This is our Warhammer journey

Chapter 504 Reorganizing and Regaining Confidence—We're Setting Off

Hades's Hive, Reserve Legion Garrison Area

The moment Arek made his decision, as the command vehicle that had been traversing the battlefield moved along the transport belt and finally arrived before the Gates of Hades, which had been sealed for who knows how long, under the gaze of countless people, the fire that had already begun to burn could no longer be extinguished.

Facing the majestic, mountain-like steel gates of Hades's hive, the fully armed Armageddon Steel Legion, led by the 13th Regiment, was at the forefront, its massive ranks filling the more than ten-kilometer-wide avenue and stretching out behind them.

The flames from the machinery undergoing maintenance flashed intermittently, and from a distance, it looked like a dark, calm lake.

The population above Amegadoton is so large that it has the capacity to build a large number of Astral Legions, and the extremely high level of industrialization on Amegadoton also results in a much higher proportion of mechanized infantry in the Steel Legion, which is why it is called the Steel Legion.

Even after the military reforms initiated by the Dawn Wings.

Beside them, almost every three-person squad was equipped with an armored combat unit, mainly the Leman Rustank produced in Armageddon, which included a large number of Poison Blades and Shadow Blades that had been deployed on a large scale within the Legion since the Mechanicus took over thirty years ago.

All the soldiers of the Steel Legion wore heavy Void Armor, with brown trench coats and rubber gloves for easy operation of equipment on the outside. Most notably, each soldier carried several small ventilation devices that could filter out the most severe toxins in the air. Among them, the breathing apparatus of senior officers was usually shaped into a ferocious, roaring skull.

Behind them, Oberon-class general cannons, siege engines, and Titan legions, salvaged from various industrial systems and war zones in the early stages of the battle, were undergoing final inspections. Space elevators piercing the clouds were also continuously transporting everything rescued from the battlefield.

Officer corps, war supplies, and large quantities of heavy vehicles.
And most importantly.

Large numbers of scattered legions from other planets.

First, the officer corps was integrated, and then, in accordance with the requirements of the Central Command, the defeated troops were reorganized, quickly transforming these people into a usable fighting force, and gradually moving towards the steel legion that had been waiting for who knows how long.

The sages of the Mechanic Order traversed the boundless plaza, meticulously inspecting each machine and soothing its spirit.

The influence of an unknown weather weapon provided by the Mechanicus has created thick rain clouds that make the area difficult to observe, and the ball lightning that traverses them has formed a natural blackout zone that isolates all signals.

The supplies produced in the factories of the hive city flowed continuously along the conveyor belt into the hands of every legion that was already prepared or was resting, allowing them to digest these resources and gradually transform them into energy ready to be unleashed.

Special forces such as the garrison troops, the court guards, the soulless troops, the psychic squads, and the assassins of the Assassin's Court moved through the building, inspecting hidden corners and constantly demanding of everyone the bottom lines they needed to uphold.

All actions must be subject to strict supervision, and all personnel's words and actions must be regulated. Any attempt to export information or materials is not permitted.

Only entry is allowed; exit is not permitted.

This place is like a black hole, greedily devouring everything that can help it grow, until the moment it completely explodes.

Facing the dark sky and the occasional flashes of lightning, Arek looked at the long army stretching ahead.

Two thousand Astartes, two hundred and forty thousand main force Armageddon Iron Legion, one Titan Legion, five million auxiliary troops, more than twenty strategic units including the Great General Cannon, five million auxiliary troops, and supplies to fully arm them.

This is Amigidoton's last strength.

Now, Arek was about to ignite it completely, hurling it into the unknown green tide, to see if their burning fury would consume their enemies, or if the surging green tide would drown this last hope.

The fate of the entire planet rests on their shoulders.

He took a deep breath.

At this moment, the arrow is already nocked.

But Arek didn't seem too anxious. In the past, his negative speculations about the battle situation, his doubts about his own decisions, and his anxiety about the possibility of defeat—emotions that had been dragging his heart down over time—now seemed to be supported by a pair of strong hands.

He remembered something, and for no apparent reason, he extracted the original words from his mind again. However, what attracted him was not the person who said those words, but the content of those words, which gave him a feeling he had never experienced before.

It was a very unique feeling, like warm sunshine in the midst of a biting cold wind, calming turbulent emotions and allowing a person to devote all their energy to doing things they had never done before, instead of being torn by the potential painful consequences.

