Chapter 753: The Defeat of Five Hundred Worlds

"Imperial Federation?"

"Or the Federation Empire?"

"Let me be clear: this is important."

The majestic beauty beyond the limits of human imagination is the best evaluation of the [Bucephalus]: when this giant palace made of gold and marble appeared at the forefront of the Badab crisis, even the tension that once made the whole galaxy look sideways had to be subdued for its splendor.

As one of the three flagships of the Lord of Mankind during the Great Crusade, the Bucephalus, like its sister ship, the Emperor's Vision, is a command aircraft carrier with superior specifications: it symbolizes the pinnacle of the shipbuilding technology of the Human Empire and the authority of the Emperor himself.

But for Guilliman, his five hundred worlds and all the military allies loyal to the Primarch, this supreme majesty that once made them sincerely convinced has quietly turned into a sharp blade like a thorn in the throat.

The reason is simple: this behemoth, which symbolizes the will of the Emperor and could never be deployed from the dock without the genetic command of the Lord of Mankind himself, is now the flagship of the Sigillite Malcador, carrying him all the way from Holy Terra to Badab.

Behind it is a star fleet so large that even the most determined Ultramarines would inevitably feel fear and despair at a glance.

Before Sigillite Malcador left the palace of Holy Terra, he signed the last mandatory mobilization order, requiring every province and sector directly under Holy Terra to mobilize every military ship except those left behind: from battleships to frigates, the will of Terra is calling them.

Although the Sigillite made a second revision, this mobilization order only affected the half of the territory in the eastern part of the Solar Segmentum, close to the Great Vortex area, but the final result was enough to achieve the Sigillite's original purpose of shocking the galactic heroes.

At least, he shocked Guilliman.

A fleet that covered the sky and the sun was assembled in the following weeks. Despite the heavy losses on Nikaea, the authorities on Holy Terra could still ensure the assembly and order of tens of thousands of warships: when the flagship of the Sigillite arrived at Badab, the vanguard of the Terran fleet followed closely behind him.

They were just the vanguard, the part that was proud of its elite quality but mediocre in quantity: but the more specific numbers still made the Lord of Macragge doubt the loyalty of the intelligence department and whether his own sanity still existed?

According to the report of the intelligence department loyal to the Ultramarines Legion: the number of battleships in the vanguard fleet active on Terra and [part of] the main fleet alone has far exceeded three digits.

In contrast, looking at the void power of the entire Ultramarines Legion, even if Guilliman tried his best, he could only take out forty battleship-level capital ships: this number was based on the premise that he listened to Morgan's advice in the past few years and built a few more battleships to ensure the worst.

Beside the huge battleship formation of Holy Terra, there are at least thousands of cruisers and strike cruisers: compared with the despair of battleships, this number can make Guilliman quietly breathe a sigh of relief.

After all, the Five Hundred Worlds can mobilize at least four-digit cruisers. If the giant armed cargo ships that have been urgently modified and the overtime work of various docks are counted: it is not impossible to break through five digits, which is far more than what Terra played this time.

The reason why the results of the two comparisons are so different is related to the combat style of the Thirteenth Legion: compared with the futile consumption of steel in the void, Guilliman and his Ultramarines Legion focus more on the support of the naval fleet for ground combat, and the combat style is more inclined to small and medium-sized ships.

Therefore, although the fleet of the Ultramarines is indeed quite large, and Guilliman can mobilize more than 10,000 warships with just one order, most of them are small ships represented by Moon-class cruisers, destroyers and even frigates, which do not have absolute power in naval battles.

(In the original book's Horus Heresy, although the official has frantically inflated the strength of each legion, the Ultramarines still only have 35 battleships: I even gave him a few more here)

(Then we know that Horus took out 6,000 Vengeful Spirits: No wonder he was so confident that he could make Guilliman kneel down after defeating the Emperor)

But even so, the Lord of Macragge is also very clear that the disparity between his strength and Holy Terra is far from being explained by a fighting style: data has always been Guilliman's expertise, and he can't pretend to be stupid in this regard.

You know, the Sigillite only showed half of the power of Holy Terra this time. He didn't even mobilize any military forces in the western part of the Solar Segmentum: relying only on half of the naval forces under the Terran Sky Territory, Malcador was able to defeat Guilliman.

In comparison, the shock brought by the Bucephalus was not that great.

Because when this warship, which symbolized the Emperor's choice, sailed into the Badab system and sent the flags and officials of Terra to the pale Badab Council again, the military fleets loyal to the Five Hundred Worlds had already evacuated dozens of hours ago.

Not only that, in every crisis frontline with the smell of gunpowder in the entire Maelstrom area, the military forces obeying the orders of Lord Macragge are steadily retreating: the silent guidance of the Lord of Mankind has dealt a huge blow to the people of the five hundred worlds. Morale, and the rolling torrent of Terra forced even the most radical Ultramarines to recognize the reality.

Five Hundred Worlds has no possibility of winning this crisis.

When the ambiguous attitudes of the Primarch Lords and the indignation of five hundred worlds failed to deter the High Lords Council, Macragge had already lost its biggest card: although the elders of Terra reacted slowly, their Determination and skill are equally ruthless.

"After all, everyone knows that the core of the power game is nothing more than violence and majesty."

“The rulers use their majesty to establish a distribution system, and then use violence to ensure the operation of this system, while the ruled are willing to endure the injustice of the system and make themselves part of it, in order to complete their rule. "

"As time goes on, a power system formed by agreement is established."

"For Terra, Badab at this time is their embodied majesty."

"Without the use of violence to protect them, the power left to them by the Emperor will collapse."

"That's true."

"But despite this: Are the actions of the elders a bit too risky?"

"oh?"

