[Congratulations on unlocking the Phase B reward. You have been awarded one World Eaters Gene-Seed. Upon implantation, it will awaken the combat talent of the World Eaters.]
[Would you like to implant this Gene-Seed?]
"No!"
"Even if the seed is pure, I don't want it!"
"Anyone who wants to be a War Hound can take it, but I won't risk implanting an unstable Gene-Seed!"
Richard rejected the reward. It was less a reward than a gamble. Implanting a World Eaters Gene-Seed didn't necessarily mean descending into madness, but as long as the risk existed, it wasn't worth taking.
In reality, Gene-Seeds were not purely genetic creations; they were likely part of a pact between the God-Emperor and Subspace. The current Blue Star might not even have a God-Emperor. If he truly went mad, predicting events would become nearly impossible.
Richard fixed his gaze on the battlefield. At that moment, after Lion King had finished off the daemon-possessed World Eaters Champion, a temporary calm settled.
The original army had been repelled, and the World Eaters had suffered heavy losses, forced to wait for reinforcements from their warships. The Orbital Defense Facilities within the Hive City prevented the warships from approaching too closely. Meanwhile, the Imperial Navy continued a desperate resistance; occasionally, a Macro-cannon shell would strike, leveling entire sections of the ground.
The Void Shields around the Hive City's core hummed steadily. This Hive core, built during the Dark Age of Technology, still fulfilled its purpose. Those seemingly fragile shields protected the populace; without them, the Hive World would have no value left to defend.
"Quickly, quickly! Consolidate the defensive lines!"
"Keep pouring the Plasteel bunkers!"
"We must hold the line and repel the next wave of invaders!"
"And you, Recruitment Officers, conscript enough soldiers from the remaining population!"
Some citizens still survived within the Hive City, fortunate to have made it through the first wave of daemon attacks. But the next incursions would be unrelenting. The remaining Astra Militarum had to absorb part of the Hive population to replenish their ranks.
The previously stalled armories were finally operational, producing light weapons continuously via STC Templates. The Adeptus Mechanicus was re-blessing these god-machines. Thankfully, the machine spirits remained stable and willing to churn out weapons endlessly.
Colonel Bokant extended a mechanical arm and lit a dry cigarette. Apart from coffee, only this soothed his exhausted nerves. Looking at the holographic tactical map nearby, he marveled at the speed of enemy troop concentrations.
Previously, the map had been cleared of red dots, but within a single day, it was once again filled. They were surrounded again by the damned Chaos abominations. In addition to large numbers of Berserker Warbands, several crimson markers drew particular attention. These markers, usually placed by the mysterious girl, indicated powerful enemies. When one appeared, Mortals were incapable of handling them. The Steel Legion could only delay such foes, stalling them until the Angels of the Empire could intervene.
Colonel Bokant had never witnessed an Astartes firsthand before, but after days of combat, he understood the gulf between humans and Astartes was enormous. Armor, mobility, reaction speed—nothing compared. Their battlefield coordination far exceeded that of ordinary humans. Every shot was precise, capable of striking enemies kilometers away with massive Bolters. The disparity was like heaven and earth; no mortal force could overwhelm a structured Astartes Chapter through sheer numbers.
"Your combat proficiency truly disappoints me!" Lion King's voice echoed throughout the War Council. He scrutinized the Colonel coldly.
"I have seen how heroic Mortal units fought in the past. Though weaker than my soldiers, they would never be as helpless as you when facing Chaos Space Marines! Your tactics are far too rigid. With sufficient weaponry, your offensive should be far more concentrated!"
The Lion positioned the pieces representing the 473rd Steel Legion on less critical defensive lines. He didn't trust Mortal armies much. One must realize, the Solar Auxilia of the 30k era would never have fought like this. Having their lines nearly broken by a few "tin cans" was pathetic. The Solar Auxilia could hold out even against Traitor Legions, often until the Space Marine Legions finished the main battle. Now, facing the undisciplined World Eaters, the Mortals had fought so poorly that their lines were almost breached, requiring his Terminators to intervene.
"You must mean the Tempestus Scions!"
"I heard rumors of them during my academy training!"
"Those Mortals are indeed elite. But only a tiny fraction of the Empire can become such troops! Regrettably, I am not that kind of top-tier commander. I am not qualified to lead such elite units. Even if I were, I wouldn't remain on my homeworld; such troops are deployed only in a few Sector Capitals."
The other's tone carried regret. Colonel Bokant valued honor above life; combat and honor came first. Facing the Chapter Master's questioning, he dared not speak. The recent battle had indeed not gone well. Even with the necessary spirit, being thrown into chaos by a few Chaos Astartes made the deployment look far too poor.
