Decisive Battle, Istvaan (Part 2)

The Virus Bomb from the Vengeful Spirit covered the entire surface in an instant.

Within minutes, the highly corrosive gas leaking from the Virus Bomb spread across the entire planet's surface. The virus penetrated the Space Marine's powered armor and ventilation systems, causing any biomass to rot and decompose into a pool of sludge in an extremely short time.

Not only the jungles and forests on the surface of Istvan III, but all organic matter will soon rot into a muddy lake. The rapid decomposition of organic matter releases large amounts of flammable gas.

Within minutes, the entire planet's atmosphere was completely enveloped by combustible gas.

This is how they prepared for their next move.

With another volley of Lance fired by the Iron Fist, the lasers ignited the entire planet in an instant, turning it into a sea of fire.

The apocalyptic fire ignited by the Lance swept across the entire planet, burning the surface to bare rock and consuming all the oxygen in the atmosphere.

"Kasgar!"

Although they already knew in advance that the enemy had built a high-temperature-resistant, airtight defensive facility underground that could survive independently for several years, the first wave of attack should not have caused them much serious damage.

As he watched the entire planet engulfed in flames under the relentless bombardment of Virus Bomb and Lance, Fulgrim, unable to contain his worry, cried out.

Now, the Pride of the Emperor in the Void Naval Battle is also in a difficult situation.

Faced with the Iron Hands fleet's completely revamped and invincible arsenal, even though the Pride of the Emperor embodied the efforts of Fulgrim himself, and even though this warship had once served as the Imperium Warmaster's vehicle and was the most glorious flagship of the entire Imperium besides the Emperor vehicle.

But at this moment, its Void Shield protection could only groan under the enemy's powerful firepower.

If the rebel Combined Fleet hadn't focused its main targets and firepower on the planet's surface, the Pride of the Emperor might already be shattered to pieces.

As for the other Escort, they had already been destroyed and scattered under the enemy's saturation firepower.

The entire Sons of the Emperor fleet was teetering on the brink of collapse under enemy fire.

The flames on the ground were still burning fiercely, showing no signs of stopping anytime soon.

Without the harassment of surface-to-air weapons, the rebels' firepower began to relentlessly advance towards the Sons of the Emperor fleet in the void.

"You! You pilot the spaceship closer to Mandeville Point and enter the Warp blind jump."

"Fulgrim commands," she said, "The current situation leaves no room for further hesitation."

If we stay here any longer, the entire Sons of the Emperor fleet will face annihilation.

We must preserve our strength

Although the chances of surviving a blind jump under this Warp Storm are extremely low, this is their last chance to preserve some of their strength.

"But if that's the case, sir, what about our surface troops?"

Commander Adrol didn't say directly that Kasgar was on the ground, but her words still revealed some confusion as to why Fulgrim would abandon Kasgar.

"That's right. That's why it's not me who's leaving, but you."

"Prepare my Firebird," Fulgrim said calmly. "The flames spreading across the surface are weakening."

"Once the fire is completely extinguished, we will land on the surface of Istvaan III and fight to the death with the warriors of the Sons of the Emperor!"

As she spoke, she lightly pounded the golden Aquila poised to take flight on her chest with her right hand.

"Vespasian".

"Exist."

Fulgrim called one of the commanders to the front, her tone even carrying a sense of resolute determination, as if entrusting her son to someone.

"After I leave the Pride of the Emperor, the entire fleet will be under your full command."

"If you are able to break out of the Warp Storm one day, the entire Emperor's Children Legion will be under your command."

"Yes."

Commander Vespasian had no objection to Fulgrim's orders.

If given a choice, no Sons of the Emperor would be willing to desert in a time of mutual destruction.

But Vespasian, the most perfect of all the commanders, chose to comply.

He could not die gloriously like his other brothers and sisters because he had a heavier responsibility on his shoulders.

The fire on the surface of Istvaan III is subsiding, after the initial explosion—and even to accelerate the burning process, the Kasgar surface forces have taken steps to neutralize the flammable gases outside some of the underground protective facilities.

They even knew exactly what kind of chemical agents the other party would use!

The fire was extinguished at a speed that no one could have imagined.

