This is our Warhammer journey

Chapter 434 And just like that, the Dark Angel's life was ruined (5k)

We still don't know who caused all of this.

We have witnessed the destruction of countless worlds in the First Legion, and the Caliban are powerless to withstand the artillery fire raining down from our comrades. From a practical point of view, a preemptive strike would undoubtedly be suicidal. For most people, the only emotion that those members who harbor resentment towards us can show is that they do not want to die of old age in this world.

As we fumbled the safety pin with trembling fingers and struggled to catch our breath, we could hear the roar of the plasma generator, the walls shook, and toxic, foul-smelling gases filled the circulating air with the explosion.

fear.

The communications channel was filled with roars of anger and confusion—voices we had never heard before, voices belonging to the First Legion. We were warriors known for our ruthlessness, yet at that moment we heard the faint sound of hope breaking in our veins.

No commander stepped forward.

No.

Luther, Astland, those consuls and overseers who used to accuse each other of treason no longer blamed one another; only a gradually chilling consensus remained.

If the lion returns only to destroy us, it must be because he has long regarded us as traitors, fearing that we will side with his enemies, or worrying that we will become a stain on his reputation for other Primarchs.

We didn’t know why he assumed we would do that, but as the hail of bullets rained down and the landing craft carrying our battle-hardened brothers descended from the sky, all those considerations became irrelevant.

We fought for the Emperor, for humanity, for the First Legion, and for our brothers.

Now we fight them to the death, just to survive. We hide in the monastery, a fortress that once belonged to the Lion Kings, covered by a powerful force field shield. But all of this is no match for the orbital bombardment carried out by the fleet, which is still intact even after the Great Rebellion.

Despite being absolutely certain that we were already dead, our leader, our lion, chose to descend in person.

It's not about saving, it's about ending.

When Ramses' voice rang out, and the clearly processed information appeared before them as official documents, these veterans tasted the feelings of their former adversaries in past battles.

Whether in Cardia or in the desolate, chaotic ghoul constellations.
Being attacked by dead memories is a truly unpleasant experience.

“What the hell is this?”

Gareth murmured under his breath, his voice filled with self-reproach and anger as he finally recovered from the panic:
"What am I afraid of?"

He closed his eyes, trying to regain his courage.

But the cold light in those gray eyes lingered, like a nightmare branded deep in his memory.

"I know you are anxious, but don't be anxious!"

Kay spoke to a group of veterans who were almost instinctively ready to jump up and fire an extermination order at the planet Caliban, saying that Galad and he were focusing on the most war-torn members.

The majority of them were Caliban recruits from that year.

These warriors grew up hearing the legend of the lion and looked forward to the day when they could roam the galaxy. However, fate had other plans, and their first real battle was to face the most ruthless legion in the entire galaxy.

Beside Kai, Zabril was also trembling and speechless.

What is Naurgle planning to do?

Ramses looked at the unexpected unfolding before him with great curiosity.

"No matter what he's going to do, we just need to stop him."

Arthur looked at the contents of the star map. The opening of the rift was located in the middle region of Caliban, and it was expanding as the Ouroboros exerted its power.

The star charts provide a clear view of the chaotic contamination that appeared on Longlin Star, which began to accumulate in the corresponding region of Caliban at the same moment the rift opened.

Does Nurgle also want to change the past?
The turbulent fissures gradually stabilized under the constant force exerted by the grime.

"Your Highness!"

Kai abandoned Gareth and rushed forward, taking three steps at a time, amidst the rather bewildered looks of Cameron and the others, fearing that Arthur might also jump in.

The situation is unclear. What if His Highness goes there and doesn't come back?
What if His Highness went there and changed history?
What if the lion survives the crisis safely?
It might be a good thing to simply issue an extermination order and end it all.

The location of this rift is perfect for launching an Extinction Order. It's only about 80 kilometers above the ground, but as long as they tear open the void shield of the monastery below, they can pour the Cyclone Torpedoes directly inside.

"I see."

