Sallos' words left Taras stunned for a moment.
"How is that possible?! Vulkan will always be the primarch of the Salamanders Legion. No one can separate us."
"No, Taras, times have changed. The era of the Legions no longer exists," Numen said. "The primarchs have all returned, serving as commanders of the Imperium or overseeing important departments.
But they are no longer masters of Legions; the gene-seed has been reorganized, and all warriors must pledge allegiance to the Imperium, not to individuals."
"Why is it like this?!" Taras asked in disbelief.
"For humanity, for the Emperor's dream, and for the absolute authority of the Emperor. Humanity must never again experience any form of internal strife or turmoil, do you understand? The old era is over; we must all look forward."
Sallos' words were very subtle. Taras was not a simple-minded fool. The fires of Nocturne had not only granted him a strong body but also the ability to see through the essence of all things.
Primarchs who commanded Legions were like warlords.
Even if they themselves had no intention of rebellion, it would lead to a complex web of imperial power, causing bureaucrats in many star systems to take sides.
"We haven't even gone to see Lord Ferrus," Weyland said with a hint of bitterness in his voice. "When they learned of his resurrection, they couldn't hide their excitement. We once thought of going to see him, to return to his command.
But he refused us and sent a declaration to Terra, telling us that the era of the Legions was over. He is no longer our father, and we are no longer his sons; we are all merely subjects of the Emperor, a part of the human race."
Ferrus Manus was killed by Fulgrim and beheaded during the Battle of Isstvan V. That was an unimaginable blow to the many warriors of the Iron Hands Legion.
Every Iron Hands warrior was filled with grief and indignation at the loss of their primarch, falling into a nightmare.
After escaping Isstvan V, they launched a furious counterattack, repeatedly assaulting the traitors, seeking revenge for their primarch.
When they learned of Ferrus' return and his appointment to an important imperial position, they were overjoyed, and some returning Iron Hands warriors even fainted from excitement.
However, Ferrus decisively rejected all of his sons' requests.
He swore that he would never again serve as the leader of the Iron Hands, nor would he continue to lead the Iron Hands warriors under any name. This was like a basin of cold water poured over the excited warriors.
Some farsighted warriors easily understood why this was happening. The pain brought by the Horus Heresy had exacted a price from the entire race. The Emperor had also left the humanity he loved because of it.
Primarchs returning and regaining control of Legions formed from their gene-seed was a huge threat.
Actively severing ties with one's former sons was a very helpless act.
Upon first hearing the news, Taras, who had been unable to control his emotions due to excitement, calmed down.
He looked at Numen, Brantan, Sallos, and the others, observing the expressions on their faces, and knew that they were not deceiving him. The era of primarchs leading their sons on crusades across the stars, dominating the galaxy, was over. Taras closed his eyes. This news had dealt him an unimaginable blow.
But he quickly accepted it.
From the perspective of the Imperium and humanity, such a change was not a bad thing.
"Alas, everything has changed," Taras murmured, his voice tinged with reluctance and apprehension for the new era.
"This isn't a bad thing," Numen said, comforting him. "The gene-primarchs still fight alongside us, just in a different way. There's no need to be sad about it."
"Perhaps," Taras said, looking at the lifelike projection of Vulkan nearby. "Now, let's talk about re-establishing our own Chapter."
Realizing that the primarch would truly no longer fight alongside them under the name of the Salamanders,
Taras quickly adjusted his mood; at least outwardly, he showed no sadness.
Numen, Sallos, and the others understood as well.
When they had first awakened, they had caused quite a stir trying to meet their gene-father.
Compared to them, Taras was quite calm.
"I plan to name the new Chapter the Penitent Chapter, symbolizing the Sisypheum," Brantan whispered. The name Sisypheum was taken from an ancient Terran myth.
In the legends of Homer's epic poems, in the ancient Mediterranean, there was a city-state called Corinth.
It had a king named Sisyphus, who was very clever.
Zeus, who loved ease and hated labor and lusted after women, abducted the daughter of the river god Asopus. To rescue his daughter, the river god made a deal with Sisyphus.
In exchange for a river that flowed year-round, he would learn the whereabouts of his beloved daughter from Sisyphus.
Zeus, who had intended to act improperly, saw his prize slip away and was enraged, so he sent Death to drag Sisyphus to the underworld.
However, Sisyphus tricked and bound Death, bringing an end to death in the world.
It wasn't until the imprisoned Death was rescued by the vigilant gods that Sisyphus was finally sent to the underworld. This act, however, angered the authority of the gods. They believed Sisyphus had offended their supreme authority.
So they punished him by making him push a boulder up a steep mountain. The boulder was too heavy, and each time it reached the summit, it would roll back down, undoing all his effort. Sisyphus was condemned to repeat this task endlessly, pushing the boulder forever. The goal of the Penitent Chapter is also to repeatedly seek self-meaning amidst suffering.
