In terms of single combat, the Lion was absolutely confident—among all the primarchs, whether Leman Russ, Rogal Dorn, or Sanguinius, none were his match.
Even Horus, without the blessing of the four gods, was someone he believed he could beat in a duel.
"I'm absolutely confident in my combat ability—other than the Emperor, none of you can beat me! The Cosmic Beast would be better given to a worthy mortal to create a new primarch," the Lion said.
At this, Rhodes chuckled.
Guilliman, Magnus, Vulkan, and Elena exchanged helpless glances.
The past was the past—now things had changed!
After fusing with a Cosmic Beast, Elena could easily send Abaddon flying with the beast alone.
Guilliman's strength multiplied dozens of times, his soul reaching demigod levels.
Even Magnus and Vulkan, after fusing with beasts, saw their power soar—plus, the beasts could keep growing with them!
For an ordinary person, merging with a Cosmic Beast meant reaching primarch level; for a primarch, it was a massive boost.
"Big brother, you underestimate the Cosmic Beast's power. After merging, we can use our full strength—there's much you don't understand," Vulkan explained.
Since merging, he could manipulate fire with far greater ease, change his size at will, survive in space, and fully unbind his divine soul. The Emperor, when creating primarchs, used special methods.
All primarchs originated from the Warp as demigods. Even the strongest human body couldn't hold a god's soul—but with a Cosmic Beast, it could.
Awakened, Vulkan could now enter the Warp at will and chat with Sanguinius across time and space.
Rhodes sighed. The Lion had reason for his confidence—he was strong, perhaps only Sanguinius or Horus could match him, and even then, not without cheats.
He'd been revived in his prime, not as an old man, and, even then, could defeat Daemon Angron.
But today's daemon primarchs were no match for those who'd fused with a beast—the difference was astronomical!
"Lion, since you're so confident, why not spar with a brother who's fused with a Cosmic Beast? If you can easily win, you don't need one," the Emperor suggested.
For his stubborn, proud eldest son, there was no better way to convince him than a defeat.
"Fine, who will spar with me? After sleeping for ten thousand years, I'm rusty," Lion said, flexing as he drew his sword.
"Not me—you know why," Magnus said.
He didn't want to deal his brother another blow. Even if he'd accepted Magnus as a spy, the Lion still held a grudge. Losing to Magnus would be too much.
"I'll go easy on you," Vulkan said.
"Let me, my abilities are all defensive," Guilliman said.
Vulkan's beast, Golza, was strong and ferocious at close combat, but Guilliman's turtle could just stand there and take hits.
Their discussion was via psychic connection, so the Lion didn't hear. As they debated, he walked over.
"I'm not interested in fighting any of you three—I only want a real challenge," the Lion said proudly.
Only Sanguinius and Horus could match him.
"Let him choose for himself," the Emperor said, stopping any argument.
Ignoring his three brothers, the Lion looked at Rhodes and Elena.
No need to fight his sister—she couldn't be stronger than him. The best choice was this new brother, Rhodes!
"You then, Rhodes! Come spar with me—don't worry, I'll go easy," the Lion said.
At this, Guilliman, Vulkan, and Magnus all looked shocked.
Did he just pick the strongest one?
Rhodes's power was such that he could beat all three of them at once. With his psychic powers, telekinesis, instant movement, force fields, and monstrous body, he could trounce them all!
"Are you sure you want to fight me?" Rhodes asked, exasperated. Did he look like an easy target? If anything, Elena looked easier!
But the Lion wasn't one to pick on a woman, so he chose Rhodes.
"If that's what you want, Rhodes, go spar with him," the Emperor said.
My son, you asked for it!
Rhodes sighed and walked to the center of the hall. The palace was vast—plenty of room for a duel, as long as he didn't grow huge.
"Go easy!" Guilliman sent a psychic message.
He couldn't say this out loud—it would hurt the Lion's pride.
"Oh, by the way, Lion, I've already given the Warmaster position to Rhodes—so your opponent is the current Warmaster," the Emperor announced.
The primarchs all looked at the Emperor—was he trying to stir up trouble? The Lion wasn't a match for Rhodes!
Even Rhodes was speechless. Thanks for painting a target on my back, old man!
"What! The new Warmaster is Rhodes?" the Lion's face darkened, glaring at Rhodes.
Ten thousand years ago, it was Horus—he'd endured it. But now, after all this time, another stranger was Warmaster!
"If you win, I'll give you the Warmaster post. This time, you can fight for it," the Emperor said.
"Is that a promise, Father?" the Lion asked, delighted.
"I never break my word. Defeat Rhodes, and you're Warmaster."
The Lion nodded, stood before Rhodes, and raised his sword.
"Sorry, new brother, you're too young. The Warmaster's post is too heavy for you—don't worry, I'll take care of it," Lion said.
"If you can beat me, the post is yours—forever," Rhodes replied.
My growth is something you can't hope to match!
"Alright! Here I come!" The Lion charged, sword flashing, appearing before Rhodes in an instant.
Rhodes stood calmly, arms crossed, shielded by his ultimate defense—a blend of Zetton's shield, his own psychic force, and telekinetic barriers.
The Lion swung at Rhodes's chest, but just before contact, he leaped back, frowning.
"Why don't you fight back? I want the Warmaster post, but I don't want to kill you. That's not how a warrior should behave," the Lion said.
This was supposed to be a spar—if he hadn't pulled back, Rhodes would have been bisected!
"I didn't dodge because I'm confident you can't hurt me. Attack with all you've got, no need to hold back," Rhodes said.
"You—!" The Lion, now angry, swung for Rhodes's head.
Since Father and the others weren't stopping him, this must be fair—let's see what tricks he has.
Clang!
The sword struck a blue barrier, unable to advance.
No wonder he's so confident—some kind of shield? Not just psychic, something else, but with psychic energy mixed in.
The Lion quickly analyzed the situation—so that's why Rhodes was so sure. Time to get serious.
He hadn't been swinging full strength before, but now his muscles bulged, and he attacked ferociously.
Rhodes heard the Lion's roar, and his sword flashed gold.
But even with all his might, the Lion couldn't break through Rhodes's shield.
The scene grew comical—the Lion, a golden blur, slashing wildly, while Rhodes stood still, arms crossed, unmoving.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
No matter how fierce the blows, the blue shield held. The Lion tried every angle, but the barrier had no weaknesses.
He'd swung hundreds of times, all out, but the shield was unbroken—meanwhile, his arms were numb, and Rhodes still looked smug. The Lion grew furious.
"Hiding in your turtle shell? I admit, your defense is among the best of all primarchs," the Lion said, stepping back.
No wonder he dared face me—he's invincible with that shield!
"With your shield, it's true—no one could hurt you."
"I think you misunderstand—I only wanted you to go all out. If I strike, you'll lose instantly."
"Then do it! Face me like a man!" the Lion shouted.
"As you wish!" Rhodes dropped his shield.
The Lion rushed in, excited, as Rhodes's body glowed crimson.
A huge red shockwave blasted the Lion, sending him flying.
He didn't even get a chance to react—he spun through the air and crashed to the ground!
Who am I? Where am I? What just happened?
The Lion, flat on the floor, had three existential questions. Just one punch—defeated in a single strike!
When did I become cannon fodder who gets one-shotted?