Aqua Duna Decides to Die (Part 1)

"But the Sons of the Emperor and the Iron Hands combined unit will absolutely not allow such unauthorized modifications to occur."

Kasgar addressed the neatly lined-up Iron Hands in front of him with a serious expression.

Last time, the Iron Hands First Company, led by Kasgar, and the combined company of the Sons of the Emperor achieved excellent results.

Although they failed to defend the designated landing site, they were able to skillfully use Guerilla Warfare to contain the enemy's main force when faced with unexpected Titan Beast enemies.

Before Philus could reclaim the Space Elevator, they successfully controlled the enemy's advance and were even able to destroy one of them.

Even though the Titans of the Gardinalians were very different from the Imperium.

But no matter how different they are, it's still Titan.

Kasgar's ability to sever the enemy's Shield Generator and ultimately destroy it represents the pinnacle of individual Space Marine combat.

They also dispatched a motorized squad of the Sons of the Emperor to disrupt the city and eventually reached an agreement with the High Lord on a peaceful occupation.

If it weren't for the Gardinalians' feigned surrender, the whole process would have been perfect.

As a result, Kasgar, who received special praise, also gained more command authority over the troops in the mixed forces.

"Well!"

Upon hearing Kasgar's prohibition, a chorus of sighs and lamentations immediately arose from the group.

As Iron Hands, they all aspire to align themselves with Primarch Philus.

However, he was assigned to the command of this Sons of the Emperor, and the commander so easily rejected the Primarch's favor!

Looking at the other Iron Hands, they all happily received brand-new, cool mechanical arms and other mechanical limbs equipped with a large number of weapons.

It's infuriating that their First Company is being restricted from making changes by this Emperor's Children's commander!

Kasgar: "The First Company of the Iron Hands voluntarily gave up mechanization."

Is it voluntary?

Haha, that's very voluntary.

Thinking about drastically changing oneself all the time is really a bit alarming.

"Perhaps you will think my request is too much."

"But the question I'm asking you will never change—if mechanization is really that powerful, capable of enabling an ordinary Astartes to unleash combat power far exceeding that of ordinary people."

"Then why doesn't the Iron Hands Legion have a single Space Marine who can defeat Aqua Duna?"

Aqua's impressive record against Iron Hands completely silenced all calls for modification.

As he spoke, Kasgar glanced at Aqua was standing at the head of the Emperor's Children Legion.

Let the prophecy come true.

I was already aware of this.

He recalled the conversation he had with them and Amar the day before.

Kasgar sighed inwardly.

But now is not the time for lamenting the passing of spring and the coming of autumn.

He looked down at the many restless Iron Hands below and continued speaking.

"As far as I know, even though she hasn't undergone any modifications to her body, she doesn't have a single scar!"

"But what about in actual combat? Even the Dreadnought, whose flesh and blood are almost entirely covered by steel, cannot defeat our powerful Captain Aqua!"

"Etc!"

Solomon Demeter, Aqua's adjutant from the Second Company of the Sons of the Emperor, raised his hand to ask a question.

"Commander, how do you know that Aqua- sensei has never had a single scar on her body?"

He discovered the blind spot.

Major blind spot!

As soon as Solomon Demeter uttered those words, the entire training chamber was filled with a cheerful atmosphere.

Kasgar: "."

Your!

Don't ask this kind of question when I'm talking about serious topics!

"Ahem, of course that's what she said herself."

At that moment, he heard a collective chorus of disappointed boos from both legions.

That's not the point!

"In short, as human beings, we are born with enough potential in our bodies!"

"If we give up on being ourselves and place our hopes on external things like steel, expecting that steel can exert a power that we, as human beings, can never exert."

"Then we will be trapped in this cramped steel body forever, unable to move forward even one more step."

Kasgar said passionately.

But judging from the expressions of the Iron Hands below, it seems that not many of them are actually listening to what he's saying.

After all, few Iron Hands could resist the temptation of mechanized modifications that could easily enhance their combat capabilities and believe in Kasgar's empty platitudes.

Even though they knew that Kasgar wouldn't allow them to modify their bodies to a greater extent.