Even when trapped in hell, they steadfastly resist the gods who impose unjust fates upon humanity.
"That's a good name," Taras said.
"Of course it's a good name, the only drawback is that it's not loud enough yet," Numen said. "Even the warriors are just us few. The only thing worth being happy about is that our small team includes an Apothecary, a Chaplain, an Assault Captain, and a Company Captain."
"Let's take it slow; we will expand this Chapter. Many of our acquaintances have also returned, and they might be looking for a place," Weyland said. "The Penitent Chapter will welcome these returning comrades, and we will fight side-by-side once again."
"Lord Vulkan's current crusade also includes us. Even if you can no longer be by his side, being able to be active on the same battlefield again is a fortunate thing," Sallos patted Taras's shoulder. "When Horus rebelled, we didn't even dare to imagine a day like this."
Taras nodded, flexing his strong and powerful body.
"Find me a training ground; I need to complete my adaptive training as soon as possible. To ensure I don't fall again."
"Don't worry, everything is ready," Sallos said.
A roar echoed in the dueling cage, which was subjected to stellar-level gravity.
Under such heavy gravity, ordinary people couldn't even walk.
Yet, the two dueling warriors moved as if flying, as if the heavy gravity didn't exist. Their moving figures were so fast that they created illusions. The flashes of blades and swords were incredibly swift. The clang of colliding weapons reverberated, deafening.
The servants attending the Primaris warriors watched the thrilling and perilous combat with wide eyes. Two warriors, having received the Imperium's latest combat bodies, were engaged in battle. Torgaddon wielded a long-handled battle-axe, each strike immensely powerful.
Sonic booms appeared in the air.
Loken, on the other hand, held a two-handed sword, parrying Torgaddon's furious assault.
With every collision, sparks flew from their blades and swords. This was a true life-and-death struggle. There was absolutely no deception.
Both their weapons aimed for the opponent's weakest points.
A single misstep would surely result in being directly impaled.
Loken bent down, dodging Torgaddon's axe.
His longsword countered, striking forcefully against the still-descending battle-axe, the added force causing Torgaddon to stumble.
With his free hand, he delivered a powerful punch to Torgaddon's jaw. The force was so great that a cracking sound of bone could be heard from Torgaddon's jaw.
His entire body was lifted into the air, flying out and crashing against one side of the dueling cage.
"Loken, it seems you've learned a lot of new things since I died. I've never seen you use that move before." Torgaddon spat out blood mixed with teeth and climbed up from the ground.
"This is a move I thought of when I hunted those eight World Eaters during the Siege of Terra. It saved my life and allowed me to slit the throats of those eight bastards."
Loken shifted his stance, his gaze fixed on Torgaddon as he rose.
His knotted muscles were taut.
Limitless power surged within him. This body was stronger and reacted faster than the one Loken had used before.
"It seems I've missed a lot," Torgaddon said. "But don't think you've got this in the bag. I need to show you what I can do."
"Bring out all your moves. I know you must still remember the things that traitor taught you," Loken said. "Let me show you how I break them, one by one."
"Then watch closely." Torgaddon leaped, his long-handled war axe chopping down like Mount Tai pressing down.
When Loken swung his sword to parry, the heavy force made him bend one knee, dissipating the terrifying power. The immense force transferred through Loken's body to the ground. The floor, made of high-density material, shattered directly under this brutal impact. Torgaddon launched another attack; if it had connected solidly, Loken would surely have needed to visit the medical bay to treat his jaw.
Loken used his elbow to strike the side of his opponent's knee, causing Torgaddon to lose his balance. Then he surged up, sending his opponent flying. Torgaddon crashed into the iron pillar of the dueling cage again, emitting a dull thud.
"I didn't expect you to actually come up with all sorts of counters. Even that idiot Abaddon couldn't dodge this move when I used it, yet you found its weakness." Torgaddon stood up, looked at the war axe in his hand, and casually tossed it aside.
"You've specialized in various combat methods to counter the Sons of Horus' fighting techniques. If we keep fighting, I'll just lose. Forget it."
The weapons clanged loudly as they hit the ground, due to gravity far exceeding what a normal human body could withstand.
Loken shook his head and returned his weapon to the weapon rack as well.
"What have you decided about my last proposal?" Torgaddon walked out of the dueling cage, wiping his body with a towel.
"Rebuilding the Luna Wolves?" Loken said, "I've considered it for a long time. Perhaps that name shouldn't reappear."
"It was the Sons of Horus who betrayed the Emperor and humanity, not the Luna Wolves," Torgaddon said. "There are no objections from Terra; they are quite supportive of such attempts to restore tradition."
