[The next phase of the mission will begin in two hours. Now announcing the next phase of the chessboard mission.]
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[Garrison the Hive City for as long as possible... The longer you hold out, the more generous the rewards will be~]
[Garrison for one day – Grade C Reward: You will receive 500 cans of Ant-Beef, "Clean, healthy, and delicious."]
[Every Astra Militarum soldier who ate it while alive said it was excellent.]
[Garrison for three days – Grade B Reward: You will receive one World Eaters gene-seed. Implantation will result in sterilization and may trigger the World Eaters' bloodlust effect.]
[Garrison for five days – Grade A Reward: Obtain one STC construction template for a Lasgun.]
[This technology allows even an industrial world just entering the industrial age to produce Lasguns.]
[Garrison for one week – Grade S Reward: A Dark Age of Technology panacea, capable of curing all diseases, including Nurgle's viruses.]
Standing before the game table, Richard looked at the rewards displayed on the screen and couldn't help but complain.
"Are the first two even rewards? They feel more like punishments."
Ant-cattle canned food… if someone tried to sell this junk, no one would buy it. On the Blue Planet in this era, it was pure garbage. The country wasn't exactly short on food right now; if you were going to eat this ghostly stuff, you might as well pick up some cockroach eggs and eat those instead.
Richard judged that this junk belonged on the same level as Corpse Starch—and from a safety perspective, it might even be worse than Corpse Starch.
As for that World Eaters gene-seed, only an idiot would want it. World Eaters gene-seeds were notoriously unstable nowadays… most gene-seeds from Chaos factions were unstable. While it would significantly enhance combat abilities, once you went off the deep end, you'd be no different from a mental patient.
If he actually implanted that thing, Richard would have to consider buying a plane ticket to Japan immediately. He might end up offering blood to the Blood God and skulls for the Skull Throne the moment he landed, making major international news.
Well, the first two were just jokes, but the last two were truly incredible.
Take the Lasgun technology—as long as he handed it over to the state, the authorities would take him very seriously. And the latter reward could be considered an extra life. Consuming it would allow him to resurrect where he stood, as long as he didn't die on the spot. In this era, it was an absolute elixir of immortality; one dose and your health bar instantly filled.
Clearly, this mission aimed for the best while securing the second best… as long as he could hold out for more than five days, the rewards wouldn't be too bad.
From the mission description, this Hive City was destined to fall. Unless the Red Angel Gate was destroyed, the Chaos Legions would be endless.
"Ugh, 2000 deployment points is just too little! I can't deploy nearly enough troops or manpower. It's going to be extremely difficult to counter the potential enemies!"
Richard realized that trying to push forward with so few troops was almost impossible, even with a Primarch. The only choice now was to defend. As long as he held out for seven days, he would complete this endless stage mission.
[This game is about to begin. Note: This is an endless defense mission!]
[The Chaos Legions will invade incessantly, and each wave will be stronger than the last!]
[Please hold out for as long as possible. The duration of your defense will affect the progression of your subsequent missions.]
"Hmm…!" Richard nodded slightly. "Looks like it's still story mode. I guess I need to carefully manage my deployment points… Fortunately, I borrowed pieces from the First Legion, otherwise I wouldn't even know what to deploy right now!"
At that moment… the Lion, sitting on the cathedral steps, fell silent. His keen hearing picked up screams and cries for help from several streets away. But he did not move, still unable to comprehend what had happened to the Empire.
"Your Excellency, please come in!" Behind him, a stooped Ecclesiarchy priest invited the Lion into the sacred hall.
The Lion merely glanced inside through the main doors and was struck speechless by the massive statue within. A colossal statue symbolizing the Emperor stood there. The statue had no face carved… but the iconic golden laurel wreath revealed his identity, and devout believers below were worshipping the Emperor as a god!
He frowned slightly. In truth, he didn't fundamentally object to ordinary people worshipping his father as a god. But his father had once stated he disliked such behavior. In fact… because Lorgar's actions had delayed the Great Crusade, his father had bombed the man's Perfect City.
"What a towering and magnificent statue! I am curious—since you worship him so much, why have you not carved a face for him?"
The Lion didn't dare reveal his identity; even during the 30k era, most ordinary people had never seen the Emperor. Rashly claiming to have seen the Emperor would be difficult to explain… and might even expose his identity, which the secret-keeping Haji Lion had no desire to do.
