The Lion's Awkward Imitation (Part 1)

Sigismund, the Lord of the Templars of the Seventh Legion 'Imperial Fists, walked into a Commercial Plaza shattered by gunfire.

This is the designated landing site.

The bizarre, abstract sculptures in the square have been dismantled by the engineering team, and the facades that depicted scenes of depravity have been cleaned up one by one with Bolter and incendiary Promethium.

The entire square, like the resistance of the Scathians, was shattered and riddled with holes.

All that remained was the lingering, incomplete smoke and dust on the rooftops of the distant square.

Sigismund looked again at the long line of his fellow members of the Holy Brotherhood.

The battles against the Scathians were not glorious:

After Rogal Dorn brought in his Mount Array, the Scathians air fleet was quickly wiped out by the terrifying firepower of this invincible spaceship.

Then, three fully armed Legiones Astartes, commanded by Rogal Dorn, deployed their surface forces in conjunction with an orbital strike.

Now, a breach has been torn in the Scathians's forces.

The surface forces will gradually build Defensive Fortifications, and with the support of the flagship in orbit, they will eventually succeed in taking over the entire Scathian Planet.

And as everyone predicted, the tide of war had completely turned in favor of the Imperium of Man.

The main fleets of the three legions have already controlled the orbit of the entire planet, and the aircraft continue to circle and roar in the sky.

The recapture of the planet seems to be a foregone conclusion.

Even though the Scathians were still putting up a stubborn resistance, they could only shorten the time it took for the front lines to collapse.

Whether it takes six hours or sixty hours, the three Primarch from the Imperium of Man will ultimately prevail.

Sigismund recalled his conversation with Dorn not long ago.

"Now, halt the bombing."

"Tell them that it's pointless to turn the entire planet to ashes, even though we could do it easily. Signal again, demanding their surrender."

Rogal Dorn's orders reached his ears.

While the battle was underway and the surface-dropped forces were locked in combat with the Scathia defenders, the Primarch chose to cease hostilities.

Even though they had changed their minds about surrendering to this planet many times, the Primarch still gave those who resisted one last chance to surrender.

Scathia has been chosen by the Imperium as the future "gateway" world.

Whether in the Realspace or the unpredictable routes of the Warp, it is located in a core nodal region.

Scathia's location is crucial as a key Node System in order to transport troops and resources to the Expeditionary Fleet.

This is why the main forces of the three Legiones Astartes from the Imperium of Man were deployed here to ensure that control of the system could be seized with minimal losses.

This was Primarch that not only the Primarchs understood, but the Scathians also understood.

This strategically important geographical location is precisely the capital they use to assert their authority.

"Do you have any more questions, Company Commander?"

"I think we should stop being merciful to them, sir."

"While large-scale bombing may cause extensive collateral damage, our warships are in position and can provide us with precise Orbital Support. With these precise and efficient support interventions, our advance can be greatly accelerated."

"But it could also force the enemy to fight a desperate battle."

Dorn refuted this.

His imposing figure seemed to overlap with the light of the Holographic Projection in a moment of daze.

Hundreds of lights shone on his golden armor, reflecting a dazzling light that was almost blinding.

"I understand, sir."

"But right now, many soldiers of the Legion, both our own and our allies', are struggling on the brink of death," Sigismund said. "Life is indeed precious, but shouldn't we, in a way, value our own lives even more?"

"It's a trade-off," Dorn said after a moment of silence.

"We will never know whether a precise strike against the enemy will clear obstacles in our advance or make them even more frenzied and unruly."

"You may be right at times, but we only have one chance to choose."

It has nothing to do with morality or mercy; it's just the most basic exchange of human lives.

"Therefore, I hope you can trust my judgment—whether it's this time or many future choices."

Even the most idealistic person, after being tempered on the real battlefield, will inevitably become cold-blooded and indifferent.

"Yes, sir."

The war is almost over.

