The entire Battle of Baal had actually lasted for several years.
The Blood Angels, who originally numbered in the tens of thousands, were now reduced to a mere few thousand. The Sanguinary Guard had been slaughtered until only Dante remained. Several chapters had even been wiped out entirely.
Looking upon his devastated homeland, Sanguinius desperately wanted to reshape it into a perfect paradise. However, Sanguinius could not achieve this right now—neither the Adeptus Mechanicus nor the technology he currently possessed allowed for it.
[Caleb: Need some help?]
The planets Caleb currently occupied could be directly terraformed into Gaia Worlds. They only needed to be held for 10 years to become perfect planets. Such worlds could alter humanity's currently harsh living environments while allowing some of the planetary populations to escape the confines of the Hive Cities.
"Father?" Sanguinius looked up toward the sky. Tears welled in the corners of her eyes, as if she were deliberately suppressing the emotions deep within her soul.
[Caleb: Don't worry, everything will be fine!]
[The losses this time are heavy, that is true!]
[As for the bugs, I've already pushed them back for you!]
[Guilliman's Indomitus Crusade Fleet will assist you afterward. I will grant you a crucial piece of technology; all you need to do is turn your home back into a paradise!]
A massive torrent of memories flooded in, causing Sanguinius's brain to daze for a moment. Immediately after, a sensation of sudden enlightenment washed over him. It was a miraculous technology—though it required drawing upon a portion of the Warp's power, it could truly transform a planet into a perfect paradise!
"I understand!"
"In that case, I will make this place a true paradise!"
"I will first have the mutants on this planet re-acknowledge themselves as human, and then I will purge those—heretics who do not consider themselves human!"
On the surface, Sanguinius smiled gently, but anyone capable of reading his heart would know that Sanguinius was about to unleash a massive slaughter. This time, Sanguinius's Angel Guard would not judge their targets by outward appearance, but by their inner hearts—by whether they truly viewed themselves as human.
Sanguinius could not give his children mind-reading abilities, but he could grant them the power to discern the essence of a soul. If the core of a creature's soul believed itself to be human, then it was human, and it would pass. Conversely—if a human truly believed deep down that they were not human, then the Judgement Angels would execute them and bury them completely.
"Dante! I have a task for you!"
"In addition to rebuilding the Sanguinary Guard, you must establish a Judgement Angel Inquisition."
"The people there will all be Arbitrators who have imbibed my blood—they will be able to see through to the soul essence of any entity, and they will deal with all heresy!"
"Ah... this!" Dante opened his mouth wide, looking at his genetic mother in disbelief.
This department—or rather, this newly established department—practically overlapped with the jurisdiction of the Inquisition. However, from the sound of it, the things they would do might differ from the Inquisition, and their standards would be entirely distinct. This was practically acting against the Imperium.
Yet, not a single Blood Angel objected. They only smelled the scent of reformation. As for how to reform, that depended entirely on the will of their genetic mother.
The problems on Baal were barely resolved, but immediately after, three major campaign routes popped up, leaving Caleb utterly dumbfounded. These three routes corresponded to Guilliman, Lion, and Angron respectively. Each campaign varied in difficulty and offered different rewards.
[Campaign 1: The Path of the Imperial Regent.]
Have Guilliman use the most drastic measures to dismantle the Council of Six and restructure the Imperial institutions.
Proceed to the inner chambers of the Imperial Palace to be invested as the Prince Regent, successfully taking control of the Imperium's power.
Reward: The vast majority of your subsequent campaigns will receive reinforcements from the Imperium's Indomitus Crusade. The reinforcements will include Primaris Space Marines, enhancing the strength of your auxiliary forces.
[Campaign 2: Whispers of the Lion's Secret.]
Lion will launch a raid on the Dark Eldar's Black Library, plundering the Aeldari treasury to uncover the secrets regarding the Old Ones.
Reward: Potential to seize Webway repair technology, and further unlock his own Warp essence during combat.
[Campaign 3: Let the Brute Awaken the Sleeping Soul.]
Angron will challenge Perturabo, defeat him, and completely capture the other party's Warp essence.
Upon success, you will gain control over Perturabo and thoroughly alter the other party's personality.
Reward: Reinforcements from the Iron Warriors, Perturabo's Warp essence, and the ability to pause time.
"Interesting!"
Caleb knew these three campaigns were not mutually exclusive; each route could be completed at different periods.
Sanguinius had now completely awakened his Warp essence and could even face it directly. Sanguinius could probably point at his abstract true form and stubbornly insist he was human. At this point, Sanguinius's stubbornness was likely on par with the Emperor saying, "I am not a god."
"Select Option 3!"
After pondering for a moment, Caleb felt it was best to choose the third option. After all, the chessboard ability could truly alter the course of a battle sometimes. Pausing time would definitely provide more room for error in his micro-management. Sometimes, just deploying a single grunt could save a Primarch's life.