The scenario that the rebels had envisioned—a combined bombardment of Virus Bomb and Lance that would melt the earth's surface like lava—did not occur.

As if they had known in advance what tactics the enemy would use to clear the surface, Kasgar's surface forces once again thwarted the enemy's plot.

What a tenacious bunch!

After the bombing was completed, the signal from the Primarch of the Iron Hands was transmitted to the "processor" of each mech warrior.

Since they were able to evade the Exterminatus orbital bombardment

Let's see if these annoying little bugs can handle the true strength of the Iron Hands Legion.

As for Lunar Wolves

Abaddon, that coward, said he was unwilling to kill his former comrades with his own hands and therefore would not send the Lunar Wolves to the surface.

Until Horus officially awakens, Izekiel Abaddon will not issue any more orders to attack the surface.

Ridiculous.

When he ordered the Virus Bomb to be dropped onto the ground, did he ever think that this would be brothers killing each other?

What a weak fellow, controlled by his fickle and foolish emotions; every choice he makes is so ridiculous.

However, these small variables will not affect the final result in the slightest.

Victory will forever belong to her, the Mother of Iron Philus Manus.

Accompanied by the meticulously arranged, cold Steel Legion, Philus led them off the landing deck.

"She still came down."

Kasgar looked at the group of fighter jets circling in the sky and said helplessly.

Here, "she" refers not only to Philus, who was building the Iron Hands landing site, but also to the Firebird, which was charging left and right under enemy fire.

He couldn't possibly not recognize Fulgrim's vehicle.

After the initial surface explosion ended, and seeing that orbital bombardment could no longer achieve sufficient destructive effect, impatient Philus finally chose to lead her fully mechanized forces to carry out surface cleanup.

Meanwhile, the remaining Loyalist fighters led by Kasgar gradually emerged from their shelters to continue their Guerilla Warfare.

"Well."

Kasgar sighed helplessly, "Quickly, get on the turrets and shoot down those enemy fighters that are besieging the Firebird, protect the Primarch."

Clearly, if Fulgrim, as the Imperium Warmaster, could safely return to Terra at this point, the final Siege of Terra would be much easier thanks to the Warmaster's influence.

But Fulgrim wouldn't listen to him.

Under the Primarch's control, she remained undaunted and completed the landing even with numerous fighters following her.

"Kasgar!"

Fulgrim leaped joyfully from the Stormbird and pounced on Kasgar.

"You"

Kasgar could only feel utterly helpless upon seeing this.

"You're not angry that I broke my promise to you and ran away without permission?"

"What's the use of blaming them?"

Kasgar gently pulled away from the other person's embrace.

"Now, let's break through this dead end together."

"Um."

Their gazes fell upon the distant horizon, where dark clouds loomed over the city.

There, the Iron Hands army is assembling.

Guerilla Warfare was waged on this scorched earth.

The direct firepower of the Iron Hands is unmatched by any Loyalist warrior.

"Now! Fire!"

The instant Philus emerged from the Stormbird, ambushes from the Sons of the Emperor and Lunar Wolves launched an attack on the mechanical legion in the center from all around the landing point.

Artillery fire came from all directions towards the landing site.

As masters of Guerilla Warfare, the Sons of the Emperor's raids are swift and deadly.

After the rapid volley of ammunition, even the Iron Hands mechanical warriors suffered heavy casualties and collapsed on the spot.

But at that very moment, the Sons of the Emperor, the company commander who organized the guerrillas, felt Philus's gaze.

Even in the hidden underground base, he could feel the enemy's firepower locking on him.

"The enemy has locked onto us! Move out of here immediately!"

No sooner had the words left his mouth than a barrage of fire, many times more intense than before, precisely struck the spot where they had just been fired upon.

Each missile exploded overhead as if it had calculated the opponent's movement data.

Even though the battlefield seemed completely dazzling to others, according to Philus's calculations, even the Space Marine with ample cover suffered heavy losses under Philus's attack.

The initial firefight between the two sides' surface forces has ended.

Under Philus's personal leadership, these mechanical legions, which were originally like mindless Automated Mecha, suddenly became perfect and flawless super soldiers, as if they had been given an external brain.

