Thanks for Exalted, Gallerhad and Michael Thunder for becoming as Supporters!
===BREAK===
Come to think of it, this was already the third time the Belisarian Furnace had saved his life. After only a few months in New Eridu, he had used it more frequently than back in the Warhammer universe.
After all, when the sky falls, the tallest bears the weight. During past missions, Sergeant Volkanic and Veteran Sindefist had always taken good care of him. Though the Aggressors were the attacking force, in truth that force had almost always been the two of them. Most of the time, Ignis just stood behind them as support.
But in New Eridu, he had to shoulder the pillar that upheld the heavens himself. Cerakos was formidable, but as the eldest son, he was far less durable when it came to absorbing punishment. As for Brother Gotthardt, though the Leviathan Dreadnought was immensely powerful, its massive size restricted movement in many situations.
Especially within New Eridu's environment—most battles took place inside the city. A steel behemoth over five meters tall and weighing dozens, even hundreds of tons would inevitably cause destruction to the city, no matter how skilled the pilot or how responsive the machine. Its heavy weaponry was also restricted when civilian casualties had to be considered.
Moreover, the Chaos adversaries encountered thus far had all been elite single entities of small stature. The Leviathan Dreadnought would find it difficult to catch them directly. The Salamander suddenly understood why small-unit clustering was invincible—the target was truly small, and he himself was truly strong.
He let out a sigh and buried his face in Jane Doe's thigh. She had recently switched body wash. It smelled wonderful.
"Always wearing such a bitter expression…"
Her firm nails scraped lightly across his scalp, making the Salamander itch slightly. His hair had grown out again lately; he would need to shave it soon.
"Judging by the outcome, this should count as a victory."
Warmth flowed from her palm into his scalp as the Thiren woman gently stroked Ignis' head.
"You've already done wonderfully…"
Even in the comfort of his beloved's touch, The Salamander could not find happiness. He knew this victory was only temporary. As long as the connection to the Warp remained unsevered, invasions would come again. The only questions were when they would be discovered, whether they could be contained, and how many sacrifices they would demand.
"Too many innocent people died." Ignis still could not let it go. "Many of them were children."
"I know you tried your very best. I believe no one could have done better than you."
He felt soft pressure against the back of his head as Jane Doe wrapped both arms around his neck, hugging the giant's head tightly.
"You don't need to blame yourself anymore. My warrior did everything he could—fought bathed in blood, exhausted every ounce of strength. You even wagered your own life. What is left to reproach?"
The Thiren woman spoke softly, patiently guiding the Salamander. She knew that although this giant appeared ugly and fierce enough to make children cry at night, his heart was gentler than anyone's and valued promises more deeply than most.
She had watched the footage recorded by the Public Security body cameras—the mutated serpent creatures, flesh-beasts, the four-armed, half-male half-female Slaanesh Champion who fought as though it was dancing, and the grotesque enemies crawling out of portals. All of it had exceeded the imagination of New Eridu's government departments.
The Defense Force and Hollow Special Operations Section 6 were analyzing the recordings and discussing countermeasures. As the commander and survivor of the operation, Zhu Yuan had been attending high-intensity briefings nonstop, nearly collapsing from exhaustion.
Recalling the hoarse voice and fatigued state she had heard over the phone, Jane Doe felt almost fortunate that a last-minute assignment had kept her from participating.
If she had been in danger, this big man would certainly have rushed in recklessly to save her. And perhaps that would have only burdened him further.
She tightened her embrace, hoping her body warmth would bring him even a sliver of comfort. After all, he had failed to keep his promise—and he was someone who held oaths sacred.
"I couldn't save Emile… He was sacrificed. And those children too. Not a single one was saved…"
Jane Doe remembered the boy. She had met him once at a gathering. Shy and reserved—but when speaking of his artistic dreams, his face had transformed, his eyes shining brightly. It was difficult not to like him. Moreover, she had walked the underground world for years and appraised countless masterworks used for money laundering.
In Emile's work, there were already traces of many great masters. His passion for art itself had begun to reveal itself in his creations.
Though his technique was still immature, that passion was no different from the renowned masters—given time, he would have become an outstanding artist.
But fate had played a lethal joke. Such a talented child had been burdened with a terrible family. Though one could understand the despair born of life's pressures, even after receiving financial support and being able to earn a living through art, his parents had still sought total control—sending him into a place called a behavioral correction school that was in truth a hell.
Jane Doe did not know how to judge it. She could only sigh at the cruelty of fate. Ignis had poured his heart and strength into helping Emile resist that cruelty.
But effort did not always yield reward.
The Thiren woman understood the pain her lover endured. The only thing she could do was hold him and accompany him through this difficult time.
She believed Ignis was a strong warrior. These setbacks might bring him temporary pain, loss, even despair. But someone so brave and resolute would surely find reason to rise again.
If he had fallen into gloom, then she would simply stay by his side longer. He deserved that. He had given much to this world—nearly even his life.
Through their clothes, he felt her softness and warmth, inhaled her scent. Ignis' heart pounded rapidly. Though they had already shared kisses and intimacy more than once, this woman still felt unreal to him.
