All eyes were fixed on the small data-slate, the air in the street seemed to solidify, leaving only the faint hum of the instruments.
The PDF soldiers' muzzles were still pointed forward, but the grip of their fingers had unconsciously loosened a lot.
The Space Marines stood like statues, their visors fixed on the progress bar on the data-slate screen.
Time passed minute by minute. A gentle breeze from the upper levels of the hive city blew, stirring a wisp of dust.
Suddenly—
Beep! Beep! Beep!
Sharp and loud alert sounds erupted simultaneously from the analyzer and the data-slate!
The screen was instantly flooded with countless data streams and comparison information, finally freezing below a huge, rotating Imperial Aquila symbol, and a line of incredibly conspicuous, constantly flashing golden Gothic text:
*Gene Sequence Comparison Confirmed: 100% Match*
*Identity Confirmed: Lion El'Jonson - Primarch - Lord of the First Legion*
*Grand Marshal's Highest Order: If the Lion is found, he is to be sent to the capital planet and directly returned to Terra to help Guilliman with his work.*
*Lion El'Jonson's appearance confirmed. Message reported to the Adeptus Custodes. The Custodes are deploying forces to retrieve the Lion.*
*Space Marines of the Nairus Chapter must ensure the safety of Lion El'Jonson.*
A series of messages popped up directly, and even Lion himself had already seen them.
The phrase "help Guilliman with his work" was something the Lion hadn't quite understood yet.
But the message that it had been reported to the Adeptus Custodes and that the Custodes were deploying forces was something the Lion could clearly understand.
Question marks appeared on the Lion's majestic body and his grand, dignified head. He was a little confused.
Lion El'Jonson, Primarch of the First Legion, had experienced the destruction of Caliban, the blood and fire of the Horus Heresy, faced the most terrifying forces of Chaos in the universe, and even battled countless nightmares during his long slumber.
But at this moment, as he looked at the incredibly clear golden text on the data-slate, especially the lines "help Guilliman with his work" and "the Custodes are deploying forces to retrieve the Lion," his perpetually ice-cold face showed a rare… stasis.
It was an extremely complex expression, a mixture of disbelief, deep confusion, and a hint of astonishment, even he hadn't noticed, stirred by this absurd directive.
It was as if a lion, poised to pounce on its prey, was suddenly informed that it had to attend a garden tea party, and the theme of the tea party was "How to Better Weave Baskets."
On his massive, majestic head, countless heavy, golden question marks seemed to appear instantly, visible to the naked eye.
Help… Guilliman… with his work?
Custodes… deploying… to take me away?
Noah's… highest order?
Each word was more familiar than the last.
He knew Guilliman, the Lord of the Thirteenth Legion, his brother.
He also knew the Custodes, the Emperor's personal guard, and he had come to understand that Noah was the new Solar Lord and Warmaster of the Imperium.
He had some understanding of every person and every name mentioned here, with the least understanding being of Noah, this new Solar Lord and Warmaster of the Imperium.
He didn't know what gave Noah such authority.
But that didn't prevent him from understanding that Noah was the Warmaster of the Imperium.
However, when this series of names he knew were mixed together, combined with familiar words to form the overall content, it left the Lion somewhat stunned.
The Custodes were already on their way from Terra to find him, and what was this about taking him back to work with Guilliman?
He had absolutely not anticipated that the moment after his identity was confirmed, he would not receive the authority to fully command the war.
Instead, he received an order from the "Grand Marshal," like a package pick-up code.
The purpose was to package him up and send him back to Terra to "work" for Guilliman?
And the Custodes! Those golden cans from the Imperial Palace, whose duty was to guard the palace, never leaving their posts.
Now they were actually going to "deploy forces" and leave Terra for something like this?
This was even more incredible than the Four Chaos Gods dancing ballet together!
Lion was silent for a full three seconds.
He just stood there, staring at the data-slate, as if recalibrating his understanding of the real universe.
The air around him became heavier due to his silence.
Lion would be silent, he would feel heavy, but the Space Marine forces would not.
The Sergeant stepped forward again.
"Lord Lion, your identity has been confirmed. You have been confirmed as the Lord of the First Legion, and your status as a Primarch has also been confirmed. Therefore, please leave with us immediately."