Arthur certainly wouldn't jump out directly. Ramses' research on the subspace allowed them to clearly perceive that their interference capabilities were different, so similar interference should be approached with caution to prevent irreversible consequences.

His gaze swept briefly over the battleship formation.

Although some people felt like they wanted to be shot because they received abnormal information, the vast majority of people remained calm. These new and old members, who had undergone detailed study of the legion's history and Ramses desensitization education, worked together to ensure the normal operation of the warship.

The fleet maintained a stable posture, focusing its efforts on suppressing Longlin Star, and did not take any unnecessary actions.

"According to the plan, the Majesty (Imperial-class battleship) approached the rift, collected data, and assessed the intensity of the orbital strike. The Boulder deployed its landing force, with members from ten thousand years ago and ten thousand years later paired up, using the original assembly point in Caliban as the unit, to ensure that the vehicle could continue to operate even if one side was lost."

“Each squad will be assigned three Pentagram Order members, with members for the two time slots divided at a ratio of one to two. Ramses will maintain real-time contact with you, making a regular call every minute. Begin testing now.”

"Collect vehicles that have already undergone paint modifications"

Arthur read out the command.

Time travel was an open secret within the legion. Even though many people were still traumatized by past experiences due to memory attacks, the contingency plans were still in place, and the members who had undergone psychological testing in advance were still there.

With him personally overseeing things, there's no chance of someone secretly smuggling a virus bomb to Caliban and sending the Lion to his doom.

slap~
A hand capable of easily crushing the creations of gods rested on Gareth's shoulder.

"Gareth, are you feeling better?"

A voice, audible only to him, rang out in the communication.

"Ready at all the time."

Gareth replied.

"Yes, relax—this is a decision made by the collective wisdom of us."

Arthur's words undoubtedly gave the Dark Angel considerable power.

Yes, they are the First Legion. Their plans are often the best. This series of plans were all formulated by them and decided by His Highness. After all, it was done through their hands. You can't not believe it yourself, can you?

Moreover, His Highness isn't worried about what to do if he collides with a lion from 30k earlier, so why are they in such a hurry?
As time passed, Arthur continued their pre-arranged tasks methodically, employing strategies familiar to the Dark Angels. These seemingly ordinary actions were imbued with genuine care.

Gareth realized that his shoulders were no longer tense, and the suffocating fear began to subside.

Although the responses were brief, the panic gradually subsided.

Occasionally, they would raise their heads slightly while answering, briefly meeting those eyes that were as clear as a lake.

—What if this is the true master of the First Legion?
When this idea popped into their heads, the members who had followed the lion were all startled.

Their purpose in coming here is to save the lion, not to kill it, much less to have His Highness replace it.

The Lion is legally the leader of the First Legion, and His Highness has never shown any desire to fight the Lion.

but
The ever-growing flames within the rift were projected into the hall, gilding the tabletops with gold. Arthur's calm and decisive decisions flowed through everyone's ears, and people occasionally added details to the operation. Under his leadership, everything became harmonious again.

His Highness rested one hand on the sword blade, his gaze calm and his demeanor composed. The concern in his eyes, the gentle smile that gave people an unparalleled sense of security, and the considerate manners without the slightest trace of pretense were all things they had never received from their former rulers.

At this moment, they were thinking about it in a somewhat vague way.

What is the Dark Angel truly seeking? Is it the Lion, or the safe and glorious life he enjoys now?
If this prince, who has brought miracles to their side, can give the dark angels care they have never received, then is it really that important to find the original lion?

A bold idea arose in everyone's minds.

—Wouldn't it be great if His Highness were the true leader of the First Legion?

Lord Cypher stroked the blade of his sword without uttering a word.

Ramses smiled quietly.

Once these people have reached a certain consensus, their choices are already made, and their worries have been unnecessary from the beginning.

Arthur glanced back at Ramses.

The golden-haired wizard immediately began studying Tuchucha, who had already compromised under violent coercion, and also sought to collect a debt from Romulus, so as to take over the maintenance of the spacetime rift at any time and prevent Nurgle from suddenly withdrawing and locking everyone in the past.

