On the platform, the Departmento Munitorum's anti-Ork manual had already been distributed.
The soldiers, initially tense due to the emergence of alien enemies, instantly relaxed following the 'authoritative' propaganda from the Departmento Munitorum, and their morale even soared significantly.
Sith looked up and scanned the area, observing these locally born-and-raised Hive City conscripts who had never seen or even heard of any aliens.
There was no fear on their faces, only eagerness to face the Orks.
'False propaganda, bringing real morale.'
Ana, whose intelligence network was far from closed—in fact, it was extremely efficient—walked up to Sith and said seriously.
A servitor skull then flew in front of them, and after a burst of rapid electronic sounds, Ana nodded in approval as she looked at the Departmento Munitorum manual.
'Calculations show that at a cost of approximately zero, the initial combat morale of the entire unit has been increased by two hundred percent. This is an extremely efficient measure.'
'Of course, the price is that at least two-thirds of their lives will be spent after the battle before they truly understand the enemy.'
Ana maintained the extreme 'rationality' of the Adeptus Mechanicus, while Sith withdrew his gaze from the soldiers and turned to look at Ana.
Under Sith's gaze, the rationality that had just risen on Ana's face slightly faded, and she even dared not meet his eyes directly.
Because whether it was his role as a key 'component' of her great invention or the exaggerated combat power Sith had displayed along the way, it made the inexperienced Ana feel immense tension in her heart toward him.
However, the rebuttal of a commander who loves his soldiers like his own children, which she had imagined, did not come. Instead, Sith looked at Ana seriously before turning his head back.
'Even if they knew in advance, just as many would die.'
'...Perhaps even more.'
Ana looked up sharply, staring at Sith in surprise, but Sith's face remained calm.
In this fucked-up world, if you insist on talking about human nature, then there is something wrong with your brain!
Perhaps in some distant future when the Golden Age returns, people can discuss these things.
But right now, how to survive until the next day is what really matters.
Watching Sith calmly accept such a small piece of the Imperium's darkness, Ana's gaze toward him suddenly became even more timid.
Cold and rational—these are the fine virtues recognized by the Imperium.
But for those around him, having a commander who actually practices these traits inevitably makes others feel a sense of fear.
But while Ana dared not look directly at Sith, his gaze turned to look straight at her.
And this time, Sith suddenly asked an inexplicable question:
'Ana, in the language of your Adeptus Mechanicus, what is the name of this planet?'
In a Hive City world, 99.99% of the commoners are illiterate; never mind the planet, they don't even know the name of the Hive City they are in.
Sith hadn't had time to consider this before, but now that not only had an entire Hive City fallen to rebels, but the main force of the Astra Militarum had been repelled by Orks, this dire situation forced him to ask someone.
If it were just some unknown world, that would be fine, but if it were the site of some 'famous battle,' Sith would really have to thank the Emperor for 'valuing' him so much.
Ana was puzzled that Sith would care about this, and after frowning slightly and scanning Sith, she answered seriously:
'Vigil Star.'
'This is the Vigil Star of the Segmentum Obscurus.'
A familiar name. When the words 'Vigil Star' were spoken, the corner of Sith's eye twitched uncontrollably.
If one were to rank war zones, receiving support from a single Space Marine would make a Mortal think they've won.
Getting a Space Marine squad? It's in the bag!
A whole company arrives? At least you can have a glorious death.
But if it goes any higher than that, Mortals can only consider how to die quickly and painlessly.
And Vigil Star wasn't just a squad, let alone a company...
It was the Ultramarines Chapter Master, the legendary stretcher-bearer Calgar, who, at the request of the Imperial Regent and the only surviving Primarch before the return of Lion El'Jonson, Guilliman, led almost the entire Ultramarines to reinforce them personally!
Along with Knight Houses, Titan Legions, and the Imperial Navy desperate to muster forces.
Even the Adeptus Mechanicus, which does not center itself on war, mobilized countless Skitarii, joining this meat grinder with a determination to fight to the death.
Add to that the Ork Waaagh! and the Warmaster of Chaos, Abaddon, who arrived without pause right after finishing the battle at Cadia, chosen by the Chaos Gods / The Four Gods.
These alone were enough to make every Mortal on Vigil Star'smile from the heart.'
Not to mention that later on, the factions fought until their eyes turned red, starting to miniaturize Cyclonic Torpedoes—meant for Exterminatus—and smashing them onto the surface as conventional weapons!
And now, Sith's isolated force, abandoned by the main army, was right in the middle of this grand play about to unfold.
'Has Calgar arrived?'
Sith 'thanked' the Emperor in his heart for the 'recognition.'
Forcing himself to steady his mind, he quickly asked about the timeline.
The confusion on Ana's face became more apparent. As a legendary figure of the Ultramarines, she certainly knew of Calgar.
She was just puzzled that this minor PDF commander, who had never even been to space, had actually heard of that name.
'Perhaps he heard it somewhere through the grapevine?'
Since he was a famous figure, Ana didn't think much of it and just shook her head:
'The high command has indeed sent out many requests for reinforcements, but the reinforcements that have arrived so far do not include the Ultramarines.'
Sith breathed a sigh of relief, but at the same time, his brows furrowed even tighter.
'Calgar hasn't come yet, which means Abaddon hasn't come either.'
'It seems the chaotic war on Vigil Star has only just begun; no one has gone completely insane with slaughter yet.'
'But this also means I have to find a way to survive the entire chaotic war!'
The more Sith thought about it, the worse his expression became, and his brow furrowed into a deep frown.
According to the chaotic war on Vigil Star that Sith struggled to recall, the entire planet's population of over one hundred billion was reduced to less than ten billion after the war.
And now, Sith had to find a way to hold out until the end amidst this terrifying population reduction.
Standing on the tower top, staring blankly at the hazy land beneath the sea of clouds in the distance, he didn't know how long he had paused—even Bruno in the distance cast a puzzled glance—before Sith suddenly took a deep breath.
Standing on the tower top, at least this relatively fresh air gave Sith a touch of luxury.
Then, Sith turned around directly!
He strode toward Bruno, and the soldiers who had been relaxed earlier all stood straight upon seeing him.
Whether they were the veterans of the 101st Regiment or the survivors who had just joined, they all stood at attention, looking at Sith with cold, stern faces.
Their blood had congealed into scabs, but everyone displayed an elite quality far beyond that of ordinary Astra Militarum soldiers.
At this moment, everyone's eyes followed Sith, and not until he arrived in front of the formation and stopped did they stand in perfect order with a crisp'snap.'
'Bruno, according to the rebels, the top of the tower has not completely fallen?'
Bruno saluted stiffly:
'It has not fallen. At least there are still many refugees hiding in the tower top area.'
Upon hearing this, Sith did not continue immediately. Instead, he recalled the meat grinder that was the war on Vigil Star one last time, took another deep breath, and enjoyed the air without any foul odors.
The crowd was silent, watching Sith respectfully until he exhaled the stuffiness from his chest, and a fierce voice finally sounded from his lips:
'I want to exp...'
'Expand the army?' Bruno's eyes lit up, but Sith suddenly stopped.
Smacking his lips, Sith thought for a moment and changed to a new word.
'No!'
'I want to mass-produce soldiers!'