The clanging sound of the clash of gold and iron echoed through the duel pit, and the flying sand and dull wheezing echoed through the empty field.

The eve of the war has begun, and the head-on confrontation between the 13th Expeditionary Fleet and the Inhuman Empire is close at hand, but the fighting duel in the duel pit never stops.

In the circular duel pit, the two Astartes are fighting in movements that are difficult for ordinary people to see, their demigod-like strong bodies exert indescribable terrifying speed, the confrontation between soul and will continues to burst out in the collision of sharp sword blades, the sonorous sparks flying all the time symbolize their usually suppressed fiery fighting spirit, and the crowd of spectators symbolizes their interest in this demigod fight, among which in addition to the mortal auxiliaries, there are many Astartes among them.

Only at this moment, the usual roar and cheers of the war dogs were replaced by silence at this moment, and they watched in silence this battle, which was also quite exquisite for them, absorbing the skills and games contained in it.

For fighting in the duel pit was the commander of the 8th Assault Company, Karn, who was the champion of the entire 8th Company and his regiment, and whose glory on the battlefield made him famous for almost the entire Twelfth Legion.

Just now, Karn was promoted by the Sons of the Mountains to join the Primordial Guard organization called the [Hand of Redemption].

Now this duel is a test that Legion Commander Greer himself will take on him, to test Karn's role as the Bloodfinger of the Redeeming Hand, known as the 'Great Mother's Blood-soaked Fingertips' and the coveted seat of the Primordial Guardian for many Warband Champions.

This is one of the eight great seats of the [Redeeming Hand] Primordial Guard, and it represents the privilege of being able to fight side by side with the Mother of Genes on the battlefield at all times, and it also represents the passion that will be soaked in the mother's fingertips with blood.

However, at this moment, Karn did not have any joy or excitement in his heart from the leap in rank. His mind was always swamped with a large number of confused thoughts, so much so that even his usual precise and ferocious combat skills could hardly touch the movements of Legion Commander Greer in front of him.

What's the matter, my brother. Your actions are mixed with questions... I can feel the thoughts in your heart. 】

As if sensing Karn's unusual rapidity, Greer's voice came to Karn's ears with a slight suspicion.

The sparks of the clash shone on Karn's grim and resolute face, and even though the silent warrior's mind was slightly disturbed, his skill and movement were unmatched.

[Greer, I have something I can't understand... From our mothers. 】

With a slight imperceptible sigh, Karn's voice echoed Greer along with his swift combo.

[Perhaps Mother's words are not always so easy to understand, as are the biological knowledge she imparted to the Legion - but this should not be the time for you to wonder... Because you deserve the honor, Karn. 】

Clearly, even the high-ranking Legion Commander was pleased with Karn's promotion.

Karn, however, was a little melancholy, and the slight clouds that swirled in the sea of his mind symbolized his complex state of mind, as swift as his wild offensive.

[I do delight in this duty, Greer. My mother had entrusted me with a duty that would please anyone, but in her incomprehensible words, I felt that she had also taken on some unimaginable duties... I don't want to be a burden to my mother. 】

Two rough blades of swords were colliding with each other with the piercing sound of a sonic boom, and the exaggerated strength of each other was like a giant beast rippling in the blood-sand land of the duel pit, and the high-speed battle between the demigods had already dazzled mortals, and only the Astartes could see some clues in this seemingly savage, but in fact extremely sophisticated duel.

Although Greer could feel Karn's melancholy through his mind, his opinion was different from Karn's, just as his swift and precise offensive was constantly searching for holes in Karn's defense, while his increasingly angry mental echoes continued to reverberate in Karn's ears:

If you don't want to be a mother's burden, take on your responsibilities, Karn! 】

[All that our mothers have undertaken has never been something we can imagine... And as the sharp blade in front of her goal, it is our duty. 】

[Do you understand?] My brother! 】

The sonorous collision reverberated through the duel pit like a torrential rain, and the former warband champions continued to retreat in front of the captain's blade, a slight trace of blood and pain reminding the company commander of the burden he had to bear.

Karn was silent and felt the sour numbness coming from the hilt of his sword, and the roar from his heart, and the majestic but slightly lonely figure of the Mother of Genes seemed to reappear in front of his eyes, as if he was worried and thinking about the future, and seemed to be kind and reluctant to the genetic heirs.

- "Even if it comes at the cost of your disappointment with the Empire. ”

Once again, Karn's reassuring voice echoed in Karn's ears, and he was puzzled and confused by this, could it be that in the future that his mother saw... Himself, is it possible to rebel against the empire?

How can it be...

Karn thought to himself, but in his immediate denial, the melancholy on his mother's face gradually emerged.

What does that melancholy mean?

Endless doubts grew in the Astarte's mind, and Karn couldn't help but compare the lonely back of the Mother of Genes with his loyalty and zeal to the Empire—

The answer is also undeniable, there is no distinction between the two parallel tracks, if you betray your mother, you will betray the Empire, if you betray the Empire, you will betray your mother, although in Karn's heart, the mother of genes is slightly more important... But from the outset, the comparison was pointless.

Because at all times, the Legion of the Children of the Mountains is Karn's home, and everyone inherits the blood of the Mother of Genes and the sustenance of the Human Emperor.

Anytime, anywhere... When Karn became Astarte, his future was only to open up territory for humanity, and there was no possibility of two minds.

Unless, the path of the Empire and the Mother is at a fork in the road...

Karn immediately cut off the dangerous thought.

Realizing that he no longer had to think meaninglessly, Karn's defensive movements returned to precision and agility, and the former commander of the battlefield returned, his razor-sharp blade regaining the upper hand in just a few turns, and the ferocious assault tearing through the captain's defenses like fangs.

Until the Legion's Commander's blade is completely broken.

Seeing this, Greer did not feel any frustration in defeat, but couldn't help but smile.

"Welcome to the Redeeming Hand, newborn Bloodfinger."

Yes, this fierce and loyal warrior in front of him is more than capable of taking on the great duty of guarding the mother of their genes.

"Fortunately, I didn't disgrace my life."

Karn half-knelt before the Legion Commander and bowed his head slightly, a hint of gloom that always hung over his resolute cheeks.

……

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