Chapter 1232: Didn't you say before that you would make them tear their wings off?

Six hours later.

Viridis Orbital Defense Platform, observation station.

The duty officer stared at the screen, three eyes wide.

"Report! The enemy fleet... is not slowing down! I repeat, the enemy fleet is not slowing down! They are approaching the orbit at full speed!"

The Command Center erupted in an instant.

"How is that possible?"

Menelaus rushed to the front of the screen.

"Are they planning to break through the orbit directly?"

Selasus also hurried over, but the confidence on his face had mostly vanished.

"No... impossible... they must be bluffing... they wouldn't dare..."

Before the words were finished, the red dots on the screen suddenly accelerated.

"They've opened fire!"

The observation officer shouted.

The defense platforms in orbit were struck almost at the same time.

Twenty minutes.

Orbital defense platforms, completely wiped out.

"Orbital defense... failed."

The Intelligence Officer's voice was trembling.

Selasus's face turned deathly pale.

"No... impossible... how could they..."

"Brother!"

Menelaus grabbed his shoulders.

"Now is not the time to be dazed! We must prepare ground defenses! Mobilize everyone!"

Selasus nodded mechanically, but the light in his eyes had completely extinguished.

Just then, a golden light pierced through the atmosphere of Viridis.

Even through the thick armor, they could see that pillar of light descending from the sky.

The pillar of light landed in the capital's Central Plaza.

The gathering place for three hundred thousand revelers.

One second later, the shockwave spread.

Buildings within three kilometers of the plaza collapsed simultaneously. Glass shattered, walls crumbled, and metal twisted.

The pillar of light dissipated.

After the smoke and dust cleared, a figure stood on the ruins in the center of the plaza.

He wore golden Power Armor, with a pair of massive white wings spread behind him.

Sanguinius looked around at the surrounding ruins and corpses, his expression as calm as water.

"Viridis."

His voice was not loud, yet it clearly reached the ears of every survivor.

"You chose resistance. You chose independence. You chose death."

He raised his hand, the Power Spear shining in the sunlight.

"Now, I have come."

In the combat Command Center, Selasus slumped in his chair, his three eyes staring blankly at the surveillance footage.

On the screen, Sanguinius stood in the center of the ruins, surrounded by countless Blood Angels Space Marines pouring out of drop pods.

"Brother!"

Menelaus rushed over.

"We must organize a counterattack!"

Selasus raised his head, looked at his cousin, and muttered.

"Counterattack? How do we counterattack?"

Menelaus grabbed his collar and yanked him up from the chair.

"Didn't you say before that you would make them tear their wings off? Now they are here, and you are sitting here waiting to die?"

A flash of shame crossed Selasus's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by fear.

"I... I didn't expect... I thought they wouldn't dare... I thought..."

"You thought?"

Menelaus let go, letting him fall back into the chair.

"You didn't think at all! You only know how to shout slogans, incite the masses, and deceive everyone with that ridiculous confidence! Now look outside, look at those people you incited, they are dying!"

Selasus looked at the surveillance screen.

On the screen, a group of civilians was running wildly down the street, with three Blood Angels Space Marines behind them.

Those civilians screamed for mercy, but the Blood Angels did not hesitate at all.

The Bolter rang out, and those civilians fell into a pool of blood.

On another screen, a squad of soldiers hid behind cover, firing toward the end of the street.

But the Energy Beam they fired could not even penetrate the Blood Angels' Power Armor.

The Blood Angels approached, the Chainsword swung, and the screams stopped abruptly.

Another image: a woman clutching a child, curled up in the ruins.

A Blood Angel walked past them and looked down for a moment.

The woman shook her head desperately, shielding the child with her body. The Blood Angel raised his Chainsword...

The image switched.

Selasus closed his eyes, tears sliding from the corners of his eyes.

"I... I harmed them... I harmed everyone..."

Menelaus looked at him, his three eyes filled with complex emotions.

Anger? Sorrow? Disappointment? Perhaps all of them.

"Regretting it now is too late."

He said in a low voice.

He turned and walked toward the door.

"Where are you going?"

Selasus asked.

"To fight. Dying on the battlefield is more dignified than dying here."

The door closed behind him.

Selasus sat alone in the Command Center, listening to the gunfire and screams outside drawing closer.

He remembered the bold words he spoke when giving his speech in the square.

He remembered the cheering crowds, the adoring gazes, those who believed in him and followed him.

Now they were all dying.

And he, this "great leader," could only sit here and wait for death.

The door was kicked open.

Two Blood Angels Space Marines rushed in, their Bolters pointed at Selasus's head.

Selasus raised his hands, his three eyes filled with fear.

"I... I surrender... I am willing to surrender..."

"Surrender? Too late."

The gun barrels were raised.

Selasus closed his eyes.

A gunshot rang out.

Three hours later, the fighting in the capital of Viridis had basically ended.

Sanguinius was listening to the Adjutant's report.

"The Alien city has had all Aliens eliminated. Prisoners: none."

Sanguinius nodded.

"What about the other cities?"

"They are being cleared. It is estimated that another six hours are needed."

Sanguinius remained in Silence for a second.

"What about the Human slaves?"

"Approximately 250,000 have been found. Most were hiding in farms and mines in the outskirts. They have been rescued and are being gathered for placement."

A glimmer of warmth flashed in Sanguinius's eyes.

"Take good care of them."

"Yes."

He turned, preparing to leave.

Just then, a voice came from the ruins.

"Wait... wait..."