Vect's seemingly casual raised hand seemed to stir the dark energies at the core of Commorragh. The pitch-black lightning dancing on his fingertips was not mere psychic power, but a condensation of countless centuries of accumulated pain, betrayal, despair, and the purest malice! That energy twisted the surrounding space, light seemed to be sucked into it, and even the pure psychic glow of the Grey Knights seemed to dim a little.
"Ants trying to shake a tree, ridiculously overestimating themselves," Vect's voice was cold and vast, carrying an indifference that overlooked all living beings. He gently waved his hand forward.
Boom!
A shockwave, as if solid and composed of pure darkness, surged like a tsunami towards the five Grey Knights! Wherever it passed, even the spirit-bone floor was corroded and dissolved, leaving deep furrows!
"Holy Shield!" Captain Keirano roared, and the five Grey Knights instantly linked their psychic powers, forming an incredibly thick, silver-white psychic shield that stood before them like a city wall!
The dark shockwave slammed into the psychic shield, emitting a deafening, ear-splitting screech like tearing metal! The silver-white shield trembled violently, and even fine cracks appeared on its surface, but it ultimately resisted this terrifying blow with stubborn resilience! The escaping energy spread outwards like a shockwave, sending several Dark Eldar guards and Imperial warriors, who were engaged in battle nearby, flying!
"Oh? You can block it?" Vect raised an eyebrow slightly, seemingly a little surprised, but more with a playful, cat-and-mouse amusement, "It seems the Grey Knights Chapter isn't entirely useless. So... how about this?"
He extended his other hand, fingers splayed, and slowly clenched it towards the Grey Knights.
In an instant, the five Grey Knights simultaneously felt an incredibly terrifying, invisible, immense force pressing in from all directions! It was as if the entire hall's space was contracting under Vect's will, threatening to crush them into pulp! Their power armor let out a teeth-grinding groan, and the psychic shield flickered violently, almost collapsing!
"Faith... is a bulwark!" Ezekiel Watch growled, his auxiliary bionic eye flashing wildly as he calculated and stabilized the surrounding spatial structure with all his might, sharing the pressure.
"The Emperor... protects!" Raphael Whisper's hollow voice also took on a grave tone; he released powerful calming psychic energy, attempting to counteract the pervasive spatial compression and mental erosion.
But Vect's power was beyond imagination! He was like the master of this domain, his word was law! He didn't even move his feet, merely constantly changing his gestures, and various bizarre and powerful attacks rained down on the Grey Knights like a storm!
He flicked a finger, and sharp, blade-like shadow energies, like living things, bypassed the shield, cutting towards the armor gaps of the Grey Knights from impossible angles!
Wherever his gaze fell, countless spikes of dark energy suddenly erupted from the ground!
He uttered an obscure syllable, attempting to directly tear apart the Grey Knights' soul links!
Gabriel Storm and Uriel Ventris had no choice but to abandon their offensive plans, fully guarding Captain Keirano, Ezekiel Watch, and Raphael Whisper, constantly shattering the incoming shadow blades and energy spikes with their Nemesis Daemon Hammers and Purifier Flamers. Their movements were lightning-fast, each block and swing imbued with powerful psychic energy, but facing Vect's seemingly endless and eerily unpredictable attacks, they were exceptionally passive, like a small boat struggling in a storm.
Captain Keirano, as the core, continuously directed and coordinated the five's psychic energy, strenuously maintaining their defense and searching for an opportunity to counterattack. He had attempted to counter with a powerful psychic shock, but the energy beam, capable of heavily wounding a Greater Daemon, struck before Vect and was easily nullified by an invisible barrier, seemingly composed of countless wailing souls, barely even stirring a ripple.
Vect even had leisure to pick up the skull goblet and take a sip of the liquid within, a mocking smile on his lips: "Is this the Emperor's proud sword? Truly disappointing. Your so-called 'purity,' before true darkness, is fragile and easily broken."
His words were like poison needles, attempting to pierce the Grey Knights' unwavering will. At the same time, his attacks became even more ferocious and bizarre!
Suddenly, he violently waved his hand, and the tormented faces in the writhing murals on the hall's dome seemed to come alive, emitting silent screams! An incredibly powerful psychic shock slammed into the souls of the five Grey Knights like a heavy hammer!
Pfft!
Ezekiel Watch and Raphael Whisper both trembled simultaneously, and the instruments on their auxiliary mechanical arms sparked, clearly having taken a considerable impact. Even Captain Keirano grunted and took half a step back. A ripple appeared in their psychic link!
Vect seized this momentary opportunity!
His figure, like a ghost, instantly vanished from before the throne, and the next moment, he appeared directly inside the five Grey Knights' psychic shield! It was as if the powerful shield was nonexistent to him!
His pale hand, like a claw, imbued with all-consuming dark energy, reached directly for the head of Gabriel Storm, who was at the very front! The speed was far beyond the limits of visual perception!
"Gabriel!" Uriel Ventris cried out in alarm, wanting to help but too late!
Gabriel Storm only had time to bring his Nemesis Daemon Hammer across his body!
Clang!!!
A deafening crash! Vect's palm slammed heavily onto Gabriel Storm's Nemesis Daemon Hammer! The psychic warhammer, capable of smashing Daemon armor, was actually struck by Vect's bare hand, its light dimming, and the immense force even caused Gabriel Storm's massive body to stagger backward, each step leaving deep imprints on the spirit-bone floor!
"Pathetic," Vect snorted coldly, his figure blurring again, appearing by Uriel Ventris' side as if teleporting, and delivering a kick! It seemed effortless, yet it contained terrifying power, directly sending Uriel Ventris flying backward, crashing heavily into the hall's wall, his purifying silver flames almost extinguished!
In an instant, two Grey Knights renowned for their close combat were already wounded!
Vect's strength, speed, and control over space and shadows had completely exceeded the scope of conventional beings! As the dark monarch who had ruled Commorragh for countless years, his accumulated power and forbidden knowledge were unfathomable!
"The game is over," Vect's gaze refocused on Captain Keirano, Ezekiel Watch, and Raphael Whisper, the three seemingly more psychic-oriented backline units, his eyes filled with murderous intent, "Your souls might make nice new additions to my collection."
He slowly raised both hands, and an even vaster, more despair-inducing dark energy began to gather between them, forming a constantly rotating, pitch-black energy sphere that seemed capable of devouring all light and hope! The light in the hall seemed to be sucked into that energy sphere, becoming dim, with only Vect and the destructive energy in his hands emitting a heart-pounding glow.
The power contained within that energy sphere made everyone who felt it tremble from the depths of their soul! Even the Astartes and Dark Eldar engaged in fierce battle in the distance involuntarily slowed their movements, looking over in horror.
Captain Keirano could feel that once that energy erupted, it would be enough to completely annihilate all five of them, along with a large area around them!
A scent of despair seemed to begin to permeate the air.
However, at this darkest moment, the five Grey Knights simultaneously raised their heads. Behind their visors, there was no fear, no despair, only an absolutely devout, burning-to-the-extreme steadfastness!
"Heretics... will never understand... what true power is," Captain Keirano's voice became incredibly solemn, as if reciting a sacred scripture.
"The Emperor... witnesses..." Ezekiel Watch's auxiliary bionic eye erupted with unprecedented light.
"By our souls... cleanse the filth..." Raphael Whisper's voice was no longer hollow, but filled with resolute will.
"For... Humanity!" Gabriel Storm and Uriel Ventris also struggled to their feet from the ground; although their voices were a little hoarse from their injuries, they were equally firm!
The five Grey Knights simultaneously performed a single action—they abandoned all defensive stances, planting their weapons before them, as if performing some ancient and sacred ritual!
"Faith... unleashed!" Captain Keirano let out a final, thunderous roar!
Boom!!!!!!!!!!
Five incredibly pure, incredibly blazing silver-white pillars of light, seemingly condensed from countless human beliefs and the Emperor's glory, suddenly erupted from within the five Grey Knights, soaring skyward! They instantly pierced through the hall's twisted dome, even penetrating Commorragh's eternally dark purple sky, as if to reach the depths of the Warp!
An immensely vast sacred psychic energy burst outwards from them like a tsunami! The terrifying dark energy sphere in Vect's hands, under this sudden, utterly pure psychic impact, actually fluctuated violently like ice and snow encountering sunlight, then rapidly melted and disintegrated!
