Warhammer 40: Doom

Chapter 344 Living Up to the Blood of Saint Gilles!

"My name is……"

The conversation between father and son begins here.

Although they did not know the meaning of the Primarch, the Legion soldiers did not resist too much and reservedly gave their names.

After receiving the answer, Saint Gilles nodded and noted it down. Without offering further explanation or a gentle greeting, he turned and walked over to another warrior.

Amidst many puzzled gazes, the archangel remained expressionless and asked again, "What is your name?"

The soldier being questioned hesitated slightly, but after a brief moment of thought, he gave his name: "My name is..."

Then, with a nod of greeting, one after another, the angels fluttered their white wings and walked to each of their offspring, asking them their names hidden beneath their deepest suffering.

Whether out of respect or for other reasons, the soldiers of the Ninth Legion did not refuse and gave their names.

Questions and answers echoed continuously on the warship's deck, as if only these two tones existed.

The Ninth Legion warriors, arriving one after another, lined up neatly under the guidance of Shadowmoon Wolf, awaiting the Primarch's questioning.

Saint Gilles, without haste or impatience, patiently inquired about the names of all his children and memorized them.

Just then, the Son of Horus carefully came up and presented the completed battle record to the Primarch.

The archangel politely accepted it, and browsed the offspring's past in the data panel to learn the root of their suffering.

After a long while, Saint Gilles closed his eyes, forcing back his tears and suppressing his surging emotions.

The Space Marines could easily see that the Primarch's wings were trembling painfully, and sorrow was churning beneath his tightly closed eyelids.

The Ninth Legion stood ramrod straight, their hearts shrouded in darkness. How would the Father of Genetics face them?
The future remains uncertain...

The soldiers waited anxiously, each second feeling like an eternity. They hoped for an answer, yet feared that the answer might lead to an even crueler abyss.

It felt like centuries had passed when Saint Gilles opened his eyes again, and there was only unwavering determination in them.

“You have told me your names, and I have read about your deeds.” The archangel spoke, his eyes shining brightly, his words penetrating to the core: “I know you, and I know of my father’s empire.”

His voice rose slightly, like a rising storm sweeping through the gloomy souls: "—How our empire views you. You serve loyally, and in return you receive gratitude and resentment, or both, with neither being superior to the other."

“You have been given difficult tasks, and you have been tasked with accomplishing them in the way you believe is best, only to find yourselves being doubted as a result.”

“I will not say that your past actions were wrong, nor will I blame those who feared you. Because that is the past, and now is our chance to pull ourselves back from the brink of destruction.”

“My first order is to bring you all together again. We will fight as one bloodline.”

The heavenly voice of Saint Gilles, like the tolling of a sacred bell, echoed in our ears, shattering all gloom and fear: "From this moment on, you are no longer a broken legion."

All eyes of the undead legion were fixed on him. Saint Gilles no longer had any doubts. He knew exactly what he wanted to say.

Then, he did something that shocked everyone.

The archangel spread his wings, and under the witness of his radiant wings, he drew his longsword from his waist and raised it high, then knelt on one knee before his offspring.

The sound of knees striking steel was incredibly light, yet it boomed like thunder, shaking everyone's souls.

This sudden move shocked the Ninth Legion.

The incomparably glorious Father of Genetics knelt before the legion burdened with blood and sin. This unexpected and shocking act left them stunned, their minds going completely blank.

On the Soul of Vengeance, Horus abruptly rose from his throne in the palace as he saw the images transmitted by his offspring.

The Father of Genes kneeling before the offspring of Genes was unexpected by everyone, and also outside of the calculations of the Wolf God.

He was somewhat stunned, momentarily speechless, staring intently at the holographic projection, waiting for his brother's next move.

Saint Gilles knelt on one knee, his wings spread wide upwards, holding his longsword high, much like an angel of judgment.

The archangel's pure, clear blue eyes swept over his offspring, and his clear voice broke the deathly silence, which everyone heard clearly: "Do not swear to me, do not make promises to me."

