The strongest astral army in Warhammer 40K

The Royal Guard's roar exploded on the communication channel, its sound even drowning out the energy hum of the Blackstone device—

"Ignore the data! Destroy the hub! ***Now!***"

The black-armored guards' halberds had already pierced the control panel, and the countdown timer for the Achilles-class molten metal bombs flashed blood red on their masks. But Russell acted even faster.

His hands plunged into the black stone control pillar, and **pure golden psionic energy** burst forth from between his fingers like a supernova explosion. It wasn't an attack, but a purification—an ancient secret technique personally taught by the Emperor, specifically designed to target the core code of chaotic creations.

The plague runes on the surface of the black stone pillars went out one by one, like candles being extinguished by an invisible hand. The entire facility began to tremble violently, and from the rubble that collapsed from the rock ceiling, Sicarius's roar pierced through the smoke and dust:

"Run! ***This thing is about to explode in a chain reaction!***"

The winged warriors of the Super Angels grabbed their wounded comrades, while the Imperial Guards deployed an anti-gravity field to clear a path. Russell took one last look at the crumbling control pillar—the imprisoned experimental subjects turned to ashes the instant the Black Stone energy dissipated, and a look of relief appeared on their contorted faces.

Nugure Gardens - Observation Dome

Mortarion's bone-armored gloves crushed the bronze telescope.

Through the warp rift, he saw his laboratory, which he had built over three years, crumbling. Thirty-six thousand experimental data points, twelve precious Tyrannosaurus-Deathguard hybrids, and the pulsar trigger about to awaken—all gone.

"Russell...!" The Primarch's roar sent shivers down the spines of the entire Palace of Pus. "I'll shove your soul into the lowest of the Nurgle spirits! So you can swim in this cesspool forever!"

The demon Kugas emerged halfway from the pool of pus: **"I should have told you to put some plague zombies on guard..."**

Mortarian cleaved the pool of pus with a scythe. "Shut up! Activate the backup plan!" His rotting wings unfurled fully. "Since they like explosions… let's turn this impenetrable line into fireworks!"

Above the surface, just as the Thunderhawk gunship took off, the entire canyon collapsed into a crater twenty kilometers in diameter. But the anticipated pulsar explosion did not occur—the collapsed Blackrock device remained frozen in place like a corpse drained of its energy, only occasionally emitting a few spasmodic sparks.

Carleon's psionic vision pierced through the smoke and dust: **"The pulsar trigger is dormant... but the Blackrock Network is still there."**

Sicarius wiped the corrosive liquid from his visor: **"Mottarian definitely has another trick up his sleeve."**

Russell gazed silently at the dissipating warp rift. He knew this rhythm all too well—the failure of chaos was always just the prelude.

Guilliman's voice suddenly came through the communicator: **"The fleet has detected energy fluctuations in the direction of the Eye of Terror... Mortarion is summoning something."**

On the tactical screen, a green streak spanning half a galaxy was slowly lighting up, like a rotting wound in the Milky Way.

…………

Macurag Flagship - Strategic Sanctuary

Guilliman's fingertip traced a crimson path on the holographic star map, a plague route extending from the Eye of Fear, its end pointing directly at the impenetrable defenses. His gaze swept over the mobilization data:

- **Ultramen and their subcommittees**: 37 Space Marines complete orbital deployment.

- **Imperial Guard Assault Formation**: 500 golden-armored warriors have locked onto Mortalian's psionic signature.

- **Mechanicus Ark Fleet**: The main guns of the Mars Forge Dominator are fully charged.

- **Super Angel Legion**: All members unfurl their wings, psionic spears resonate at 100%.

"He won't dare come." Salamander Chapter Commander Volkan stood in the shadows, the heat emanating from his molten hammer distorting the air. "Our current forces are enough to crush the Death Guard three times over."

Guilliman's lips curled into a slight smile. He pulled up the data from Mortalian's last appearance—rotting wings, festering power armor, and that giant scythe "Silence" that was forever dripping with pus.

"No, he will come." The Primarch deactivated the hologram. "Jealousy will cloud his judgment... especially after seeing this."

He pressed the communication button, and the bridge immediately responded:

**"Broadcast across all frequencies—'The High Lords of the Five Hundred Worlds invite the Deathguard Primarchs to a duel of honor, witnessed by: the Dark Mechanicus, the Necromancer Empire of Space, and the Eldar Ark World.'"

The command center was deathly silent.

Katosicarios's visor nearly fell off: **"You also invited... the undead and the Eldar?!"**

**Foul Rot Star - Bridge**

The provocative declaration broadcast through the communicator sent shivers through the slime pipes of the entire Plague Fleet. Mortari sat quietly on the command seat, crafted from the skeleton of a living warship, maggots crawling in and out of his respirator filters.

"He's laughing at you~" Kugas poked Guilliman in the holographic image with his boil-covered fingers. "Look, even those skinny guys and pointy-eared guys have come to watch~"

Mortalian's fingernails dug into the armrest, the rusted metal groaning. He knew Guilliman's tactics all too well—this wasn't a "duel of honor," but a meticulously crafted **psychological plague**.

The holographic screen suddenly flickered, and Typhon's face appeared amidst the pus: **"Father, the Sothek Dynasty's fleet of space necromancers has been detected appearing on the edge of the battlefield... and Eldar pirates from the Usvi Ark."**

The Primarch slowly rose to his feet, his rotting wings shaking off a patch of mold.

"Prepare the landing module." His voice was like a rusty saw cutting through bone. "I'm going to tear Guilliman's perfect face off in front of all the witnesses."

**Near-Earth Orbit Without Breaching Defense Line**

Russell stood on the observation deck, watching Guilliman personally adjust the powered gauntlets, "Emperor's Wrath." The Primarch's movements were as precise as if he were handling government documents, not at all like someone about to face a life-or-death battle.

"Do you really think he'll accept a one-on-one challenge?" Russell asked.

Guilliman, without looking up, said, "I planted three foreshadowing elements."

1. The Black Mechanicus's observation station records footage of Mortalian's cowardice.

2. The Sotek dynasty of the **Space Necromancers** held rulers who shirked challenges in the utmost contempt.

3. The Eldar's prophets had long ago spread the doomsday prophecy of the "Coward Primarch".

Carleon's wings suddenly unfurled: **"Warp fluctuations! Deathguard flagship has broken free of the Eye of Terror!"**

On the tactical screen, a decaying starship, comparable in size to a miniature moon, is tearing through the veil of reality. Its prow consists of seven wrecked Imperial battleships bound by black stone chains, and an eerie green light shines from its portholes.

"He's here." Guilliman fastened the last piece of armor plating. "Get all the witnesses in place... It's time to end this plague."