Chapter 552 The Rise of the Lion King: Inside the Giant Rock
The lion's face parted from the center, and the steel door opened with a roar. This was also the end of the road to the docking corridor. Behind the door was the end of the journey, the giant rock.
When I first entered the giant rock, the first impression I gave people here was one word: quiet. Everything was shrouded in silence. There were only chants wafted from a distance and the faint smell of incense burners. Everything else is in a mysterious silence, as if none of the nine realms belong here.
And here, at the end of the trestle road, behind the Lion's Gate, at the end of the long steps of the seated lion statue and the arch, there are two warriors waiting here. One of them wears a winged helmet on his head and a The huge two-handed knight's sword exudes majesty and unquestionable authority.
There was also a man with a gray beard and a mysterious hood. Under the brim was a face that could be called old even among Space Marines, but this did not affect him. The man was still tall. Tall and tall, his eyes are as bright as fire.
The first warrior wearing a feathered helmet raised his head and looked at the two approaching people, "Welcome to the Rock, two brothers, on behalf of the Dark Angels Chapter, I welcome you."
"We are extremely honored to be received by Chapter Master Azrael himself." Bell nodded to Chapter Master Azrael, stopped in front of him and paid respect to the veteran warrior on the other side, "I I think this is the famous Chief Pastor Dyer. I pay tribute to you."
"My honor, precious brother, I am honored that you can recognize me." The old pastor's voice was rich and authoritative. Although his voice sounded old, it still had the power of a lion.
"Your reputation has spread far and wide, and you should be known to everyone. Even after your soul returns to the throne, it will be passed down through the ages." Bell said frankly with respect, and this also earned Dyer's respect, and he agreed to the young warrior. Signaling, "You must do the same, precious Brother Bell."
"It seems that you guys also recognize us." Eisenstein spoke in a low voice and looked at Azriel. The latter nodded, but his behavior was like a lion, revealing solemnity and unshakable power. Feeling, "Our Chapter Chaplain received the astrological message, which informed us of your visit, including your identity, so we are here to welcome you, the Marshal's envoy." "It's an honor, Chapter Master. ”
While Eisenstein was talking to Azrael, Bell observed the surrounding environment. He almost forgot that the giant rock was actually the remnant of Caliban. It was the only part left after the supernova explosion. It was destroyed by the Chapter. Protected by the shield of the monastery, it became the last part of Caliban, like a piece of broken earth, so it was called the Rock.
And this place is essentially a monastery of the battle group, not a battleship, so everything around it does not have the sense of steel in a naval ship, but is made of rocks, making this place look more solemn and sacred, with hymns in the distance Coming here, the place is shrouded in a sense of mystery unknown to outsiders.
But according to Lancelot, even the people here can't say that they truly understand the giant rock. Lancelot has been trained and grown up here, but he can't say that he understands all aspects of the giant rock. There are too many things here. Mysteries, many mysterious places that have never been discovered.
"I'm glad to see the Dark Angels in Damocles Bay. Chapter Commander, your arrival has brought valuable troops." Bell said again after the observation, which caused Azrael to move very little. , almost difficult to see clearly, but with a nod of approval that is felt and unquestionable authority.
Bell once heard that Azrael is the youngest Chapter Master today. He has served as Chapter Master for less than a hundred years, but there is no doubt that this Chapter Master is not inferior to any veteran warrior. Looking into his eyes, you will know that he is an outstanding warrior, and only in this way can he gain a foothold in the Dark Angels, this ancient and glorious chapter.
"We are honored to be called here to fight alongside the chosen and warriors of the Empire to defend his glory." "Indeed, venerable Chapter Master Azrael, you have brought the glory of the Emperor, But why do you let it shine in such a deep void?”
Bell responded, "Marshal is looking forward to meeting you on the capital planet, which is shrouded in the darkness of despair. The shadows brought by aliens have shrouded the hearts of the people on the planet. Now only the battle group can bring piercing that... The light of darkness.”
"Tyrel Munda, continue the support of the Space Marine Chapter. The alien army has invaded the territory and the situation is critical. Why hasn't the Chapter gone yet?" Obviously, Captain Eisenstein, as the son of Dorn, does not have very high qualifications. Literary, he prefers simplicity, but uses plain language.
