Warhammer 40k: Shattered Steel Soul

His tightly closed eyelids were flashing with colorful spots that kept flying around, and some pale blurry blocks were trembling on both sides... The white blocks condensed into clusters of fireflies, taking away the broken light spots around them, climbing higher and higher, emitting multi-pointed starburst-like light in the process, and each radiated light was associated with a dim spot, a star falling from the sky... Suddenly, the pale halo split into two halves, each of which quickly soared to the far sky and disappeared in an instant...

Lokken suddenly opened his eyes, his two hearts beating violently. Above his head, the two lights in the temporary pharmacy shone high.

"You're awake, sir." He heard the pharmacist say.

This evoked his last little memory, about how he stumbled all the way from the pursuit of the Emperor's Children, desperate to contact the subordinates he brought with him, whether to fight against the Emperor's Children with them, or just to hope that there would be a few more living Luna Wolves in the cathedral of the temporary command center...

"You finally woke up, Gavial." Torgadon's voice came from the side. He sounded out of breath, perhaps the World Eater's axe hit his lungs. "If you don't wake up, I'm afraid I will have to carry you on my back when I escape in thirty hours."

Loken felt the situation in his body. He felt like a furnace, his internal organs were burning in the closed furnace, but the Astartes modified genes that were once added as firewood were strong enough, so he could still...

He supported himself on the ground and sat up, calming his breathing, and there was a dry pain in his throat like swallowing gravel. The pharmacist glanced at him. Perhaps he had been rejected too many times by the stubborn battle brother, so he gave up the rash action of coming to stop Loken.

"How many are left in my squad?" he asked.

"You have three, I have four. The World Eaters are better at close quarters than I remembered, but they're still a little slow," Torgaddon said. He stood nearby, one arm armor stripped completely, the shoulder armor on the same side burned, melting into a twisted polymer that looked like it was about to drip metal blood.

"When the communication from your side was cut off, I thought I was going to lose you, but then I remembered that you said you would rather die in a glorious battle - against a powerful alien nation like Randan, so I bet you won't die so easily."

"When Sejanus left us, there was no glory to speak of," Loken said, feeling depressed.

"Yes, that's what will happen." Torgaddon nodded, "That's what we have to avoid next. The communication station is now seriously busy, but I think the next batch of reinforcements will arrive on the ground soon."

Loken replied: "Our enemies are more than we can imagine. The Emperor's Children, the World Eaters, and possibly the Iron Hands."

Thinking of how many unknown Space Marine Legions have joined Perturabo's side without their knowledge, Loken almost shuddered all over.

But how could it be so?

Don't they have any loyalty to the Emperor and the glory they have been seeking all their lives in their hearts? Can these memories engraved in their bones be easily shaken?

Especially the Imperial Fists, the Terran Guard, one of the legions that should least turn to the rebels.

And the Warmaster Perturabo, he almost owns half of the Empire, or even more. What higher power is worth seeking for him?

Many questions swirled in his heart, and a bitter smell became stronger. He exhaled a breath of turbid air, and finally thought of the moment when Sol Tarvitz swung his sword at him.

"How long did I miss? Did I order the warriors who went deep into the nest to retreat temporarily?" he asked.

"I did it as soon as I woke up. The Alpha Legion was the first to confirm that we had two new enemies. As soon as their intelligence came, our warriors adjusted their offensive and defensive plans on their own."

"But it's still too late, I think." Loken said.

Torgadon nodded, tacitly agreeing with Loken's judgment: "Do you need me to bring the sand table to your knees?"

Loken stood up, his calf bones trembled for a while, but soon adjusted to his weight again.

There was no sand table here, only a rough hand-drawn sketch hanging on the wall of the hall, which briefly outlined the general terrain of their area with a fine brush - undoubtedly obtained by the drone detection of the Mechanicus, and marked the dynamics of both sides with weighted carbon strips.

