Admittedly, Jackal was an elite member of the Astra Militarum.
However, with the exception of a very few, extremely rare Astra Militarum members who only exist as individuals or in legends, the average strength of most Astra Militarum, if thrown into the 20th century, would largely be that of super-soldiers.
Yet, even such super-soldiers, on many battlefields of the Imperium, their greatest value could only be considered as a consumable.
If the Astra Militarum were the Emperor's coins, then the Astartes are large denomination banknotes, a higher-grade consumable.
Though it seems cruel, this is the reality of the Warhammer Universe.
The Astartes, having undergone nineteen biological modification surgeries, have, in a sense, completely transcended humanity, becoming beings akin to 'demigods'.
Getting back to the main point, only by understanding the disparity between the two sides can one truly grasp what an 'Angel of the Emperor' is!
Jackal and his group almost fought to their deaths just to break through the front lines, which were then almost effortlessly breached with the combined efforts of dozens of Astartes.
The smaller daemons were completely incapable of inflicting any fatal damage upon the Astartes clad in ceramite power armor.
Their vaunted speed, under the millisecond-level reactions of the Astartes, seemed to slow to a standstill.
How absurd was it?
Leon, wielding his bolter, even performed what looked like a cheat, with mid-air headshots for instant kills!
This scene, if thrown into the 20th century, would absolutely be considered as a mouse spirit possession.
But in front of the Astartes, these were all basic operations.
The three squads, coordinating their defense and advance with tacit understanding, quickly fought their way out of the daemon horde in the upper hive.
Under Jackal's guidance, Leon led his squad members back to the gathering point. The desperate civilians, upon seeing the tall, majestic, armored 'Angel of the Emperor', were moved to tears, unable to resist kneeling and praying for the Emperor's mercy.
Leon listened to their prayers, and a hint of unbearable pity flashed in his eyes beneath his helmet.
But he ultimately hardened his heart, walked past the praying civilians, and, guided by the augur's scan, immediately located the target person.
"Reporting, Company Commander, target located, confirmed alive."
Leon immediately reported this discovery.
At the same time, aboard the Strike Cruiser in orbit above the Roselle world, Raymond, hearing this news, was instantly invigorated: "Excellent, I will have the Thunderhawk Gunship return to pick up the target. All squad members, return to the cruiser immediately!"
Leon's mouth opened slightly, but in the end, he said nothing, letting out a soft sigh.
"You're leaving?"
Jackal, looking like a battle-hardened veteran, had lost much of his awe since learning the Astartes' objective. He asked, cigarette dangling from his lips.
Leon was silent for half a second, then nodded slightly: "It's an order."
"I understand."
Jackal took a drag from his cigarette, grinning: "Good. That kid isn't simple. I always feel like he's going to do something big someday, unlike us old guys who've lived most of our lives. If we die, we die, it's nothing."
As the two talked, Galahad brought Emrys over. Looking at the tall Astartes, he said indifferently: "I've handed the person over to you. From now on, whatever happens, it has nothing to do with me."
He was quick to assign responsibility, wasn't he? Emrys' mouth twitched, then he turned to look at the Astartes, unable to help but swallow.
This was the first time in two lives he had truly seen an Angel of the Emperor!
This armor is so damn cool!
Hmm? Why is there a toilet? Oh, it's Guilliman's son!
"You are Merlin Emrys, correct?" Leon verified his information according to protocol: "I am Commander Leon of the Watchers Chapter's Third Tactical Squad, ordered by the Company Commander to bring you back to the Strike Cruiser in satellite orbit."
Hearing this, Emrys suddenly froze. He seemed to realize something, then abruptly turned, his eyes somewhat bloodshot, staring at Jackal and Galahad: "You... you're letting me go alone?"
"What else?"
Jackal flicked his cigarette ash, still wearing that rogue-like smile: "I don't want to run anymore, and I can't run anymore. This place is perfect for burying me. You're different, kid. Your life is valuable. You shouldn't be buried here with us. Now get lost."
Galahad's voice was also cold: "Don't think too highly of us. I saved you only to borrow the power of the Emrys family to see if they can eradicate the heretics. Only if you retreat can they act without concern, so get lost. What happens here... has nothing to do with you anymore."
Emrys was stunned. He had thought that even if he couldn't help everyone, he could at least help those within his capabilities to escape this damned world!
But... why, in the end, was no one willing to leave?
Were they all just going to stay on this wretched world and wait for death?!
"No, you all have to come with me!" Emrys suddenly became stubborn, staring at them: "Otherwise, I won't leave either!"
He was afraid of death, but what he feared more was... being so down-and-out, abandoning even those who had once helped him, and then slinking back home.
How would that be any different from the cowardly Urien!
Could he face the deceased Inquisitor Winnie?
No!
A voice exploded within Emrys' heart.
But unfortunately, Leon couldn't be bothered to listen to his nonsense. He grabbed Emrys with one hand, like carrying a chick, and walked out of the camp.
The Thunderhawk Gunship in the sky was already weaving through the clouds, preparing to descend.
But just then, a colossal shadow suddenly appeared in the clouds. Its blood-red, ferocious form and massive wings stirred the air and clouds, reflecting a terrifying silhouette!
The moment Leon saw the creature, his pupils sharply contracted: "No, tell the Thunderhawk Gunship to retreat quickly! That's... a Hell Drake!!!"
But his warning came too late.
Boom!!!
The scorching fire spewed by the Hell Drake instantly melted the Thunderhawk Gunship!
A massive explosion swept through the clouds, the Thunderhawk Gunship was blown to pieces, and the terrifying form of the Hell Drake was fully revealed to everyone's eyes!
"It's a Daemon engine! There's a Daemon engine here!"
Leon's roar echoed through the comms array.
Suddenly, the daemons and Khorne cultists, most of whom had been tied up elsewhere, seemingly went mad and surged towards this location!
In an instant, the entire defense line was in dire straits!
"Disperse, hold the line!"
As Leon gave the order, he held his bolter in his left hand and his power sword in his right, single-handedly blocking the surging tide of daemons.
The blood of heretics is the Emperor's reward for the loyal!
They do not fear sacrifice, nor will they fear Chaos. In the name of Macragge, in the name of the Primarch 'Roboute Guilliman', they will never betray their oath!
But no one had anticipated that a 'surprise' would occur, catching everyone off guard.