"What?!" For the first time, Vect's eternally indifferent face showed genuine shock and disbelief! He was forced to take a step back, the dense dark energy around him constantly contracting and churning, pushed back by this sudden sacred light!
The five Grey Knights, having unleashed their full power, entered their strongest state—Holy Liberation!
Golden holy runes flowed across their silver-grey armor, emitting a warm yet majestic light like the sun! Their bodies seemed to swell, and psychic energy pulsed around them like a tangible aura, forming a brilliant silver halo! Their weapons—Captain Keirano's psycannon halberd, Gabriel Storm's daemonhammer, Uriel Ventris' purifying flames, and the invisible psychic power of Ezekiel Watch and Raphael Whisper—were all amplified to their peak, exuding a terrifying might capable of scattering any daemon or alien's soul!
At this moment, they were no longer five individual entities, but a perfect whole, formed of absolute faith and pure psychic energy, an ultimate incarnation of the Emperor, existing to purge all evil from the world!
"Evil… shall be eradicated!" the five Grey Knights roared in unison, their voices seemingly imbued with the prayers and hopes of billions of humans!
They moved!
Like five silver meteors, they charged proactively towards the Dark Eldar monarch, Asdrubael Vect, who was momentarily stunned as his power was temporarily suppressed!
The true battle had only just begun! The Emperor's blade of purification finally revealed its sharpest edge to the Lord of Darkness!
The five towering pillars of silver-white light slowly receded, not dissipating, but completely integrating into the Grey Knights' bodies, transforming them into holy storms walking among men. Their armor was no longer cold metal, but seemed forged from solidified holy light, with golden runes flowing upon it, breathing and flickering like living things; each pulse resonated with the laws of the surrounding space. The vast, ocean-like pure psychic energy no longer erupted outwards but enveloped them tightly like tangible armor, exuding a pressure that made all evil creatures suffocate and tremble.
"We are the Emperor's sharpest sword!" Captain Keirano's voice boomed like a great bell, no longer amplified by his helmet, but directly vibrating through the air and souls. His psycannon halberd, "The Arbiter," erupted with unprecedented light, its blade extending several meters into a constantly leaping, silver-white energy edge, as if a single flick could sever all defilement in the world.
"This sword shall cleave! The head of the alien!" Gabriel Storm roared, the silver arcs on his dual-wielded daemonhammers, "Regret" and "Redemption," had transformed into surging thunder dragons, coiling around the hammerheads, emitting deafening roars. Their might seemed capable of smashing mountains and purifying stars with a single blow!
"In the name of the God-Emperor! Purify!" Uriel Ventris was no longer burning with flames but with liquid-like pure silver light. He was like the embodiment of the sun; with every step, the psychically-charged ground beneath his feet was scorched with holy marks, and any approaching shadows or corrupt energies evaporated and dissipated like dewdrops exposed to the scorching sun.
Although Ezekiel Watch and Raphael Whisper did not directly charge, the psychic glow surrounding them was the most intense. Ezekiel Watch's bionic eye was like two miniature stars, furiously calculating and stabilizing the fabric of reality, while providing unparalleled psychic amplification and data support to his comrades. Raphael Whisper, meanwhile, seemed to transform into a pure psychic beacon; his will was intimately connected with Captain Keirano, perfectly integrating the five's powers into an impregnable whole, while his powerful psychic strength continuously assaulted Vect's mental defenses.
This ultimate sublimation of power extended its influence far beyond the throne platform. The immense pure psychic energy spread like ripples throughout the entire hall, and even further!
The Dark Eldar guards, Wychs, and Mandrake creations battling the allied forces, as soon as they were swept by these silver-glowing psychic ripples, immediately let out incomparably shrill screams, their bodies rapidly decomposing and vaporizing from the point of contact, leaving not even a trace! Their evil souls seemed to be directly cast into the Emperor's furnace, instantly purified to nothing!
Whole swathes of Dark Eldar elites vanished into thin air in this indiscriminate holy purifying storm! The pressure on the allied forces suddenly eased, and the warriors watched the miraculous scene before them in astonishment, then erupted into even more fervent war cries, seizing the opportunity to press their attack!
The Grey Knights' objective was singular—Asdrubael Vect!
Five silver figures, like five drawn holy swords, with unmatched momentum and the resolve to purify all, simultaneously attacked the Dark Eldar monarch from different directions!
"Arrogance!" Vect recovered from his initial shock, replaced by a towering rage at being provoked by mere ants! The suppressed dark energy around him boiled once more, like a churning black ocean, evenly matching the Grey Knights' silver glow!
He stomped his foot, and the shadows beneath him surged to life, transforming into countless twisted, shrieking shadow claws, grasping at the charging Grey Knights! At the same time, he clenched his hands, and two longswords, formed of pure dark energy and constantly dripping corrosive energy, instantly materialized!
Captain Keirano's psycannon halberd arrived first, crashing violently against Vect's dark energy sword!
Boom!!!
Holy silver light and profound darkness collided fiercely, erupting with a deafening roar and terrifying energy shockwave that threatened to tear eardrums! The entire hall shook violently! Captain Keirano staggered but did not retreat a single step! His halberd work was broad and powerful, each strike imbued with the absolute will to purge evil, the silver-white energy blade continuously cutting through Vect's dark energy field, emitting a piercing tearing sound!
Gabriel Storm charged in from the side, his twin hammers carrying destructive, thunderous might, smashing fiercely towards Vect's head!
Vect snorted coldly, and his other dark energy sword met the attack like a venomous serpent, precisely striking Gabriel Storm's hammerhead!
Clang!!!
Another loud crash! Gabriel Storm was knocked back a step, the thunder dragons on his hammerheads dimmed slightly, but the dark sword in Vect's hand also fluctuated violently, nearly dissipating! Uriel Ventris, meanwhile, crashed into Vect's back like a silver meteor, attempting to engulf him with his purifying silver-glowing body!
Vect didn't even turn around; the shadows behind him automatically condensed into a massive shield covered with tormented faces, blocking Uriel Ventris' impact! Silver glow and darkness fiercely canceled each other out again, emitting a sizzling, corrosive sound!
However, the Grey Knights' offensive was not merely physical!
Ezekiel Watch's bionic eye locked onto Vect, and an immensely powerful data stream and reality-stabilizing energy, like invisible shackles, instantly acted upon Vect, attempting to fix him in place and interfere with his control over shadows and space!
Raphael Whisper launched the most direct psychic attack! His immense psychic energy transformed into countless invisible, silver-flamed blades, directly piercing towards Vect's soul core! He sought to dismantle the Dark Eldar monarch from within!
Facing this full-spectrum, inescapable assault, Vect finally revealed his true terrifying strength as the eternal ruler of Commorragh!
He let out a sharp, inhuman shriek! More concentrated dark energy erupted around him, forcefully shaking off Ezekiel Watch's reality-stabilizing shackles! He endured Raphael Whisper's psychic impact head-on; although his face paled slightly, the madness and rage in his eyes intensified!
His movements were so fast that only a blurred afterimage remained! As he brandished his twin swords, he seemed to simultaneously parry the attacks of all five Grey Knights! Dark energy and holy psychic power violently collided, annihilated, and exploded! Each clash made the hall tremble violently, and the scattered energy tore everything around them to shreds!
At times, he transformed into shadow and merged into the ground, only to emerge from a Grey Knight's shadow an instant later to deliver a fatal blow! At other times, he manipulated the terrifying "collectibles" displayed in the hall, bringing them to life to swarm the Grey Knights and disrupt their assault! He could even briefly Warp the reality around him, causing Gabriel Storm's inevitable hammer blow to inexplicably go wide, or Captain Keirano's psycannon halberd to pierce into an empty shadow!
The battle entered its most intense, most breathtaking phase! Silver glow and darkness intertwined and collided, holy hymns and shrieks echoed in a chaotic mix! The five Grey Knights, having unleashed their full power, could only barely fight the Dark Eldar monarch to a draw, or even found themselves slightly at a disadvantage! Vect's power seemed bottomless, his methods were bizarre and unpredictable, and his utilization of the Commorragh environment was taken to its extreme!
The peak showdown in the Throne Room had reached a fever pitch. Silver glow and darkness clashed wildly, each confrontation shaking the core of this city of sin. Five Grey Knights, having unleashed their full power, were like five burning silver stars, tightly entangling Asdrubael Vect. The pure psychic storm continuously scorched and purified the dark energy field around him, forcing this eternal Lord of Darkness to respond with all his might.
