Warhammer 40: My Fiancée Fulgrim

Page 343

“How could I not have thought about it? As a Space Marine, I was prepared to die the moment I stepped onto the operating table.”

Tavits paused for a moment.

"In my imagination at the time, I would die like a hero in a life-or-death struggle against aliens that oppress humanity on a planet, fulfilling my mission as a great son of the emperor and bringing light to mankind."

As he spoke, as if to prove his words, the golden eagle on Tavitz's chest shimmered in the moonlight.

As the only legion authorized to wear the Imperial Skyhawk, the glorious Sons of the Emperor are imbued with unparalleled honor and responsibility from their very name.

Every son of an emperor possesses the will to die for his cause at any moment.

Just like now.

Even though they all knew how vulnerable their fortifications would be to the onslaught of the Iron Hand, the title of Son of the Emperor would once again instill in each of them a steadfast will to fight.

—Until the very last moment.

"But... what if, what if our battlefield is a battlefield of civil war, and our opponents are our compatriots who once fought alongside us..."

The light on Tavitz's face dimmed; he was unwilling to accept it, but he had no choice but to accept this tragic reality.

"...It's pointless, yes, brother, I know."

"Yes, the grand expedition has come to an end."

Gone are the glorious ideals and missions, gone is the will to forge ahead and explore new frontiers.

From then on, people will kill each other and fight for power and profit.

As for the survivors after the war, their only goal for the rest of their lives was to survive.

"But...why?"

On Istvan III, Loken could still see the moon alone in the night sky.

Amidst the continuous roar of machinery from the surrounding construction sites, a new tranquility seemed to emerge from the noise.

Just as humanity fell after reaching its golden age, why would someone choose to turn against their own people at this crucial final moment when emperors once again lead humanity toward a great goal?

Just as since the first murder, after humanity has worked together to overcome countless difficulties, conflicts between shepherds and farmers, nomads and agriculturalists, pagans and religious fanatics, colonists and colonies... will always follow one after another, destroying the fruits of countless efforts.

“I don’t know, Gavial.”

Tavitz glanced at him, then silently turned his head back towards the construction site.

Nobody knows the answer to this question.

Like the bright moon high in the sky—even if it is not Luna who accompanies the holy Terra.

But it has also witnessed countless human struggles and infighting.

That's all there is to it.

.......

The Emperor's Pride Fleet.

"Reporting to Primarch and Commander, according to the Star Speaker's calculations, the Iron Hand's fleet will arrive in the Eastvan system in one hour."

Clearly, the fact that Philus could move freely and unimpeded through this warp storm meant either she possessed some advanced technology, or she had completely sided with the Chaos faction, to the point that the Four Gods gave her the green light for warp travel.

"Understood. You may go now. Remember to inform all crew members to prepare for battle."

"Casgar said."

"Yes."

In the next battle, even with the two top-tier Space Marine legions, Shadowmoon Wolves and Sons of the Emperor, Casgar still didn't have much confidence in defeating the formidable Felice and Ironfist fleet.

With several buffs, the Terror Iron Hands' stats have long surpassed those of all Astartes legions.

They had already forgotten what heaven and earth were.

Moreover, this Shadowmoon Wolf, commanded by the pointy-headed Abaddon... cannot be entirely trusted not to side with Chaos.

"It seems this is truly the toughest battle we've ever faced, Casgar."

Fugrim stepped forward and gently stroked Kasgar's face.

With the messenger gone, only Casca and she remained.

Due to a subspace storm, the entire Imperial Legion is trapped in the Istvan system and unable to escape.

Given that they will most likely be wiped out on this planet Istevan, all they can gain is a reduction in the strength of the Iron Hand Legion.

Their victory would be to inflict considerable damage on the Iron Hand before the Imperial Princes are completely annihilated!

Even if

"Casca, tell me."

"Did you foresee this? Did you foresee that we might very well be with Phyllis, and my Primarch sisters?"

"This doesn't need my prophecy at all."

Kasga smiled helplessly: "The moment we met, when you opened that ancient book of mythology."

"But the moment the pages of the book showed a purple-gold warrior fighting a Gorgon... some things were already destined."

"It seems...that's indeed the case."

As Fugrim recalled Kasgar's words, and it seemed to be true as he said, Fugrim could only smile wryly.

"Yes."

“But I still persevered.” Casca seemed to be caught up in the past as well, “even though I could see my future fate.”

Even if you could see the future...