Just moments before, he had finished giving a speech to an elite Templar squad—three hundred warriors, almost an entire company, had gathered in the square.

The tree-lined avenue leading to the center of the capital was dilapidated and littered with rubble.

Many of the Brotherhood of Saints' companies were drawn from planets around the world to join the Mount Array, serving as honor guards in accordance with Primarch specifications.

If it were a single legion's Expeditionary Fleet, the requirements for the legion's external appearance wouldn't be so strict, but now that it's a joint Expeditionary Fleet of three legions, things are very different from before.

Presumably, the other two legions are also putting on a show of pretense in the same way.

Especially the Sons of the Emperor.

Before receiving accurate casualty reports, even Sigismund himself, the Lord of the Templars, did not know how many of his Battle Brother he had been laughing and joking with just yesterday, would die tragically.

Or rather, war itself is never a meaningful thing—it is a continuation of politics, a means by which one group uses another group to achieve a certain purpose.

It is not honorable.

Whether the opposing side is Xenos or a human force that refuses to submit, war is never a glorious or honorable thing.

Even Sigismund, known as the "Black Knight," who was the pride of the many Battle Brothers of the Imperial Fists, thought the same way.

As the Great Crusade progresses smoothly, more and more Primarch are returning to the Imperium. Once they take control of their own legions, the Astartes' fighting strength will rise to another level!

Where in the entire Milky Way can one find a Xenos force that can rival the great Imperium of Man?

No!

Soon the Imperium of Man will unify the world, and human civilization will move toward a bright future under the leadership of the God-Emperor of Mankind and the eighteen Legion Primarch.

The Great Crusade is nearing perfection as more and more worlds submit and more and more Primarch return.

But by then, only the great Imperium of Man remained in the entire galaxy.

Will the war really end?

Or is it simply replacing the fight between humans and aliens with a fight between humans and Xenos?

Sigismund's thoughts were interrupted by the roar of fighter jet engines overhead.

The transport ship's splendid appearance heralded the arrival of the Primarch.

Sigismund, you're thinking about things you shouldn't be thinking about again.

He pulled himself out of his thoughts and looked at the fighter jets in the sky.

Escorted by fighter squadrons whose paint schemes represented their respective legion colors, aircraft in purple and gold, yellow and black, and black, white and red hovered in the sky.

Those were the vehicles of the three Primarch, who were about to meet on the surface of this planet.

Rogal Dorn is an absolutely fair and just man, even to the point of being somewhat absolute and egalitarian.

When choosing the location for the Primarch's landing and the formal meeting, he would always choose a planet that did not favor either side.

Even though everyone knows that the size of the Mount Array alone is enough to make it larger than all the warships of the other two legions combined.

However, Dorn insisted on meeting on the planet's surface to demonstrate that there was no distinction of rank or status among the Emperor's children.

—Even if they don't have the Mount Array.

The three Primarch's transport ships are landing.

Before the transport ship landed, the Sons of the Emperor fighter jets performed a precise and elegant coordinated circle around it before roaring back into the thick clouds.

Sigismund: "."

Well.

Oh well, he is, after all, Emperor's Children.

He strode towards the Imperial Fists's transport ship, fulfilling his role as Rogal Dorn's personal guard while simultaneously Lord of the Templars.

The three Primarch and their guards are clearly distinguished:

The Phoenix Guard of Fulgrim, clad in shimmering purple-gold armor, followed behind the only female Primarch among the three Primarch, who was also the most beautiful and radiant Primarch in the Primarch.

Of course, she would not admit that her title as the most beautiful woman in the Imperium only existed in the past.

Even if he had seen Sanguinius in person.

After all, no one dared to ask her this question to her face.

Having once served as the Emperor's honor guard, they marched steadily in unison, with a long, narrow banner above their heads bearing the Imperial Eagle.

Meanwhile, the elite Caliban Paladins of the Dark Angels followed their Primarch, their red, black, and white banners adorned with Caliban's emblem and mystical symbols fluttering in the wind.

