Terra Aeterna: The Rise of Humanity's War Machine

Kenthelion:

"No, I haven't forgotten. How could I possibly forget?"

Of course, Kenthelion had already forgotten that he had offered Selene to cooperate with Lucian. But he wouldn't admit that now.

Selene:

"Let's go now. It's almost noon. You're like a pig!" Selene said sharply, staring at Kenthelion. In her heart, she wanted to treat that bastard to a meal-though she didn't even know why. Kenthelion merely nodded, following wherever Selene's thoughts led. He didn't need any explanation from her. He simply could not fully understand this woman.

In truth, Selene didn't realize she was beginning to depend on Kenthelion. And somehow, she wanted to teach that annoying man a lesson-even though being near him felt so light and pleasant in her heart.

Kenthelion:

"I haven't eaten yet," he protested casually.

Selene:

"Hurry up, bastard," Selene snapped, clicking her tongue in annoyance.

With that, Kenthelion and Selene set off after a boisterous lunch. Seated in the medivac, Kenthelion looked at the woman beside him and said:

Kenthelion:

"My Selene from before was the cold, noble Moon Goddess. Why have you become some kind of psychopathic, slightly cruel woman now?"

Selene:

"You want to die, huh?" Selene shot back with a sharp glare. "If you didn't talk nonsense, you wouldn't look so stupid."

She felt somewhat powerless toward Kenthelion now. How could she-within the last 24 hours-have come to know this bastard so deeply? And worse... she hated herself almost every moment for thinking of him.

Medivac Pilot:

"Lady Selene, we have arrived at the city outskirts, per the coordinates you provided."

Selene:

"Hmm, okay."

The medivac stopped over an open area on the city's outskirts. Kenthelion and Selene disembarked along with several personnel, following the route given by Red Queen.

As they stepped outside, Selene looked up at the sky. For the first time in six centuries, she felt direct sunlight touch her skin. She placed her hand under its rays...and nothing happened. No burning sensation. Only warmth...so unfamiliar.

A faint smile curved at the corner of her lips.

Kenthelion, glancing in her direction, saw that smile but said nothing. In his mind, he thought that Selene's perfect blood truly was formidable. Now, a vampire could walk beneath the sun.

They halted in front of an old drainage entrance. This was the access to Lucian's base camp. Kenthelion waved his hand, signaling, and the Tempestus Scions special forces descended first to secure the way.

Kenthelion and Selene followed behind them.

This time, Kenthelion did not bring heavy-armored troops. He only brought a light unit-a Warhammer version of a modern SWAT. This elite force, the Tempestus Scions, was the best choice for handling situations like this.

---



Tempestus Scions (singular: Tempestus Scion) - known in Low Gothic as Storm Troopers - are an elite special forces unit of the Astra Militarum and Inquisition. Structurally, they fall under a subdivison of the Adeptus Administratum called Militarum Tempestus.

Trained from childhood by the Schola Progenium in the arts of war, Storm Troopers are the most highly trained soldiers to serve with the Imperial Guard. They carry signature weapons like Hot-shot Lasguns and Hellpistols, and fight with extraordinary speed and lethal precision. Their Omnishield helmets, integrated with advanced targeting systems, and Carapace Armour grant them a battlefield advantage.

Equipped with the finest gear from the Departmento Munitorum's armories, the Tempestus Scions are trained for high-risk missions beyond the capabilities of regular forces.

---

Under Kenthelion's orders, the Tempestus Scions now move to track the whereabouts of the Lycans.

Kenthelion and Selene entered the underground channel. A pungent stench greeted them immediately-the sharp odor rising from damp walls and stagnant, dirty water. Such a smell might be familiar to werewolves, but for Kenthelion, it was revolting.

Though accustomed to the scents of blood, gunpowder, and war-torn battlefields, he felt sickened by this place's odor. His gaze fell on Selene walking ahead, expression unchanged, unbothered by this disgusting environment.

In his heart, Kenthelion admitted, "This is a true warrior."

His eyes shifted to the weapons Selene held-a pair of Stub Pistols. Kenthelion frowned, then asked in a cold, suspicious tone:

Kenthelion:

"Why are you carrying our pistols? I don't recall ever giving them to you."

These were no ordinary weapons. Stub Pistols are specialized equipment typically used by Inquisitor agents or Acolytes on infiltration missions-disguised as civilians or facing non-human threats.

Selene glanced at him briefly, then answered calmly:

Selene:

"I found them in the military armory. You store too many silver-nitrate rounds there... Doesn't that mean you're prepared for vampires and werewolves?"

She then opened her cloak to reveal an Autopistol.

Selene:

"I could only take two weapons from the stockroom. And this..." (she pointed to the Autopistol beneath her cloak) "...I chose because it's lightweight and suits me."

Her thoughts flickered back to when she asked a soldier on the battlecruiser for armory access. Entering the room full of weapons, she had paused-awed by the sheer volume of lethal gear available. From plasma rifles to specialty ammunition, all arranged neatly with high security levels.

But her focus had been the silver-nitrate rounds-the quantity was enormous. She did not understand why Kenthelion stored so many, but one thing was clear to her: she did not want to head into this war unprepared.

