138 12th
Three days. The full meeting for William's finals quest lasted three days. Before start of the meeting, each leadership from William to squad leaders of the Imperal Guards received the data sheets from the small army of logistics and adminstrations who input large amount of effort to organize detailed military plan.
From subject of food ration to potential loss of military forces after the conflict, massive information took two days. The third day focused on the New World's lores and myths as dozens of philosopher, historians, and scholars were gathered and tought everything they knew.
For William, this was easy subject as he basically knew most of the lores and stories. On the other hand, many of the hardcore veteran officers and Sisters of Battle took great restraint and endurance to learn without setting educators on fire. There was few interruption and rough voices but it was handled quickly by the Commissar Cain and his commissariats without any issues.
Overall, the meeting went without any problems or hiccups. With all the intelligents and informations provided to all officers and leaderships, the departure date are set for two weeks from now. The resources are distributed, everyone knows their roles to the letters and knowing that this final battle will be the last stepping stone to return to the Imperium made everyone work harder than ever. The only problem lies with dozen letters that need to be sent. An official diplomatic letters to several kings and masters of their own domain to let a foreign army of massive magnitude to cross their lands.
No leaders of sane minds will allow this to happen or consider it, but to stand against this means facing the army of unstoppable strength and devastating destruction. Out of dozen kingdoms, only one nation decline William's request to cross its land. A nation with powerful border between William's path and land where ritual of Tiamat summoning is going to happen. Unfortunately, William didn't have patience or restraint to play politics as he knew time is of the essence.
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Subject: History of the 12th
To the historians, and many scholars from 100 years in the future, the destruction of 12th nation remains mystery as how they faced their end. No record or document survived to provide the true name of the 12th nation. Only that their entire kingdom one day disappeared and only few artifacts survived the trial of time thanks to the trading between nations.
According to the historians, there was no historical record of natural disaster or hostile conflict between neighbouring nations. Simply put, overnight, entire city of hundred thousands suddenly vanished as if gods decided to reshape the world map. Not long after, a nursery song was made for the kids to remember the myth of 12th.
"A man in black and white request an enterence to the kingdom. A man sent an messenger with many gifts, enough to fill the greed of men. The king and his men denied the request by beheading man's messangers and took the treasures for themselves. Twice the man in black and white request an enterence, two more times king denied the request. At the end of the third day and beginning of fourth dawn, the kingdom of 12th vanished. No mortal saw 12th ever again, only the gods know the truth and through them lesson can be learned."
To this day, the existence of the 12th is considered myth and fairytale to some while others took it literally based on evidence of artifacts and nursery song. Few took upon themselves to research the subject while many brush it off by simply reading about the 12th from the history book.
According to the late king, King Benton Pius Amadeus the 5th, who is ready to embark on his journey to the next life, told his heir, the Crown Prince Benton Pius Amadeus the 6th a tale. A story that couldn't be believable but swore upon his own soul that his father, the King of Alderim and 4th to his name met an giant warrior in a quest to return home not of this world. To the end, the giant warrior managed to assemble a forces never seen before in the history and achieve many things not even gods can do in short period of time.
In the end, warrior and his men left to the stars. To the journey to find a home once lost to them and stopping at nothing, even if gods and devils attempt to block their way.
Sign by Headmaster Zuras Mitre
The Headmaster of the Royal Academy of Alderim, Archwizard Elements and Master of the Holy Engine.
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It took long journey and few obstacles to reach the destination. There was a delay which William wasn't willing to look over as his mood gotten darker and darker as time were wasted with politics. In the end, William's hand was forced and to make things go faster, William sent his first, second company of Astartes and five member squad of Titans to clear path once and for all.
The result was… satisfactory. Considering what the previous prices for playing politics were, William's only regret was death of his men and innocient citizens who were led by a foolish king. Now, William was facing an destination that is a half a day away as he stood firm with his arms while listening to the Lord Creed regarding of what the scouts reported few minutes ago. As meeting continued, two guadsmen approach the senior leaders with sour face in their faces.
"My lords. A group of natives with Xen… I mean, subhumans are here to see you. They are the Divine Heralds." A older and most likely a veteran guardsman said as he quickly correct himself before speaking ill of a group sent by the Chapter Master of the Blacksouls.
