In the World of Sword and Magic as Space Marine

Chapter 143: Gift from the Above

"Strike fast and suddenly. Attack without warning. Secure victory before the foe is aware of his danger. Remember always, a war is easily won if your enemy does not know he is fighting." By Battle Tactics of Inquisition.

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[Good, they made themselves bigger target.] One of the Centurions said as he saw incoming boulders coming towards the advaning group.

As five large boulders are toss towards them in the air, five Centurions quickly change their armor weapon system and fires rapid missile volley to intercept the boulders. With satisfying display of precision, the boulders exploded high up in the sky, turning into pieces and dangerous debris for the enemies who failed to stay clear from the area.

Meanwhile, somewhere in distance, squad of scout Null Marines all made their aims and open fire at the same time. The synchronized sound of their new bolters hit all five giants' heads, penetrating the thick skulls and immediately killing them with one loud echoing through the mountain range.

[Temporary targets are eliminated. Nicely done, Battle Brothers of Black Ravens.] One of the Null Marines said in thanks as he and others advance their position. At the sametime, the scouts who managed to survive the first encounter against the giants before already disappeared from where they were. As they exposed their position due to providing the sniper support, they gathered their equipments the moment they confirm the kills.

It was their job to provide the intel ahead of the Chapter Master and his primary force long before they have to face them. But due to some mystery that revealed their location to the strange giants, they had to stay hidden within shadows of the mountain until time was right.

When they received the vox communication that Chapter Master made an contact with the enemy, the scouts decided to make judgement call by killing the same creatures that almost attacked them before.

[We will continue the mission. Be advised, three more armies of similar numbers are approaching.]

[Let them come. Nothing will stop us from accomplishing the work of the Emperor and Chapter Master. There can only be victory.]

[Victory to his name, brother.] The scout master said as he signal others and mixed into the shadow, in the matter of seconds, the entire scouts disappeared as if they were never there.

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William and his forces are making slow progress but effective one agains the enemy. In traditionally, invader's number will decrease as death and injuries would slow the advancement of the army. This doesn't apply for William as he can replace any supplies while number of his troops maintain their vigor as their physical enhancement helps them with no need to sleep or rest for long period of time.

William also managed to receive more rewards through the enemy defeat as some of the new rewards are more than just unit summon. While this is going on, William's other Astartes and Sisters of Battle made their move as William kept receiving countless rewards into his inventory.

Soon, William reach one of the high ground to see the wide range of area in front of him. In front of him, William saw clouds of dust in three separate locations as it gets closer towards where William is.

'The Dragon Cult is well prepared for a fight. Its like them gathered everyone within organization and above to complete the ritual of summoning. I need to move fast.' William thought to himself and scroll through his inventory. Of all items and units he can summon, he wants to see what else is there. After few minutes of scrolling and reviewing the items, William found the item that could make things go faster.

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Meanwhile,

Rana and her Sisters of Battle made an contact against an small army that was patroling the opposite side of where William was. The battle lasted longer than expected as enemy possessed an half dozen demons that could endure bolter fire. Eventually, Rana and elite group of Sisters had to handle the situation using combination of faith and blessed weapons in close combat.

The demons managed to withstand the attack for long as possible but their end was here and now as Rana slew most of them with her golden sword/spear. By the time Rana's force was reorganized and ready to move, a Sister of Battle with long range vox communicator came to deliver urgent report.

"Your Holiness, we received a repeating message from the Chapter Master of the Blacksouls. You must hear this."

Rana place a hand on her helmet to activate her vox communicator to listen to the William's message. The content of the message surprised Rana as she never in her life to hear the William say in his own words. A message of pulling back. A retreat from approaching enemies.

[This is Chapter Master William to all forces. Stay clear from approaching enemy forces. I will say again, stay clear from all enemy forces. Orbital bombardment will embark in 30 minutes.]

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"This can't be right, how come we have to pull back while our brothers are making great progress? What is Chapter Master thinking?" Wolf Seer said outloud as he and his company made an easy kill after finding a enemy base camp.

Beside him was another captain from different company. The one who came from bloodline of Dorn and known for their discipline to hold their position even if its their last stand, the Imperial fists.

"Brother, trust the Chapter Master's judgement. We are here to place an beacon and provide any backup when it is needed. We are basically away from the main forces until Chapter Master need of our bolters." Captain of the second company said to Wolf Seer with a stern face. A face shows an unmovable will and confidence that their Chapter Master will do what's right in the test of leadership.

"I only ask for one thing and one thing only. Strong drink and good fight."

"That's two, brother."

"Strong drink and having a good fight are same for me. Its a fight to survive as drinking is test of endurance while fighting an worthy opponent is an test of strength and skill. Its the way of the Wolf King and All Father." Said Wolf Seer as he drank ale from the tube built in his helmet.

"The pain and suffering are the path to truth. That is the way of the Rogal Dorn. Our Chapter Master know all of these as he is our elected leader. His calls for an orbital bombardment is sound as it will fastfoward out movement speed. Time is not in our side and this might be his only ticket for a quick victory."

"Well, I better see come challenges when we all meet after this. My ax blade hunger for decent battle and someone have to write our tale of returning back homeworld."

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William made a priority call using his authority as Imperator Fratrum and Chapter Master of the Blacksouls. The call wasn't made due to fear of defeat or death but rather to save many lives as he can as he made a judgment call that would change the history of the New World.

William knew he is making the right call as using traditional method of fighting three separate armies would just slow him down. This is why Dragon Cult is looking for as they need time much as possible. To road block the incoming force using bodies after bodies as sacrificial army of followers will give their lives for the Dragon Queen.

With heavy consideration which took only half a minute, William made decision to use the item of legendary status. This is the third time he possessed this kind of reward item. First was Terran Ship known as Mother, second was the Emperor Class Titan. Finally, third one is a legendary item, simple but powerful support type.

From William's visor, he saw the description it gave him a chill to his spine. The power in his hand and potential death/destruction is a game changer. After all, he could drop this directly at the ritual site but he wouldn't do that. After all, he is suppose to fight the Dragon Queen and defeat her, not prevent her summoning to the mortal realm.

For defeating Ancient Dragon of the Dragon Cult,

[Nova Cannon bombardment x2: A gigantice plasma cannon typically mounted on warships and Titans of highest honour from the Machine God. The Nova Cannon is powerful enough to reach speed of light and possess enough destructive power to one shot Titan. The recoile of this weapon is so powerful that a single shot can disable giant vehicle equipped within. Example of this kind of vehicle is Oberon during Helsreach where High Chaplain Merek Grimaldus order his Tech Marine battle Brother to awaken the sleeping monster from the secret vault belonging to Mechanicus. Single shot from this weapon is enough to obliterate a city into crater.]

Countdown for Nova Cannon orbital bombardment.

29 minutes.