However, Vect's power remained unfathomable. He was like shadow itself, cunning and unpredictable, always finding a glimmer of life in seemingly desperate situations, and even occasionally launching fierce counterattacks that forced the Grey Knights to temporarily retreat. The battle had devolved into an extremely arduous tug-of-war.
On the periphery, the Imperial Coalition had largely cleared out Vect's elite guard and remaining resistance. Warriors from the Ultramarines, Space Wolves, White Scars, and other Chapters watched the inhuman duel in the center of the hall, filled with shock, but also realizing this was an opportunity.
"All units!" Captain Cassius barked over the comms channel, "Fire support the Grey Knights! Target the area around Vect! Disrupt him! Create an opening for our Grey Knight brothers!"
At his command, all Astartes still able to fight immediately aimed their Bolters, plasma guns, and heavy Bolters at the constantly swirling and colliding silver-black energy field! They dared not shoot directly at Vect's body (fearing friendly fire or ricochets), but instead precisely covered the areas he might evade into and the outer edges of his dark energy field!
Bang, bang, bang! Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
Dense Bolter rounds and scorching plasma rained down like a storm, striking Vect's dark energy field and erupting in continuous ripples of energy! Although these attacks couldn't truly penetrate Vect's defenses, the constant impact and explosions undoubtedly greatly distracted him, diffused his power, and prevented him from fully concentrating on the Grey Knights' relentless onslaught!
"Damn monkeys!" Vect shrieked in anger, a barely perceptible ripple of disorder appearing in the dark energy around him due to his distraction. Captain Keirano immediately seized this fleeting opportunity, his force halberd, "The Arbiter," striking like a venomous dragon emerging from its lair, piercing through a weak point in the dark energy field and narrowly missing Vect's shoulder guard!
Vect stumbled back, his eyes practically spitting fire. But his incredibly calm and cunning mind was rapidly assessing the situation.
His gaze swept across the hall. His most loyal guard had been annihilated, and the Wychs and Hekatarii had suffered heavy losses. Commorragh... his eternal city, which he had ruled for countless eons, was now being savagely ravaged by the fires of the Imperium. Through the shattered ceiling, he could see the towering flames and explosions outside, and hear the destructive footsteps of Titans and the roar of volcano cannons. He could even sense the rapidly dissipating auras of countless covens he knew, hated, or merely ignored, being mercilessly crushed by the Imperial iron heel.
The tide had turned.
Even if he could unleash his full power now, kill these five troublesome Grey Knights and all those colorful monkeys outside... what then? Commorragh was finished. The foundation of his rule had been shaken. To stay and fight to the death, beyond satisfying a ridiculous notion of "glory," was meaningless. For a monarch who had lived for countless years and mastered the arts of intrigue and survival, staying alive was paramount.
Where there's life, there's hope. As long as Asdrubael Vect was alive, Commorragh... could be rebuilt at any time. And the grievances of today, he would repay a billionfold!
With this thought, a hint of extremely subtle determination and... malice flashed in Vect's eyes.
"You... have won this battle..." Vect's voice suddenly became calm, yet carried a chilling coldness, "But... the game is far from over."
Before he finished speaking, the dark energy around him, which had been fiercely clashing with the silver glow, suddenly compressed inward to an extreme degree, and then...
Boom!!!
An indescribable, pure burst of dark energy erupted! This time it wasn't aimed at the Grey Knights, but purely to create chaos and an opportunity to escape!
Terrifying dark energy spread wildly outwards like a supernova, instantly pushing back the five Grey Knights and all nearby Astartes who tried to approach! Even the soldiers fighting in the distance were knocked off their feet by this sudden shockwave!
For a moment, the hall was filled with extreme darkness and turbulent energy, making it impossible to see one's hand in front of their face, and psychic perception was severely disrupted!
When the silver glow once again dispelled the darkness, and the energy turbulence subsided slightly, the throne platform was already empty. Only the spirit-bone floor, completely torn and melted by the terrifying power, remained, along with the lingering, nauseating dark aura in the air.
Asdrubael Vect had transformed into an invisible black smoke, blending into the endless shadows and chaos of Commorragh, making his escape and disappearing without a trace.
"Pursue!" Captain Cassius roared.
"Search all of Commorragh! Dig three feet deep if you have to, find him!" Chapter Master Calgar's command came over the comms channel, filled with frustration and rage.
However, Captain Keirano, his power almost depleted and his face pale, weakly raised a hand to stop the impulsive warriors. The silver glow on him and the other four Grey Knights was extremely dim, some runes even extinguished, clearly indicating the immense drain from the earlier burst and final impact.
"No need..." Keirano's voice was extremely weary, yet carried a hint of helplessness, "We... can no longer sense his aura... Vect used Commorragh's own shadow network and spatial rifts... to flee far away in the blink of an eye... gone without a trace..."
The search was destined to be futile. To find a Dark Eldar Archon intent on hiding within the vast and structurally complex ruins of Commorragh was like searching for a needle in a haystack.
Although the ultimate goal of decapitation was not achieved, and Vect escaped, this grand expedition had achieved unprecedented and brilliant results.
Commorragh, this city of darkness, the source of evil, which had stood for countless eons, was now a burning ruin. Most of the spires that once pierced the clouds had collapsed and fractured, magnificent palaces were reduced to rubble, and the streets were covered with the corpses of Dark Eldar and the wreckage of war machines. The Titans' volcano cannons tirelessly roared on, utterly vaporizing any remaining structures, ensuring that not even ruins would be left behind.
The remaining Dark Eldar, whether nobles, warriors, or civilians, faced only the Imperium's merciless reckoning. Soldiers of the Krieg Death Korps were clearing every inch of the area, floor by floor, house by house, in their characteristic silent and efficient manner. The cold crackle of lasguns and the sound of entrenching tools hacking through bone became the final elegy for this dying city. Kill on sight, no mercy was given.
On the other side, Wolf Lord Ragnar Blackmane was directing his wolf cubs, roughly herding hundreds of elegantly dressed and clearly high-ranking Dark Eldar females, captured in the final battle, onto transport ships. These women had long lost their former arrogance, their faces etched with fear and despair.
"Hurry! Hurry! Get these wretches on board!" Wolf Lord Ragnar Blackmane bellowed gruffly, a triumphant and wild smile on his face, "Take them back to the other kennels for the wolf cubs to see! See how these noble Eldar ladies cry and beg for mercy! Hahaha!" His words were crude, but they represented the common mindset of Imperial warriors at the moment—extreme contempt for xenos and the arrogance of victors.
Meanwhile, the Blood Ravens Chapter was engaged in their favorite activity—clearing the battlefield and collecting spoils. Their eyes were as sharp as an eagle's; anything that looked valuable—whether advanced Dark Eldar weapons, ancient spirit-bone devices, precious gems, or even the shattered remnants of destroyed Wraithlords—did not escape their "reclamation." Even the twisted and ornate obsidian throne, symbolizing Vect's authority, was carefully cut, moved, and loaded onto a Blood Ravens transport ship using heavy machinery and psychic means. Captain Logan looked at these "spoils of war," an indescribable light glinting in his eyes.
As the cleanup mission progressed, the Coalition's ships began to successively withdraw from this dead zone of ruins, returning to orbit above the Shadow of Agony to reassemble.
Finally, when the last Imperial transport ship detached from Commorragh's shattered skeleton, the most ferocious volley from the orbital fleet and Titans, like a final funeral, utterly annihilated the last remaining structures of Commorragh, turning them into cosmic dust.
The vast Coalition fleet, led by the Macragge's Honour, majestically embarked on its journey home, returning to Ultramar.
On the bridge of the Macragge's Honour, Chapter Master Calgar faced the holographic projections of all the allied commanders. His face showed fatigue, but more so, the dignity of victory and gratitude.
"Gentlemen," he said in a deep voice, "this crusade, though it did not achieve complete success, allowing the prime culprit to escape, has dealt an unprecedented blow to the Dark Eldar! Commorragh is reduced to ashes, and their power will not recover for a century! This is a great victory for the Imperium, and a supreme merit for everyone present!"
"I, Marius Calgar, on behalf of the Ultramarines Chapter and Ultramar, extend my highest respect and sincerest gratitude to all of you and your brave warriors! Without your strong support, this glorious victory would not have been possible!"
