Warhammer: Start with a dog.

Chapter 525: Deduction Data on the Indomitable
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*In order to accommodate readers who have not read the book, the general background will be explained interspersed, so this chapter still contains a lot of content about pre-war preparations and battlefield forces. If you don’t want to read it, you can skip it and wait for the subsequent chapters.

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The situation and strategic details on Cadia became unclear on the first day when Abaddon's Black Legion began to land.

Although those who survived the battle that led to the division of the Empire described it as a battle in which both the Human Empire and the Black Legion put all their efforts, in fact, if someone could get enough records and study them carefully, they would find that from the very beginning, the resources invested by the Empire in this battle had a strange trend.

"I'd call it 'defensive contraction'," Honso commented calmly, taking a sip of hot Rekha coffee - you see, Vannus himself couldn't explain where he got the Rekha coffee from. It seemed that as long as certain keywords such as "office", "Primarch", "meeting" or "overtime" were gathered, it could be triggered very unreasonably. To be honest, this was one of the reasons why Guilliman believed his lies. It was because this skill was too out of place and too "Destiny Steel".

And recently, under Honso's oppression, poor Vannas found that he could serve other people variations such as "Gasteig Milk Reka Coffee", "Hazelnut Syrup Reka Coffee" or "Reka Coffee with Vanilla Chocolate Cookies". The Master Potion Master privately thought that if he slowly put more pressure on his Dark Raven Adjutant, perhaps Vannas would eventually be able to complete the menu of snacks to go with the coffee, which would be a delicious... wonderful thing!

"It's better to call it passive resistance, a tactic of adding fuel to the fire. Even if they have their reasons, but." Guilliman did not have the euphemism of the master of alchemy, anyway, there was no one else here, "The group of insects on Terra still had a sense of 'It's good to use the existing manpower of Cadia to block Abaddon's 13th Black Crusade, but don't expect us to invest more.'"

"Hmm, that's a good point, sir. But why do they do that?"

"I am a human, not a god. Who knows what they are thinking? The end of the first twelve expeditions and the survival of the Empire every time may have given these mortal bureaucrats an illusion that Abaddon only comes to harass every once in a while, but can always be driven back... As long as they hunt down and intercept the survivors, and issue a few more extermination orders afterwards, it will be fine. Anyway, for them, the Empire has more than millions of worlds, and they can afford the loss. They just need to ensure the absolute safety of Terra--" At this point, Guilliman showed a look of self-mockery and sarcasm on his face, "When I heard you say that my father's golden guards had not left his palace for ten thousand years, I really thought it was because you were not well-informed."

"Oh, now what, my Lord."

"…The fact that this empire has managed to survive until the 40th millennium is an impossible miracle in itself. For this, I must pay tribute to the efforts of the heroes and unsung heroes among mortals."

"I quite agree, my Lord."

"Hmph... Having said that, while I really don't like Alpha's sneaky actions, when they are on our side... this spymaster of Abaddon does a good job."

Cleverly hiding their figures behind the Eternal Will, aboard the Indomitable Star Fortress, Robert "Mercurius" Guilliman and Honsou were viewing the latest battlefield situation map on their own holographic sandbox, as well as the latest list of the various forces in the area sent back by the Black Legion's spies.

"More than a good job..." A deep "Chuan" pattern appeared on the face of the 13th Gene Primarch, which was still handsome despite the devil's horns and spell tattoos. These additional decorations only made his handsomeness change from elegant and sacred to evil and sacred, which was in line with other people's stereotypes of his current appearance. "We can even start to see the meeting list of their highest command... What is this, a seating chart?"

"Hmph... The danger of Alpha is that no one realizes their danger." Hong Suo came over with a cup of coffee, looking quite interested. "Besides the local Cadia defenders, who else will we encounter here?"

Guilliman swiped his scroll-wrapped gauntlet across the side of the holographic table, and a seating chart with the names and identities of the attendees appeared in front of them. The document also had the letterhead of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, as if it had been obtained from an official's data tablet.

"Let me see... Space Wolves and Dark Angels? Oh, no wonder there's a ceremonial seating chart." Honsou made a sound very close to mocking. "They're seated far apart, wisely."

"Looking at the names, Owen Gorgon and Sven Bloodhowl are the wolf lords of the Iron Wolf and Fire Howl companies respectively. Many of Rus's sons are here."

