Bzzzz—
Countless automated engineering machines rapidly devoured vast stretches of desert around Angel's Bastion.
Numerous ruined structures hidden beneath the desert were exposed to the scorching air, then rebuilt into defensive fortresses and watchtowers.
The large landing fields farther away were packed with dense masses of Astartes and all manner of Transport Ships.
The busy, bustling scene made Dante vaguely recall the bloodline memories of the Great Crusade.
Dante himself could be said to be the commander who had led countless Astartes in battle for the longest time among the Blood Angels Chapter, its successor Chapters, and even more Astartes Chapters.
Because within the present-day Imperium of Man, there were no Astartes older than him.
Perhaps similarly ancient elders still existed deep within the Warp or on fringe worlds forgotten by the Imperium.
But in the official records of the Imperium of Man alone, Dante was the sole significant candidate.
At that moment, Dante watched countless Chapter serfs carry ammunition and supplies, seemingly drawing a deep breath unconsciously.
The arrival and support of innumerable brother Chapters did little to ease the heaviness in his heart.
He had long known that Leviathan's main fleet was coming.
The Blood Angels' struggle and efforts in the Underworld System had been their final chance to buy time.
Yet if not for the unexpected intervention of the Necron Overlord Traveler, Dante himself would likely have fallen in the Underworld System.
Thus, Dante had no choice but to return to Baal and prepare for war.
He had chosen to summon every Angelic descendant that had branched off from them. Countless successor Chapters inheriting Sanguinius' bloodline arrived one after another, fighting with all their strength to resist—and even destroy—the Hive Mind's enormous tendrils.
By now, the number of Astartes on Baal had reached several thousand.
In this