This Is Real Music!
The battle to capture the atoll has been won.
With the Sons of the Emperor's excellent discipline and weaponry, the defeat of the Arsenal was almost a foregone conclusion.
The stabbing Xenos, with their unique tactics and abilities, embody the connection between themselves and the evil god they worship.
Crisp.
They didn't have much long-range weaponry, relying entirely on the first wave of close-range attacks to inflict initial casualties and then break up the enemy's formation.
This kind of thing, which can only go all in at once, does indeed rely on its agility to deal high damage in close combat.
But the problem is, what use is the speed of the stabbing troops against these shameless, Extending Spear?
Let alone stabbing people, even for Slaaneshi Daemon that can be ignored and passed through by ranged fire, this spear that can extend and retract for tens of meters is still considered a melee weapon.
Melee combat deals damage!
What? This is cheating! A 40m long sword can't even be considered a melee weapon?
Slaanesh, shut up! I say it's true!
Lacking any means of countermeasures, the thorn-wielding men could only helplessly face the thick, hedgehog-like shield formation, their four blades unable to withstand the onslaught, exchanging bewildered glances.
The result of their simplistic tactics was that after several unsuccessful attempts to get close, they were completely overwhelmed by Kasgar's relentless ground-pushing advance.
He used his Kasgar shield to ram himself into the air and sent him flying.
This is also a key reason why the Sons of the Emperor always emphasizes the importance of achieving perfection.
During the Great Crusade, they will encounter Xenos civilizations of unimaginable scale, each with distinct characteristics—only a comprehensive legion like the Sons of the Emperor is capable of confronting such a threat from the boundless universe.
After the Assassin army's encirclement and suppression of the Emperor's Children Legion was defeated, the overall battle entered the stage of clearing out the Assassin's atoll city streets.
Although the first wave of attacks by the Thorns against the Emperor's Children failed, the Kasgar and his people gained a foothold on the planet's surface.
However, on the atoll, there are also many Thorn Cities covered by coral reefs. The Thorn warriors fought and retreated to the ruins of these cities to continue their battle.
Unlike the open terrain of the landing point, in this narrow, obstacle-filled urban warfare, it is not as easy as before to completely eliminate these annoying flies.
The assassin warriors were agile, and even a barrage of firepower was not enough to clear all the remnants from these ruins.
Only in such close contact can its piercing nature be fully unleashed.
"What should we do with these filthy creatures next?"
"Continue to increase firepower?"
The interceptor followed the gunboat and circled over Atoll 19 in several patrol routes to prevent a counterattack by the Lal people.
"Not yet. Dealing with these remnants of the army that have infiltrated the city doesn't warrant such a large-scale deployment."
Even the Imperium Warmaster's powerful arsenal cannot withstand such abuse.
After all, there are other atolls in the ocean, and we haven't even seen any underwater cities like the Thorns yet, so it's not worth wasting firepower like this.
While the conversation was taking place, transport vehicles disembarked from large transport ships brought anti-aircraft gun emplacements and other air defense facilities, as well as small detachments of Auxilia as reserves.
Large mechanical loaders landed in the screaming sand clouds, spitting out silent, red-robed mechanical sages who, upon landing, hurriedly went to study the scorching energy flow that kept the atoll high in the air.
Huge earthmoving machines and teams of excavators and drills landed on the atoll, their goal being to level the entire atoll and then lay honeycomb-shaped metal plates as runways for attack and supply ships.
Of course, in addition to the machinery commonly needed for building landing sites, at Kasgar's request, the Mechanic Sages also reluctantly brought him new "combat equipment."
How long until our mobile stage is fully set up?
Kasgar looked at the Red Robes Tech-Priest beside him and asked.
"So, this is really not a joke."
"Does the Commander really think we can use this thing to help us defeat the Xenos?"
Julius Kaisolong, the company commander of the First Company of the Sons of the Emperor, looked at the enormous temporary stage before him. It seemed that hydraulic rods and stabilizing devices had been added beneath this mechanical platform, allowing it to move steadily like a Titan even in the ruins of a war.
"I don't know, who could possibly know?"
Company Commander Lucius of the 13th Company frowned helplessly as he looked at the thing.
His magnificent purple-gold armor was now covered in stains.
Seemingly finding the shield-stabbing gameplay uninteresting, he led his team out to challenge the assassin, leaving behind the bloodstains.
