Warhammer begins in 2026

The two legions do not interfere with each other, yet they are constantly aligned, and an invisible war smoke permeates the entire planetary defense zone.

Seeing the rapid progress of the Seventh Army Corps, the Fourth Army Corps did not rush into things and lose its composure. Instead, it further refined the standards and improved the precision of the engineering, maximizing the pressure resistance threshold, shield fit, and warning coverage of every defensive fortification, using the ultimate quality to counter the speed advantage of the enemy.

Not to be outdone, the Seventh Army Corps quickly identified and addressed any shortcomings in its fortifications, while also increasing the frequency of patrols and improving its emergency response mechanism, employing a comprehensive approach to counter the enemy's cautious approach.

The ground fortifications rose higher and higher, becoming increasingly robust, the underground protection system became more and more stringent, and the airspace surveillance network provided comprehensive coverage. The once barren planetary surface was soon covered with well-organized military-style defense facilities, and all kinds of monitoring, protection, and emergency systems were operating at full capacity. The planet's defense level rose higher and higher in the competition between the two legions.

The soldiers of both legions were all fired up, giving their all without a moment's slackening. Everyone knew that this competition was not just a simple garrison assessment, but a battle for status and glory within the entire Great Expeditionary Force. Whoever could claim this unique collective eagle and star emblem would secure their place as a top-tier main force legion, forever etching their legion's glory into their hearts.

Under the starry sky, on one side is the meticulous and rigorous approach, and on the other is the swift and efficient one. The two elite legions are fighting with all their might, making the defensive barrier of the Pharos beacon planet even more impregnable.

On the flagship bridge in the planet's orbit, the two Legion Primarchs each took their positions, silently watching the battle below from across the vast expanse of space, each with their own plans.

The Primarch of the Fourth Legion stood tall and composed before the observation platform, his gaze fixed on every fortification being constructed, every potential hazard being identified, and every reinforcement of the defensive lines. He knew his legion's characteristics well: steady, patient, and meticulous, never rushing or acting rashly, relying on extreme rigor to establish itself in the Great Expedition. In his view, this Star-Spangled Eagle Badge was not about construction speed, but about absolutely reliable strategic defense capabilities. The Pharos Beacon was the core foundation for future galactic stability, allowing no room for perfunctory work or oversights. The Seventh Legion, seemingly progressing rapidly and with impressive results, was ultimately too hasty; hastily completed fortifications inevitably harbored shortcomings in details. True enduring defense is a solid foundation forged through countless trials, absolute safety with zero hidden dangers. He remained calm and patient, allowing his troops to advance steadily, firmly believing that the ultimate quality and tolerance for error were the core standards Huang Feng truly valued. This collective star badge was well-deserved for the Fourth Legion.

The Primarch of the Seventh Legion stood on the other side of the bridge, his expression sharp, his fighting spirit high, and his eyes filled with intense competitiveness. He had always advocated an efficient, swift, and all-around combat style, believing that speed was the only way to win on the battlefield and that adaptability was paramount. In his view, fortification was not just about piling up fortifications, but also about considering emergency response, mobile defense, and all-domain adaptability. The optimal defense line was one that could be quickly formed, ready to fight at any time, and able to withstand all kinds of sudden crises. Watching his own legion below take the lead in deploying a three-dimensional defense, perfecting its emergency response system, and conducting high-frequency all-domain patrols, he felt confident. The Fourth Legion was too conservative and sluggish, obsessing over details and piling up redundant fortifications, wasting time and effort but lacking mobility and adaptability. In the event of a sudden battle, its cumbersome fixed defense line would only hinder its actions. This assessment was a competition of comprehensive fortification strength, not rigid engineering. The Seventh Legion's all-around efficiency, rapid formation, and combination of offense and defense were far more suitable for the long-term defense needs of strategic pivots than the opponent's rigid and inflexible approach.

The two Primarchs remained silent and did not speak to each other, yet they were secretly comparing themselves to one another.

They all knew that this was the first time in the history of the Great Expedition that a legion had achieved a collective star-level merit, far surpassing any individual achievement. Once obtained, it would bring eternal glory to the legion and solidify its position within the Great Expedition's legion hierarchy.

No one was willing to back down, and no one was willing to be defeated.

One seeks stability, perfection, and absolute certainty; the other seeks speed, versatility, and unparalleled adaptability.

Two completely different philosophies of military governance and approaches to strengthening the military are quietly colliding and vying for dominance on this planet, the beacon of Pharos, through a garrison competition.

The long silence on the bridge was finally broken. The Fourth Legion Primarch, Peturabo, spoke first, his deep, resonant voice carrying the composure and certainty of a seasoned warrior, addressing the Seventh Legion Primarch on the other side.

"Speed ​​is all show and no substance. The defense of strategic strongholds is about stability and security, not about flashy quick fixes."

His gaze fell upon the rapidly forming defensive line of the Seventh Legion below, his tone carrying a hint of detached judgment: "Your fortifications are being built quickly, and your patrol system is comprehensive, seemingly covering all aspects, but the foundation is superficial. High-intensity subspace impacts, chaotic distortion infiltration, and long-term starfield attrition—these hastily constructed defenses simply cannot withstand the test of time. Once war breaks out, the shortcomings in the details will become fatal flaws, and without a defense line that can be held, even the most perfect mobility is meaningless."

On the other side, Dorn chuckled softly upon hearing this, his fighting spirit fierce, his tone sharp and unyielding.

"Stability does not equal strength. Overly conservative and closed-minded approaches will only turn defenses into rigid cages."

He raised his hand and pointed to the entire star field, calmly retorting, "The battlefield of the Great Expedition is ever-changing. Chaotic attacks and alien invasions never give us time to slowly refine our fortifications. What we pursue is not rigid perfection, but rather full-domain adaptability, rapid response, and flexibility. A truly effective defense is one that can stabilize the battle situation immediately, provide a safety net, and resolve crises. Your approach of simply piling up redundant fortifications wastes manpower and delays progress. While it may seem foolproof, it actually misses all opportunities for emergency response and is far too rigid."

"The essence of defense is survival." Perturabo frowned slightly, his tone becoming increasingly firm. "The Pharos Beacon is the core foundation of the galaxy, allowing no room for gambler's luck. Millennia of stability and ten thousand years of defense rely on meticulous details and an indestructible foundation, not clever last-minute adjustments. A single oversight or collapse could trigger instability in the entire beacon network, affecting the entire galaxy's subspace network. You lost because of your impetuosity, because you underestimated the weight of this defense."

"Then you lose because of your pedantry." Dorn stood firm, his aura overwhelming. "A truly strong army must not only defend its foundations but also withstand changes. Clinging to static fortifications will only turn you into a passive target. We take into account defense, mobility, emergency response, and comprehensive control, integrating offense and defense, and knowing when to advance and retreat. This is the top-tier defensive system suitable for the Great Expedition and the strategic pivot of the galaxy."

The two men faced off across the distance, their words calm yet sharp, without any argument or shouting, but rather a clash of their military philosophies.

They were all aware that each other's approaches had their own strengths and weaknesses, but they were all convinced that their own method was the optimal solution to protect the core beacon and capture the Star Eagle Flag.

For a moment, at opposite ends of the starry sky, the two Primarchs held their own opinions and refused to yield to each other. An invisible competitive atmosphere enveloped the entire orbital space, making the competition between the two legions below even more intense.