135 Lost Time and Ruined City
William's vox request for a Thunderhawk was immediately accepted as it seem his forces were looking for him and Living Saint. An hour or so later, the howling three Thunderhawks arrived and unload two platoons of elite guardsmen as they secure the landing zone (even though it wasn't necessary as William and others already established it long ago).
To William's surprise, an office to greet the Chapter Master is Lord Creed, the supreme commander of William's Astra Militarum and senior advisor. Lord Creed in his wisdom and years of experience in the service to the Golden Throne gave a data plate for William to read before explaining the detail within.
"You are joking about this report, right? I have only been gone for like half a day." Said William after reading the detailed report from the data plate.
"No, my lord. You and Lady Beckett have been gone almost a whole week. I assume wicked warp magic that teleported you cause the loss of time." Lord Creed said to William while he ignore the whole different situation that was going on between his men, Living Saint, and reptile-like Xenos called Dragonborn.
"So, while Living Saint and I were fighting and exploring the dungeon to escape, my entire chapter went on their own version of crusade?"
"Well… considering that you and lady suddenly disappeared. Each of the company captains decided to level the whole region looking for you. From investigating the trap chamber that teleported you here to cleansing every tainted city, let's just say vampire taint is no longer a thing." Lord Creed continues.
"During this time, Sisters of Battle did their thing which is burning all heretics who forsaken humanity while Knights and Titans return to the capital for the complete repairs/blessing of the Machine God."
"What about you and Lord Commissar Cain?" Asked William as he wanted to know how his advisor and hero of the Imperium reacted for the past week.
"Knowing you and how you always return to us with new tales of adventure, I decided to send Lord Commissar Cain back to the capital with half of our forces. As for myself, I had my men secure the Black Phalanx (Enemy's capital city) in case you and Lady Beckett return to us the same way you disappeared."
"I'm surprised that none of my battle brothers joined you when I requested an airlift. Did you have something to do with that?" William return the date plate back to Lord Creed and smiled as he knew something was up. After hearing about the complete destruction of the vampire-tainted land and its forces, William knew something interesting must happen before he made a call.
"Of course, I had to step up. Your battle brothers including honor guards were in complete mayhem and couldn't be reasoned with. I had to invoke my authority in order to depart without having the entire company of Adeptus Astartes weighting down the Thunderhawks. I swear my lord, I have seen more mature cadets in Scholar Progenium than Adeptus Astartes howling like madmen." Lord Creed put a fresh cigar in his mouth but didn't light it due to his old habit.
"I understand. It seems my return has to be in haste before my battle brothers decide to march here with the full might of the Imperium. By the way, I would like to invite the adventures I met during my exploration to the dungeon. Make sure no harm comes to them as they have vital intel related to our return to the Imperium." Said William as he turn around to see men and women of the guardsmen having a conversation with surviving members of the Divine Heralds.
"It will be done, my lord. Your Thunderhawk has plenty of room for them to join your return." With that said Lord Creed has a few of his men ready to depart as well as planting a few explosives to destroy the entrance to the tomb.
The flight back to the main force back in Black Phalanx was a smooth transition. There was no interruption such as encountering any flying monsters or uneventful situations such as encountering harsh weather.
A short hour later, William and Rana once return to the recent warzone where for them just a few hours was full siege against Alpha Legion. Unlike how William remembered the region, a dark and hunted land is now dark, somewhat hunted, and on fire as even the forest was still burning due to unknown reasons.
"Some of the Astartes were conducting a cleansing of sorts by burning down the entire forest using all types of flame weapons. I believe their exact words were, "No living even the plants tainted by the traitors shall not escape the purge."' Lord Creed said thought the vox communicator as everyone saw barren land that was once covered by the dense forest that block the sunlight from reaching the soil.
Welcoming the Chapter Master and Living Saint was an entire chapter of the Black Souls and Sisters of Battle as they had been anticipating their respected leaders' return. The whole scene was the military formation and ceremony of the heroes' return as nothing in this world could stop them from conducting this event.
The land is cleansed with fire and ashes, cities and unforgiven are burned to the ground, and finally, any sign of taints related to chaos or local curses were removed thanks to the Null Marine's blank ability. In short, William's forces transformed a once-cursed land into a complete restart, ready to be resettled by the humans and other races.
"Welcome back Chapter Master and Lady Beckett. We have been waiting for your return." The 1st Captain of the 1st company said as he welcome two leaders back. Meanwhile, the Sisters of Battle scream in joyous as their light to the Emperor return to them once again.
As this was going on, the Divine Heralds stood in shock as not even adventurers of their level could match the caliber of welcoming such as William's and Rana's. It was at this moment when Durand the Golden One gently laughed as he was the first to match the puzzles.
