In an empty dueling chamber inside the Eldar battleship, Emperor's Champion Garrein stood as firm as a rock, watching Datch awkwardly wielding a chainsword on the training ground.
"A chainsword isn't a farmer's hoe."
Garrein's voice buzzed metallically through his helmet.
"It's an extension of your body, the embodiment of the Emperor's wrath. You must command it, not let it control you."
Garrein activated a spare chainsword.
The room instantly filled with its blood-pumping roar.
"Basic stance: feet apart, shoulder-width, center of gravity low."
"Imagine your feet rooted to the deck. Remember: any unnecessary jumping or swaying in combat will get you killed the moment you close in."
Datch did as told, but still swayed a bit.
The chainsword in his hands bucked like a wild beast, making his arms tremble.
"Now, thrust!"
Garrein stepped forward, the chainsword stabbing out like a viper, slicing the air with a shrill scream.
"Power comes from the legs, passes through the waist, and erupts from the arms. Don't just use your arms!"
Datch mimicked the move, stabbing forward with an unsteady step.
A battle-brother immediately tapped his calf with a training stick.
"Footwork's too loose. The enemy will drop you easily!"
"Block!" Garrein barked, swinging his sword to demonstrate an upward parry.
"Use the blade's spine to absorb impact, let the teeth deflect force. If you block head-on, your sword can be knocked away!"
The training continued with strict discipline.
Garrein and his brothers were relentless but thorough, correcting every mistake instantly.
Datch quickly mastered the basics of chainsword use.
[You have mastered Chainsword Proficiency. Attacks with a chainsword gain increased physical damage, magic damage, and accuracy.]
A prompt appeared—Datch had learned a new skill.
The skill had an experience bar; he could use quest-earned XP to improve it.
He tried leveling up Chainsword Proficiency.
A surge of knowledge flooded his mind, his muscles instinctively absorbing the memory.
He entered a state of enlightenment, understanding the effect of vibration frequency on cutting, and how to maintain core stability amid the roar.
His moves grew less stiff, more fluid.
Garrein narrowed his eyes, noticing the transformation.
He signaled a battle-brother to spar with Datch.
At first, Datch was outmatched and knocked down several times.
But after a few rounds, he began to predict and parry, landing a precise diagonal strike that scraped the opponent's gorget.
"Good—you're a qualified warrior now,"
Garrein called a halt, his tone tinged with joy.
"As expected of the Emperor's Angel. You learn fast. In time, you could become a master swordsman."
[You have gained Favor from Emperor's Champion Garrein.]
"Huh? There's a favor system too?"
Datch wondered if maxing out favor with Garrein, Cawl, and others would let him sit on the Golden Throne.
Would they all support him as Emperor?
Maybe he should try some political maneuvering.
"No, no, I'm not that kind of guy. I won't take the throne."
"Your Excellency, you are the destined ruler of humanity. The times are chaotic—take the crown!"
"How could I, Datch, ever dare take such a position?"
"Your Majesty, forgive us—quick, help his Majesty to the throne!"
"You're causing me real trouble here!"
But, daydreams aside, the Golden Throne isn't so easy to sit on.
"I support you taking it."
A ghostly, unfamiliar voice sounded in Datch's ear.
He looked around, but aside from Garrein and the others, saw no one.
Besides, all those words were just in his head.
How did the other party know and respond?
Weird!
Could there be some kind of Easter egg?
"Let's keep training. You have talent, but you must stay humble and diligent."
Garrein's words pulled Datch back to reality.
They continued training, learning more combat skills.
…
Under the guidance of the Ynnari,
Archmagos Cawl, Living Saint Celestine, and their Imperial forces used the ancient Webway to miraculously cross half the galaxy,
Finally reaching the gateway to the Macragge system—the Shrine World of Laphis.
For some reason, they couldn't use the Webway to reach Macragge directly, and had to transfer to warships.
"We must find the Ultramarines stationed on this world as soon as possible,"
Celestine radiated holy light.
"Only with their strength and ships can we reach Macragge."
At this time, Laphis was deep in the grip of war.
Chaos tainted the land and sky; explosions and roars echoed, black smoke billowing.
The joint forces of the Ynnari and Imperium struggled over a jagged mountain range under Celestine's urging.
Finally, they crested the last shell-pocked ridge, gazing down at a mighty Ultramarines fortress, besieged by rampaging Chaos armies.
Ultramarines in blue power armor led the Solar Auxilia, fighting from solid defenses.
Anti-air fire wove a deadly web, shooting down heldrakes and Chaos craft swooping and spewing corrupted flame.
On the ground, the land was blackened, gouged with craters and littered with corpses.
Charred tanks and blasted artillery were everywhere.
"Wow, climb over the mountain and there's a whole bunch of blue Smurfs!"
"They're lively and smart, naughty and quick, free in their green forest, brave and kind, always caring for each other. Oh! Lovely Smurfs, oh! Lovely Smurfs…"
Datch hummed as he ran toward the battlefield before anyone could react.
He looked just like a Khornate zealot.
"Follow him—take out the enemy."
Celestine pointed her sword at the Chaos horde.
Creed's Cadian survivors, Greyfax, and Black Templar battle-brothers all joined the fight.
The Knights of House Taranis also responded to the call of war, their huge machines advancing and firing.
Icarus autocannons and Avenger Gatlings turned swathes of land to scorched earth.
Yvraine and the Ynnari charged as well.
Shuriken spun, slim dancers leaping into the enemy for a deadly, beautiful massacre.
With their combined effort, the Chaos army quickly crumbled and fled.
After the threat was ended, the fortress' armored gate hissed and unlocked.
Three Ultramarines, bolters at the ready, stepped outside.
The fortress' guns swiveled to target the mixed force of humans and aliens.
"Who are you? Why are you here?"
An Ultramarine demanded.
.…