This is our Warhammer journey

Chapter 428 Loyalty is Rewarded (Part 2)

The boulder that Vashtor had been longing for came before him.

But it wasn't as he thought.

Du~du~du~
Warnings of an impending attack and the cries of servants echoed in Vashtor's mind, as the red glow representing the enemy was gilded onto the fleet that appeared in the void alongside the megalithic fortress.

But he was too obsessed with the Stone Fortress and instead of taking any evasive measures, he began to stir up the Heart of Plague, launching a ritual that took hold of it early on, in an attempt to influence the approaching Stone Fortress.

A battle suddenly broke out in the void.

The cannons atop the boulder, powerful enough to easily sink battleships, bombarded the Chaos Fleet relentlessly. Such an attack was devastating for warships much smaller than themselves, whose weapons, mounted only on planetary orbital defense systems, could overload the enemy's void shield with a single shot.

Conversely, the Golem's shield, originating from the dark age of technology, is equally formidable. It remains unmoved by any attack, constantly retaliating with its mounted turrets while also providing protection for other ships.

click!
Several beams of light struck the port side of a Styx-class heavy cruiser, leaving a smooth, three-kilometer-long crack in its protective layer. The beams then swept across the bridge, engulfing the beeping damage indicator and sending the warship, which had lost its mind at the very first moment of engagement, flying backward.

The salvo of light spears, macro cannons, and torpedoes crisscrossed between the two fleets, hitting both Imperial and Chaos traitor ships time and again.

From time to time, the void shields of ships were overloaded, and the hulls were torn apart by the following light spears and macro cannons. Ship fragments, along with the tumbling supplies and corpses of personnel in the cabins, floated in the void until the dark void was filled with glittering wreckage.

The eight surviving warships bravely went to meet them. Their blood-red paint was illuminated by the fire from rockets, light spears, and macro cannons. There were also a few war gangs on the right. The Dark Angels, after the first starship crashed, subconsciously distanced themselves.

The Chaos faction's formation showed a somewhat comical disjointedness.

This also revealed the enormous planet that they had been hiding behind.

"That is?"

Azrael's gaze was unconsciously drawn to the broken, gray planet, and a subconscious tremor made him instinctively want to say the name of this broken planet.

“That’s Caliban.”

Ramses then spoke.

The dark angels from ten thousand years ago were all reminded of unpleasant memories, and they looked at the planet that had been rejoined by supernatural forces with complicated expressions.

"The engine in Tuchucha isn't moving?"

Facing the unique command system VOX of the Stone Fortress, Arthur calmly observed the approaching World Eater fleet and inquired.

Azrael looked around and saw dozens of hooded figures behind him, and dozens of Dark Watchers lined up against the wall, all looking at him with glowing red eyes.

His somewhat helpless gaze fell upon a silver and gold sphere floating beside the command room.

When Tuchucha appeared here, the little robes already knew that this guy actually wanted to seduce them. His communication with them was just a pretense, a deceptive tactic he had learned from observing the Dark Angels Society over the years.

This made several small figures in gray robes, who usually dealt with think tanks, feel somewhat down.

Perhaps the times have changed too quickly. Whether it's the ouroboros from ten thousand years ago or the Tuchucha of today, these creatures that have protected these creations for tens of millions of years are somewhat confused and, like the dark angels, are full of lies.

Thinking this, the little robed figures looked at the two giants standing on the left and right sides in the center of the platform.

The thought of Dawnwings stating their intention to use the combined power of the three artifacts to interfere with the past, and their request for technical support from the Robed Dwarves, along with their shared mission objective that they would only begin experimenting after verifying their control over the Tuchucha Engine, made me realize how wonderful it was to have the rare phrase "able to open one's mouth" appear on my boss's head.

While it's absurd to think that the three magical weapons could be combined into one, at least the leaders are willing to say what they plan to do and what they need you to do, so you don't have to wait until you've already blown up the enemy's face before you're still wondering whether you're loyal or treacherous.

After obtaining Tuchucha in Themaras, the little men advised the Lion King to return to Caliban. Unexpectedly, the Lion King, without saying a word, slapped his head and crossed half the galaxy to Alteramar, sending Guilliman the Horse Hunter.

Not to mention Deathwing and Dreadwing, who were still confronting each other on the Unyielding Truth at the time, they couldn't understand it either. Even the Robed Dwarves couldn't understand it.

Why not go anywhere else? If not Caliban, then Terra. Even though the reason is to be wary of Guilliman's betrayal, at least tell your subordinates that after the Dark Angels finished the inexplicable war of the Themarath Expedition, all departments are now in a standoff at the flagship.

After the Kaliban bombing, the surviving Robe-Dwellers couldn't hold back their emotions when they privately reviewed the events.

