This is our Warhammer journey

Chapter 340 He thought of everything, except whether he could win.
Steelblood, bridge, fleet command console
"The Dawn Fleet is still retreating; they still have no intention of engaging in battle."

Fricks, in charge of the assault, ignored the casualty figures and the collapsing warships, coldly maneuvering these steel behemoths and the creatures within them to their deaths, creating an opening for the main force of the Steel Warriors.

This was a devastating loss.

The Dawn Fleet's retreat was orderly, and its defensive line remained as solid as an iron wall. Any enemy ships that dared to advance were met with precise strikes, and Peturabo's provocations failed to budge an inch.

Those warships responsible for breaking through the enemy lines often had to suffer several times the damage in order to create space for the following fleet to advance.

Such battle damage is truly alarming.

But the Lord of Iron was unconcerned.

Fricks turned his head and, taking advantage of a break in the report, glanced back at Peturabo out of the corner of his eye. His dark eyes were always fixed on only one warship.

Dawn.

"almost."

Peturabo coldly calculated the trajectory of the Dawn Fleet's retreat, examining their connection points with the surface fire support of Cadia, as well as the relative distances to the various active landing sites.

The retreat of the Dawn Fleet was inevitable. If they were to engage the Ironblood's charge head-on at the first moment, it would only result in heavier losses for the fleet and allow the Iron Lord to achieve his strategic objectives more quickly.

So he chose to retreat.

Expected.

"Do you know what the Lord of Alteramar's greatest flaw is compared to my brother?"

The Lord of Iron seemed to be in a good mood, and after noticing the gaze Fricks cast at him, he spoke leisurely.

"."

Fricks remained silent, focusing intently on directing the fleet to intercept the Eternal Expedition, perfectly fulfilling the duties of a steel warrior.

They are both qualified tactical executors and competent dialogue partners.

"He possesses genuine rationality."

Peturabo commented as follows.

“Unlike my brothers in the past who boasted about themselves, Romulus has always rejected factors, including emotions, that interfere with his judgment.”

He is reviewing every battle he has fought against Romulus over the years.

From the initial global harassment of the Vigilant Star, to the large-scale battles in the Scalus sector, and now to the full-scale war sweeping across the entire Cardia star system.

Romulus continuously collected and analyzed massive amounts of information, precisely calculated the gains and losses of each action, and always made decisions with an absolutely rational attitude, never being swayed by any emotional factors.

Even if a galaxy is plunged into purgatory because of the bloody massacres and human sacrifices you have launched, this deliberate provocation cannot shake his judgment in the slightest.

He would calmly redeploy the legion forces that might have been deployed in this war of attrition to the next more strategically valuable target area, thus saving more of the world from disaster.

When you spread rumors that defamed Romulus in the reconquests, inciting rebellions in the worlds that had finally returned to Imperial rule, such tarnishing of honor did not even attract his attention for a moment.

Those trivial rebellions would ultimately only be presented to him as the result of being dealt with.

His focus remained on the more critical coordination of various parties, concentrating on the strategic deployment of the star sectors surrounding the Eye of Fear, and the precise control of the long supply lines spanning several star regions.

Everything is just cold, hard data.

"Therefore, it's impossible for me to make him make a mistake through a series of provocations."

Peturabo smiled confidently:
“As long as I let him know that the benefits of facing me directly will outweigh the benefits of continuing to avoid me, then he will come to me on his own without me having to force him.”

He watched coldly as the fleet retreated step by step from the orbit of the Cardia satellite under the offensive, like driftwood being pushed away from the shore by the tide.

"Continue to apply pressure and drive the Dawn Fleet out of the airspace of the Cardia Fortress, regardless of losses."

When the Dawn Fleet reached the edge of the satellite orbit under immense pressure, it was forced to make a difficult choice.

Should they continue climbing, abandoning the advantage of orbital support, or choose to confront the enemy, accept Peturabo's invitation, and begin a direct battle and confrontation with the Iron Warriors?

There are also two operational space elevators on the surface of Cadia.

The consumption of resources in the Fortress world is terrifying. Even with the miraculous support of the Primarchs, transport ships from other star systems are still needed to enter the Cardia system. They appear at the edge of the system almost every day, and the supply can only be transported under the protection of the fleet.

