The Astra Militarum's First, Second, and Third Companies were like three sharp swords. Led by their brave and fearless captains, and accompanied by more than a dozen imposing Chimera armored personnel carriers, they launched a mighty assault on the distant city at lightning speed amid the vehicles' deep, powerful roar.
Yet what the three confident, high-spirited assault companies had not expected was that the attack would go unexpectedly smoothly.
From the landing site until they set foot on every inch of the city, not a single company encountered even the slightest stubborn resistance from the heretics.
It was as though the city had already thrown open its gates to welcome their arrival. Everything was so easy and smooth.
Before long, the entire city fell into the hands of the Astra Militarum's three companies as easily as ripe fruit.
When they began a thorough and detailed search of the city, an astonishing sight met their eyes: the entire city was empty. The streets were desolate, the doors and windows of the houses tightly shut. There was not the slightest trace of the bustling crowds or lively atmosphere of daily life from before. It was hard to imagine that humans had once lived here.
Clearly, most of the city's population seemed to have quietly withdrawn along with the heretics, leaving behind only a silent, empty city.
However, as the Astra Militarum soldiers pressed deeper into their search, subtle movements hidden in the corners of houses drew their attention.
Following those faint clues, they were astonished to discover large numbers of civilians trembling and hiding in every corner.
In the end, after the Astra Militarum soldiers brought out everyone hiding in the city's concealed places and made a rough count, they were shocked to find that this seemingly deserted city still contained tens