The strongest astral army in Warhammer 40K

**Author: Robert Guilliman, Primarch of the Ultramarines, Regent of the Empire**

**Time: 42nd Millennium, 217th Cycle**

1. **Completely eliminate without breaching the defenses**

- The main force of the Leviathan Hive Fleet was annihilated (remaining biomass signal <0.3%).

- The Orc Empire's power has collapsed (WAAAGH energy has been detected to have decreased below baseline).

- The entire Blackrock pollution source has been purified (a total of 147 Chaos Beacons have been destroyed).

2. **Imperial Losses and Gains**

- **Casualty Statistics**:

- Space Marine losses: 22 companies (including 3 full chapters)

- Astral Army losses: 78 billion (including the complete annihilation of the Krieg Death Legion's 114th Regiment)

- Mechanicus assets: 37 Titans lost, but Zerg bio-ship fusion technology captured (see Annex a-114 for details).

- **Territorial Recovery**:

- Recaptured star systems: 47 (including 3 forged worlds)

- New defensive line: "Emperor's Shield" ring fortress complex (replaces the original impenetrable defensive line)

3. **Indomitable Expedition's strength increased**

- **New Troops**:

- Original Space Marine replenishment: +19 Chapters

- Increase the size of the Imperial Guard Task Force by 200 men (including 30 Black Armor Imperial Guards).

- Super Angel Legion Winged Warriors: +120 (all with psionic level γ)

- **Technological Innovation**:

- A **“Purification” type psionic weapon** developed based on the principles of the Blood Drinkers (capable of mass production and deployment).

- Anti-Psionic Armor (under testing) developed from the remains of an Orc-Zerg hybrid.

1. **Success Factors**

- The sacrificial purification of the living saint Bertrand Russell (recommended to be awarded the title of "Imperial Torch")

- The tactical value of a temporary alliance with the Orcs (requires updating Volume 7 of the Alien Threat Handbook)

- Synergistic application of Blackstone Technology and Silent Sisters' Gray Marrow (see Tactical Case β-55)

2. **Areas for Improvement**

- Insufficient defenses against Zerg gene-stealers infiltration (leading to 3 rear-area mutinies)

- Space Marines are overly reliant on psionic energy (47% of casualties are due to psionic backlash).

- The monopoly of mechanical teaching technology leads to delays in emergency repairs (standardized modification is recommended).

**[Next Stage Goals]**

1. **Main players take a break** (Standard Terra time: 3 years)

- Focus on replenishing heavily damaged warbands such as Salamanders and Iron Hands.

- Deploy a new type of Void Mine Matrix on the "Emperor's Shield" defense line.

2. **Expedition Direction Adjustment**

- Prioritize clearing out the Chaos remnants around the Eye of Terror (signs of Mortalian activity detected).

- Divide forces to suppress the orc regeneration forces in the Taiping Starfield (WAAAGH energy anomaly gathering).

3. **Special Project Launch**

- **The "Golden Eye" Protocol:** Monitor all entities that have come into contact with Russell's psychic powers (to prevent the spread of divinity worship).

- **"Rust Slag" Tracking:** Tracing the whereabouts of the Blood Drinker's remnants (highly correlated with chaotic activity)

"The victory without breaching the defenses proves that humanity can only survive by maintaining a balance between reason and faith. We lost too many warriors in this battle, but new hope was also born—Russell's rebirth shows that the Emperor's light can purify all filth, but we must be wary of it burning the hand that wields the sword."

**Signature Authentication:**

[Mechanical Seal - Ultramarines]

[Genetic Imprinting - Robert Guilliman]

[Machine God Prayer - Mars Forging Domination Certification]

…………

**Makulag Relic Cellar**

Within the transparent square coffin crafted from black stone, the **Blood Drinker** floated silently. The blood grooves on the shovel blade had faded, but upon closer inspection, one could still see the ancient runes flickering like breaths deep within the metal.