"Excuse me, sir, but the number of soldiers in Dalian today is not what it was in your time. I don't think you can count them as a full Dalian. They may only have more than a hundred people."

"…Well, that's bad news for the defenders. This way, Dark Angels, 4th Company, Captain Kracher, his strike cruiser is the Sword of Defiance."

"I remember this ship was in the military situation table of both sides, but it crashed on the surface due to unknown reasons when it arrived." The War Blacksmith began to input new chess piece data.

"That's true, but from the scan results Hestiaan just took, it's clear that the Dark Angels have not evacuated it, and are even planning to use it as their base for defense."

"...I bet there was a problem on their ship, and this accident is probably related to it."

"Whatever their problems may be, that's no reason for them to waste the manpower and firepower of an entire Astartes company on a location that has little strategic value!"

Honsou was sure he heard the sound of the Thirteenth Primarch's back teeth clacking together - ever since Guilliman had accepted his current appearance as a human being, he seemed to be less and less willing to hide some of his little emotions.

The Master Potion Master thought this was harmless, even good; he would rather talk to an emotionally flawed demon than an emotionless statue.

The Primarch of the Ultramarines pointed with a hint of annoyance at the Dervian Canyon, which he had magnified, in the distance beyond the western wall of the Krave War Zone. "There is only a 3,000-man Cadian Guard Regiment that has just been stationed here, light infantry! There are 30,000 defending Volskani Heavy Armored Corps with vehicle artillery! In my opinion, placing this company of Dark Angels here will be more effective in causing casualties and consolidating the defense. In addition to them, all the troops on the western wall are gathered on the wall, and these fools are pulling all the air forces to the decoy landing site set up by Abaddon on the ground! I can't believe anyone would fall for it! They are wasting their ammunition and flight time!"

"In this regard, these infantrymen and the bait at the landing site are both abandoned by both sides in exchange for time and supplies," Hong Suo commented calmly. "Without additional support, the only role of this infantry is probably to delay the Voskani Heavy Armored Corps for a while. Their commander-in-chief is very decisive and believes in them. If the troops were not motivated or determined enough, they would collapse or flee in advance just facing this situation."

"Yes. Now look at this. This is the name of the Sisters of Our Lady of Martyrdom? Mother Eleanor? What is this? Is this the new organization of the Sisters of Silence?"

"Uh... this is... the only armed force affiliated with the State Religion. It is composed entirely of women. They are still called the 'Emperor's Daughters'. We haven't encountered them yet, and they have little contact with the Inflexible, so you don't know much about them."

"...Now? Since it is the armed force of the state religion, why only women are selected?"

"...During the Age of Apostasy, they were once called 'Emperor's Bride' (the Primarch's face instantly turned dark enough to drip water)... All of them were women (Women) because Pope Sebastian, who ended the chaos of the Age of Apostasy at that time, issued the "Edict of Submission" to prevent the recurrence of the High Lord Vandire, and did not allow the State Church to have 'Armed Men' (Armed Men)."

"Ridiculous! Absurd blind faith! Full of worms playing word games! These people should be punished and executed directly after a quick trial!" "Well, you are right, but that was thousands of years ago. Why don't we see who will be present next? Ah, this is Talia Dalvina, Chief Investigator of the Gate of Cadia, from the Inquisition's Heretic Order. Not surprisingly, there must be a permanent Inquisitor in Cadia. Oh, and this, Sage Colan of the Mechanicus. If I'm not mistaken, a sage of his level should have a group of crusaders of his own, but they won't be recorded in public. We can add this part of his to the opposing force. But the Inquisition probably doesn't have many frontal troops."

"The Order of the Suppressing Heresy. If I remember correctly, the job of these so-called inquisitors is to target heretics."

"That's right. Abaddon is the biggest heretic in their eyes, sir. After all, you and I are also heretics now. And here are the knight mechas belonging to Baron Raven's family who are not present but have signed on. That's great. I finally see some slightly bigger guys. But apparently that's all." Hong Suo also included these military forces in the latest deduced chess piece data.

"Wait a minute, doesn't Cadia have a corresponding forge world? They are the only fortress world stationed in the Eye of Terror! I can't believe it! The understanding of war in the minds of those insects is worse than the worst I can imagine! Where are the Titan Legions on Cadia's forge world? Just these? Against the Blackstone Fortress and the expeditionary fleet? Abaddon sent the Vulcan Titan Legion on the ground! Don't they have other large combat machines to call on?"

