Answer in the Black Zone, the Eternal Pact!

After the Red Conference, Dante finalized the details of the specific plans and deployments.

First, based on the current speed of the Hive Fleet Leviathan, outside the breached Bastion Ring,

Establish a defensive line using the three worlds of Ixoy, Lysius, and Tartarus as bases.

General Droste led a full 30 million elite Cadian Shock Troops drawn from surrounding theaters of war, along with a Tony Firstborn Armored Regiment, which was also deployed on the front lines.

More than a hundred Blood Angels Chapter were completely dispersed throughout the Stygian System, forming hundreds, thousands, or even tens of thousands of small positions, like a celestial maiden scattering flowers!

Even if we have to take them out one by one, it will take Leviathan's Hive Fleet a whole month to do so!

Those descendants who inherited the blood of Sanguinius, the Space Marine of the various Blood Angels' subcommittees, knew very well their mission: to use their lives to delay the advance of the Leviathan Hive!

We'll spare no expense to gain a month!

During this month, Alvin needs to do everything he can to move away as many industrial, mineral, and human resources as possible, in order to gradually build up his chances of victory in the long war against the Zerg hive!

Meanwhile, during this month, Dante will also build a second "Crimson Defense Line" to prepare for the Hive Fleet's breach of the Stygian Shield!

Standing before the lonely Chapter monastery in the desolate desert of Baal, Alvin witnessed the offspring of the Blood Angels boarding Thunder Gunships without hesitation, flying into space with a sense of death, and his heart felt inexplicably heavy.

He proposed the plan, but the price—undoubtedly—would be for these interstellar warriors to use their blood and lives to buy time!

"It's time for you to leave too." Dante was beside him, also watching his brothers depart. "I hope you won't let their sacrifice be in vain."

With just one sentence, he inspired millions of soldiers to rush to the battlefield without hesitation, even willing to sacrifice themselves for his plan.

And this is merely an insignificant day in the entire Imperium, within the Purgatory galaxy.

Alvin took a deep breath, calming his turbulent emotions, and nodded solemnly. "Rest assured, Lord Dante, I will do everything in my power to fulfill my promise!"

"That's good."

Dante nodded and waved.

A dozen or so Space Marine, clad in finely crafted golden power armor, with pure white wings on their backs, wearing ornate golden masks, and adorned with three drops of blood on their foreheads, stepped forward. One of them carried aloft a banner symbolizing the legend of the Blood Angels.

"They are the Blood Guard, the most elite warriors." Dante paused, his gaze falling on Alvin, a hint of solemnity in his eyes. "Now, I entrust them to you. During the transfer..."

If any obstacles are encountered, they can step in; the Blood Guard —it's as if I were there myself!

Good heavens, the Blood Guard!

Alvin's mouth dropped open. This was an elite unit per capita, and they even had the "Blood Angels Banner." Even if someone wanted to disobey, they'd have to think twice before daring to do so.

Clearly, as a seasoned and shrewd politician, Dante had long anticipated that Alvin would inevitably encounter obstacles from those human nobles during the large-scale relocation.

With the Blood Guard present, even if those nobles wanted to, they were powerless. Unless they had the guts of a leopard, who would dare to confront the Blood Lord's guard?!

If I were there in person, this is no exaggeration!

In the Dark Imperium, Dante's power was far greater than that of the distant, unreachable Imperium!

After all, the Imperium might not be able to do anything to you for the time being, but if Dante says he wants to kill you, he really can kill you in a heartbeat!

With the Blood Guard present, Alvin gained much more confidence in the transfer operation and avoided a lot of unnecessary trouble.

But this made Alvin a little embarrassed. "Lord Dante, you've given me the entire guard..."

What will you do by yourself?

"Me?" Dante's lips curled into a slight sneer. "I'm right here in Baal. What could possibly happen to me? Besides, you'd be better off worrying about yourself than me."

Well, no need to worry too much. Alvin pursed his lips, thinking about this old man's impressive record. Even if he really encountered Greater Daemon, it was the other side who should be worried.

As they prepared to depart, Alvin hesitated for a long time before finally asking, "Your Excellency Dante,"

May I ask—what exactly did you discuss with the War Apostle?

The dividing line between Dante's change of attitude was after that day.

After his Psychic Power communication with Dante ended, Alvin piloted the Sword of Redemption, traversing the Stygian Shield System and arriving in the Baal System.

On the one hand, it was for rest and recuperation; on the other hand, it was to fulfill the agreement and allow Dante to meet with the "War Apostle" so that they could decide how to deploy their strategy.

Upon their arrival in Baal, Dante requested a private audience with the War Apostle, Alvin, though puzzled,

They could only nod in agreement.

Then, no one knows what the War Apostle Penny talked about after meeting Dante. All Alvin knows is that Dante's attitude changed drastically after that day.

Not only did they agree to his plan, but they also invited him to the "Crimson Conference," which led to the situation where they suddenly pushed him out to persuade many Chapter Masters.

Alvin strongly suspects that the "Yellow Skin" hidden in Penny's soul may have said something to Dante.

Otherwise, how could Dante's attitude have changed so drastically?

"Want to know?"

Dante gave him a meaningful look.

"Well, I think—"

Alvin swallowed hard, nodded, and added, "If possible."

"I ask the War Apostle, when will I finally find peace, be relieved of this suffocating responsibility, and gain true liberation---"

When he said that, Alvin could clearly feel it, but +

The weariness emanating from Ding was a weariness that came from the depths of his soul.

He has served the Imperium for a thousand years, shouldering the responsibility of the Blood Angels Chapter. The daily battles have left this "legend" in the eyes of outsiders exhausted, both physically and mentally.

He longed for rest, for returning to the angels, and for true liberation.

But the responsibilities on his shoulders grew heavier day by day, so heavy that he could hardly breathe. Over the course of more than a thousand years, Dante witnessed one familiar comrade after another return to the Golden Throne, but only he—only he remained, struggling in agony!

"Then what?"

Alvin asked curiously.

"The War Apostle said, 'I still have a mission to complete; my duty on earth is not yet over.'"

Whether it was a misperception or not, a hint of sadness appeared in Dante's eyes when he said those words.

Those Yellow Skin are inhuman... they're absolutely horrible!

Alvin couldn't help but sigh inwardly and offer a moment of silence for Dante's fate.

If nothing unexpected happens, when Guilliman arrives and upgrades Dante to Primaris, he'll have to work overtime for at least another thousand years.

Oh, don't think that death will bring you relief.

Rumor has it that even if you die, you still have to work overtime at the "Chains Legion." Those damned Yellow Skin are nothing but skinflint!

"Wait, Lord Dante, you still haven't said why you suddenly changed your mind?" Alvin suddenly realized that after all that talk, he hadn't gotten to the point.

"You'll have to find out the reason yourself."

Dante gave him a mysterious smile, patted him on the shoulder, and said with a hint of expectation in his eyes, "The answer lies in the Black Zone. When you get there and find the 'Covenant,' you'll understand."

A covenant? Another covenant!

Alvin felt his head was about to explode. What kind of alliance had his ancestors made with the Emperor, and what did it have to do with him?

The Black Zone, the reason for the disappearance of the previous Valshius Patriarch, the covenant—it seems that everything is related to the oath made by the Valshius Patriarch Ten Thousand Years Ago when he met the dying Emperor in the Imperial Palace of Terra!