The general situation on the Imperium's side was now settled. The incoming Tyranid Hive Fleet would naturally be resisted by Guilliman's Indomitus Crusade Fleet. The Loyalists were no longer a major issue; it was time to manage the Neutral faction first.
Of course, having chosen Perturabo, a proper model had to be decided upon. Taking advantage of the time, Caleb called Hashida.
At that very moment, a massive fleet of battle barges had gathered around the Conqueror. They were sailing toward the Eye of Terror, with both the Imperial Navy and Chaos fleets pursuing them from behind. Being chased and attacked by both factions was truly unique.
Fortunately, they could not catch up to Angron's fleet at all. In fact, throughout the continuous chase, Angron had even managed to commandeer several of their vessels.
"Primarch!"
A World Eater stepped into his mother's command chamber. He was a recruit and still felt a bit distant toward this nominal mother.
"Kid, there's no need to be so formal. You can call me genetic mother, or just call me Mom!"
"Of course—considering that your mother in mortal society hasn't died yet, I'll temporarily take on the role of a foster mother!"
The sudden voice startled the World Eater. But when he looked forward, he noticed that his genetic mother seemed to be eating candy! Her mouth hadn't opened at all, yet she was communicating with him. What was most miraculous was that his communication with his mother was transmitted directly through thoughts in real-time.
"Is that... really okay?"
"I thought you would have some objections. After all, compared to those veteran warriors, my mother is indeed still alive!"
"My captain told me that since you have successfully liberated that planet, it's time to adopt a new identity, forget past memories, and live a different life!"
"But I still find it hard to forget those memories. Perhaps once all my family members have passed away, I will forget them."
"No need!"
The sudden words echoed in the recruit's mind. The rookie before her was the most talented among the new blood. This fellow had joined an uprising with his father at the age of 8—killing for a full 8 years and executing countless oppressors. On his feudal home planet, he even held the title of the "Nobles' Guillotine." He harbored a bitter hatred for oppressors and would always execute them in the most brutal manner.
Yet, facing the slaves below, he always showed leniency. As long as the peasants were willing to join his army in rebellion, he would ensure they had a bite to eat. The kid's leadership ability was incredibly impressive; a single slogan, "No Grain Taxes," had instantly drawn nearly ten billion people into the riots.
However, just as the rebellion was on the verge of success, the Imperium's tax collection fleet arrived. The poor bastard was meant to be forcibly conscripted as a tax levy. Fortunately, Angron heard the news and, without a second thought, directly raided the Imperial tax fleet.
The day Angron descended had a massive impact on the child. As a peasant boy, it was the first time he realized that above his head lay a starry sky rather than a giant dome. It was the first time he learned of the Imperium, and the first time he realized the noble lords collected such absurd taxes because the Imperium of Man demanded vast resources.
"But I am a Space Marine now. Aren't Space Marines required to forget those things?" The young warrior clenched his hands. His combat capabilities were exceptionally outstanding; though he had just left the scout company, he had defeated hundreds of Ork Nobz during an Ork trial. He had liberated many citizens from the Orks and passed the trial with top marks.
According to his records, he should be leading a hundred-man company to continue subsequent trials. But due to Angron's rapid military expansion, some company-level officers had to be promoted to regiment commanders.
[Angron: Which idiot told you that?]
[The Emperor? Or the Governor?]
[Didn't you rebel just so your family wouldn't starve to death?]
[Now your father has died in the famine, and only your mother remains!]
[Wasn't everything you did just to let people eat their fill and escape oppression?]
The World Eater nodded. Hearing his genetic mother say this, he could barely hold back his tears. It had been so long; except for his own mother, practically no one could understand him. Many rebel leaders joined the uprising just to become nobles or emperors themselves. Those with pure ideals were few and far away, aside from the few brothers who had joined the Legion with him.
"Lady Genetic Mother!"
"You are right. The reason I fight so hard, risking my life in battle, is simply to ensure people can eat their fill!"
"I don't like swallowing one insult after another, so I chose to resist—to resist those damn nobles and oppressors!"
The executioner, perceived as cruel in the eyes of others, now knelt before Angron.
Angron had now styled her twin ponytails into loose, flowing red hair. In non-combat states, the current Angron preferred to be a mother to these children, rather than a father who forced them onto the battlefield.
"It's good that you understand!"
"Next, you will go and liberate even more people!"
"This time, our destination is the Eye of Terror, the heart of the daemons' domain!"
"I am going there to rescue someone!"
"To rescue a brother who has been completely enslaved ideologically!"
Angron spoke these words to the Chapter Master face-to-face. The warrior, having gained his Primarch's understanding, was naturally willing to lay down his life for her.
