The son of the God-Emperor in Warhammer Fantasy

Standing in front of the burning estate, Fugen faced the Golden Mage.

The Golden Mage appeared to be a middle-aged man in his forties, neither very old nor young. His small eyes and long mustache gave him a distinctive look, while a black eye patch covered one eye, failing to hide the scars covering his face. This made his remaining eye appear particularly sinister.

The Golden Mage held a flaming scimitar in his hand as he scrutinized his opponent.

Despite Fugen's appearance resembling the decadent nobles of the Tyrell court, the Golden Mage could clearly sense that Fugen was entirely different.

Indeed, completely different. The Golden Mage could feel the immense vitality emanating from Fugen. He was elegant, composed, vigilant, and wise, his whole being exuding a vibrant life force.

He was practically the embodiment of art.

Since arriving in Tyrell, the Golden Mage had been seeking allies or partners, but the results were disappointing. He was dismayed to find that the nobles of Tyrell lacked ambition and were already influenced by Chaos. While all the nobles focused on preventing corruption in slums, sewers, and wilderness, Chaos corruption had already spread within the court.

Seeing Pogil's death, the Arabi knew it was time to leave.

The Golden Mage had experienced too much; his heart had long been numb. He had witnessed thousands of subordinates die before him, hundreds of ships sink, and had lost interest in everything. His last joy had been his family, but now, he had lost both his family and one of his eyes.

Now, only battle remained!

As a seasoned sanctuary strongman, the Golden Mage knew he had to give his all, or risk defeat.

Ancient spells were chanted, and around the Golden Mage appeared several fire elementals over three meters tall, their bodies emitting intense heat as flames swirled around them. Under the Golden Mage's command, these elementals transformed from calm beings into embodiments of rage. One elemental raised its hand, releasing a massive fireball filled with hatred, which flew directly towards Fugen.

The Emperor's Primarch faced them.

First, the entire fire elemental mass was split apart. The irresistible fire element was completely severed by Fugen's sword, the unquenchable flames spreading from the sword tip to the blade, releasing a brilliant radiance.

The golden power sword "Glory" cut through the air, tearing away the veil of falsehood and even slicing through the air itself.

Without air, flames cannot burn in the cold of space.

Only Angron could see this strike clearly. The power sword tore through the fire elemental lord's body, and the previously enraged elemental let out a mournful cry. Its body was shredded, turning into a pile of ash that scattered into the air.

The falling ashes incited the remaining fire elementals' fury, and they eagerly charged at Fugen.

The slaughter began.

Fugen's figure was like an elusive purple light. He charged through the countless fireballs and waves of flame released by the fire elementals, easily dodging all attacks and charging into their ranks. With a cold and proud snort, he plunged into the midst of the fire elementals.

With the first sword strike, a fire elemental exploded under Fugen's sword, dissipating into the air.

With the second sword strike, the sword pierced the chest of another fire elemental, flattening it against the ground like a cannonball. Then, Fugen's graceful movements, akin to a dance, sent it flying. The fire elemental crashed into a pillar of the estate, exploding and shattering the already burning column.

When a fire elemental tried to approach Fugen, using its flaming fist, it suddenly found its arm and body separated. The golden power sword spun in the air, and Fugen gracefully sidestepped before swiftly retaliating. The fire elemental's head was severed, and it exploded with a scream.

In an incredible display of speed, five fire elementals fell before Fugen in an instant. Now, only the Golden Mage remained.

Although surprised by the fall of five fire elementals, the Golden Mage did not panic. He immediately swung his scimitar to defend, adopting a stance that made him invulnerable. The scimitar, burning with golden flames, seemed to possess an inexplicable power, halting the power sword's blade when it struck.

But Fugen's attack did not stop.

Bang!

The Golden Mage was sent flying. The tremendous force caved in the seasoned sanctuary strongman's chest, and he crashed onto the estate steps. Despite his stern face showing no more emotion, he muttered a few spells and rejoined the battle.

Bang!

The golden scimitar and power sword clashed again. Although the Golden Mage was a Djinn sorcerer, his swordsmanship was impressive. The scimitar traced four arcs in the air, each capable of beheading a mortal.

Even Angron, watching, muttered a grudging compliment.

