The Emperor’s Angel of Death

After shaking hands with Artukus, Barham noticed Jacob, who was holding the company banner. This warrior's power armor had a trophy rack on the back, strung with a xenos head that had been treated with preservatives. It clearly came from a large target and looked quite fresh.

Artukus Bardan pointed to Jacob's back.

"Is that a Tyranid?"

Barham nodded in response:

"A patriarch of a Genestealer nest, taken down single-handedly by this warrior."

"A patriarch, that is a very dangerous target. I didn't expect the Astral Knights' new recruit company to have such powerful warriors."

After a brief compliment, he turned his gaze to Barham, his tone very sincere as he said:

"I have long heard the story of the Astral Knights' resurgence from near extinction, and I deeply agree with the idea of a covenant of suffering. Astartes can only overcome difficulties by helping each other, because the vast majority of the Imperium's institutions are wary or even hostile towards us. They only want to restrict us, destroy us, and turn us into batons in their hands."

Barham did not respond to these words, but after a moment of deliberation, he said softly:

"The Astartes' respect for and obedience to the High Lords of Terra is a requirement of the Holy Scripture and the Primarchs. We must not violate this basic principle."

"Of course, loyalty to the Throne is the basic principle of every Astartes."

"Then, Chapter Master Artukus, have you heard of a radical sect within the Inquisition called the Zanthus faction?"

Although the other party concealed it well, Barham still noticed the unnaturalness that flashed across Artukus's face.

"I know a little, but we are not interested in the messy things within the Inquisition."

Seeing that the other party was unwilling to admit it, Barham didn't press the question, but instead said:

"During the Maelstrom campaign, we fought against the heretics of the Red Corsairs. These fallen ones used all kinds of witchcraft, daemon weapons, and even directly summoned daemons. Many of them were once loyal warriors of the Imperium, but under the temptation of Chaos, they became twisted enemies of mankind and lost the freedom of their souls. But such enemies are undoubtedly very difficult to deal with. Chapter Master Artukus, if you encounter such powerful enemies, what do you usually do?"

"The Librarians will find the enemy's weaknesses, and then we will launch a fierce attack against those weaknesses until the opponent is completely destroyed!"

Barham smiled slightly.

"Unfortunately, our chapter doesn't have a single Librarian to this day."

This surprised Artukus.

"Not even one?"

"Not even one."

"Then..."

"We use Untouchables."

"Untouchables?"

"Yes, like the Sisters of Silence of the past, we use trained Untouchables to cut off the enemy's connection with the Warp, including their witchcraft and those Chaos devices, turning them into useless scrap."

Artukus pursed his lips and responded awkwardly:

"A good method."

"Because our Chapter Master once said, the Warp is an ocean, daemons are the fish in the sea, and we are the people on the shore. If we have to go into the sea to compete with the fish for speed, or even try to catch them, it is impossible to win. We might even be dragged into the sea and drowned. The best way is to drag them ashore, and then step on them to death. Don't race the enemy on their track, you will never win. There are many ways to defeat the enemy, using the enemy's methods is the worst choice, because you can't be more proficient than the enemy, you will only be brought to the same level, and then be defeated by the opponent's richer experience."

"That's not necessarily true."

Barham's words finally brought about the effect he wanted. A Terminator from the relic chapter spoke up. Barham noticed that this Terminator had a power sword on his waist, which was normal, but the runes and certain decorations on his body were not.

If he guessed correctly, this was a Librarian, a Librarian wearing Terminator armor.

Artukus turned to look at the warrior who spoke, who had already turned around and walked over.

"Moor, return to the ranks."

"Chapter Master, I would like to ask Company Captain Barham for some advice."

Before Artukus could speak, Barham immediately agreed:

"Of course, do you have any questions?"

"I don't agree with your statement that Untouchables can solve the problem of Warp enemies. They are mortals, too weak, and need protection. When encountering truly powerful heretical enemies, they are of no use at all. Only power from the Warp can fight against it."

"Oh? I don't agree with that. You are a Librarian, right?"

"Yes, my brothers and I once worked together to destroy a Great Unclean One of Nurgle."

Barham smiled and nodded.

"Indeed very powerful, but this cannot be used as an argument."

"Then what can be used as an argument?"

"The same as always."

"The same as always."

The Librarian nodded and turned to look at his Chapter Master.

"Chapter Master, I will have a friendly duel with Company Captain Barham, please allow me."

"This..."

Artukus seemed hesitant. Arash didn't expect things to develop like this and frowned. Barham, on the other hand, raised his hand nonchalantly.

"There is no problem, everyone will stop when appropriate, and everyone is wearing Terminator armor, no one will get hurt."

Seeing Barham like this, Artukus knew that disagreeing would make him seem too weak, so he nodded.

"Then stop when appropriate."

Then the two came to the center of the hall, and the surrounding people watched from a hundred meters away.

The Librarian drew his sword, and Barham immediately drew the Broken Horned Star. Seeing the orange-red plasma light on the blade, the Librarian was a little surprised.

"This isn't a power sword?"

"A plasma sword, a gift from the Maelstrom. Don't worry, there are no daemons or anything like that inside."

Hearing Barham's suggestive words, the Librarian moved instantly, his sword attacking Barham's abdomen, the speed was abnormally fast.

Clang!

The next second, his blade was deflected. The Librarian was surprised by the opponent's strength and immediately stabilized his body. He feigned to the left with his sword, but then switched the attack direction to the right, slashing down at Barham from the upper right.

However, the other party passed through the violent blade like a beam of light without any effort, and the plasma sword slashed towards his wrist.

In a flash, the Librarian moved suddenly. Barham's sword only cut through an afterimage. Then, the Librarian, who was away from his opponent, raised his hand, and bolts of lightning were like huge octopuses launching an ambush with their tentacles.

Under the strong current and psychic power, all images blurred instantly.

But an amazing scene appeared. Barham raised his sword to block the lightning. Then the Librarian suddenly "stalled" and bent over, grabbing his helmet with one hand, looking very painful. When he looked up, the other party's blade was already pressing against his throat.

The Librarian swallowed and raised his empty hand to surrender.