Each attack hits the Primarch intended to strike, just like the most accurate marksman.

Meanwhile, under the coordination of the Primarch, the Iron Hands' artillery fire coverage was exceptionally precise.

In the initial contact just now, the entire legion did not waste a single bit of firepower.

The remaining Loyalist members could only temporarily hold off the enemy's cleanup forces by taking advantage of the terrain, and launch surprise attacks on the Iron Hands forces by taking advantage of their greater mobility, causing casualties in the battle.

However, this Guerilla Warfare is a double-edged sword.

Every attack by the Loyalist forces, while inflicting some casualties on the enemy, also exposes their own base to Philus's precise and accurate scanning.

No one knows why her scanning and computing abilities are so terrifying, but if the guerrillas were to launch even one attack on Philus, it would essentially be equivalent to exposing themselves and all the hidden locations around them.

As for Kasgar, he and Fulgrim rarely appeared during this Guerilla Warfare.

Unless they are scattered mechanical warriors searching the scorched earth of a planet, they will quickly move to another location after completing their kills.

Kasgar is waiting for an opportunity.

A direct confrontation with the Iron Hands is invincible.

The legend of spending 10,000 to get 50,000 in fortune still circulates.

However, similarly, as long as the leader of the Iron Hands, Philus Manus, can be eliminated, the entire legion will fall into a mindless melee, just like the Tyranid fleet without the Norn Queen or the Ork horde without Warboss.

Just like on the Isstvan V in the original timeline, giving that senior Senior Sister Fei a blow—

However, Philus's mind now only contains the most rational and correct choice.

Wielding Medusa's Blade, she will forever remain under the protection of countless steel guardians.

—Now even their signature act is gone.

"Let's wait."

Kasgar waited quietly, relying on information from the others.

"Fight! For the Emperor! For the glory of the Sons of the Emperor!"

Even if the Sons of the Emperor were exposed the moment they were exposed, the Sons of the Emperor's Company Commander and all his squads would use themselves as bait to take down the enemy's Iron Warriors together.

"Oh"

Santo struggled to stay afloat, completing the next phase of the retreat under the relentless onslaught of the Iron Hands.

His remaining Loyalist Iron Hands were also nearly wiped out after a long and intense battle.

The Amar brothers. He died in the first month of the battle while protecting them as they moved the exploding bodies. Now, the only leaders left in this guerrilla force are the Sons of the Emperor's Company Commander, Kaisolong, and him.

Company Commander from two corps.

However, judging from the current situation, it is very likely that their missions will all come to an end today.

"He was a glorious soldier of the Thousand Sons Legion, and so are you, Santo."

The Company Commander of the Sons of the Emperor, sitting opposite Santo, looked at his scarred face and shook his hand heavily.

"Heh, that's not wrong."

Santo said, "However, I think I dreamed about something during my nap just now."

"What's up?"

"It's as if I can see our two legions as enemies, but this time it's the Sons of the Emperor has betrayed us."

"Um?"

"After you cut off my head, kiss me passionately."

Kaisolong: "."

Kaisolong: "?"

In a life-or-death situation, don't disgust your brother, okay?

Lunar Wolves Outpost.

"Loken".

The remaining Loyalist of Lunar Wolves, through their valiant fighting, defeated the Titan Legion of the Iron Hands fleet.

"Torgaddon! How are you now?!"

But the result was equally disastrous.

The Second Captain of Lunar Wolves Torgaddon, had lost half of his body in the enemy's artillery fire, and judging from his condition, it seemed that he was beyond saving.

"Don't be sad for me. The ship spirit's hand can't rest on my shoulder anymore, cough cough."

Torgaddon smiled as he looked at the half of his body that was now gone.

Indeed, he no longer has that half of his shoulder.

"I would be content to die for a great human expedition."

"Don't believe me, Torgaddon! I'll teach that bastard Abaddon a lesson, and we'll all return alive. Then, like Horus, we can once again embark on our expedition—"

"Haha." Torgaddon's eyes were almost closed, but he struggled to open them again.

"The Great Crusade"

His gaze was fixed on the sky.

That was the view of the moon high in the sky from the perspective of Istvaan III.

