Baal, orbital spaceport.
A small transport ship docked, and a group of burly Astra Militarum soldiers disembarked, heading toward the space elevator.
These men were well-armed and battle-hardened veterans. Even the commanding officer, whose face appeared resolute, had a glint of shrewd cunning in his eyes.
These were the soldiers of the 13th Regiment of the Conquest Astra Militarum.
Upon receiving the communication from Drenin, they immediately rushed over to join the Savior's banner.
This was exactly what Eden had hoped for.
After the war, the Savior's territory opened communication channels to various Astra Militarum regiments, allowing them to contact their own units and permitting any elite troops to join the Savior's forces.
Moreover, the Imperial Astra Militarum departments were reluctant to interfere too much—especially when the Lord Commander Militant of the Astra Militarum was busy fawning over and sculpting a grand statue of the Primarch of Hope.
Of course, the Savior wasn't looking to absorb too many units—just a select few elite regiments, mainly to integrate their combat experience and spirit.
"These guys have some really nice heavy weapons…"
The Conquest veterans glanced enviously at the gear carried by other mortal units and grumbled, "Our kit's nothing but scrap! Absolutely useless!"
Even the 13th Regiment's commander, Laust, felt a twinge of jealousy when he saw the other units' equipment.
The Conquest Regiment had long been starved of Imperial resources, constantly dispatched to the most dangerous fronts. Life had never been easy for them.
That said, it wasn't all bad either.
These bastards were survivors of countless hellish battlefields, their bodies clad in relatively decent gear, and they even carried a few proscribed trinkets. They were tough fighters.
Their team was a motley crew: semi-legitimate psykers, medics, tech-priests, enginseers, and even Ogryn brutes.
Without any official support, the fact that they'd managed to equip themselves with decent light gear was a testament to their resourcefulness—though their funding sources were, admittedly, a bit... grey.
But survival came first. These soldiers had no choice.
For instance, just before heading to Baal, the 13th Regiment had given the local Governor a brutal thrashing and looted his treasury.
What else could they do? They'd been ordered to assist in purging a Chaos cult on that world, suppressing a brutal rebellion—and they'd lost plenty of gear and good men in the process.
Once the war ended, Laust had led the veterans to the Governor's estate to demand supplies, hoping to keep the regiment from collapsing.
After all, they'd be sent into even fiercer battles in the future. Keeping the regiment well-equipped was a matter of survival.
But the Governor, arrogant and secure in his connections, outright refused to offer any aid, declaring their request for supplies to be illegal. He insisted they apply through the Astra Militarum's proper channels.
He even ordered the Conquest veterans to get out of his residence—and preferably off the planet altogether.
Laust knew the Governor had powerful backers within the Astra Militarum, but he couldn't swallow the insult. So he beat the man to a pulp.
After that, figuring they were already neck-deep in trouble, they raided the Governor's vaults while they were at it.
And what they found there only enraged them further.
The vaults were stuffed with brand-new weapons, untouched and hoarded, while the Conquest Regiment had been left to charge into battle without a shred of support.
Seething, Laust and his men gleefully cleaned out the entire treasury.
This was practically a hobby for them—they loved raiding supply depots. It was practically a reflex at this point.
After they emptied the vault, they even went back for another round, beating the Governor so badly that he was left half-paralyzed.
Then they fled.
Unfortunately, while they'd nabbed plenty of nice gear, they hadn't managed to get their hands on the heavy weapons they desperately needed.
Without official Astra Militarum support, getting their hands on those heavy weapons was nearly impossible. No ordinary world or supply route would have such gear.
They'd probably have to risk some "special transactions" to get what they needed.
Worse yet, this little escapade might have pissed off a certain high-ranking Astra Militarum official. The 13th Conquest Regiment could very well be thrown into an even bloodier meat grinder.
The Astra Militarum's stance on them was clear: wiping them out directly would be costly, and besides, they were tough as nails. The best solution? Send them into the worst battles and let them die for a "worthy cause."
Still, Laust and his men had been through so much that they were numb to it all. While waiting for their next orders, a message arrived that gave them a glimmer of hope.
Drenin had invited them to Baal to meet the Savior—to pledge themselves to this mighty figure.
The moment Laust received the message, he'd led the regiment straight to Baal, awaiting the Savior's summons.
...
Outside the temporary Savior's Sanctuary.
"Bastards! Watch your damn eyes and hands—don't you dare stir up any trouble!"
Laust kicked one of his fidgety veterans and barked, "I don't want to give the Savior a bad impression before we've even met him!"