Guilliman knew that a Volcan had died on the surface and was afraid that the incoming forces were rebels, but he didn't say anything.

The Lion King knew that Coz was on the ship and suspected that Guilliman was also a member of the rebels, working in collusion with them.

The archangel knew all of the above through psychic prophecy, including the fact that the Emperor was still alive, but because he was wavering in his heart and feared that the two were also rebels, he simply kept quiet.

In the end, these three even created a second empire.

what--

If Dorn knew that the only two people he didn't suspect back then were forming a second empire with archangels on the other side of the galaxy while he was wrestling with Alpha on Pluto, he would probably be furious.

We only got these two after the Siege of Terra ended.

"No."

Ramses poked Tuchucha, who was practically dead, while behind him, the entrance to a net tunnel that had been moved inside a megalith gleamed.

Even if Arthur's domain cannot suppress the fusion of the three artifacts, as soon as the possibility of fusion arises, he and Arthur will immediately take the Tuchucha Engine into the network.

The Web can effectively isolate the influence of the Warp. Even ascended demon princes may lose contact with their masters. The Eldar have also thrown Chaos artifacts or enemies into the Web, which are now very remote to them, to prevent these Chaos minions from harming them.

"It now appears that the initiative is in our hands."

Arthur nodded. Since the three artifacts were now under their control, there was nothing else to worry about.

He immediately ordered the fleet, which had already adjusted its formation, to begin its advance into the open space of space, while simultaneously analyzing the battle situation from another perspective through a small program written for him by Romulus.

The mini-program can build a real-time battlefield model through information terminals installed inside the warship, provide detailed data, and promptly reflect the warship's damage status.

Previously, there was concern that their mechanical creations, lacking sophistication and faith, would be easily corrupted. Aside from flesh-and-blood beings, they didn't particularly like using information-based creations. However, now that all of them were affiliated with Romulus before being settled, such worries have been eliminated.

It's tough on Lao Luo; every remote loading makes his already limited brain capacity even worse.

He expanded the scope of the assessment, while eight nearby World Eater ships were concentratedly destroyed. Each of their ships had to face the concentrated attack of at least three ships of the same class at the same time, while their colleagues were unable to provide effective support.

As the two sides drew closer, the advantage of ultra-long-range artillery gradually diminished, and both sides entered the maximum range of each other's conventional anti-ship firepower.

When the first battleship was easily sunk, the Chaos Fleet realized it was time to run.

Otherwise, that sunk battleship would have been their fate.

These already wavering warships, without command, scattered like a school of frightened fish.

This reveals that the core fleet still has no intention of being moved.

It consisted of planet killers and several spaceships.
"Why haven't you responded yet?"

Noticing the seemingly stunned planetary killer and the stable reality around them, Ramses, who was holding onto the Web Portal and ready to jump in at any moment, couldn't help but make another sarcastic remark.

"The coveted Stone Fortress has finally been delivered to his doorstep; he must be overjoyed!"

"It's going to break."

Arthur nodded in agreement.

Relying on the rapid mobility of the network and the swift integration of the Dark Angels, they eliminated Typhons in a short time, intercepted Vashtor, and contained the Tuchucha Engine—this was exactly the effect they wanted.

Vashtor was held back by his greed and resentment, and now he was unable to extricate himself.

“…” Arthur turned his gaze to the members who had participated in the defense of the Great Stone, who called themselves the ‘Unforgivables’ and regarded this battle, personally led by the Lord of Knights, as their war of atonement.

Whether it's the main group or the sub-groups, the Dark Angels always like to put themselves under almost exaggerated pressure after making mistakes, believing that the existence of these mistakes will cause unprecedented damage to their honor and authority. Perhaps this is one of the reasons why they are more inclined to kill those in the know after making a big mistake and are unwilling to face the mistake squarely.

Of course, he didn't think there was anything unforgivable about the Guardian Angels or the other subgroups that chose to obey orders.

Arthur looked at Camel beside him.

The paint on his new armor had been changed to black, but the Legion red areas had been replaced with the original chapter's gold trim, giving it an overall understated black and gold look.

The Vigilant Angels were the only Dark Angels subgroup to join the operation with all its members, because the defense of the Gleny system had reduced their numbers to less than one hundred, not even enough to meet Arthur's demand.

Of course, given the angels' good habit of leaving a considerable number of companies to guard the base and flexibly adjusting the number of troops in the battle group according to the actual situation, the actual situation is still some distance away from a total wipeout.

"Kamel".

Arthur spoke, raising his palm.

"Your Highness!"

The warband commander of the Guardian Angels looked surprised. After a brief moment of stunned silence, he raised his hand and accepted the shield handed to him by the Knight Lord.