"Loken, do you still remember the oath you took when you joined the Council of Four Kings?"

"Remember."

Loken recalled the ceremony on Imperial Capital Terra, after Sanguinius's sacrifice, in which Abaddon and the others introduced him as the next member of the Council of Four Kings.

It wasn't that long ago, so he still remembers it vividly.

Even if you want to forget, you can't.

"You must swear an oath to us, an oath as unbreakable as your previous oaths."

Abaddon held a bowl of water in his hand and swore an oath while looking at the moon reflected in it.

"A vow between men. A cold, pure, and very, very long vow. It is a promise between brothers, not some magical contract. We stand together under the moonlight and swear that only death can separate us."

"But now? Do our vows still stand?"

Torgaddon said, forcing a smile.

"No vow can remain unchanged forever, and no mission can be upheld forever. The Great Crusade is no exception."

"Only this bright moon will witness all of this."

"Loken Garviel Loken".

"Keep going, keep moving forward."

Three months.

On Istvan III, the Guerilla Warfare lasted for three months.

The Iron Hands's artillery fire and steel manpower were constantly being consumed by assassinations on this unremarkable planet, but they were never able to achieve their goal of wiping out the entire planet.

Especially the most crucial ones Fulgrim and Kasgar, are still hiding in the planet's extensive underground facilities, like rats evading Philus's pursuit.

Even in terms of firepower and numbers, the Iron Hands has the advantage.

But judging from the final casualties, those damned Sons of the Emperor and the Lunar Wolves actually had an advantage over their Iron Hands!

This result does not match the data calculated by Philus.

They lacked the capability to achieve this level of dominance, whether in weaponry, information transmission, or manpower; Iron Hands superiority was overwhelming.

As for morale, how could scattered soldiers possibly be a match for fearless steel?

But that's just how reality is.

Despite being at a severe disadvantage, her opponent had achieved a feat that Philus could hardly imagine. This made her very curious.

Is it Fulgrim? Or Kasgar?

Once we catch them, we must thoroughly investigate this matter.

As a result, Philus intensified the Iron Hands Legion's search efforts on the surface.

"Philus is increasing the frequency of her searches, and in order to speed things up, she is reducing the number of people she is with."

In the underground combat facility, Kasgar carefully analyzed the data and information that the Legion soldiers had risked their lives to transmit to him.

During these three months of Guerilla Warfare, the Sons of the Emperor's troops lived up to their name.

This time, all the Sons of the Emperor lived up to their names!

Most of the signals from the surface troops have been lost.

Some have been confirmed dead, while many more troops lost communication signals during guerrilla movements and their current fate is unknown.

Let's just assume they're missing; they're definitely still fighting somewhere.

Kasgar always comforted himself with this thought.

Now is the time for their sacrifices to bear fruit!

"Although Philus always tries to suppress her emotions, she still gets anxious and flustered when she can't find us for a long time."

"This time, we will gather the last forces from the Sons of the Emperor, and engage in the final showdown when she gets close!"

Kasgar scanned the list of Space Marine he could currently contact.

"Tavitz, Lucius, Solomon, and Loken of Lunar Wolves."

Kasgar dared not speculate on the ultimate fate of those companies that had lost contact—but in any case, this would be their last battle.

As the Iron Hands Royal Guard, part of the Augur Array system, drew ever closer to them, Kasgar temporarily put these distracting thoughts aside.

"Everyone—get ready."

"Stop."

Walking on the scorched earth of Istvaan III, Philus suddenly stopped all the steel guards in their tracks.

"She's found it! Pull the trigger!"

In the next instant, countless cluster bombs buried in the surrounding ground exploded, sending mud mixed with lethal fragments hurtling towards Philus's steel army.

Unfortunately, the effect was minimal—the moment Philus sensed the bomb, she ordered the Iron Warriors to raise their shields in defense.

With the Primarch himself at the helm, this steel army will be even more terrifying in combat than the Adeptus Custodes.

"Really."

"After seeing so many former company commanders and soldiers here,"

Seeing the large number of Space Marine pouring out with the explosion, Philus quickly assessed the current situation based on calculations.

—This is the enemy's last-ditch counterattack.

