Chapter 708: Welcoming the Dawn at the Second Defense Zone

With the complete annihilation of Hudaiqiao, the Magic Cloud in the sky, which had been having part of its magic power drained by Hudaiqiao, began to dissipate at a speed visible to the naked eye.

Having lost their supreme command and source of power, the remaining Demon Legion instantly fell into chaos.

Demon Generals or sorcerers who attempted to organize resistance were often finished off by the precise, focused fire of the morale-boosted Kasrkin soldiers just as they let out a few futile roars.

"The demons are collapsing! For Cadia! For the Emperor! Pursue! Purge the remaining enemies!"

The Kasrkin Sergeant's voice rang out across the battlefield through a loudspeaker.

The Kasrkin soldiers erupted in a roar, leaping out from behind cover to launch a final charge toward the fleeing demons.

The light of Hellguns, the hum of Plasma Guns, the roar of Chainswords.

The Kasrkin soldiers were efficiently clearing out the demons that were putting up a desperate fight or attempting to flee.

In a temporary safe zone established by the Kasrkin soldiers, Jeremy leaned against a metal bunker as a medic injected him with potent antibiotics and painkillers.

The excruciating pain in his broken leg remained, but the bone-deep, icy despair had been dispelled by a scorching emotion called "hope."

He stared blankly at the sky—that sky which was gradually becoming clear and letting through real light.

"Light... sunlight..."

He muttered to himself, his chapped lips trembling, and turbid tears gushed out uncontrollably, sliding down his filth-covered cheeks.

How many months had it been? He had almost forgotten what sunlight looked like.

Lao Kang held the mute girl in his arms tightly.

The little girl seemed to sense the change in atmosphere as well; she no longer trembled so violently, and the long-lost light reflected in her hollow eyes. She stretched out her thin, weak hand, seemingly wanting to touch the beam of light piercing through the dust.

Lao Kang gently grasped her small hand with his calloused one, his own turbid, aged eyes also moist. He nodded vigorously, his voice choked with emotion yet carrying an unprecedented sense of relief.

"Light... child... it's light... we... we survived..."

"Hold on, brother! Rescue troops will be here soon! You will receive the best treatment!"

The medic said firmly while bandaging Jeremy.

Dabeiwenqiao and Taigehe'er walked out from a pile of rubble, supporting each other.

Their Holy Shield Power Armor was covered in deep scratches, scorched burn marks, and dents, and their helmet visors were also cracked.

They walked to Angron's side, looking toward the darkness that was being gradually dispelled and the demons that were being routed.

"The source of blasphemy has been extinguished, and the filth is being purged."

"The Emperor's Light will eventually dispel the darkness."

Angron did not respond immediately. He looked toward the survivors bathing in the sunlight, especially the little girl who was being held in Lao Kang's arms and was timidly looking at him.

Angron's tense muscles slowly relaxed, and the corners of his mouth seemed to twitch upward ever so slightly.

"For Humanity."

Angron's deep voice rang out, spreading clearly across the gradually calming battlefield.

"For every human who can see the sunlight again. The Second Defense Zone... is ours."

When Vulkan arrived at the Second Defense Zone with his troops, he discovered that the battle here had already ended.

Vulkan scanned the Second Defense Zone, which had once been shrouded in thick Magic Clouds and occupied by demons, with a grave expression.

Now, the Magic Clouds had mostly dissipated, revealing the long-lost, albeit still dim, incomparably precious sky.

The air was still filled with the smell of gunpowder, scorched matter, and a faint scent of blood, but the nauseating stench of sulfur and blasphemous psychic energy was rapidly receding.

Amidst the ruins, the figures of Kasrkin soldiers were efficiently clearing out stubborn demons.

In the distance, the Furnace District was nothing more than a massive, scorched crater, with blue smoke still rising from its edges.

"Father... the battle here... has already ended?"

Huokan's voice, filled with incredulous doubt, came through the communication channel.

He stood beside Vulkan, equally shocked as he looked at the scene before him.

Vulkan did not answer immediately.

He naturally knew that the Emperor had the intention of sending troops for a direct assault, but he had not expected it to be his brother Angron who arrived.

"Indeed... it has ended. Head straight over."

Vulkan stepped onto the ground covered in rubble and demon remains, making a dull sound.

Huokan and several Salamanders Space Marines followed closely behind.

Their arrival drew the attention of the surrounding Kasrkin soldiers, who stopped their work one after another to pay the highest salute to the Primarch.

Angron clearly also noticed their approach.

He did not speak, just quietly watching Vulkan walk closer.

"Brother."

Vulkan stood still in front of Angron, carefully examining Angron's somewhat worn battle armor, his gaze lingering on the more obvious damage, his tone carrying unconcealed concern.

"Are you injured? Is it serious?"

Angron flexed his shoulders and grinned.

"Minor wounds. The God of War armor gifted by the Emperor took most of the impact. What matters is that the objective was achieved."

He raised his hand to point at the massive scorched crater behind him and the last trace of the Magic Cloud that was dissipating.

Vulkan's gaze followed Angron's finger, landing on the scorched earth where Hudaiqiao had met its end, a flash of admiration in his eyes.

"The Alien... he paid the price for his atrocities. You... moved truly fast."

"I had to."

Angron's voice lowered. He turned to the side, his gaze cast toward Jeremy, who was being carefully lifted onto a stretcher by medics not far away, and the mute girl who was being held tightly by Lao Kang and was timidly peeking at the giants here.

"Every second is agony for those people down there. If we arrive one step earlier, we can save one more human."

Vulkan followed Angron's gaze and saw the survivors whose eyes were reignited with hope.

"You are right, brother."

Vulkan's voice became gentle, and he said in agreement.

"Saving our kin is more important than any individual glory. You... have done an outstanding job."

As he spoke, Vulkan nodded in greeting to Angron, and also to Dabeiwenqiao and Taigehe'er behind him.

At this moment, the Kasrkin Sergeant walked over quickly and saluted the two Primarchs.

"Lord Vulkan! Lord Angron! The main Demon resistance forces in the core area of the Second Defense Zone have been cleared! Survivors are being gathered, awaiting transfer! Our casualties... are being tallied."

Vulkan looked at the Kasrkin Sergeant and said in a deep voice.

"Well done, Sergeant. Immediately organize personnel to prioritize the safety, medical care, and basic supplies of the survivors. Establish a temporary shelter, clear a landing zone, and ensure there is a place to store follow-up medical supplies and provisions."

"Yes! Lord Vulkan!"

The Kasrkin Sergeant accepted the order and quickly turned to make arrangements.