This is a blessing bestowed upon them by the Wings of Dawn, unique to them.

Just go for it.

clang!
On the roof of the imperial command vehicle, a majestic imperial statue emitted a magnificent chime.

This is a signal to assemble.

When Arek came to his senses, he found that the Imperial command vehicle had already stopped, and Ragnar was standing beside him, looking at him with a serious expression like a giant wolf poised to pounce.

"Are you ready to take over command of the attack, Political Commissar?"

Ragnar looked up and asked.

"Give to the gifts that the adults have given you."

"of course."

Arek straightened his stand-up collar uniform, and an adjutant immediately used deodorizing water to dispel the strong smell of green fur on him.

At his signal, the wolves reluctantly accepted the officers' instructions to tidy their appearance.

Then, as another bugle call sounded from the outside, he led his troops out along the command corridor to meet the officers in charge of the area and the honor guard composed of representatives from various units.

It wasn't until he stepped out of the command vehicle that Arek realized just how fierce the gale that made the battle flags flutter was.

He straightened his military cap with one hand and walked towards the ranks against the gale under the dim sky.

When they saw that the commander who was about to lead them was a mortal, some of the representatives instinctively showed disappointment, until they saw the giants who symbolized hope.

In this era that now belongs to the Primarchs, nothing is more exhilarating than seeing Astartes.

A portion of the honor guard caught Arek's eye.

He glanced at the ceremonial guard in their colorful uniforms, which were blocked behind by the Iron Legion, but were the largest in number. They were trying to make themselves look presentable in front of the political commissar, and they unfurled a large banner made of colorful regimental flags sewn together.

"These people have been waiting for a long time."

Arek said to the Dalian company commander beside him:
"Let me greet them first."

"random."

Ragnar shrugged.

After exchanging a few words with the officers, Arek walked past the upright honor guard, shook hands with each soldier in turn, and chatted for a few minutes.

"Your dedication will be remembered."

As he approached the bustling honor guard, he addressed them.

Ken Zorn.

A soldier saluted and then said:

"The 18th Regiment of the Planetary Guardians of Kelseyridge".

Tu Shan tilted his head in confusion.

"Habit becomes second nature, brother."

Ragnar said, "Because their troops were torn apart during the initial attack, and even after reorganization, they are a group of war veterans who need that strength now, and there is no need to correct them."

These people are all young; they are newcomers who have grown up in the past three decades.

For thirty years, they grew up in a relatively peaceful environment, listening to the great legends of the Primarch.

With the rapid progress of life, more and more time for learning, and ever-growing knowledge, they yearn for that mythical great victory, gradually leaving the dark past behind and longing to become a part of that great legend themselves.

Reality has taught them a harsh lesson.

Faced with threats, they remain vulnerable and seem utterly helpless.

Strangely, the initial rout did not seem to break these soldiers. While eating in their tents, they reflected on their actions with the political commissar, shared their experiences, learned lessons, and regrouped, planning to try again.

The battle was chaotic, and the aliens had taken over half of the sector's hub. Everyone was holding their breath.

Arek felt the same way. "I don't think it needs to be corrected, Ragnar."

Upon hearing this, Tu Shan was surprised at where these seemingly savage wolf cubs had gotten this information from, but he still responded with a serious expression.

Ragnar, who had just wanted to show his aggressive side, felt like he had punched a cotton ball. He shrugged, stopped talking, and looked at Arek.

Arek had now reached a flag bearer.

"Alexander Pokryshkin".

This soldier, who appeared to belong to the Air Force, stood tall and was dressed smartly, raising his neck.

"The 33rd Air Mobility Corps of the Armageddon Steel Legion".

“I am Sebastian Arrek, Supreme Commander of Armageddon, Alexander Pokryshkin.”

Arrek stroked the large flag that had been sewn together, then used the back of his hand to unfurl it along the hurricane.

He looked at the badges pieced together on the flags, and nothing inspired him more than these soldiers who, despite their defeats, were able to rise again.

"What a fine flag!"

he sighed.

“We’ll carry Him, and He will watch over us, sir.”

The sergeant stared straight ahead, and through the eyepiece whose polarization system was not yet activated, Arek could see only the flames of war spreading from the horizon.

"That's how it should be, soldier."

Arek looked at the heavy flagpole. Thirteen meters behind him, several servo skulls recorded his movements from various angles, showing the entire army what kind of person their commander was.

He held out his palm and said:

"Could you spare a hand for me?"