Don't worry, these were all left behind by the Xenos.
"Let's wait and see. Based on previous experience, Commander Kasgar won't make a mistake."
Although the actions appear increasingly abstract, they all ultimately achieve surprisingly satisfying and bizarre results.
This is Kasgar.
The weirder your ideas, the faster you win.
The more outrageous the idea, the fiercer the fight.
"Where did you learn all this, you rascal?"
Company Commander Kaisolong glanced at Lucius, and the two company commanders arrived at the designated assembly point after taking stock of their company's casualties.
In front of the newly erected giant stage, Fulgrim was still gathering his army to coordinate the construction of the landing point, while Kasgar, the true legion commander of the Emperor's Children, was arguing with a well-equipped, seemingly high-ranking sage of the Adeptus Mechanicus.
"This is utterly absurd, Commander. I can't believe you're actually going to send this thing into battle."
"Isn't this a perfectly normal behavior? Especially for the Cult of Adeptus Mechanicus, I thought you would understand me."
What does this mean?
"Don't all the Emperor-class Titan of your Adeptus Mechanicus have a huge chapel of machines on their heads?"
"You!—This is not the same! Great Omnissiah! Ignore their blasphemous metaphors!"
It's the same principle, the same principle.
Although it's a bit abstract, the ultimate goal is the same.
In order to prevent the monsters and demons of the Warp, some extra props were specially arranged.
"I'm not saying anything more! Just wait and see the result in the end!"
"Warriors from the Sons of the Emperor, form ranks and prepare to depart!"
"Yes!"
Following the army of the Sons of the Emperor guarding both sides of the giant stage, Kaisolong fell into meditation.
Am I the one who's gone mad, or is this already mad world?
Accompanied by a solo performance by the musician Metzi, which had been acquired from the Interes Federation, a soothing melody, which should absolutely not have been played in the center of the battlefield, gradually entered the ears of every Emperor's Children.
Kaisolong was plunged into despair.
—Or perhaps both?
That's right!
[Forgrim, this is a gift for you.]
Their performance had already begun on the stage surrounding the center.
Kasgar didn't actually like these stage plays before, but it was Fulgrim's insistence that forced Kasgar to keep his eyes glued to the stage while being held by the Primarch Fulgrim.
It seems that after doing it many times, he developed an immunity to it.
Once you get used to it, you'll enjoy it.
Accompanied by the actors' resounding voices on the mobile stage, the Sons of the Emperor's soldiers, fully armed, walked cautiously in a close formation.
The shimmering coral walls crumbled beneath their armored boots, crystal and stone shards crunching under their feet as they traversed the city.
Blocked by the ruins, they did not scatter to search for the debris on either side, but continued walking on the wide road in the center of the ruins.
This gave the remaining assassin warriors an opportunity to launch a sneak attack.
Especially when the center stage is completely undefended.
"Hiss!"
The piercing energy blades are unique and sharp, and the quietly lurking piercing warriors have been waiting for this opportunity to kill their opponents in a single instant!
Several joyful screams rang out near the stage, and streaks of scorching lightning flashed across the bodies of the thorn-wielding men, carving deep trenches in the ground. Just as the Ralmen, gliding with astonishing speed past the corpses and rubble of their companions, were about to reach the stage convoy—
"Squeak!!!"
A high-pitched, sharp scream involuntarily burst from his mouth, as if he could not withstand the attack of this bizarre stage play. His two arms clutched his head and ears in pain, and his eyes were tightly closed.
Even the Psychic Lightning he unleashed vanished in mid-air as if neutralized by some mysterious force.
Amidst the screams, purple and black mist billowed from the heads of the thorn-wielding people, and their very auras instantly weakened.
"Kill them!"
It really works.
After quickly dispatching the assassins, the Space Marine looked at each other in bewilderment.
The thing that terrified the Sons of the Emperor, including Kasgar, had happened.
The Centaur gold ring could indeed be used to deal with stabbing enemies on the battlefield—and might even be useful against other Xenos in the future!
It's more than just Xenos.
As the performance on stage gradually reached its climax, Kasgar watched as even stronger Golden Ripple spread throughout the ruined city with the concerto of the Metsch musicians.
Like a mosquito hitting an electric swatter, it emitted a shrill sound comparable to the crackling of electricity, and in an instant, the illusory Golden Ripple spread throughout the entire city ruins.