"I'm a bit indecisive," Loken said. "I've done many things. I was a member of the Four Kings of the Sons of Horus, and the Captain of the Tenth Company, but I've never been a Chapter Master. If I can't restore the Luna Wolves' reputation, I'm afraid I'll disappoint many people."
"More and more Returnees are coming back; we need to unite them again," Torgaddon said. "The Emperor originally formed the Luna Wolves on Terra, hoping this Legion would bring a glimmer of salvation to humanity. Horus' betrayal changed a lot, but it can't change the oaths we once swore. We have a responsibility to rebuild the Luna Wolves, because it represents not only us but also something special."
Loken fell silent. Torgaddon had always hoped he could rally the returning loyalists and re-establish the Luna Wolves. To clear the name of the former Luna Wolves.
Even during the Horus Heresy, many warriors chose to fight for the Emperor until death. The problem was that the head of the traitors was Horus. Even if Loken and others chose loyalty, many of their deeds and achievements were not recognized.
It was precisely because Torgaddon saw this that he strongly urged Loken to rebuild the Luna Wolves. That way, they could wash away those stains and completely separate the Luna Wolves from Horus.
"Do you really want me to be the Chapter Master?" Loken asked.
"Nonsense, I can't beat you," Torgaddon said. "Among warriors, only the strongest can receive the laurel; that's an unwritten rule, Loken. You've experienced the Siege of Terra, countless battles with daemons, and you've witnessed many things. Only you can restore the Luna Wolves' prestige and let the world know that the Luna Wolves are the Luna Wolves, and the Sons of Horus are the Sons of Horus. Are you still going to refuse, Loken?"
"I should listen to you," Loken said. "But there are some trivial tasks you'll have to handle. The order for our expedition has already been issued, and I must fulfill my oath."
"What oath?" Torgaddon asked, puzzled.
"To break the spines of those two idiots, Abaddon and Erebus, then stomp on their faces and declare my return."
"Will those Custodians let you just bring out those prisoners for a duel?" Torgaddon asked with a hint of curiosity. "What if they don't allow it?"
"It's already been approved," Loken said. "But they also have a condition: the entire Imperium must witness this duel. We both possess stronger bodies, and defeating those two traitors is certain. Plus, the Custodians will be in control. If I can defeat Erebus and Abaddon, they won't do anything. But if I show even a hint of losing, they will secretly manipulate things to ensure they lose to me."
"What do they mean by that?"
"The expedition is about to begin. The officials on Terra probably want to use a duel victory to inspire the soldiers. The Warmaster of Chaos having his spine broken in public is far more impactful than a dry speech."
"Sounds pretty interesting. How about you fight Abaddon, and I challenge Erebus?"
Torgaddon also showed an interested expression.
"Next time. When I first awoke and visited the Astronomican, I already swore an oath that I would personally break their spines and knock out their dog teeth," Loken said in a low voice. "I won't let anyone else do it."
"I missed out! Why didn't I think of that?!" Torgaddon showed a pained expression. "This is a chance to become famous throughout the entire Imperium. I need to work hard. Then, I'll directly challenge a Primarch."
"So you want to perform how you get beaten up by a Primarch in front of the entire Imperium?" Loken laughed. "Even if we've been enhanced, daemon Primarchs are far from as simple as we imagine. Do you know, during the Siege of Terra, the existence of those daemon Primarchs was almost despair-inducing; they were so strong, they could easily destroy a Titan even when facing it directly."
Torgaddon clenched his fists, a joking expression on his face.
"I'll work hard. I learned a saying from some impression data transmitted back from an alien universe: 'Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river.' I will definitely defeat a Primarch."
"I know that saying too," Loken laughed. "The problem is, everyone who said it was killed by the Imperium. They were all failures."
"But it sounds cool, doesn't it?!" Torgaddon said. "How about we make the Luna Wolves' battle cry 'Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river'?"
"Are you trying to make our enemies die of laughter? That joke is too cold; it's more speechless than that bear."
"Speaking of that bear, perhaps I should tell you that story again. There once was a bear, incredibly huge, and a hunter. He went up the mountain to hunt the big bear, but he couldn't beat it, so the bear…"
Torgaddon, eyebrows dancing and spirits high, enthusiastically began telling his favorite story.
Loken immediately pounced, knocking him down before he could utter the next word, shouting,
"Are you a daemon? Is it fate's torment that you're here to torture me?!"
"Hahaha." Torgaddon burst out laughing.
After a while, Loken was infected and also began to laugh heartily.
Preparations for the expedition fleet proceeded quickly.
Large numbers of armies gathered from all over the galaxy.
Of course, the news of this expedition was not the most popular in the Imperium. The hottest news was a duel personally promoted by Terra's officials. The grievances between the two dueling parties had lasted from the Great Crusade until now. The duel also became the flag-raising ceremony for the grand expedition commanded by Vulkan.