Emperor's Bane

Chapter 753: The Defeat of the 5th World

Chapter 753: The Defeat of Five Hundred Worlds
"Imperial Federation?"

"Or the Federal Empire?"

"Let me be clear: this is important."

The best evaluation of the Bucephalus is its majestic beauty that exceeds the limits of human imagination: when this giant palace built of gold and marble appears at the forefront of the Badab crisis, even the tense situation that once attracted the attention of the entire galaxy will be put to rest for its splendor.

As one of the three flagships of the Lord of Mankind during the Great Crusade, the Bucephalus, like its sister ship, the Emperor's Vision, is a command aircraft carrier of superior specifications: it symbolizes both the pinnacle of the Imperium of Mankind's shipbuilding technology and the authority of the Emperor himself.

But for Guilliman, his five hundred worlds and all the military allies loyal to the Primarch, this supreme power that once made them convinced has quietly turned into a sharp blade like a thorn in their throat.

The reason was simple: this behemoth, a symbol of the Emperor's will and a beast that could never have been unleashed from the dock without the genetic command of the Master of Mankind himself, was now the flagship of Malcador the Sigillite, carrying him all the way from Holy Terra to Badab.

Behind it was a star fleet so large that even the most determined Ultramarines would be filled with fear and despair at the mere sight of it.

Before Sigillite Malcador left the palace of Holy Terra, he signed a final mandatory mobilization order, requiring every province and sector directly under Holy Terra to mobilize every military ship except those remaining at necessary posts: from battleships to frigates, the will of Terra was calling them.

Although the Seal Bearer made a second revision, this mobilization order only affected the eastern half of the Solar Star Region, close to the Maelstrom area, but the final result was enough to achieve the Seal Bearer's original purpose of intimidating the heroes of the galaxy.

At least he had intimidated Guilliman.

A fleet so vast that it covered the entire sky and the sun was assembled in the following weeks. Despite the heavy losses on Nikaea, the authorities on Holy Terra were still able to ensure the assembly and sequencing of tens of thousands of warships: when the flagship of the Sigillite arrived at Badab, the vanguard of the Terran fleet followed closely behind him.

They are merely the vanguard, the part that is proud of being elite in quality but mediocre in quantity: but the more specific numbers still make the Lord of Macragge doubt the loyalty of the intelligence department and whether he still has his own sanity?

According to reports from intelligence agencies loyal to the Ultramarines Legion, the number of battleships in the vanguard fleet active on Terra alone, as well as [part of] the main fleet, has far exceeded three digits.

In contrast, looking at the void power of the entire Ultramarines Legion, even if Guilliman tried his best, he could only bring out forty battleship-level main battleships: this number was based on the premise that he had listened to Morgan's advice in previous years and built a few more battleships to ensure any eventuality.

Next to the huge battleship formation of Holy Terra, there are at least thousands of cruisers and strike cruisers active: compared to the despair of the battleships, this number can make Guilliman breathe a sigh of relief.

After all, the Five Hundred Worlds can mobilize at least four-digit cruisers. If we take into account the giant armed cargo ships that have been urgently modified and the overtime work of various docks, it is not impossible to break through five digits, which is far more than what Terra played this time.

The reason why the results of the two comparisons are so different is related to the combat style of the XIII Legion: instead of consuming steel in vain in the void, Guilliman and his Ultramarines Legion focus more on the support role of the naval fleet for ground combat, and their combat style is more inclined towards small and medium-sized ships.

Therefore, although the size of the Ultramarines' fleet is indeed considerable and Guilliman can mobilize more than ten thousand warships with just a single order, most of them are small ships represented by Moon-class cruisers, destroyers and even frigates, and do not have absolute power in naval battles.

(In the original Horus Heresy, although the authorities have frantically inflated the strength of each legion, the Ultramarines Legion still only has 35 battleships: I even gave him a few more here)

(Then we know that Horus took out 6,000 Vengeful Spirits: No wonder he was so confident that he could bring Guilliman to his knees after defeating the Emperor)
But even so, Lord Macragge was well aware that the disparity in strength between him and Holy Terra was far from being explained by just one combat style: data had always been Guilliman's expertise, and he could not possibly play dumb in this regard.

You know, the Sigillite only revealed half of the power of Holy Terra this time. He didn't even mobilize any military forces in the western part of the Solar Segmentum: relying solely on half of the naval forces under the Terran Skylord, Malcador was able to defeat Guilliman on the chessboard.

In comparison, the shock caused by the Bucephalus was not that great.

Because when this warship, symbolizing the Emperor's choice, sailed into the Badab system and once again sent the flag and officials of Terra before the pale-faced Badab Council, the military fleets loyal to the Five Hundred Worlds had already evacuated dozens of hours ago.

Not only that, in every crisis-ridden front in the entire Maelstrom region, the military forces under the command of Lord Macragge were steadily retreating: the silent guidance of the Lord of Mankind had greatly dealt a blow to the morale of the Five Hundred Worlds, and the torrent of Terra had forced even the most radical Extreme Warriors to face reality.

The Five Hundred Worlds no longer have any chance of winning this crisis.

When the ambiguous attitudes of the Primarchs and the indignation of the Five Hundred Worlds failed to intimidate the Council of High Lords, Macragge had already lost its biggest card: although the elders of Terra were slow to react, their determination and tactics were equally ruthless.

"After all, everyone knows that the core of the game of power is nothing more than violence and majesty."

“The rulers use their authority to establish a distribution system, and then use violence to ensure the operation of this system, while the ruled are willing to endure the injustice of the system and become a part of it, in order to fulfill the rulers’ authority, and then in exchange for protection based on violence from the rulers, or simply become part of the rulers’ violence.”