"You must leave this planet immediately. It is unsafe here as we are fighting the great enemy of Chaos. We will dispatch a fleet to escort you from this planet to the capital planet, and await the arrival of the Custodes to return you to Terra."
"Please come with us immediately. The next fleet will arrive in 4 days. You can take this fleet back to the capital planet, and then return to Terra. Regent Guilliman is waiting for you."
"As a Primarch of the Imperium, as the Lord of the First Legion, it is our duty to ensure your safety from the threat of the great enemy of Chaos."
For the Sergeant, Lion's attitude was irrelevant.
He had only one task: to execute the order, the directive given to them by Noah, to send the Lion back to Terra.
Lion's silence was broken.
Not by the Sergeant's words, but by the almost absurd implication of the order itself: that this battlefield was too dangerous, and he needed to leave for his own protection.
Primarchs, especially those like them who emerged from war, how could they fear danger?
Although the Lion had matured greatly over ten millennia, the pride of the lion still existed; he was still the proud and arrogant Lion of Caliban.
He was unwilling to be looked down upon.
He was even more unwilling to accept someone telling him that it was dangerous here, and that he should quickly move to the back, and that troops would be dispatched to protect him.
Lion slowly raised his head, his eyes, capable of dimming stars, fixed on the Sergeant. The previous confusion and astonishment evaporated instantly, like ice thrown into a furnace.
In its place was an almost tangible, suffocating majesty.
The air around them seemed to warp under his gaze. The PDF soldiers felt an indescribable fear, as if being stared at by an ancient beast, finding it difficult to even breathe.
After all, they had already fought Chaos, and they managed to control this fear well. It was only a few seconds later that the PDF soldiers, with their mortal tenacity, overcame the Primarch's gaze.
Do not underestimate mortals.
The Space Marines remained standing. Although they were also affected by Lion's gaze, they maintained their posture of executing orders.
For these Space Marines, executing orders was what they had to do now, not succumbing to Lion's gaze.
"Sergeant," Lion's voice was no longer low,
"You, and the one who gave you this order…"
"Hmm, Warmaster!"
Lion heavily emphasized the two words "Warmaster."
"That Solar Lord seems to have misunderstood some things."
Lion took a step forward. Just one step, and his immense presence and pressure made the entire encirclement seem to shrink backward.
"I, Lion El'Jonson, am the Emperor's Angel of Death, Primarch of the First Legion, and the embodiment of war.
I have returned not to sit behind a desk in the Administratum on Terra, dealing with endless documents!"
Lion's voice gradually rose, like a brewing storm.
"I have returned to throw myself into the place where the Imperium of Man needs me most—the battlefield! To completely purge the filth of Chaos from the Imperium's territories!"
"My presence will be on the battlefields where the Imperium needs me most, on the most dangerous battlefields of the Imperium."
He pointed his hand beyond the hive city, towards the unseen void and land being ravaged by war.
"And now, an apocalyptic war is right before us! The forces of Chaos are assaulting this world! Yet you tell me to sit on a transport ship and leave here, to 'help out,' like some found piece of refuse?"
A cold, almost mocking curve appeared at the corner of Lion's mouth.
"Tell me, Sergeant, whose order is this? Is it Guilliman? Or that 'Sun Lord' Noah, whom I've never met? Do they believe my value lies in processing paperwork, and not in crushing the heads of my enemies?"
The Lion of Caliban was enraged. He was angry not just because Noah wanted him to return to handle official duties and assist Guilliman.
He was angry that his own value seemed to not be acknowledged. Such words were practically denying his worth as Master of the First Legion.
What did they mean by an apocalyptic war was about to break out here, that it was dangerous, so he should immediately withdraw for his safety?
Threaten his safety?
To say such words to him, the Lion of Caliban?
Lion could not accept such words.
What danger could possibly threaten him?
None, absolutely none?!
He came here for war, and now that war was about to erupt, these Space Marines actually wanted him to leave? That was utterly impossible!
Even though the Lion of Caliban was so enraged and displayed his aura to its fullest, the Space Marine Sergeant still did not compromise. He still took a step forward, enduring Lion's immense pressure.
"All that you have said, I have no right to verify for you, nor do I have any right to keep you here to continue enduring this war.
