fur-stitched tassel cloak walked out from the ranks of the nobles.

Through the Techmarine's translator, Thierry understood what he was expressing in the Kase language.

"Mika Wright, on behalf of the Kasei, welcomes your arrival."

While the Techmarine was translating, Wright sized up the black-armored warrior before him; it was his first time seeing a giant taller than the Kasei.

The massive body contained terrifying power.

【Astartes... terrifying warriors...】

Thierry looked at the attendant, who had braided his silver hair with beads, leading a horse toward him, and frowned.

"Tell him, the horse lacks the strength to bear my frame."

After hearing the Techmarine's translation, Wright smiled and said:

"The horses of Kasai are not ordinary mortal horses; they are bred for true knights and can carry any heavy load."

"But they are unruly; only true knights can master them."

After hearing the Techmarine's translation, Thierry looked at the horse before him; the horse was similar in build to the Giant Wolves from Fenris kept by the Seventh Legion.

Their fur was deep red, as if soaked in fresh blood.

【If the horse can truly bear my frame, then the "unruliness" Wright speaks of might be a test for me.

A test of whether I have the ability to tame a wild horse.】

Thinking of this, Thierry walked to the horse, removed his gauntlet, and placed his large hand on the horse.

His strong brain cat bared its fangs at the deep-red-furred horse.

Thierry leaped onto the horse's back; the horse reared its front hooves and let out a neigh, trying to throw the giant off its back.

But Thierry's body was as steady as a mountain; he squeezed with his legs, and the wild horse's hooves landed on the ground.

Wright saw that no matter how the wild horse struggled, Thierry remained seated on its back; after a dozen steps, it stopped struggling.

Seeing the black-armored giant tame the wild horse so quickly, a look of admiration flashed in the Kase nobles' eyes.

They mounted their horses and rode their steeds forward.

The honor guard marched in perfect step, following behind their Lord.

Along the way, the Knight Lord observed every Kasei he saw.

They were all tall and wore swords at their waists.

After traveling nearly a kilometer, he saw a stone platform where two men in leather combat gear were fighting using one-and-a-half-meter-long blades.

【The Kasei seem to resolve conflicts through sword duels.】

The "Weapon Master" watched the two; one held his blade level, parried an attack, lowered his body from the right side, and then leaped up to launch a swift attack at his opponent.

【By the standards of ordinary people, their swordsmanship is quite good; the attacks are swift and the sword techniques are exquisite; few among the Vostonians can compare.】

A moment later, the horses stopped in front of a bright marble palace.

After Thierry dismounted, he walked into the palace under Wright's guidance.

The banquet began; after Thierry sent several pieces of tender meat into his mouth with a silver fork, he said to Wright:

"I see that the Kasei are all tall and slender, carrying swords as they walk; are you all skilled in swordsmanship?"

After the Techmarine relayed Thierry's words, he then translated Wright's.

"Every Kasei is an excellent swordsman; the nobility must all earn the title of Weapon Master."

"As the Chief Sword Master, I am able to represent all Kasei."

"I am also renowned for my swordsmanship within the Legion." Thierry, as the greatest swordsman in the Order Shadow beneath the Primarch, issued the invitation.

"Why don't we have a contest of swordsmanship to improve our mutual understanding?"

Thierry wanted to witness the sword techniques praised by the Black Emperor through a duel with the Kasei Chief Sword Master, and he also wanted to take this opportunity to display his strength, defeat the highest peak in the hearts of the Kasei, and thereby completely subdue them.

"Very well." Wright stroked his long sword and readily agreed; as the Kasei Chief Sword Master, he had confidence in himself.

Even when facing a giant, he had the confidence to rely on his technique to achieve victory.

When the Kasei heard that Wright had accepted Thierry's challenge, they all believed that the Weapon Master would defeat the outsider, just as he had defeated countless challengers in the past.

Thierry's attendant removed his power armor for him and changed him into a black, tight-fitting robe.

Since it was a duel of swordsmanship, he would not rely on power armor.

This sword duel was both a personal experience of the Elvira Sword Technique praised by the Primarch and an action to win over the Kasei.

There was no method more effective than winning a sword duel to make the Kasei admire him.

Upon hearing the news that the Chief Sword Master was fighting the leader of the outsider black-armored Warriors, the Kasei all gathered beneath the Great Arena.

Thierry, having shed his power armor, walked toward the Great Arena surrounded by his honor guard; he was much taller than the Order Shadow Warriors in black armor behind him.

After being promoted to "Weapon Master," his physique had grown further, and his power armor had been replaced with a brand-new set.

His physique was also the tallest and most robust beneath the Primarch.

Before the duel began, they discussed it animatedly.

"Tell me, how many strikes will it take for Master Wright to defeat his opponent?"

"When Master Wright last accepted a challenge from another Weapon Master, he only used five swift strikes to defeat his opponent."

"I was fortunate enough to witness that battle; although it ended in the blink of an eye, Master Wright's sword technique has remained etched in my mind."

"Although the outsider is unusually tall and robust, his swordsmanship is certainly not as good as Master Wright's; Master Wright will win in ten strikes at most."

"..."

On the Great Arena, Thierry drew his Power Sword and pressed the Runic Rune; the blade flashed with blue light.

He looked at Wright, who ground some powder and applied a matte finish to his blade.

As he rotated his wrist, the blade refracted a faint light.

Wright gripped the hilt wrapped in braided cord; his blade was slightly longer than those of other Kasei, with the sword body being one and a half meters long.

He stroked the blade with his hand, injecting energy into it.

Thierry's gaze narrowed, and he thought to himself: 【Psychic power! Wright's swordsmanship is combined with psychic power?】

The Order Shadow keenly perceived that as the psychic power was injected into the blade, Wright and the sword tip became one.

After the two bowed to each other, they did not speak due to the language barrier and stepped toward one another.

Wright met Thierry's pitch-black eyes, as if facing heavy basalt; he took a deep breath and launched the first attack.

The energy-filled blade traced a figure-eight in the air; the Ian Sword, passed down through nine generations of the Wright family, collided with the Charged Blade.

(End of chapter)