The arrows symbolizing their troops were evacuating from east to west, and some small enemy arrows were creating small-scale movements around them. On the inner side of the hive underground, the dotted lines marked the speculated movements and situations of the two new enemy legions. Some of the dotted arrows were moving towards the center, while the other part was chasing the rear of the evacuated army.

It was not easy to deal with the strategic deployment of the two iron-stone legions of the Imperial Fists and the Iron Warriors. However, even if their understanding of the enemy might still be only the tip of the entire rebellion iceberg, the will of the Moon Wolves would not shrink in the slightest.

"What do you think?" Torgadon asked, patting Loken on the back to give his limping brother some support.

"Why are the Word Bearers still going deeper?" Loken couldn't help asking, noticing an alternative line on the map.

"They are fearless, perhaps too fearless. Objectively speaking," Torgaddon whispered in a low voice, "I doubt that our lives will be taken into consideration by them sooner or later."

"Our father would not allow this to happen - you still don't like the Word Bearers."

"Aren't you the same?" Togaton shrugged his good shoulder. "That is the worst ally we can think of. After all, even Perturabo knows to remove civilians."

The reasons for the Iron Warriors' removal of the inhabitants of Isstvaan III are unknown, but Loken was more concerned that his friend had the audacity to call a Primarch by his first name. To be honest, after the initial surprise, it made him feel a secret sense of relief and freedom.

Torgadun continued: "...No matter how our father was assassinated, and how I ignored the two leaders of the Word Bearers, I still remember who did it... Alas, this does not sound rational. So, take it as my intuition.”

"Instinct, this sounds like another team with a wolf name, my brother." Loken said seriously, "But we are the Luna Wolves, so of course we can do this too."

Togaton put on a smile, but this was just an attempt to swallow the anger in his heart. He looked away and suddenly saw a falling meteor in the distance through the bay window.

"Is that our signal for support?" he asked softly.

"Who do you think came first? Young Horus?"

"Probably. He's acting relatively cautiously. If it were me, I'd want him to go down to the ground - but Ezekiel certainly couldn't resist going to see Sigismund himself."

Loken opened the internal channel and waited for the support troops to get close enough to maintain communication.

"Perhaps Ezekel finally got a chance to continue the failed victory at the Feast of Blades. If loyalty is enough to judge the outcome," Togaton said, "then this will be a victory worthy of praise."

Soon, a buzzer rang in the ears of the two commanders for a moment, and then returned to the calm sound of electricity.

"His loyal descendants, the pain you have suffered will be repaid one by one to the enemies who caused you to suffer. The fire of vengeance from your colleagues has arrived on this sin-soaked planet. After this, we still have to have more Many helping hands are on the way. For our faith we are many and our thoughts will save us from our enemies and from the hand of those who hate us, so that our enemies will become the world's guide to heaven. pedal……"

Togaton's lips twisted: "Oh, it turns out to be Lord Aurelion."

"You sound disappointed, Tariq." Another voice said. The source of the voice was at another entrance to the temporary medicine room. The clear voice lifted the hearts of the two commanders like flowing water. No matter how many times passed, Loken felt honored to speak directly to the owner of the voice.

"Lord Horus." The two commanders turned sideways to greet their Primarch.

"I am not disappointed, sir. On the contrary, I am looking forward to it." Togaton said. "Especially when I see you."

"Okay," Horus smiled, "Flattery cannot please me. But your military exploits can."

In the nearly January civil war, the commander-in-chief Shepherd God remained as elegant as ever, but although he did not directly participate in the battle, his armor seemed to have been covered with a slight layer of dust.

His arrival made the originally spacious interior suddenly seem a little cramped. Following Horus Luperkar, in addition to some Astartes, there were also various mortals: including scribes, medical personnel and weapons maintenance personnel, various engineers, and some who looked like the Word Bearers There are priests of the Holy Cross over there, as well as some soldiers wearing blue and gray uniforms.

Member of the Titan control team. Loken recognized them, and the meaning behind it made his heart beat faster.

