"War is painful, and cleaning up the battlefield is even more painful. There are two sides to everything, and you can't enjoy the thrill of revenge and killing without suffering the casualties of war."

Robert Killiman put down his pen and rubbed his brow, a few strands of hair running down his forehead, causing a flurry of itching.

It had been a long time since he had worked on his grooming, and his short white hair had become longer and longer, along with the stubble that had emerged, as proof of his work day and night.

If a lady far away in Maculag saw this, she would probably be very angry and tell him that as a ruler, he should lead by example. She would probably also say that maintaining an image is not part of the job, but it is just as important as the work itself.

Robert Killyman chuckled as he leaned back, leaning back in his chair and staring out the porthole outside the study.

Outside the window, the stars twinkled, and the debris of the battleship and the aftermath of the explosion continued. If a battleship is not destroyed immediately, that is, completely smashed to pieces, then its death will continue for a considerable period of time.

According to Kiliman's observations during this time, if an ordinary destroyer is hit by the engine, then, until it completely disintegrates, such an explosion can be watched for up to two hours.

He hadn't made similar observations of the larger ships yet, and it had to do with the fact that the Whisperers hadn't left much of a living force on the edge of the Five Hundred Worlds.

Thinking about these things, the smile on the original face gradually dissipated. He stood up and turned it off as the timer he had placed on the table sounded. Dressed in his armor, he began to pace around his study.

The wooden floors were weighing on undue weight, and the creaking sound made Killiman think about whether or not to replace them all with metal, and he slowly walked to the study door and glanced back at another porthole.

There, a distorted sun spun slowly, and it no longer looked like a fireball, but a chaotic ball of light that gathered filthy and evil light. It has brought countless bad effects to this galaxy.

Robert Killiman closed his eyes, turned his head, pushed open the door, and began walking. The victorious soldiers followed him closely, their steps in unison, and their footsteps completely coincided.

Through the restored elevator, Killiman quickly reached the meeting room. As he expected, it was already full of people, and in the stepped upward seats, there were many officers who had arrived in advance talking to each other. Even if he had arrived, he did not stop, at best he was just paying attention to him.

However, this kind of conversation should actually be called a quarrel. It usually happens between Ultramarines, who will quarrel over a number on a battle report, try to convince each other with their theoretical models, and sometimes even throw fists at each other.

The Nightblades don't do that, but it's not a good thing. There is another ethos within them, which is far more terrible than quarrels. No one knows exactly where it came from, but Killeman calls it the 'Silent Smile'.

Just like the word suggests, if they don't agree with one of your opinions or plans, they won't say anything for a while, just give a very unpleasant smile and then just stare at you without saying a word, or simply shake their heads

It is not until they can't stand to take the initiative to speak that they will point out a possible shortcoming or inadequacy.

It's hard to say which of these two ways of persuading the other person in a conversation is better, but which is more annoying, and I'm afraid you don't even need to choose.

Robert Killiman strode up to his long table and began to retrieve the plans, tactical supplements, and various war reports and reports on the condition of the ships that had been reported to him.

Behind him was an extremely large star map, showing the appearance of the five hundred worlds of Otrama. The exact condition of most of the areas is temporarily marked as unknown, but most of the worlds they have passed through have been painted red, or simply painted with a heavy layer of black.

Heavy tapestries and flags woven by the Ultramarines swayed gently across the four walls of the stepped boardroom, and it was worth mentioning that a flag belonging to the Midnight Blade was also included, which was kept at a distance from the Ultramarines' flags and enjoyed a small area on its own.

To sum up, I think that subspace is eroding this universe as we know it, this world."

"The laws of physics that we've learned are collapsing, and so is the way we perceive the world. Therefore, we must change our perception of war, as well as our perception of the universe, in order to maintain our sanity in the midst of the bloodshed committed by the Bearers, and travel long distances and blood to seek revenge on them. ”

—Commander of the 135th Company, Ionid Hill.

Kiriman silently intercepted the report of the battle, which he intended to present separately at today's meeting.

Although Ionid Hill was promoted in the line of fire and took office, he did not live up to his position. In fact, he did a pretty good job, and the kind of learning he showed was highly valued by the Lord of Maculag.