He knew full well what kind of scoundrels he was leading—they were cut from the same cloth as himself.
That was just the team culture—couldn't be helped.
But this meeting was critical.
He didn't want the Savior to see the Conquest Regiment's rough-around-the-edges habits and reject their allegiance.
Suddenly, a towering figure—over two meters tall—approached.
It was a warrior clad in heavy combat armor, radiating an aura that made the rowdy veterans fall silent.
Laust's gaze was drawn to the massive machine gun slung over the figure's shoulder and the heavy grenade launcher in his hands. A flicker of shock crossed his face.
This wasn't standard-issue Imperial power armor. It looked more like a large, single-occupant exo-suit.
If only the Conquest Regiment had access to such magnificent gear…
"Brothers! Didn't expect you to arrive so soon!"
A cheerful voice crackled from the combat suit's speakers. The helmet retracted, revealing Drenin's smiling face, instantly easing the tension.
The veterans swarmed Drenin, eagerly asking questions and running their hands over the combat suit, envious as hell.
When they learned this equipment came from the Savior, their anticipation only grew.
But reality has a way of dashing expectations.
Just as Laust was about to approach Drenin for a chat, someone called out to him.
"Hey, brother! Check this out!"
His adjutant, Valenna, appeared out of nowhere, looking shifty, as if he had something to share.
"Where the hell have you been?"
Laust frowned. He just realized Valenna had disappeared after they arrived, only to turn up now.
"Take a look at this—top-tier gear, the real deal!"
Valenna eagerly projected a holo-display, revealing what looked like an equipment depot.
Laust's eyes widened, and he swallowed hard.
The warehouse was packed with heavy weapons, from super-heavy vehicles to artillery—everything a regiment like theirs dreamed of.
"Where is this?"
Laust stared, stunned.
"Where else? It's right here, not far from where we landed. I saw it as soon as we arrived—couldn't resist taking a peek inside."
Valenna grinned. "The place is stuffed to the brim with equipment—brand new, fresh out of the manufactorums. The machine oil still smells nice!"
He rubbed his fingers together, showing off a bit of oil.
It was pure habit—Valenna always scouted the terrain on arrival. This time, it paid off big. He'd even wandered inside and taken some video.
Valenna marveled, "This Savior guy… he's loaded. Just letting all that gear sit there unused…"
Laust felt a chill.
While they were waiting for an audience with the Savior, their adjutant had been off snooping around, scouting the Savior's warehouse.
If they got caught… they'd be doomed.
The Conquest Regiment's reputation with the Savior would be shot to hell.
Laust tensed, glaring at Valenna. "Tell me you didn't take anything. Did anyone see you?"
"Of course not. What do you take me for, an idiot?"
Valenna scoffed. He'd just been following old habits, taking a quick look.
The warehouse had no guards, and when he walked in, no one stopped him. They even asked if he needed anything.
"I'm not doubting your brains—I'm doubting your morals!"
Laust took a deep breath and glanced at the projection again, swallowing nervously. "We must restrain ourselves. We need to present a good image to the Savior."
Not that he had much faith in their moral fiber, including his own.
The Conquest Regiment had never been known for its ethics—founded by a band of rogue veterans, they'd been a bunch of bastards from the start.
After the holo ended, Laust and Valenna couldn't stop thinking about that warehouse full of gleaming heavy weapons.
They couldn't shake the thought that one day, they might just lose control and do something... less than honest.
"Alright, you bastards, time to meet the Savior. Straighten up and mind your manners…"
Laust took a deep breath, reminding everyone.
He had decided: when they met the Savior, he'd humbly request an equipment resupply. Maybe the great figure would grant them some heavy weapons.
But deep down, he wasn't too hopeful. The Conquest Regiment had been turned down too many times before.
That's why they'd been forced to scavenge and engage in their "less respectable" activities.
Soon, the Savior's attendants arrived to escort the Astra Militarum warriors to their audience.
Laust led a handful of the more "presentable" veterans—those who at least looked somewhat respectable—toward the Savior's Sanctuary.
His heart raced nervously.
When they saw that towering figure, they instinctively straightened up, their expressions turning solemn—that was the legendary Primarch of Hope, the Savior himself!
"I am Laust, Commander of the 13th Conquest Regiment, and I offer you our highest respect, Lord Savior…"
Laust led his veterans to kneel before the Savior in salute.
These grizzled veterans kept their faces firm and steadfast, exuding an air of righteous, unyielding warriors, striving not to give the Savior any bad impressions.