Malcador turned his head.

His figure looked skinny amidst the thousands of changing shadows.

These shadows come from a large armed transport fleet, and they are protecting the target this time: a group of tax collectors who are more terrifying than the warlike legions.

Riding on a shuttle, under the personal protection of hundreds of thousands of mortal auxiliary soldiers armed to the teeth, officials loyal to the Markbearer returned to Badab: this always unruly land has been transformed by the Terran Fleet. Learned to tremble beneath the shadows that blocked the sky.

And next, these swordsmen and penmen who once fled in the Badab galaxy will continue their unfinished business: but in the eyes of the people who hold the seal, the ferocity and coldness of calculation will undoubtedly increase exponentially, going deep into the world. Into the soul and marrow of the world beneath our feet.

Badab, who was so majestic in the past and almost regarded himself as the King of the Maelstrom, was destined to pay an unimaginable price for this bloodless defeat: the price was higher than the price he had accepted when he was exploited by the officials of Holy Terra. It will be unforgettable ten times more.

And the misery and wailing of Badab will become the best song. From now on, any world that can hear this overwhelming sound will look up to the breath of Holy Terra, and know that there will be nothing in this galaxy. People can shelter their ridiculous ambitions.

This is the effect Terra wanted.

In comparison, Five Hundred Worlds' concession was nothing more than an unexpected surprise.

The comprehensive shrinkage of the Ultramarines Legion doomed their ultimate defeat, and most of Macragge's vassals and interests in the Maelstrom region will cease to exist: Guilliman's banner can no longer be removed from the Sun Sector as the gateway. The Betangamon space patrol was underway, and the elders on Terra could finally have a good night's sleep.

"It's such a great victory, do you think there's anything wrong with it?"

The palmer asked softly, looking at the questioner standing next to him: Although Malcador's tone was a question, his expression was unusually calm, and he looked at others with appreciation.

"I just..."

"But it's okay, Marshal Klaus."

The Seal Holder smiled and patted the shoulder of this military confidant he had dug out from thousands of mortal auxiliaries: when the high lords of Holy Terra were talking loudly about the crisis in Badab in the palace. , it was this mediocre auxiliary army marshal in front of him who led his subordinates and withstood the pressure of Five Hundred Worlds at the forefront of the crisis.

"I remember that when the crisis in Badab first broke out, when my tax collectors asked for help from all directions, you and your legion were the first to respond to the call: there was almost no hesitation."

"When the Five Hundred Worlds marched into Badab under Guilliman's order, the other generals gathered here were in panic. You were the first to stand up and ask your subordinates to block the Ultramarines. Route of March: The High Lords Council appreciates your determination and loyalty, and a glorious medal is waiting for you."

"And now: You're telling me that you don't support a tough stance?"

After arranging the achievements of Marshal Klaus in front of him, Malcador lowered his head slightly and glanced at the shining chest of the auxiliary army marshal: he was fought from the bottom of the imperial army. He is also Malcador's most trusted military advisor.

His words are always valuable.

Even if it's just a sigh.

"How should I say..."

The marshal touched his already pale temples out of habit, smiling bitterly, but his waist was still straight.

"For me, subjective thoughts and objective responsibilities are separate. I responded to the call of your subordinates. I ordered my warriors to block the fleet of Five Hundred Worlds. I was just executing the order: my The mission is to maintain the majesty of Holy Terra. In front of it, other things are not important. "

"But from a subjective point of view: Badab's incident scares me, sir."

"An enemy of the Primarch?"

"Yes."

The Marshal nodded.

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"Even a year ago, I would never have thought that I would confront a Primarch."

"But you still did it: when you realized it was your responsibility?"

"It was just an instinctive reaction."

Marshal Klaus lowered his head, as if he was a little embarrassed about it.

"I didn't have time to think about it at the time."

"But compared to these..."

The Marshal's eyes moved.

"I'm more curious about what the mindsets of the High Lords' Council were thinking when they issued the order to keep a tough stance against the Primarch Guilliman and his Ultramarines Legion: when this order was just issued, the grassroots troops on the front line almost mutinied."

"Mutiny?"

"A small number of soldiers dared not to be enemies with the Astartes. They were in awe of the fierce reputation of these angels of death, and they knew very well that the Primarchs and the Astartes represented the will of the Emperor, and shooting at them was undoubtedly treason."

"This situation continued until the Imperial Fists Legion arrived to help."

"Is that so."

The Sigillite nodded.

"You are very cautious."

"But on the other hand: the civil servants in the Senate are all very radical."

"That's quite normal."

Marshal Klaus nodded.

"The civil servants in the rear seem radical, always wanting to fight and kill, and a few words can heat up the gunpowder smell on the front line: on the contrary, we, the military officers in the trenches, are often pacifists, because we really know what going to war means."

"It was like this tens of thousands of years ago."

The seal holder agreed with this statement.

"So, I also wonder: Is there a lack of some gentle voices among the high lords?"

"You mean..."

"Marshal Klaus: After the matter here in Badab is over, remember to return to Terra."

Malcador smiled and patted the supreme honor on the marshal's shoulder.

"I will look forward to seeing you in the parliament hall of the Terra Palace."

"The elders are also: they are impressed by your performance on the front line of Badab."

"At the same time, they have also agreed with my idea of ​​expanding the scale of the High Lords' Council."

"Speaking of this matter..."

Marshal Klaus hesitated.

"Did you know that Lord Horus actually proposed a similar idea?"

"The size of the High Lords' Council?"

"Yes."

"According to him: his Imperial Federalism has three core ideas."

"They are..."

"The fusion of truth and faith."

"The contract between Terra and the Legion."

"And..."

"The coexistence of angels and humans."