As for the Imperial Fists, they are—the Ground Platform! (X)

Pooh.

The Templars of the Imperial Fists did not brandish their light blades, but instead stood neatly around Rogal Dorn, clad in yellow and black power armor.

Rogal Dorn, clad entirely in pure gold armor, stood out remarkably during this meeting.

"We command one of the most powerful armies in history, Rogge. Don't take our temporary delay on this rock too seriously."

The Lion stared at Rogal Dorn, one hand on his chin, the other fiddling with the ornate hilt of his sword.

In the temporary camp set up by the Adeptus Mechanicus, the three Primarch, along with their most trusted bodyguards, held a formal meeting.

"Although extinction is not our intention, we must always consider the possibility of it whenever we encounter a galaxy."

It was not intended to exterminate them.

It should be said that the Lion was indeed using Exterminatus as a routine measure.

This seems to be his true intention.

Compared to other Primarch who are far more cautious about weapons capable of causing excessive damage on a large scale, the Lion seems to be under little pressure.

Throw it away if you want.

As long as the resistance forces can be annihilated, the Lion will not give up an opportunity to issue Exterminatus.

(There was even a ruthless act of secretly throwing Exterminatus into Guilliman's Five Hundred Worlds in order to capture Curze.)

(Angrily, Curze angrily denounced Lion as a traitor and a serial killer.)

Outside the round table, Kasgar, who was following behind the Primarch as a bodyguard, and Sigismund, who was also a bodyguard of the Primarch beside him, exchanged glances.

Is he planning to issue another Exterminatus?

That goes without saying.

Although neither of them uttered a single word, their eyes spoke volumes.

Hagi Lion, you rely too much on the Super Exterminatus.

Although the Primarch had a strict hierarchy among the Space Marine, Kasgar had a particularly strong memory of this—especially when Fulgrim often used it to pressure him.

But the opinions of those below can never be silenced by any prohibitions or rules.

In particular, in order to speed up the Great Crusade and reduce the casualties of the Dark Angels, the Lion often used the Exterminatus bombard some difficult targets.

This made him very unpopular within the Imperium.

After all, even if the Great Crusade achieved victory after victory, and the Dark Angels wiped out one enemy of humanity after another, these things had little to do with the ordinary human inhabitants living on millions of planets.

But Cyclone Torpedo and Virus Bomb could really come down on everyone's head!

Who knows if one day the Governor might go mad and be accused of treason, leading to an Exterminatus could wipe out the entire planet?

(Except for the Perpetual) Everyone only has one life, which is definitely not enough to support the Lion El'Jonson.

Therefore, apart from Terra, the citizens of the Imperium, including many military personnel on expeditions, often harbored private grievances against the Lion.

"I understand your concerns, Al Jonson."

"Fulgrim said with a hint of helplessness."

She reached out and gently touched the Aquila ornament on her chest.

"But we have a better way to solve the problems we are facing on Scathian Planet."

"Moreover, our goal has never been this planet."

Scathia was only a tiny part of the three Primarch campaigns, and although the system's location was indeed crucial, it was not worth deploying three Primarch fleets in the battle.

More importantly, there's something behind this planet.

For example, the mystery of another mysterious sector linked to this crucial node of Warp travel: the Night Haunter Sector.

The Skathia System is merely a gateway; the Night Haunter Sector, accessed through the Skathia System, is the reality that everyone has been eagerly awaiting.

According to existing reports, the Imperium lost four Expeditionary Fleet within a decade in this mysterious sector.

Four Expeditionary Fleet!

Even if none of these Expeditionary Fleet had a Primarch in Primarch, their fleet size would not be as large as theirs.

At best, he's only at the level of Cicero Ultramarines Chapter.

However, after these Expeditionary Fleet entered the mysterious Night Haunter Sector via other Warp routes, they lost all contact with the fleet.