The stooped Ecclesiarchy priest let out a soft sigh. "As the saying goes, the Emperor appears differently to everyone—he has a thousand faces for a thousand people. To imprint a standard appearance would be a highly sacrilegious act. Statues should maintain a sense of sacred mystery; therefore, almost all Ecclesiarchy cathedrals do not carve the Emperor's features."
"So, Your Saintship, I wonder what the Emperor you saw looks like? You are blessed by the Emperor; perhaps the appearance you describe is closer to the Emperor's true face."
Lion fell silent. At that moment, the atmosphere of the entire cathedral became as quiet as death. Many Battle Sisters were kneeling before the statue, praying silently. Many people who had fallen into despair during this hopeless battle were also here, devoutly pleading for the Emperor's protection.
Smugglers from the Hive City, minor nobles with a bit of money, factory workers from the Zhongcheng Munitorum, and even street rats from the lower levels—everyone prayed to the Emperor in their own awkward ways, all remaining as quiet as possible, praying that this disaster would pass.
"Everyone… bow before the Emperor's devout chosen of the gods! Do you see the golden light upon her? That is the blessing bestowed by the Emperor, proof of being the chosen of the gods!"
At this, the people still bowing to the statue began to shift their gaze toward the Lion. They were instantly captivated by this young and beautiful girl… regardless of gender, they all turned their worship toward the Lion.
Amidst this, the Lion heard many strange prayers:
"Praise the Four-Armed God-Emperor, praise the Great Devourer!"
"The Emperor will protect you and bless you!"
"O great chosen of the gods, please show us a way forward!"
"Is this right?" Lion's brow furrowed. Some of these human-looking fellows were not human at all! His father only had two arms. This guy claiming his father had four arms—that was pure sacrilege.
Lion raised his longsword and lifted the chin of the fellow who had spoken of the Four-Armed God-Emperor. His gaze remained incredibly devout, but the man was bald, with no hair whatsoever on his scalp.
"What did you just say?"
"Praise the Four-Armed God-Emperor!"
"How many arms?"
"Four arms!"
Some people began to feel something was strange. Doesn't the statue above have only two arms? Why would this guy say four?
Lion's soul had only just arrived in this body; he didn't yet understand what Tyranids were.
Sigh! Lion sighed. He guessed that modern humanity had been away from his father's personal light for too long—to the point where even his image had become extremely distorted.
"Since you are so devout, are you willing to prove it with your life? Countless people have fallen into despair amidst the roars of Chaos… Can you use your strength to prove your devotion?"
Thump!
The Jizai in front of him immediately kowtowed. The heavy impact left a deep bloody mark on its forehead. At that moment, its display of devotion made even other believers think it was a truly pious follower of the God-Emperor.
Rumble!
The sound of artillery fire could already be heard in the distance. The Astra Militarum in the city were engaging the Chaos cultists. The battle had reached a fever pitch. This place was close to the Dream of the Red Angel, so it bore the brunt of the first wave of the Chaos invasion.
"Take up your weapons and follow me! For the Emperor, everyone take up arms and fight!"
Whether by magic or not, these people actually took up weapons under Lion El'Jonson's persuasion. Even if their battlefield combat ability was just cannon fodder, being able to tank a bit more damage or draw more enemy attention could create combat opportunities for the Primarch.
That's just how it is in 40k; human lives often serve as the true shields. Anything that can be settled by spending human lives isn't considered a problem. True despair comes from a foul world that cannot be moved, no matter how much you sacrifice.
These strange Jizai picked up the weapons they had previously prepared for a coup. These weapons even included factory-made Las-weapons… some Jizai were even wearing the flak carapace armor used by the Astra Militarum.
Don't ask why the Jizai were willing to fight for the Lion. They simply didn't want this planet ruined by Chaos. The Hive Mind never liked inedible Chaos demons. To keep their food from being tainted by filth, they had no choice but to fight for their meal.
[The Lion has recruited a squad of Genestealers. The unit has been incorporated into friendly units.]
[The Lion has rallied a squad of retreating Astra Militarum. This unit has been incorporated into allied units.]
"What?"
Seeing two new units added to his combat roster, Richard was almost speechless at the Little Lion's maneuvers.
No, wait, what does "the Lion recruited Genestealers" mean? Are we really going to have Jizai guard the gates while the Primarch dies for the state?