On the shield, two overlapping swords divided the shield surface into four parts, with a golden imperial eagle at the top, and the remaining parts occupied by two gray-robed figures.

His gaze briefly lingered on the magnificent shield. Not long ago, Kamel had learned from the Aglaia Inquisitor that this shield, blessed by the Emperor, had accompanied him since the Lord of Knights first appeared in the universe.

Even though, as the Knight Lord has grown, more and more battles have reached the point where defense is no longer necessary, this shield is still one of the Knight Lord's symbols. Only the Knights of the Round Table would select a shield bearer to wear during wartime.

You will be no more than ten steps away from me.

The Knight Lord's voice resounded throughout the communication channel, appointing his personal guard.

This is the reward for loyalty.

"Yes, Your Highness!"

Kamel suppressed his excitement, ignoring the envious glances from those around him, and bowed in greeting.

"Let's go."

The Lord of Knights turned and walked toward the teleportation center, while Ramses also turned and entered the network with the Tuchucha Engine.

The Dark Angels were caught off guard by Vashtor's sudden attack, but they withstood the initial storm, and now it's time for them to exact their revenge.

Amidst the spectacular sight of what seemed like witnessing a giant whale preying on a school of fish, no one noticed that two Black Talon attack aircraft sped off from the launch pad of the Stone Fortress and entered the void.

Around them, the fleet used its firepower to draw the enemy's attention to the Boulder's launch bay and the fleet's flight deck, while the two Imperial-class battleships also launched all their remaining airborne aircraft, mixing in Black Talon attack aircraft, and swooped forward.

Their target is planet killer.

The Black Talon attack aircraft slowed down and passed through the Void Shield, then launched torpedoes carrying teleportation beacons, penetrating the Planet Killer's hull, which was completely different from that of modern mainstream warships.

"come over."

Arthur waved his hand, signaling the veterans of the Knights of the Round Table and the Watchful Angels to gather at the central teleportation platform. Carmel was to his left, just a step behind him. Kay pushed past Lord Cypher and arrogantly went to the other side.

A few steps below the teleportation center of the Great Stone Fortress, the various squads, already fully prepared, stood in neat rows. The sounds of heavy armor clashing and the labored breathing of the Terminator armor's hydraulic systems echoed in the vast, silent space.

The Stone Fortress's teleportation system was once one of the Caliban's important landmarks, capable of easily transporting a large number of people during wartime. Over the course of millennia, this vast facility was gradually transformed from a knight's castle into a church that brought together people of faith.

The moment the Lord of Knights came to their side was almost a relief for these 'unforgivables'.

Regardless of right or wrong in the past, the Knight Lord has now made the decision to lead them on a mission. Only time will tell whether the Knight Lord's choice was correct.

Similarly, Arthur's arrival also injected new energy into this silent space.

Trying to unravel the connection between history and the present, guarding secrets whose right and wrong are unknown, whose consequences for the chapter are unknown, and accepting missions whose reasons and results are unknown, is a heavy burden for any commander.

They no longer have such concerns for the time being.

Through numerous conversations along the way, each squad of the 'Unforgivables' deepened their understanding of their lord and gained their own goals and missions—the most direct experience they had had in their hundreds or even thousands of years of military service.

As the heavy echo of the last footstep fell to the ground, the knights' gazes involuntarily converged on their leader.

Now, only one decision remains.

"Azrael, report on the Void War situation."

Arthur inquired in the command communications.

"Prepare to deliver the final blow under your command."

The responses from the Supreme Master followed one after another.

"Initiate teleportation—"

The Lord of Knights issued the order without hesitation.

Arthur lowered his hands, and a bright white light shone around him as if high-voltage current was flowing through his fingers. The noise and howls echoed through the mechanically encased cavity, extending all the way to the edge of the fragmented passage inside the Planet Killer, torn apart by the Rift Weapon.

"Damn it! Damn it!"

Vashtor grabbed the Planet Killer's console and shook it.

"What are you doing, Nurgle, or yourself, Heart of Plague, what do you want me to do next!"

He shouted sternly.

"."

The Heart of Plague remained unresponsive.

This eternally beating, decaying heart trembled and constricted, as if in fear.

While Vashtor was still trying repeatedly because the expected distortion had not appeared, he suddenly looked up at the blurry figure above the gap opposite the eternally spinning furnace of the planet killer.

He looked at Arthur across from him, the Lord of Knights looking down at him.

"We have arrived successfully."

"The Lord of Knights said."

He raised his sword.

wow~
Even though they were thousands of miles apart, Vashtor was startled and instinctively stepped back, removing a large section of the mechanical structure, which sparked and illuminated the metal on his body.

He felt as if the scepter in his hand was nothing, as fragile and powerless as a machine broken by his claws.

He felt a deep, icy fear within him.

(End of this chapter)