*The Endurance, Dueling Cage. Now.*
Under the spotlight, Calastar Typhon turned, placing his scythe down. He wore an expression of humility mixed with a hint of pride, offering a smile to the Barbarus crowd below.
Cheers and applause erupted from the audience, with some even whistling in admiration.
Surprisingly, the Primarch Mortarion did not intervene to silence the noise.
Only two individuals had noticed Typhon's subtle maneuver just moments ago.
One was Mortarion.
Mortarion remained seated, his towering form as still as a corpse. "Is this what you wanted me to see, Typhon?" Mortarion's gaze, hidden beneath his hood, shifted to the cheering Barbarus crowd. His progeny, his people – when had they last celebrated so joyously since leaving their homeland?
"Is this your message? You win using psychic powers, and then ride this wave of emotion, hoping I'll ease my restrictions on psychic abilities? Are you still so stubborn, Calastar? Or have I been too strict?"
Mortarion fell silent.
On the stage, Typhon discreetly glanced at Mortarion. He knew exactly what Mortarion was thinking.
Previously, Typhon had subtly probed Mortarion's stance on the Librarius. Clearly, based on Mortarion's understanding of sorcery from Barbarus, he had wholly rejected the existence of the Librarius.
But Typhon knew that sorcery – or rather, psychic powers – were tools, neither inherently good nor evil. The Death Guard's former Librarius was proof of that.
Typhon knew he needed an opportunity to show Mortarion that psychic powers could bring him glory. And Mortarion wasn't as steadfast in his beliefs as he thought.
Typhon smirked internally. From their interactions, Mortarion was easily swayed by the masses. He cared deeply for his sons and his people, more than Typhon had ever realized. Moreover, Typhon knew Mortarion trusted him and Hadirus deeply.
As long as Hadirus didn't oppose psychic powers, after this victory, Typhon would gain the support of the Barbarus people. Mortarion wouldn't publicly chastise Typhon for using psychic powers. And then, Typhon could make his request. Mortarion would hesitate.
If Mortarion could ease the restrictions on psychic powers even slightly, Typhon's goals would be achieved.
He had prepared extensively for this day.
However, from the crowd below, the second individual who had noticed Typhon's subtle move stepped forward.
"I challenge you to a duel!" shouted Ugo, the current Chief Librarian of the Death Guard.
Hearing the familiar voice, Typhon stiffened. Why was Ugo here? He hadn't noticed him at all!
Typically, the Librarians of the Death Guard would spend their free time reading in the archives or meditating to strengthen their connection with the Warp. They wouldn't be caught dead in a raucous dueling cage like this.
Typhon had chosen this location precisely because he believed other Librarians wouldn't be present. He and Ugo had an agreement. Ugo, aware of the unflattering nature of their meetings and training, had hoped Typhon would communicate privately with Mortarion, ensuring the Librarius wouldn't be cut off from new recruits.
Clearly, Typhon had broken that agreement.
Typhon had planned to act first and explain later. After this event, he could use the easing of restrictions on the Librarius to make up for his breach of trust.
If Mortarion agreed to relax the restrictions, Typhon would take credit for the achievement, formally requesting to join the Librarius. If Mortarion disagreed, Typhon would sever ties with the Librarius, focusing on building his reputation among the Barbarus people.
As long as he could defeat a veteran using psychic powers without being discovered by anyone other than Mortarion, Typhon believed he couldn't lose.
But to everyone's surprise, Ugo stepped forward, fury blazing in his eyes.
The Librarian slowly ascended the stage. With each step, frost formed on the ground, the crackling sound of ice breaking echoing sharply.
"So this was your game, Typhon? Using the techniques I taught you to defeat a veteran, all to boost your reputation among the Barbarus? And you deliberately revealed your psychic techniques?"
Ugo knew that the Terran veteran who had just dueled Typhon would have sensed that Typhon's psychic techniques weren't self-taught but resembled those of the Librarius.
If the veteran spread word of Typhon's actions, the already marginalized Librarius would lose the support of the Terran faction.
Ugo realized that his previous efforts to maintain the Librarius were in vain. His mentor didn't understand him, and even the student he tried to teach harbored treacherous intentions.
Why should he hold back? He was already marginalized. Why not showcase his psychic powers in front of Mortarion on this dueling stage? Let Mortarion see that the Librarius were among the most powerful warriors in the legion, and yet he wanted to disband them.
Ugo slowly stepped onto the stage. His face was calm, but his eyes burned with anger. A murmur arose among the Terran veterans. They rarely interacted with the Librarius, let alone witnessed one on the dueling stage.
With psychic enhancement, a Librarian's combat prowess far exceeded that of a regular Astartes. This meant that when a Librarian stood on the dueling stage, the only one who could challenge him was another Librarian.
The Barbarus faction, unaware of the intricacies, continued cheering, eagerly awaiting the duel between Typhon and Ugo.
Typhon swallowed hard. "Damn it."
Seeing no way out, he turned and picked up his scythe again. As he did, he shot a glance at Mortarion, hoping the Primarch would intervene and stop this clearly escalated duel.
But Mortarion remained motionless.
Yet beneath that still exterior, Mortarion's interest was piqued. He looked at Ugo, the Librarian who clearly harbored anger towards Typhon.
"Calastar, what have you kept from me?"
*P.S. Mortarion had previously noticed Typhon using psychic powers but wasn't aware they were from the Librarius. He had "exiled" the Librarius and thus paid no attention to their details.*