In Angron's eyes, these so-called Primarch brothers were nothing more than lapdogs who had submitted to the Emperor, that slave-master. They did not deserve to be called brothers at all.
At best, they were just biological siblings.
That was what he thought, at least. But when he actually saw some counterfeit brat cosplaying as one of his brothers—and for a split second nearly got fooled by it—his first instinct was still rage.
He might hate them. He might hate that slave-master too.
But that did not give this wretch the right to profane his brother's image.
It was like seeing a monkey suddenly dressed in human clothes and speaking like a man. Any normal person's first instinct would be to attack, not to think, Wow, this is one of my kind.
"This was a gift from my father," Bruce answered, posture straight, tone formal. "Her armor, her weapons, and her legion—she granted me the right to use them. Of course, I also owe you an apology for that, Lord Angron."
Because Angron was not wrong to be angry.
If Bruce ever saw some random Dark Angel strutting around in Lion's armor with the Lion Sword in hand, he would not care about the circumstances either—he would beat him senseless first and ask questions later.
"What do you mean by that? Why would my brother grant these things to you?" Angron demanded again.
"More precisely, she temporarily left the legion and named me acting commander of the Eighth Legion. That is why I said granted, not inherited."
"Abandoned... the legion?" Angron went still for a moment.
Though he was not close to Curze and even looked down on much of the Eighth Legion's terror tactics, for just an instant he thought the maniac sounded... kind of cool.
She had even dared to defy the Emperor's Great Crusade.
"As for my status," Bruce continued, "I am indeed acting commander of the Eighth Legion, and I am speaking to you here in the capacity of the Warmaster's envoy, Lord Angron.
"Everything I have said is true. You may confirm it with the Warmaster's command structure if you wish. There will be those who can attest to my words."
Angron said nothing.
Instinctively, he believed Bruce. If the boy dared wave the Warmaster's name around, then he was either legitimate or suicidal. And if it were a lie, Angron would tear him apart the next time they met.
Still... abandoning one's legion and defying the Emperor's command so calmly was shocking enough to give even Angron pause.
"So, now that you accept my status," Bruce said evenly, "may we proceed to the next matter, Lord Angron?"
In truth, whether Angron agreed or not, Bruce had every intention of delivering Horus's warning. That was the whole reason he had come.
He was here to notify Angron—not to grovel and clean up after him.
"What is it you want to say?"
"By order of Lord Horus," Bruce said, "I am here to stop you from entering Nuceria and to demand that your fleet reverse course at once and report to the Warmaster's command for further orders."
"So that's it." Angron let out a short, ugly laugh. "And just how are you supposed to stop me? You and those scraps of a fleet behind you?"
"The order stands," Bruce replied with a helpless shrug. "I know I can't truly stop you. But I'll do everything I can to try."
Angron's lips peeled back from his teeth. "Turn around now, and I may spare your life. I know Horus values you, and I'd rather not make things troublesome for him."
That was, by Angron's standards, mercy.
Usually, someone who dared speak to him like this would have already been launched into orbit.
I am a Primarch. What are you?
"Not possible," Bruce said, shaking his head. "That's my bottom line. But you'd better think this through, Lord Angron.
"If war breaks out here, the result will be both sides bleeding each other dry—after which multiple legions will move in to encircle you.
"I'm not afraid of death. But I hate dying for nothing."
"As if I'm supposed to be scared!" Angron snapped.
Damn it. This brat was even more obnoxious than Abaddon. And he dared lecture him? A little clown playing dress-up in his brother's armor, fattened on the Warmaster's favor.
"Lord Angron," Bruce said suddenly, his voice changing, "do you remember that battle?"
"Battle...?" Angron frowned.
What in the hell was he babbling about now? Had fear made him incoherent?
Bruce met his eyes and said each word clearly.
"The mountains of Fedan Mhor. The Desh'ea Ridge. One thousand of you fighting the high-riders to the last."
Angron exploded.
"I'll kill you! Kill you! Kill you!"
He roared like a beast with a spear in its wound.
To him, this whelp had just reached into the oldest scar in his body and started digging with his fingers. Who was this brat to speak of that? What right did he have?
"If anger is what makes you understand me, then so be it," Bruce said. "What I'm saying isn't mockery. And I'm not trying to provoke you.
"I want you to understand something.
"We're not your enemies. We're on the same side. I know your past. And I know the Emperor was wrong that day. His coldness, his utilitarian judgment—that was what caused the death of your comrades.
"If I had been there, I would have fought to the end with you."
That statement dropped like a shell into both command centers.
On the Conqueror and on the Remilia, everyone froze and stared at Bruce like he had gone insane.
He had just declared the Emperor wrong.
Out loud.
Angron barked out a laugh first—harsh, ugly, disbelieving.
