Warhammer 40K in a box

Chapter 233 Medal Ceremony
In the rear fortress of Donetsk III, the smell of war still permeated the air, as if even breathing could smell the mixed smell of gunpowder and metal.

Although the soldiers had tried their best to take care of their appearance and appear as dignified as possible at the awarding ceremony, the traces of war could not be completely erased.

Black stains from gunpowder still remained on their armor, and in some places one could even see cracks from shrapnel, as if every scar told of their life-and-death struggles on the battlefield.

The soldiers' faces showed a mixture of fatigue and determination, and their eyes revealed a calmness and determination after experiencing life and death.

Their skin was roughened by the wind and sand of the battlefield, with traces of sweat still on their foreheads. The corners of their mouths were tightly pursed, as if they were suppressing their inner emotions.

Although their fatigue was evident, their backs remained straight, as if silently declaring that no matter how brutal the battle, they would stand their ground and fight for the Emperor.

The lights in the fortress were dim, casting long shadows that reflected on the soldiers' armor, as if covering them with an invisible battle robe.

On the wall of the fortress, the huge imperial eagle emblem gleamed coldly in the dim light, as if silently watching the upcoming awarding ceremony.

Chen Xi stood on the makeshift awarding platform, wearing a judge's coat. The rose knot hanging around his waist gleamed dark red under the dim light, symbolizing his supreme authority as a judge.

His figure was tall and solemn, like an unshakable statue, standing in front of the soldiers.

His gaze slowly swept across the soldiers lined up neatly below the stage, a hint of approval and solemnity in his eyes.

That gaze was like a sharp blade, piercing the hearts of every soldier, as if silently examining their loyalty and courage.

Under his gaze, the soldiers involuntarily straightened their backs, as if wanting to prove that they were worthy of this honor.

Some of these soldiers had just been withdrawn from the front line, and they still had unhealed wounds on their bodies. The wounds under the bandages were slightly painful, but their eyes were still firm, as if telling everyone that the pain was nothing more than a medal of battle.

Some are veterans who survived fierce battles. Their faces are full of traces of time, and their eyes reveal the calmness and composure after experiencing life and death. It seems that they have long seen through the cruelty of war, but still choose to stand here and fight for the Emperor.

Around the awarding platform, the flags of the Imperial Army swayed gently in the breeze, and the Imperial eagle emblem on the flag looked particularly solemn in the dim light.

The giant mechas of the Imperial Knights stood quietly in the rear, like giant steel gods, silently guarding this solemn ceremony.

The armor of the mechas is covered with scratches and scorch marks left by battle, as if silently telling of their heroic deeds on the front line.

Their existence not only protects the soldiers, but also serves as a silent witness to this awarding ceremony.

There was a solemn atmosphere in the air. The occasional sound of artillery fire in the distance reminded everyone that the war was still going on, and this awarding ceremony was just a brief respite.

However, it was this brief moment that made the soldiers feel an unprecedented power - it was the recognition from the Emperor and the support from their comrades.

Chen Xi spoke slowly, his voice deep and powerful, piercing the silence within the fortress: "Today, we gather here not to celebrate victory, but to remember those warriors who fearlessly charged on the battlefield, offering their loyalty and courage to the Emperor."

His voice echoed under the dome of the fortress, as if carrying an invisible power, striking the hearts of every soldier.

Each word seemed extracted from the depths of history, bearing the majesty of the Emperor and the coldness of an Inquisitor, yet revealing a rare touch of tenderness. His words were concise and powerful, each one seeming to strike at the hearts of the soldiers, awakening their deepest devotion to the Emperor and their desire for victory.

The soldiers' eyes were fixed on Chen Xi, as if every word he said was injecting new strength into them.

Although the fatigue of the battle still lingered on them, at this moment, a new fire was ignited in their eyes.

As he finished speaking, several meritorious soldiers were called forward one by one.

Their steps were firm, and although their armor was slightly damaged, there was an unyielding light in their eyes.

Some of these soldiers had held their positions under enemy fire, while others had led their comrades to break through desperate situations. Every scar on their bodies was a medal of battle, and every charge was a tribute to the Emperor.

Chen Xi personally pinned medals on them, each of which symbolized their bravery and sacrifice on the battlefield.

His movements were solemn and slow, as if he was conveying the Emperor's blessing and recognition to every soldier through these medals.

His fingers gently brushed across the surface of the medal, as if touching the heroic souls who had died on the battlefield.

Every time a medal was worn, his deep and firm voice said: "For the Emperor, your sacrifice and courage will be remembered forever."

"Your names will be forever etched in the annals of the Empire," Chen Xi's voice echoed within the fortress. "Your courage will inspire more warriors to continue fighting for the glory of the Emperor."

The soldiers in the audience stood in awe, their eyes burning with faith and determination, as if at this moment, all the fatigue and pain were dispelled by the shining medal.

Their eyes followed Chen Xi's figure closely, as if his every word and every action were injecting new strength into them.

Although the battle in front was still brutal and the enemy's artillery fire was still raging, they felt an unprecedented power at this moment - it was the recognition from the Emperor and the support from their comrades.

This power allows them to understand that their sacrifice and courage are not in vain, but are for a higher purpose.

The awarding ceremony ended in a brief silence. Chen Xi took a last look at these brave soldiers and nodded slightly, as if silently conveying his trust and expectations for them.

Then he turned and left, his back looking particularly solemn and determined.

His departure did not take away the solemn atmosphere of the ceremony, but instead made the soldiers feel more deeply the responsibility on their shoulders.

Inside the fortress, the soldiers still stood where they were, as if still savoring the solemn moment that had just occurred.

They held their weapons tightly in their hands, and the medals on their armor gleamed in the dim light, as if silently proclaiming their glory.

There was a solemn silence in the air, broken only by the occasional sound of artillery fire in the distance, reminding them that the battle was not over yet.

(End of this chapter)