My orders are to ensure your safety, to allow you to return to Terra, and to help your brother."
"The apocalyptic war outside is controllable. The Imperium has plenty of armies to suppress this war, so you do not need to worry. For now, we need to execute our mission and escort you out of here."
The Sergeant did not yield to the Lion of Caliban. Instead, he spoke these words while still enduring the Lion of Caliban's fury.
Unafraid of authority, able to stand firm against his pressure and even step forward to state his stance, the Sergeant's performance caught the Lion's attention.
"What is your name, Sergeant!"
"Lyle, my name is Lyle, Lord Chapter Master," the Sergeant replied to the Lion's question, neither humble nor arrogant.
"Sergeant Lyle, you are excellent, and I admire you. Your subordinates are also excellent; they show no panic. But my stance remains the same: I cannot leave this planet. The Imperium calls to me; this planet needs me."
The Lion's anger was significantly appeased by such a display, coupled with his millennia of experience and self-reflection. Lion ultimately suppressed his rage and resumed the conversation.
Lion interrupted him and spoke after a long period of thought.
"Guilliman may need help, but Terra does not lack bureaucrats! And here!" He stomped his foot heavily, intending to split the ground directly to display his power, but unfortunately, the ground remained completely unmoved.
These hive Cities were all facilities processed and reinforced by the Terran Federation, so their quality was absolutely top-notch.
How could Lion's stomp easily break open a floor?
Although not splitting the floor with one stomp to Daemonstrate his power was somewhat embarrassing, Lion ignored this point very well.
"This place needs me. What this place lacks is a commander who can lead you to victory!"
The Lion's gaze swept over all the Space Marines and soldiers.
"Look at you! Well-equipped, well-trained, resolute! You are a perfect blade!
But now, someone wants to put the hilt of this blade into a vault instead of using it to slay enemies! How absurd is that!"
"If you received such an order, to be reassigned from your homeworld when it needed you, under the guise of protecting you, would you be willing?"
Lion threw this question back to the Space Marines, making them consider if someone were to reassign them from Nairus right now, for their protection.
Would they, the Space Marines of the Nairus Chapter, agree?
The answer was naturally no; the Space Marines shook their heads. They naturally couldn't leave their homeworld at this time.
"If there were a battlefield that needed us more, we would obey orders, but if it were merely to protect us, we would find it very difficult to accept."
The Sergeant answered truthfully, but just as Lion's face broke into a smile when he said this, the Sergeant added another sentence.
"The Grand Marshal would not do that! But if the Grand Marshal did, there would certainly be his reasons. Although very reluctant, we would still execute the order."
"We are soldiers, and soldiers must obey orders and trust the Grand Marshal's directives. Only then can we achieve ultimate victory."
"Our planet was saved by the Grand Marshal. We believe the Grand Marshal would not act against humanity. We will always trust him."
Lion's smiling face instantly froze.
Good heavens, he hadn't expected such a twist in events; it almost threw him off balance.
The Lion took a deep breath, trying to adjust his emotions so as not to be affected by what the Sergeant had just said.
A moment later, he finally fixed his gaze back on the Sergeant, making his final decision, his tone resolute and allowing no rebuttal.
"Listen, soldier, I cannot make the same choice as you, because I cannot shirk my responsibility, nor can I trust your so-called Grand Marshal as you do.
Go back and tell your superiors, tell everyone on the comms link who can hear me."
"I, Lion El'Jonson, will not leave Nairus."
"I will not go to the capital planet, nor will I return to Terra under the 'escort' of the Custodes."
"My battlefield is here. My command post will be established in the governor's Mansion."
"If that 'Sun Lord,' that Imperial Warmaster, has any objections, let him come to Nairus himself to speak with me."
"As for you," his gaze pressed down like a physical weight on every defender.
"—you now have two choices: obey the orders of your Primarch, follow me, and reclaim this star-filled sky for humanity.
Or, attempt to execute that ridiculous directive, and 'escort' me away with the weapons in your hands."
"Make your choice. Now."
Leon was trying to make these Space Marines choose now; he didn't think there would be many Space Marines on this planet.
These 48 Space Marines probably already accounted for half of the planet's total.
