Warhammer 40K in a box

Chapter 699 Crimson Crescent Moon
Lion King Leon Aljonsen, Judge Chen Xi, and Leona, cloaked, walked through the last row of trees at the edge of the forest and stopped in front of an open area.

Not far away, a majestic fortress stood under the sunlight of the planet Kamas, its walls, constructed of dark rock and reinforced metal, gleaming with a cold, hard luster under the starlight.

Its architecture exhibits typical Astartes monastery features—towering spires, thick defensive walls, and staggered weapon platforms, giving it an overall air of strict and inviolable military discipline.

Although no obvious chapter insignia were visible on the outer walls, the architectural style and defensive structure were sufficient to determine that this place was guarded by a Space Marine chapter.

Chen Xi took the first step forward, his gaze calmly sweeping over the defensive layout and terrain around the fortress.

Leona stood quietly beside him, her hood still concealing her face, with only the occasional glimpse of her emerald eyes in the shadows hinting at the mysterious connection between her and the Primarch.

The Lion King silently gazed at the outline of the fortress, the power sword "Loyalty" hanging at his waist swaying slightly with the slightest movement of his body.

Although he had just escaped the illusion of the Caliban Forest, where reality and illusion were indistinguishable, his instincts as a war lord had quickly awakened, and he was assessing the defensive system and tactical value of this unfamiliar stronghold with a professional eye.

They did not make any attempt to conceal their presence; almost as soon as they stepped out of the forest, the outposts outside the fortress detected their presence.

Before long, a squad of Astartes warriors clad in crimson power armor rapidly approached from the direction of the fortress.

Their movements were perfectly synchronized, maintaining a standard tactical formation. Although they did not raise their explosive pistols, the muzzles were slightly lowered, indicating they were ready to engage in combat at any moment.

The leader was a sergeant, whose insignia on his shoulder armor indicated that he belonged to a patrol squad of the Crimson Crescent Regiment.

"In the name of Saint Gilles and the Emperor, halt, stranger." The sergeant's voice came through the helmet amplifier, carrying an unquestionable tone of command.

His goggles swept over the three men, lingering for a moment on the Lion King's unusually tall frame and Chen Xi's judge's black robes, before finally settling on the short figure with a hood covering his face: "State your identities and purpose. This is the territory under the jurisdiction of the Crimson Crescent Chapter. You are not allowed to approach without permission."

Chen Xi stepped forward and took out her Court Rose Knot from her bosom.

He showed the rose knot to the sergeant, his voice clear and steady: "I am Judge Chen Xi. These two are my companions. We were unexpectedly derailed from our planned route and ended up here. We need to communicate with your battle group commander."

"Judge Chen Xi?" The sergeant's tone changed slightly, clearly indicating that he had heard of the name.

He gestured for the soldiers behind him to remain vigilant, then stepped forward to examine Chen Xi's rose knot more closely.

After a brief scan and psionic verification, he nodded, but his vigilance was not completely gone.

"Your Excellency, your name is not unfamiliar within the Blood Angels lineage. But rules are rules, and any outsider entering Crescent Castle must undergo rigorous screening. Especially..." His gaze swept again towards the Lion King and Leona, "...the identities of your entourage are unknown."

“I understand your procedures.” Chen Xi withdrew the seal, his tone still calm. “Please take us to see the person who can make the decision. I guarantee with my authority as an inquisitor that we have no ill intentions on this trip and may bring information that is crucial to your chapter, and even to the entire Blood Angels lineage.”

The sergeant remained silent for a moment, seemingly exchanging information with the fortress's higher command via internal communications.

A moment later, he turned to the side and gestured "please," but four Crimson Crescent warriors immediately stepped forward, positioned on either side and behind Chen Xi and his companions, forming an invisible encirclement: "Please follow me, Your Honor. The Warband Commander will meet you in the reception hall. However, your entourage must undergo quarantine checks together; this is standard procedure."

Chen Xi nodded slightly, offering no objection. Lion King Leon remained silent throughout, simply following quietly, his sharp eyes constantly observing the defensive arrangements, the warriors' postures, and the structural details of the fortresses along the way.

Leona, like a silent shadow, followed closely beside Chen Xi.

They followed the Crimson Crescent squad through the outer fortifications of the fortress and into the interior of Crescent Castle.

The passageway was wide and solemn, with murals depicting the deeds of Saint Gilles and the battle flag of the Holy Blood Angel hanging on the walls. The air was filled with the smells of incense, engine oil, and purified metal.

The Crimson Crescent warriors they encountered along the way all cast scrutinizing glances at the squad, but did not stop them.

The reception hall, located in the upper part of the fortress, is a solemn yet simple hall.

When Chen Xi and his two companions entered, several people were already waiting in the hall.

The leader was a battle captain dressed in high-tech power armor, whose battle insignia of a crescent moon on his shoulder armor was particularly eye-catching. Standing beside him were the battle captain of the think tank and a company commander.

Eight fully armed honor guards stood solemnly on both sides of the hall.

“Judge Chen Xi,” the warband leader’s voice was loud and steady, carrying the unique authority of an Astartes monk, “I am Cassius, warband leader of the Crimson Crescent. Your identity seal has been verified, but you must understand that under the current grim circumstances, we must remain highly vigilant against any unexpected visitors.”

His gaze swept over the two people behind Chen Xi as if it were a physical object, finally settling on the Lion King's tall figure: "Especially these two beside you... they are definitely not ordinary humans. I need a reasonable explanation."

“Chapter Commander Cassius,” Chen Xi replied calmly, turning slightly to indicate, “this is Leona, my important assistant. And this one…”

He paused briefly, exchanged a fleeting glance with the Lion King, and after receiving an almost imperceptible nod of agreement, continued:

"It is Lord Leon El-Jonson, the Primarch of the Dark Angels Legion, and the Lord of the First Legion."

The moment the words were spoken, the entire hall fell into a heavy, deathly silence.

Chapter Commander Cassius's pupils contracted sharply, and his fingers gripping the scepter tightened involuntarily.

The think tank director beside him subconsciously took half a step forward, his brows furrowed, and the faint glimmer of psychic energy in his eyes flashing intensely, as if instinctively probing the veracity of the claim before him.

The honor guard soldiers standing on both sides maintained a standard military posture, but the knuckles of their fingers gripping their weapons were slightly white from excessive force, and the power armor servo systems emitted an almost inaudible hum—an unconscious reaction of the body under extreme shock.

Genetic origin.

This word carries an unshakeable weight in the soul of every Astartes warrior.

It represents the Emperor's creation, a legend of the Legion era, something that should only exist in holy scriptures and oral histories of warbands. Yet now it is presented to them so directly.

(End of this chapter)