Warhammer: Lord of the Endless Monsters

Chapter 493 The Beginning of the Unyielding Expedition

"Guilliman! Dorn may have guessed something, but you must still keep your mouth shut. Magnus's matter is an Imperial secret." After Rogdon left, the Emperor looked at Guilliman and spoke.

Upon hearing this, Guilliman sighed. This was indeed a difficult matter, and the main problem did not lie with him.

“Father! I think he probably already guessed something. We’re all fine, but Magnus’s eyes have betrayed everything,” Guilliman said.

Dorn was very clever; he had keenly caught Magnus's fleeting glance just now.

“I know that, but given Dorn’s personality, he won’t say it, and Magnus will also keep his mouth shut,” the Emperor said.

"Magnus isn't really in any big problem. He'll just get another beating, but he's already been beaten so many times already."

"The real problem is Horus. The news of Horus's return is no longer a secret in the Empire, especially among the higher-ups," Guilliman said.

Over the years, the Empire has been propagating the idea that when Horus was sent to that planet for so-called treatment, he was actually possessed by the Four Gods, and that the one who started the rebellion was not the Horus Empire's warmaster, but someone who was always loyal.

In any case, the ordinary people of the empire had no idea about the existence of the Chaos Force, and it was something that happened 10,000 years ago. As long as the Emperor, the Emperor's angels, and the bigwigs of the state religion spoke up, who among the ordinary people would disagree?
But when Dorne returns, he will be just as furious with Horus as the Lion King and the others.

"Let them handle this themselves! I believe Horus will manage it well," the Emperor said.

Horus has already overcome the most difficult hurdle. If he can't even get past Dorne, then he won't be the son I've chosen.

The first Primarch he retrieved wasn't Horus, but Alphareth, a child he secretly raised. The reason he announced Horus as the Firstborn Son was...

This identity was used to train Horus, who was a leader-like figure among all the gene bunkers. He was also the Imperial Warmaster appointed by the Emperor.

Just like Guilliman is the Regent of the Empire, except that the position of Warmaster requires sufficient strength to attain. Currently, the only one who can stand up to the Four Gods is that kid Rhodes.

A war commander doesn't need to be very strong, because his sons have returned and are working under Rhodes.

Rhodes only needs to issue orders and then give commands. His main job is to withstand the pressure from the Four Gods and not be corrupted by them.

"Rhodes! You've worked hard this time in the campaign against the space undead. Go back and get some rest. The first phase of the Unyielding Expedition will officially begin in three months," the Emperor said.

This war has been planned for six years, and it's time to make a move. Everything is ready except for the final push. If we delay any longer, it will only make those planets and empires more and more isolated.

“No problem, I’m ready to go anytime,” Rhodes nodded and said.

According to their plan, the first phase of the Unyielding Expedition will last for 15 years. After 15 years, their son Luo Tianfeng should be 20 years old, and then they can prepare an Astartes Legion for him.

And his two half-spirit offspring should be around ten years old by now.

The three chatted for a while longer, discussing the specific details of the expedition. Then Rhodes returned to his palace to spend time with his wife Elena, whom he hadn't seen in a long time, and his son, Luo Tianfeng.

The couple, having not seen each other for a long time, naturally had a close conversation. Elena would also serve as Rhodes's adjutant this time, accompanying Rhodes to lead the First Fleet on an expedition.

Dorne's return caused a great stir in the Empire, which was good in every respect, as it boosted the Empire's morale once again.

For three whole months, a large number of Imperial fleets were concentrated in Holy Terra, and the Legions that had completed their reorganization sent a large number of Space Marines, as well as Mortal Support Forces.

The number of Rhodes' genetic offspring alone reached a terrifying limit of 80. On the warrior side, 30 reinforcements were also dispatched, including the Holy Blood Angel Legion, Imperial Fist, White Scar, Space Wolf, Steel Hand, and Dark Raven Guard.

The newly formed Deathwatch Legion also deployed troops. The number of troops participating varied, ranging from tens of thousands to over 10.

The number of Astartes has reached two million, a number not much less than that of the Great Expedition.

Meanwhile, Elena's Gene Daughter Battle Sisters force has also amassed a total of 500 million members, and these battle sister forces will also join Rhodes on the expedition.

The number of mortal troops, the Imperial Navy, and the Imperial Astral Army is countless and impossible to calculate precisely, but it is still over 10 billion.

In addition, a large number of Imperial battle barges, cruisers, destroyers, battleships, and space carriers have been assembled.

