"Rhodes, are there any loyalist Primarch clones inside? If there are, don't leave any behind. Even if we find clones of you or me, you mustn't hesitate—eliminate them all. Cloned Primarchs are absolutely forbidden in the Imperium," Rogal Dorn said.

This was something that went against all ethics. No matter what, cloned Primarchs couldn't be allowed to exist. Although they possessed all the memories of a Primarch, their souls were just those of ordinary humans.

They would believe themselves to be the real one, but if the Imperium refused to recognize them, the Primarch's personality might drive them to extremes. The traitors that already exist are proof enough, and even the loyalists—if a clone ever rebelled, it would be a disaster.

"Don't worry! Fabius Bile never obtained samples of the loyalist Primarchs, and all existing Primarchs have now been upgraded and are much harder to duplicate," Rhodes replied.

After fusing with my own cosmic beast, the Primarchs are basically true gods now—even immortal, able to soar through the universe at will.

Horus, for example, after fusing with the dark giant Daram, can physically traverse thousands—even tens of thousands—of lightyears. It's a simple feat for him now.

"You mean those cosmic phantom beasts are really that miraculous?"

He'd just woken up and already heard from Rhodes about the cosmic phantom beasts, and Rhodes had even shown him the new generation Primarchs' gigantification abilities.

By Rhodes's account, a single cosmic phantom beast could create a new Primarch, who could freely change their size and form.

Hearing this, Rhodes smirked slightly. If you misunderstand the concept of gigantification, that could be awkward. Are you really asking if their combat power is that strong?

"You've more or less recovered now, haven't you? You've been making good progress in your training these days—got your peak strength back?" Rhodes asked.

Why not see for yourself?

"My strength is fully restored. Are you suggesting a new battle for me?" Dorn immediately realized what Rhodes was planning.

"Talking to a Primarch is simple—no need for hints. I have a subordinate who, though he hasn't fused with a cosmic phantom beast, is still extremely powerful—and he has the gigantification ability. If you want to experience that power, I'll call him here for a sparring match," Rhodes said.

"Was he once one of my gene-sons?" Dorn asked.

"No, he was once Guilliman's gene-son. While serving as a captain in the Ultramarines, he was falsely accused by a new recruit and sent to the Deathwatch, where he served for nearly 100 years. Later, he joined me. Due to his outstanding performance, I granted him the gigantification ability—he's now my chapter's vice-commander," Rhodes explained.

"In that case, let him fight me! I want to see how powerful the new era of Astartes is, and how strong this gigantification really is," Dorn nodded.

"Wait a moment!" Rhodes nodded with a smile and immediately called Titus, who was training on the flagship.

"Greetings, great Primarch Father. Greetings, Lord Dorn!" Titus entered, thumping his chest and standing at attention to salute Rhodes and Dorn.

Currently, Titus stood at 3.3 meters tall—only a few dozen centimeters shorter than a Primarch.

Rhodes's gene-sons were noticeably taller and stronger than other chapters' Space Marines.

"Titus, here's the situation—you and Dorn will spar, but remember not to go too hard," Rhodes said directly.

"Great Father, wouldn't that be disrespectful? Lord Dorn has just awakened and hasn't even been upgraded," Titus replied awkwardly.

Just how strong was he after gigantification? He could genuinely wrestle with a Primarch. After his Hybrid-Beastification, Titus's physical prowess was monstrous—his fighting ability rivaled that of the Custodes, and he was confident he could even win.

"That's why I told you to go easy! It's just a friendly bout, mainly to let the Primarch experience gigantification," Rhodes said.

"You underestimate me, Rhodes. Even if his power is strong, my combat experience is unmatched—no ordinary Space Marine could compare. Even if he's gigantified, I'm still confident," Dorn said.

Having your subordinate go easy on me makes me seem weak. I may not be upgraded, but as a veteran Primarch, I'm not soft!

"Gigantification is beyond your imagination—it's more powerful than even a Titan. I mean Emperor-class Titans," Rhodes said.

"I must decline, great Father. I… I don't want to fight this match," Titus said, troubled.

If he used gigantification, even holding back would shatter a Primarch's confidence. He didn't want to be the bad guy.

"Hmph! Rhodes! Don't make your subordinate fight me—come yourself! If you're worried I'll lose and be humiliated, then fight me yourself. If I lose to you, there's no shame in it," Dorn declared.

"Great Father! I'm willing to fight Chaos, the Tyranids, the Orks, and all your enemies on the battlefield—but for this match, you should do it yourself," Titus said.

After all, it was about giving a Primarch firsthand experience—better Rhodes himself do it. Once he gigantified, there was no way he'd lose. Otherwise, it would look too staged.