As long as he could persuade these Space Marines, the difficulty of taking over command of this planet would be much smaller, so he was still making an effort.
The Lion's words carried a certain persuasiveness, even a certain Inflammatory, which caused some Space Marines to waver.
Overall, if the Space Marines' communication was as unreliable as the Imperial Space Marines', making it impossible to directly apply for higher notification, then they might have truly compromised.
However, Leon miscalculated; these Space Marines' equipment was not like that of the Imperial Space Marines; they possessed excellent communication devices.
Therefore, after Leon spoke, the message was immediately synchronized and sent to the Chapter Master.
Chapter Master Deimos Krieg heard all of the Lion's words clearly.
After a moment of thought, he threw the problem to governor Ignatius Dorn.
The two thought for a moment, then spoke simultaneously.
"How about we report this matter? We cannot make a decision. Let the Grand Marshal decide."
The two spoke these words in unison, as the Lion's orders were personally given by the Grand Marshal.
Since both of them had the same opinion, they didn't hesitate and immediately connected with Noah.
After all, with only about a hundred colony worlds under his command, it was naturally not a problem for Noah to have communication lines with every governor, and his brain was fully capable of handling these minor matters.
Just as Noah's fleet was preparing to enter the warp to pursue Abaddon, a communication from Nerrus arrived.
"I've received your communication. State your problem." When the two figures appeared on the communication interface, Noah didn't waste time and directly motioned for them to state their problem.
"Reporting, Grand Marshal, we have found traces of the Lion, Leon, the Primarch you previously asked us to keep an eye on. He is currently on our planet."
"Hmm, that's great. Then just send him back to Terra. Guilliman still needs someone to help him.
Is there a problem with you contacting me at this time?"
Leon's appearance naturally pleased Noah, so he said so as a matter of course.
However, seeing the troubled expressions on his Chapter Master and governor's faces, he still asked the latter question.
"Yes, Grand Marshal, we have encountered a problem. Leon is unwilling to return directly to Terra. He requests to remain on Nerrus to command operations."
The governor's wording was relatively modest; at least he referred to Leon's demand as a request.
"Command operations?"
Noah did not immediately answer the governor and Chapter Master's questions or give instructions. Instead, he immediately connected with Guilliman.
"Guilliman, I need all data on the Lion, Leon. I've found him, but he's requesting to stay and command operations."
Decisiveness had always been Noah's hallmark. Of course, he wouldn't waste time exchanging pleasantries with Guilliman but went straight to the point with his request.
A request?
Guilliman, who was quite familiar with Leon, twitched his face when he heard Leon would use the word "request."
Leon requesting?
When would the Lion ever use words like "request"? It was impossible.
However, Guilliman was ultimately a man of political wisdom, so he naturally understood that this must have been some beautification of expression by those below.
"No problem, I'll send you Leon's information right away." Guilliman first chose to satisfy Noah's request, then spoke.
"Does he want to stay there and command operations? If he really requests it, why don't you let him stay there and command operations?
His ability to handle political affairs is practically zero. He might not even be able to help much if he returns to Terra."
After considering his brother's personality and the scenario that would unfold if he returned to Terra to handle political affairs, Guilliman finally spoke these words.
"Huh?"
When he said this, Noah was somewhat confused. It was Guilliman who had previously needed Primarchs to help with work.
Now that a new Primarch had been found, why did he not want the other party to work?
Noah had a premonition that the answer might be in Leon's file, so he immediately took the data and analyzed it with his superhuman brain.
"Good heavens! Guilliman, are all your brothers such abstract beings? Are there no normal ones?
You're right, such a person is indeed not suitable to go back and help you."
"Alright, I think he should be quite capable of commanding operations, so let him try first. Anyway, we currently lack excellent commanders. If he can prove his worth, then letting him command operations is not out of the question."
"But why do I always feel like he had some problems with his education? Please convey this matter to that human compatriot on my behalf.
How did he raise his child? How could his child be taught to be like this? It's clearly because he wasn't taught well when he was young!"
Looking at Leon's data and situation, Noah still agreed to the request to let Leon continue commanding operations there.
When arranging personnel, it was natural to put them in the position best suited for them.
However, after reading the entire file, Noah couldn't help but want to complain.