However, many people have already begun to plan how to "cleverly" lose their arms or legs on the battlefield in order to obtain a spot for mechanical modification.

Faced with quick ways to become stronger, not everyone can stay true to themselves.

The Legion's decline was happening far faster than Kasgar had imagined.

Although he knew that the Primarch would have a great impact on his legion of soldiers, he still felt somewhat heartbroken when he actually encountered this situation.

Further words are unnecessary; the final assault on the remaining stubborn fortresses of the Gardinalians is about to begin.

In this final battle, the Gardinalians will unleash even more dark technologies they have never seen before.

The real battle has not yet officially begun.

"Prepare for landing; we are about to join the battle as the legion's vanguard."

"And in this battle, I must remind you all: the enemy's remaining resistance is likely to be stronger than you imagine."

"If we don't prepare in advance, we will face incalculable casualties."

"I hope you all understand this."

Kasgar spoke with a solemn expression.

Soldiers are gathering near the capital, Gardinal.

Facing the relentless barrage of artillery fire in front of this bombed city was a dark blue defensive barrier.

Even from the outskirts of the city where Kasgar is located, you can see the giant saucer-shaped tower in the city center that controls the Shield Generator.

It was far too large compared to any Shield Generator I had ever seen before.

According to intelligence obtained from previous negotiations, this massive Psychic Shield Generator is the foundation of the Gardinal Empire.

Throughout their millennia-long history Pocket Imperium, they have also faced invasions from other Xenos or human interstellar Imperium.

But thanks to this powerful shield system, they managed to hold out until the end and launch a counterattack.

Even now, it's the same.

Every moment, countless genetically modified Psyker are inside the capital, and the fuel used to create a shield is thrown into it.

Such a massive investment has given it an incredible battery life that is beyond what others can imagine.

To overload it, the warship's Macro Cannon Lance, and Cyclone Torpedo alone are not enough.

This is also the reason why Philus ultimately chose to vote on the landing site after several days of orbital bombardment.

The battle began with a barrage of Missile Rain.

Combined with the cannon fire from the giant warships in the sky, countless missiles swept across the shield from the Flame-Pattern Titan Legion of Fleet 413 and the Mortis Dreadnought from Iron Hands.

At the same time, the laser cannon beams from the Destroyer Predator Tank, which were precisely controlled and coordinated by Philus, were also fired along with it.

The thunderous Medusa Cannon, the Earthshaker Cannon Heavy Cannon, and the Venom Cannon Tank's Venom Cannon —in short, an endless barrage far exceeding the most insane fantasies of the Gardinal High Lord —in an instant began to suppress the Gardinalians's shields.

Even the Gardinal Shield, which possesses almost inexhaustible energy, saw its pale blue light dimming further under such terrifying firepower.

The opponent's Psychic Force Shield is now only a matter of time in Philus's eyes.

That's right, that's exactly it.

The weak are left with only submission or death; mercy has no effect on them.

Only immense power is the most enduring truth in this world.

Looking at the dilapidated capital fortress of the Gardinalians, which seemed poised to crumble into ruins in the next second.

Philus couldn't help but "think" about it.

Even if excessive mechanical modification would cause her, or the entire legion, to lose a part of their humanity.

But from the moment she embarked on the Great Crusade, from the moment she fought against the other Xenos, hadn't she already chosen to abandon a part of her humanity for the sake of victory?

What's the difference between now and then?

Zzzzz!

Suddenly, as if in a final, desperate attempt, the Shield Generator, which was about to dim, suddenly brightened up again.

The shield was not overloaded; instead, it became even stronger.

What's going on here?

The same doubts flooded the minds of the surface troops at this moment.

"Gardinalians!"

"Their surface forces are advancing towards us!"

Someone exclaimed in surprise over the communicator, and the armed forces hidden under the giant shields gradually came into view.

The final counterattack from Lord of Gardinal has begun.

"All warriors of the Ultramarines, charge with me!"

Commander of Expeditionary Fleet 413, Ultramarines Chapter Cicero, led his Ultramarines to the forefront.

The shame inflicted by the Ultramarines can only be washed away by the blood of their Ultramarines.