"Not bad. You do know how to amuse someone. So that's why Horus trusts you? I get it now.
"Bruce Wayne—you're a clown."
"I'm only saying what I mean," Bruce replied. "And I'm not finished.
"If you choose to continue, then you'll only recreate the same situation as back then. You and your legion will be trapped on Nuceria, surrounded.
"And this time, the Emperor won't come to save you."
"I'd welcome it! I'd welcome it!"
"Then go ahead," Bruce said, raising a hand as though giving a ceremonial cue. "Advance on Nuceria.
"But before you do, I will sign the extermination order. I'll wipe Nuceria off the map.
"Your comrades. Your past. Everything you once had. Gone."
Bruce's expression hardened.
"If that's how it ends, can you accept it?"
Angron's face darkened. "You're threatening me, clown."
He turned slightly toward Khârn, clearly ready to give the order to advance.
Bruce spoke again before he could.
"Lord Angron. Since you have your mission, and I have mine... perhaps we can settle this in a more direct way."
Angron turned back.
"What now?"
"You're a gladiator. And this is Nuceria. So let's settle it the old-fashioned way."
Bruce's eyes were steady.
"A duel. Winner takes the initiative in this negotiation. What do you say?"
For a moment, stunned silence filled both flagships.
People had already been reeling from Bruce calling the Emperor wrong. But challenging a Primarch?
That was beyond absurd.
"You're serious?" Angron finally asked, and this time he was honestly amused.
Interesting. Very interesting.
Horus. Curze. Where had those two found such an entertaining little thing?
"When neither side is willing to give ground," Bruce said, "then we settle it the traditional way."
He leaned slightly forward.
"I'll come aboard your flagship myself. How about it?"
"Good!" Angron bared his teeth in a savage grin. "I'll wait for you, Bruce!"
So this little creature wanted to challenge him. And by a gladiator's code, no less.
Fine.
Let him come.
Join here to read ahead.
In Star Rail, Ultra-Beast Armored — Have I Caught "Equilibrium"? l (Chapter 80)
Uma Musume, But I Only Have Five Years Left to Live (Chapter 178)
Zenless Zone Zero: I'm a Doctor, Not a Bangboo (Chapter 155)
Ben Tennyson Wants to Join the Justice League ( 126 )
TYPE-MOON: Redemption Beginning with the Holy Grail War (Chapter110)
Yu-Gi-Oh! — Transmigrated into the White Dragon Girl (Chapter200)
"Is this chat group even serious?" (Chapter110)
I, Lord Ravager, Utterly Loyal! (Chapter230)
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Crossover Anime Multiverse: The Demon Hunter of an Unnatural World 77
From Junkman to Wasteland 66
Weekly Refresh of Overpowered 31
I'm Grinding Proficiency Like 46
From Kiana, Lord Ravager, Onwa 200
Honkai: Is This Still the Prev 42
Elf: My Starter Pokémon Is Inc 65
Warhammer: My Primarch Is Remi 180
From Demon Slayer to Grand Ass Volume2/5
The Way the Umamusume Look at 68
Uma Musume, but My Cheat Power 230
Naruto: Weaving the Future, Be 65
Zenless Zone Zero, but Kamen R 76
Multiverse Crossover: The Perf 66
My Cyberpsycho Girlfriend 65
Uma Musume: The Dark Trainer 220
Uma Musume: A Calamity Born fr 154
I, a Reincarnation-Loop Player Volume4/30
The Violent Girl Group Is Beat 120
Uma Musume: The Horse Girl Who 67
Uma Musume: From Beginner 135
Becoming a Horse Girl, I Will 85
Uma Musume: I Want All 110
I Can Copy Unique Skills 100
Summoning an Evil God, but the 70
Supernatural Multiverse 100
My Harem Is Indescribable 90
Jujutsu Kaisen: Heroic Spirit 95
"I'm just a Valkyrie passing through." 68
Uma Musume: Today Is Another Romantic Battlefield 105
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The Most Filial Son Under Heav 80
What Should I Do After Switchi - Volume2/3
Reincarnated as a Demon, Skill 70
Hell-Difficulty Dungeon? 55
Transmigrated as Sukuna 75
Checking In in Demon Slayer 80
The Reincarnating Trainer of Tracen Academy 85
I Refuse to Become a Heroic 70
My Best Friend Into a Slime? 65
A Saiyan Stands Above Marvel 70
What Do You Mean by Using a Lab Mod to Be the Hero? 70
Tanya Starts from Re:Zero 65
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The Gacha Merchant Who Started 65
Honkai's Otherworld? Wait—Who Are You People?! 45
Emiya Shirou, Determined to Slay Every Curse and Evil Spirit 45
The Uma Musume Who Became 40
I'm Definitely Not the King of 45
After Maxing Out Every Class 45
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