I summoned the Fourth Scourge in Warhammer

Chapter 251 Pi is very happy.

The scale of the full-scale counterattack launched by the Tyranid hive can be seen from its orbit; the dense fog of spores resembles a colossal wave sweeping across the planet.

However, in the Plantim galaxy, this colossal wave crashed into an invisible wall of sighs.

The combined forces of the Dead and the Astartes displayed the pinnacle of human military might to the entire galaxy. When they attacked, they were the Spear of Longinus, capable of slaying gods; when they defended, they were the inviolable Wailing Wall. The swarms of insects were crushed before the defenses of steel and explosives, and subsequent forces had to tread on mountains of their own kind to advance, only to become new corpses themselves.

Maneus Calgar was in a good mood—it couldn't be bad; the front lines were advancing steadily, and everything the Tyranids had done was being crushed to dust by the human iron hammer.

Occasionally, he would be alarmed by the battle reports: even with all their preparations, the human losses were terrifying. For one thing, Plantim alone was losing nearly a thousand Leman Rustanks every day. At this rate, by the end of the war with the Tyranids, Plantim would likely have the wreckage of over a million Leman Rustanks. Faced with such reports, the only ones who could be happy were probably the Cult of Mechanics—they hadn't received such a large order in ten thousand years.

It was precisely because of the terrifying sacrifices of the mortal troops that Astartes' casualties were reduced to a level that could even be described as "light as a feather".

Under these multiple influences, Kargar became even more determined to unite the various chapters against the enemy and deepen their alliance with the Deathbringers. Even he himself wasn't sure if, without the support of other chapters and the sacrifices of the Deathbringers, the Ultramarines and the Altramer support forces alone could withstand this endless swarm of insects. Even if they ultimately achieved a pyrrhic victory, what devastating casualties would the Ultramarines suffer? And to what extent would Altramer's homeland be destroyed?

At least, it won't be like it is now, with the war firmly confined to Plantim, while the goddess of victory has already boarded the human chariot. Karga believed that even if the Tyranids invited all of the goddess of victory's distant relatives, they wouldn't be able to persuade her to switch sides.

So overall, Calga is in a good mood. In fact, he even has time to listen to music now.

The music echoed in Maneus Calga's conductor's room. It was a magnificent and solemn symphony, full of the power and order of the empire, as if it could transport people back to that distant and glorious era of the Great Expedition.

Just then, a servant silently slid up to him and reported in a synthesized voice: "Your Excellency Commander, Governor Nguyen Van Bo of Petitia requests an audience."

“Let him in,” Calga waved his hand, signaling the servant to turn down the music volume.

Soon, Nguyen Van Bo, dressed in the governor's uniform, walked in. His face revealed little emotion: "I didn't expect you to be listening to music, Your Excellency Calgary."

A rare, relaxed smile, softening his otherwise stern expression, appeared on Calgar's face. He pointed to the ornate device made of unknown crystal that was playing music: "A tribute from a sector governor. He said this phonograph crystal itself is a marvel of a lost era. The music it contains is 'Ode to the Stars,' a masterpiece by Ludovico Macadorian, one of the greatest composers of the Holy Terra 30K era, performed by the legendary musician Hesiod. I've been very busy lately, and it's just been gathering dust. If you like it, I'll give it to you now."

Ruan Wenbo shook his head honestly, his gaze not lingering on the artwork for long: "Forget it, Your Excellency. I don't know anything about music, and I've never heard of any of the names you just mentioned."

"Hahaha!" Calga laughed heartily. "Honesty is a very good quality. I'm tired of those nobles who like to pretend to know everything in areas they know nothing about." After the laughter subsided, the atmosphere returned to the main topic.

Ruan Wenbo's expression turned serious: "Your Excellency Calga, I have come here to discuss with you the post-war reconstruction of Peditia. My soldiers... they gave everything they could for the Empire. I hope that after the victory, their homes will receive the rewards they deserve, rather than be forgotten in the Empire's bureaucracy."

The relaxed smile on Karga's face vanished without a trace. He could clearly feel the sorrow conveyed through his words. Even as an Astartes, Karga was infected by this pure emotion. The magnificent symphony in the conductor's room seemed out of place at this moment, even somewhat jarring.

Calgar nodded solemnly: "Rest assured, Governor. I assure you in the name of the Ultramarines that after the war I will personally dispatch the most professional planners and technical priests, and mobilize the resources of Alteramar to help Pedithia. I cannot guarantee that it can be rebuilt into a paradise world, but it will certainly reach the medium habitability standard of Alteramar's five hundred worlds."

This was a promise of immense weight. Nguyen Van Bo gave him a deep look and saluted: "On behalf of Petitia, I thank you."

“You shouldn’t thank me,” Calga said in a deep voice, “but thank your soldiers. It was their sacrifice that bought their homeland this opportunity.”

Nguyen Van Bo lowered his hand, and after a moment of silence, suddenly asked, "One last question, Your Excellency Calga. In your opinion, who makes this piece of music so pleasing to the ear—Ludovico Macadorian, who composed it, or Hesiod, who played it?"

Calga paused, completely lost in thought. This question was too far removed from the previous topic, almost entirely unrelated. After a moment's thought, he offered his most intuitive assessment: "It should be Ludovico Macardorian. After all, if he hadn't composed this piece, the performer wouldn't have been able to play it."

Upon hearing this answer, Ruan Wenbo gave a meaningful smile.

"Then you'd better play carefully, Your Excellency. At the very least, make sure Ludovico Macadorian has something to praise you for."

After saying this, he saluted again, then turned and left the command room, leaving Karga alone in the same spot, his brow furrowed and completely bewildered.

For a long time afterward, Calgary pondered the meaning of Nguyen Van Bo's seemingly nonsensical remark, but he remained completely clueless.

It wasn't until 999.M41, when Primarch Robert Guilliman awoke from his stasis state, that he finally understood.

(End of this chapter)