His gaze swept over each commander: "The fleet will return to Ultramar anchorage. I formally invite all of you to Macragge for rest and recuperation. Let us celebrate this hard-won victory together, honor the fallen heroes, and let our friendship grow stronger in the fires of war!"
The triumphal anthem had already sounded, and despite a hint of imperfection, the Imperium's might once again proved to the galaxy that any xenos daring to challenge human rule would ultimately face a judgment of iron and blood. As for the warriors, they would return to their homeworlds with honor and scars, awaiting the call of their next mission.
The massive Macragge's Honour, like a battle-scarred but victorious beast, lay silently anchored in the Ultramar system. Thunderhawk Gunships and transport ships belonging to the various companies of the Ultramarines, like swarms of bees returning to their hive, successively passed through the massive hangar gates and landed in their designated areas.
The hatch opened, and out stepped groups of weary but undeniably proud blue giants. Their armor was covered in scratches, dents, and bloodstains not yet fully wiped clean from battle; many warriors were still wounded and required immediate attention from the Apothecary brotherhood. The continuous high-intensity combat, especially the final bloody battle in the heart of Commorragh, was a tremendous drain even for Astartes. They now desperately needed rest, equipment maintenance, and time for their bodies and minds to recover from the extreme environment and fighting.
The warriors of the 7th Company followed their respective Sergeants, silently but orderly, disembarking from the transports and heading towards their familiar resting quarters. The battle's fervor and taut nerves gradually receded, and a deep sense of exhaustion washed over everyone like a tide. Even Dorian, usually overflowing with energy, now simply carried his grime-covered Thunder Hammer, his steps slightly heavier than usual.
As they pushed open the hatch to the 7th Company's resting quarters, a relatively "warm" atmosphere greeted them—there was no nauseatingly sweet stench of Commorragh here, only the familiar smell of machine oil, cleaning agents, and… a hint of food?
In one corner of the resting quarters, Lina and Eiras stood before a workbench. Lina, on tiptoes, was guiding Eiras on how to more efficiently clean carbon buildup from the joints of power armor. Eiras had changed into a clean, well-fitting gray mechanic's uniform, her small face filled with seriousness and concentration, carefully operating tools in her hands. Although her movements were still a bit clumsy, they were noticeably much more skilled than before, and she was already able to independently complete some basic maintenance tasks.
Seeing the warriors return, Lina immediately ran over happily: "Sergeant Golden! Everyone! You've returned!"
Eiras also quickly put down her tools, standing up straight with a hint of nervousness and apprehension, timidly looking at the group of awe-inspiring giants who had just returned from a slaughterhouse, especially glancing instinctively in Dorian's direction.
Just then, Captain Keirano also entered the resting quarters. His armor was similarly covered in battle scars, but his spirits seemed quite good, and there was even a rare, relaxed smile on his face. Clearly, the 7th Company's valiant performance in this expedition had earned high praise from the Chapter Master, which put the Captain in an excellent mood.
His gaze swept across the resting quarters and landed on Eiras, who was helping with equipment maintenance. He nodded slightly. He had heard about the performance of this little xenos servant; she seemed to be well-behaved, even somewhat useful.
"Gorden, your squad fought well this time." The Captain first acknowledged the Second Squad's performance, then turned his gaze to Eiras, "This… Eiras, right?"
Eiras flinched in fright, quickly lowering her head: "Y-yes… Captain…"
The Captain walked over to her, examining the well-wiped and maintained tools and parts beside her, then looked at the fitted mechanic's uniform she wore (which clearly exceeded the treatment of an ordinary servant).
"I hear you're diligent in your studies and quite meticulous in your work." The Captain's voice wasn't gentle, but at least it wasn't hostile. "Chapter Master Calgar's mercy allowed you to live. It seems you haven't wasted this opportunity."
Eiras nervously twisted her fingers together, not daring to speak.
The Captain pondered for a moment, seemingly making a decision: "We Ultramarines reward and punish clearly. Since you have demonstrated a certain value and are well-behaved, you deserve a better position."
He raised his voice, ensuring all warriors of the 7th Company in the resting quarters could hear: "By my authority as Captain of the 7th Company, I declare that from this day forward, Eiras will no longer serve as a general servant. She will be integrated into the 7th Company's Tech-Marine Auxiliary Team, to be taught by the Tech-Marines, formally trained as a mortal Tech-Marine apprentice, responsible for assisting with weapon and equipment maintenance."
At these words, the resting quarters immediately fell silent. Many warriors showed surprised expressions. Allowing a xenos to access more core Astartes equipment maintenance knowledge was no small matter.
The Captain's sharp gaze swept across the room, his tone becoming serious and warning: "Furthermore, I admonish all members of the company! From now on, no one is to refer to her as 'xenos' or any other derogatory term. She is now a technical apprentice of the 7th Company, serving the Chapter. Anyone who violates this will be defying my orders! Understood?"
"Understood, Captain!" the warriors responded in unison. Although they might still feel a bit awkward, the Astartes' inherent obedience to orders made them immediately accept this decision.
Eiras could hardly believe her ears! She had leaped from the lowest, potentially executable captive servant to… a Tech-Marine apprentice? Although only a mortal auxiliary, this meant true recognition and a relatively stable future! Immense surprise and gratitude instantly broke through her emotional defenses.
She fell to her knees with a thud, tears streaming down her face, speaking incoherently in gothic with a heavy sob and accent: "Th-thank you, Captain! Thank you for Chapter Master Calgar's grace! Thank you for the Emperor's mercy! Eiras… Eiras will study hard! She will work diligently! For a lifetime… for a lifetime, she will be grateful for your great kindness! Waaah…"
Watching her overwhelmed with gratitude, the Captain merely nodded faintly: "Remember your words, and repay this grace with your work and loyalty." With that, he turned and left the resting quarters to attend to other post-war matters.
Lina happily ran over to help Eiras up, quietly comforting her. Most of the surrounding warriors also averted their gaze, continuing with their own tasks, seemingly tacitly accepting this new change.
However, in this relatively harmonious atmosphere, a discordant note emerged.
"Hey! Hey! Brothers! Look at me!" Dorian's loud voice boomed again, full of pride and showmanship.
Everyone looked in the direction of the sound, only to see that Dorian, at some point, had taken off his standard-issue blue helmet and replaced it with a… brand new, brightly painted red Sergeant's helmet!
The red was particularly glaring under the lights, creating an extremely vivid and… comical contrast with his battle-scarred blue Terminator armor. It was like a burly barbarian forcefully donning an exquisite top hat, looking utterly out of place.
"How about it? Am I handsome?" Dorian proudly patted his new red helmet, making clanging sounds. "I'm a red-helmet now too! Haha!"
Sergeant Golden's face instantly turned green! He immediately rushed over, pointing at Dorian's nose and roaring: "Dorian! Where the hell did you get that helmet?! That color… that's a Sergeant's helmet! Did you trade something with those Blood Ravens again?!"
Dorian, exposed, wasn't embarrassed; instead, he became even more smug, pulling out a strangely shaped, crescent-like, glowing Harlequin's Kiss from behind his back. "Heh heh, Sergeant, good eye! I traded it for this thing! That Blood Raven kid's eyes went wide when he saw this blade! He insisted on trading with me! I thought his red helmet looked pretty cool, so I reluctantly traded with him!"
"You! You prodigal son!" Gorden was so angry he almost choked. "That's a war trophy! It's a xenos weapon with research value! And you just traded it for a crappy helmet?! And it's… it's a helmet the Blood Ravens stole from who knows where! Do you know how many military regulations that violates?! Change it back right now!"
"No way!" Dorian stiffened his neck, clutching the red helmet tightly. "I earned it fair and square! Why should I change it back? This thing can't even cut anything, what's the use of keeping it? A red helmet is much more practical!"
"You!" Gorden's forehead veins bulged with anger. He grabbed Dorian by the collar (though he couldn't really grab Terminator armor). "I'm going to wring that red head off you today! Bring out that damned chainsword and Bolter pistol on your back! Did you trade those for something too?!"
Seeing Sergeant Golden about to wring Dorian's head off, the other squad members quickly stepped forward to mediate.
"Sergeant, calm down, calm down…"
"Dorian, say less…"
"It's fine, it's just a helmet…"
Kael helplessly shook his head, looking at the chaotic resting quarters, and then at Eiras and Lina, who had been startled and were once again hiding behind Luna. The war was over, but the "daily life" of the 7th Company, 2nd Squad, seemed to have returned. Only this time, there was a white-armored Apothecary, Silas, who was quietly wiping his medical instruments, seemingly oblivious to the surrounding noise, and a former xenos servant whose fate had been changed.