How did that human compatriot sitting on the Golden Throne educate his own children? How could he raise a child into such an abstract being?
Noah, at least, couldn't understand it. Such a teaching method must be problematic.
Listening to Noah's words, Guilliman's expression was very awkward. Ask him to complain about his father?
Ask him to question his father like that? Good heavens, he didn't have the guts.
In the entire universe, the only one who dared to question the Emperor was probably Noah.
Besides this great figure, who else would dare to be disrespectful in front of the Emperor?
He even thought about questioning the Emperor and saying he was a bad parent.
Guilliman's expression was a bit awkward, and Noah didn't make things difficult for him.
"Forget it, the chances of you saying this to your father are too low. Let's leave it at that."
"When I return to Terra, I'll have a good talk with that human compatriot.
You continue with your work; I'll send you some more administrative personnel."
"You just hold on a little longer. I'm currently overcoming the problems with genetic modification. Hold on for a few more years, and once I perfect this technology, I'll modify you.
So you can better shoulder this responsibility."
After saying this, Noah hung up the communication with Guilliman, leaving Guilliman on Terra with a crying smile.
Time to work...
"You all should have heard my conversation with Regent Guilliman. Since that's the case, let's proceed according to the decision Regent Guilliman and I discussed."
"The command authority on Nairus can first be handed over to this First Legion's Legion Master, allowing him to prove his capabilities.
Of course, both of you remember that if there are any problems with his command, you need to immediately contact Guilliman, and if there are issues, let him make the decision. Remember, you must not allow the scale of Chaos to expand."
"As for the Custodes preparing to depart, I will have them stop their departure."
After all, with Guilliman saying so, would Noah still bring Lion back?
Naturally, that was impossible.
Let Lion command the battle first and prove his capabilities. Anyway, the war on Nairus is just a rotating training exercise.
It's merely to temper his own troops; the scale of this apocalyptic war is still controllable.
After issuing these orders, Noah ended communication with his subordinates and redirected his attention back to Abaddon.
Now his fleet was also ready to enter the Warp. Once in the Warp, he would analyze the direction from which the Black Legion's forces emerged and locate the Black Legion's fleet.
The orders from Noah were issued to the governor and the Battle Group. The Battle Group naturally chose to accept. This order was immediately followed by a new message sent to Lyle.
"Sergeant Lyle, the Grand Marshal's order has changed. From now on, the command is changed to Lion being responsible for leading this war."
"Your troop rank has been adjusted. From now on, you are my Adjutant, and you can command our troops to coordinate with Lion King's actions."
"If he wishes to come to the governor's Mansion, you are responsible for bringing him to the governor's Mansion. We will await his arrival here."
The new order was issued. Lyle, who had been waiting for orders from his superiors, breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this command.
Maintaining silence under the Lion King's aura was not an easy task, and now he finally didn't have to remain silent and could tell the Lion King the final outcome.
Facing the Lion's oppressive aura, Lyle took another step forward and gave the Lion an aquila salute.
"Due to your persistence, Your Excellency Lion, the matter concerning you has changed. A new Grand Marshal's directive has been received, ordering that you can become the new commander on Nairus."
"The Custodes originally tasked with escorting you have also ceased their departure. You are now the highest commander on the planet. If you wish to go to the governor's Mansion now, I can take you there immediately."
As soon as Adjutant Lyle finished speaking, the PDF troops, who had been aiming their weapons at Lion with mortal resolve, ready to fire if he made any move, lowered their weapons. The Space Marines likewise stood down from their alert posture.
A smile also appeared on Lion's face, the face of this Lion of Caliban.
This was good.
He had achieved his goal and could continue to command the Imperial Army to confront the great enemies of chaos. This was a good thing.
And Kain, the captain of the Sanguinary Guard who was originally responsible for guarding and protecting him, also smiled.
It was definitely a good thing that the situation could be resolved like this; they didn't need to dwell on it.
After experiencing ten millennia of pursuit by the Dark Angels, the Emperor's Children were happy to see such a mutually beneficial situation.
They were not the fanatical Dark Angels of the First Legion; they were the Emperor's Children who had experienced ten millennia of human vicissitudes.