Upon learning that Philus would launch a full-scale attack on the Gardinal Prime, the Chapter Master Cicero, who had recovered from his injuries, volunteered to serve as the vanguard of the ground forces.

He was about to engage in the first wave of firefight with the enemy who had once brought them shame.

And they will never lack teammates by their side.

The Psyker Thousand Sons Legion, led by Amar, were shielding them from distant artillery fire with Psychic Shield.

"Sons of the Emperor, use motorcycle fire to flank and cover our friendly forces' advance!"

Meanwhile, a mixed force of Sons of the Emperor and Iron Hands, led by Kasgar, is also joining the Ultramarines in their assault on the enemy fortress city.

After the first wave of attacks failed to overload the large Shield Generator of the Gardinalians, Philus immediately opted for a second strategy.

An elite squad stormed into the city and destroyed the enemy's large shield generator from within.

Complete the boarding maneuver.

But clearly, the Gardinalians' most formidable surface combat force is no pushover either.

Leading the charge were a large number of suicide tanks and troop carriers carrying a large number of suicide soldiers.

These soldiers were similar to the Gardinal Assassin that Kasgar had encountered on the ship, but compared to those high-end ones, these suicide infantrymen, who relied on sheer numbers, obviously couldn't stop the Ultramarines' advance much.

"Attention! A large number of Gardinalians Quadruped Titan are ahead!"

Dozens of the Quadruped Titan that Kasgar had encountered before blocked their path.

It seems that the High Lord of Gardinal has used all his trump cards.

But things are different now: before, Kasgar and his men only numbered a few hundred, but now, a thousand Ultramarines are at the forefront, the various clans of the Iron Hands are guarding the center, and Wizard from the Thousand Sons are there to provide support and shields.

Moreover, they are supported by a large amount of heavy firepower from the Iron Hands Legion. The strength of the two sides has undergone a dramatic change.

Originally, even dealing with three Titans was a bit of a struggle for Kasgar.

But now they seem no different from cannon fodder: as soon as they rush forward, their shields quickly become overloaded and they fall down quickly.

They transformed into fallen steel ruins, slightly hindering the advance of the Ultramarines' vanguard army.

Of course, it can only provide a slight obstruction.

"Truly terrifying firepower coverage and legion coordination."

Kasgar was somewhat dumbfounded.

Even if their Emperor's Children Legion only needed to harass from the sidelines, the Gardinalians's defenses would be reduced to ruins by endless artillery fire.

In wars of this scale, individual skill plays a relatively minor role.

The key is to see the firepower coverage generated by farming!

Kasgar was beginning to agree with Guilliman's theory.

If he can actually do that, instead of rushing in to fight one-on-one when it comes to actual combat.

Hmm. It seems like Kasgar did the same thing.

That's alright then.

As one obstacle after another was broken through by the Ultramarines of the Vanguard, the core army of Gardinal High Lord was finally exposed to Kasgar and his men's view.

"My God, what is this thing?"

Dr. Necro's car?

Gardinal High Lord rode in an extremely large, colossal Walker Tank.

This Walker Tank resembles a spider beetle and is supported by several giant mechanical legs;

It is equipped with a large number of massive particle cannons, which can penetrate any obstacle they encounter on the battlefield from extremely long distances.

Except for Philus's Iron Hands.

These cannons were even more powerful than the top-tier particle cannons used to assassinate Philus.

If it weren't for the fact that the Senior Sister's Iron Hands possessed superhuman strength, any other Primarch would have been severely injured, if not killed, by this attack.

And it wasn't just the giant tanks that the Lord of Gardinal rode in; they were also supported by a large number of infantry fighting tanks and Predator Tank as they advanced.

Furthermore, a large number of Bio-Enhanced Warrior clad in lightweight shell-like Power Armour, wielding massive shields, engaged in bloody hand-to-hand combat with the Ultramarines' vanguard.

After numerous hard-fought battles, even the Chapter Master Cicero sustained multiple injuries.

"Cicero, watch out!"

"Kasgar shouted."

While splitting an oncoming infantry fighting tank in two, Cicero was completely unaware of the high-speed suicide Rhino Armored Vehicle charging from the side.