Kasai Star System, flagship Razor of the 8th Chapter.
Thierry stood before the star map table, gazing intently at the magnified image of Kasai's primary world.
The comm-bead in his ear buzzed. Thierry pressed a rune, and the calm, resonant voice of the Master of Vox came through.
"My lord, the Sensorium Adept reports that scans have detected forty-eight cities on Kasai Prime. The planet's orbital defenses are not particularly dense. Estimated losses for aerial insertion: minimal."
The Knight Lord's voice carried steady authority.
"Our goal is to bring them into allegiance with our Lord. This world shall become a recruitment ground for the Chapter."
"Activate the Vox Array at full power. Begin planetwide broadcast, all frequencies, all languages."
"At once, my lord," replied the Vox Master. After a burst of static, his voice returned. "Standard indoctrination protocol initiated."
The 8th Chapter's fleet took up formation in Kasai's orbit.
Four hours later, Thierry's communicator chimed again.
"My lord," reported the Vox Master, "the Kassian Noble Alliance has confirmed that we are fellow humans. They have agreed to swear allegiance to the Emperor. Hey have deactivated their orbital defenses and request your presence on the surface."
Buka, who had succeeded Robin as First Captain, spoke with caution:
"They know they can't resist the fleet, my lord. Their invitation may be a trap."
Thierry's black eyes reflected a measured calm.
"Or perhaps they are weighing their options. If we display our strength, they will submit wholeheartedly. But if they believe they still have a chance… they may harbor other intentions."
"Gather the Honor Guard. We go to the surface."
He turned to Buka, whose face was tight with concern.
"Have your company ready for aerial deployment. If the Kassians make a move, drop immediately in support."
.....
When the Stormbird landed on the platform, Thierry descended the ramp and met the waiting nobles and their guards. His dark eyes narrowed slightly.
Whether male or female, the Kassians all stood around two meters tall, even taller than the already lofty Vostroyans. The nobles were slimmer and even taller, each over two meters in height.
They lacked the bulk of the Catachan auxiliaries, but their builds were balanced and athletic. Every Kassian wore a sword at the hip; the nobles' scabbards were finely carved and decorated.
The Knight Lord, with the gaze of a "Weapon Master," studied them and made a silent judgment:
'In terms of natural physique alone, they are well suited for warfare. Combined with the swordsmanship the Emperor once praised, they are ideal warrior stock.'
As Thierry pondered, a tall man stepped forward from the noble ranks, clad in bronze armor and a fur-lined cloak with tassels.
Through the Techmarine's translator, Thierry understood his greeting in the Kassian tongue:
"Mika Wright, representing the people of Kasai, welcomes your arrival."
While the translation was relayed, Wright's eyes lingered on the towering black-armored warrior before him, a giant greater even than any Kassian.
That immense form radiated an aura of terrible power.
'An Astartes… a terrifying warrior indeed…'
Then an attendant led forward a crimson-coated horse. Thierry frowned slightly.
"Tell him," he said to the Techmarine, "that such a creature cannot bear my weight."
After hearing this, Wright laughed.
"The steeds of Kasai are no common beasts. They were bred for true knights, they can bear any burden. Yet they are proud and unbroken. Only a true knight may ride them."
Hearing the translation, Thierry glanced at the animal. The warhorse's build reminded him of the massive Fenrisian wolves kept by the Seventh Chapter, broad, muscled, and powerful.
Its fur was deep red, as if stained with blood.
'If it truly can bear my weight, then his talk of its 'wildness' may be a test, a test of whether I possess the strength to tame it.'
Removing his gauntlet, Thierry stepped forward and placed his hand on the horse's neck.
His combat-feline familiar hissed softly at the blood-colored beast.
Then Thierry vaulted into the saddle. The horse reared violently, neighing in protest, trying to throw him off.
But Thierry's massive frame was unmoving, his legs clamped like iron, and the beast's hooves slammed back to the ground.
Wright watched in surprise. Despite all its struggle, the warhorse could not unseat the black-armored giant. Within moments, it submitted.
Admiration flickered in the eyes of the Kassian nobles. They mounted their own steeds and rode ahead, with Thierry's Honor Guard following in perfect formation.
....
As they traveled, Thierry observed every Kassian he passed, tall, athletic, and all armed with swords.
After about a kilometer, he noticed a stone platform where two men in leather battle garb were dueling with blades nearly one and a half meters long.
'It seems the Kassians settle disputes through sword combat.'
He watched as one swordsman deflected a strike with a level guard, ducked low, and countered with a swift upward slash.
'By human standards, their swordsmanship is impressive, fast, clean, and disciplined. Few Vostroyans could match this skill.'
Eventually, they arrived before a bright marble palace.
Inside, a banquet was held. Thierry used a silver fork to taste several cuts of tender meat before speaking through the Tecmarine, "I've noticed that all Kassians are tall, graceful, and carry blades. Are you all trained in swordsmanship?"
Wright replied proudly, "Every Kassian is a swordsman. Our nobles must earn the title of Sword Master. I, as the Grand Sword Master, speak for them all."
Thierry smiled faintly.
"I, too, am known for my skill with the blade within my Legion," said the Knight Lord, the first swordsman beneath the Primarch himself.
"Why not a friendly duel between us? A chance to understand one another better."
He wished both to experience the swordsmanship praised by the Black Emperor himself, the Elvira Sword Style, and to demonstrate his own strength, breaking the Kassians' pride by defeating their best.
Wright placed a hand on his sword and nodded confidently.
"Agreed."
Even facing this giant, he trusted in his technique.
When word spread that their Grand Sword Master would duel the foreign warrior, Kassians flocked to the great arena, murmuring with excitement.
Thierry's attendants removed his power armor and dressed him in a close-fitting black dueling garment.
If this was a contest of swordsmanship, he would not rely on armor.
This duel was both a chance to witness the legendary Elvira sword style, and to win the Kassians' respect.
Nothing earned their admiration more than victory in a duel of blades.
.....
At the arena, Thierry strode forward, towering above even his black-armored escorts. His physique, further enhanced after ascending to sequence 8 Weapon Master, was among the most massive and powerful beneath a Primarch.
Before the duel began, the crowd whispered eagerly:
"How many strikes do you think Master Wright will need to win?"
"He defeated the last challenger in five swift blows."
"I saw it myself, it ended in a flash, but his technique was unforgettable."
"That giant may be strong, but his swordplay can't match Wright's. Ten strikes at most."
On the platform, Thierry drew his power sword and pressed a rune, the blade came alive with a hum, glowing blue.
Wright dusted his blade with dulling powder to prevent glare. His sword was slightly longer than most Kassian blades, about a meter and a half, and wrapped in braided leather at the hilt.
He ran his hand along the blade, channeling energy into it.
Thierry's eyes narrowed.
'Psychic power… Wright's swordsmanship is infused with it?'
The Kight Lord immediately sensed it, the man and his blade becoming one through the flow of psychic force.
They bowed in mutual respect. No words were exchanged. Then both advanced.
Wright met Thierry's obsidian gaze, like facing solid basalt. He inhaled deeply, then struck first.
His blade traced a swift "8" through the air, the inherited Ian Blade of his family's nine generations colliding with the crackling edge of the power sword.
.....
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
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