Chapter 361: Heavenly Fire Holy Judgement Belongs to Mei; You Are Unworthy to Wield It!

Crimson streaks of fire tore across the heavens, their searing trails slicing through a sky dominated by clouds ignited into blazing red.

The firmament burned as if consumed by an unending inferno. Countless projectiles rained down like a torrential meteor shower, their impact devastating everything in their wake.

Amid the cacophony of explosions, orderly apartment buildings crumbled into rubble, and riverside gardens—once lush and vibrant—were reduced to scorched wastelands. Fires erupted like serpentine tongues of flame, slithering outward in an unstoppable cascade.

On the horizon, the city blazed furiously. Structures and homes succumbed to the relentless inferno, their destruction radiating a blinding scarlet glow that painted the skyline in hues of hellish red. It was as if the abyss itself had descended upon the world.

Above the boundless expanse of the skies, an armada of colossal steel behemoths breached the atmosphere. Their massive entry disturbed the natural balance; the wind howled, ocean waves roiled, and the earth trembled beneath their presence.

Thick beams of light erupted continuously, slicing through the fiery atmosphere. The void shields of the ships hummed ceaselessly, working tirelessly to repel incoming threats.

Turrets aboard the fleet calculated the trajectories of surface-launched missiles, intercepting and destroying them before they could breach the fleet’s perimeter or disrupt the landing forces.

Within the city, every inhabitant looked up in terror, their faces pale as they beheld streaks of fire tearing through the clouds. In that instant, they realized they were facing nothing short of total annihilation.

Drop pods and Thunderhawk assault ships plummeted from the sky, guided by preloaded coordinates. The onboard systems determined optimal landing zones with unerring precision.

Before the dust could settle or the blistering air cool, hatches and ramps slammed open with resounding force.

Figures clad in power armor of various hues burst forth from the thick haze. Armed with brutal and terrifying weaponry, they unleashed a maelstrom of blood, gore, and electromagnetic sparks.

As precise and deadly as surgical scalpels, they advanced with cold efficiency, dismantling all resistance with unwavering calm and speed.

Neither city garrisons of local governments nor the mechanized forces of World Serpent or Anti-Entropy could halt their advance. Even the synthetic beasts engineered by Jackal through her research into Honkai Beasts and Stigmata, or the quantum shadows summoned by Kevin, merely delayed the inevitable.

In the end, none were spared from the relentless tide of the Astartes landing forces.

It wasn’t a matter of weak resistance or lack of strength; the sheer number of Astartes warriors was overwhelming—an unending, sky-darkening swarm.

Even though only portions of the twenty Astartes legions had been deployed, twenty legions remained an unimaginable force.

Deploying such overwhelming military might against a single planet was beyond excessive. It wasn’t just overkill; it was akin to using the Gustav cannon to swat a mosquito.

The scale… Honestly, upon learning that Selene had mobilized such a force for a single world, even Budo couldn’t understand. Who had provoked Selene to such an extent? Or was this world uniquely significant?

At the city’s center, where once stood towering buildings, orbital bombardments had razed everything to the ground. The resulting circular crater spanned over ten kilometers, its desolation swept by frigid winds, resonating thunder, and an eerie clash of ice overwhelming fire.

A colossal iceberg, seemingly forged from ancient glacial ice, loomed within the crater. Its grandeur and sublime beauty rendered it an exquisite masterpiece, radiating a dazzling array of colors under the glow of the flames.

In its heart, amidst the frozen thorns, stood Kevin and Raiden Mei.

Across from them, the erupting thunderstorm roared with deafening intensity, louder than ever before.

Even for someone like Kevin, the thunder’s sheer force was akin to hammers striking his eardrums, leaving him profoundly uncomfortable.

As for Mei, who commanded the storm, such disturbances had no effect on her.

All lightning abilities shared one unavoidable flaw: their noise was impossible to suppress.

This was something Budo knew all too well. Once, rebellious armies mocked him for being a “stubborn tortoise” who never left the imperial capital. As though he enjoyed being sedentary! He wanted to join the battlefield too.

But his Imperial Arms’ power was far too conspicuous. Once unleashed, it announced his approach with thunderous booms audible from dozens of kilometers away. Only fools would remain to fight him.

Thus, Budo was often ill-suited for counterinsurgency, guerrilla warfare, or bandit suppression. His forte lay solely in decisive battles fought head-on.

“Interesting. You also wield the power of thunder. So, you’re the Herrscher traitor Her Majesty spoke of?”

Mei’s gaze hardened as she surveyed the surroundings, sensing the convergence of tens of thousands of Honkai signatures closing in.

