Although the Expeditionary Force's offensive pace had indeed slowed considerably due to various factors such as troop attrition, Adeptus Mechanicus battlefield archaeological efforts, and the Necrons' tenacious resistance.
However, relying on the indomitable will and unwavering faith of the Imperium of Man's soldiers, the Expeditionary Force's steel tide ultimately broke through numerous obstacles, with its vanguard pointing directly at the Necrons' last stronghold on the planet Donetsk III—an astonishingly large Necron Tomb complex.
This was a breathtakingly colossal complex, with its main structure measuring at least tens of kilometers in diameter. Even though most of its primary structure was buried deep underground, towering blackstone spires and magnificent Necron Tomb architecture cast enormous shadows on the planet's surface.
It was less a mere Necron Tomb and more a complete city.
Or rather, an eternal city built for the dead.
Intricate networks of passages extended underground like a spiderweb, and the surfaces of massive pyramid-shaped structures were inscribed with ancient Necron script, glowing with an eerie green light.
However, this architectural style certainly conformed to the Necrons' cultural characteristics.
After all, their predecessors, the Necrontyr civilization, were a peculiar race that, due to their naturally short lifespans, built their cities to resemble Necron Tombs.
This tragic race suffered from toxic radiation due to abnormal activity from their home star, forcing them to build entire cities like gigantic underground Necron Tombs to block the deadly radiation from the star.
Over time, this survival necessity gradually evolved into a unique cultural tradition, with death and eternal slumber becoming the core themes of their art, architecture, and even philosophy.
However, studying these ancient histories is meaningless now.
That once-glorious Necrontyr civilization, more than sixty million years ago during the War in Heaven, was literally 'eaten clean' by the C'tan they foolishly worshipped—their flesh was devoured, their souls torn apart, leaving only cold metal husks.
The Necrons active in the The Galaxy / Milky Way today are merely the pathetic remnants of that ancient civilization, vengeful spirits imprisoned in metal bodies, cursed beings who can never truly find peace.
Moreover, compared to the Necrons' Necron Tomb culture, Alex always felt that the Necron Tomb before him was somewhat strange.
"Are the fleets in orbit in position?" Alex inquired of his aide beside him. This was the Expeditionary Force's final battle on this planet, and Alex hoped for a spectacular conclusion.
"Navy Lord General replied, the fleet is in position," the aide responsible for coordinating with the Navy quickly responded.
"Have the Imperial Navy fleet maintain close surveillance. They don't need to participate in orbital bombardment. Keep a close eye on the Mandeville Point and the surrounding star system, strictly preventing any sudden Necron reinforcements," Alex ordered.
The two previous sneak attacks by the Space Necron Fleet on Rostov II made Alex extremely sensitive to these elusive Necron warships.
Although there were no signs of this Space Necron Dynasty fully awakening so far, Alex still had to be wary of whether conquering one of their core worlds would awaken the entire Dynasty.
The fleet was there to prevent the enemy from sending warship reinforcements.
As for ground operations on the planet, Alex was not afraid if the Necrons only sent reinforcements through portals.
The Expeditionary Force had amassed millions of troops, with hundreds of thousands of Astra Militarum alone. The Necrons might not be able to overwhelm them quickly.
"Have the Titan Legion, super-heavy tank clusters, and Imperial Knights prepare to attack. These three forces will lead the charge, with the Astra Militarum armored units following closely!" Alex issued his battle order: "All forces, attack!"
As Alex's order was given, the Expeditionary Force's war machine roared to life.
The battle cries of the Titan Legion echoed across the sky, and the colossal war engines moved with heavy steps, shaking the ground beneath them.
Three Warlord-Class Titans opened fire first, their volcano cannons' scorching beams tearing through the air, striking the Necron Tomb's outer shield and creating dazzling energy ripples.
The Knight Family's armored clusters followed closely, their ion shields flickering under the bombardment of Necron Gauss Weapons, while the Knights retaliated with thunderous gunfire, blasting the Necron Warriors pouring out of the Necron Tomb into fragments.
The Astra Militarum's armored units advanced like a steel tide, the main cannons of Baneblade super-heavy tanks and Leman Russ Tanks firing in unison, shells raining down on the Necron Tomb's entrance.
Infantry, relying on armored cover, suppressed the Necron Warriors emerging from the depths of the Necron Tomb with Lasguns and plasma weapons.
However, the Necrons' counterattack was equally fierce—the Necron Tomb's defensive turrets activated, green Gauss rays sweeping across the battlefield. Several tanks were instantly disintegrated into molecular dust, and some unfortunate soldiers didn't even have time to scream before turning into scattered ashes.
Just as the Expeditionary Force's offensive deepened, the entire Necron Tomb suddenly began to tremble violently.
"What's going on?!" Alex demanded sharply, the battlefield communication channel filled with chaotic alarm sounds.
"Inquisitor, the Necron Tomb is moving!" a Tech-Priest reported in horror: "Its base is detaching from the surface!"
Alex's gaze was fixed on the center of the battlefield—the colossal Necron structure was slowly rising, the ground cracking, and countless rubble and dust cascaded from its base like a waterfall.
The Necron Tomb's outer shell began to deform, the previously dormant colossal structure unfolding to reveal hidden propulsion arrays and weapon platforms.
"Damn it!" Alex gritted his teeth, "This isn't a normal Necron Tomb; this is a Cairn-class Tomb Ship!"
The Necrons' last Necron Tomb on Donetsk III was not a Necron Tomb complex or a Necron Tomb city, but a deeply buried battleship-class Cairn-class Tomb Ship!
The long years or the Necrons' own concealment had allowed only a portion of this warship to be exposed above ground, making it appear like a Necron Tomb city.
But in reality, this was a Necron warship buried deep underground, with a long axis exceeding forty kilometers, even larger than the Imperial Navy's battleships currently in orbit!
Gazing at the gigantic crescent-shaped warship rising from the ground, and the troops falling to the ground because of the Tomb Ship's ascent, Alex felt his teeth nearly shattering. He truly hadn't expected the Necrons to hide such a trick!
"Have the fleet engage in battle, stop it for me!" His voice echoed through the communication channel, "We cannot let this Tomb Ship escape, or all our previous sacrifices will be meaningless!"
At his command, the fleet in orbit swiftly engaged in battle, Macro Cannon and lance strikes began to rain down from the sky, striking the colossal Necron warship.
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