"Kay, Galad, Azrael, you will each lead three teams."

Arthur said to the commander, whose emotions were still relatively stable.

Kay was on the surface at the time, while Galadriel, as an Inner Ring Knight, was in space, and Azrael was an outsider.

“We need to prevent unexpected situations from occurring. Time travel could cause the originally organized team to break apart again. The team that enters will need someone to take command on the spot, and you are the most suitable people.”

"clear."

Kai replied immediately. "Now, please proceed to your respective posts."

Arthur looked away from the image and gazed at the people present.

"Please remember that I am with you."

"Yes, Your Highness!"
-
Spacetime Rift, Stormbird Swarm
Some of the Dark Angels' elite forces have already been assembled there.

The founding members of Dreadwing, Zabril, the Crown Squad led by Knight Lord Kay, the Inner Ring Knights led by Knight Regent Galadriel, and finally the new generation composed of Azrael and Belial.

This generation is the largest because, considering unforeseen circumstances, they must ensure the control of every vehicle.

There are approximately two thousand people.

Azrael didn't really want to participate in such a dangerous operation, but the mission was important and he didn't trust anyone else to do it.

Observing the gap in spacetime, Azrael had never seen such a wondrous structure, as if separated only by a transparent sheet of paper.

He watched the ouroboros disappear into the distance under the prince's pressure, and couldn't help but ask again.

Do we need to establish a connection with the lion?

Kay is the main person in charge of this operation, while Galad's task is more independent. He needs to control a certain number of Dark Angel fleets along with the other members who were responsible for defecting to Caliban back then.

Once the effects of time and space are confirmed, the dark angels on the other side are able to proceed with further actions, with large forces crossing over, and even His Highness personally landing.

In fact, there was an even simpler way to carry out this operation.

Once a connection can be established with the Lion, a consensus reached, and the conflict on Caliban resolved, Nurgle's plot will naturally fall apart.

"No, Azrael, don't even think about such things."

On the other end of the communication, Kai replied seriously.

At this moment, he firmly gripped the railing, and handed over all the key areas inside the cabin to the new recruits to guard, repeating the mission objectives once again.

"Secure communications, conduct tests, then report everything you've experienced to His Highness, and finally pray that you don't die too soon."

Azrael was about to ask something when he discovered that the knight who had been on the other end of the communication channel had suddenly disappeared.

In many areas, long-time veterans have been wiped away as if by an invisible eraser, leaving only empty spaces.

"Report: The elders have all disappeared."

The moment the Stormbirds passed through the rift, reports from each of the vehicles came pouring in.

Expected.

Azrael paused briefly, then, having roughly grasped what had happened, spoke immediately.

"Adjust the communication frequency, activate the third contingency plan, and the think tank should report immediately."

"Communication with Lord Ramses is smooth, and communication with the elders is smooth. They have been transferred to the area where they are currently located in time and space. The council's guess is correct."

A think tank immediately reported that the time travel had not interfered with their communication with Lord Ramses.

"Contact with the 'Park' is normal. The souls of the fallen have been collected. The contamination of the Nurgle is still in a state of dormancy."

"."

Azrael's face darkened; he had a sense of the intensity of the war with the Caliban.

"Let the follow-up troops enter the breach, then we'll proceed with the landing and begin regrouping our forces—"

boom!
A heavy plasma blast struck Azrael's vehicle.

The Stormbird's Void Shield overloaded instantly. The pilot, who had taken the first wave of plasma coverage with minimal cost, quickly performed an emergency maneuver, but his tail was soon hit by a barrage of heavy explosive rounds.

After decades of operation by Luther, Caliban itself became a super fortress as porcupine-like as a hedgehog.

Almost everyone had very limited understanding of the battle. Even after a collective review, everyone still felt that the war was illogical and inexplicable. According to Azrael's last known information, Luther chose to hold the fortress that once belonged to the Lion, which was hidden deep within, and most of the power of the Caliban Dark Angels was gathered there.

Clearly, the defense has been successful so far.