"Rise. Welcome to all of you, warriors."
Eden's voice was warm and gentle, like a soft breeze. He lightly raised his hand, signaling them to stand.
Strictly speaking, he didn't need to personally receive regimental officers—just letting an official from the Administratum handle it would've been enough. At most, he might spare a glance at their names during a banquet.
But when he learned these soldiers were from the infamous 13th Conquest Regiment, Eden's interest was piqued.
These notorious—or rather, notorious for the wrong reasons—individuals were worth seeing in person.
He suddenly realized that under his command, he'd already gathered quite the collection of the galaxy's eccentric outliers: from Kaul and Ironbar in the Savior's domain, to the Sons of Man, the Carcharodons, and now the Conquest Regiment—none of them were exactly paragons of virtue.
But Eden didn't mind.
After all, talents often came with their own flaws. As long as they were placed in the right positions, they could still shine.
"Hmm... These guys actually look pretty respectable?"
Eden glanced at Laust and the others, a hint of curiosity flashing in his eyes.
But as he observed the occasional flashes of cunning in their eyes, he confirmed their identities.
Yes, it was them.
After a brief conversation with Laust, Eden agreed to accept the Conquest Regiment's allegiance and promised to protect them.
From now on, these soldiers would no longer answer to the Astra Militarum. They would fight under the Savior's banner for the Imperium and for humanity.
However, the Conquest Regiment wouldn't be merged into the Storm Group Titans. They would remain an independent auxiliary force.
Eden didn't want them corrupting the culture of the Storm Group.
That wouldn't do.
Still, the future looked bright for this regiment. They'd grow stronger, absorb more veterans, and no longer be thrown into suicidal missions for no reason.
"Lord Savior…"
Laust couldn't help recalling the image of that warehouse. After a moment of hesitation, he respectfully pleaded, "We... we need..."
But Eden's gentle voice came quicker, almost as if he were musing, "Ah, the Conquest Regiment must have a tough time. You must be lacking in equipment, right?"
Laust and Valenna's eyes sparkled with a joy they couldn't hide.
They hadn't expected the Savior to care so much about them, let alone bring up the issue of their equipment needs. Their hearts swelled with gratitude.
Laust steadied his emotions and humbly replied, "Lord Savior, the Conquest Regiment lacks heavy weapons, which has caused us greater losses in battle."
These warriors had survived the most brutal battlefields in the Imperium despite their lack of heavy weapons—that alone proved their combat prowess.
With proper equipment and a stockpile of heavy weapons, they'd become even more formidable.
Eden nodded and gestured for them to follow him, saying, "Come with me. You'll get what you need."
Laust and Valenna followed the Savior, their excitement growing with every step.
When they saw the warehouse, their hearts began to pound.
It was the same warehouse they had just been fantasizing about looting!
Could it be... the Savior was going to let them pick whatever they wanted from the warehouse?
How unbelievably generous!
The Conquest warriors could barely contain their excitement and anticipation.
Eden arrived at the warehouse complex and casually gestured toward the vast facility—tens of meters tall, covering a massive area.
"There's a batch of equipment here that needs to be cleared out. It's all yours…"
Laust and the others were stunned, unable to comprehend what they'd just heard. It felt like a dream—one they'd dared not even hope for.
"G-great Savior... You're saying... this warehouse's equipment... is ours?"
Laust was dumbfounded.
The other warriors trembled with excitement. They'd craved heavy weapons for so long.
This warehouse alone held enough to arm the Conquest Regiment to the teeth—with plenty to spare!
But Eden shook his head gently and corrected the commander: "Not just this warehouse. I mean the entire warehouse complex here. It's all yours."
The warehouse they were looking at was just one part of the complex. In total, there were five warehouses. Two had been cleared, but the other three were packed full—untouched since they were built.
There was enough equipment here to arm several Conquest Regiments to the absolute maximum standard.
That was just how the Savior's logistics worked—always over-supplying, to prevent shortages in battle.
The Baal campaign had ended swiftly, leaving a surplus of equipment even after distributing some to reinforcement units.
There wasn't enough transport capacity to haul it all back.
Besides, the whole area was about to be repurposed—the temporary Savior's Sanctuary was to become a permanent structure, a grand pilgrimage site for the Savior.
Eden had just been wondering what to do with all this equipment when these fellows showed up. It was the perfect solution—no waste at all.
Laust and the others gazed at the sprawling warehouse complex stretching beyond the horizon, their minds reeling.