"At least Aurelion has brought a few 'god machines' from Mars to help us, my warriors." Horus raised his arm and made a gesture similar to tallness. "However, he did not actually come to the surface. He is still meditating in his sanctuary. I just brought him the recording of his intention to broadcast on Istvan III."

Loken suppressed the excitement in his heart: "But your injury is not healed, and why do you need to come here personally for this matter, sir?"

"You are extremely qualified as an admonisher, Gavir. As for the injury... it is really a poisonous weapon. If the Emperor cannot leave the throne, I may not be able to recover in another ten years." Horus said, "To be honest, after a while, I still have to go back to the Vengeful Spirit, taking care of the ground and space at the same time, as well as welcoming the next legion to help us."

"Who is that?"

"Depends on who is around Terra when the astrological messages are delivered. I believe that any legion within the sun's reach who can receive our message remains commendably loyal."

Horus walked towards the map they hung on the wall, staring sharply at each location on the map, and finally fixed his gaze on the core area of ​​the hive.

"Is Perturabo there?" he asked.

Loken realized that Horus was referring to the former governor's palace of Isstvaan III in the center of the upper nest in the area that was not represented on this flat map.

"This conclusion can be inferred from the messages we have intercepted." Loken said cautiously, "In addition, the defense here is the most complete. I am afraid that when the entire Isstvaan III falls, the Cantor Palace will be destroyed." Still standing."

"Sometimes I wish I could see him face to face," Horus said, and Loken caught a glimpse of an indelible gloom in his father's face. Most people probably wouldn't even believe that such emotions could belong to the great Wolf Shepherd. "Somewhere in my mind, we should talk, as if we could save something."

"grown ups!"

"Of course, I will not rush to the Cantor Palace." Horus said frankly, "That would be accompanied by terrible risks. We have already lost a lot, and I do not want to add more potential losses to our list. So, let’s first try to see if the open frequency band we used to fight alongside them can still be used.”

——

"Horus's patience is so good. You have already rejected him once." Angron sighed slightly, remembering the incident more than seventy years ago when Horus fought against the opposition of others and used diplomacy to regain a pocket empire. He is not a nostalgic person, but he has been remembering many things recently.

"The reliability of astrological dialogue is extremely low. If it is not necessary, we do not need to conduct astrological dialogue with the enemy."

Rogal Dorn spoke for Perturabo, who was still busy aboard the Phalanx maintaining command of the space battle and tracking down the elusive Alpharius. What arrived at the Cantor Palace at this moment was just his holographic projection. After saying a word, Dorn hurriedly turned around and left, disappearing from the projection.

"But this time it's the sound array. On this planet, the Iron Warriors can always ensure that the sound array message is conveyed correctly." Fulgrim said, his hands were flowing with bright silver light, and he was wearing a Wearing an unexpectedly simple light-colored robe, echoing the original milky white light and crystal chandeliers in the cantor's palace, the whole person seemed to be about to turn into light at any time.

He smiled and looked at Perturabo who was sitting at the head of the Cantor Palace, "Undoubtedly, Horus could not hear your voice in the sea of ​​stars before. I am afraid it is because you were unwilling to speak to Horus, Warmaster."

Bandage-like circles of steel unfolded to both sides. Warmaster Perturabo stood up from his seat and walked down the ceremonial steps laid by the former governor.

His left hand was wrapped inside a steel glove. The sensors built into the glove provided him with control over various sections and platforms within the capital city of Istvan III. In the few seconds he was walking, a set of iron-gray The weapons platform has risen from the depths of the earth, towering above the originally green park area.

The holographic sand table in the center of the hall also projected the scene in real time. Among the exquisite palaces and towers on the upper nest, this cold weapon group seemed out of place.

"In fact, it is only now that we can confirm that Horus Luperkar has indeed awakened from Terra." Perturabo said, "It is not a trick of Alpharius and Lorgar Aurelion. Regarding the attack on Horus, It doesn't matter to me whether Ruth speaks or not."

He came to the long central table where Angron and Fulgrim sat opposite each other, and stared at the sand table on the table. At the same time, more weapon structures continued to appear on the sand table. The continuous changes caused rumbling oscillating sounds to be heard from the outside world, just like the gaze of his eyes turned Istvan III upside down.