"If I'm not mistaken, my lord," Honso introduced a report from another smaller Thinker, "their Forge World Agrippina may not be able to take care of itself. The original Titan Legion here is on another continent of the planet and has no time to get here. I think their commander has done his best, because I also saw a name that, apart from the Dark Angels and the Sisters, would never obediently obey the orders of a mortal commander."

"I have a very deep understanding of Dorn's determination." The Thirteenth Primarch's face showed a complex sadness at this moment, "His descendants are the same. But as far as I know, they are not stubborn to that extent. They have always fought well with their auxiliary forces, and they have also been brave in cooperating with mortals in the battle reports on Terra and the Solar System."

"Well, after all these years, you see, this is the Black Templars after all, the situation is going to be a bit worse."

"What do you mean? I looked at the genetic pedigree table you gave me. The Black Templars are still the descendants of Dorne, right?"

"Yes, Sigismund was their first Grand Marshal, and the one who kept watch over the Eye of Terror, the son of Dorne."

“Why is that bad?”

"…The Black Templars have a very close relationship with the Ecclesiarchy. In fact," Honsou observed the Thirteenth Primarch's expression, "all members of the Black Templars are fanatically, I mean, truly religiously, fanatically convinced that your father is a god."

"..." Guilliman closed his eyes and opened them again. "I have no intention of commenting too much on my brother's sons. So, what does this have to do with their refusal to obey the commander's orders?"

"This means that they will refuse the commander's orders due to their religious fanaticism for your father, the 'God-Emperor'...especially strategic maneuvers, retreats, or retreats."

"…This is a siege! They can't possibly not move at all. Simply defending is meaningless!"

"But they are more likely to fight to the death in a chosen place, and sincerely believe that this is a supreme and glorious sacrifice and dedication. Your father will be happy with the blood and heads of the enemies they offer, as well as their own souls."

"I feel like I'm listening to the story of a Blood Lord under Abaddon! How ridiculous!" The Primarch slammed his palm heavily on the holographic sand table. All the images shook. Hestia, one of the Cherubim, flew over hurriedly and began to inspect the equipment.

"there is none left?"

"There is also a band of brothers made up of the remnants and wounded of the Raven Guard and other different chapters, but I don't think they can provide fast and heavy firepower support beyond the defense of the city walls. So now there are more than six independent forces on Cadia..." Honsou checked Abaddon's troops again, "All forces have been input, and now it is assumed that their main headquarters can survive the shooting of the Eternal Will."

"Do you think they can make it?"

"I don't know, sir, but I have a feeling they can."

"All right." The Thirteenth Primarch pushed aside two chairs. "Now, before the main guns fire, let's make good use of this last period of time and begin the military chess game. The Cadia garrison will gather against Abaddon's fleet."

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This super-fast chess game finally came to an end.

After Hongsuo leaned back against the steel chair, the power armor collided with the backrest of the chair with a dull sound. Shining beads of sweat now covered his entire head.

His head was hot and aching from the rapid calculations and being forced to keep up with the Thirteenth Primarch, and it was boiling like a broken reactor.

But he did, and he assisted Guilliman in completing the calculations.

Publicly, as his father's representative here, he couldn't just let the airdrop capsule carrying Robert Guilliman land alone in front of the southern fortress of the Krave war zone. Although he did not agree with the rule of the Empire, he had benefited a lot from the Thirteenth Primarch in the auxiliary calculations and learning just now. He knew that if he let Guilliman die here at this moment, it would be very harmful to himself from any angle, especially to his father's future plans; and privately, he didn't want to know what would happen if he stole Guilliman and lied to him, and then coaxed the loyal heir of the Emperor, and even tricked him into using such a bad disguise. Once the series of things were exposed - well - considering the proportion of the Ultramarines' daughter regiments to the current Astartes regiments in the galaxy - he still wanted to be a peaceful research pharmacist. Fighting and killing was such a waste of time.

Next.

He turned his gaze to the name of the force they were assigned to "consume each other".

A very, very, very pleasant smile appeared on the corners of the potion master's mouth.

Next, when the Eternal Will is fully charged, the battle will enter his favorite stage. This time, with the help of the extremely angry Thirteenth Primarch, the outcome of the battle is really exciting.

(End of this chapter)