Sons of the Emperor: "."
Despite being reluctant to admit it, it seems that Kasgar is right.
Like a "bard" in an ancient fantasy novel, the locations of the remaining assassins are now completely exposed under the ripples covering this stage.
Without the protection of the shadows, they could only be killed one by one by the Emperor's Children Space Marine.
"But this method is still not efficient enough."
Searching for them one by one with Space Marine after they've been discovered is indeed time-consuming, laborious, and thankless.
"Release Flying Automated Mechs."
At Kasgar's command, countless tiny black dots, which had suddenly emerged from the stage wing installations like a fleet of fighter jets from a warship, began to buzz and scatter in all directions.
In case the lack of atmosphere on the ground prevents the Flying Automated Mechs from taking off, some multi-legged spider-like ground Automated Mecha are also deployed to assist in the earlier deployment.
Using the Augur Array built into the Automated Mecha and the sonic waves from the piercing mouths exposed by the Centaur gold ring, these Automated Mecha will scatter to every corner of the city, searching for any remaining piercing Xenos that may have been left behind.
In that most remote area, farthest from the heart of the battle, deep within the coral ruins, lurked a stabbing warrior who had narrowly escaped this calamity.
Although he survived by staying away from the eerie center of the stage, the stabbing warrior was not feeling well at the moment.
But the aftershocks of the Centaur gold ring continued to strike him, causing him endless pain and an indescribable desire to end his life.
I want to die.
Even just hearing that voice, without even seeing the other person, is enough to make you feel this bad!
What kind of bizarre witchcraft is this?
The thorn felt its heart pounding rapidly, and its serpentine body tried to writhe away from the place—a signal from its innate instincts that it sensed danger!
At that very moment, it saw the tiny spider-shaped Automated Mecha in front of it.
This human creation has already recognized its existence.
"Hiss!"
As if to bolster its courage, it raised the energy blade in its hand, preparing to seize this opportunity and use its agile movements to eliminate the opponent.
After smashing this human creation, run! Don't give those damned humans a chance to catch him!
As long as it can dive into the sea from the shore of this atoll, it will never have to worry about humans catching up with it again!
Unfortunately, it miscalculated.
As the Xenos drew its weapon, the human Automated Mecha revealed their long-hidden weapons—
—Sound Array device (amplifier)!
Those days were the best time of my life. We lived together for 30 years. He was the only one who brought me out of the darkness of Karax. We spent a long time together. Over those 30 years, a bond formed between us that was unbreakable, stronger than any other bond. Thirty years may not seem long. Compared to 30,000 years, 30 years is just the time it takes for a heartbeat to pass, but I will cherish this time forever.
The stabbing man cried out, "Ah...
Uh...
As if scorched by a burst of illusory Golden Flame, it collapsed on the spot, unable to rise again.
It looks like it.
"OK, the thorns in this city have been mostly cleared out. Our tactics have been effective. Let's call it a day and head to the next atoll."
"Etc!"
Just then, the sage of the Adeptus Mechanicus beside him stopped him, as if he couldn't believe what he was seeing.
"Commander Kasgar, I have a few more questions for you."
"I can't believe this is real. I need to investigate whether this is some kind of witchcraft ritual. It's too bizarre!"
It's really weird.
Kasgar agrees with this point.
But it is not witchcraft.
"Witchcraft? Followers of the Machine God, sages of Omnissiah, I am merely putting on a show through certain means."
"—Just as you are pleading with Omnissiah, you communicate with each other through rituals and seek each other's help."
But I was really just acting in a play.
If we really want to be pedantic, it's obvious that the Adeptus Mechanicus's shamanistic practices are more like some kind of bizarre witchcraft ritual!
Kasgar was really just there to perform in a stage play.
—As for why the person who heard the thorn died instantly, is that my fault?
Is there any evidence that the Centaur gold ring is a form of witchcraft?
"Not only are our stage plays not witchcraft, but they are also an effective means to help us eliminate harmful witchcraft!"
As Kasgar spoke, he turned to look at the Emperor's Children Legion warriors who were preparing to return.
"Fellow Space Marine, and Auxilia and officers!"
"When you first landed on the atoll, did you see any illusory Guanghua, like strange colors in a hazy dream that are difficult for humans to perceive?"
"And sounds, all sorts of captivating sounds! Like the most enchanting lullaby or the sounds of lovers whispering sweet nothings?"
