The Emperor’s Angel of Death

#2264 - Victory Parade

The sunlight at dawn, in Roheim's eyes, was like a beam launched from orbit.

It seemed to be summer on Earth, although Earth hardly had distinct seasons anymore, the sun's trajectory would not change. At this time, the sun would patrol the northern hemisphere's sky for a long time, and the daytime would also appear earlier, of course, only limited to the area above the surface, after all, 70% of Terra's population actually lived inside the hive cities or under the city's canopies, and day and night were meaningless to them.

Initially, the sun's light was very weak, but thanks to the efforts of the Adeptus Mechanicus, the weather today was exceptionally clear. In the past, pollution and smog produced by the cities would always shroud the sky, but today there was much less of it.

Standing on the viewing platform, Roheim saw the pale gray sky of early morning, the stars and moon were fading, but the lights of the near-Earth orbit facilities still shone. Beneath that massive artificial facility entrenched in the sky, the lower ships and platforms were illuminated by the approaching sun. The scene, set against the sky, looked too surreal, like paper cutouts pasted on a child's ceiling.

And when he looked down, he could see countless intricate roads, they seemed to be one, with crowds still surging within them.

As the morning sun shone down, everything was enveloped in the dawn's light.

The flags on both sides of Heroes' Avenue were all fluttering in the artificial airflow, and the huge loudspeakers installed on the outside emitted a roar. The massive hot air blimp airships began to line up above the avenue, slowly advancing, like clumsy pack animals. The airships were decorated with huge skulls and eagle emblems, and the red Aquila banners, symbolizing the Imperium's glorious victory, fluttered on both sides below the airships.

"Come on, come on, it's starting!"

Roheim quickly beckoned the two people in the room. Isvin immediately ran over with a plate, and Dogo dragged a chair.

When they used the observation equipment to look into the distance, they first saw three Ecclesiarchy limousines with huge Aquila symbols slowly driving by. Each car was more than fifteen meters long and nearly eight meters wide, almost filling the avenue, and each had unique sculptures, respectively depicting the Emperor's rise, the Great Crusade, and the suffering, accompanied by golden sculptures which were often burning torches.

Each limousine also carried a complete choir, who sang melodious and magnificent hymns, and transmitted the sound to dozens of kilometers away through the airships in the sky.

Behind the Ecclesiarchy limousines was a neat "Da! Da! Da!" sound of footsteps, and then an seemingly endless line of people stretched from the distance. Their formations marched in neat steps, estimated to be tens of thousands of people, with fifty people in a small square, and every ten small squares forming a large square.

At the front of each large square were three soldiers holding three large flags, all red flags symbolizing victory, but with different emblems. The entire team was mighty and vast.

Although the soldiers in different squares wore different armors, their behavior seemed to be carved from the same mold. Their movements were extremely neat, swinging their arms, and the steps they took were exactly the same.

"Are these the Solar Auxilia or something? I seem to have seen it when I was bored and wandered around the archives."

Hearing this, Sissina made a helpless expression.

"What archives did you go to? The Solar Auxilia designation disappeared after the Great Heresy, but most of Terra's ancient guards were retained. These are the Palatine Sentinels, the Catanda Strong Guard, the 23rd Hajada Guard, the Astran Void Wolves 13th Regiment, etc. Look, that square is the Terra First Tank Regiment. Do you know why their flag is a horse archer? Because in the final stage of the Great Heresy, they fought side by side with the Primarch of the Fifth Legion and launched a heroic assault on the fallen Lion's Gate spaceport, taking this important area back from the traitors in one fell swoop. That flag was awarded to them by Primarch Jaghatai Khan."

As the infantry squares appeared, enthusiastic cheers immediately came from both sides of Heroes' Avenue. At the same time, the sunlight gradually moved to the upper left of the hotel where Roheim was, casting golden light on Heroes' Avenue.

It could be seen that everything was calculated very precisely.

Among the infantry squares, there were also priests in robes, carrying censers, silently following each square, representing the Emperor's silent but unceasing gaze.

At the same time, a large number of cherubs, like white doves, swept across the sky in groups, scattering countless petals below.

Suddenly, the horns sounded again, and the four quickly looked into the distance.

Amidst the metallic clashing sounds that were completely different from those of mortal infantry, the Imperial Fists warriors in bright yellow armor walked over. They held boltguns and marched neatly in companies. The captains and adjutants walked in front, and the standard bearers held high the ancient company banners. Their appearance immediately triggered another wave of cheers. Walking at the very front of all the teams were the new Chapter Master of the Imperial Fists, Von Hagen, and Lysander leading the 1st Company. The Terminators followed the Chapter Master like silent high walls, but other than that, the Imperial Fists did not bring out more technical equipment, only 10 Centurions walking at the end.

As the ten Centurions at the rear passed by, the metal horns roared again, and were even more majestic than before.

The cheers of the crowd erupted to the highest level, almost setting off a wave of sound.

With silver armor shining in the sun, the Terminator square holding shields and power spears slowly walked over. The 1st Company of the Star Knights appeared first!

"Ah, tsk tsk tsk, Captain Mark is really in the limelight this time."

Roheim couldn't help but admire, not noticing the questioning look Sissina gave him.

The Terminators of the Star Knights 1st Company wore white robes. Captain Maximilian walked at the front. He did not carry a spear, but pressed his left hand on the sword at his waist, and stretched out his right hand, with his five fingers together, and held his palm vertically and diagonally in front of his chest, staring straight ahead. Behind him were two adjutants and a standard bearer, all with this gesture - SoShyan had informed the High Lords in advance that this was a unique culture of Naysen IV, and the other party had no objection. (If you can't imagine what the posture is, go and see the last large-scale cosplay of the Pahlavi Dynasty)

After the 1st Company came the 2nd Company, with Ustad in the same posture, and the soldiers all raised their chins by 30 degrees, expressing their pride and self-confidence to the fullest.

Then came the 3rd Company, the 4th Company, the newly established 5th Company, and then the 6th Company, and the 10th Company.

Following them was an independent formation composed of 6 Dreadnoughts. This time, SoShyan did not choose the eye-catching Contemptor Dreadnoughts, but the more traditional Ironclad Dreadnoughts. One of the Dreadnoughts was still Saltak from the Star Claws.

The huge square body was carved with the image of the living person inside, and covered with purity seals and scriptures. Each Dreadnought also carried a banner on its back. As they passed by, the loudspeakers played its roar.

The long line stretched from the distance to the near, and the four were almost overwhelmed, because looking up close could always see some details that could not be seen before, but soon their attention was no longer there.

Because the cheers of the crowd began to rise again.

"The Chapter Master is here!"

As Roheim grinned, Sissina's gaze towards him became very strange.

The metal horns roared again.