Watching Perturabo control the battlefield at any time is a rare treat to some extent.

"Through the information sent by Horus Luperkar in the public frequency band, we were able to further analyze the information encryption technology currently used within the Imperial Army." Perturabo explained his behavior lightly, "At least we know that Or Rilian finally mobilized the Titans. To do this, we need more artillery fire to melt them in the wilderness."

He raised his hand, and the faint sound of electric current spread in the room.

"I look forward to Horus Luperkar's voice being heard by me at the appointed time."

"Every piece of data is a scrap of steel in the furnace of the battlefield. Your information analysis team must be well prepared." Fulgrim sighed leisurely and stood up, "I'm going to take a look at my company. Sirs, can we cooperate with Angron's troops? "The tactical tendency of the World Eaters is still to attack head-on with great enthusiasm; but the exquisite skills of the Emperor's Children are not always suitable for fighting. They match.

"Angron, if you have such leisure, then you go." Perturabo stopped Fulgrim and turned to the purple phoenix and said: "According to what we know about him, Horus Lu Pekar will at least want to hear one of your voices."

Fulgrim's eyes flickered for a moment, and he finally returned to his seat helplessly. He had to admit that he was not really ready to face Horus, and Perturabo undoubtedly used a pair of cold and scrutinizing eyes to peel back his outer thinking and penetrate into his heart in his keen silence. That slight hesitation.

Trying to analyze the other party's signal is secondary. No matter how much information a single sound array channel can transmit, Perturabo can obtain more information than the few words of conversation sent by the Luna Wolf when it is willing to encrypt. They had the Thousand Sons to help them spiritually, and in purely technical ways, Perturabo himself was the true master.

If Perturabo is willing to speak to Horus, then this conversation is for him, Fulgrim the purple phoenix.

And he will not go against the choice he made for Ferus. Fulgrim thought.

——

"I know how sad you are, my brother, but you must not sadly fall into the trap he has set. Perturabo must have various excuses for his evil deeds, to explain why he destroyed the God-Emperor's Merit, in an attempt to justify his betrayal, but..." Lorgar Aurelion earnestly advised in the projection.

"That's enough, Aurelion," Horus said, interrupting Aurelion. His sonorous voice now deepened. "I don't need you to treat me like a baby."

The One with the Truth brought part of the Wandering Temple's setting to the interior of the bunker environment where Horus Luperkar was located. The looming altar in the dark environment, the electric candlesticks in the dark niches, and the Emperor's Sky Eagle hanging high on the granite statue are like a second indoor layer of darkness, covering the dusty temporary war zone headquarters. middle.

A ray of flickering light reflected on Horus's cheek, making his face look even more rosy, which contrasted clearly with his cold, clear eyes.

"I understand what you are thinking. Then, I will remain silent." Aurelion said meekly, nodding towards Horus, and really accepted his advice. Aurelion's usual attitude always makes people find it hard to believe that this is the legion master who not long ago advocated exterminating the surface of Istvan III with fire storms.

Horus leaned against the empty cargo box and looked up at the gray cloud-covered sky above. He cleared his throat and waited for the clouds, blown by the natural wind, to gradually cover the very high and distant star light sources. His commanders surrounded his left and right hands. Seeing their genetic father lower his gaze, the two wolf cubs who prided themselves on strict discipline also raised their heads and smiled encouragingly at him.

Horus couldn't help laughing. In just one year, he seemed to have become the junior to his heirs.

Soon, the timer skipped the last frame, and the sound array communicator was indeed connected.

At first, no one among them spoke. Then, a voice sounded more ruthless than Horus expected. A mechanically synthesized sound.

"Horus Luperkar," said Perturabo, the representative of the machine, "you have finally awakened."

Horus stood up straight, and with a high degree of mental concentration, he felt the power of confidence return to his limbs. The past friendship is turned into a box of chess pieces at the negotiation table. Only when the chessboard is cleared before and after is it enough to cause an unspeakable and lingering pain.

