One strike.
Then another.
A flurry of sword-strikes, with shimmering and erratic afterimages, came rushing towards Kasjia.
Devious, sharp—it would not be an exaggeration to use the most sinister words to describe the user of this sword technique.
No one could withstand such a swift assault.
But Kasjia was an exception.
At least, he firmly believed so.
Amidst the countless afterimages, he calmed his mind, felt the position of the sword—
There!
Using almost all his strength, he channeled it into his wrist to intercept and parry.
CLANG!
Success!
The seemingly light attack landed solidly on his sword, far more powerful than he had imagined.
He couldn't help but stagger back a few steps, steadying himself as he retreated.
Just blocking that one move had exhausted all his strength.
Before he could feel happy, his opponent's blade disengaged with a speed invisible to the naked eye and, while he was still off-balance, thrust towards his chest.
Not good!
Fortunately, Kasjia instinctively dodged to the left, avoiding the lightning-fast move.
At the same time, he brought his sword up in front of his chest to prevent a follow-up attack.
Two moves!
He had successfully blocked two moves!
Finally, he could finally see the trajectory of her sword!
However, the ecstatic Kasjia seemed to have forgotten one other thing:
The most crucial thing is never what you see.
It's what you don't see.
Just as a hint of joy arose in his heart, a somewhat cold arm wrapped around his neck from the side.
He felt himself being lifted up like a little chick.
"...The parry was still a bit hasty, you didn't manage to deflect most of the force."
"Coupled with your unstable footing and slow reaction, that's also a big problem."
"Understood, I'll just—"
"No, Kasjia, no more practice."
"You have to rest with me. This is the 'tuition'."
"...Alright."
Kasjia, forced to sit on Fulgrim's lap, lowered his head in silent acceptance.
Five years.
It had been five years since he had snuck out of the manor to meet Fulgrim, and since the two of them, after being framed, had reclaimed the fortress and gotten married.
In these five years, Fulgrim, with her far-beyond-human technical skills and abilities, had governed the entire Kalliston Fortress in an orderly manner.
With the research, development, and implementation of new machinery, Kalliston Fortress had transformed from its original state as an iron coffin into its current form as an ecological oasis.
Not only had the living conditions of the people been greatly improved, but work had also become progressively easier with the improvement of machinery.
With more leisure time, they could naturally devote more to the artistic creations that had been forgotten for countless ages.
New theaters, concert halls, cinemas, bookstalls, art galleries, and other facilities sprang up like mushrooms after rain, enriching the bodies and minds of every resident of Kalliston.
As for where Kasjia was now, it was a specially built house in the highest central point of the fortress, constructed by the workers for Fulgrim's demigod-like stature.
There was even a gilded Sagittarius statue in the plaza outside the door to commemorate their sincere and beautiful relationship.
As for why it was Sagittarius again, don't ask.
In these five years, Kasjia had never stopped learning from Fulgrim.
Whether it was swordsmanship, mechanics, or internal affairs, he did his utmost to understand the guidance and teachings from the Primarch.
As the Primarch who pursued perfection, Fulgrim was naturally the best teacher for Kasjia.
In his spare time, he trained.
And then he trained some more.
Even though Fulgrim could handle everything by herself, and even though there were no enemies on Chemos that they couldn't handle.
Kasjia never slacked off.
He persisted and practiced repeatedly.
He would only stop when his teacher, Fulgrim, forcibly stopped him, just like now.
Lowering his head, feeling the heavy pressure from behind him, he was now curled up in front of Fulgrim.
A deep sense of powerlessness flooded Kasjia's limbs.
He was growing fast.
But he was still too weak.
In the sword duel just now, the Primarch had not used her true strength.
If Fulgrim had gotten serious, Kasjia wouldn't have even seen her sword before his head went flying.
To accommodate Kasjia, Fulgrim had even lowered her speed and strength to the level of an ordinary person, fighting him with only her exquisite technique.
But even so, Kasjia still couldn't compete.
Five years.
The gap was still like a chasm between heaven and earth.
He should have clearly recognized that he was just a complete mortal.
Perhaps he could gain a certain status through the Primarch's affection, but with such weak strength, how could he prevent her fall in the future? How could he save her from the hands of the Chaos Gods?
The worry lines on Kasjia's brow deepened.
This couldn't go on.
He had to find another way to become stronger.
For this, he had to find a new shortcut, he had to—
No.
The thought had just flashed in his mind for a moment before Kasjia immediately rejected it.
That was close.
That thought just now... if he had accepted it, he would have likely fallen into the trap of the Chaos Gods of the Warp.
These guys wouldn't appear before you like a witch from a fairytale, with an evil grin, and straightforwardly say: "Heh heh heh, wanna make a deal?"
That kind of method could at most fool an idiot like Magnus.
The reality is, their temptations are more subtle and dangerous.
Often, before the tempted person even realizes it, they have already made them take a wrong step, with no way to turn back.
Kasjia had to be vigilant against this at all times.
He must, and could only, rely on himself.
Thinking of this, his fighting spirit re-ignited.
The Emperor sacrificed everything to revive humanity! I've only encountered this small setback, how can I give up so easily!
"What's wrong, Kasjia?"
"You seem to be in a... not-so-good mood."
"Your progress has actually been immense. Not even the valiant Sulpha have swordsmen who can grow so quickly."
"There's no need to blame yourself, and no need to feel pressured."
Seeing his low spirits, Fulgrim gently stroked his forehead.
"If you still think you're not strong enough..."
"Then just leave everything to me."
She's so good to me.
Kasjia thought, embraced by her.
"Speaking of the Sulpha..."
Her tone became much more serious. "As more and more other fortresses on Chemos join us, our conflicts with the Sulpha have become increasingly intense."
A growing number of attack records indicated that they were becoming the Sulpha's main target.
"As the infrastructure of Kalliston is gradually completed, the other fortresses allied with us are also sending their civilians to Kalliston."
In these five years, Fulgrim, through a combination of military force and diplomacy, had brought almost all the surviving fortress cities on Chemos under her wing.
And with her excellent governance, she was attracting the population of the entire planet.
The fortress cities were not a problem.
The most troublesome were the scavengers who roamed outside the cities.
"Kasjia, the new fortresses that have joined us are in urgent need of construction. I might not be able to get away."
"I need you to protect the civilian convoys heading to our fortress from Sulpha attacks."
"Alright."
Kasjia agreed quickly.
This was a rare opportunity to stand on his own and test his progress.
He couldn't hide under the protection of the Primarch's radiance forever.
The Great Crusade in the future would have many more twists and trials, and he had to learn to face danger alone.
"Alright, we're done with business."
"As for now..."
She smiled lightly, her fingers gently tilting Kasjia's chin.
"Defeated knight."
"Are you ready to accept your punishment for defeat?"
Feeling her hands begin to wander, in that instant, Kasjia met Fulgrim's smiling purple eyes.
"..."
Oh no.
Some temptations he could resist.
And some... were simply impossible to refuse.
His charm resistance check was a critical failure.
But even if all resistance was futile, even if his limbs were bound by thorns, he, Kasjia, would still shout the famous words of the unyielding with indomitable will—
"Guh, kill me!"
For no reason, Kasjia thought of the dump truck that had rushed towards him twenty-five years ago.
-------
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