If he won, Dorn would surely want a rematch after fusing with a cosmic beast, to regain his pride.

"Fine! But I'll say this now—I won't hold back, so be ready to be defeated in one move," Rhodes said.

Rhodes led Dorn and Titus to a massive training chamber beneath the ship. The ceiling was 100 meters tall—built specifically for gigantified beings to train.

Dorn donned a top-quality suit of Terminator armor prepared by Rhodes and wielded a massive power sword.

Rhodes folded his arms and transformed—towering to over 60 meters tall, looking down at Dorn from above.

Dorn stood in the center of the arena, gazing up at the 60-meter colossus—Rhodes.

His Terminator armor glinted coldly under the lights, his power sword quivering, as if resonating with his fighting spirit.

Even facing such a giant, Dorn's eyes stayed resolute—he didn't flinch.

"Rhodes, are you ready?" Dorn's voice was low and powerful, with a hint of challenge.

Rhodes looked down at him, smiling with confidence. "Dorn, go ahead. Show me your strength."

Rhodes had already conjured a suit of power armor for himself using the power of the Cosmic Phoenix. This barely counted as a warm-up!

Dorn said nothing more. He leapt up, his power sword sweeping a sharp arc straight for Rhodes's core.

His speed was astonishing—he was at Rhodes's chest in an instant. Isn't gigantification supposed to make you slower?

But just as the blade was about to strike, an invisible barrier appeared, completely blocking Dorn's attack.

"What… some kind of special energy shield?" Dorn's pupils shrank in surprise.

"This is called the Absolute Barrier—its defense is unmatched, blocking even energy attacks. You can't break it," Rhodes explained.

He didn't even need to use full power on the Absolute Barrier.

And even if you break it, I've still got my psychic shield!

Dorn didn't stop—he quickly adjusted his stance, his power sword slicing countless afterimages, each strike strong enough to shred steel.

But no matter how he attacked, Rhodes's barrier didn't budge—not a single crack. It was like a child pruned a giant statue with a twig.

The scene was almost comical—easy to laugh at.

"Your attacks aren't nearly enough. Should I kneel down or shrink to your size?" Rhodes's voice echoed from above, teasing.

Dorn frowned, feeling powerless.

He'd never faced such a strong defense. Even against other Primarchs, he'd never felt so helpless.

But he didn't give up; instead, he attacked more furiously. His power sword left a blur of afterimages, as if tearing the space apart.

What kind of shield could block my power sword? This isn't even psychic force!

Yet Rhodes stood still, arms folded, watching the show.

There was a hint of pity in his eyes, as if to say: It's hopeless, child. My power is beyond your imagination.

Rhodes even sat cross-legged in front of Dorn, yawning, mocking him with his gaze.

It was as if he was saying, "Useless child, you can't resist at all. My strength is unimaginable to you."

"Enough! Since you want me to experience gigantification, let me see your attack," Dorn finally demanded.

Rhodes leaned forward, raised his right fist, and gathered a terrifying energy at his knuckles—the air around seemed to vanish.

"Steel-Breaking Bull Fist!" Rhodes shouted, swinging his fist.

Dorn felt an indescribable force crash over him, as if the universe was collapsing. A massive red bull's head appeared before him.

His body was completely suppressed—he couldn't even move a finger. He watched Rhodes's fist approach, feeling unprecedented fear.

I'll die! If that hits, I'm dead.

The giant red bull's head stopped just centimeters from Dorn, then dissipated.

Rhodes had withdrawn over 95% of the attack's power, but even the residual 5% hit Dorn like a storm.

BOOM!

Dorn was hurled like a cannonball, crashing into the arena wall.

His Terminator armor shattered, his power sword flew from his hand and embedded in the wall far away.

Dorn struggled to raise his head, blood trickling from his lips, his organs battered.

He'd lost so easily—he couldn't even withstand a single blow.

No! It wasn't even a blow—the attack didn't even hit him; it was just the aftershock.

"This… is this the power of gigantification?" Dorn's voice trembled, his emotions complicated: shock, unwillingness, even awe.

Rhodes shrank back down to normal size, walked over, and helped Dorn up.

"Now you understand? The power of gigantification is far beyond your imagination.

That last attack—I held back over 90%. Otherwise, you'd have been reduced to dust."

Dorn was silent a moment, then nodded. "I understand… Rhodes, your power really is beyond what I imagined."

Rhodes smiled and patted his shoulder. "This is just the beginning, Dorn. Once you fuse with a cosmic phantom beast, you'll have this power too. We'll fight again then."

With a smile, Rhodes left the arena.

Dorn was left feeling dejected—the gap in strength was crushing, beyond belief.