"Perturabo, have you really chosen this path?" Horus asked straight to the point in a deep voice, "Going against the Empire of Man?"

The mechanical voice replied coldly: "I have not chosen a path, Horus Luperkar. It is the only path for humanity; I can tell you straight away that the Emperor is no longer the Emperor you know. If you are still interested in convincing me, there is no need for us to continue the conversation."

He remembered Perturabo as always calm and determined...when had he been so callous as to speak for himself in a robotic synthesizer voice?

"I know, Perturabo," Horus said, his voice containing just the right amount of sadness.

"You know?" Did the machine-synthesized voice mock coldly? Or is it just some noise caused by the transmission process? "No. Just as if I were in your position, I would rather believe that the Warmaster would betray than believe that the Emperor has changed beyond recognition - when I find that the evidence in my hand cannot convince me, I do not expect to Words made the Wolf Shepherd switch sides."

Is this a verbal trap, or is Perturabo expressing his emotions? When the betrayal occurred, Horus's past image of Perturabo suddenly became so vague and elusive.

"You were my most trusted brother," Horus said earnestly, intending to use his voice to pierce the gap between the two of them. "Perturabo, I never believed that you arranged my assassination. Not blind to that extent.”

He suppressed the surprise of Loken and Togaton when they heard this with a look. He had to hear it all from Perturabo's mouth.

Horus continued: "But what happened after that I know next to nothing. Tell me, what happened?"

After a silent beep, the mechanical sound sounded again.

"What do you think of the Emperor now?"

This sentence directly touched the pain in Horus's heart. He frowned: "Just because the Emperor is no longer the sole father of our Primarch, you call him unrecognizable?"

Now, Horus was very sure that it was a mechanically simulated low laugh, which seemed to have an eerie coldness attached to it.

"I am surprised to hear this from you one day, Horus - it is a pity that your mind is still locked in the riddle of yes and no. From the beginning to the end, the Emperor was not like us twenty The father of man, first among all his titles, is the Lord of mankind.”

The mechanical voice sneered, as if Perturabo had no nostalgia for his past friendship, but regarded it as a heavy shackles.

Aurelion nodded quietly on the side, and he did not hesitate to agree with the correct words from his enemy.

Horus raised his hand to signal Aurelion to remain silent, and replied sternly: "You have weakened the humanity that the Emperor showed to us, Perturabo, which is the part of our father that deserves respect and treasure. I want to In this regard, the father has given you no less than any of us, and you are denying him.”

"Perhaps," the machine said softly, "However, what is sitting on the throne now, whether human or not, thanks to Lorgar Aurelion beside you, is a rotting corpse that has long been beyond recognition and intends to subvert The human race that the Emperor loves deeply that you truly rely on; and what we pursue, and even everything we do, is for the coming of the will between the stars - that is the true Emperor after leaving the body. Where to go.”

Horus took a few breaths and returned to calm. He saw his anger in Loken's eyes. Togaton's eyes also flashed with complex emotions.

A rotting corpse? The Emperor he met between the thrones was indeed a haggard fragment of his former appearance, but a rotting corpse? No, he felt that he was clearly heard and noticed, but he was not noticed.

Upgraded. Transformed. Converted. Became the god of the human race.

However, he was still an emperor in a sense. Still the master of mankind. Born for mankind, existing for mankind. So true and undeniable...

The Sagittarius tattoo on his palm alerted him like a burning flame.

"So, is this the reason why you betrayed us?" Horus said sadly, "I don't want to assume that you are right. But, even so, is this the reason why you fought against your former brothers and sisters? This is Are you the source of the flames of war? No, even if you kill everyone who disagrees with you, it will not bring the God Emperor back to the world. What you will get is endless power and a devastated galaxy."

"This is a necessity for the coming of a true Emperor—"

"The death of countless humans?" Horus growled, "This is the only thing you will bring to the galaxy!"

There was silence on Perturabo's side, but not for long.