They mysteriously disappeared.

If an Expeditionary Fleet loses its signal, it can be said that it is lost in the Warp.

But the mysterious disappearance of four Expeditionary Fleet in succession was enough to cause a sensation.

"The handling of the remnants of the Scathia forces is not the focus of our discussion here."

Rogal Dorn cautioned, "These captured star maps depict the specific locations and changes of galaxies deep within the Night Haunter Sector, and they will be of great help to our next operation."

As he spoke, he looked to his side, where a navigator stood wearing a loose-fitting black satin shirt and equally loose dark trousers.

Chief Navigator Regantis, leader of the Navigator Detachment of the Mount Array, and also a strong contender to become the next Elder of the Navigator Houses.

His loose clothing effectively concealed the mutations caused by the Navigator's genes and the corresponding maintenance equipment.

To enable the navigator to continue working in environments that are difficult for the fragile bodies of mutants to cope with, he had fixation clamps implanted in his arms and legs, and additional support braces installed on his spine.

But this didn't allow him to walk like a normal person—he walked with somewhat unsteady steps toward the round table under everyone's watchful eyes.

But it would be ridiculous to conclude that navigators are unimportant based on this alone.

As the chief Navigator earned the Emperor's trust to the point of being entrusted with piloting the unique "Mount Array," a ship unparalleled throughout the entire Imperium, she was never just a simple person.

"Thank you, Lord Rogge."

With the Primarch making way and offering assistance, he approached the star map laid out on the round table and explained:

"These star maps are indeed priceless, and their depictions are equally detailed and thorough."

"Scathians terminology and diagrams are very different from ours, but if we are willing to spend the time, we can still easily decipher what he is trying to express."

Although the Skathia System is relatively isolated, they have been trying to study ancient Warp travel technologies—and have achieved some success. Perhaps it differs from the current Imperium methods, but it is still highly valuable for reference and learning.

The chief navigator expressed his approval of this knowledge.

"In addition, through the investigation of the captured crew members, we obtained some useful intelligence."

"But this is not enough to allow us to move freely in the Night Haunter Sector."

"Why, navigator?"

The Lion asked, "We already have the star map of this sector, and you're so confident about it. What do we have to worry about?"

"Because this is a dark area that the Astronomican cannot reach."

During regular Warp voyages, navigators can see this Astronomican emanating from Terra.

"He will guide us to measure our own location—there may be some slight deviations for some reason, but we will eventually be able to find a relatively accurate position."

"But in the Night Haunter Sector, it is shrouded in a shadow. It is the Maelstrom we call the Great Northern Warp Storm."

Without the guidance of Astronomican in the Night Haunter Sector, this is undoubtedly a huge challenge for navigators.

"But you guaranteed our voyage," Rogal Dorn suddenly said from the side. "Otherwise, the Emperor wouldn't have sent us here on this mission."

"Yes, that's exactly what I was thinking—the light of the Astronomican may dim and blur under the Warp Storm, but it won't be completely blocked."

"It's just like a light, scattered?"

The Lion said, gesturing with his hands outstretched. "But we can still see it, right?"

"That's right."

The navigator nodded. "It's just that it might become fainter and fainter as we go deeper into the star sector, until we can't see anything at all."

"And Expeditionary Fleet that have lost contact with each other are almost impossible to coordinate and fight in unison. But I believe this is why the Emperor, who praises his reign for thousands of years, did not send any one of us alone, but chose to send us together."

As the navigator of the Mount Array, he shared his judgment.

There are two options—split up their forces, which means that their Expeditionary Fleet will have difficulty communicating with each other, and the Expeditionary Fleet will be able to carry out blind attacks in complete silence.

This is the solution that the Lion advocates most.

As an Expeditionary Fleet possessing three Gloriana-class Battleship and countless advanced technologies, the Lion El'Jonson did not believe that the disappearance of those few smaller Expeditionary Fleet could prove anything.