"It's a bit heavy, sir."

Arek reached out and grabbed the middle of the flagpole with his left hand, bracing against the cable that was trembling in the hurricane, providing enough support for Pokryshkin to free his right hand for a handshake.

“We will shoulder Him together, don’t you say, Pokryshkin?”

The two people, who were the same age, clasped hands together.

"As you command, sir!"

Arek held the military flag in one hand and waved his flaming pistol in the other, facing the raging wind as he gestured to the long legion below.

The legionary warriors also raised their hands and began to roar towards the high banner, their shouts momentarily drowning out the sound of the hurricane.
-
"Will he lead us now?"

"Inside a Valkyrie airborne assault transport plane, paratrooper Caroline Gutierrez asked."

The command group had left the reviewing stand, the legion was making its final assembly, the honor guard had also withdrawn, and Alexander Pokryshkin was rolling up the flag.

These flags were not just one; the joint forces needed them to plant these flags, which served multiple purposes including reconnaissance, information transmission, and location, behind the lines to facilitate the assault of the main force.

"of course."

Beside her, a young man from another airborne regiment said:
“I like him. He asked me if I was from Invernus. I said no, I’m a native of Hades. But I know Invernus. I told him that I served in Invernus with my instructors when I was in school and that I know Invernus very well. He recognized me right away. I wanted to ask him where he lost his eye, but I was a little hesitant.”

"He is the supreme commander of the planet."

Another person said that, to be honest, Arek's ability to recognize even soldiers he had just met was truly amazing, giving them a great sense of security.

"The highest-ranking one, this is the top commander. He knows where we come from and what we are good at. Now he will lead our attack."

"He was just a mortal."

Caroline said, adjusting her equipment.

The 'Dawn-type' incendiary rifle produced in the Dawn Starfield, the heavy explosive machine gun produced in Armageddon, and the powered combat knife produced in Armageddon.

Modified from the nun-type power armor, the 'Master Chief' type power armor, which is equipped by the elite units of the Astronautical Army, allows them to arm these devices without sacrificing mobility.

And the compression fortress in the middle of the Valkyrie's cabin, which has already separated the line of sight between the paratroopers on both sides.

They are the most elite airborne assault force, responsible for rapidly penetrating key positions behind enemy lines through airborne raids. Without a Greenskin leader, just thirteen of them can withstand an offensive by a hundred times the number of Greenskins.

However, it is clear that the fact that she is now standing with the remnants of her army alongside paratroopers from other legions suggests that her memories before arriving here were not pleasant.

Caroline whispered as she tucked the gravity parachute into the pack on her back, still feeling uneasy.

“A mortal, so young, just like us. We need the great Astartes to lead us, Lord Ragnar, and Lord Tushan. I thought more Astartes would come here. That's what we need, Space Marines, even Primarchs, not a mortal.”

“If he wasn’t good enough, he wouldn’t be leading us.”

Alexander Pokryshkin said.

“I spoke with him, we held the flag together and made a final mobilization for the battlefield. I felt a kind of strength from him.”

As the pilot of the Valkyrie, he had already taken care of everything. He turned his head from the front of the cockpit and spoke to his comrades who were arguing behind him.

"We should let him do it, trust him one more time, and trust us one more time."

Everyone fell into silence.

"Ah."

Caroline silently fastened the parachute.

A rumbling tremor came from the fuselage.

That means the gates of the underworld have opened.

"Our comrades."

Alexander shouted, pulling down the lever. The powerful thrust pushed aside the hurricane, propelling the behemoth steadily upward.

He tugged hard on the safety rope to signal to his comrades.

"Now, let's grab the other end, okay?"

Looking ahead from the sky, everything becomes much clearer.

Along the Chiron River, which was almost entirely filled with blood and corpses, Alexander could overlook the entire battlefield.

He could see the soldiers who had been fighting on the battlefield for who knows how long, wave after wave of green-skinned soldiers charging the front line, seemingly without end, and the huge silhouettes hidden behind the forest and mist, which were terrifying to behold.

He could almost see the attackers' composure, their arrogant control of the battlefield as if it were nourishment for their growth.

However, they are not to be outdone.

At this moment, behind the line of blood and fire, they stood in perfect military formation, full of spirit.

The gates of Hades opened, and a torrent of steel surged forth.

Two thousand four hundred firing positions began to fire in the direction of their attack, turning the sky into a golden-red hue.

“Let’s take them to hell.”

(End of this chapter)