"You reject the truth, Horus Luperkar. I am not surprised, for you are still trapped in the past. That is why this conversation is destined to be meaningless."

Horus closed his eyes. Many lives have been lost, and this is still just the beginning. The shadows of Magnus and Ferrus Magnus flashed before his eyes. Then, the Luna Wolves lost tens of thousands of their compatriots in just one year, and their death and injury frequency was higher than in any year since the Great Crusade.

Aurelion said that Perturabo would justify his destruction of the Emperor's legacy - nay, deeds - and that he would never acknowledge the Emperor's departure.

Yes, his most trusted brother was really doing this. He brought nothing but death and betrayal to the Empire.

"Our mission is to bring enlightenment and civilization to the galaxy." Horus said. He remembered every instruction the emperor gave him, and some vague scenes were given new colors. "In war and death, there is no true victory. The era of the Great Crusade is over, and the war should have come to an end, but you have brought it all back to this universe that should finally enjoy peace."

Warmaster.

The commander of war. The master of war. The forger of battle.

Such a title...a title destined to be closely related to war and blood, he was almost going to be bestowed upon it, or perhaps cursed by it.

Horus thought, maybe, finally, he could understand why, in various early discussions in Ullanor, some preachers mentioned that this was not destined to be a peaceful title; why they repeatedly wrote about the past A memorial to the countless lives lost in the quagmire of war; why the mortal Council of Terra constantly raised objections to the Astartes military system and honor...

Because this is a title destined to be accompanied by death.

Now, at this moment, standing on the blood-stained ground of Istvaan III, when he recalled the blood-stained weapons on the many shelves in the trophy showroom, as well as the various sharp blades that blew hair and broke hair, and the high-tech technology used to attack cities and forts He shivered slightly as he fired the gun.

Miraculously, the mighty weapons and bloody triumphs that once delighted him faded away in his mind, replaced by all the glorious things built by every civilization he had ever conquered. The facilities that were built rather than destroyed, the bright halls and celebratory banquets, the smiles and welcomes that embraced his heart...

Maybe he really is still stuck in the past.

"I entrusted you with the position of Warmaster, Perturabo," Horus Luperkar said loudly, overcome by the sorrow and indignation that surged in his chest. Half of the Imperium is given to you because I believe so much that you share the same ideals as I and the Emperor, and that you have the ability to live up to them.

"I trust you enough to serve as War Commander, not to let you betray this trust, not to let you destroy the glory and hope finally created by the Great Crusade, not to let you destroy the achievements and blessings that your father left to all mankind!"

"Perturabo, my former brother, since when did your ideals die in your heart?"

There was a frightening silence.

"Horus Luperkar." Perturabo suddenly called him by name softly, in his original voice.

His voice was so soft that any emotion spilled out was buried in the subtle murmur of the flow.

Then, his voice expanded, becoming solid and decisive, just like the name he chose for the legion. It had more of a sonorous sound of steel clashing than a mechanically synthesized voice.

"Do you regret it?" he asked coldly. "Do you regret giving me the position of Warmaster?"

"What about you?" Horus asked, his voice trembling with excitement, "Do you regret taking it?"

"Horus, my brother," said Perturabo, "I only regret that I did not fight for it earlier, so that the fool found a gap in power, and thus created the current situation. If I had at the beginning By taking away the position of Warmaster from you, I can guarantee that everything will not progress to the point where it is today.”

Perturabo said coldly with a decisive tone unfamiliar to Horus, "Power has gravity, and the core of power is a vacuum. You hope for peace, but if you don't seize the power, you won't expel the chaotic entities that can interfere with peace. , then this vacuum will be occupied by others - such as the false emperor you are loyal to, such as the false emperor's loyal servants, our stupid brother Lorgar Aurelion, and many more who were deceived by the false emperor, but actually betrayed All people.”

He changed the subject: "However, I am also grateful that my mistakes pushed me onto this path; this path that I will never abandon if I make a thousand choices again."