The smoke of battle had cleared, life continued, accompanied by glory, exhaustion, arguments, and that faint but real… change in the cruel universe.
------
Time flew by, flowing as calmly and steadily as the unchanging stars of Macragge.
In the blink of an eye, seven standard years had passed since the full-scale cleansing war that shook the galaxy and reduced the Dark Eldar stronghold of Commorragh to cosmic dust.
Seven years, for the long-lived, slow-metabolizing Astartes, was merely a fleeting moment.
Their faces had not changed, and their bodies remained as strong as steel.
If there were any changes, perhaps it was just a few more deep battle scars on their Power Armor, a few more Purity Seals representing new achievements hanging from the edges of their shoulder plates, or their combat ritual movements becoming more steady and seasoned.
They were still the Emperor's most loyal Angels of Death, always ready to answer the call of war.
However, for mortals, seven years was enough to bring about earth-shattering changes.
Lina, the little girl who used to hide behind Luna and had to stand on her tiptoes to reach the workbench, had now grown into a graceful young woman.
Years had washed away the childishness from her face, adding the focus and composure of a technical officer.
She was no longer the little assistant who could only hand tools and wipe decks, but had become the 7th Company's recognized senior mortal Tech-Sergeant.
Her understanding of machinery and her repair skills had even earned the approval of Chapter Master Marius Calgar himself.
The daily maintenance and upkeep of the 7th Company's two precious Dreadnoughts—"Ancient Glory" and "Wall of Fortitude"—were mostly handled by her and another technician.
She moved between the armory and the engine room in a well-fitting Tech-Sergeant uniform, her eyes full of confidence and capability.
And the other technician was Eiras.
Seven years, even for the relatively slow-growing Eldar, had allowed her to shed her former timidity and humility.
She had grown quite a bit, her figure still slender, but no longer looking malnourished.
The green eyes no longer flickered with fear, but with curiosity, focus, and a touch of the calmness belonging to a technical officer.
She spoke gothic exceptionally fluently, even with a slight Macragge accent.
She was no longer afraid to communicate with the Astartes warriors; in fact, she was often seen chatting animatedly with resting warriors, listening to them recount their thrilling experiences on ground battlefields and strange tales from across the galaxy.
She had even developed a "strange" hobby—often in the training grounds, she would "wrestle" with Astartes recruits in black training suits without Power Armor, or veterans undergoing relaxation training.
Of course, with her Eldar strength, the outcome was without suspense; she was always "insta-killed" and easily taken down by the warriors.
But she seemed to enjoy it, relishing the process of interacting equally with the giants, even eliciting waves of good-natured laughter and guidance.
For her, it was proof of being accepted, of being considered "one of them."
Under the careful guidance of Luna and other official Tech-Sergeants, and her own efforts, Eiras also became a senior mortal Tech-Sergeant.
She wore the same new Tech-Sergeant uniform as Lina, the badge on her chest representing her identity and value.
The warriors of the 7th Company no longer regarded her as an "alien," but affectionately called her "Tech-Sergeant Eiras," a somewhat special but undoubtedly trustworthy member of the 7th Company, one of their own.
Sergeant Golden still served as the leader of the Second Squad.
However, the squad members had undergone significant changes.
Seven years of campaigns and personnel shifts meant that the Second Squad now had only four core members left.
Cliff, sharp-minded and highly tactically proficient, was transferred to the 9th Company and promoted to Sergeant due to his excellent command potential, leading his new brothers in missions from the shadows.
Lex, hot-tempered but with unrivaled heavy firepower, was transferred to the Eighth Company, also promoted to Sergeant, blasting open more paths to victory for the Imperium with his beloved Heavy Bolter.
And Sol, the calm and professional medic, after countless battlefield first aids and incredibly rigorous internal assessments, successfully passed the trials of the Apothecarion, becoming a true Apothecary, donning white Power Armor and moving to a post where he was more needed.
Currently, the First Squad's regular personnel consisted of only four individuals: Sergeant Golden, Sniper Gaius, Assault Trooper Dorian, and Tech-Sergeant Luna.
Although Lina was still nominally part of the squad, as a senior Tech-Sergeant, she was primarily responsible for ship and heavy equipment maintenance, almost no longer participating in frontline ground missions.
Over the past seven years, the Grey Knights squad responsible for monitoring Gaius had been replaced several times according to the Grey Knights Chapter's rotation system.
Each squad, like their predecessors, maintained absolute silence and distance, like cold silver specters.
Fortunately, in these seven years, Gaius had not felt any whispers from the Great Daemon of Tzeentch or that unsettling sense of being watched.
The power deep within his left arm remained dormant, as if with the destruction of Commorragh and Vect's distant flight, the potential threat had temporarily receded into the darkness.
He dedicated all his energy to training and combat, and his sniping skills became even more refined and extraordinary.
Every time the "Hawkeye" sniper rifle fired, it inevitably meant the fall of a distant enemy commander, an important technical specialist, or a troublesome xenos elite.
His name had become a deadly legend among the enemy.
Dorian's transformation was perhaps the most surprising.
Seven years and countless battles seemed to have truly dulled many of his sharpest edges.
He no longer swore constantly, and his temper had mellowed considerably; although still boisterous and impulsive, he had at least learned to obey orders and control his emotions at critical moments.
However, his obsession with the red helmet seemed undiminished; the Sergeant's helmet he acquired in exchange for a Harlequin's weapon was still polished to a shine, and he would occasionally wear it to show off, making Sergeant Golden's eye twitch.
His care for Lina remained, and now this care naturally extended to Eiras, treating them both as little sisters who needed protection.
He still loved to brag, enjoying recounting his "heroic deeds" from "back in the day," only now his audience had expanded from just Lina to both Lina and Eiras.
The two girls would often listen intently, while one would occasionally laughingly expose his exaggerations, frequently filling the lounge area with cheerful air.
Luna, on the other hand, seemed to be forgotten by time.
She remained her taciturn self, spending most of her time immersed in the world of communicating with machines and data.
But she was the most meticulous and caring person in the squad, especially towards her teammates.
Whenever a teammate (especially the restless Dorian) was injured and in the medical bay, she would silently put down her work and stay by their side twenty-four hours a day, caring for them in her unique, data-monitoring way until the injured recovered.
Despite their reduced numbers, the Second Squad remained the sharpest and most reliable blade of the 7th Company.
Gorden's seasoned command, Gaius' deadly long-range support, Dorian's furious close-quarters assault, Luna's comprehensive technical support, and behind them, Lina and Eiras' meticulous maintenance of equipment, formed them into an efficient and lethal whole.
They remained active on the Ultramar frontier and even more distant battlefields, like the Emperor's most loyal swords, always ready to strike down any enemy who dared to threaten humanity, fulfilling the eternal oath of the Astartes with Bolter and Chainsword.
The blade, perhaps honed by years, had subtly changed its shape, but its sharpness had never diminished; instead, it grew even more chillingly radiant.
Having completed a day's equipment maintenance and data organization, Eiras habitually walked towards the 7th Company's training area.
This had almost become her daily routine, and a unique way for her to integrate into this collective of blue giants and release stress.
The training ground was still bustling with activity.
The Astartes were either undergoing strength training under gravity regulators or engaging in simulated combat, the sound of Bolter fire and the hum of Power Weapons incessant.
Eiras' appearance did not attract much attention; everyone was already accustomed to the Eldar Tech-Sergeant's daily "disruptions."
She walked to a relatively open combat training area, stretched her wrists and ankles, then beckoned to a group of warriors resting nearby, forcing what she thought was a very "fierce" expression onto her face—though with her delicate Aeldari face, it looked more like a kitten trying to bare its fangs in warning.
"Hey! One of you come over here! Today I'm going to beat ten of you!" she mimicked the boastful words she'd heard from the warriors, trying to make her voice sound more imposing.
The warriors burst into good-natured laughter. A Sergeant from another squad smiled, shook his head, and stood up, walking over. He was more than three full heads taller than Eiras, towering over her like an iron pagoda.
"Alright, Tech-Sergeant Eiras, how do you want to train today?" the Sergeant asked with a smile, cooperatively taking a defensive stance.
"Take this!" Eiras shouted, taking a deep breath and putting all her strength into a straight punch aimed at the Sergeant's abdomen, which was covered by his training uniform—it was the highest point she could reach.
