The Emperor’s Angel of Death

Chapter 3043: The Forge of Blood and Fire

As the Ecclesiarchy fleet initiated its charge, Saul Targhon had already moved to the bridge of the Eternal Crusader.

"Chapter Master, I-"

Bahram stood before Saul Targhon with a grave expression. His entire face was dry and ashen, suggesting the immense pressure he had been under recently.

"...I didn't command well, I failed everyone."

Saul Targhon didn't respond, instead taking the data-slate from Talos. It displayed rows upon rows of glaring loss reports.

To date, the entire fleet had lost 117 ships sunk or rendered combat ineffective. Of these, the Legion's (Astral Knights + White Templars) fleet alone had lost 49 ships, including 5 capital ships sunk: the Luna-class cruiser *Naysmith Blade*, the Tyrant-class cruiser *Saint Shield*, *Excluder*, the Hades-class heavy cruiser *Invisible Dread*, and the Vanguard-class strike cruiser *Tornado*. Additionally, the Mars-class battlecruiser *Triumph*, the battle barge *Soul Bearer*, and the Dictator-class heavy cruiser *Spinel* were severely damaged and withdrawn from combat, representing significant losses, and this was just in terms of ships.

In terms of personnel, the Legion's casualties reached 247, some sacrificed in anti-boarding actions and others in ground combat. When adding the casualties from other Chapters, the total number of Astartes fallen in the Alliance of Suffering reached a staggering 621—virtually wiping out an entire Chapter. In fact, the Mantis Warriors suffered the highest casualties of all Chapters because of their primary deployment on the ground, with a total of 174 warriors sacrificed.

Although no one had openly said anything, for Bahram, the silence was perhaps a form of accusation. Over these four days, he had wavered repeatedly, constantly introspecting and blaming himself. Watching the ever-increasing casualties and losses, and the seemingly endless tide of Tyranids, he felt like a rat trapped in bellows. If there were a hole, he would rather crawl into it, or face the Tyranids head-on and embrace a glorious death.

But he couldn't. Responsibility was heavier than death. He could only grit his teeth and persevere.

Now that Saul Targhon had arrived, he still couldn't let go, feeling it was all his fault.

Putting down the data-slate, Saul Targhon looked at Bahram.

"Did anyone suggest you retreat?"

Hearing Saul Targhon's question, Bahram remained silent for a moment before a low, hoarse sound emerged from his dry throat.

"Yes."

"Why didn't you take it?"

"I... I was too arrogant... I didn't listen."

"Bahram, I know what kind of person you are. I'm not interrogating you, nor am I asking you to admit any fault. I just want to know your true thoughts."

"There are many people here. If we leave... what about them? I didn't anticipate the Tyranids being so vast... I thought if we could hold on, reinforcements would arrive soon, and we wouldn't need to make unnecessary sacrifices."

Saul Targhon smiled, walked over, placed his hand on Bahram's shoulder, and then turned him around.

"I remember when I brought you onto the Thunderhawk, you had the same hesitant expression. And your hesitation then was because of Hauron, the comrade left behind, wasn't it? Bahram, that's what I've always admired most about you. No matter what environment you're in, no matter what your status, that compassion and kindness of yours haven't changed. Some people think these things shouldn't belong to an Astartes, but countless experiences and lessons have taught us that ruthless weapons are the easiest to lose their way and become tainted. If everyone doesn't even have a concept of why they became Astartes, then I think the Legion is likely to get lost, including myself."

As he spoke, the two walked to the huge observation window, gazing at the killing field of blood and fire woven in the void.

"Bahram, what was your first thought after becoming an Astartes?"

"That I had finally become an angel to protect humanity."

"Do you think everything I've done, whether it's building the Legion, establishing independent territories, or disregarding the Codex and Imperial law, makes me more like a selfish and self-serving warlord?"

Bahram lowered his head, pondered for a moment, and then shook his head.

"Chapter Master, you said, how many people can an Astartes save in their lifetime?"

Saul Targhon was slightly taken aback, not expecting the question to be turned back on him, and then replied:

"Few might only save hundreds, but many might save tens of billions."

"But you've saved more than hundreds of billions in the Maelstrom, and there are also tens of billions in the Naysmith System, and hundreds of billions in the Bracktator System. You've given them a better life, spared them from unwarranted violence, disease, pollution, and the scourge of enemies. If such behavior is considered selfish, then what about those governors and Astartes who might not save a single person in their entire lives, or even slaughter billions and live a mediocre life? Even the Inquisition always emphasizes that the result always outweighs the process, and failure is as unforgivable as betrayal. In terms of results, Chapter Master, you have saved many people and protected many people. This is the greatest justice. It's not just bullets that can save people."

Saul Targhon looked at him, nodded slightly, and then turned to glance at Talos, who was standing by the tactical display with his arms crossed and a smile on his face. Finally, he said:

"Talos didn't choose the wrong person, not at all. The Legion must never forget its duty. No matter what we do, we must remember the meaning of our existence. If our weapons only fire for ourselves, then it will confirm many people's suspicions that we have indeed transformed into warlords. Therefore, this hard battle must be fought. The Legion needs a forge of blood and fire to forge itself. I would have made the same decision."

Then he patted Bahram's shoulder.

"You've also worked hard. I know you don't have experience in large-scale fleet command, which makes it easy for others to oppose you, but your tactical sense is keen. Even in absolutely unfavorable situations, you can still find partial solutions. The current situation is actually much better than I expected."

At this moment, Bahram suddenly spoke:

"Then, Chapter Master, these Eldar..."

"Let's solve the Tyranids first and talk about the others. We don't have more power to do extra things right now."

Seeing that Saul Targhon wasn't too concerned about this matter, Bahram didn't insist any further, and instead said:

"Chapter Master, I want to take a company to the ground to help evacuate the refugees."

Saul Targhon looked at him and nodded.

"Good, you can take the Tenth and Eleventh Companies to Westeros V. By the way, bring the knights of the DuPont Delin family as well. It will take some time for the civilians to evacuate, but the Tyranid data on this planet is already very large. It will be difficult to deal with without knights. I will command the fleet to clear the enemies in orbit. Seize the time to transport people to the transport ships. Fortunately, the Ecclesiarchy provided enough transport ships this time, otherwise it would be really difficult to handle."

Talos hadn't brought the knight families when he brought the Eleventh Company to the front lines because Saul Targhon had unexpectedly returned to Cardinal World, and he needed to talk to the High King of the DuPont Delin family specifically. The matter was temporarily delayed until Saul Targhon led the fleet to depart, and the knight families truly arrived at the front lines against the Tyranids.

"Yes!"

Then Saul Targhon turned to look at Talos.

"Brother, let Sablin lead this time. I need your assistance here."

Talos nodded.

"No problem. Kasati is in the company."