This allowed the conversation between the Dark Angels and the Ultramarines to remove the mist that shrouded it. Bell looked at Eisenstein slightly uneasily, but Azriel's face was calm, and his eyes were covered between the wing helmets. flashes between times.
"Our troops are scattered and unable to gather forces yet. We can only consider the next step when we wait for the mission to be over." "What kind of mission? To wipe out pirates? This is a useless effort, Chapter Commander." "I think, Aisen. What Chapter Master Stan means is that eradicating pirates will have little effect and will delay the Chapter's precious military strength."
Bell quickly added to polish the words of the straight-tempered Son of Dorne. He turned his attention to Chapter Leader Azrael, "The pirates have been unable to be exterminated all year round. This is an undoubted fact for the Empire. The Imperial Navy has been fighting against them for many years, and it has not been able to do so." Able to deal with the threat of pirates and invest the precious troops of the Chapter in it. No offense to the most expensive Chapter Master, but please allow me to use this word, stupid. If I offend you, please."
"There is no need to ask for forgiveness, my brother, how can you question the right words? How can you be offended?" Azrael said calmly, his expression did not change at all, like a sleeping lion, staring at the grassland territory. All living beings above.
"Investing Space Marine forces against pirates will not have any effect, but we have no choice but to do so. There is a serious shortage of imperial ships in this system. If left unchecked, pirates will become rampant and openly attack many weak settlements. , and the transport fleet sailing in the galaxy will also be destroyed, and the capital planet will also lose valuable supplies. The lack of food and many important supplies will definitely lead to riots and further weaken the defense of the galaxy. "
Azrael spoke with reason and reason, and his words made it even more difficult to doubt him. His words were blameless, "Currently, the only effective navy in the galaxy is the Dark Angels, so we have no choice and must invest in it. Contain the attacks of pirates and aliens, and keep the many planets in the system safe until the Imperial Navy and other ships aiming for the glory of the Emperor arrive to support us.”
Azrael's words were so perfect and logically consistent that it would be difficult to see the flaws. If that person hadn't been familiar with the galaxy situation and the massive Ministry of Government information, but fortunately, Ragnar once commented on Bell. As an insect that grows in books, although this has some derogatory connotations, it also has a positive connotation.
"Chapter Commander, the Gulf of Damocles has lacked development for many years. It is inaccessible and inaccessible. Most of the planets are self-sufficient, and this is especially true for the capital planet. It has never needed external transportation to survive. In fact, across the planets, The merchant fleet in the period has also stopped due to the tense situation, and there are no longer any ships that need escort and protection. "
As soon as Bell's words came out, there was a moment of silence. Pastor Dyer looked at him with surprise but admiration, and Azriel's micro-expression also changed briefly. There was only one moment, so small that no one could see it clearly. But I think Bell got the point right.
"The capital planet does not need shipping to avoid riots. In fact, all inter-planetary shipping has been terminated so far. Even if pirates are rampant, they are destined to not gain anything. What awaits them is only the cold Milky Way."
"But many small colonial planets that lack protection will face catastrophe. Brother Bell, is this what the Emperor wishes? Is this the way of mercy he taught us? Is it the responsibility of the Space Marines?" Dyer The pastor intervened in the topic, his words were sharp and hard to deny.
Bell nodded, and nodded to Dyer with regret, "What you said is undeniable, priest, the Emperor did teach us this, but the Emperor also taught us that the ultimate purpose of the Space Marines is to protect the continuation of humanity. , and as long as the capital planet exists, those destroyed planets will be rebuilt in the future, and the hard-working people of Damocles will recreate the glory of the emperor. However, if the planet's capital falls, no matter how many colonies exist, they are just waiting to be slaughtered. Fish meat.”
"The kindness of the Dark Angels is certainly respectable, and I can only blame myself for this, but I must also admit frankly that the Dark Angels Chapter cannot protect all colonies, especially when the central capital of the entire galaxy falls, then, At that time, people will be the slaves, and I won’t be the one to eat the meat.”
"Only by keeping the capital planet, many colonies will have a future, and the light of the Emperor will continue to shine among the stars." Bell raised his head and said frankly that the priest's words were quite reasonable, but the son of Guilliman was even more irrefutable. All words are spoken by the truth. Even the blind and deaf cannot ignore it and even deny it.
