Warhammer 40K in a box

Chapter 640 The Price of Victory

Throughout the process, the warriors of the Steel Hand silently and efficiently carried out their orders. Their cold, hard armor was covered in dirt and bloodstains, yet their movements were as precise as machines, without the slightest hesitation or delay, perfectly embodying the iron discipline that the Tenth Legion was so proud of.

The low hum of the power armor's servo system and the sound of footsteps were exceptionally clear in the silent square.

Just then, Chen Xi slowly emerged from behind the ruins of an observation post that had been partially destroyed by artillery fire, stepping over the still-smoking metal fragments and rubble, and entered the center of the square.

The smoke from the gunpowder gently ruffled the hem of his judge's robe, but he seemed oblivious to it.

His gaze, like two high-powered probes, swept calmly and swiftly across the devastated battlefield: first focusing on the female version of Fugen, who was firmly bound by a specially designed restraint device and was still trembling in pain, assessing the extremely unstable and dangerous energy within her body, intertwined with chaotic and orderly light; then his gaze swept over the pile of stasis field generator wreckage that had been completely burned and was still emitting a pungent, burnt smell, and he quickly calculated the long-term impact of this irreplaceable technological loss; finally, his gaze fell on the slightly tired but still as upright as an ancient fortress Digglis, accurately judging the remaining state of this Ultramarines' great think tank.

“Digris Think Tank,” Chen Xi spoke first, his voice steady and penetrating, carrying the unquestionable authority unique to Imperial Inquisitors, while also unusually mixed with a clear and sincere gratitude, “Thank you for your timely support and for the fearless determination you have shown, comparable to that of the Primarchs.”

The Medusa System, the Tenth Legion, and indeed the entire Imperium will forever remember the helping hand extended by Commander Calgar and the Ultramarines in this time of crisis.

"I am merely following the Emperor's decree and fulfilling my duty as the guardian of the five hundred worlds of Alteramar, Your Excellency the Inquisitor." Digris responded calmly. Although the immense depletion of his psionic energy and physical strength made his imposing body appear slightly sluggish, his posture remained as steadfast and unyielding as an agate relief, and his voice carried an undeniable, calm power: "The existence of the demon prince Fugen has been completely purified. This is an undeniably great victory, and its brilliance will surely illuminate the Empire's future dark journey."

He changed the subject, his sharp gaze sweeping over the still-smoking ruins and the flashes of light from the sporadic fighting, his tone becoming increasingly solemn: "But the shadow of chaos will not completely dissipate because of this setback."

On the contrary, the evil god and his minions, grieving the loss of their favorite, are likely to be enraged and plot an even more insane and vicious counterattack.

We must act quickly, clear the battlefield immediately, fortify our defenses, and fully restore and strengthen Medusa's defensive order.

“Completely agree.” Chen Xi nodded solemnly, then turned his gaze to Felus and Hathor beside him, his tone shifting from gratitude to a calm and pragmatic strategic analysis, “Our main strategic objective has been achieved. Fugen has been completely annihilated, and its invasion fleet has lost its core and commander, inevitably falling into a state of extreme chaos without a leader.”

This is the perfect opportunity for us to press our advantage, expand our gains, and completely wipe them out, eliminating any future threats.

He shifted his tone slightly, raised his arm, and pointed precisely at the pile of sophisticated mechanical wreckage that still emitted a pungent odor. His voice carried a hint of sorrow: "But the price we paid for this victory was equally devastating."

The Stasis Field Generator, a masterpiece created by the Great Sage Caul, embodying ancient technology and boundless wisdom, has been completely destroyed. Its technological complexity far surpasses that of most current Imperial technological creations, meaning that we will be unable to replicate a second such device in the foreseeable future.

He paused, his gaze sweeping heavily over the scattered remains and silent bodies of the Iron Hand and Ash Knight warriors, as well as the many soldiers struggling to tend to their horrific wounds with the help of their comrades. That silent stare was more persuasive than any words.

"As for casualties..." He didn't finish his sentence, but that deliberate, weighty silence spoke volumes. For this meticulously planned gamble of luring the enemy deep into their territory and the final decapitation strike, the Iron Hand Legion and its loyal allies paid an immeasurable price in lives.

“However, what we have gained is equally enormous and unprecedented,” Felus interjected, her voice regaining its firm and cold tone, instantly dispelling the heavy atmosphere that had permeated the air moments before.

"Today we have proven with iron and blood that even a Primarch blessed by an evil god is not truly immortal."

We have found a way and a possibility to truly end it.

This knowledge, gained at great sacrifice, this flame of hope ignited in the darkness, is of immeasurable value.

It will provide the Empire with a completely new strategic direction and invaluable empirical evidence for its future confrontation with the deepest darkness of the warp.

Her gaze, sharp as a scanning beam, turned to the female version of Fugen, who was bound by multiple force fields and still struggling and groaning unconsciously. Her eyes were filled with caution and cold calculation.

"Moreover... we have obtained what may be the most unique 'sample' in human history, or rather, a double-edged sword with immense potential power yet extremely dangerous."

Despite the high risks involved, enough to deter any rational person, its value... may also be beyond imagination.

The joy of success is fleeting, like a flash of lightning; what follows is a sober awareness of the terrible costs and an urgent sense of impending, more complex challenges.

The climax of the battle may have passed, but a new battle, perhaps more intricate and more challenging in terms of will and wisdom, has just begun.

With the complete annihilation of Fugen and the retreat of Sharasi the Demon, the Emperor's Sons forces in the Forge Square and the surrounding vast war zone finally descended into utter, unbridled, and chaotic madness.

These fallen warriors, who had been maintaining their frenzied offensive waves with the direct support of the Primarch's will and the power of the Dark God, are now like a multi-headed serpent that has been decapitated in an instant, losing their only command core and source of power.

In the extreme emotions of despair and the collapse of their faith, a group of the most fanatical and blind believers launched a suicidal final charge devoid of any rationality, hysterically howling for revenge for their fallen "Perfect Lord." However, these scattered counterattacks were quickly and thoroughly crushed by the swiftly reacting Iron Hand defenses, the coordinated Ash Knight squad, and the continuous purification domains of the Nearl family psionic knights, turning them into insignificant bloody episodes.

(End of this chapter)