Warhammer: Lord of the Endless Monster Horde [207]

For years, they had followed First High Marshal Sigismund's orders, launching holy crusades.

They tried desperately to defeat the forces of chaos and Horus's remnants but had made little impact on Abaddon. They fought to the death but achieved little.

At every Black Crusade, the Black Templars were the first to stand against the Black Legion and Abaddon.

But in each of the 13 Black Crusades, Abaddon always achieved his strategic goals—the Templars always failed.

But today, Abaddon had died—not at their hands, but it was still a day to remember. The Marshal hurried to inform the current High Marshal.

"Abaddon isn't truly dead. The Four Chaos Gods rescued his soul.

In the future, he may well return as a Daemon Prince—so don't celebrate too soon."

Rhodes said, approaching.

"Still, it's a rare victory. Even if Abaddon returns as a Daemon Prince, we can banish him from realspace in the future.

At the very least, you destroyed his human body—he can never again claim to be human."

Marshal Amalrich of the Black Templars replied.

"You're mistaken. I didn't kill Abaddon—Elena did."

Rhodes turned to Elena and said.

"???"

Marshal Amalrich stared at Elena beside Rhodes, mouth agape in disbelief.

In his eyes, she was nothing but an ordinary Battle Sister—not even particularly resolute for one.

"Please don't joke, Lord Rhodes!

We truly thank you for slaying Abaddon—this is a great honor."

Amalrich pleaded.

Rhodes shook his head helplessly. He'd learned the details of the battle aboard the ship.

He knew that it wasn't Elena's skill, but the super-cosmic beast—the Cosmic Frost Leopard. Without it, even as a super lifeform, she lacked combat experience, and Abaddon could have escaped or even defeated her.

"It's true! And Elena isn't an ordinary human—her identity is special.

She is a gene-Primarch."

Rhodes said.

To form a Sister Astartes army for her, he had to reveal her identity as a female gene-Primarch.

With the Emperor's backing, he wasn't worried about anyone daring to question it. After all, possessed by the cosmic beast, her strength was unimaginable.

Plus, there was Barbarue—Rhodes intended to control all Imperial military forces in the future.

Unlike a certain Regent who played political games with the High Lords and coddled the new chapters, Rhodes wanted absolute control.

"That's impossible! There are no female gene-Primarchs!"

Amalrich exclaimed.

"Lord Rhodes, Primarchs can't be female—impossible."

Even the Custodian Guards shook their heads; even Lady Inquisitor Greyfax was locked in the brig by Rhodes.

He had nothing but contempt for her and her troops.

"Elena, it seems they don't believe your identity. Go ahead, show them."

Rhodes nodded to Elena.

"Reveal yourself, Primarch. The Emperor will protect you."

Living Saint Celestine said.

This mission from the Emperor seemed more like a demonstration—perhaps the Emperor had grown new gene-Primarchs in some secret lab? Or perhaps some living saints had secretly assisted him?

This Sister had mutated overnight—just what had happened to her?

Celestine was curious about Rhodes and Elena but didn't intend to press.

She'd died thousands of years ago; only the Emperor made her a living saint, allowing her to walk the world and spread his light. His will was divine to her.

Elena took a deep breath and nodded, her body emitting a pink glow as she transformed into a 3.6-meter-tall giantess.

The best way to prove a Primarch's identity was to assume a Primarch's stature—no one could doubt that.

"By the Emperor, how is this possible? You're truly a gene-Primarch—a female gene-Primarch?"

The Battle Sisters were most shocked—their Hospitaller Sister, who had laughed and chatted with them, was a Primarch?

Ridiculous!

Just hours ago, they'd been chatting!

"Forgive my offense, Lord Rhodes aside—he's already demonstrated his power.

But as for yours, please allow me to test it myself."

The Custodian Guard took a deep breath and said.

A male Primarch was shocking enough, but a female Primarch was almost unthinkable.

Because if a female Primarch existed, then female Astartes could exist too!

"Let him test your strength, Elena—but don't hurt him. He's a loyal servant of the Emperor."

Rhodes smiled at Elena.

"Okay! Come, Custodian—make your move. If I act first, you won't even get the chance."

Elena said, looking down at the Custodian.

Honestly, she wasn't used to this size—she preferred her old self.

"Forgive my offense!"

The Custodian bowed, then lunged at Elena with his power spear.

Only the Living Saint and Rhodes could follow his golden blur—no one else could.

But to Elena, his movements were like slow motion—she saw every move.

She dodged the attack, grabbed his weapon, and with a gentle push, sent the Custodian flying over ten meters, tumbling across the ground.

Though she no longer had the cosmic beast's power, her physical strength was overwhelming!

A super lifeform was on a different level from ordinary mortals—in strength, speed, and reflexes.

Just as a three- or four-year-old child, no matter how much martial arts they learned, could never beat an adult.

The duel was settled in an instant—the mighty Custodian was no match for Elena.

Before the Custodian, even a baseline Astartes was as fragile as an infant.

At that moment, everyone accepted Elena's identity. Who would have thought that there were two Primarchs on this little ship?

And that these two Primarchs had a special relationship—would their offspring be naturally born Primarchs?

"Are you hurt, Custodian?"

Elena helped him up and returned his weapon.

"Cough, cough! Forgive my rudeness, great Primarch. I've witnessed your strength.

You truly are a Primarch—no one could so easily defeat a Custodian."

The Custodian stood and bowed to Elena.

"No need to apologize—you only wanted to prove my identity to everyone."

Elena smiled.

She was now a gene-Primarch!

According to Rhodes, Primarchs were elevated human lifeforms—transcending ordinary humanity.

They were created by the Emperor's immortal genes and lost technology.

Elena, by merging with the cosmic beast, had reached the Primarch level.

The cosmic beast was truly wondrous!

"Now! I have good news for the Battle Sisters—and all the Cadian female soldiers.

Archmagos Belisarius Cawl has successfully extracted the female gene-Primarch's gene seed.

Soon, a new batch of Astartes Sisters will be born.

Sisters of Battle, and brave Cadian women:

Would you like to become the children of the great gene-Primarch?"

Rhodes took the opportunity to announce the big news.

At once, shock turned to joy among the Sisters.

They called themselves daughters of the Emperor, but had no blood relation to him.

Compared to the Astartes, there was a real gap—Astartes had a genetic link to the Emperor.

As for the Cadian soldiers, they were even more excited.

"We're willing to become the children of the great gene-Primarch Elena—we're willing!"

Several Sisters led the kneeling response.

"Prepare yourselves. Archmagos Cawl has begun refining the Astartes surgeries.

Soon, you'll undergo transformation."

Rhodes said.

Meanwhile, the Black Templars and other chapter Space Marines exchanged glances.

It seemed this Primarch, Lord Rhodes, truly treated the Codex Astartes like toilet paper!

To create a female Primarch gene-offspring—shouldn't he at least report this to the High Lords?