Chapter 1109: Every Victory is a Stairway to the Ultimate Peace

The power of the explosion blew the walking cannon into countless fragments, but because the distance was too close, the Oak was also overturned by the shockwave and fell to the ground.

Alarm sounds rang out inside the cockpit.

"Left armor severely damaged! Leg hydraulic system leaking! Weapon system offline rate 40%!"

Kuerken tried to make the mech stand up, but the left leg transmission had already failed.

The Oak knelt on one knee, temporarily losing its mobility.

This scene was seen by all Fengqi troops on the battlefield.

A mech that was very likely the enemy commander was damaged and fallen; this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

"All units! Concentrate fire on that fallen mech!"

Kailasi ordered excitedly.

"Destroy it at all costs!"

The remaining aerial units all turned, and Guardian Mechs, tanks, infantry... all Fengqi troops still capable of fighting surged toward the Oak.

Kensi looked at the enemy movements displayed on the tactical map and immediately shouted on the communication channel.

"Protect the Knight Captain!"

Nearby War Dog Space Marines converged from all directions, forming a circular defensive line around the fallen Knight Mech.

The roar of Bolters, the screech of Chainswords, and the hum of Energy Weapons resounded across the battlefield once again.

Facing an enemy force dozens of times their size, the War Dog Space Marines did not retreat a single step.

Every Rune Bullet hit accurately, and every sword swing took a life.

The warriors covered each other, fighting in coordination to hold back the invading Alien forces.

But there were too many enemies.

For every Fengqi soldier that fell, two more rushed up.

For every enemy mech destroyed, more firepower poured in.

One War Dog Space Marine was hit directly by several rockets; his Power Armor shattered, and his body was blown into fragments.

Another War Dog Space Marine was besieged by three Guardian Mechs; after cutting down two with his Chainsword, he was pierced through the chest armor by the energy blade of the third.

Kensi was also fighting himself.

The Reaper Chainsword controlled by the Knight Mech had already cut down countless enemies, and the Combat Rapid-Fire Cannon was out of ammunition.

Just then, the sky was illuminated by firelight once again.

Dozens, hundreds, a rain of Steel descended.

The hatches opened before landing, and new War Dog warriors jumped out directly, beginning to fire as soon as they landed.

More equipment, more troops; the second wave of Airborne Troops had arrived.

At the same time, other Tailin Knight Mechs, after clearing the enemies in their respective areas, began to converge on the central battlefield. They walked from all directions like moving mountains, every step making the earth tremble.

The offensive of the Fengqi troops began to waver.

Courage, in the face of an absolute gap in power, ultimately has its limits.

The first to collapse were the infantry. Seeing their comrades falling constantly around them, seeing those unshakable giants of Steel, and seeing more enemies descending from the sky, their will to fight disintegrated.

Some began to retreat, then more, eventually evolving into a rout.

Armored units attempted to maintain order, but having lost infantry cover, they became living targets for the Knight Mech and War Dog firepower.

One after another they were destroyed, the firelight of the explosions merging into one.

Kailasi watched all this from the underground bunker, closing all three of his eyes.

It was over.

All counterattack methods had been exhausted, all reserves had been committed, and all tactics had failed.

Kailasi slowly drew his command sword and aimed it at his own chest.

But before he could act, the ceiling of the bunker suddenly collapsed.

It was torn open by a giant metal hand.

The Oak—Kuerken had managed to make the mech stand and leaped above the command bunker, tearing open the top of the bunker with its combat claw.

The red light of the sensors pierced through the smoke and dust, locking onto Kailasi.

"For the Emperor! For the glory of the Tailin Family!"

Valken's voice came through the external speakers, echoing in the collapsed bunker.

As he spoke, he crushed the Alien commander in his hand.

The main battle of K-78 was over.

Tailin Knight Mechs stood at various points on the battlefield, with burning wreckage and corpses scattered around them.

War Dog Space Marines were clearing the battlefield, collecting the remains of their comrades, and detaining prisoners.

Claudius stood on a high ground, looking down.

His Power Armor was covered in scratches and scorch marks, and a hole had been melted into his left shoulder guard by an Energy Weapon, but he himself had only suffered minor injuries.

The Data Pad in his hand displayed the preliminary battle report:

Tailin Knight Mech losses: 1 severely damaged, 3 moderately damaged, 8 lightly damaged.

War Dog casualties: 47 killed in action, 89 wounded, of which 21 were seriously injured.

The price was not small, but the results were glorious.

The main defensive forces of K-78 had been destroyed, and the remaining resistance was only sporadic and local.

In the distance, the Oak was undergoing emergency repairs with the assistance of engineering personnel.

Kuerken Tailin had left the cockpit and was standing at the feet of the mech, looking up at his mount.

Angron's Thunderhawk Gunship landed on the temporarily cleared landing field, and Angron walked out from inside.

Standing on high, Angron's voice spread across the battlefield through the loudspeaker.

"Warriors, today you have proven that the fangs of the War Hound Fleet remain sharp, and the will of the Knights of Tailin is indestructible.

K-78 has been conquered, but the war is not yet over.

Before you rest and repair, remember: every victory is a step toward ultimate peace.

And we shall build this staircase, one stone at a time, one world at a time."

A brief Silence, and then, a heaven-shaking roar erupted across the battlefield.

"For the Star Alliance! For the Human race! For the Emperor!"

The sound echoed through the valley, carrying toward the distance.

In orbit, the War Hound Fleet began to adjust its formation, preparing to support the battle in the direction of K-79.

More Transport Ships descended, bringing engineering troops, medical units, and administrative personnel.

After conquest comes occupation, reconstruction, and the integration of this world into the system of the Star Alliance.

Angron took one last look at the battlefield, then turned and left.