Deep within, The Salamander carried a trace of inferiority. He had seen too many greater than himself. During his service to The Emperor, he had witnessed countless acts of astonishing bravery.
Soldiers of the Astra Militarum charging forward in waves, facing certain death, merely to buy these demigod warriors the opportunity to break enemy lines and strike command nodes. He would never forget those young, vibrant lives—bayonets fixed, charging foes many times their size, viciously and desperately driving steel into alien flesh.
Even if such wounds barely inconvenienced a Tyranid Warrior, perhaps stunning it for less than a second.
Sergeant Volkanic had said that the best repayment for such sacrifices was victory—making their deaths meaningful.
But this time? What had the sacrifices of the officers and the children achieved?
Ignis was no Librarian, and his understanding of the Warp was limited to theories from Old Terra. But portals surely required coordinates. If opened once, they could be opened again.
New Eridu's future was far from optimistic. This post-apocalyptic city possessed an unusually developed entertainment industry—here, the Prince of Pleasure held a natural advantage.
Worry for the future, the broken promise to a friend, mourning for the fallen—these tangled emotions, combined with physical weakness, plunged Ignis into deep torment.
It was like innocent people bound upon railway tracks. You believed you held the lever to divert the train and save them. Yet in truth, what you grasped was merely a cane—useless. All you could do was watch as the train thundered forward, crushing everything.
"You did not accomplish nothing. Their sacrifices were not meaningless." Jane Doe whispered into his ear.
"The footage Zhu Yuan and the others recorded is being studied across New Eridu's departments, discussing how to prevent such an incident from recurring."
"Before this, the report I submitted regarding Razor received little attention. Public Security assumed it was just some deranged new religious cult, and the mutations were considered a new type of Hollow corruption."
"But this time, with comprehensive documentation and staggering casualties, those lofty officials were shaken. Whether they know it or not, a crisis no less—perhaps far greater—than the Hollows is brewing."
"At least this time, some people have awakened to the new threat."
She gently kissed the back of his head, his bristly hair prickling slightly against her lips.
"And you are not omnipotent. Frankly speaking, even counting your battle-brothers, there were only three of you. Judging from the footage, you were more than exceptional."
"From the channels I know, there are few in all of New Eridu braver or stronger than you."
"Those monsters surged like a tide, yet you never retreated."
"Without your desperate stand, perhaps I would not be holding you now…"
Her tenderness nearly brought him to tears. The Salamander wrapped his arms around her slender waist.
She understood everything. She must have endured similar helplessness before.
To Ignis, this woman was a treasure granted by The Emperor—a small reward from whatever force had sent him to this world.
Of course, that was a joke. Their relationship had been dramatic from the start—they had fought upon their first meeting.
He sighed, warm breath brushing her skin and making her squirm slightly, though her embrace never loosened.
In truth, he had been thinking. In the illusion shown by the mirror, he had proposed to Jane Doe… perhaps it was not impossible.
She understood him. Supported him. That alone was exceptional. And like him, she wished for New Eridu's safety and the cessation of crime.
If lifespan were not a factor, she would be the ideal partner… But the lifespan of a Primaris Space Marine was uncertain—if not slain in battle, was at least a millennium.
And mortals…
No. Precisely because mortals lived briefly, time must be seized.
Ignis gently pushed Jane Doe, and she released him immediately.
"Feeling better?" she smiled. "Or do you want another hug?"
She opened her arms. Due to their size difference, she could rarely embrace his torso—usually only his head.
"Jane Doe." Ignis swallowed, utterly serious.
"What is it? So formal all of a sudden?"
"Will you marry me?"
"Wha—!?"
The Thiren woman's shock was visible. She froze entirely, skin flushing from torso to arms to face, like a steamed shrimp.
"Why would you suddenly say that?" The usually calm and calculating Jane Doe panicked, flustered.
"I simply believe you are an excellent partner. I wish to spend my life with you." Ignis' gaze was steadfast and sincere.
"But I haven't even told you my real name!" she blurted, scrambling for words.
"That doesn't matter. A name is only a code. I recognize you."
"But—my work isn't exactly convenient for marriage!"
"I can wait. I can help you. That won't stop me."
"But—but…"
She hardly knew what she was saying. His confession was as direct as he was—reckless, yet filled with resolve.
It was difficult to refuse.
And truthfully, he was a fine partner. Though their path had been rocky, he had ultimately saved her from Razor.
Even after she had hurt and deceived him.
Honestly—this giant's sudden strike was too cunning. How was she supposed to answer such a question immediately?
For the first time, the psychological expert who delighted in teasing others found herself ambushed. Sincerity truly was a killing move—inescapable.
"Then…" she looked into his flame-like eyes, "when the right opportunity comes… alright?"
"Alright!" The giant nodded without hesitation and smoothly pressed her onto the bed. "How about now?"
What was there left to object to? Don't ask at a time like this!
She could only nod as he beamed like an excited child. How had things suddenly become like this?
Just as he began fumbling at her clothes, her phone rang at the most inappropriate moment.
Jane Doe decisively hung up. Whatever it was, it could wait.
===BREAK===
Like the story and want more chapters?
Join and support me by joining my Patreon!
[email protected]/SiRoasa