Amid Kasgar's loud shouts, a murmur seemed to emanate from the crowd.
Indeed, Kasgar is right.
Upon setting foot in this world, their senses seemed to be subjected to strange stimulations that were unimaginable under normal circumstances, as the battle intensified.
The aesthetic enjoyment of sound, light, and color is constantly overwhelming their senses as the battle rages on.
The performance of "Centaur gold ring" was not stopped until the performance of "Centaur Gold Ring" was completed.
This is real music!
—This is true visual enjoyment!
—This is what we, the Sons of the Emperor and humanity, should see!
What Slaanesh trap? What seductive den of demons!
I feel it's not as good as the Centaur gold ring.
Everything disappeared under the protection of the stage play.
Although Kasgar doesn't want to admit it, it seems to be the reality.
So far, the Centaur gold ring performance is the most effective exorcism ritual.
It's even more effective than worshipping the Emperor.
"Since you believe this is some kind of power beyond human capabilities, why can't it be the power of the Machine God?"
Kasgar's words plunged the Adeptus Mechanicus sage into even deeper confusion.
Actually, that's not a problem—after all, some people in the Adeptus Mechanicus say that the Emperor is also Omnissiah's disguise, and the Emperor tells Horus that he is his Centaur.
Centaur → Emperor → Omnissiah.
That's it.
Omnissiah: "That's right, children."
Omnissiah: "I love watching it too."
"You mean to say that this Golden Centaur is also the power of the great Omnissiah?"
It seems like this explanation is acceptable, but it's not entirely convincing.
—I still can't accept it.
Well, seeing how well it works, it's not a bad idea to accept it.
Can.
The Sage of Adeptus Mechanicus is caught in a self-contradictory phase.
After verifying the remarkable effectiveness of the Centaur gold ring against Xenos like the Slaanesh, who were deeply corrupted by Slaanesh, the battle seemed to become much simpler.
In the fierce battles of Great Crusade, every victory is the result of bloody fighting, and every inch of land is hard-won.
But this victory was so swift it was almost miraculous.
The destruction of the treacherous surface forces and the annihilation of the entire world were achieved through the "sacrifice" of the Sons of the Emperor.
—What they sacrificed was their combat aesthetics.
Battles inevitably involve one-on-one duels and fierce battles. In the chaos, the Sons of the Emperor is often able to defeat his opponent head-on with his unparalleled skills.
Instead of, as is the case now, recording a video before the two armies even clash.
Those days were the best time of my life. We lived together for 30 years. He was the only one who brought me out of the darkness of Karax. We spent a long time together. Over those 30 years, a bond formed between us that was unbreakable, stronger than any other bond. Thirty years may not seem long. Compared to 30,000 years, 30 years is just the time it takes for a heartbeat to pass, but I will cherish this time forever.
"Hiss hiss hiss!!!"
On the last large atoll on the planet Lalan.
As the fighter jets' broadcasts blared above the heads of the stabbing Xenos waiting on the surface.
The once-solemn army of assassins, who had been on high alert, scattered and fled from the atoll as if they had seen a ghost, screaming as they went.
They dived into the water like madmen and never resurfaced.
The broadcast from Kasgar was even more terrifying and horrifying than the Emperor's!
For these Chaos Xenos, even if the Emperor arrives, there will only be one the Accursed.
But upon hearing the name "Centaur gold ring," every one of the assassins present would the Accursed.
The battles fought on this ocean planet were light and easy.
The occupied atolls were quickly converted into military bases of Astartes and brought under Astartes' control.
Meanwhile, the Sons of the Emperor Space Marine continued their operations in Kasgar —building a large stage on the atoll and continuing performances thereafter.
Passing through the ruins of ancient buildings rising from the ocean, foamy waves crash against the city walls that once stood thousands of meters in the air.
At Kasgar's request, stage after stage was built by the Sons of the Emperor.
As the battle progressed, people discovered the underwater cities that had been infiltrated by the infiltrators. Astartes' squads, along with specially modified landing craft launched from cruisers circling the surface, pulverized the buildings that had never seen the sun.
Next came the final stage of their battle.
— Led by the Primarch, they will storm together the Nara's last and largest atoll's central temple.
After destroying the mysterious facility within that temple that covered the entire planet and could strangely block orbital bombardment from warships, they directly used Exterminatus to wipe them out.