Fugrim opened her arms and quietly embraced the other person.

Do you remember what I said back then?

"What? A centaur gold ring?"

Thirty years...

As if some fixed ritual had been triggered, after Kasgar uttered the mysterious number and quantifier that modified time, Fugrim was immersed in beautiful memories of the past.

"Alright, alright, alright!" Kasga interrupted her singing impatiently.

"...Not that sentence."

"Which line is it? Tell me already, stop keeping me in suspense!"

"It's...it's that line—'I will save you!'"

Casca felt his face getting hotter, and it seemed to be getting even redder at this moment.

Even though the two had been married for over two hundred years, Casca was still not quite used to expressing his love in a more direct way.

intrinsic.

No matter how many years pass, it won't make a difference.

"Hmph, still acting all high and mighty."

Fugrim laughed confidently. She seemed to enjoy Casgar's predicament.

"I... I didn't..."

"But I really like that about you."

Chirp.

As she spoke, she gently kissed him with tender affection.

"Casca, you did it."

"It is thanks to your salvation that I exist today, along with the current Sons of the Emperor's Legion."

"Casca, thank you for your perseverance and support."

"Thank you."

The screen behind the flagship illuminated countless Imperial Sons Legion warriors and auxiliary soldiers who were on high alert at the surface positions in Istvan.

They were all prepared to die, choosing to hold on until the very last moment for the sake of humanity.

Casca felt as if tears were streaming down the beautiful cheeks that were close to hers.

"Forgrim, see you after we win the battle."

Casgar will soon be heading to the surface to wage guerrilla warfare in the upcoming battles.

Meanwhile, the Imperial Pride fleet in the sky requires Fugrim to personally oversee and command it, in order to prevent the enemy from boarding and seizing the ships.

“Hmm,” she smiled, her beautiful amethyst-like eyes narrowing.

"We'll see each other again later."

.......

A massive rift tore open before the eyes of the people in the Istefan system who were on high alert.

The massive, iron-gray flagship, symbolizing the hand of steel, slowly made its way towards their location on Istvan III, amidst the tense gazes of the crowd.

"Calling Primarch Filus. Please state your purpose and warp warp method!"

"To reiterate, please state your purpose and the method of warp in subspace!"

There was no response.

Philus's fleet, as if it had never received the communication, headed straight for the Legion's warships to enter near-Earth orbit around Istvan III.

Seeing that there was no reply from the other party, the personnel involved in the sound array team felt a sudden sinking feeling in their hearts.

It's very possible... Kaska was right again.

Phyllis, something's really wrong with her!

"As ordered by Imperial Warmaster Vograim, Primarch Filus of the Tenth Legion is hereby ordered to proceed to the surface alone for questioning! I repeat!"

"As per the orders of Imperial Warmaster Vograim, Primarch Filus of the Tenth Legion is ordered to go to the surface to be questioned alone!"

As Imperial Warmaster, Vograim has the authority to demand that the Primarch Legion undergo inspection.

However, this power only applies when the other party recognizes the empire.

As the "Iron Fist" entered the local orbit, it silently began deploying countless personnel and equipment to the surface.

There was no direct carpet bombing.

Even though the planet's surface still retains the void shield devices used for previous planetary defenses, their ability to deploy personnel without firing a single shot is—

Could it be that...?

It was Philus's urge to fight one-on-one that got the better of them. Even though their firepower was many times superior to that of the surface defense forces, they still insisted on relying on Philus's personal strength to fight one-on-one first.

Just like on the Istvan 5 in the original work, even though the firepower could have blown the surface defenders into the air, the Primarch insisted on personally going down to "lead" the charge.

This gives them an opportunity.

Casca's heart was beating very fast.

If Phyllis really abandons her greatest advantage and chooses to fight one-on-one, then their Imperial Prince Legion might actually pull off a surprise attack!

"wrong!"

"They're deploying airborne pods!"

This is......

Recalling the name Istvan III, Casca's mind immediately went on high alert.

"They've deployed loyal members from within the legion!"

"What about Shadowmoon Wolves? Shadowmoon Wolves... which part of their forces are on the surface, and which part are in the aerial fleet!?"

"What? Horus Jr. and Abaddon? They...they're both on Vengeful Spirit!?"

At that very moment, Kaska's eyes were fixed on the Vengeance Spirit flying in the sky.

Its light spear struck the Void Shield defense of the Istvan III precisely at that moment.

Chapter 208 The Final Battle, Istvan (Part 2)