“Do not pledge your allegiance to me because my blood flows in your veins. In fact, do not pledge allegiance to me at all unless you believe I am worthy.” The great Primarch of Light, holding his sword high in one hand and clutching his chest with the other, addressed the warriors of the Ninth Legion: “On the contrary, allow me to pledge my allegiance to you, and I swear to you.”

"At this moment, in this place, I am Saint Gilles, son of the Emperor, the Primarch of the Ninth Legion."

“I promise you: I will be with you in glory, or die with you in shame.”

Ah, what a touching scene!
The radiant archangels knelt before their offspring, swearing allegiance to them.

The Primarch's words, heavy as a boulder, crashed into the Ninth Legion's still, lifeless heart, stirring up an unquenchable tidal wave.

They were surprised, shocked, and then at a loss, their bodies as if locked in chains, too stiff to make any movement.

Meanwhile, the sons of Horus in the distance, filled with utmost reverence and inspired by the archangel's noble vows, knelt before the imperial offspring to express their highest respect.

Gavial Loken was deeply moved. At this moment, the angel's radiant appearance was merely an insignificant adornment; his sincere heart was the most brilliant aspect of his soul.

The brief vow clearly shows that the archangel has made up his mind to take responsibility for his past failures.

Horus, atop his flagship, was gleaming with awe at the angel's oath, yet filled with regret.

He regretted being too busy with trivial matters to be there in person, to hear his brother's heartfelt vows, and to witness that moment of supreme glory.

Despite being thousands of miles apart, the images transmitted back by the hologram seemed to be infected by the light of angels, emitting a dazzling and radiant humanistic glow!
There was no grand pronouncement, no tearful outpouring; the archangel's words were like a sermon, recounting the legion's past suffering endured alone, and the unknown future they would face together.

The soldiers of the Ninth Legion knelt before the Primarch.

At this moment, their hearts could no longer remain calm. The father of genetics' peaceful yet passionate words were like a brand, deeply imprinted on their souls.

Saint Gilles, the ninth son of the Emperor, the father of the Ninth Legion's genes!

He was so noble and radiant, yet he was willing to fall into the dust and walk alongside them!

The soldiers knelt down in a rush, and glistening tears welled up in their lifeless, silent eyes, along with the sorrow of the Ninth Legion's past.

Now, the father of genetics has returned, and he will rebuild the legion!

"Living up to the blood of Saint Gilles..."

It wasn't just that soldier who uttered those words, sobbing and choked with emotion; their words spread like a ray of light, resonating with many more people.
"Live up to the blood of Sanguinius!"

"Live up to the blood of Sanguinius!"

In the end, amidst their sorrowful groans, all the warriors of the Ninth Legion transformed their painful memories into reverence, their choked sobs coalescing into the Legion's battle cry: "We shall not betray the blood of Saint Gilles!"

Tears streamed from Saint Gilles's eyes as she knelt, her beautiful face bearing a smile as she responded to the emotions of her genetic offspring: "I will not let you down either!"

Such a scene would move anyone to tears.

Horus flicked away the tears from the corner of his eye with his fingertip, while Cyranus and the others were already overwhelmed with emotion and unable to hold back their tears.

The archangels, like light descending from heaven, dispelled the lingering confusion and fear.

Several warriors stepped out of the ranks, tears streaming down their faces, and helped Saint Gilles up from the ground, representing the legion in accepting the Father of Genes.

Saint Gilles reached out and wiped away the tears on his son's face. The cold skin and the scalding tears stung him, and he vowed to change everything and rebuild the Ninth Legion.

"We must act quickly and find a way to reinvent ourselves and the Legion."

Saint Gilles brushed his fingertips across the tear stains on his offspring's face; the cool skin and the scalding tears mingled, piercing his heart.

He helped the soldier up, a warm smile on his face, his voice like a spring breeze: "Get ready, and set off with Shadow Moon Wolf—we will rebuild the legion and reclaim our glory."

The warriors responded in unison. The sincerity of the Father of Genetics was like the rising sun; from then on, the legion would bask in its light and face the darkness together.

The future has arrived, and the Ninth Legion will no longer be afraid, but will join forces with the Father of Genetics!

(End of this chapter)