Warhammer: Black Emperor

Chapter 892 Lucius defeats Eribus and Loken in succession; no longer obsessed with the sword, he will no longer be corrupted by Slaanesh.
On the training deck of the Vengeance Soul, Eribus removed his grey-rock-colored Mark IV Extreme Power Armor.

The armor is engraved with the inscription of the chief priest "The Word Bearer," recording his various deeds.

Irebas, his muscles bulging, walked toward the training cage. He looked at Lucius, who was holding a sharp blade, and a look of surprise flashed in his eyes.

Lucius, who was not wearing armor, was as tall as Thor Tavitz, whom he had defeated not long ago. His muscles were strong and powerful, like a salamander, but he also had the wiry agility of a wolf.

He entered the training cage, bowed to Lucius, and then pounced on him to begin their duel for honor.

The sharp blades clashed rapidly, the clear sounds echoing across the deck.

Taviz did not stand next to Lord Commander Edoren; he stood with Loken and Togarden.

He watched the afterimage of Lucius's gleaming sword blade dancing, unable to keep up with the fluid swordplay.

Irebas adopted a defensive stance from the start, lowering his body and parrying attacks with left and right swings.

[Irebas fought me for a long time before finally defeating me. Lucius is stronger than me; he will definitely be able to...]
Taviz's eyes widened as Lucius swung his broadsword, hooking it around the hilt of Irebas's sword and flicking his wrist.

Irebas's sword flew out of his hand, and he staggered backward, crashing into the training cage with a thud.

Lucius's blade was close to his throat, and Eribus rolled on the ground in a sorry state.

His head hit the ground and rolled around like a canine.

“Lucius!” Asimand opened the training cage.

"That's enough! He's already lost!"

"I'm sorry," Lucius said, sheathing his sword, head held high, showing no remorse.

Irebas staggered to his feet, his face ashen, and a chill seeped into his throat, making him feel cold all over.

His great head, inspired by the gods, was nearly severed by a single sword.

“Lucius, your swordsmanship is truly unmatched.” The priest’s naturally calm and gentle voice, punctuated by rustling noises, was now filled with these words.

Is it unmatched?
Not yet.

Acourduna and Thierry are both my targets, I am not as good as my father, and even less so...] Lucius looked at the Black Emperor with awe.

"This is the first time I've ever seen Erebas lose, and lose so miserably." Horus stared intently at Lucius, his gaze fixed on the lines of blood dripping from Erebas's forehead and throat.

“Lucius, truly a superb swordsman worthy of being called the ‘Son of the Emperor’.”

Ninglu nodded and glanced at the timer hanging on the training cage: three minutes and eleven seconds.

[Lucius, the "Weapon Master," is much stronger than before, much stronger than the 15 minutes and 59 seconds I remember.]
As he pondered, he heard a cheerful voice calling out.

“Irebas, come out already, it’s Gavial’s turn.” Togarden teased his friend Irebas about his defeat in his usual joking manner.

“Oh, no.” Loken shook his head.

Asimand shouted, "You are the best swordsman among us. Let Lucius taste the power of the Shadowmoon Wolf!"

“Swordsmanship isn’t everything,” Loken refused again.

"For the honor of the Legion, hurry up and go inside," Azekel Abaddon said, his high ponytail swaying as he walked behind Loken and gave him a hard shove.

He looked at Lucius's muscular body, which wasn't sweating, and asked, "Can you fight another round?"

“Of course.” Lucius looked at Loken.

"Any number of games is fine."

"Loken, come on, let me see how Shadowmoon Wolves fight."

Eribas, having stepped out of the training cage, threw his broadsword at Loken.

"Gavial, it's your turn."

Loken caught the weapon and swung it repeatedly.

He stared at Lucius, knowing he had no chance of winning in a sword fight.

"I am not a swordsman; swordsmanship is only one part of the battle."

"Do whatever you want, it's up to you," Lucius said confidently.

Loken stepped in, and the two hemispheres of the training cage enclosure closed together.

“I have observed your moves; I can see right through you.”

"Enough talk." Lucius lunged at Loken, thrusting his sword straight at him. Loken's knees buckled slightly, his eyes like those of a hunting wolf, fixed on the approaching Lucius.

His swordsmanship was far inferior to Lucius's, but he still had a chance to win.

But you only get one chance.

The sword blade pierced through the air, making his hair flutter wildly.

Loken suddenly raised his sword to meet Lucius.

when!
As the blades clashed, his arm went numb.

Lucius's attack was swift and fierce, combining power and speed, and almost knocked his sword away.

His sword flew out of his hand.

Loken deliberately discarded his sword, stepped to the side, swung his arm and punched Lucius hard in the face.

[Lucius, this is how Shadowmoon Wolves fight.]

Find out your opponent's strengths and weaknesses, and defeat them by any means necessary.

Lucius, I'm sorry, but this isn't a swordsmanship contest.
boom!
Loken's expression suddenly changed, and Lucius raised his hand to block his charged attack.

"Is this how Shadowmoon Wolves win?"

"What I can do isn't just with a sword..."

Loken knew something was wrong. He abruptly stepped back, trying to pick up the discarded broadsword.

Lucius followed closely behind, giving him no chance whatsoever.

He swung his arm and punched Locken in the face.

boom!
Loken was thrown out and crashed heavily to the ground.

Blood and foam spilled from the corner of his mouth. He mumbled something incoherently before fainting.

Abaddon, Togaton, Asimand, and Cyranus stared blankly; Loken had actually lost even faster than Irebas.

clap clap clap...

Applause broke the silence.

Ninglu applauded, having previously played the role of Lucius during the Sequence 8 "Fighter" phase.

He was no longer fixated on the sword, and unlike in his memory, he was not knocked unconscious by Loken with a single punch as soon as they exchanged blows.

[Hmm... This is not just a victory, but also my teaching, which has made Lucius no longer pursue the ultimate perfection of swordsmanship.]

He also mastered the third level of the Thelma mind, so that even witnessing Forgrim pull out the Blade of Ral and hearing Bequ'er Kingska sing, he would no longer be corrupted by Slaanesh.
As Nimrod was pleased with Lucius's transformation, Abaddon and Togaton silently entered the training cage and carried the unconscious Loken.

Abaddon stared intently at Lucius, clenching his fists.

He felt that, with Togardon's exertion, Loken had slipped off his shoulder, which was larger than any Shadowmoon Wolf.

He silently loosened his fist.

Loken was unconscious for ten minutes before waking up.

He opened his eyes and found himself lying on an operating table.

“Loken, I didn’t expect you to be defeated so easily.” Togarden said with his arms crossed and a smile.

"Togarden, did you come here to see me in such a sorry state?"

"Of course not, I'm just afraid you won't wake up," Togarden joked with a laugh.

Loken's eyes were deep as he savored the battle that had just taken place.

"I misjudged Lucius."

"He is not the emperor's son I imagined, arrogant and obsessed with swordsmanship."

"This is a warning, showing that I am not as perceptive as Lord Dorn has claimed."

Loken said with a self-deprecating laugh, then silently got up, ignoring Togarden who still wanted to joke, and walked toward the flight deck.

This proves that the stage for Shadowmoon Wolves is the battlefield on the ground, not the training cage.

(End of this chapter)