"Go and carry out your mission! The main defensive lines will be guarded by my Angels. You must hold the key traffic arteries; do not let the Chaos Cultists reach the armories!"
"Yes!"
Colonel Bokant left dejectedly. Though the girl before him appeared mortal, her presence exerted immense pressure. The entire legion, including the Astartes, now followed her orders. Her command ability was exceptional; gaps in the defensive line were immediately reinforced. Even personally on the battlefield, he could not match her reaction speed. She played a real-time strategy game, while he played a tabletop wargame.
After the Mortal Colonel departed, the Knight Commander confirmed no outsiders were present before addressing the Primarch.
"Lord Lion, these Mortal soldiers might not be reliable. Why not deploy them as fire-detection points? At least their deaths would reveal enemy movements!"
"There is no need," replied the Lion coldly. Treating Mortals as cannon fodder was meaningless when his vision could already perceive all threats.
Clearing his throat, Lion King asserted his authority:
"I do not show mercy to these Mortals; reconnaissance is meaningless before me. The enemy need only enter my vision to be seen. What we lack is manpower; our Dreadwing Company numbers barely a hundred. Including a few predator tanks and dreadnoughts, the defensive area we can cover is limited. The Hive City is too large. If forces spread too thin, traitors will pick them off one by one. As long as Mortal units buy time, they are useful."
"Understood, Lord Lion!"
As expected, rationality and benevolence coexisted in Lord Lion. The Interrogator-Chaplains' past descriptions were inaccurate. His return would surely lead the Empire in the right direction, making him the first loyalist Primarch to return.
[The Lion: Is that so?]
The Lion didn't ask the subordinate but instead looked at Richard. The Lion had mastered a method of communicating that even amplified the voices on the chessboard.
[Richard: Of course! That fellow Guilliman still lies on Macragge. The other children are either dead or missing. You can be considered the only Primarch in the Empire today who can grasp the overall situation—at least for now.]
[The Lion: Oh-ho-ho~]
The Lion internally thought, recalling that Horus became Warmaster precisely because he returned first. The Lion had believed the gap between himself and Horus was narrow; if he had returned earlier, his achievements could have surpassed Horus.
[The Lion: After dealing with the traitors here, should I return to Terra? I have heard of the Empire's state. You have sat on the Throne for ten thousand years. Without your guidance, Father, I fear the Empire has fallen into chaos. I will seek my progeny and return with my First Legion. I will bring hope to this desperate Imperium of Man. I can do this!]
His confidence was unwavering. This "hissing" Primarch always carried inexplicable self-assurance. If he wanted to lead the Empire, he should first fix his hissing habit. Besides, what could Hissing Lion do on Terra? Could he handle the paperwork like Guilliman?
[Richard: Cut it out. Terra receives hundreds of tons of important documents every hour! Let Guilliman handle the paperwork. Your duty—Warmaster of the Second Empire—suits you better.]
The Lion's head nearly exploded. A child's game of house was being reminded by an adult. His father, seated upon the Golden Throne, was not blind—he had perfect awareness. The Fallen Angels must have leaked too many secrets! If this continued, the First Legion would have no secrets left.
"Lord Lion, you seem to be sweating! Is Chaos corrupting you?" the Knight Commander asked, oblivious to the Lion's thoughts.
"It is nothing. I was reflecting on how many secrets the Fallen Angels have leaked. The Emperor's guidance makes me realize a terrifying fact: he likely knows some of our secrets. That is terrifying!"
The Knight Commander hesitated, realizing he had almost questioned the Emperor—a forbidden act. The Lion gave him a sideways glance.
"Ahem… Lord Lion, that may not be bad. If the First Legion has no secrets from the Emperor, that proves our loyalty!"
"Hmph, you are right! If Father knows, these matters are within his expectations. We are truly loyal!"
Richard laughed silently. Within Subspace, the Emperor's will detected Lion's thoughts, blending anger and amusement. He felt like giving a psychic slap but sensed a stronger will controlling the battlefield and withdrew.
Meanwhile, on Terra, the skeletal Emperor atop the Golden Throne chuckled. Psychic energy surged, nearly knocking back surrounding Custodes.
Custodes A: "Did you hear that?"
Custodes B: "I must be hallucinating… I thought I heard the Emperor laugh. Chaos must be corrupting me!"
After the Emperor's body fell silent again, they resumed their guard. Such events occurred occasionally, proof that the God-Emperor still lived.
On the fifth day, the Chaos war for Armageddon escalated into total war. When the Gate of the Red Angel fluctuated, what emerged was no longer traitor World Eaters or daemons—it was a massive daemon engine, a Warlord-class Titan, even taller than a Warhound-class Titan, with Void Shields capable of interconnecting with others.
Even Lion, confident in battle, frowned. He knew the devastating impact of a Titan and found its presence extremely troublesome.
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