Back in the underground channel, Kenthelion heard Selene's explanation, and his lips twitched-subtly, as if holding back irritation. He knew well the armory's contents were no joke. In his mind, he sneered:

"What are these fools doing? If Selene had accidentally grabbed a mini-nuke missile, wouldn't they all die on the spot? Even I don't know exactly everything stored in that military warehouse."

Kenthelion:

"I don't know what's going to happen... but that kind of stupidity could kill us all."

Selene:

"I don't want to talk to you right now."

Suddenly, gunfire sounded ahead. Kenthelion and Selene moved forward. Upon arrival, they saw several werewolves lying on the ground. They were not dead-only wounded and captured.

Tempestus Scions:

"Sire Emperor, what should we do with these mutants?"

Kenthelion:

"Let their leader speak directly with me."

Tempestus Scions:

"Understood, Your Majesty."

One Tempestus Scion shoved a freed werewolf forward to face Kenthelion. When he arrived before them, Kenthelion stared coldly.

Kenthelion:

"Heh, little dog... Go and tell Lucian that the one who kicked him is waiting. If he doesn't come... I will kill all your werewolves. Understood?"

The werewolf nodded quickly, not daring to meet Kenthelion's gaze. After a signal from Kenthelion, the Tempestus Scions let them go.

Kenthelion:

"Let's move up. This place stinks." He said to Selene as he strode ahead.

Selene's lips twitched slightly. The place wasn't actually that terrible, but this man... acted as if he'd never set foot in a filthy environment before. Still, she couldn't deny-the smell here was indeed foul.

They waited upstairs for about twenty minutes before seeing Lucian arrive with a group of werewolves.

Kenthelion:

"Please sit. My name is Kenthelion," he said in a friendly tone, though his gaze remained sharp, like an eagle appraising prey.

Lucian:

"What are you looking for, human?" Lucian asked flatly. He did not understand why this man sought him. Yet he could see clearly-the soldiers under Kenthelion's command were highly trained. Their weapons were advanced and menacing. One of their men was even lying there, gravely wounded by silver-nitrate bullets that pierced his body. Some wounds looked seared, as if burned. These were not ordinary weapons. Not only silver rounds could harm them now.

However, Lucian forced himself to remain calm. This man-the one who had kicked him last night-was clearly not ordinary.

Kenthelion:

"Actually, I'm not the one looking for you... she is. You two share a common enemy." Kenthelion turned and pointed toward Selene.

Lucian:

"Death Walker... Selene." Lucian's gaze narrowed. "You have killed many of us."

Selene:

"And you have slaughtered many of the blood kin."

Lucian:

"So... you're the one seeking me?"

Selene:

"I sought you because you intend to deal with Viktor. And I want the same." Selene's voice hardened when she spoke that name.

Lucian:

"You're his adopted child. Why now do you want to oppose him?"

Selene:

"Because he killed my family... and lied to me for centuries. He blamed werewolves for everything."

Selene's eyes burned red with suppressed anger, and her cold expression was colder than usual. A murderous aura enveloped her, uncontrollable.

Lucian:

"Haha, okay, I agree, we can cooperate," Lucian said with a laugh. Yet from any perspective, his heart still felt bitter recalling Sonja, his wife.

Kenthelion saw the sorrow Lucian could not hide and thought inwardly:

"Indeed... Viktor not only killed his wife Sonja, but also their unborn child. This man... Lucian... is a life tragedy."

Kenthelion:

"By the way, will you deal with Amilia tonight?" Kenthelion asked suddenly.

Lucian:

"Yes. We will ambush Amilia's special train tonight and kill one of their elders first," Lucian replied calmly.

Kenthelion:

"Cancel the attack on Amilia. I will find her myself. She is not your enemy," Kenthelion said indifferently.

Lucian:

"Are you sure? Amilia won't just become one of our citizens."

Kenthelion:

"Of course. If I can't convince her, I will imprison her. That won't obstruct your goal."

After all... I just want to see if Amilia is truly as beautiful as they say. As for Alexander Corvinus? No matter; I'm sure he'll support me... even concerning Amilia.

Lucian:

"Very well. I will give you this courtesy. We won't touch her."

Right now, Lucian only thought of revenge. As long as he could avenge, he was willing to do anything.

Kenthelion:

"Good. Let us drink. Consider this fueling our spirits before you kill your enemies."

Kenthelion poured wine for them.

Lucian:

"Who are you, really?" Lucian asked after sipping the drink.

Kenthelion:

"I'm just an ordinary person."

He paused before asking,

"By the way, have you captured Michael?"

Lucian:

"Yes. Why? Do you want him?"

Kenthelion:

"No. As long as you don't die, you can do whatever you want."

Kenthelion was no longer interested in Michael. Now, after obtaining Alexander Corvinus's blood, Michael's blood was no longer useful to him.

Lucian felt relieved hearing this. Michael still held value for him-Michael's blood could grant him even greater power.

Kenthelion then handed Lucian a communicator and asked him to contact if anything important arose. After that, Kenthelion departed with Selene. Tonight, he would seek Amilia, the vampire elder.

They all returned to the warship. Selene went to train, while Kenthelion began pondering one thing:

What would Alexander Corvinus do? To resolve all uncertainties? To end the hate between vampires and werewolves? Or...

...would the government itself take care of it?

Kenthelion thought for a moment, but ultimately let it pass.

Forget it. I will know when the time comes. I don't want to think about it now.