"We originally had three companies."
Finnie, in the sandpit, lowered his head slightly and said in a low voice:
"Captain Malta and Captain Danwen shared my view, and we began our operation together, leaving our homeworld and embarking on a journey to Baal."
"But along the way, we experienced many dangers. The Warp is strange and chaotic, and two of our three Star Speakers fell into madness."
"And in the material universe, every star system we passed through was infected by the Tyranid, as you can see. We fought during our journey."
"Finally, in the Ardin system, we were attacked by a Warp Shadow and had no choice but to enter the material universe. The Tyranid seemed to know we were coming; they were waiting for us there."
"Captain Malta and Captain Danwen were killed in action. We lost two strike cruisers and most of our gene-seed. Two-thirds of our warriors fell."
"Those warriors more deeply affected by the Ceremony of Repentance were the first to be sacrificed. The warriors we managed to protect were those who had not undergone the Ceremony of Repentance or were less affected."
Finnie lowered his head. First, there was a moment of silence in the room, then whispers began to rise.
The Sons of Sanguinius quietly discussed Finnie's situation, and occasionally glanced at Alexander.
They were clearly puzzled as to why an Ultramarines knew so much, and also about many secrets that the Sons of Sanguinius must strictly guard.
"Because I am an Ultramarines."
Alexander shrugged and said in a flat tone:
"We Ultramarines just know everything, like the Dark Angel's little secrets, the Space Wolves' little secrets, the Raven Guard's little secrets... We Ultramarines know all of these."
"As for the Blood Angels' Bloodthirst, Black Rage, Silent King, Lost Spire, Death Company—we know all of that too."
"But rest assured, we Ultramarines will definitely help you keep your secrets safe."
The whispers in the air ceased for a moment. All the Sons of Sanguinius present looked at Alexander in unison, and the air instantly became somewhat solidified.
Even Sanguinius at the corner of Alexander's eye couldn't help but twitch.
Only Dante himself seemed unmoved, as if it was not surprising that the Blue-Armored Warrior knew the secrets of the Sons of Sanguinius.
The Sons of Sanguinius could only temporarily suppress their doubts.
Dante's mouth beneath his mask moved slightly. His gaze towards Alexander also became a little different.
He was not surprised that Alexander knew the Blood Angels' secrets, but rather that this Warp entity could see the Crimson Angels' actions through the Warp Shadow.
What concerned Dante even more was a previous statement by Alexander—that as long as they were Sons of Sanguinius and willing to wager a holy relic, he would accept the Crimson Angels' challenge. Was he implying that in the Archangel's eyes, the Crimson Angels were still Sons of Sanguinius?
Or rather, at least Finnie and the warriors Finnie brought were.
Dante was silent for a moment, showing a rare hesitation: "I am sorry for your sacrifice, but is your desire for reconciliation sincere?"
"Of course…" Finnie lowered his head: "We are sorry we couldn't bring more brothers to help you, my lord."
"But we accept all your judgments. If you wish to kill us, we will not resist."
Finnie awaited Dante's judgment, and all the Sons of Sanguinius present also awaited this moment.
Dante slowly raised his head, the golden mask carved with Sanguinius' face swept over Finnie, its angry expression as if judging his own Sons.
"Arise, my blood men!"
Dante raised his voice and said.
Those Crimson Angels who had remained kneeling stood up.
"I accept your assistance. I welcome you to fight alongside me."
"Now, come and be seated with me. Enjoy the feast. Before the true battle arrives, you should rest."
"My Lord?" Blood Priest Corbulo showed some hesitation.
But Dante shook his head: "If it were Morven himself before me, all I could give him is death."
"But these warriors are penitents. They are true Sons of Sanguinius. I accept them!"
The blood thralls serving the Blood Angels came to the Crimson Angels' side. They carried the wounded to the Blood Priests to help them heal. Tech-Marines helped them remove their damaged wargear, and Finnie was also extracted from the wall and his damaged power armor through the efforts of the blood thralls and Tech-Marines.
A look of relief crossed Finnie's face as he was lifted out of the sandpit.
In the center of the Angel's Well, only Alexander remained.
Dante strode into the sandpit. Alexander looked at him: "Are you also coming to challenge me, Commander Dante?"
"I only bring thanks." Dante nodded slightly and said: "I originally intended to use combat to temporarily suppress the divisions, but it seems you did better."
"My blood brothers are united like this for the first time in ten thousand years… They seem to have realized their commonalities, recognized that they share the same honor, and understood that the honor of their blood kin is their own honor."
As he spoke, Dante glanced at the Crimson Angels, then looked at the warriors from various Chapters gathered together.
Some of these warriors were still discussing how to defeat Alexander, while others chatted about the different cultures between Chapters.
"It was just a coincidence." A smile flitted across Alexander's lips.
He was actually just incidentally trying to scam some holy relics from various Chapters.
On the one hand, it was to gather more money to exchange for needed items, and on the other hand, a new item Alexander had taken a fancy to required a large number of mechanical weapons.
"You tried to make me believe that my entire life was part of your and the Archangel's plan, and now you want me to believe that everything that just happened was a coincidence?"
Dante shook his head. In his opinion, Alexander's ability to accurately state the Crimson Angels' information clearly meant he had been paying attention to the Crimson Angels for a long time.
Now, speaking it out was both to make Dante accept Finnie and to allow the Sons of Sanguinius to punish those stubborn Crimson Angels in the future… The blood of Sanguinius, after all, must not be defiled.
Alexander's mouth twitched. He could guess that Dante was clearly overthinking things.
But he remained expressionless and asked in return: "What have you decided? The Tyranid are already very close."
The Ardin system, where the Crimson Angels were attacked, was not far from Baal. The Tyranid were already very close to Baal.
"..Perhaps I really should agree to your proposal."
Dante said after a long silence, as if the events of today had further deepened Dante's trust in Alexander:
"I trust you more now, but as Chapter Master, I must take precautions."
"You can go anywhere you want, but you must bring more people with you."
Alexander's eyebrows raised slightly.
This was clearly both surveillance and a precaution, as well as support for Alexander's actions.
Dante clearly wanted to send people he trusted more to accompany Alexander.
After all, with only Alexander and Mephiston, no one would truly feel at ease.
"..You're not trying to foist the Crimson Angels on me, are you?"
Alexander's tone became strange. He glanced at Finnie on the high platform in the distance:
"I'm afraid they might not be able to hold back and eat my chicken paste..."
The Ceremony of Repentance for these Crimson Angels involved consuming the blood of Sanguinius. Who knew if they had developed a dependence or addiction? Moreover, Alexander suspected they might have been affected by the Warp to some extent.
Upon seeing Sanguinius' remains, they might just pounce on it and clean Alexander out.
"..What chicken paste?" Dante showed a bewildered expression.
"No, nothing. Anyway, the Crimson Angels won't do." Alexander shook his head and said.
Then Alexander paused and said: "Blood Knights won't do either!"
"..I will carefully consider the candidates." Dante nodded slightly and said.
Then Dante looked behind him. A considerable number of blood thralls poured into the Angel's Well.
These attendants of the Blood Angels were busy in the Angel's Well, carrying food, wine bottles, and cutlery.
According to Dante's plan, after the gladiatorial combat, there would be a feast for all the Sons of Sanguinius.
At this feast, all blood brothers would drink wine mixed with a small amount of blood and taste the food from Baal.
"Are you interested in attending our feast?" Dante asked Alexander.
"The feast looks good, but unfortunately, I don't drink blood, so I can't appreciate the Blood Angels' special wine."
Alexander replied with a smile.
Dante's body twitched imperceptibly.