"Philus!"

Even Fulgrim reappeared after hiding for several months.

I will end your madness!

Crazy, huh?

Trying to stop a chariot with such a ridiculous futile effort, aren't you the ones who are crazy?

[All Iron Hands units, cease your search and assemble at my location.]

Attack all the Sons of the Emperor, but do not attack Kasgar.

"This is."

Watching the Iron Warriors around him scatter and fight in other directions, Kasgar stood alone in an open space as if he had been ignored.

Philus has information about those two scoundrels.

She witnessed firsthand how Fulgrim suddenly unleashed her power and instantly killed the Orks warlord when Kasgar was severely injured.

She also understood that this situation would only occur when Kasgar was about to be harmed.

As for this situation, it's quite simple to handle.

—Just ignore him.

The situation doesn't seem to be in Kasgar's favor.

Faced with Philus, who is now almost a demon, Fulgrim can only barely hold his own.

"Stop!!"

Just as Philus easily repelled Fulgrim with her iron fist, Kasgar swung his Power Sword and slashed at Philus's head.

"No! Kasgar!!"

Seeing Kasgar suddenly rush out to fight Philus, Fulgrim's eyes widened with tension, and a top-secret killing move was about to be unleashed—

But when facing Kasgar, Philus gently swayed him aside and continued to pursue the injured Fulgrim.

It seemed that in the instant he turned his head, his eyes were still filled with a mocking disdain.

"Damn it! Come back and face me!"

"No! Kasgar, I'll take care of this!"

Fulgrim struggled to his feet again and looked at Philus.

What a cheesy couple!

But today, we're all going to die here.

Without a moment's hesitation, Philus wielded Medusa's Blade, leaving a blurry afterimage that Kasgar couldn't even see, as she met the struggling Fulgrim head-on.

This was a battle he couldn't possibly get involved in.

The shouts of battle still shook the heavens and the earth. The remaining troops of the Sons of the Emperor fought desperately against the Iron Hands, blood splattering everywhere and severed limbs flying everywhere.

The flesh and blood of the Sons of the Emperor warriors could not last long.

The same goes for Fulgrim.

Every second he stands here is paved and fought for by countless Sons of the Emperors who risked their lives for him.

And what the hell did he change in this fucking universe?

On the scorched earth, Kasgar was heartbroken.

During those three months, he endured painful trials he had never experienced before.

Everything he feared most was happening again before his eyes, an unstoppable recurrence.

It's still fratricide, still rebellion and division; in this world, everything seems to be a predetermined fate, like puppets on strings by the Four Gods.

That's right, your actions are meaningless, and your plan is worthless.

You can't change anything, and neither can the Accursed; this is your fate.

Join us. Live a real, authentic life again in this dirty world.

Kasgar: "."

Following the source of the sound, he saw four shrill, laughing phantoms.

Since the beginning of time, these four beings have been like parasites clinging to the bones of the Warp, infesting every intelligent race.

It's you guys.

That's right.

It has always been so, as always.

He was mocking his cowardice.

He is fooling his plans.

He is tasting his despair.

He sensed his sorrow.

They have always been themselves.

Kasgar sensed a kind of anger.

It wasn't a base, bloodthirsty rage; his fury stemmed from hatred, from the resentment and bitterness of everyone who had perished because of his "Great Game"—a fury based on injustice and justice.

It comes from all the hatred in this world for evil, for those who deliberately cause destruction.

Hatred for the Four Gods.

His fate was sealed the moment he was born in Chemos.

Kasgar, do you have the resolve to fight the four Warp Four Gods to your last breath?

He heard the question, which seemed to come from the heart, yet also from a distant, untouchable heaven.

--I have.

Never compromise?

—Never compromise.

Never give up?

--never give up!

Fight to the end?

—I will fight to the very end!!!

As if a new life had broken free from the eggshell that bound him, the golden-red cracks on Kasgar's body began to extend after countless years of silence, radiating a strong golden-red Guanghua.

Facing Philus, who was closing in on Fulgrim, he gripped the Laerda that gleamed with golden Guanghua with his other hand.

From this moment on.

A golden-red flame began to burn eternally in his heart.