This is the purpose of Vito asking Bell to come here. He has studied the art of eloquence since he was a child. When he was on Macragge, he was able to argue with the most knowledgeable elders on the planet. His words were like the sharp teeth of truth. , enough to pierce all hypocrisy and lies.
Azrael looked at Bell in silence, his eyes slightly closed, and Eisenstein on the side also took advantage of the victory and said, "What Brother Bell said is absolutely true, and it is the truth. This is what the Emperor hopes, and what the Marshal hopes. The battle group regrouped and headed to the capital planet to answer the call."
The Dark Angels did not answer and remained silent, like lions protecting treasures, unwilling to leave their lair. Bell stared at Azrael's eyes for a while and frowned slightly, "You are unwilling to give up now." There is a mission, chapter leader. Are there any important targets or even threats that the pirates have to face? "
As soon as these words came out, Bell observed a trance that lasted only a moment. The reaction lasted only milliseconds. Even Eisenstein could not detect it, but Bell saw it as he said, and he confirmed his judgment.
Azrael also seemed to be aware of this. The lion cast his eyes, which seemed to have thousands of fangs and sharp teeth. The atmosphere became silent, and a sense of silence enveloped the world. Even the hymn in the distance was here. It gradually became silent.
The two looked at each other, confronting each other head-on, with cold light shining between their eyes, fiercely fighting each other's hesitation and wavering in each other's minds for a moment, but in the end, the silence was broken, and someone came.
Heavy footsteps came from afar, and the figure appeared at the top of the stairs, then walked down. It was a tall man wearing a mysterious robe, his face hidden under a mask, and a rosary around his neck, with six beads arranged in order.
He brought a sense of threat, accompanied by himself, and an uneasy atmosphere, as if he was the incarnation of death, the shadow of pain, and even his breath was as piercing as an ice abyss.
"Reverend Azmodai, do you two know him?" Azriel asked, and the tension of the confrontation was slightly reduced. Bell looked at the uneasy interrogation priest and nodded in awe, "I have heard of your name, Interrogation Priest Azmodai."
"Nice to meet you." Azmodai's words were like ice, without emotion, without humanity, just like the steel of the war hammer on his waist, and the only feeling he felt was pain.
He went to Azrael's ear and whispered in a language that was not familiar to Bell. It was not High Gothic, nor Low Gothic, nor even any known language. After a long time, Bell understood that he heard a word.
"Les ailes Dood Wing"
Bell seemed to have heard this word from Lancelot before. It was not the language of his native land, Cologne. In fact, Lancelot had admitted that he had long forgotten the language of his hometown. Only a slight accent still accompanied him as the final proof of his native land.
No, he had heard that language when Lancelot was praying before the battle. At that time, Olaf was also performing an ancient blessing ceremony in the ancient language of the warband's hometown, and Lancelot was on his right, chanting the ancient language that was equally inaudible and incomprehensible.
It can be guessed that it was the long-lost Caliban language, which had long disappeared along with the planet. Nowadays, there are not many people who are familiar with it, and most of them are Dark Angels. Now, they are talking in the language of Caliban again, just because they don't want others to understand their conversation.
After a while, the conversation ended, and Azmodai retreated behind the warband leader. The latter looked up and pulled the sword from his waist. The cold light flashed, shocking people to retreat straight back, but he didn't want to chop anyone or anything, but stabbed the sword in front of him, holding it in his hand, standing majestically under the statue of the lion.
"As you have said, the Dark Angels will respond to the Marshal's call, the company will regroup, and the Sons of Laun will descend on Tyraelmunda with the roar of a lion, and then all filth will be eradicated."
The words of the Chapter Master are like the roar of a lion and the horn of war. They spread across the starry sky, and then millions of warships will gather again, like a group of lions pouncing on their prey.
"Then it will be so, as the Emperor wishes." Eisenstein raised his head and said solemnly, and Azrael also held the hilt tightly, raised his head and said, "As the Emperor wishes."
He did not notice the subtle changes in Bell's expression, only because Bell understood some of the meanings of the ancient Caliban language. He had already known the usage rules and meanings of this ancient language from Lancelot over the years, so he heard such a sentence in it.
"They are with the Tau."