Thud!
A muffled sound.
The Sergeant's body didn't even sway, and the smile on his face remained unchanged. Instead, Eiras felt like her punch had hit a steel plate, and the recoil pain made her grimace. She quickly shook her hand and retreated several steps, her small face scrunched up.
"Pfft… Hahahahaha!" The surrounding warriors could no longer hold back and erupted in thunderous laughter. The Sergeant also couldn't help but chuckle, patting his abdomen, which hadn't felt any impact at all: "Tech-Sergeant, your fists… good for maintaining weapons, but for fighting… you still need more practice."
Eiras rubbed her reddened fist, feeling both embarrassed and amused, and couldn't help but laugh herself. This kind of harmless joking and interaction was exactly what she enjoyed.
Sometimes, Gaius also got dragged into "sparring" with her. Gaius would usually "cooperate" very well, exchanging a few moves with her, slowing his actions to the extreme, reining in his strength to almost nothing, and occasionally even "making a mistake," allowing Eiras to successfully "take him down" with a trip. Whenever this happened, Eiras would let out a triumphant cheer, and Dorian, watching from the stands nearby, would always laugh the loudest, slapping his thigh and shouting: "Hahaha! Gaius, you're no good! You can't even beat little Eiras! Back in my day, I was…"
As for what he was like back in his day, he was often interrupted by a warning glance from Sergeant Golden.
Today was no exception. After "sparring" with a few warriors and watching Gaius "struggle" to lose to Eiras, Dorian jumped down from the stands, satisfied, his massive body making the ground tremble. He, Gaius, and Eiras, whose cheeks were flushed from laughing, walked together towards the Second Squad's lounge.
Pushing open the lounge's hatch, they found Luna already inside. She was sitting at her dedicated workstation, the light from her bionic eye flickering slightly, seemingly processing data or perhaps resting. Seeing the three enter, she merely nodded slightly, a form of greeting.
"Hey, Luna, you missed little Eiras' magnificent display just now! She almost split Gaius' butt into eight pieces!" Dorian plopped into a chair, saying boisterously.
Luna's bionic eye turned to Eiras, seemingly scanning her still-reddened fist, then said in her flat tone: "Recommend applying ice pack to the right fist for fifteen minutes to prevent worsening of soft tissue contusion."
Eiras stuck out her tongue: "I know, Luna, it's fine, it'll be better soon."
Gaius, meanwhile, gave a helpless smile and poured himself a glass of water. This relaxed atmosphere was a rare respite for them after the war.
Just as they were chatting and joking, the lounge door was suddenly pushed open, and Lina ran in, panting, her small face flushed from running, her eyes filled with excitement and… disbelief.
"Is Sergeant Golden here? Oh… he's not…" Lina panted, seeing only them, and immediately said impatiently, "Guess what I saw just now when I was maintaining the sensors in the ventilation duct outside the Chapter Master's conference room?!"
"What did you see? Did the Chapter Master get a new haircut?" Dorian quipped.
"Much more amazing than that!" Lina gestured excitedly, "I saw a small squad of Astartes! They just came out of the conference room! But they're not from our Chapter! Nor from a successor Chapter!"
Her words piqued everyone's interest. Gaius put down his water glass, Eiras also leaned in curiously, and even Luna's bionic eye focused on Lina.
"They were wearing blue Power Armor, but it was… a deeper blue, a bit like midnight blue, but with gold trim! Lots and lots of gold decorations! Even more ornate and complex than the honor armor of the veterans in the First Company!" Lina tried to recall the details, "On their chest plates, there was a huge, Gorden Imperial Aquila emblem! Very striking!"
"Aquila?" Gaius frowned slightly. The Ultramarines' emblem was usually the Roman numeral "IV" or the Macragge's Ring, and while they revered the Emperor, it was rare to see such a prominent and large Aquila.
"And their helmets!" Lina continued, "They were all… well… helmets like an eagle's face! Their visors were red, and they looked… they looked very stern, very ancient!"
"Eagle-faced helmets? Red visors?" Gaius' gaze grew even more solemn.
"Most importantly!" Lina lowered her voice, as if revealing a shocking secret, "The style of their Power Armor, I feel… is very much like those ancient, Legion-era designs in the armory! And… and when they saw Captain Cassius (First Company Captain) passing by… they didn't salute! They just nodded! Even the First Company Captain seemed very polite to them!"
Hearing this, even Dorian's joking expression vanished. Astartes have a strict hierarchy, and not saluting a high-ranking officer, especially a Chapter hero like the First Company Captain, was an extremely rare occurrence.
"The one in the lead, who looked like the Captain, he even wore a cloak!" Lina added finally.
Just then, the lounge door opened again, and Sergeant Golden walked in. He looked like he had just finished a report, with a thoughtful expression on his face.
"Sergeant! Sergeant, you're back!" Lina immediately grabbed him, "Did you see those strange Astartes? The ones I just mentioned!"
Sergeant Golden nodded, his face serious: "I saw them. I was just about to tell you all about it. The Chapter Master gathered everyone from Sergeant rank and above and gave a brief update. Lina was right, a squad of people indeed arrived."
"Who are they? So arrogant?" Dorian couldn't help but ask, "Which successor Chapter are they from? So ignorant of the rules?"
Gorden shook his head, his gaze sweeping over everyone, finally resting on Gaius: "Gaius, you seem to have thought of something?"
Gaius pondered for a moment, then looked up, his eyes gleaming with an unbelievable light, and slowly uttered a name:
"…It's the Victrix Guard."
"Victrix Guard?" Dorian and Eiras looked bewildered, and Lina blinked. Luna's database seemed to begin a rapid search.
"Mm." Gaius nodded heavily, his tone filled with unprecedented reverence, "The Primarch… Lord Roboute Guilliman's personal guard. It is said that its members are all top-tier, battle-hardened heroes, handpicked from the Ultramarines and its successor Chapters. They pledge allegiance only to the Primarch, responsible for his absolute safety. Their equipment and status are beyond the Chapter system… Therefore, their not saluting the First Company Captain is not arrogance, but rather… their duties and affiliations are different."
The Primarch's personal guard!
The phrase exploded like a bombshell in the lounge. Everyone was stunned; even Dorian's mouth hung open.
The Primarch's guard, suddenly and secretly visiting the Macragge's Honour, and holding a closed-door meeting with the Chapter Master…
An indescribable atmosphere, mixed with honor, curiosity, and a hint of unease, permeated the Second Squad's lounge. Everyone realized that something extremely significant, perhaps even concerning the Primarch and the fate of the entire Imperium, was about to happen.
"The Victrix Guard…" Calgar repeated the name, his voice filled with an unutterable awe, as if referring to a legendary myth. "I've only heard of them in ancient Chapter records and some stories passed down by old veterans. It's said… they are the ultimate bulwark, existing to protect the Primarch."
His gaze became distant, as if recalling those dusty records: "What I remember most clearly is the record of the nightmarish Battle of Calth. At that time, the Word Bearers and World Eaters suddenly betrayed us, and orbital bombardment and viral attacks plunged the world into hell. Amidst the chaos and despair, a small squad of the Victrix Guard, said to be only about ten men, led by their captain, desperately defended a critical communication node."
The lounge was silent; even Dorian listened with bated breath. The Battle of Calth was an eternal pain and a scar of glory in the hearts of all Ultramarines.
"The records say…" Calgar's voice deepened, "that Victrix Guard squad, facing a tide of frenzied World Eaters berserkers and Word Bearers daemon sorcerers, did not retreat a single step! They formed a perfect sword formation, each man's swordsmanship honed to perfection, as if they could predict every enemy attack. The power swords in their hands swung like a blue storm of death, single-handedly holding back enemies many times their number, fighting for a full day and night until reinforcements finally broke through and arrived… By then, of the ten Victrix Guard, only three remained standing, all wounded, and at their feet lay mountains of traitor corpses…"
Hiss—
Dorian couldn't help but gasp. As a battle-hardened assault specialist, he knew all too well what it meant to hold out for a day and a night in such circumstances. It wasn't just courage, but absolute skill and almost perfect coordination.
"Everyone is a master swordsman…" Sergeant Golden muttered, a glimmer of longing and burning light flashing in his eyes. He subconsciously touched the power sword at his waist. As an experienced Sergeant, his swordsmanship was also extraordinary, but he knew his limits. "If I had the chance, I'd really like to spar with them…" He paused, chuckling self-deprecatingly, "…though I know I'd lose miserably, perhaps not even able to take a single move."