“A traitor? Her Majesty? Apologies, but I have no idea what you’re talking about. I’m simply following my heart.”

“Hmph, of course. You people, living in selfish chaos, accustomed to your unrestrained freedoms, see only your own interests. You have no understanding of loyalty or patriotism.”

The words were steeped in double standards and overwhelming arrogance, a blatant imposition of one’s values on others. Yet, for Budo, speaking such things came without a shred of guilt or hesitation.

In the feudal hierarchy of an absolute monarchy, it was normal—natural, even—for an emperor to impose his will on others. Those of higher rank could likewise enforce their will upon subordinates. To Budo, this was simply the way of things.

To his mind, the Great Crusade was nothing more than an amplified and enhanced version of the Empire’s historical wars against foreign tribes.

The progressive ideals and liberal philosophies encountered during these campaigns? For someone as steadfast in loyalty as Budo, they were no different from heresy or cultish deviance, and he crushed them without mercy.

Tsk. What else could one expect? Truly, General Budo is as rigid as they come.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

The relentless crashing of drop pods and Thunderhawk assault ships continued to echo throughout the city and surrounding wilderness. Out of the corners of their eyes, Kevin and Mei could see that the edges of the crater left by orbital bombardments were now teeming with heavily armored Astartes warriors.

Compared to the scale of what they faced, Kevin and Mei were like a lone leaf adrift on a vast, stormy ocean—so small, so insignificant.

This sensation—this crushing disparity—was one neither Kevin nor Mei had ever experienced before. Not even Kevin, who had once fought the Herrschers of the Previous Era, had known what it felt like to be so overwhelmingly outnumbered.

“To stand alone against the many.”

“The righteous have many allies, while those who stray find themselves abandoned.”

Kevin never imagined this few would one day describe the warriors who fought against the Honkai.

It had always been humanity that surrounded and overwhelmed the Herrschers. But now, what was this?

How had the tables turned so completely?

Humans… surrounded by the Herrscher’s forces?

If the enemy were Honkai Beasts or the undead, Kevin wouldn’t have cared, no matter how many there were. But these heavily armored warriors?

Though their bodies radiated Honkai energy, Kevin knew—they were human. They had their own consciousness, their own will.

Why would humans pledge their lives to the Herrscher of the End?

“Is this what you’re relying on?”

Raiden Mei drew her crimson-black Key of Castigation. Lightning flickered through her violet-red eyes as they darted about, scanning for an opening, a chance to escape.

For Mei, joining World Serpent had always been a temporary measure. Her ultimate purpose—her one and only driving force—was Kiana.

Helping World Serpent? Comradeship with Kevin? Standing together against their foes? Saving the world? None of it compared to Kiana’s importance!

“In my heart, you are more important than this world. If saving you is a sin, then let me be the sinner.”

For Kiana’s sake, Mei was willing to be seen as ungrateful, disloyal—willing even to endure being cursed as a traitor or worse. None of that mattered.

Suddenly, Mei’s eyes sharpened.

Behind Budo, a burst of violet light flared to life, growing brighter by the second. Superluminal teleportation tore open the fabric of reality, and from the warped black void came an overwhelming surge of hostile energy.

More enemies?

Dozens of towering figures armored in heavy gear emerged from the swirling dimensional rift, stepping onto the frozen expanse.

They seemed to belong to different units, as indicated by the varied colors of their armor—some gray and white, others blue—and the distinct insignias on their shoulder plates, such as “Wolves” and “U.”

One thing was certain: they were all officers and commanders. Their master-crafted power armor was adorned with intricate engravings, ornate sashes, and medals symbolizing honor.

Indeed, they were members of the Honor Guard of Legion Commanders, the most elite warriors of the Astartes legions. Their arrival could only mean one thing.

“Grand General! The areas assigned to Dorn are secured. Robert and I are here to assist you.”

Before their figures emerged, a rough and wild voice thundered through the crater.

A colossal figure—taller by half than the other armored giants—strode forward. His wild golden hair flowed freely, and his sheer presence was overwhelming, radiating raw, destructive energy that pulsated visibly around him.

His custom gray-white power armor was festooned with the fangs of various beasts. His shoulder plates, heavy and inscribed with intricate runes and rivets, bore an emblem of the Imperial double-headed eagle intertwined with a wolf’s insignia. Around his neck guard was an elaborately sculpted maw of a snarling beast, entwined with gold olive-leaf patterns. The numeral “VI” boldly marked his identity.

“Russ? Robert?”

A flicker of surprise crossed Budo’s face. He had expected Robert to stay back and command operations from the flagship. That a Commander known for his scholarly demeanor would recklessly descend into the frontlines was unexpected.

