72: Chapter 72 The Calm Before the Storm.

People on the planet Baal marveled at the arrival of so many angels. The planet's diviners began their auguries, and the Emperor's Tarot foretold destruction. Only then did the people realize that these angels had not come merely to worship the Father of Genes; they had come here for sacrifice and death. A great war was imminent, and few would survive this catastrophe.

Meanwhile, players entered the game one after another: some became part of the hastily conscripted mortal armies, while others were neophytes still within their sarcophagi.

"Brothers, just staying in here is truly miserable. I'm just like that Dante, caught between dreaming and waking. It's really bad luck."

"Brother, I forgot to tell you, we still have a banquet."

"If you don't speak, no one will think you're a mute."

Since the Council of Blood, Dante had ordered every chapter to begin war preparations. Tactical masters from various chapters collaborated to design the defensive works.

During this time, Dante moved some of the relics within the Fortress of Angels or gifted them to their respective successor chapters—such as a feather that had fallen from Sanguinius, stained with the Primarch's blood. Dante handed this precious relic to Seth, the Chapter Master of The Lost Chapter. These battle brothers, who had always fought against the genetic curse within them and remained loyal to the Empire, had stood with the Blood Angels as early as the Pluto Galaxy campaign. They had earned their glory through practical action, and the reliquary holding the holy relic was crafted by the first Chapter Master of the Flesh Tearers Chapter, Nassir Amit.

Dante believed this was very suitable for the Flesh Tearers Chapter, so he entrusted it to them. At the same time, Dante hoped that the holy relic from the Primarch Sanguinius would become a tether for Seth—to protect the relic, Seth might think of this feather when driven to desperation; or, to protect the Primarch's legacy, he might refrain from ordering the entire chapter to seek mutual destruction with the enemy.

For the final battle, Dante also organized a grand banquet. The invitees included not only all the successor chapter brothers but also the legion's serfs, Astropaths, Navigators, as well as various logistical personnel and Mortal Auxilia.

"Hey, does anyone remember Brother Kun?"

"Oh, he seemed to mention in the bullet chat that he already took a ship and fled along with the others who needed to evacuate."

"Let's not talk about that. Brother, drink up."

During this banquet, Dante finally set aside his persistence and drank a mouthful of blood-stained wine.

After enjoying the wine and conversation, Dante also had the warriors of all chapters engage in duels, announcing: \"Today, if any of you feel dissatisfied with the actions of certain blood brothers, you may duel here, as long as you do not wear armor or cause injury.\"

Dante hoped that through such a series of conciliatory measures, the brothers-in-arms would set aside punishments and estrangement—they needed to truly work together with one heart and mind for the upcoming battle.

Dante also hoped that through these means, the successor chapter brothers would be more closely united to face the impending crisis together.

Ten thousand years had created divides among the Blood Angels. On the other hand, Dante also sent away the Blood Angels Chapter's stock of Gene-seed. These actions naturally drew some criticism; some battle brothers of the chapters believed that Dante thought they had no chance of winning at all.