The third day of the march.
The team entered an area known as the Shattered Canyon, one of the most dangerous areas on the Brevis Ice Plain.
Legend has it that this area was originally a continuous mountain range, but due to tectonic movements, it split into countless valleys.
Since most of the Second Legion's main battle vehicles were with Lynn's guards.
So they had no choice but to take the widest, but more circuitous, route.
Therefore, they became separated from the main group.
The canyon is flanked by steep cliffs, with a narrow passage running through the middle.
The wind here is biting cold all year round, with speeds reaching forty meters per second, making it impossible for a person to stand still.
Lynn's command vehicle was positioned in the middle of the formation, escorted by a thousand tanks in front and behind.
The miniature Ripper on his shoulder stirred.
Rena's consciousness triggered a warning. "There is life nearby."
"There are many, up there."
Lynn's heart tightened.
He immediately ordered the entire team to be on alert.
boom!!!
A huge explosion rang out simultaneously from both sides of the canyon.
The cliff face collapsed.
Thousands of tons of rocks and snow poured down like a waterfall, instantly flooding the canyon passage.
"Enemy attack!!!" The alarm blared shrilly.
But it was too late.
Infantry without vehicle protection were swallowed up in the first avalanche.
Even with vehicles providing cover, many vehicles were buried under several meters of ice and snow, unable to move.
Lynn's command vehicle, having been reinforced, barely withstood the impact.
However, the vehicle body was severely deformed, and one of the tracks was broken.
"Sir! We've been ambushed!" the driver's voice was filled with anger.
Lynn gritted his teeth and kicked open the deformed car door.
A cold wind, mixed with snowflakes, rushed in, making it impossible for him to open his eyes.
He climbed out of the car and saw that the canyon passage was completely buried.
Twisted vehicle wreckage, broken limbs, and blood-stained snow were everywhere.
Some militiamen were not in the troop carriers; they were responsible for clearing snow and ice to open roads.
Very few soldiers outside these vehicles survived, and most of them were wounded.
They looked around in panic, trying to find the attacker.
Lynn quickly tried to figure out who the attacker could be.
Orks?
However, reports from the front lines indicate that the main Orks forces are still Frostbound Wall and have not yet broken through the defenses.
Just then, the answer appeared.
A row of figures appeared on the cliffs on both sides of the canyon.
They were all cavalrymen.
The mount beneath him resembled a wolf but was not quite a wolf; it was slightly larger than a horse, its entire body covered in white keratin, and it had a single horn on its head.
Lynn recognized the Unicorn Ice Strider.
Brevis's unique native beasts can move freely in blizzards and are skilled at rock climbing.
Riding on their backs are the Brevis savages.
They are Abhumans mutated from the descendants of miners, who were driven to the ice fields thousands of years ago.
They have the basic outline of humans, but their bodies are covered with thick white hair, and their eyes are ice blue, gleaming with a wild light in the wind and snow.
They are tall, averaging over two meters in height, and have bulging muscles.
He held rudimentary weapons: a bone spear, a stone axe, and the Imperium's standard-issue hand grenades!
Lynn's heart sank; he guessed who these people were.
" Snow Claw Clan ".
Unlike the neutral " Ice Fang Clan," they are the most radical and hostile faction among the Brevis Wildlings.
They viewed the people of the main hive as "traitors" and could never let go of the hatred they felt for the main hive abandoning them and leaving them to fend for themselves on the ice plains.
Therefore, they frequently attack any main hive inhabitants who enter the ice field.
But this time, something's not right.
The explosives they used were definitely made by the Imperium, and in considerable quantities.
This is definitely not something the Snow Claw Clan could obtain on their own.
"We've been tricked. Who had the audacity to do this?" Lynn whispered.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The second wave of attacks has arrived.
The Snow Claw warriors threw grenades down from the ice wall, which landed among the crowd.
The explosion's flames burst forth in the snow and ice, mingling with screams and the carnage of flesh.
"Protect the adults!"
Doudou's roar rang out.
The Ogryn, crawled out from under an overturned armored vehicle, covered in blood, but still standing upright.
The other Ogryn also pounced on the other human soldiers outside the vehicles.
They used their bodies to build a wall.
Using its massive body, it shielded them beneath it.
Metal fragments rained down, most striking the Ogryn ' thick Power Armour with a screeching sound.
But some penetrated the gaps in the armor and pierced into flesh.
Doudou let out a muffled groan and swayed slightly.
But it didn't collapse.
" Doudou!"
Lynn immediately helped Doudou up.
He saw that Doudou's back was covered with metal shards, and blood was gushing from the wounds, staining the white snow red.
The same applies to the other Ogryn.
They used their bodies to shield their "weaker" comrades from the deadly explosion.
"Boss..."
Doudou looked up, a simple, honest smile on her face.
"We protect our partners!"
After saying that, he closed his eyes and fainted.
Lynn knelt down to examine his injuries.
Fortunately, they were all superficial injuries. Ogryn's physique is strong enough that he won't die for the time being.
The other Ogryn also suffered injuries of varying degrees, but thanks to the protection of their heavy Power Armour, Lynn's personal guard suffered virtually no casualties.
But others who didn't have Ogryn and vehicle protection weren't so lucky.
Of the 50,000-strong guard, at least 20,000 will perish forever in this frozen land.
Meanwhile, the Snow Claw Clan's cavalry had begun their descent from the ice wall.
They let out strange howls, brandishing their weapons, ready to slaughter the surviving soldiers.
Lynn stood up, her figure upright in the wind and snow.
The cold wind howled, scattering his hair.
His eyes, one purple and one gold, shone brightly in the wind and snow.
He hadn't originally intended for Rena to be exposed so quickly.
But now.
These scumbags successfully enraged him.
He raised his hand and gently touched the miniature Ripper on his shoulder.
"Go, Rena."
He stared at the cavalrymen, his eyes filled with nothing but pure killing intent.
"Let's see who the real prey is."
The moment Lynn finished speaking.
The governor's mansion, located a thousand kilometers away in Brevis Prime Hive.
" Isolde," who was reviewing documents, suddenly paused.
The Dataslate slipped from her hand and fell to the ground. She slumped forward, her forehead slamming hard against the desk, and she lost consciousness.
A few seconds later, the servant outside the door heard the noise and pushed the door open to come in.
"Lady?"
He saw Isolde slumped over the table, as if asleep.
But the posture was very unnatural.
The attendant approached cautiously and called softly, "Madam? Are you feeling unwell?"
There was no response.
The servant hesitated for a moment, then reached out to wake her.
The moment my fingertips were about to touch my shoulder.
Don't touch her.
A cold voice came from behind.
The servant shuddered in fright and turned to look.
A bald man in a high-ranking uniform stood at the door, his expression grave.
" Your Archon," the attendant hurriedly bowed.
The Archon didn't look at him, but stared at Isolde was slumped over the table.
His gaze swept over Isolde, as if he understood something.
A few seconds later, he said, "Madam is tired, let her rest."
"No one is allowed to enter this office without my order."
"Those who disobey orders will be dealt with according to military law."
The servant swallowed hard and bowed his head. "Yes!"
He hurriedly left, closing the door behind him.
The Archon stood still and looked at Isolde for a few more seconds.
Then he turned and left.
Only " Isolde " remained in the office.
Or rather, an empty shell.