Warhammer 40K in a box

Chapter 724 The Stronger Holy Blood Angel
The waves of the subspace were forcibly torn apart, and the light of reality pierced through their eyes once more.

As the massive, asteroid-like silhouette of the "Stone" fortress slowly emerged from the jump fault and entered the void of the Baal system, accompanied by the "Unyielding Truth" and the main fleet of the First Legion, even the Holy Blood Angels, who had already learned of the impending arrival of reinforcements from the interstellar messages, could not help but be awestruck by the magnificence of this force.

Inside the galaxy, the atmosphere of war was so thick it was almost tangible.

In the void, Imperial Navy patrol ships shuttled back and forth, vigilantly monitoring every possible direction of invasion.

On Baal and its moons, numerous newly constructed orbital defense platforms and monitoring arrays are visible to the naked eye, resembling steel thorns encircling the planet.

On the planet's surface, the once barren deserts and rocky landscapes are now covered by vast defensive fortifications. Anti-orbital turrets stand in rows, energy shield generators emit a low hum, and countless mortal auxiliary troops and mechanical guilds are busy on their designated positions like worker ants.

However, what caught the attention of the newly arrived Dark Angels even more were the figures gathered around the Baal Orbital Port and the monastery, the main surface fortress.

The crimson power armor formed an endless array, far exceeding the size of an ordinary battle group's assembly.

More importantly, the aura emanating from these Holy Blood Angel warriors was not the restlessness and despair of those tormented by "blood thirst" and "black rage" as legend had it. Instead, it carried a calm and firm fighting spirit, strict discipline, and orderly conduct.

Lion King Leon stood on the bridge of the "Indomitable Truth," his sharp gaze sweeping over the tactical star map and the real-time images transmitted from the remote sensors.

He immediately noticed something unusual.

"The sons of Saint Gilles... are in much better condition than expected," he commented in a low voice, with a hint of barely perceptible approval in his tone. "It's remarkable that such a large-scale gathering can maintain such high morale."

Leona, who was standing to the side, nodded slightly, her perception even more acute: "The underlying nature of their souls is still fiery, but that... corrosive, mad whisper seems to have been effectively suppressed by some force."

Judge Chen Xi stepped forward at the opportune moment and explained, "Your Majesty, this is thanks to the close cooperation that Commander Dante has established with the Rostov sub-sector under my jurisdiction over a long period of time."

A special consecrated wine from the secondary star region, named 'Loyalty,' has been proven effective in awakening warriors trapped in 'Dark Fury' and significantly alleviating the torment of 'Blood Thirst.'

He further explained its impact: "This is why the Blood Angels were able to assemble a force in Baal that far exceeded any other period in history."

Many members of the 'Death Company' who were originally isolated or even treated as disposable due to the genetic curse were able to regain their sanity and return to the front lines as a complete fighting force.

Commander Dante doesn't need to sacrifice his precious offspring in despair; he can use every ounce of his strength wisely.

Just then, the sensor officer reported: "Strong energy signal detected... originating from the direction of the Baal surface fortress monastery. Identified as... a psychic resonance from a large number of Terminator armors activating simultaneously!"

The main screen quickly switched to zoom in on the iconic, winged fortress monastery of Baal, the main planet.

In the huge square in front of the monastery and on the surrounding grounds, heavy figures, like mobile fortresses, were prominently displayed.

The deep red paint, the ancient and majestic plate armor structure, and the emblem of the Holy Blood Angel on the shoulder armor gleaming under the starlight of Baal.

“Saturn-type Terminator Armor…” Lion King Leon’s gaze sharpened slightly as he recognized this ancient model, which was also considered elite equipment during the Great Expedition: “Number…not small.”

Chen Xi added, "The Rostov sub-sector has successfully restored the production line for the Saturn-type Terminator armor in recent years. The Blood Angels are one of its main clients, and through purchasing new armor and providing us with ancient wreckage for repairs, Commander Dante has greatly enhanced the Legion's Terminator capabilities over the past few years."

As far as I knew before I left, he had managed to assemble about two hundred sets of Saturn-type Terminator armor ready for combat by refurbishing relics and purchasing new equipment.

This number even moved some of the most experienced Dark Angels officers on the bridge.

Two hundred complete sets of ancient Terminator armor, ready for actual combat, represent a terrifying force capable of turning the tide of local battles in this era of technological decline.

When the Lion King's flagship docked at the designated core orbital port, he, along with Leona, Chen Xi, and the main legion commanders, disembarked from the gangway. Dante, the commander of the Holy Blood Angels Chapter, was already there with his honor guard to greet them.

Dante, the legendary Chapter Master with the golden mask, possessed an aura of authority that, even before the Primarch, was no less formidable, forged through millennia of trials and tribulations.

He stepped forward, placed his hand on his chest in a gesture of respect, and spoke through his mask with deep reverence and a hint of relief: "Your Majesty, your arrival has brought a ray of hope to Baal. The Holy Blood Angels, and indeed the entire Baal star system, thank you for your assistance."

His gaze swept over the silent yet powerful Dark Angels behind the Lion King, lingering for a moment on Leona, a flicker of understanding and amazement in his eyes before returning to calm.

Lion King Leon nodded slightly: "Commander Dante, the Blood Angels showed priceless friendship in Kamas. Now that Balmon is in trouble, the First Legion has no choice but to step up."

His gaze passed over Dante and fell upon the formidable and well-equipped army of the Holy Blood Angels behind him. "Moreover, I see that you have forged yourselves a solid shield and a sharp blade."

Dante followed the Lion King's gaze, his tone tinged with pride yet also heavy with emotion: "Thanks to Inquisitor Chen Xi and his Rostov sub-sector, we have been able to contain the curse in our genes to some extent and rebuild our armaments."

Currently, I have gathered over forty thousand descendants of Saint Gilles here.

He paused, then pointed to the Terminator formations in the distance, which resembled a steel forest: "Furthermore, as you can see, we have assembled a core assault force of one thousand Terminator warriors, two hundred of whom are equipped with the Saturn-shaped armor you see."

This may be the moment we have been best prepared for in our entire lives.

Forty thousand Astartes, one thousand Terminators.

Even in the era of the Great Expedition, this number represents a legion-level force that should not be underestimated.

As Lion King Leon looked at everything before him, he had a new assessment of the impending war.

The Blood Angels are not trapped beasts waiting for rescue in despair; they are a powerful legion that has been effectively strengthened, is in high spirits, is well-equipped, and is determined to fight the invaders to the death.

“Very good.” The Lion King’s voice carried a hint of approval. “Then let us join hands and unleash this power upon those aliens that are trying to devour human territory. Tell me, Dante, where is the swarm now?”

The two commanders, one a returning Primarch and the other a legendary Chapter Commander who had protected their homeland for millennia, walked side by side toward the Strategy Room, their figures blending into the war-torn sky above Balna.

A final defensive battle, concerning the survival of the Holy Blood Angels and the fate of the southeastern border of the Human Empire, is about to unfold in a brutal prelude before this reinforced fortress.

(End of this chapter)