"Over time, a power system formed by agreements was established."

"And for Terra, Badab at this moment is their concrete majesty."

"If not protected by violence, the power the Emperor left them will collapse."

"That's true."

"But despite this: aren't the actions of the elders a bit too risky?"

"Oh?"

Malcador turned his head.

His figure looked thin among the thousands of changing shadows.

These shadows come from a large-scale armed transport fleet, and their target this time is to protect a group of tax collectors who are more terrifying than the warlike legions.

Riding on shuttles, under the close protection of hundreds of thousands of mortal auxiliary soldiers armed to the teeth, officials loyal to the Sigillite returned to Badab: this usually unruly land has learned to tremble under the shadow of the Terra fleet.

Next, these clerks who had fled in the Badab galaxy will continue their unfinished business: but under the sharp gaze of the Sigillite, the ferocity and cruelty of the calculations will undoubtedly increase exponentially, penetrating into the soul and marrow of the world beneath their feet.

Badab, who was once so powerful that he almost regarded himself as the king of the Maelstrom, was destined to pay an unimaginable price for this bloodless defeat: this price was more than ten times more unforgettable than the exploitation he had suffered at the hands of the officials of Holy Terra.

Badab's misery and wailing will become the best songs. Any world that can hear this music will look up to Holy Terra and know that no one in this galaxy can protect their ridiculous ambitions.

This is the effect Tyra wanted.

Compared with this, the retreat of the Five Hundred Worlds was just a pleasant surprise.

The complete contraction of the Ultramarines Legion doomed them to ultimate defeat. Most of Macragge's vassals and interests in the Maelstrom region would cease to exist: Guilliman's flag would no longer be able to cruise through the Betangamon Space, the gateway to the Solar Segmentum, and the elders on Terra could finally sleep well.

"It's such a big victory, do you think there's anything wrong with it?"

The seal bearer asked softly, looking at the questioner standing next to him: Although Malcador's tone was one of questioning, his expression was unusually calm, and there was appreciation in his eyes when he looked at the others.

"I just……"

"You can say whatever you want, Marshal Claus."

The Sigillite smiled and patted the shoulder of this military confidant whom he had dug out from among the thousands of mortal auxiliary troops: when the high lords of Holy Terra were talking about the crisis of Badab in the palace, it was this ordinary auxiliary army marshal in front of him who led his subordinates to withstand the pressure of five hundred worlds at the forefront of the crisis.

"I remember when the crisis in Badab first broke out, when my tax collectors called for help from all directions, you and your legion were the first to respond to the call. There was almost no hesitation."

"When the Five Hundred Worlds marched to Badab under Guilliman's orders, the other generals gathered there were in panic, and you were the first to stand up and ask your subordinates to block the Ultramarines' route: The High Lords Council admired your decisiveness and loyalty, and a medal of honor is waiting for you." "And at this time: you tell me that you don't actually support a tough attitude?"

After listing all the achievements of Marshal Claus in front of him, Malcador lowered his head slightly and glanced at the glittering chest of the auxiliary army marshal: he had fought his way up from the bottom of the imperial army and was Malcador's most trusted military adviser.

His words always have value.

Even just a sigh.

"how to say……"

The marshal touched his already gray temples as usual, with a bitter smile, but his back remained straight.

"For me, subjective thoughts and objective responsibilities are separate. I responded to the call of your subordinates and ordered my warriors to block the fleet of the Five Hundred Worlds. I was just following orders: My mission is to maintain the majesty of Holy Terra. In front of it, nothing else matters."

"But subjectively speaking: I am frightened by what happened in Badab, sir."

"An enemy of the Primarch?"

"Yes."

The marshal nodded.

"Even a year ago, I would never have thought that I would face off against a Primarch."

"And yet you did it anyway: when you realised it was your responsibility?"

"It's just an instinctive reaction."

Marshal Klaus lowered his head, seeming a little embarrassed about it.

“I didn’t have time to think about it at the time.”

"But compared to these..."

The marshal's eyes moved.

"I am more curious about the mentality of the Lords of the High Lords' Council when they issued the order to remain tough against the Primarch Guilliman and his Ultramarines Legion. When this order was just issued, the grassroots troops on the front line almost mutinied."

"Mutiny?"

"A small number of soldiers dare not to be enemies with the Astartes. They are in awe of the fierce reputation of these Angels of Death, and they are well aware that the Primarchs and the Astartes represent the will of the Emperor. Shooting at them is undoubtedly treason."

"The situation continued until the Imperial Fists arrived to provide assistance."

"That's it."

The palm bearer nodded.

"You are very cautious."

"But on the other hand, the civil servants in the Senate are all very radical."

"It's quite normal."

Marshal Claus nodded.

"The civilian officers in the rear seem radical, always wanting to fight and kill, and a few words can make the front line more tense. On the contrary, we military officers in the trenches are often pacifists because we really know what going to war means."

“It has been like this for tens of thousands of years.”

The seal holder agreed with this statement very much.

“So, I was also wondering: Is there a lack of some moderate voices among the High Lords?”

"You mean..."

"Marshal Klaus: After you finish your business here in Badab, remember to go back to Terra."

Malcador smiled and patted the marshal's shoulder with the supreme honor.

"I will look forward to seeing you in the Council Hall of the Terra Palace."

"So are the elders: they were impressed by your performance on the Badab front."

"At the same time, they have also agreed with my idea of expanding the size of the High Lords' Council."

"Speaking of this matter..."

Marshal Claus was a little hesitant.

"Did you know that Lord Horus actually proposed a similar idea?"