Watching the Lion already commanding these ragtag forces to deploy a defensive line, Richard considered whether to just drop a batch of First Legion warriors to assist the Lion.
Strangely enough, there was still a full hour before the battle officially began. Yet the Lion was already prepared to defend this vital Hive City stronghold.
This critical intersection was located right at the boundary between the Hive Bottom and the Hive Middle. Not far behind was an elevator shaft leading to the Hive Upper. It could be said that the position the Lion was holding was a major transport hub.
Normally, Astra Militarum units would be stationed here, but because the Chaos uprising outside was so severe, a large number of Astra Militarum had been redeployed.
[A squad of Battle Sisters is approaching. Your unit, the Lion, is negotiating with them!]
Suddenly, a unique group appeared near the Hive City defensive line. This was a combat unit composed of Battle Sisters and Sisters Repentia. They were originally responsible for guarding the nearby cathedral, but having heard news of a suspected Living Saint, they quickened their pace to arrive here!
"Priest, is this the so-called Living Saint?"
"Such a tiny thing, not even as tall as me. Are you sure she's really that powerful?"
The tall older sister in front used her hand to measure against the other's head. Currently, the Lion's height, even including his headpiece, couldn't compare to a Battle Sister. Richard's piece was originally this height; the girl Lion's height was indeed a bit too loli-like.
The Lion's anger meter +1!
The stooped priest was about to explain, but the naturally short-tempered Lion didn't want to waste time. Originally, as a man, he didn't want to hit women, but now that he was a girl too, there weren't so many scruples.
"Get lost!"
"I am not short!"
The Lion lashed out with a whip kick, sending the person flying. Even wearing Mortal Power Armor, the opponent couldn't help but cough incessantly. The ceramite armor on her chest had been dented by the whip kick.
This Battle Sister could tell the girl hadn't even used her full leg strength just now. If she had truly struck with full force, her life would definitely not have been spared. And after kicking her, this person seemed to radiate golden light!
"Praise the Emperor!"
As they say, devout believers are masochists. Even after taking such a kick, this Battle Sister showed no sign of anger. Feeling her slightly dented breastplate, she nodded with satisfaction.
"Holy crap, what power! As expected of the God-Emperor's blessing—can such a petite body really explode with such strength! Truly impressive. Before, I thought it was some bloodthirsty demon lost in the lust for slaughter! But seeing how you restrained yourself, I know you must be the Emperor's chosen of the gods, a Living Saint!"
The Battle Sister chattered on, now speaking to the Lion with reverence. Watching all this on the chessboard, Richard didn't know why, but watching the blonde girl Lion fight felt so right!
"Perhaps your presence can change the tide of battle for us! The traitor invasion is imminent. We must hold this ground and prevent any traitors from passing the defensive line! We will use our lives to buy time, ensuring the God-Emperor's loyal subjects have time to leave this place!"
The way this Battle Sister expressed herself was clearly different from other sisters. She didn't speak or act delicately, but rather like a tough guy, which was very much to the Lion's taste.
"State your identity first!" The Lion adjusted the boots on his feet. They were low-heeled boots with a layer of ceramite armor attached. Clearly, the current Lion wasn't used to wearing such things; after the kick just now, the shoe had gone crooked.
"I am the Canoness of this Sisterhood company. Call me Tyrian! We are the Daughters of the Emperor! Our duty is to garrison the cathedral. Our mission is to never let these damned heretics take a single step into the sanctuary!"
"Hmm?" The Lion nodded, but then felt a flicker of confusion. When did the Emperor have daughters? Even the Astartes wouldn't dare call themselves that.
"The upcoming battle will be under my command! I have received a calling; my father's voice is guiding me!"
For the Sisters, calling the God-Emperor "Father" was perfectly normal. For Lion, calling the Emperor "Dad" was also normal. Both sides reached a tacit understanding in that moment, and even command of the troops was handed over to the Lion.
The already small number of friendly units increased slightly. The sight of Jizai mixed among the Battle Sisters was truly comical.
[A squad of Battle Sisters has joined the friendly units. The Chaos forces have begun their invasion.]
"What?"
Looking at the 30 minutes of deployment time remaining, Richard felt the system must be joking. His own units hadn't even been deployed yet, and the enemy had already appeared! It looked like the Lion's troops would have to hold out for half an hour before he could send support.
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