Rhodes, now over four meters tall and clad in crimson-gold power armor, swore an oath of allegiance to the Emperor before him. Deep within the palace of Holy Terra, the light of the golden throne illuminated the entire hall, adding a layer of sacred radiance to the upcoming expedition ceremony.

Tens of thousands of high-ranking Imperial officials, Space Marines, Battle Sisters commanders, mortal auxiliary forces, and representatives of the Imperial Navy gathered solemnly to await the arrival of the Emperor, the Lord of Mankind.

What an honor! The Emperor will personally deliver a farewell speech to them, allowing them to hear the teachings of the Divine Emperor.

These commanders of the mortal auxiliary army never dreamed that one day they would actually be able to meet the God Emperor.

Rhodes and Elena stood in front of everyone.

An atmosphere of tension and anticipation filled the air. As a solemn bell rang, the figure of the Emperor's avatar slowly appeared before the golden throne. His gaze, sharp as torches, swept over everyone present, as if he could see into their very souls. His deep, powerful voice echoed throughout the hall.

Upon seeing the magnificent golden giant before them, all the mortals knelt down and shouted, "Long live the God Emperor!"

For external purposes, the gigantic Emperor avatar is more effective, so the Emperor's public image has always been that of a gigantic Emperor avatar. Only the Imperial Guard and the Primarchs know the extremely emaciated Emperor avatar.

"Citizens of the Empire, today we stand at a turning point in history." The Emperor's voice, like thunder, shook the very core of our being.

"Ten thousand years ago, our empire experienced darkness and division, but today, we are united once again to fight for the future of humanity!"

His words resonated with everyone present, and countless people clenched their fists, their eyes shining with determination.

The Emperor continued, “The Unyielding Expedition is not merely a military operation; it is our declaration of war against the forces of Chaos, and against the Xenomorphs!”
This is our promise to the future! We will reclaim our lost territories, rescue our oppressed people, and rebuild the glory of our empire!

As the Emperor's speech reached its climax, the atmosphere in the hall also reached its peak, with all the mortal officers bursting into enthusiastic applause. This was the teaching of the God Emperor!
“Rhodes,” the Emperor’s voice was steady and powerful, “you bear the hopes of the human empire on your shoulders; your courage and wisdom will lead us to victory.”

The first phase of the Unyielding Expedition will be commanded by you personally in this great war. Are you ready, the new War Marshal of the Empire?

Clad in crimson-gold power armor, Rhodes' over four-meter-tall frame appeared incredibly imposing under the lights: "For the Emperor, for the Empire, I will do everything in my power to lead the Unyielding Expeditionary Force to reclaim the glory that belongs to humanity!"

The formalities still had to be performed. The more persuasive his words were, the higher the morale of these mortal armies would be. So Rhodes put on a very energetic performance.

It gave the commanders of these mortal troops unparalleled confidence.

"Following you, great war commander, following you on this expedition to annihilate all enemies of humanity," a mortal auxiliary army general said to Rhodes.

Rhodes nodded, stood up, and turned to face all the warriors in the hall. His voice resounded throughout the space like a booming bell: "Warriors of the Unyielding Expeditionary Force! Today, we embark on our journey, for the Emperor, for the Empire, for the future of humanity! Our enemies may be powerful, but our will is even stronger! We will be fearless and forge ahead!"

As Rhodes finished speaking, a deafening cheer erupted in the hall.

Rhodes raised his hand again, signaling for silence. "Go forth, my warriors! May the Emperor's glory guide your path, and may your courage and loyalty forge new legends!"

"Set off! Warriors of the Empire!"

Following the Emperor's command, Rhodes led the vanguard fleet of the Unyielding Expeditionary Force slowly away from the orbit of Holy Terra.

Countless warships formed a magnificent array in the starry sky, resembling a shimmering galaxy. Each warship carried the empire's hopes and determination, and each warrior held a belief in the future.

On Rhodes' flagship, the Unyielding Oath, Elena stood beside him. This ship was a modified Pedan mothership with some Imperial-style additions, and its size had roughly doubled. It would serve as Rhodes' flagship during this expedition.

In addition to Rhodes' First Fleet, Dorne's Second Fleet, with the Mountain Array as its flagship, led over a hundred Imperial battle barges.

Sanguis served as the commander of the Third Fleet, piloting a Pedan mothership supported by Rhodes.

In addition, there is the Fourth Fleet led by the Lord of Fire Dragons, equipped with three Glory Queen-class battleships.

The four fleets launched the first phase of the Unyielding Expedition. The objective of this phase of the war was to completely eliminate all chaotic forces, alien forces, and rebellious forces within the Imperial Holy Land.

(End of this chapter)