strictlysupreme Chapter 382: Sharp Contradictions
Chapter 382: Sharp Contradictions
Russell stood still, arms hanging naturally at his sides, golden psionic energy swirling around him like a divine shield. Togard roared and charged, the servo systems of his power armor humming, his iron fist aimed straight for Russell's head—a blow powerful enough to shatter the skull of an ordinary Space Marine.
However, just as the fist was about to strike, Russell slightly shifted his body, dodging the attack with an almost elegant movement. Togard's fist grazed his shoulder armor and struck empty air, the shockwave sending the surrounding Steel Serpent warriors staggering backward.
"Are you mocking me?" Togard roared, the red light of his mechanical prosthetic eye flickering.
“I’m giving you a chance, Commander,” Russell’s voice was deep and calm, “to let you prove your strength.”
Togard lunged again, this time with even greater ferocity, his fists pounding out like hammers, each blow capable of tearing through armor. But Russell did not retaliate; he merely dodged and parried, occasionally using precise force to neutralize Togard's attacks, but never truly fought back.
The warriors of the Steel Serpent began to whisper among themselves. They could tell—the Imperial Guard commander was going easy on them.
"Enough!" Togard roared, suddenly changing his tactics. His mechanical prosthetic eye suddenly emitted a blinding red light, shooting directly into Russell's eyes—it was clearly not an ordinary visual aid, but some kind of weapon!
Russell narrowed his eyes slightly, and a golden psionic barrier instantly materialized, refracting the red light. But he still didn't retaliate, only saying in a deep voice, "Togard, are you sure you want to fight like this?"
“I don’t need your pity!” Togard roared, lunging forward again.
This time, Russell finally made a move.
His movements were lightning fast; his left hand precisely gripped Togard's wrist, while his right hand delivered a short punch to the Chapter Master's breastplate. The blow wasn't delivered with full force, but it was enough to make Togard stagger back several steps, the power armor's servo systems emitting a strained hum.
“You could have been stronger,” Russell’s voice echoed in the audience hall, “but your pride blinded you.”
Togard gasped for breath, his prosthetic eye flashing wildly, as if calculating some possibility. Finally, he growled and charged again—but this time, Russell held back.
Golden psionic energy erupted suddenly, and Russell's figure flickered like a phantom, delivering a precise chop to Togard's neck joint. The Chapter Master grunted, kneeling on one knee, and the power armor's systems briefly malfunctioned.
There was silence.
Russell stood before Togard, looking down at him with a deep, authoritative voice: "Admit defeat, Chapter Master. You have proven your courage, but continuing will only show your warriors your pathetic state."
Togard's breathing was heavy, the light from his mechanical eye flickering. Finally, he slowly raised his head, gritting his teeth as he said, "You... won."
Russell reached out and helped him up.
“This is not an insult, Togard,” he whispered. “It is for the future of the Chapter.”
The warriors of the Steel Serpent watched in silence, their eyes filled with both resentment and shock. They had never imagined that their chapter leader would be defeated in pure close combat—and that his opponent hadn't even used the legendary greatsword "Judgment."
Just then, Hector, the Archsage of the Cult of Mechanics, suddenly spoke, his voice carrying an eerie electronic noise: "Chaptermaster, do you really intend to succumb to this... coercion?"
Russell's gaze suddenly sharpened as he turned to Hector.
“Great Sage, your questioning comes too late,” he said coldly. “The outcome of the duel is already decided.”
Hector's mechanical tentacles twitched uneasily, and the green light in his eyes flashed again.
Togard took a deep breath, finally straightened up, and looked around at his warriors.
“The Steel Serpent…accepts these original recruits.” His voice was hoarse but firm, “but I will personally oversee their training to ensure they are worthy of the Chapter’s honor.”
Russell nodded slightly. He knew this was the biggest concession Togard could make.
“Then, our mission is complete.” He looked at the five Primalforged warriors. “From this day forward, you are members of the Steel Serpent. Remember, your loyalty belongs to the Emperor, and to your Chapter Master.”
The Forged warriors knelt on one knee and saluted Togard.
The battle commander remained silent for a moment, then slowly nodded.
However, just as Russell was about to leave, his communicator suddenly rang—it was an urgent message from the Imperial high command.
"Commander Russell, proceed immediately to the Philos system. The Dark Angels Chapter... has just slaughtered three entire Proto-Forged Space Marine squadrons."
Russell's gaze suddenly turned icy.
…………
The Dark Angels' fleet, like silent predators, circled the Stone Fortress—a colossal space fortress floating in the void, its size comparable to a small moon. The fortress's defensive arrays locked onto Russell's Imperial Guard assault cruiser, the Emperor's Wrath, as soon as it emerged from the warp.
"Imperial Guard warship, this is the flagship of the First Company of the Dark Angels, the 'Unyielding Truth'," a cold voice came through the communicator. "Unauthorized approach will be considered an act of hostility."
Russell stood on the bridge, his golden power armor gleaming coldly in the dim light, his fingers lightly tapping the hilt of the "Judgment" greatsword.
“This is Russell, Commander of the Imperial Guard.” His voice was deep and authoritative. “I have been sent by Lord Guilliman to investigate the massacre in the Philos system. Open the docking channel, or I will consider the Dark Angel a traitor.”