Faced with his overwhelming power, the so-called Night Haunter Sector was nothing more than a stink bug blocking the way.

When he was in Caliban, still in the Knights' Monastery, he faced challenges of even greater strength.

But none of this can defeat the proud the Lion!

But it seems that Fulgrim does not agree.

She advocated for consolidating forces in one place, then advancing in a spiral pattern around the outer perimeter of the star sector, gradually pushing forward until they conquered the most difficult-to-reach core area.

(Like a mosquito coil)

"Several fleets have been lost in unknown locations deep within the Dark Zone. We must proceed with caution in the face of danger and must not act rashly."

"But none of them have a fleet, and the manpower and ships they have assembled are only half of ours."

The Lion seemed somewhat resentful of the other's cautiousness.

Lion was in a hurry.

"If we follow your plan, we'll waste at least ten years of our time in this sector!"

I disagree.

After a long silence, Rogal Dorn made a strong assertion.

Of course, he didn't take sides with anyone.

"Neither of your two proposals meets the Emperor's expectations."

The two of them fought together.

"So if we just wait here, will new intelligence emerge?"

"No, but as a Primarch, I have a duty to protect every member of the expedition as much as possible and to find new ways out for them."

"So what? You think you can find a new way out by just standing still like that?"

"If you don't change your current approach to hunting behemoths, Lion, your legion will suffer the same fate in the future."

"Alright, alright, we were just expressing our opinions, there's no need to go to this extent."

The entire conference room was in complete chaos.

Dorn's speeches were often filled with the most straightforward denials, and while denying them, he sincerely explained the reasons for the mistakes to the other party.

That kind of sincerity, untainted by any selfishness, even surpasses the satirical effect of Dorn, which was unmatched by the purest of all.

For a moment, it was impossible to tell whether he was deliberately belittling others or sincerely pointing out their mistakes.

But no matter which one, the Lion is very angry.

The Lion went from being full of vigor to arguing his point, and then became less and less talkative during the argument.

He gradually fell silent.

"The First Legion still has some matters to attend to, please excuse me."

With the Lion's cheeks flushed red, he finally chose to leave without looking back, taking the Caliban Knight with him.

No matter how much Fulgrim tried to persuade her, she couldn't change her mind.

The First Legion's delegation left much faster than she had imagined; before she could even chase after them, they were already far away.

Rogal Dorn was still silently studying the star chart on the table.

"Brother Dorn, I must remind you, this is futile."

Fulgrim felt his face turning red. "This is a joint operation. We must agree on the strategy for the expedition. All three legions are indispensable."

Where do you even study your star chart?

If everyone's gone and we can't reach a consensus, what's the point of you even if you come up with your ideas?

That was truly amazing.

Kasgar silently watched as the navigators, Imperial Army commanders, and narrators, who had initially been locked in a standoff, now stood in the back row listening, all displaying obvious embarrassment.

He looked to his side and saw Sigismund, a Dorn guard.

The two bodyguards exchanged glances again.

[Here we go again?]

Here we go again. It always ends on a sour note.

[Why]

[Why]

They both sighed silently.

I want to say something.

But I feel like there's nothing more to say.

It would be a miracle if Dorn and the Lion could be put together and they didn't fight.

This guy is so annoying!!!

The Lion strode quickly toward its landing craft, still seething with resentment.

I'm so annoyed.

So angry! So angry! So angry!!

Even if I kept telling myself that I was Warmaster, it was no use.

Damn it, could this guy not go against him for even a second?

The Lion El'Jonson walked towards the road, his mind racing with thoughts.

Etc.

His steps, which were being taken in silence with his head down, suddenly stopped.

Wrong.

The number and color of the landing craft and fighter jets here are a bit off.

Besides the purple and gold of the Sons of the Emperor, the yellow and black of the Imperial Fists, and the black, silver, and red of the Dark Angels, there also appeared some black, white, and gray flags and armor in the arena, and judging from the wolf heads on the banners they held—this is—

"Ah, Lion brothers, it's been a long time."