Both the PDF and the Space Marines put away their weapons, and Lion also stepped forward to show his attitude.
"Regarding your previous offense, I will let bygones be bygones. At the same time, I assure you that the victory of this battle will belong to us humans."
Although all the human soldiers felt that the victory of this war would belong to humanity even without the Lion King's assurance, they still cooperated enthusiastically by forming an aquila salute together.
"For the Manifest Destiny of Mankind!"
As soon as this phrase was uttered, it made the Lion King feel as if he had returned to the era of the Great Crusade.
Before coming to this planet, he had visited many Imperial planets. The Imperial Army there would not say such things; it was always "For the Imperium, for the God-Emperor."
Such a slogan, like those loudly shouted during the Great Crusade, "For the Manifest Destiny of Mankind," he had almost never heard anymore.
And now he heard it again!
What a familiar slogan.
Under the influence of such a slogan, the Lion King even joined them in shouting a line.
"For the Manifest Destiny of Mankind!"
And when the Emperor's Children behind him heard the Lion King shout this, they naturally followed suit.
"For the Manifest Destiny of Mankind!"
"For the Manifest Destiny of Mankind" was a phrase put forward by the Emperor during the Great Crusade. His goal was very simple: to unite the galaxy and restore humanity's glory.
However, with the failure of the Great Crusade, this slogan gradually disappeared, replaced by the ignorance of the Ecclesiarchy.
Now they would once again reclaim humanity's pride, for the Manifest Destiny of Mankind.
Shouting slogans to boost morale naturally wouldn't last too long. Soon, Lyle stepped forward and began guiding the Lion King towards the governor's Mansion.
After all, the Lion had now become the supreme commander on Nairus. To better command the troops, it was necessary for him to first visit the governor's Mansion and familiarize himself with the army there.
And to greet and get acquainted with the local governor and general, allowing for better cooperation.
Lyle led the way beside the Lion, while the PDF troops and Space Marine troops who had originally come to eliminate the Lion, along with the Emperor's Children, ensured the Lion's safety.
As for the Department of the Interior Official who had directly called for troops to apprehend the Lion, he also walked alongside the Lion.
It was clear that this Department of the Interior Official's courageous actions had earned the Lion's favor.
Although the other party had targeted him, the Lion did not care about any of it.
This Department of the Interior Official's act of urgently warning the Imperial Army in a crisis absolutely caught his eye. The Imperium needed such officials.
The Lion was no longer the arrogant, condescending Lion of the past. He intended to promote this Department of the Interior Official; he felt that such an official deserved his attention and promotion.
The group began to move grandly towards the governor's Mansion, and along the way, the Lion naturally wanted to understand the current situation of this planet.
For Lion, it was necessary to first understand the military situation of this World, so he began to question the Sergeant next to him on the way.
"Adjutant Lyle, could you please introduce me to the current situation of the Imperial Army on Nairus?"
Lion knew very well that what he needed most right now was to first understand the situation on this planet; the state of the Imperial Army was an urgent matter he had to clarify.
Upon hearing this, Adjutant Lyle began to use his authority as the Chapter's adjutant to retrieve this part of the information. After reviewing it himself, he spoke.
"Reporting, Lord Chapter Master, first I need to correct you: due to the need for me to escort you into the governor's Mansion, my current rank has been changed to Adjutant."
"The rank of Adjutant allows me to mobilize and review the current military situation. I will now report the current military situation to you."
Lyle informed Lion of his change in rank, and then began to introduce the military forces on the planet.
"Nairus currently has one Space Marine Chapter, the Nairus Chapter, with a total strength of 9,613 Space Marines."
"The total number of PDF troops is 420 million. In addition to the PDF, there are also approximately 130 million arbites forces, who can also be deployed in war, though their primary role is maintaining order."
"Furthermore, as the mission for this World has already been completed, the Grand Marshal has ordered more Imperial Army forces to come as reinforcements."
"Within the next 10 days, 108 million PDF troops and over 108,000 Space Marine troops will arrive as reinforcements."
"Intelligence indicates that you have been in slumber for ten millennia, so you may not be aware of the current situation of the Imperium."
"Please do not underestimate PDF troops.