"A path of betrayal and death? A path of great rebellion?"

"A path to betray the Empire of Man." Perturabo said unshakably, "A path to slaying the false emperor. However, remember one thing, Horus Luperkar, at any time, I would not mind fighting with him. You share the fruits of our victory——"

"Hold your insults, Perturabo. The Luna Wolves do not associate with traitors."

"Traitor." Perturabo said playfully, wondering whether this was a nickname for Horus or an evaluation of his own identity. His tone hurt Horus deeply.

His next sentence changed back to a mechanically synthesized substitute. Undoubtedly, Perturabo lost the last of his interest in this conversation and returned to his most comfortable work. Perhaps, during the short time they were talking, several more aircraft were destroyed by the artillery fire from the Iron Warriors' position.

"Is there anything else you want to say to me, Horus?" the machine said coldly.

"Is Ferrus Manus still alive?" Horus asked sincerely, not knowing what he was expecting.

Even if Ferus was still in this reality, it would most likely mean that one of their enemies had increased, and he still looked forward to his survival... as if this was some kind of important spiritual proof.

There was an electric silence, then another voice, clear and moving: "He is gone, Horus. I am sorry."

Then, the other side cut off the channel first. Afterwards, Aurelion smiled at him, said a few words of comfort, and then stopped the projection, and the entire room lit up.

Horus patted Loken's shoulder nearby. After all, Togaton's shoulder on his other side was still injured. Did he want to make sure that the soldiers around him were still loyal to him, still standing firmly by his side?

Horus threw away his distracting thoughts and forced a smile: "What a pity. It seems that Perturabo is determined to destroy everything we have worked so hard to build."

"My lord," Loken said after a while of silence, "the new war has begun for a long time."

Horus nodded slightly, "I know. This is Istvan, not Ullanor. Even Fulgrim mentioned the death of Ferrus Manus. What kind of betrayal was there? Impossible?"

He cleared his throat, seeming to think about what he should say next. It was strange that he had only been awake for a few days and was already feeling tired. Can a Primarch also grow tired?

"You have read the support list, my outstanding warriors." He came back to his senses, "Before this communication, I leave you enough time to analyze the battlefield. Then, let's talk about Istavanzo The war itself. Togaton, let’s start with the report.”

Torgadun walked up to Horus. He was indeed confident of his preparations for war.

"We suffered heavy losses during the Emperor's Children ambush, but the battle line has re-stabilized. We note that the Iron Warriors' manpower most likely does not match the number of the entire Legion, but we still have to consider something like Prospero's hiding The hidden military power of the Iron Warriors - through reasonable inference, the number of casualties reported by the Iron Warriors in the past is likely to be exaggerated..."

"No, I can confirm that Perturabo had no intention of betrayal."

"Then you can't say this in front of Lord Aurelion. He is currently analyzing Perturabo's ambition that has been hidden for two hundred years from a hundred clues."

"Hey, do you think I can't see others as clearly as Aurelion? I haven't looked after you for a year, and you are so bold, Togaton?" Horus cursed with a smile, and Loken laughed quietly beside him. As he did so, he gave him a second gentle slap, pushing Loken side by side with Torgadon.

"Go on," Horus said.

Togaton nodded: "Around the Chant City, if Titan can successfully arrive, we will have the opportunity to make the defenders over there roll and crawl..."

Before he finished speaking, a strong roar shook the furnishings in the room. Every lamp shook violently, making harsh noises, and the earth hummed sadly under his feet.

In the distance, the artillery fire crashed down like a fanatical rain of fire, and the intense flames tore through the sky. Huge pillars of fire rose into the sky, and the land in the distance trembled under the ruthless bombardment, as if it was being struck by a giant hammer. Thick black smoke rose from the burning scorched earth, the skyline reflected a purgatory-like red light, and the aftermath of destruction spread around.

Togaton subconsciously looked up at Horus in surprise. "That's our Titan position," he blurted out.

Horus looked at it silently and smiled coldly. "I still underestimated my former brother. Perturabo the Rebellion."