However, reality shattered the Golden Mage's naive fantasies. Fugen overpowered him in every aspect. After a brief exchange, the Golden Mage realized he could never defeat his opponent in close combat.

But spellcasters do not need to win in melee combat. Chanting, the Golden Mage turned into a handful of sand slipping through fingers. Fugen's sword struck only air, and a white-hot light arrow shot from afar, whistling towards Fugen and exploding on him.

"Elemental power! Hear my command!" the Golden Mage chanted, "Arka~ Ansenamila~ Ikum~"

Boom! Boom!

Explosions echoed through the estate, and the three-story building was blown to pieces. Amid the flames and debris, a giant fist made of fire and rock shot out, smashing towards Fugen with thunderous force.

Some extreme, terrifying creature seemed to be summoned by the Golden Mage.

The smoke from the explosion made everyone instinctively close their eyes. The Arabi soldiers cheered, seemingly celebrating their victory.

Only Angron remained unmoved, standing calmly as he watched.

As the smoke cleared, the Arabi's cheers abruptly stopped.

Gaba~ Gaba Gaba~

From the dissipating ashes came a series of dull sounds.

It was Fugen! He had blocked the elemental giant's fist head-on!

The Emperor's Primarch held the Sotigo spear in one hand and the golden power sword in the other, his body surrounded by a radiant aura. His silver hair flew in the air. The elemental giant's strength was earth-shattering, but against Fugen, even the power of the stars had to yield!

Angron grunted with some resentment, noting the ancient blessings on Fugen's full plate armor and the god-given weapon.

Indeed, being good-looking had its advantages, right?

"Is this what you call power?" Fugen deflected the Golden Mage's attack, pushing back the elemental giant's fist. "This is not enough, Arabi sorcerer. Show me your full strength!"

With that, the Emperor's Primarch's attack became so swift the Golden Mage found it unbelievable. The Sotigo spear slashed through the air with unparalleled force, ready to cleave the mage in half.

The Golden Mage's face turned pale, but he had not lost his fighting ability. He dodged desperately, chanting spells as he did.

"Great Shield of the Atmosphere!"

Thick smoke formed an impenetrable shield wall, blocking the path between the two.

The Sotigo spear was no ordinary magical shield. The spearhead pierced through the Great Shield of the Atmosphere, shattering it.

However, the Golden Mage managed to avoid a fatal blow with the shield's help. He chanted spells, sending several blue water balls at Fugen. Fugen sidestepped them, but the water balls exploded, forming water elementals that surrounded him. They could not hold him for long. In just five seconds, the water elementals fell before Fugen.

"Supreme Elemental Lord! Hear my summons!" But this was enough. With the Golden Mage's final summons, some entity finally turned its gaze upon the blazing estate.

A gigantic fire elemental lord appeared, blowing the estate to pieces. Standing over fifty meters tall, its body formed from a vortex of lava, wrapped in magma, with a giant skull face and two huge horns burning with intense flames. It wielded a giant spiked hammer and roared in fury:

"Why have you awakened me, Karim?!"

"By the Djinn's covenant, I request your aid, Supreme Elemental Lord!" the Golden Mage shouted.

"Very well!" The giant fire elemental lord raised its hammer. "Die, insect!"

"Let the flames purify everything!"

The strike was so powerful that the ground trembled, and the entire Miraglenno succumbed to its force. The city shook as the estate became a place of fire, lava, and airwaves, with dust defying gravity.

In an instant, Fugen's figure was engulfed by the hammer and flames. The fiery waves and surging columns of fire completely drowned the battlefield. The city's ground shook, and everyone saw the appearance of the fire elemental king.

Angron frowned, instinctively reaching for the axe on his back.

Under this heavy blow, Fugen finally let out a muffled groan. The Primarch's unbalanced body was sent flying, smashing through the estate walls and crashing into the debris, engulfed in flames.

But this outcome did not satisfy the Golden Mage. His opponent had not failed, only suffered minor injuries. With the power of the Sotigo spear and the golden power sword Glory, Fugen had still blocked the strike.

Muscles bulging, power surging.

With a sky-piercing roar, a silver-purple phantom bathed in radiant energy charged back into the battlefield!

Fugen had also mastered the use of psychic power, Angron noted, withdrawing his hand from his axe.

Each

 Primarch had psychic talents, differing only in how they used them.