It was like back-to-back jackpots. They'd been hoping for a few crates of supplies, and the Savior had just handed them an entire treasure hoard!
There was no way they could use all this. Even if the Conquest Regiment doubled in size, they wouldn't be able to absorb it all.
Eden urged them, "In any case, it's all yours. Get your people to start moving it. You have three days."
In three days, construction would begin on the pilgrimage site. It had to be ready before the victory celebration—time was tight.
Laust swallowed hard. He realized it would be nearly impossible to move everything in just three days—and their ships didn't have the capacity to carry so much.
He was about to speak up, but then he met the Savior's gaze.
Eden's expression was warm, his smile gentle: "No need to be shy. Just take it all."
In his view, the Conquest Regiment were basically warehouse raiding specialists—might as well let them put their talents to good use. They'd probably be delighted.
Laust swallowed again, holding back his words. He took a deep breath and declared,
"By the Emperor, your generosity will never be forgotten!"
With such magnanimity from the Savior, it would be disgraceful to ask for more.
Eden nodded, satisfied, and walked away.
Once the Savior had departed, Laust and the others looked at each other, overwhelmed by the sheer scale of it all.
Who could have imagined that one day the Conquest Regiment would be troubled not by lack of gear, but by having too much warehouse to move?
The Savior's casual generosity was beyond anything they could have dreamed of.
Laust clenched his teeth and gave the order:
"Tell the brothers to bring in the gear—move like hell! We have to clear this place out in three days!"
No matter what, this was an unparalleled blessing.
Soon, the entire Conquest Regiment launched into a round-the-clock warehouse-clearing operation.
But because the Savior had given them so much, and the time limit was so tight, their favorite pastime of looting warehouses turned into an exhausting ordeal.
Many of them ended up hurting themselves, and some even started developing an aversion to the sight of warehouses…
—
A week later.
Temporary Savior's Sanctuary.
Eden sat at his desk, signing a few final documents related to the upcoming victory celebration.
With his signature complete, the preparations were officially finished.
The celebration would take place in two days.
Now, all of Baal was filled with a festive atmosphere. More ships were arriving from the Savior's territories and beyond.
The skies were crowded with tens of thousands of airships, trailing banners nearly a kilometer long, illuminated by brilliant lights.
Every district had been decorated, radiating an aura of sanctity and joy.
The people were flocking to the grand celebration together.
And not just on Baal.
Across the Imperium's territories, statues of the Savior were being erected, and related celebrations were underway.
This was a rare moment of collective jubilation for humanity amid the long, dark suffering.
Eden stretched, walked to the balcony, and gazed at the reddish glow of Baal Secundus. His own handsome face was faintly visible atop the planet's great mountains.
That was his colossal statue.
Baal Secundus and Baal orbited at similar speeds, and the distance wasn't too great.
This meant that day or night, the people of Baal could always look up and see the great statue of the Savior.
Eden sighed softly, "Sigh… I wonder when Old-G will finally arrive… Just waiting for him to pop the champagne…"
The original plans for Baal Secundus had included a statue of the Regent, Roboute Guilliman, because back then, there were still remnants of Tyranid bio-ships fleeing across the Baal system.
If the Regent's fleet had arrived in time to fire a few shots, it would've counted as participation in the war—surely they'd have built him a statue too?
It would've made for a great story: the two Primarch brothers, fighting side by side, destroying the Leviathan Hive Fleet together. Such unity! Such inspiration!
But alas, the Tyranid bio-ships had all been wiped out—already stewing in pots—and still no sign of the Regent.
So the planned statue of the Ultramarines' Primarch had been scrapped. After all, it would've been awkward to have a statue of someone who never showed up.
Eden stood there for a while, frowning slightly.
"The ones who should've come have all arrived. Why's Old-G still missing?"
This victory celebration had even drawn an Imperial noble from a "remote backwater" on the far side of the galaxy to Baal—just a tiny detour from his original trip to Holy Terra to request aid.
But hey, since he'd made the trip, Eden had generously agreed to support his region with substantial aid—might as well share the blessings.
Still, Eden was worried.
"With Old-G's luck, don't tell me he's been ambushed and beaten again… Can he even hold out?"
Eden made up his mind:
Once the victory celebration was over, if there was still no news of the Regent…
He'd have to lead a fleet into the Warp to search and retrieve him.
…
In the Warp.
Amidst the stench and filth, the storms of Chaos raged, and a vast Imperial fleet drifted helplessly in the turbulent tides…
(End of Chapter)
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