The siege of Hades's Nest Capital was over. Although there were still a large amount of green skins inside the Nest Capital, it was only a matter of time before they were destroyed and dispersed without their leaders.
After the war, one thing is about to face, one thing that every commander is least willing to face.
Count the casualties.
Originally, this was done by the political commissar of Arrek, but the two years of siege had completely exhausted his energy. When Soshiyang saw the other party again, he could no longer recognize that the white-haired old man was the former political commissar of high spirits.
Arrek's body almost completely collapsed. Even if the green skin was not attacked, his physical functions would completely decline after a while and then die.
Even after he was sent to the medical cabin, he did not wake up until a week later.
As a last resort, Soshiyan took his duty.
In fact, the specific casualties cannot be counted in a short period of time, because the losses are too heavy. A rough count shows that the surviving military and civilians of Hades' Nest have only 100 million, and the original 3 billion people in this Nest City.
As for Space Marines, the Star Knights were lucky. The recruits did not lose, only a few injured, and were slightly injured.
But the Holy Blood Angel suffered a considerable loss. Four of the ten soldiers who came to support him were spilled blood on the battlefield, and the whereabouts of the team leader's think tank was unknown, and there was a high probability that there would be more and more dangers.
This made Soshiyan feel guilty. It was precisely because of his strategy that Hades Nest suffered such huge losses and that Arric would struggle to hold on for so long.
Although the nest was kept, he did not have the slightest joy of victory.
Just as he was busy dealing with the aftermath, an unexpected person suddenly found him-
At that time, Soshiyan was handling official duties at the Governor's residence, but the recruit Bahram suddenly requested to see him. Although it was a little strange, Soshiyan still dispersed his left and right.
Hearing heavy footsteps stopping outside the door, Soshiyang put down the data board and said softly:
"Come in."
The door opened, Bahram saluted, then walked to the red carpet of the house, and then fell to one knee in front of Soshiyan's unexpected gaze.
The candlelight from the candle shook on the firm lines on the recruit's face and dyed his black hair a deeper layer of golden glow.
"What's wrong?"
Soshiyang's surprised words passed through the room as if the executioner's blade had streaked across the whetstone.
Bahram was silent for a while before answering, and he lowered his head, as if thinking about how to express his meaning in the most concise sentence.
"I killed a combat monk."
He said slowly, his voice was low but still calm.
Soshiyan did not respond.
The recruit then raised his head and met his scorching gaze with the calm gaze of the commander of the battle.
"I killed the think tank of the Holy Blood Angels Chapter, Kalistarius."
Soshyan did not act very surprised because he already knew from Armin that the last person who met the think tank was Bahram.
"Chief, can you tell me what happened at that time?"
Bahram nodded and told everything that happened that day without missing a word.
Half an hour later—
The hall was silent, and Bahram bent his head as he recounted what he had experienced.
After saying that, he raised his head and looked directly at Soshiyang's gaze.
After hearing everything, Soshiyang was silent for a moment, then sighed and said:
"You already know what Black Rage is, right?"
"Yes, the company commander told me afterwards."
Soshyang looked at the recruit's face, and then realized that the other party's face was as firm as he did, and also had black eyes and black hair - their commonality was not limited to genetic inheritance from the protozoa, they also came from the same world.
"How do you think of this curse that has bothered the Holy Blood Angels."
“That…is unfortunate.”
"But what you don't know is that every primrose has its own special power, and San Gilles's power is foreseeable. He already knew that he would fight Horus and that he would die in this battle, but he still chose to do so."
"Can..."
"This is the choice of the sons of San Gilles, who, at the moment they became Space Marines, rushed to death at a speed far beyond others, which is foreseeable... Even though they have so many defects, they do not regard this defect as a shame, because it is the only remaining bond between them and the dead Primros."
"But if there weren't those words I said..."
Before Bahram could finish speaking, Soshyan raised his hand and interrupted him.
"I have only one question to ask you, what choice would you make if you had switched with the Caristarius brothers?"
Bahram was speechless.
"Your silence is the answer."
Soshiyang said with a smile:
"You have no sins worth repentant, and I believe that the last decision of the Caristarius brothers made, not because of the stimulation of your words, your behavior is an achievement you should proudly recall, you saved thousands of civilians from death and horror."
"But that's a think tank. If my language is not so strong, maybe-"
Bahram shook his head and said:
"The Empire needs warriors, and this is even more so now. Even an ordinary combat monk's losses are extremely serious failures, and I should bear full responsibility for this."
"No, you're wrong, the empire needs humanity."
Soshiyang corrected seriously:
"This is a very important reason for our existence to protect all humanity, no matter how humble their status and identity are... Another point, you are right, the preciousness of a combat monk, so the rescued civilians will never forget that their lives were exchanged for an emperor's warrior, and those children, in their future lives, will grow into a strong and upright person, and remember the sinister threatening the empire, and know that they always need to be on guard."
Bahram thought about the leader's words and said nothing.
"As long as we continue to sacrifice ourselves for victory, the future of the empire will be safe. If some of us die because of this - even you and me, there is no need to be sad. This is our mission. You should not blame yourself with this. We all have to bear these inevitable things. We are the angels of death of the emperor, and we are shoulder to shoulder with death."
Bahram was still silent,
"This is a difficult class, a class you must review at all times. What you may sacrifice in the future is your comrades who will accompany you day and night."
After Soshiyan finished speaking, he stretched out his hand wearing armor-covered.
Bahram was stunned for a moment, then grabbed it and put his palms together - it was more like a handshake between brothers than a handshake between the Warriors.
"We are the torch that illuminates the darkest moments of mankind, and this dark moment is the present moment. May you and I burn with glory and never sway, but we will use this to commemorate the sacrificed warriors and the lives we save in the future."
"Captain of the Battle Team, I understand."
The confusion on Bahram's face went away, and only determination was left. He nodded and stood up.
"But you still need to provide the place where Monk Kalistarius sacrificed. Although the genetic seeds cannot be recovered, at least we can return his relics to Captain Dante."
"I have reported it to the company commander as soon as possible, and he will take people there-"
As he was talking, the emergency communicator in the hall suddenly rang.
Soshiyan walked over and pressed the button, and then Armin's nervous voice came.
"Captain of War, emergency."
"What's up?"
"We did not find the remains of Monk Kalistarius!"