“Hey, Grand General, why does everyone assume I’d remain on the flagship?”

The voice came from another towering figure draped in blue power armor with golden trim. His short golden hair framed a head adorned with a laurel crown. The golden “U” emblem on his chest gleamed, and the numeral “XIII” marked his neck guard. With a sigh, Robert spoke with evident resignation.

The Roman numerals triggered an epiphany for Mei, sending a chill crawling up her spine.

Crack—!

Suddenly, the sound of ice forming echoed sharply. Mei turned to see Kevin, standing rigidly by her side, his blue eyes locked intensely on the blue-armored giant identified as Robert.

Through the gaps in Kevin’s black fingerless gloves, Mei could see veins bulging on his hands.

A shockwave radiated from his body, creating an icy gust of wind that roared through the battlefield.

Was it the sword?

Following Kevin’s gaze, Mei’s eyes focused on the dark greatsword at Robert’s waist. The blade was still sheathed, its exact design concealed, but its hilt resembled the interlocking barrels of twin pistols, emitting a faint orange-red glow.

“There’s no need for more words, Raiden Mei. I’ll hold him off. You go find Kiana—she’s in Central Europe, at Korosten.”

Kevin began walking forward. Beneath his feet, an irregular continent of purple-blue ice blocks formed and shifted, creating the impression of a trembling, unstable ground.

His voice was cold, and each word carried a crushing weight, suffused with an oppressive, glacial chill.

“Fascinating… Haha! Robert, that guy… his target is you!”

Leman Russ let out a hearty, unrestrained laugh and heavily slapped Robert on the shoulder.

“Robert, this is your stage. Please, take it away.”

With a raised brow, Budo stepped aside, making room.

“…”

Robert shrugged his shoulder, brushing off Russ’s wolf-like paw with an irritated expression.

Even someone as composed as Robert couldn’t entirely suppress his annoyance. Damn it! Why does everyone think I’m the weak link here?

What do they mean by this? Do I really look easier to bully than Russ or the Grand General?

Looking at the three Astartes Legion Commanders present, it was hard to avoid the impression. Compared to Budo, whose booming voice and blood-soaked veteran aura exuded an iron will, or Leman Russ, a tempest of primal savagery, Robert did appear more… scholarly.

“An ice manipulator, like Esdeath? Let’s see how you measure up against her!”

Boom—!

With a grim expression, Robert stomped the ground heavily. The immense force cracked the frozen terrain, splitting it like a spiderweb. Gripping the hilt of his sword, an intense crimson glow erupted across his entire body, flaring wildly.

Clang!

As the crimson greatsword left its sheath, Kevin’s composure shattered! Before Judgment of Shamash had returned to his possession, wasn’t it last wielded by Siegfried Kaslana? How did Robert obtain the materials and technology required to create a Key of God?

“Judgment of Shamash was forged by Mei to defeat the Honkai. As a lapdog of the Herrscher of the End, you are unworthy to wield it!”

“Insolence! This weapon was bestowed upon me by Her Majesty. Ignorant fool, you deserve to die!”

“Judgment unleashed.”

A deep hum surged through the air, quickly escalating into a thunderous roar.

BOOM!

Meanwhile, at Korosten.

“So this is what you call war?”

Kiana and her companions stood amidst the charred, ruined earth of Korosten. In the distance, the faint outline of a human city loomed on the horizon.

Against the backdrop of rising flames and smoke, smokestacks stretching skyward came into view. Just minutes ago, this city in the midst of an inferno had likely been a bustling, prosperous metropolis.

Scorching heat waves roared through the surrounding countryside. Sparse woods near the city’s outskirts were baked by the hot winds; their leaves withered and dried, exuding an aura of desolation.

In the skies above, the Hyperion had been captured. Its hull, barely 300 meters long, appeared diminutive against the Imperial Navy’s enormous battleships, which measured tens of kilometers in length.

On the ground below, Thunderhawk assault ships and Astartes drop pods covered the landscape. Thousands upon thousands of black-armored Astartes warriors were assembling into formation.

Faced with these towering giants who seemed to be watching them closely, Kiana and her group wore grave expressions. The atmosphere hung heavy, fraught with awkwardness and unease.

The entities driving this war were all humans. This was a civil war—humans fighting among themselves. Were they really expected to intervene? To kill?

Despite their overwhelming combat abilities, many of these Valkyries had joined Schicksal under the banner of “fighting for a better world.” If they weren’t members of the specialized units tasked with carrying out the dirtiest operations, they had rarely, if ever, killed another human.

Honkai Beasts and the Zombies didn’t count.

“Lord Alex, Lady Alyssa, may I ask—when will we have an audience with your so-called Majesty?”

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