Warhammer: Start with a dog.

Chapter 773 Does being a villain require such a comprehensive investigation?
"What's going on? This is really strange."

After witnessing Eribas's triumphant return and his swift defeat of Taric Togarden, Horus Asimand Jr., and Thor Tavitz in a very short period of time, Ramizan quietly posed the following question to Gavial Loken.

"Did this guy secretly cast a spell on his opponent? Or did he add some kind of evil power to himself to fool you?"

Upon receiving the reply, "No, from what I've heard before and what I've just observed, Eribus is indeed an excellent Astartes warrior, and he truly defeated them on his own," the narrator appeared greatly astonished.

After muttering something like, "He's actually both scholarly and martial, oh wait, a fully armored priest does seem to fit the D&D code," he reluctantly jotted down a few words and took a few photos of them. The chief priest's face, covered in ink tattoos, was practically beaming with joy.

“But you,” Loken asked quietly, seizing the opportunity, “you didn’t do anything, did you? Why is Iribus’s attitude towards you so unusual?”

"How would I know? Do you think there's anything wrong with my disguise?"

"I didn't see it."

"That settles it then. This is the Spirit of Vengeance. My... brother, cough cough, your father is here to oversee things. He'll deal with whatever comes his way. If he's planning something, he'll expose himself sooner or later."

"...You are right."

"Hey, what little secrets are you two, despite your age difference, sharing here?"

Taric Togarden walked over, wiping the sweat from his bare torso with a towel. He had skin tanned by many different stars, black hair, and a set of perfectly white teeth.

“Oh, we were saying that even if you were defeated, you would still be as handsome as ever, Company Commander Togarden,” Ramizan replied. “I noticed that all three of you have black hair and share similar features with Company Commander Locken, but when you stand together, you can clearly see that you are brothers from the same genetic lineage. It’s amazing that we have four such handsome warriors.”

"By Terra! You certainly know how to talk. No wonder even a serious man like Loken was willing to be your guarantor. If other narrators spoke as eloquently as you, I think even Azeroth would be willing to have one of them."

The blue-eyed man solemnly raised one hand. "I am a chronicler. I am simply stating what I have seen. Company Commander, is what I am saying not true?"

The tall, slender moon wolf grinned as he sized up the blue-eyed narrator. “Yes, that’s why it sounds so beautiful. Besides, you’re very perceptive. I, Azeroth, and Horus the Younger are all ‘Sons of Horus,’ while Gavial is the first non-‘Son of Horus’ member since the Council of the Four Kings was founded.”

"Excuse my bluntness, Company Commander, but it seems the War General hasn't accepted the new name 'Son of Horus,' has he? Why would you say that?"

Togarden raised an eyebrow and glanced at Locken.

"You told him? You weren't there at the time, Ulanno. Who told you?"

"Tell him what? And what is there here that I should know?"

"Interesting." The moon wolf seemed to chuckle, easing the tension.

"It's nothing. 'Son of Horus' was originally a title for those in our legion whose appearance began to resemble that of a Warmaster after undergoing surgery. We all share characteristics such as the same hair color as our fathers. Asimand was a prime example, hence his name. Gavial has the same facial features as us, but he still retains the blond hair, pale skin, and a few freckles typical of the Krzunian people, which disqualifies him from the title. Although the title has absolutely nothing to do with ability, and although some people believe that 'Son of Horus' makes it easier to get promoted, that's not the case."

Togarden shrugged. "You see, Loken, Sadiri, or Cruz all have their hometown features in their faces, but they are also highly trusted senior officers."

“I have no doubt about that, Company Commander.” Ramizan’s smile made it impossible to see what lay behind his sincerity. “Thank you for telling me the origin of the name Son of Horus. It’s a nice little detail that makes the account more vivid.”

“Consider this my return gift for the kind words you just said,” Torgarton joked, then his attention was drawn to the next gladiatorial match taking place in the arena. “By the throne!”

As he exclaimed in admiration, Ramizann and Loken turned their gaze toward the platform in the gladiator cage.

The two warriors currently locked in fierce combat, both wielding training broadswords, are locked in battle: one is a bald man with light brown skin covered in writing, the very same chief priest who has just defeated three opponents; the other is a handsome but somewhat impetuous young man. Judging from the speed and momentum of their attacks, Lucius is clearly still resentful about Tavitz's swift defeat by Eribas.

“Tavetz does not represent all the Sons of the Emperor,” Lucius insisted from the other side. “I am determined to challenge the Chief Priest. I will defend the honor of the Sons of the Emperor!”

Since that's the case, everyone will let Lucius leave the stage out of consideration for Tavitz.

So the emperor's son took off his shirt, picked out a training sword to test its feel, and then leaped into the arena. After exchanging greetings, he almost couldn't wait to engage the Word Bearer in battle.

At first, everyone thought the outcome would be decided quickly, so no one paid attention. However, when the battle reached the unusual fifteenth minute, everyone had gathered around and were full of praise for the tense, exciting and wonderful sword fight.

The two fought with all their might, having no time to observe, hold their ground, or weigh their options. The crisp, ringing sound of their swords clashing was deafening, and the warriors watched with rapt attention.

Oh, Ramizann didn't; he just kept rolling his eyes at the two duelists.

"Who do you think will win?" he suddenly asked.

"What?" Loken responded instinctively. Even though he knew some of the facts, his eyes were still drawn to the extraordinary skills, speed, and ruthless, fierce duel between the two.

“Terra! Let’s not talk about winning or losing,” Tavitz said, “at this point he’ll kill him!”

"Hmm? Who do you think will kill whom?" Ramizain asked with interest.

"I don't know! Anything is possible! They're too fast! They're going all out! Both sides are practically fighting for their lives, and without armor, even training weapons can be extremely deadly!"

“Hmm, this has given me a great inspiration…” the narrator muttered as he scribbled a few lines of gibberish, “but I really didn’t expect that Iribus’s martial arts skills could last for fifteen… oh, almost sixteen minutes against Lucius.”

“They’re about to decide the winner,” Abaddon said, frowning as he crossed his arms. “Right now.”

As the chief platoon leader said, although Irebas showed no signs of fatigue, he adopted a defensive stance more often, while Lucius's attack was extremely fierce. He was almost one with the sword. He spotted a low defensive position of Irebas, suddenly leaped up, used the height difference to forcefully press down and slide into the opponent's posture, and blocked the sword hilt at a different angle. Then he kicked away Irebas's weapon and pressed his own blade against the opponent's throat.

"Alright! Alright! That's enough, Lucius!"

Asimand immediately opened the steel cage's shield, and the others applauded this rare showdown of titans.

"fantastic!"

"A true sword duel!"

Irebas bent down to retrieve his training sword and nodded politely to Lucius. "Well done, Captain. Masterful swordsmanship."

"Thank you, Chief Priest, you played very well too."

The latter looked smug and triumphant, like a child who had won someone else's toy.

"Who's next?" Lucius looked at the others present.

(End of this chapter)