"I see. Thank you, guadsmen. You may return to your post. I will handle this personally." William said with most relax tone of voice and dismiss the two guadsmen.
"You know, you are way too relax with native of this world. Some of the mens are starting to believe having a Xeno race to help us with this is taint to the Emperor's holy work." Lord Creed said to William as he place his hand on the map of the local area as he adjust his cigar in his mouth. It is true that in the name of the returning home, William is more accepting of other races compare to other known Space Marines. It came to a point that some of the more zealtious servants of the Imperium began to have conflict thought with an order from the superiors.
"I know, Lord Creed. This will be corrected soon and we will operate in Imperium standard unlike how we had to adapt now. For now, let us meet our guests and see what they have learned." William ensure his military commander of the Astra Militarum and grab his black sword. William usually put on his terminator armor but that is during actual combat situation. Right now, he is wearing his standard Space Marine armor in which he can easily move and doesn't take much space in the camp (Much less than terminator armor). With his right hand man on his side and trustly sword of the Black Templar in other, William went ahead to see the famous Divine Heralds to see what they have learned.
The Divine Heralds was waiting in the chow area as they were busy eating as if they were starving for days. Based on their looks, they were on a rough shapes and went through more hardship than venturing into tomb of the black dragon. When William got closer, he saw few of the members were bandaged up with few signs of blood seeping through the cloth.
'Oh boy, this is doesn't look good at all.' Thought William as he approach the adventurers.
"Lord William!" Zeth Graymore, the paladin of the Bahamut is the first one to welcome the Chapter Master. Hearing their leader's voice, others turn their heads to see while some are still chewing food in their mouth. Saro the druid was eating carrot while Durand the Dragonborn and Harland the Dawrf warrior was eating beef stew. Meanwhile, Elda the elf ranger sit quietly as she consume bread and soup made out of mushroom and vegetables.
"Its been a while since last time I saw you in my fortress. How was your reconnaissance? Don't tell me you guys attempt to stop the dragon queen all by yourself." William said with cheery voice as he knew they wouldn't do that. After all, he was the one who sent them in the first place to make find out the status of the enemy activity. William could have send his own scouts and assassins but it would be pointless when they don't blend the natives of this world. It would make sense to see an adventurers on their quest than seeing an suspicious strangers with weird equipements.
"Well, we did our best to stay clear from the enemy's main base but we end up encounting few of the servants of the dragon queen and cultists. In the end, we had to retreat but managed to learned that they started their ritual long before we arrived. Unfortunately, don't know how much time we have left." Zerth said to William and provided much more detail such as location of the enemy base, potential estimation of the enemy numbers and types of enemies including demons spawn of the Nine Hells.
"I commend you for providing this information. You did best you can with limited resources and intelligence. You can rest now, I'm here to take the responsibility and weight off from your shoulder." William ensure everyone and gave a envelope with waxed seal of his chapter symbol.
"Give this to Guildmaster Mia. Let her know I sent you and you will be reward from my account with full praise for accomplishing your mission without an error."
"Lord William, we can stay and help you with your mission. Don't send us back this early without giving a good fight." Zerth said as he gave his seriousness look and determination of young warrior who wants to prove himself more than receiving fame and fortune.
"Are you sure? You don't want to be here when my men begin their attack. It will be warzone with no mercy or forgiveness." This time, it was Lord Creed to warn the adventurers of the coming danger and insanity of war to come.
"We are." Every members of the Divine Heralds stand up to show their dedication to the mission and something else that burning their souls to see this event to the end.
"We are and we must. At least to make sure Ver pay for his betrayal and avenge death of Stan Cloudfist." Zerth said to William as he show the piece of red and yellow cloth that used to belong to an monk and cook of the party. Just as William was about to speak to accept the adventurers, the ground shook and suddenly, a bright red light shot out from the distance as if mountain itself erupted with full force. With no hesitation or pause to see the omen sign, William immediately turn towards the Divine Heralds to give an order.
"I accept your request and from now on, you are under my command. Zerth, report to the Living Saint and follow her orders as if its coming from me. I will let her know you are coming. Lets go people, we have war to start and finish once and for all.
