Inside an unmanned arena chamber aboard the Eldar warship,
the Emperor’s Champion, Galain, stood like a boulder, watching Daqi in the training field as he held a chainsword in an awkward stance.
“A chainsword is not a farmer’s hoe.”
Galain’s voice came through his helm with a metallic hum.
“It is an extension of the body, the embodiment of the Emperor’s wrath. You must command it, not let it drag you along.”
Galain activated a chainsword he had temporarily borrowed.
That blood-stirring roar instantly filled the entire arena chamber.
“Basic stance. Feet apart, shoulder-width. Lower your center of gravity.”
“Imagine your feet are rooted into the deck. Remember: in battle, any unnecessary leaping or swaying will get you killed the moment you engage the enemy.”
Daqi did as instructed, but his body still wobbled somewhat.
The chainsword in his hands was like a frenzied beast, shaking his arms until they trembled.
“Now, thrust!”
Galain suddenly stepped forward. The chainsword shot straight out like a venomous snake leaving its hole, carrying a shrill whistle as it tore through the air.
“Power comes from the legs, passes through the waist, and erupts through the arms. Do not rely only on the strength of your arms!”
Daqi imitated the motion and thrust out with a grunt, but his footing staggered.
A battle-brother immediately stepped forward and struck the side of Daqi’s calf with a training staff.
“Your footwork is too loose. An enemy would knock you down with ease!”
“Block!” Galain roared again, swinging his sword into an upward parry.
“Use the back of the blade to absorb the impact. Use the teeth to deflect the force. Taking it head-on will easily knock the sword from your hands!”
The training continued amid repetition and rebukes.
Galain and his brothers were extremely strict, yet taught without reservation. Every mistake in Daqi’s movements was pointed out at once.
Daqi quickly grasped the basic usage and key points of the chainsword.
【You have mastered Chainsword Proficiency. When attacking enemies with chainsword weapons, you can increase physical attack, magic attack, and accuracy】
A notification appeared. Daqi had mastered a new skill.
There was also an experience bar behind the skill. He could use the experience he had gained from previous missions to continue improving it.
Daqi tried raising Chainsword Proficiency.
He felt a surge of knowledge pour into his mind, and his muscles subconsciously formed memories as well.
His entire being entered a wondrous state of enlightenment.
He understood the cutting effect brought by the chainsword’s vibration frequency,
and learned how to keep his core stable amid that violent roar.
His movements were no longer stiff; instead, they grew increasingly smooth.
Galain narrowed his eyes slightly, noticing this transformation.
He gestured for a battle-brother to enter the field and conduct live combat drills with Daqi.
At first, Daqi was still suppressed by his opponent. His movements could not keep up, and he was knocked down several times.
But after a few rounds, he was actually able to anticipate and deflect the opponent’s chops, then follow up with a precise diagonal upward slash. The chainsword’s teeth narrowly scraped past the opponent’s neck guard.
“Good. You are now a qualified warrior.”
Galain called a halt to the fight, a hint of delight in his voice.
“As expected of the Emperor’s angel on earth. You learn quickly. Given time, you will surely become a peerless swordmaster.”
【You have gained favor with the Emperor’s Champion—Galain】
“Whoa, there’s even a favorability system??”
Daqi was very curious. What would happen if he maxed out the favor of Galain, Amarich, Archmagos Cawl, and the others?
Would they support him in sitting upon the Golden Throne?
When the time came, should he perform a round of Chinese-style coy refusal?
“No, no. I am a man who understands things. I would never sit in that position.”
“My noble lord, you are the born Master of Mankind. You cannot continue to bide your time. Now, in this age of chaos, you should follow destiny and ascend the throne.”
“What virtue or ability does this Daqi possess? How could I dare covet the position of Master of Mankind?”
“Your Majesty, forgive us. Quickly, help His Majesty ascend the throne.”
“You people have truly made Us suffer.”
However, fantasies were fantasies. The Golden Throne was not so easy to sit upon.
“I support you taking the seat.”
An ethereal, unfamiliar voice sounded beside Daqi’s ear.
He looked around, but saw no strangers besides Galain and the other two.
Moreover, those words just now had only been thoughts in his mind.
How did the other party know them, and even converse with him??
How strange!!
Could there be some kind of hidden easter egg??
“Continue training. Your talent is excellent, but you must remain humble and diligent.”
Galain’s words pulled Daqi’s attention back.
They began training again, learning even more combat techniques.
…………
Under the guidance of the Eldar Ynnari,
the Imperial forces led by Archmagos Cawl and Living Saint Celestine used the ancient Webway system to miraculously cross more than half the galaxy.
In the end, they arrived at the gateway to the Macragge system—the shrine world, Laphis.
For some reason, they could not use the Webway to reach Macragge directly, and had to transfer to warships instead.
“We must find the Ultramarines stationed on this world as soon as possible,”
the Living Saint said, her entire body shrouded in a steadfast radiance. “Only by relying on their strength and their ships can we reach Macragge.”
At this moment, the world of Laphis was mired deep in the flames of war.
The power of Chaos polluted the land and sky. Explosions and roars came endlessly from afar, and black smoke rose in curling streams.
Under Celestine’s urging, the joint force formed by the Ynnari and the Imperium of Man struggled across a jagged mountain range.
When they finally rounded the last towering ridge covered in shell craters,
they saw a fortress belonging to the Ultramarines standing imposingly in the valley below, enduring the frenzied assault of a Chaos army.
Ultramarines clad in blue power armor led the Ultramar Auxilia, relying on solid fortifications to fight.
Dense anti-air fire wove a net of death, sweeping through Heldrakes and Chaos fighters that constantly dived from the sky, spewing corrupt flames.
On the ground, artillery fire continued without pause. The earth was scorched black, filled with deep craters and mangled corpses.
Destroyed, charred tanks could be seen everywhere, along with shattered artillery pieces.
“Whoa, cross the mountain and there’s a whole bunch of Smurfs!”
“They’re lively and clever, they’re naughty and nimble, they live freely in that green forest, they’re kind and brave and care for each other, oh!! Lovely little Smurfs, oh!! Lovely little Smurfs……”
As Daqi hummed the song, he rushed toward the battlefield before the others could react.
That fanatical appearance made him look just like a follower of Khorne.
“Follow him. Kill them.”
Celestine pointed her sword toward the Chaos army.
The Cadian remnants under Creed, the Tempestus Scions under Greyfax, and the battle-brothers of the Black Templars all joined the battle.
The knights of House Taranis also answered the call of war. Their massive machines ran forward, opening fire at the enemy.
The deadly attacks unleashed by Icarus autocannons and Avenger Gatling cannons swiftly turned vast stretches of land into scorched earth.
Yvraine and the other Ynnari also charged.
Dense shuriken flew, while slender dancers performed an artistic and beautiful dance of slaughter amid the enemy ranks.
Through the efforts of the joint force, the Chaos army besieging the fortress soon collapsed into disorder and fled in all directions.
After the Chaos threat was dealt with, the armored gate at the base of the fortress let out the hiss of operating hydraulics as the pressure locks disengaged.
The heavy gate opened, and three Ultramarines walked out with bolters in hand.
The fortress’s artillery arrays also turned their barrels, aiming at this special force made up of both humans and xenos.
“Who are you? Why have you come here??”
An Ultramarine stepped forward and questioned them.
P.S. I originally expected today’s chapter to be at ten o’clock, but I ended up arguing with the property management, and it took me a long time just to calm down.
The contract application has already been approved. I’ll sign the contract a bit later.