Russell's golden pupils were reflected in the glass, meeting the gaze of the weapon in the coffin. Thirty years of memories surged forth—

- In the acid rain of Kadia, it cleaved open the shell of the first Chaos Egg;

- The mournful cry it made as it absorbed Nurgle's pus and blood after Arya's death;

- During the final purification, the crisp sound of the shovel breaking was like the soul being torn apart.

"You've saved me seventeen times." He touched the container lightly, his fingerprints leaving fleeting, misty marks on the cold surface. "But you've also almost eaten me."

Guilliman's voice came from behind: **"Call proposed melting it down into a holy shield and embedding it in the dome of the throne room."**

Russell shook his head. His psychic vision pierced through the black stone and saw the **dark red crystal** at the core of the Blood Drinker that had never been purified—it pulsated slightly like a heart, each beat attempting to mimic Russell's breathing rhythm.

"Keep it." He turned and left, golden light leaving footprints on the ground. "For the next person who needs it... or for it to learn what kindness is."

As darkness fell upon the sanctuary, a wisp of dark red mist seeped from the base of the container, crawling across the ground in the shape of an eight-pointed star.

Deep within the distant Eye of Fear, a desolate planet suddenly shone with a tiny red light, its frequency perfectly synchronized with the pulse of the Blood Drinker.

…………

**Terra Royal Palace - Hall of Honor**

Morning light pierced through the towering stained-glass windows, casting sacred geometric patterns of light onto the black and white marble floor. Russell knelt on one knee before the imperial statue, his scarlet cloak billowing behind him like blood.

**[Promotion without Regularity]**

1. **The Crown of the Imperial Guards**

- Guilliman personally placed the **"Crown of Dawn"** on his head—the first helmet worn by a non-Terra-born commander of the Imperial Guard in ten thousand years, with a black stone crystal extracted from the remains of the Blood Drinkers embedded in its forehead.

"From this day forward, you will guard not only the throne, but also the boundary between humanity and divinity." The Regent's voice echoed in the temple.

2. **Cauer's masterpiece**

- **"Radiant Sun" Golden Armor**: "Doesn't it look familiar to the 'Radiant Sun Warrior'?"

- Material: The same alloy as the Imperial Gold Armor (infused with the golden psionic energy stripped away when Russell was purified).

- Features: The left chest armor can deploy a miniature psionic barrier (covering a radius of 30 meters), and the right shoulder armor has a built-in anti-subspace force field generator.

- **“Judgment” Two-Handed Greatsword**:

- A fragment of Arya's hairpin is embedded in the hilt of the sword (as a psionic stabilizer).

- The spine of the sword is engraved with the Emperor's own words, "Incorruptible" (a rubbing taken by Kaul from the base of the Golden Throne).

3. **Duties and Privileges**

- Directly under Guilliman's command, with the power to veto any military decision below the Primarch level.

- Free access to the Black Library (Intelligent Prophet Evelynn voluntarily granted access).

- Wear the **double-headed eagle wing insignia** (symbolizing loyalty to both the Empire and humanity itself).

**[Power Demonstration]**

Russell made his first full-on appearance at the Terra training ground:

1. **Psionic Barrier**: With a single hand, a golden dome, hundreds of meters in diameter, was erected to withstand a volley of fire from three Warlord-class Titans.

2. **Greatsword Judgment:** A single strike cleaves the Chaos-corrupted Land Raider in two, the Blackrock Blade automatically purifying the demons within.

3. **Commander-in-Chief's Aura:** When he unfolds the wings of the Crown of Dawn, the gene seeds of all genetically modified warriors present (including original Space Marines) will vibrate in unison.

However, in the shadow of the celebration:

- When the blood drinker's container is untouched, blood droplets will condense on its surface (the Mechanics school explains this as "condensation").

- The newly appointed commander of the Imperial Guard, Waldos, consistently refused to make eye contact with Russell (what did his psychic vision see?).

- The Silent Sisters immediately headed toward the Eye of Fear after the ceremony (carrying a sample of the Blood Drinker's Rust).

…………

As Russell stood alone atop the highest point of the palace, his newly forged greatsword planted before him, he gazed at the burning expeditionary fleet amidst the sea of ​​stars and whispered to the void:

"This time, I will decide for myself when to draw my sword."