"Rest assured, Lady Genetic Mother! I will complete the task you have entrusted to us, follow your will, and fight onward."
Watching the pure-hearted child leave, Angron nodded in satisfaction. Being a rebel leader while preserving one's original intention was incredibly difficult. Angron had met many of her progeny, but those whose minds could remain pure to this extent were few and far between.
At this moment, Angron did not look like a warrior at all, but rather a meticulous mother. The current Angron focused more on the psychological counseling of her children, rather than emphasizing raw combat power like before.
"Merciful genetic mother, are we truly going to rescue Perturabo?"
"Though I did not accompany you during that grand Crusade, I heard from the ten-thousand-year-old veterans that your brother Perturabo seems to be a very brutal fellow."
"Indeed!" Even Angron could not help but nod in acknowledgment.
After all, a certain someone's decimation policy was notoriously infamous. Initially, it was just a measure taken for mission failures, but later on, it basically became arbitrary slaughter. Granted, the old Angron had been even worse—while others drew lots to die, Angron's side might just mean everyone dies. If she had been the way she was now back then, Angron would have tried to advise Perturabo and give him some psychological counseling.
[Caleb: Do you plan to persuade Perturabo?]
[It's certainly worth a try. If it doesn't work out, I can help you defeat him!]
"Tch!" Hearing the voice in her mind, Angron let out a disdainful snort. On the surface, she was still quite displeased with the voice. Although she would obey, deep down she still did not truly acknowledge the Emperor.
[Caleb: I agree with your idea. Next, I will assist you in pulling Perturabo out.]
[In the future, you might not have to be brothers anymore; you can be sisters!]
"Sisters?"
Although she had already guessed what that entity wanted to do, the thought of a former brother turning into a sister still made Angron lose her composure a bit. Of course, it wasn't out of anger, but rather a secret delight. Becoming sisters sounded wonderful. It would be best if he turned into a fragrant, soft loli—that would be perfect!
The two bodyguards flanking Angron looked at each other. Since Angron was currently in a "Truth or Dare" state, the children could sense it when her mind wandered into bizarre thoughts.
"We won't be silenced to protect her secrets, right?" one warrior whispered.
"No!" the veteran replied decisively. "On the contrary, you might just get a session of psychological counseling."
The veteran wearing his helmet hid his expression, but everyone could guess he was smiling.
"You two! Is this how you mock me?"
Seeing Angron's resentful glare, the two guards froze for a moment. Then, lacking any dignity, they slid onto their knees before their mother, removed their helmets, and began to wail. They cried incredibly loudly and pathetically.
"Lady Genetic Mother! Heaven knows, we didn't do anything!"
"We deeply agree with your thoughts! No one cares about those little musings!"
"You are doing this for the development after liberating planets. We only know how to rebel and destroy, we really don't know how to build!"
Angron fell silent. Though she knew what these brats were thinking, she could only pretend to be oblivious. The current War Hounds Legion was becoming increasingly attached to their mother; after every battle, the warriors requesting psychological counseling could line up from the bow of the Conqueror all the way to the stern!
"Sigh, these kids are beyond saving."
To show his sincerity and ensure Angron worked diligently for him, Caleb had even handed over the construction methods for Gaia Worlds. If Angron was interested in farming, she could terraform a few Gaia Worlds to play with—provided she currently had the financial resources.
"Forget it, I don't have the brains for this stuff. Maybe Perturabo will be good at it. I'll dump it on him when I get the chance!"
Caleb finally understood: Angron was looking for Perturabo just to put him to work. It was simply a matter of Angron not knowing how to farm, whereas Perturabo did. Conveniently, Perturabo also wanted to build and farm rather than fight. At his core, Perturabo was just a child who liked playing with building blocks. It was just that the Emperor and his foster father completely failed to realize this aspiration, turning it into an obsession.
[Caleb: How confident are you in taking down Perturabo?]
[Angron: I don't know. Maybe a few exchanges with him will suffice to persuade him.]
[But the biggest issue is how to see him. When I was a daemon, this fellow was throwing a tantrum inside his fortress. Right now, he's probably still throwing a tantrum in there!]
Caleb shrugged; there was indeed no simple solution to the current situation. To allow Angron to see Perturabo, the best method was to break in. But everyone knew how tough the Iron Warriors were to crack. Caleb knew that to breach a fortress built by those construction veterans, one would likely need dozens of times the military strength.
However, Caleb completely underestimated Angron at this moment, just as he completely underestimated the power of Angron's "Truth or Dare" capability.
Amidst the terrifying storms of the Eye of Terror, Angron finally located the Daemon World where Perturabo resided, relying on her memory. It was a planet completely fortified and encased in iron. The dense orbital defense installations covering it were enough to strike fear into even a Gloriana-class battleship at first glance.