Although the Adeptus Mechanicus protested to Kasgar about the hasty use of the Exterminatus, it was clearly rejected at Kasgar's insistence.
As long as the assassin remains, Kasgar is constantly on edge!
If this weren't a Chaos planet directly protected by Slaanesh, Kasgar would have gladly thrown all the Exterminatus from the Emperor's Children's warehouse onto it.
—It's a pity I can't throw it away.
I must personally go down and thoroughly purify the Chaos stuff that's interfering with the coordinate changes.
During this period, in order to be on the safe side, Kasgar did more than just build a stage for the performance of the Centaur gold ring.
—But twenty-nine!
Including those who followed them in, there were a total of [thirty] stages.
Thirty!
It's thirty. According to Psychic Power —I mean, numerology research and repeated performance experiments, the mysterious number that can resonate with the Centaur Spirit is thirty, which symbolizes spending thirty years together!
Emperor's Children's Chief Apothecary, Melusine: "."
"If you make me do this kind of experiment again, I'll kill you!"
"Well," Kasgar's gaze shifted slightly, "But you see, we have indeed achieved some good research results, haven't we?"
"You--"
"Alright, Melusine," Fulgrim stepped forward to stop Melusine, placing his other hand in front of Kasgar. "The war is important; this is not the time for idle chatter."
Perhaps Kasgar's presence is indeed a bit too strong compared to the other Astartes' second-in-commands.
But this doesn't mean that Fulgrim has no appeal among the Emperor's Children.
—Even compared to the abstract Kasgar, the Emperor's Children often felt relieved when he received orders from Fulgrim.
At least this operation will be relatively more normal.
Of course, it's relative.
"My Sons of the Emperor, the purge of Ral is nearly complete," said Fulgrim, and the warriors of the Sons of the Emperor erupted in cheers. "The last fortress awaits our wrath, and I will lead the assault. Did I not promise to plant our banners upon the ruins of Ral?
Although the war resulted in relatively fewer casualties, the Assassins' combat capabilities and skills were comparable to those of the Imperium of Man. Even if the Sons of the Emperor performed to the best of their abilities, some casualties would still occur.
The Emperor's Children's wrath needs to be washed away with the remaining blood of the thorns.
—But first, before entering the treacherous final atoll, we need to turn on the sound system.
With the remaining twenty-nine performances of the stage play "Centaur gold ring" scattered across the Lalan Atoll, the Stormbird of the Sons of the Emperor set off towards the last island.
This place is where the last and greatest force of resistance from the Thorns gathered.
When faced with life and death, they were not even afraid of the Centaur gold ring.
As the fighter jets approached the atoll and prepared to land, the Xenos' firepower also extended towards them.
The air was filled with the screams emanating from the coral tower.
This is not a metaphor; it seems the entire atoll is truly screaming in anger.
The last guards of Ral were stationed at the temple, and even though the fighter jets were still broadcasting the [Centaur gold ring], the purple light emanating from them did not seem to dissipate or fade.
Despair and fear did not appear in them.
"Is it the blessing of the temple?"
Kasgar thought to himself as he watched from the air as Fulgrim maneuvered the Firebird with agility and skill.
This will be a tough battle.
These piercing warriors fought with all their might as if they were not being disturbed at all.
As soon as the Stormbird landed, the soldiers of the company and Primarch Fulgrim boarded the atoll. Their Terminator Armour was magnificent and heavy, reflecting the firelight of battle.
Fulgrim charged out first.
The assassins are strong, but they are not enough to challenge the Imperium Warmaster.
Despite the fierce fighting, once the warriors led by the Primarch had established a foothold on the front lines, wave after wave of reinforcements quickly helped them retake the battlefield.
The gunboats used high-explosive shells to strafe and saw through the turrets, providing support for ground troops.
The advance force was followed by transport vehicles that even carried armored units: Land Raider, Predators, and Defenders.
"Go ahead!!!"
Fulgrim shouted and, with unimaginable speed, cleaved a stabber who dared to step forward into several pieces.
"Protect the Primarch!"
Kasgar shouted, looking at the Thorn Temple, which was faintly visible in the mist in the distance of the atoll, his face grave.
An indescribable pressure emanated from the temple.
Tiny Golden Flame had begun to spontaneously ignite on his right arm, but they were hidden from view by his armor.
If anything changes, be prepared to break out of the encirclement with Fulgrim!