There are many Ultramarines who have a keen sense of war, but there are still a few people like Hill who can almost be called able to evolve in war.

With a sigh, he turned to the next battle report, only to hear two footsteps at this time.

"Company Commander Van Cleef." Killiman greeted without looking up, and made a small joke. "Which officer did you bring with you today?" Or is it still the same Adjutant Morets? ”

"No, it's our company's wrestling champion, Siani from Terra." Van Cleef replied without a wave. "He has a tactical vision that he wants to tell you."

Killiman finally raised his head, his expression somewhat intriguing. He glanced with considerable interest at Siani, who was standing behind Van Cleef, who was clipped to his helmet, and that calm expression fell on Killyman's eyes, but there was an urge to stop him from laughing.

"Okay." He nodded gently, not demolishing Van Cleef. "Please, Siani from Terra."

"Thank you for giving me this opportunity, my lord. I think—" Siani cleared her throat. "We need to change our old perception of war, which is outdated and an old-fashioned way of thinking."

Kiriman raised an eyebrow: "Go on." ”

Over the next ten minutes, Killiman heard a very rigorous report on tactical vision, starting with the pre-battle preparations and moving on to certain precautions for cleaning up the battlefield after the war.

He spoke clearly and clearly, but always with the speed of a manuscript, without the slightest emotion, only pausing at a few points, and with a thoughtful look on his face. He spoke quickly, but the faster he spoke, the darker expression became on Van Cleef's face as he stood aside.

Killiman laughed to himself, but also gave the report a rather high compliment after Siani's debriefing.

"Your report is amazing, Siani." He looked at Siani and said sincerely. "Every detail is very detailed, and you have obviously thought it through."

"Ahh "Thank you for the compliment. Then, I'll leave first, my lord, company commander. ”

"Go ahead." Van Cleef said slowly.

Robert Killiman watched him leave, and only chuckled when Siani took his seat: "You've taken great pains, Van Cleef. ”

"I can't help it, my lord." The commander of the first company said expressionlessly. "I've got a lot of idiots who like to go days without saying a word, and a few points in the report are actually his own thoughts. If I don't push him here, I'm afraid he won't tell these things until he dies. ”

"Is it really that serious?" Killiman couldn't help but ask a question.

Van Cleef replied to the Lord of Macullag with a long sigh, and there was a deep frustration on the face of the company commander.

Kiriman shook his head sympathetically - there were similar officers among the Ultramarines, very talented, but always used to keeping silent

"Also, there's one more thing I'd like to report to you." After sighing, Van Cleef spoke again.

"Say it, Van Cleef." Kiriman lowered his head and looked at the battle report again. It is not difficult for him to use two or even four or eight purposes. Moreover, the person who spoke now was Van Cleef, and he did not have to maintain superfluous etiquette.

He had known Van Cleef many years ago, though it wasn't a rosy one. But, who cares?

"Do you remember the sons of Aurelian?"

Killiman paused to slide his hand over the datapad, looked up, and nodded slowly toward Van Cleef.

Of course, he remembered this group of loyalists, and he also understood what painful blood and tears were hidden behind this loyalty. Ingrell Tay told him everything, completely, without hiding anything.

While lamenting their fate, Robert Killiman also made a vow to himself.

I'll kill the thief who stole your identity, Luojia.

"Their numbers have been reduced to a point where they can no longer afford to lose anything." Van Cleef pondered his wording and made a suggestion rather cautiously.

"They haven't missed a single battle since Cowes, and that's what left them with the last hundred. I think they should stay away from the war for a while, replenish their numbers, and recuperate. After all, they may be the last Luojia bloodline in this universe. ”

Van Cleef shook his head, paused for a moment, and added a word: "Really." ”

Kiliman looked at him solemnly.

"Have you talked to them?" The Lord of Macurag asked. "It's asking them to run away, to be deserters."

"Not yet."

"Invite them to my private reception room." Kiliman said. "I'd like to talk to them about this after the meeting."

After the update, I will recommend another book.

(End of chapter)