Those chosen for the Victrix Guard were all monsters, honed to the peak of combat artistry, selected from billions of Astartes. Their very existence was a symbol of military might.
Dorian's focus, however, had once again strayed. He stroked his chin, looking at the 'eagle-faced helmet' Lina had gestured about earlier, then touched the precious red Sergeant helmet on his own head, suddenly feeling that this red helmet… wasn't so appealing anymore.
"An eagle-faced helmet…" he mumbled, "It sounds much more majestic and domineering than a red helmet! And it's the standard equipment of the Primarch's Guard! If I could get one to wear…" His eyes began to gleam, and his mind was already plotting: "…Eagle-faced helmets are basically only worn by the Honor Guard… But that won't stop me, Dorian! I just need to wait until the Blood Ravens Chapter brothers come to the ship for repairs next time… Maybe they'll have some in their stores…"
"DEC! LAN!" Sergeant Golden almost spat out the name through gritted teeth, veins throbbing on his forehead. "Did you not hear a single damn word I just said?! Do you think I won't do anything to you?!"
He suddenly stood up, pointing at Dorian's nose, his voice like thunder: "I'm warning you! If you dare to exchange any more spoils of war with those Blood Ravens for this kind of junk! I'll personally stuff you into a torpedo launch tube, set a coordinate for you, and let you directly board the deepest part of the Warp! Go say hello to the four Chaos Gods first! If you can escape from any Daemon Prince or Greater Daemon and come back alive, then I'll approve your equipment exchange! You can exchange for whatever you want! How about it?! Want to go try it now?!"
Gorden was genuinely furious, even uttering such a threat as "banishment to the Warp."
Dorian flinched, shrinking his neck, and quickly waved his hands: "Hey, hey, hey! Sergeant, calm down! Just kidding, just kidding! How could I dare! No more exchanges, no more! This red helmet is perfectly fine, I'm used to it!" He agreed quickly, but anyone could tell from his darting eyes and perfunctory tone that he didn't take it to heart at all, probably forgetting it the moment he turned around.
Calgar and Luna exchanged a helpless glance, tacitly ignoring the daily squabbles of the two lively characters, and brought the conversation back.
"The sudden arrival of the Victrix Guard is absolutely no small matter," Calgar said, his brow furrowed in analysis. "They are the Primarch's personal guard; unless there is an extremely important mission or a direct order from the Primarch, they would never easily leave his side. Although there have been occasional skirmishes on the borders of Ultramar recently, they have all been small-scale conflicts, nothing that would warrant alarming the Primarch, let alone dispatching the Victrix Guard."
Luna's electronic eyes flickered as she responded, her voice still flat, but her words went straight to the core: "Logical analysis: The appearance of the Victrix Guard has a 99.7% probability of being directly related to Primarch Roboute Guilliman. However, their purpose is not to participate in local combat. Possibility one: The Primarch is about to arrive in person. Possibility two: To deliver extremely important instructions or items. Possibility three: Related to a higher-level major event that threatens the Imperium or the Primarch himself."
"Is the Primarch coming to visit us?" Lina's eyes lit up, but then she immediately dismissed the idea herself. "No way… The Primarch is busy with countless affairs, dealing with matters of the entire Imperium; how could he have time to specifically visit us…"
"Indeed, the probability is extremely low," Calgar nodded in agreement. "Therefore, the greater possibility is the latter two that Luna mentioned."
Just as they were deep in thought, Lina, unable to contain her curiosity, pulled Eiras's hand: "Come on, Eiras, let's go take another look! Maybe they haven't gone far!"
The two girls quietly slipped out of the lounge and ran towards the Chapter Master's conference room.
Sure enough, that Victrix Guard squad had not left immediately. They were standing in a relatively open area of the corridor, seemingly waiting for something. Up close, their extraordinary presence was even more palpable.
On their deep blue armor, every Gorden trim seemed meticulously sculpted by a master, shimmering with a dull yet noble luster under the lights. The massive Gorden Imperial Aquila emblem covered their chest plates, exuding an undeniable sense of authority. The red visors on their eagle-faced helmets slowly scanned their surroundings, cold and sharp, with an air of detached scrutiny. They merely stood there, naturally forming an invisible aura that was solemn, powerful, and awe-inspiring. Compared to them, even the battle-hardened veterans of the 1st Company seemed to lack some of this ultimate majesty, born of absolute loyalty and strength.
Eiras looked at these magnificently armored, exceptionally charismatic warriors, her small mouth agape in surprise, her green eyes filled with shock. She subconsciously compared them to the relatively "unadorned" blue armor of the 7th Company warriors she was familiar with, and couldn't help but whisper to Lina: "Lina… they… they're so handsome…"
That handsomeness was not a superficial splendor, but a deep-seated majesty and glory, condensed from countless merits, absolute power, and loyalty, ingrained in their very bones.
The Victrix Guard squad leader seemed to notice the gaze from their direction. His eagle-faced helmet turned slightly, and his red visors fell upon Lina and Eiras. His gaze swept over Lina, then paused for an extremely brief moment on Eiras. Clearly, an Aeldari female, even in a Tech-Priest's uniform, appearing in the core area of an Imperial warship, caused him a subtle, almost imperceptible, flicker of doubt.
But he showed no reaction. His duty and discipline did not allow him to pay too much attention to matters unrelated to his mission. Whatever the reason for this Aeldari's presence, as long as she posed no threat, she was not within his purview.
His mission was very clear and very important—to personally and safely transfer a significant Legion relic from the Primarch to Chapter Master Marius Calgar. At this moment, he was waiting for the Chapter Master to complete the relic reception procedure, and then he would immediately lead his squad back to continue their supreme duty of guarding the Primarch.
As for what this relic actually was, why it required the Victrix Guard's personal escort, and what profound meaning or crisis lay behind it, was not for outsiders to know. But undoubtedly, the arrival of the Victrix Guard was like a stone cast into a calm lake; its ripples would gradually spread, eventually affecting everyone on the Macragge's Honour, and even the future of all Ultramar.
The relic had been delivered, but the storm might still be brewing. The fate of the Imperium was always intertwined with glory and the unknown.
However, some things, once planted, are difficult to easily erase.
For Eiras, the Victrix Guard's deep blue and gold, incomparably majestic presence, and their transcendent aura of power left an indelible impression on her heart. Occasionally, while maintaining equipment, her mind would wander, and images of those eagle-faced helmets and red visors would flash through her mind, giving her a deeper, mixed understanding of the Astartes as a group, combining awe and curiosity. She would even secretly search her data-slate for fragments of information about "Victrix Guard" and "Honor Guard," though due to permission restrictions, the information she could find was scarce.
And for Dorian, the greatest impact brought by the Victrix Guard was that it completely ignited his fanatical obsession with the "eagle-faced helmet"! That red Sergeant helmet, acquired in exchange for Harlequin weapons, instantly lost its appeal and was casually tossed at the foot of his bed. Now, his mind was filled with the majestic eagle-head design, the profound red visors, and the unique design symbolizing supreme glory! He felt that only such a helmet could match the heroic temperament (in his own opinion) of him, Lord Dorian!
He nagged Sergeant Golden countless times, only to be met with the Sergeant's increasingly dark face and repeated threats of "stuffing him into the Warp." Although Dorian no longer dared to mention it verbally, the itch in his heart grew stronger and stronger.
Opportunity always favors the "prepared."
A month later, after a routine border patrol mission, a company from the Blood Ravens Chapter arrived on the Macragge's Honour for a short rest and resupply, as planned.
When the news arrived, Dorian's eyes instantly lit up! Sergeant Golden had just been summoned to a tactical meeting about recent xenos activity on the border—what a heaven-sent opportunity!
Like a spy about to conduct a secret transaction, his heart pounded. He tiptoed back to his locker and retrieved a carefully oilcloth-wrapped item from its deepest recesses. Opening the oilcloth, inside was a sleek, eerily beautiful Aeldari helmet, inlaid with tiny gems. He had snatched it as a trophy from a hapless Kabalite Warrior during a previous mission to eradicate Dark Eldar remnants. He had secretly kept it because he found it beautiful, never expecting it to be of such great use now!