Damn it! The Golden Mage's face turned pale. Summoning the Supreme Fire Elemental Lord had exhausted his magic, and after such an attack, the elemental lord's power was greatly diminished, temporarily unable to attack. The Arabi gripped his scimitar tightly, swinging it down with all his might.

But Fugen's swordsmanship was exquisite. The Emperor's Primarch had no reason to fail now. He moved with grace, dodging the Golden Mage's three attacks like a phantom, turning his body with a cloak adorned with a reborn phoenix emblem swirling in the air.

The Golden Mage's inferior scimitar skills were full of flaws before the Primarch. After barely parrying three attacks, the Golden Mage swung his scimitar wildly, trying to suppress Fugen: "Hya! Hya! Hya!!!"

Glory's swift strike pierced the Golden Mage's defenses, the power sword stabbing into his chest. Golden flames burned along the blade, Fugen's face showing slight burns. The Primarch calmly pushed the sword forward: "You lost, Arabi."

"Ugh!" The Golden Mage looked down at the sword piercing him and suddenly smiled. "Alright, Imperial, you win. Release the Tyrellian. Today is his lucky day."

"Yes, Lord Emil." The Arabi soldiers immediately obeyed, seemingly indifferent to the Golden Mage's condition.

Putting away his scimitar, the Golden Mage chanted a few spells, and the Supreme Fire Elemental Lord reluctantly said, "This... is impossible..."

The giant fire elemental lord dissipated into the air.

"You're tough, Arabi. I originally wanted to cooperate with you, but this wasn't the outcome I wanted." Fugen nodded faintly, acknowledging the Golden Mage's strength. He hadn't wanted this duel, and now the mage was dead, which wasn't his goal.

"Cooperation? Of course!" The Golden Mage, seemingly unaffected by the sword in his chest, nodded slightly. "You proved your strength, Imperial. I believe we have a basis and conditions for cooperation."

"???" Fugen looked puzzled as he withdrew his power sword, the blade stained with blood, but the Golden Mage remained unperturbed. "Wait, are you... immortal?"

"Under my clothes is not just flesh, but something more powerful, impervious to blades, Imperial." The Golden Mage showed no concern for his chest wound. "I made a deal with the Djinn, granting me a degree of immortality, though not entirely."

He pointed to his eye covered by the patch. "For instance, this was given by a nightmare at sea. It took everything from me, my family, my children, and left me this scar."

The estate had turned into ruins, the battle over. The Tyrellian, once freed, did not thank Fugen but instead pointed at him in terror, shouting, "Two monsters! Two Chaos scum! Just you wait, I'll call for help, and none of you Chaos bastards will escape! I'll see you all dead!"

With that, the Tyrellian stumbled and ran out of the ruins.

The Golden Mage seemed accustomed to this and clapped his hands, laughing. "Well, do you still find meddling fun?"

"We can't always hope for gratitude and reward, but at least I tried," Fugen sheathed the Sotigo spear and Glory. "Introduce myself, I am Fugen, commander of the Ash Legion."

"Wow, what a kind heart. Hope it doesn't harm you... Nice to meet you, but we seem to have little time. The commotion from our duel is too great. Even in Miraglenno's chaos, the mercenaries won't ignore such a disturbance." The Golden Mage remained calm. "I am Karim, Karim Sherif Vizier. As the victor, you have the right to know my name."

"Let's move outside the city and find a place to talk."

"Agreed."

Half an hour later, outside Miraglenno, at a noble's farm.

Fugen, Angron, and Karim the Golden Mage sat in a simple wooden house, hay scattered on the ground. They gathered around a simple wooden table as Karim brought out his best wine to entertain Fugen and his brother.

"Wow, this wine is amazing!" Angron exclaimed after tasting the slightly yellow, brownish liquid with its rich aroma and honey flavor, spicy yet mellow, with a fiery burn.

"Premium Tyrell rum, Barcelo, aged over 150 years, the last three bottles. Enjoy, they're all yours," Karim agreed readily to Fugen's request. "I can join you and my men can join the Ash Legion. Your strength convinced me, Commander."

"But before joining, I have a condition, a request I hope you'll grant."

"What request?" Fugen tasted the intoxicating rum, knowing Karim's strength well.

"It concerns the Arabi Djinn and the legendary Graveyard of Ships."

"The Graveyard of Ships?"

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