With nowhere left to retreat, the cost of withdrawing far outweighs the cost of holding on.

Therefore, the Dawn Fleet chose to change its formation.

The massive Dawn Fleet abandoned its previous restraint, its dormant sharpness tearing through the shell of restraint, and began to engage the Steel Warrior Fleet in battle, guarding various satellite orbits and ensuring its own air superiority.

Therefore, he chose to fight back.

Everything is expected.

"grown ups?"

Fricks asked in a low voice.

The time has come. "I will win, Fricks."

The Lord of Iron remained unmoved; he stood on his throne, fast asleep.

Suddenly, a pool of molten steel surged and rose, solidifying into the outline of a towering giant.

Fricks could sense the will of the Father of Genetics flowing into that newborn body like a torrent—

At this moment, the Primarch poured most of its essence into this.

“I am learning; Romulus taught me to let go of my arrogance.”

This is the technology of the Bloodlings. Forgrim personally went to Comoros. No matter how resilient and cruel the Dark Eldar are, they can only kneel before the Phoenix Lord.

They presented everything that Chaos craved, including the secret art that tore apart souls.

The threat of those four beings capable of killing souls was real, so the Iron Lord considered everything he might face.

Peturabo believed he was constantly improving; he remained cautious, shed his arrogance, and used his power appropriately according to his needs.

He forced his enemy to surrender with inferior forces, suffering countless casualties, all for the sake of an opportunity.

He had considered everything, and in this battle born of his desire, he was not swayed by the negative emotions brought about by his desire or the disastrous performance of his allies.

Now, he is about to step onto his battlefield.

The iron-ring robots that had been lurking inside the bridge began to awaken, the hum of their metal joints echoing between the bulkheads.

Krogh, the war blacksmith responsible for accompanying the Father of Genetics on his boarding mission, was tidying up his armor.

In the past, this war blacksmith had gained the appreciation of Peturabo because of his decisiveness.

However, now that he coexists with the Khorne demon within the armor, his mind consumed by slaughter, he has lost the qualifications to be a battlefield commander.

The Primarch assigned him a new position.

"I will win. I will face my brothers and deny them."

Under Fricks' watchful eye, Perturabo left the bridge, leading his siege guards and dozens of iron-ringed machines, as the Steelblood opened a path for its master.

"I will sever the threads connecting my offspring, the puppets deceived by the emperor."

"Then, I will return in triumph."

Everyone heard the Iron Lord's whisper, a voice imbued with a cold, unwavering resolve.

I will lead them to create a completely new kingdom, one that does not depend on the emperor, nor on the four gods.

My country.
-
Ramses: "Eighty percent of the Primarchs believe themselves to be at least eighty percent stronger than the other Primarchs."

Romulus: "What about the remaining twenty percent?"

"They believe they are superior to everyone else."

"Didn't they ever consider the possibility of losing?"

"How did Phenus die? How was Koz killed by the Lion King? Why did the Wolf King dare to stab Horus, who was empowered by the Four Gods?"

"."

"Here~ the data from the previous fight between Peturabo and Angron, although it was in the warp, still has some reference value. Run it again."
-
When the choice was handed over to the Dawn Fleet, everyone looked at the blue giant who was in the center.

Everyone knew there was no way to get a refund.

They minimized their losses in every decision they made, and now it was time for them to face their adversaries head-on.

Unless they want to give up air superiority over Cardia.

The Iron Warriors achieved their goal through the methods they knew best, relying on horrific sacrifices.

"My warriors."

Romulus spoke.

"With unwavering conviction, we have made full preparations for this battlefield, pooling all our strength. When the critical moment arrives, we will face the most brutal battle head-on—"

“And each of you is filled with a burning desire to annihilate our enemies.”

"So do I."

The blue giant clenched his fist, and everyone heard the tremor that followed.

“I share this desire with you. I restrain it, I tame it, and I do not let it drive me to make mistakes, but I will never forget it. When the battle demands it, I will unleash this desire to kill our enemies.”

A silence.

Company Commander Hill nodded silently, while Delacus's face tightened and his teeth clenched.

(End of this chapter)