Clutching the Aeldari helmet, he peeked around the corridor like a thief and finally found the temporary resting area assigned to the Blood Ravens company. Several Blood Ravens Astartes were there, inspecting and maintaining their equipment.
Dorian took a deep breath, trying to appear calm, and walked forward. He flashed what he thought was a very friendly smile at a Blood Ravens Astartes who looked like a Squad Leader: "Hey! Brothers of the Blood Ravens! You've worked hard!"
The Blood Ravens Squad Leader looked up, his crimson eye lenses fixed on Dorian and the conspicuous Aeldari helmet in his arms. His voice, muffled by his faceplate, carried a hint of wariness and curiosity: "Brother of the Ultramarines? Is there something you need?"
Dorian rubbed his hands, lowering his voice, and stated his purpose: "Uh... brother, I heard you Blood Ravens... well... have wide connections and have seen many treasures. Look at this helmet of mine, genuine Commorragh craftsmanship, top-grade stuff! I want to... trade something with you..."
With that, he handed over the Aeldari helmet.
The Blood Ravens Squad Leader took the helmet and examined it carefully, his fingers gently tracing the gems and sleek lines. The gaze behind his eye lenses clearly brightened. Other Blood Ravens Astartes around him also gathered curiously, whispering amongst themselves, seemingly very interested in this xenos artifact.
The old joke circulating throughout the Imperium was indeed true—"You can find all the equipment in the universe at the Blood Ravens."
The Blood Ravens Squad Leader whispered a few words with his companions, then nodded to Dorian: "A fine collection. What do you want to trade for?"
Dorian was overjoyed and quickly said: "I... I want to trade for an Aquila Helmet! The kind our Honor Guard wears!"
The Blood Ravens Astartes seemed to pause, exchanging glances. An Aquila Helmet was not ordinary equipment. But the Squad Leader only hesitated for a moment before nodding to an Astartes behind him. That Astartes immediately turned and carefully retrieved a helmet from one of their unusually heavy equipment crates.
It was indeed a standard Aquila Helmet of the Ultramarines Honor Guard! The blue paintwork was meticulously maintained, the Aquila's silhouette was sharp and imposing, and the red eye lenses were like congealed blood. The entire piece exuded a weighty sense of historical glory! It even looked older and more ornate than the Victrix Guard helmets Dorian had seen before!
"This is an ancient relic we... unexpectedly acquired... during an archaeological operation," the Blood Ravens Squad Leader said impassively, handing the helmet to Dorian. "It should belong to an Astartes who needs it more."
Dorian took the Aquila Helmet, his hands trembling slightly! It was cool and heavy to the touch, with a perfect design and majestic aura—it was the treasure he had always dreamed of!
"Trade! This is the trade!" Dorian, afraid the other party would go back on their word, quickly stuffed the Aeldari helmet to them and then hugged the Aquila Helmet tightly.
The Blood Ravens Squad Leader also seemed very satisfied with the transaction, nodding: "Pleasure doing business, Brother of the Ultramarines." He subtly winked at an Astartes nearby.
Just as Dorian's entire attention was focused on the new treasure in his arms, that Blood Ravens Astartes, with extremely skillful, almost magical dexterity, silently swiped the intricately crafted bolter pistol, Dorian's spare, that was hanging from his belt, and quickly hid it among his own equipment. The entire process was as fast as lightning, and Dorian was completely unaware.
Immersed in immense joy, Dorian repeatedly thanked them, hugged the Aquila Helmet, and happily slipped back to the Second Squad's common room.
As soon as he entered, he couldn't wait to put the helmet on! To match this glorious helmet, he even specifically changed out of his bulky Terminator armor and put on standard Mark X Power Armour.
"Gaius! Look! Look at me!" Dorian shouted excitedly, pacing around the common room, striking various poses he considered mighty.
Gaius, who was wiping his sniper rifle, looked up at the sound, saw the striking Aquila Helmet on Dorian's head, and was stunned. He then sighed helplessly: "Dorian... you... you actually got one? Where did you get it? Wait... it couldn't be..."
"Hehe! Of course, the brothers of the Blood Ravens are awesome!" Dorian proudly patted the helmet, making a clanging sound. "How is it? Is it cool? Isn't it much more imposing than that red helmet?!"
Gaius rubbed his temples: "It's quite cool... but... have you forgotten Sergeant Golden's words? If he finds out..."
"What's there to be afraid of!" Dorian waved his hand dismissively. "The Sergeant is all talk! When he sees such a cool helmet, he'll definitely like it too! Maybe he'll even praise my taste!"
No sooner had he spoken than the common room door slid open.
Sergeant Golden, looking tired after the meeting, walked in, followed by Eiras, who had just finished checking the external sensors.
Gorden, looking down at the data-slate in his hand, habitually said, "The meeting is over, the situation is a bit complicated, those greenskins..." He stopped mid-sentence, instinctively looking up.
Then, his gaze froze.
His eyes were fixed on the Aquila Helmet on Dorian's head—glowing with a blue luminescence under the lights, its Aquila head design incredibly striking!
Time seemed to stand still at this moment.
The fatigue on Gorden's face instantly vanished, replaced by extreme shock, disbelief, and a rapidly escalating crimson, like before a volcanic eruption! He opened his mouth, seemingly wanting to say something, but felt a rush of blood to his head, his vision suddenly darkened, his breathing became extremely difficult, and his finger trembled as he pointed at Dorian, unable to utter a single syllable for a long time.
Dorian, seeing the Sergeant's "shocked" expression, thought he was simply "handsome" (cool) from his new look, and became even more smug, even deliberately shaking his head: "How is it, Sergeant? Am I so cool you're speechless? I told you this helmet..."
Gaius and Eiras, seeing that Gorden's face was not one of pleasant surprise but rather on the verge of a cerebral hemorrhage, both inwardly screamed, "Oh no!"
"Uh... Sergeant, I suddenly remembered that Luna asked me to help calibrate the Dreadnought's servo system!" Eiras reacted quickly, immediately finding an excuse.
"I... I'll go see if Lina needs any help over there!" Gaius also immediately stood up.
The two exchanged a look of "good luck to yourself" and, at top speed, scurried out of the common room like startled rabbits, even "thoughtfully" closing the door.
As soon as they closed the door, they heard Sergeant Golden's roar erupt from the common room behind them, like a lit powder keg, a roar that could shatter steel plates, mixed with extreme anger and despair:
"Dec! Lan! You! I'm going to personally shove you into a Thunderhawk's engine exhaust port today! Burn you to ashes! Ahhhhhhh!!!"
Immediately following, there were Dorian's panicked cries, the crash of overturned furniture, and Gorden's furious pursuit!
The immense commotion immediately attracted Astartes from other nearby squads. When they saw Sergeant Golden wildly chasing Dorian, who was wearing a highly inappropriate Aquila Helmet and scurrying around clutching his head, everyone was stunned!
"Stop the Sergeant!"
"Calm down! Sergeant Golden! Calm down!"
"Dorian, what good thing have you done again?!"
Several tall and burly Astartes rushed forward, using all their hands and feet to barely restrain the enraged Gorden. Gorden was trembling with fury, pointing at Dorian, who was shielded behind the others and still had a look of "I'm not wrong, I'm very handsome" on his face, and roared: "Let go of me! I'm going to clean house today! This scoundrel! This idiot! He traded a trophy for this broken helmet! I'm going to kill him!!"
Dorian, oblivious to the danger, was still trying to explain: "Sergeant! This helmet is really cool! And it's an antique! The Blood Ravens brothers said..."
"Blood Ravens?! You dare to mention the Blood Ravens?!" Gorden almost choked. "Did they also swap out your brain while they were at it?! Huh?!"
If not for the other Astartes holding him back, Dorian would probably have been subjected to "battlefield discipline" on the spot by the enraged Sergeant Golden.
In the end, this farce concluded with Dorian being personally ordered by the 7th Company Captain, who had rushed to the scene, to be confined for three days, and the Aquila Helmet confiscated and temporarily held by the company. But everyone knew that the war regarding Dorian and his "collecting addiction" (collecting obsession), and Sergeant Golden's blood pressure, was far from over.
And the Blood Ravens company, which had traded an Aquila Helmet for Dorian's Aeldari helmet and also pilfered a bolter pistol, quietly left the Macragge's Honour after their rest, their deeds uncredited. They left behind only a confined Dorian, still longing for his Aquila Helmet, and a Sergeant Golden, so angry he almost returned to the Emperor's embrace prematurely.