A bald head emerged from the crowd.

A giant of similar stature and robust build stepped out of his landing craft with a hearty laugh, and went up to shake hands and hug Lion.

Behind him, four Astartes warriors emerged from the landing craft side by side. They were all clad in white armor trimmed with black.

Horus?

What are you doing?

The Lion forgot all his anger at the unexpected guest who had appeared before him.

Why did Horus come here?

"I'm sorry, but I may have to share some of the credit with you all."

He said with a smile.

"The Emperor dispatched a total of four Expeditionary Fleet."

"I also hope to arrive soon, but unfortunately part of my fleet has encountered unexpected obstacles and needs to replenish its reserves."

"Before I left, he specifically instructed me that we needed to prepare for one of the longest battles since the Great Crusade began."

At this point, Horus's smile seemed to widen slightly.

As the Primarch who was cared for and instructed by the Emperor, he seemed quite proud.

"After the jump was completed, they told me that you were having a meeting on the surface of the planet. As soon as I heard this, I rushed to the surface."

What were the topics discussed at the meeting? What were the results?

The Lion: "."

The meeting did indeed cover a lot of topics.

However, the meeting also yielded many results, including numerous discussions.

How should we describe this as the Lion El'Jonson?

Because the temperature had turned red, I ran out by myself before the meeting ended?

If the meeting ends, what if Fulgrim and Dorn come to some conclusion? Where would he put his face then?

Lion held Horus's hand in silence until Horus's expression turned to confusion.

". brother?"

Things have come to this.

I can't even bring myself to say things like I stormed off because Rogal Dorn said such awful things.

"The meeting is not over yet; Fulgrim and Rogal Dorn are still discussing in the meeting room over there."

"Then what are you doing?"

"I'm going out for a walk."

The Lion El'Jonson raised his head with a smile, seemingly proud that he had found an impeccable reason.

"But sir, we clearly left the meeting voluntarily—"

Just as the Lion was trying to cover up his immature behavior, a Chapter Priest next to him spoke up to refute him.

As a Chapter Priest, his duty is to oversee whether the Primarch's words and actions deviate from the Emperor's Radiance.

He was already dissatisfied with the Primarch's decision to leave the room.

As the Primarch, how could I lie!

This must be corrected!

"Shut up!"

The Lion turned around, clenched its fists, and roared.

For a fleeting moment, he really wanted to smash that noisy mouth to pieces.

—So annoying!

"Haha, I see."

Seeing the extent of the Lion's blush and his behavior, Horus had already grasped about 70-80% of the situation, stepped forward and comforted him with a smile.

"I didn't expect that you, Brother Lion, would know in advance that I was going to the surface."

"Then they'll pretend to be angry and leave their seats to greet me, uh, to give them a surprise?"

I'm having trouble making this up, but that's the gist of it.

"Ahem. That's natural; the First Legion's intelligence is always one step ahead."

The Lion replied with a smile, his previous displeasure with Dorn vanishing instantly in Horus's few words.

Horus is so understanding when the topic of Emperor is not being discussed.

"Shall we go back and give them a surprise, since they thought the meeting was over?"

Horus smiled and gestured forward, indicating, "Please?"

"Please."

Seeing this, the Lion El'Jonson also reached out and walked back to the conference room alongside Horus.

Perhaps there's a reason why Horus is so beloved by so many Primarch.

Lion thought to himself, somewhat dejected.

No wonder so many Primarch and Imperium prefer Horus to him, Lion.

In fact, the Lion was well aware that he was not popular with everyone.

The Lion was somewhat discouraged.

Does this mean he is truly destined to never achieve the glory and greatness of Warmaster?

No.

Lion will not give up.

He secretly glanced at Horus beside him with his eyes.

Since he's so popular, why don't I learn more from him?