"Azrael! Answer me, Azrael!"

boom!
A bone-white fist smashed open the Stormbird's twisted iron gate. Azrael, who had hit his head in the impact, was carried out by Belial. The Deathwing Grandmaster threw his own High Grandmaster to the ground, then turned and dragged another companion out of the rift.

"Cough cough!"

Azrael flung off the deformed helmet, coughed up blood, and then pressed the comms button.

"This is Azrael, and I am still alive."

“I warned you, young man.”

Kai joked in the communication, then continued, "We have taken control of the air defense facilities north of Aldruk. The formation can land in that area and we can meet up there. The route has been sent, fifty kilometers, but be careful. Aldruk is Caliban's largest city, the Knights' fortress and central headquarters. Luther and the Lion are here."

Where is the lion?

"The paladins have been left behind. No one can keep up with the raging lion. Just as we can't find Luther, we can't pinpoint the lion's location."

"clear."

Azrael nodded, and Belial, having finished tallying the casualties, stood before him, extending his palm.

Snapped!
Azrael grabbed his companion's hand, stood up, and began to lead the troops forward.

This has been a difficult journey.

As the column moved eastward through a landscape of ruins, intense bombing began, and even from a distance, the earth trembled, thanks to the route map drawn by Kai.

The further you go, the worse the situation gets.

Large convoys were forced to pile up on the road, which was blocked by the sudden attack. Dark angels descended from the sky and attacked the Imperial Guard. The tense Imperial Guard, while fighting back, also found it difficult to distinguish between the Astartes and began to attack any giants in sight indiscriminately.

This further escalated the conflict between the two sides, and the already resentful exiles took up arms to fight back indiscriminately.

The First Legion, wielding weapons capable of annihilating a world, slaughtered each other, roaring as they took each other's lives for the Empire, for the Lion, or for whatever else could symbolize human ideals.

The spaceport itself was on fire, and the southern horizon, illuminated by the raging flames, was in a state of erratic motion, like a heartbeat. Tragic screams echoed through the ruins, and the acidic water that had gathered in the bomb craters rippled outwards.

The 50-kilometer journey was like a scene from hell.

Corpses piled up like mountains, and civilians fled in panic.

The think tanks along the way, under Ramses's guidance, carefully guided the souls to prevent them from being taken over by the forces of chaos after falling into the warp.

"damn it."

Azrael swallowed hard; the sight of loyalists mercilessly killing each other seemed utterly absurd to him.

What exactly caused this situation?
However, with their force of just over a hundred men, it was difficult to accomplish much. After glancing at the silent think tank, Azrael also chose to bury himself in his journey.

They were lucky; they didn't run into any terrifying beings or encounter fierce resistance. At a pass, they had to bypass a group of First Dreadwing Destroyers who were heading west through the ruins. The members who had infiltrated the group noticed Azrael, cleverly led the force into the encirclement, and, under attack from both inside and outside, rendered the force incapable of fighting.

The two sides have merged.

But the worst possible encounters were with auxiliary forces or civilian militias, whom they would almost always flee upon seeing. Azrael led his team as quickly as possible onto the elevated road in the central part of the city, finally crossing the area where the fighting was most intense.

As Azrael crossed the overpass with the help of the knights sent by Kael, he had the good fortune to catch a glimpse of the lion.

The dark angels from ten thousand years in the future emerged from the smoke of battle, and what they had been looking forward to for so many years was to see the lion for the first time, as he carved a bloody path through the recruits who had never seen him before.

These knights first truly donned the armor and weapons of the First Legion when facing their own genetic father and his executioner, and one by one, they lay dead as the Lions searched for Luther.

Azrael met those eyes.

That was pure, unbridled resentment and anger.

At that moment, all he could think about was killing everything in front of him.

At this moment, Azrael understood, better than anyone else—

What is a lion?

This is a wild beast.

Once a beast has made up its mind, there is no turning back.

　P.S.: The Lion King's behavior is not something I made up; it's Zabril's own account in Children of the Forest. Ten thousand years ago, he first saw the Lion King in Caliban when the Lion King was chopping down a clueless recruit.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)