"I now see the strings of destiny intertwined. William, no Lord William is the one we were supposed to deliver the dragon mask to. It seems our divine mission to save the world is intact." Said Durand.
"I see what you mean. They might be the greatest force I have ever laid eyes upon. No force would be able to match them on the battlefield." Zerth Graymore replies back as he saw a legion of heavy-plated knights and beautiful women in black armor with fearsome weapons in their hands. What terrified him was the background of the welcoming ceremony. After founding out that they are traveling to the land of the vampires, every Divine Heralds protested as they knew the fearsome reputation of the vampire ruling the land of the shadow. Now, he and everyone from his party are standing in the ruined city with a massive fortress once before able to withhold a mighty army, smoking while walls are destroyed and roofs are gone due to fire.
"Are we sure gods are right about him? I mean, it looks like they are about to embark on a world conquest." Saro Earthwing, the druid of the party said to others in a whisper as she wasn't sure if William is a side of good.
"We were given a promise of protection from the man who is a leader among his brothers, but not a king among his people. I believe there is more to be learned before judging the man." Said Harland the Dwarf as he surprised everyone with his wisdom.
"What? I do have insight into seeing the character of a person before deciding who they are." Said dwarf as he place his bent shield next to him.
"Harland is correct. We must seek more information before jumping into the darkness, whether that will lead us to fire or a field of flowers, that is something we must face after." Durand the Golden One said with agreement to the old dwarf's words and move forwards, to follow the giant man in steel armor.
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The city was in ruins. That was the first thing William thought when he saw the burned city and fortress castle. There is no way Prince Benton and his people would be able to settle as there is nothing to flow or plant a root into. Maybe after a year or two the land naturally recovering would give the opportunity to settle but until then, the land of the former vampires is nothing but a scorched earth. For this, William knew he is the blame as his disappearance led to complete insanity within half of his forces.
"I know what you are thinking but look at it on the bright side. We don't have to worry about leftover curses or monsters. They did well in some way." Rana assures William as she grabs his hand. Feeling the sense of connection with his love, William smiled and move forward with his men and women welcoming them with cheers.
Due to the massive destruction of the city, the remaining forces including Lord Creed's guardsmen staged their camp within the most open area of the city. With most of the heavy vehicles, knights, and titans returned to the capital, the remaining forces have light vehicles and enough supplies to last long as they need to.
After entering the massive tent used as a command center and meeting place, William received a quick brief of the current situation and he concluded that there is no reason to stay there any longer (Because there is nothing to kill at this point).
With their report finished, William gave his side of the story after he and Rana disappeared from the battlefield. The confirmation of the Alpha Legion's trap, the destruction of their ritual, and meeting the native adventurers inside of the dungeon. William explained everything and moved to the next phase of the tale where he and others had to face multiple dragons after reaching the surface.
No one interrupted William's tale as everyone listen quietly. When William finishes his tale, a representative from the Sisters of Battle asked with one simple question.
"So, we can't kill that reptile Xenos?"
"Don't kill the one and only source of intel we need to find the last mask," William said to everyone in a clear voice as he need Divine Heralds to find the last dragon mask.
"For now, we will return to Terranovis for well a deserved rest. We must reach out to other nations to find out where this last red dragon mask might be. Until then, be ready for anything. If we are too late, we might end up facing another god-tier-level enemy equal to forces of chaos." Said William and dismissed the meeting for the day. He was tired and couldn't believe lose an entire week from the Alpha Legion's teleportation. William decided to send out his spies and assassins for intel gathering while he himself do some research of his own from previous campaigns back when he was a normal man.
"My apologies for the rudeness of my men. All of you are under my protection and if you need anything just ask me or Rana and we will provide."
"We are going to need to report back to our guild what happened to us." Said Elda.
"A place to set tent would be enough." Said Zerth.
"By chance any artifacts or books left in the library?" Said Durand.
"I need a drink." Said Harland and this made everyone laugh as they suddenly realized they all are hungry. After the initial laugh ended, the reality finally hit them as they remember the death of Stand Cloudfist and the betrayal of Ver Ravenwing.
"All will be provided. When you are fully rested and ready, I will need all of you to find the final dragon mask." William said to the Divine Heralds and left the tent to find his own rest.
Rana smiled and follow William for she must tend to her sisters before they lose their patience and mind.
A few days later, Prince Benton and his men arrived to provide a change of swift as William's force pack their requirements and return to Terranovis. Their action was extreme but effective as never again did the new territory of the Alderim become the land of monsters or the target of diseases or curses.