There was a moment of silence on the other end of the communicator, followed by a cold laugh.
"Traitors? Interesting term, Imperial Guard." The other's voice was laced with sarcasm. "We are the Emperor's most loyal warriors, while you... are nothing but Guilliman's lackeys."
A cold glint flashed in Russell's eyes.
“Final warning, Dark Angel.” His voice was icy. “Open the docking tunnel, or I’ll personally blast open your fortress.”
After a few seconds of silence, the communicator rang again, this time with a more composed voice—Azrael, Chapter Commander of the Dark Angels.
“Commander Russell, welcome to Stonehenge.” His tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable authority. “We will meet in person.”
The warriors of the Dark Angels lined both sides of the corridor, their dark green power armor etched with ancient runes, their gazes beneath their helmets cold and wary. Russell strode forward with five Imperial Guards, his greatsword "Judgment" still sheathed, yet every Dark Angel could feel the invisible pressure emanating from him.
Azrael stood in the center of the hall, his armor more ornate than that of ordinary Space Marines, his shoulder armor emblazoned with the First Legion's distinctive winged insignia. His face was stern, his eyes deep and unfathomable, as if concealing countless secrets.
“Commander Russell.” Azrael nodded slightly, a hint of arrogance in his voice. “Did Guilliman send you to interrogate me?”
Russell stared directly at him, golden psionic light swirling in his eyes.
“Three Proto-Forged Space Marine squads, totaling forty-five warriors, were slaughtered by the Dark Angels in the Philos system.” His voice was icy. “I need an explanation.”
Azrael's expression remained completely unchanged.
“They’ve crossed the line,” he said calmly, “attempting to pry into the inner workings of the Dark Angels.”
"So you killed them?" Russell's voice suddenly rose. "They weren't enemies; they were the Emperor's warriors!"
Azrael's eyes suddenly sharpened.
"The Emperor's warriors?" he sneered. "Or are they Guilliman's pawns? Who can guarantee the purity of the Primal Forged warriors' gene seeds?"
Russell slowly gripped the hilt of the sword "Judgment".
"Are you questioning the Emperor's will?"
Azrael did not answer, but his silence spoke volumes.
Just then, Russell's communicator suddenly rang—it was an urgent message from Valerian, the captain of the Imperial Guard squad.
"Commander, we've discovered... some kind of prison on the lower deck. It holds Primal Forged warriors—and they're alive!"
Russell's pupils suddenly contracted.
Azrael's expression finally changed.
“You’ve crossed the line, Imperial Guard.” His voice was low and dangerous. “There are some secrets…that you shouldn’t touch.”
Russell slowly drew "Judgment," and the energy patterns on the greatsword instantly lit up, with golden psionic energy coiling around the blade like flames.
“Azrael,” his voice was like a judgment, “you have just confessed to your crimes.”
The Dark Angels warriors instantly raised their explosive rifles, while the Imperial Guard squad also assumed a fighting stance.
The commander's eyes were as cold as ice.
“Then, Commander of the Imperial Guards…” he slowly drew his power sword, “are you prepared to face the wrath of the First Legion?”
Russell didn't waste any words. His figure instantly transformed into a golden afterimage, rushing straight towards Azrael!
The greatsword "Judgment" clashed violently with Azrael's power sword, sparks of psionic energy flying and the entire hall trembling. The warriors of the Dark Angels roared and opened fire, explosive shells detonating against the shields of the Imperial Guard, who returned fire with precise shots.
The battle between Russell and Azrael was like two storms colliding, each clash cracking the ground. Azrael's swordsmanship was superb, but Russell's power was superior—each of his strikes carried overwhelming force, forcing the Chapter Master to retreat steadily.
"What exactly are you hiding?" Russell demanded sharply, slashing down with his sword, sparks flying from Azrael's shoulder armor.
The warband leader gritted his teeth and retaliated, his sword slicing across Russell's breastplate but leaving only a shallow mark.
“Some secrets… are worth protecting with blood!” he roared, suddenly activating a hidden device—the gravity in the entire hall abruptly increased!
The Imperial Guard squad was instantly forced to their knees, and Russell's movements slowed for a moment. Azrael seized the opportunity and thrust his sword towards his throat—
**Clang!**
The verdict was precisely blocked, and Russell's eyes flashed with golden light.
"Is that all the tricks you have?" He sneered, then suddenly unleashed his psionic energy, a golden shockwave sweeping across the entire area, instantly collapsing the gravity field!
Azrael was thrown several meters away and crashed heavily into the wall.
Russell didn't give chase. Instead, he turned to the communicator: "Valeria, bring out those Primcast warriors! We're leaving!"
Azrael struggled to his feet, a trickle of blood escaping from the corner of his mouth.
“You cannot escape, Imperial Guards…” he gasped, “The Dark Angels’ hunt… has only just begun.”
Russell gave him a cold look, then turned and left.
“Tell your inner circle, Azrael,” his voice like a final pronouncement, “if the Dark Angels dare to harm another Primitive Warrior… I will personally lead Guilliman’s fleet to uproot your secrets.”