2nd Primarch

"My empire... It's actually group force field technology!"

"Like those greenskin orks' force fields?"

"It can resist the corruption of the Warp's negative energy. Theoretically, unless one of the Four Chaos Gods intervenes personally, no warrior's soul can be tainted."

"Not only that. If there are enough individuals, they can neutralize psychic energy by generating a powerful mental force field."

"Do you think this is related to the upcoming expedition?"

"I don't know. I just hope I can take part in His Highness Dukel's great crusade."

"A soldier's glory lies ultimately on the battlefield."

"Hahahaha! Fellow warriors, I just pushed my biomagnetic field to 10,000 horsepower! I'm invincible! When do we start the expedition? Kill, kill, kill!"

"Before joining the expedition, I suggest you check your mental state first."

Perhaps it was the lack of large-scale group missions since the resolution of the "Laughter Plague." This absence of activity left the members of the Heart Network, who relied on daily tasks, feeling idle.

After uploading the mind matrix, Dukel found himself nearly overwhelmed by the boiling flood of messages.

Seeing the enthusiasm of the Heart Network's members, Dukel smiled and decided to assign them another mission before the grand crusade began.

After drafting the details, he issued the task:

[Ding!]

[Limited-Time Mission Issued: Recruitment for the Second Legion!]

[Mission Description: Before launching the Great Crusade, the Second Primarch has decreed the thorough cleansing of Ophelia VII and its neighboring worlds.]

[Objective: Exterminate as many Chaos Daemons as possible within the next week.]

[Primary Targets: Gaota, Changlan, and Murfa Stars. (Click for detailed information.)]

[Special Condition: Demon kills during this mission will earn double points.]

[Team Participation: Members may hunt alone or in teams. Points for team kills will be divided equally.]

[Rewards: The top 10,000 members in this mission's rankings will earn a place in the Second Legion's reserves.]

[Reserve Benefits: Free use of the Ultra Brain once every 12 hours, 20% discount in the HeartNet Mall, and more.]

[Click for more details.]

The designation of "reserves" was deliberate. The Second Legion's gene-seed flaws had yet to be resolved. Dukel planned to improve the gene-seed before selecting warriors from the reserves for surgical augmentation to join the ranks as true Legionnaires.

For those who remained unaltered, powerful blessings could forge elite forces akin to the "Chosen Nuns."

The announcement sent the Heart Network into a frenzy:

"The Great Crusade begins so soon? I thought we'd have to wait years!"

"Praise His Highness Dukel for letting us hunt daemons to earn our place!"

"Recruiting teammates for Gaota Star! My biomagnetic field is at 10,000 HP. Meet at 5 a.m. tomorrow."

"My spiritual practice is stuck at Level 3 meditation, but I've redeemed five blessings. Looking for a team!"

"Praise the Primarch! I'm on Murfa Star. The chaos there is intense, but I'm forming a team at 8 a.m. tomorrow. Let's cleanse it together!"

As the Heart Network buzzed with activity, Dukel withdrew from it. He summoned key leaders, including Archsister Efilar, supervising sage Gris, and senior clergy, to the temple's meeting room to discuss the expedition's strategy.

The plan was ambitious:

The crusade would begin at Ophelia VII in the Storm Star Region and proceed toward Terra, eliminating Chaos forces, heretics, and xenos threats along the way.

Dukel's holographic map lit up with human worlds, illustrating the despair gripping the Imperium. Entire star systems had fallen, becoming havens for Chaos and xenos alike.

"Our first task is cleansing the Eye of Terror's perimeter, eradicating the Chaos forces and aliens entrenched there," Dukel declared. "We will liberate these lost territories and rebuild the Empire's glory upon their ruins."

One cardinal raised a concern:

"Primarch, how will we navigate the Warp? The risk of losing fleets to Warp storms is immense."

"Fear not," Dukel replied calmly. "I've developed technology capable of neutralizing Warp storms. This innovation, originating from my father, ensures safe passage."

The room fell silent at the mention of the Emperor. While many doubted the claim, none dared voice it. Associating the technology with the Emperor silenced any skepticism.

With this assurance, plans proceeded. The fleet began assembling—Sisters of Battle, Ecclesiarchy bishops, and Mechanicus forces alike prepared for war.

A terrifying armada took shape:

God-Construct Titans, Dreadnoughts, and Thunderbolt fighters were loaded aboard warships. Across nearby systems, Heart Network members relentlessly purged Chaos forces, bolstering the Imperium's strength for the coming crusade.

After the meeting, Dukel followed the supervising sage to the forge, where two Queen of Glory-class battleships awaited final upgrades under the sage's meticulous supervision.

The Great Crusade loomed on the horizon. The lost Primarch was ready to reclaim the stars and stand before the Emperor once more.