The current PDF troops, especially those from the Misty Star Domain 108 Worlds, will not lose to any well-known Astra Militarum Legion in the Imperium."
"According to your understanding of the Imperial Army's organization, there should now be approximately 400 million Astra Militarum and a total of 110,000 Space Marines on this planet."
"At the same time, a large number of Warmasters and Emperor-class titans will also join this operation to complete this apocalyptic-level war."
"According to the intelligence obtained at this stage, the number of Warmasters and Emperor-class titans deployed to the battlefield will not be less than 2,000."
Adjutant Lyle truthfully reported the current situation to Lion, and Lion, after learning of the current and incoming military strength on this planet, remained silent for a long time.
Not only was Lion somewhat speechless, but even the Emperor's Children were the same; upon hearing of such military might, they also felt their brains crash.
"What?"
"Adjutant Lyle, please repeat that. What did you just say? How many Space Marines did you say?"
Lion could not ask again, as it would damage his dignity as Lion, but his Emperor's Children captain very well compensated for this, asking again with some disbelief.
"Certainly, if you haven't understood yet, I can report to you again: currently, on Nairus, there is one Space Marine Chapter, which is our Nairus Chapter, with 9,613 Space Marines."
"In 10 days, more Space Marines will arrive as reinforcements, at which point the total number of Space Marines will reach approximately 110,000."
"In addition, 108 million PDF troops will arrive as reinforcements, and Titan Legions will also come as reinforcements."
Adjutant Lyle repeated the number of troops that would be appearing on this planet.
Whether it was the reinforcements arriving in 10 days or the current number of Space Marines, Lion was already somewhat dazed.
During the peak of the Dark Angels, the entire Dark Angels Legion's strength would not exceed 300,000, and now, on this Imperial World, almost one-third of a Legion's strength was about to be assembled.
Even during the Great Crusade, some Legions did not have over 100,000 Astartes monks.
And now?
Now, over 100,000 Space Marines were about to fight on this planet.
This put immense pressure on Lion.
His pressure did not come from the psychological burden of commanding this force, but from what kind of war this would be?
He had already traveled through the Imperium of Man; he knew that with the Astartes Codex promulgated by Guilliman, most Codex Chapters were only a thousand strong.
Yet now the Imperium had assembled hundreds of thousands of Space Marines, so the importance of this battle was self-evident.
Moreover, so many Titan Legions had also been mobilized here; even during the Siege of Terra, there probably weren't this many titans!
Lion's pressure intensified; he clearly realized that the upcoming challenges would be extremely troublesome.
"Alright, I understand the current situation of the Imperial Army. Now, please tell me the scale of our enemy."
Although he did not hold much hope for the local intelligence on the planet, thinking that the other party should be able to grasp the specific situation of the enemy, all intelligence was meaningful to him; he needed to understand it.
"Of course, as our commander, you naturally need to know the enemy's military situation. Allow me to report to you."
"The enemy forces already committed to the war are the World Eaters Legion. Their numbers are around 10 Warbands, approximately 15,000 Chaos Astartes, though over 3,000 of these 15,000 have already been slain by us."
"They did not succeed in raising cultist forces on our planet, so their cultist forces are relatively small, only a few million."
"However, the troublesome part is that Chaos has descended, and an endless stream of Chaos Daemons is emerging from the Warp. In recent operations, we have already banished 4 Greater Daemons, and the number may increase further."
"Beyond this, we have received new intelligence. The new intelligence indicates that the Black Legion has dispatched more reinforcements; their numbers should be around 40,000 to 50,000 Chaos Astartes."
"As for others, we have not yet received definite intelligence and cannot make an accurate judgment. This is the current situation of the war."
Lyle accurately shared the intelligence he had with Lion.
Lion began to compile the intelligence at hand. In other words, in this upcoming war, he would have approximately 500 million Astra Militarum troops and over 100,000 Astartes Legions in 10 days.
Describing them as Chapters now was truly too poor; it was better to continue using Legions to describe them.
The number of enemies he needed to face was roughly 50,000 to 60,000 Chaos Astartes, along with a large number of Chaos Daemons and cultist forces?
When the comparison of forces was completed before Lion, he was puzzled.
Was there something wrong somewhere? Why did it seem like the Imperial forces had the advantage instead?