When the rockets trailed their fiery tails and struck the ground in front of the buildings, their warheads abruptly detonated, transforming into countless smaller bombs. A multitude of sensor-triggered explosive spheres unleashed damaging shrapnel, turning the entire windowed area into a death zone.
The cluster munitions, specifically designed for unarmored targets, made the area around the windows a lethal zone.
Despite the Chaos Cultists' resilience, even if the injuries weren't instantly fatal, severing muscles rendered them unable to support their bodies. They could only futilely lose their ability to act, either awaiting a slow death or succumbing to their wounds.
Each Valkyrie Assault Carrier could unleash dozens of rockets, akin to a volley from several artillery pieces, with the explosions ringing out like relentless raindrops.
Even those cultists still sheltered within the buildings suffered heavy losses. What of those crossing the open ground? Entire areas of them were torn apart, leaving heaps of dismembered limbs and bodies piling up like a carpet.
The remaining survivors found it impossible to mount any effective resistance as the multi-laser cannons and Krak Grenades deployed by the Valkyries accurately targeted any attempts at counterattack from heavy weapons and enemy infantry. Furthermore, hitting aircraft flying high in the sky was nearly impossible; even if a stray laser managed to hit, it wouldn't cause significant damage.
Thanks to their exceptionally thick armor, the Valkyries were essentially flying Leman Russ Battle Tanks. Even when forced to breach the most heavily fortified areas, they could successfully traverse the battlefield and deliver their cargo to the intended locations.
Their notable uses on this planet had clearly demonstrated this: one instance being the transportation of Storm Troopers to assault the Eldar, and another involving an incursion into an Ork Gargant's interior, where they dropped troops for a boarding action.
The Empire's atmospheric infantry craft predominantly featured linked laser cannons as their primary weapons. For these massive machines designed to withstand multiple atmospheric re-entries, the small-caliber laser cannons that the cultists could muster were merely akin to "like using a cupping needle to scratch an itch."
As for the duel occurring within the tower, it was undoubtedly interrupted by the arrival of support. Dozens of Elysian Drop Troops activated their Grav-chutes and slammed through the windows, launching a surprise assault against the enemy with Hellguns. The situation shifted dramatically in an instant.
The higher-level combat capability of the Chaos forces had already been rendered slaughter-drunk by Ishis. Now, they were simultaneously being pursued and cornered on multiple fronts, with traitor militia falling before the Hellguns like wheat before a scythe. The remaining cultists could only huddle together, fighting to the last as they were delayed from external aid.
However, soon even this resistance lost its significance. After confirming that the threats below had been sufficiently neutralized, two Valkyries began to descend slowly, accompanied by the oppressive roar of their jet engines. They activated their searchlights and began to systematically sweep the area with their multi-lasers, targeting the surviving cultists.
Any cover was pierced as if it were mere paper, and the already precarious situation collapsed. The Elysian Drop Troops and the advancing Guardsmen pushed forward together, driving the remaining cultists into the corridor connecting the two levels.
Clearly, the airborne troops entering the battlefield, as in previous fights, showed no intention of adhering to the rules of war. They blocked the eager Zhang Ge and Ishis from forcing their way in, and began launching incendiary bombs and gas grenades into the corridor, rapidly decreasing the oxygen content while increasing the toxin levels.
However, the cultists inside did not wait to be poisoned to death, as the flammable dust in the gas quickly reached the concentration necessary for a dust explosion. The resulting blast was so violent that it shattered the reinforced ceramite doors and sent the trapped beasts flying.
As the battle moved into its final stages, a noble girl who had changed into a long dress approached Zhang Ge, meeting his eyes with a feigned look of gratitude.
Zhang Ge looked at her, noticing her seemingly restored psychic abilities, and inwardly scoffed:
"So quickly back to normal, huh? It seems some people look glamorous on the surface, but who knows how many times they've had to purge the black stone particles they've ingested? Emperor help you, may you have this day every year."
However, she was evidently unaware of Zhang Ge's thoughts. She casually twirled her gun and flicked the blood off her shortened long rifle, speaking up:
"In accordance with our previous agreement, I've come to offer support. The reinforcements are still on the way, but with such a large-scale troop movement, the enemy is sure to notice."
This implied that the next counteroffensive wouldn't be such a trivial skirmish. Of course, the enemy might also choose to establish a new defense line right on the spot.
But these were hardly issues, Zhang Ge thought, rubbing his head in frustration.
Originally, the plan to have the First Mechanized Company's troops move over couldn't escape the notice of Chaos. The intention was to directly breach their front line. Now, Chaos would at most have gained an extra thirty minutes of reaction time, whereas they had managed to amass a fully equipped PDF Regiment.
What standard was the First Mechanized Company? Even if they were purely infantry, they were packed with former PDF veterans and former Skitarii. Not to mention that during the time he had passed out, the First Mechanized Company had likely acquired a considerable amount of mechanized equipment.
This was also why he had the confidence to choose this plan. If the Chaos forces did not allow their frontline elites to return for reinforcements, the First Mechanized Company genuinely had the potential to break through that segment of the Chaos line—it wouldn't be akin to seeking death.
And now, with this many additional people, this Little Upstart had troops that included Valkyries and Power Armor units; their basic infantry couldn't be far behind. Zhang Ge suddenly felt as though the future had turned as dark as night.
"I… really appreciate you," he said through gritted teeth, sincerely shaking the noble girl's hand to express his gratitude, which startled her and made her shiver slightly, overwhelmed by his proximity and evoking a bit of battle shock.
"There's no need to say such things. As long as we adhere to the agreement, everything will be manageable."
Before they could exchange further words, a tremor from enemy artillery struck around them. Fortunately, this time the tower stood far below the surrounding buildings, and the shells did not directly hit the clock tower. Aside from the shockwave causing slight ear ringing, there was no substantial damage done.
It seemed the enemy had finally reacted.
However, for the enemy artillerymen, that was the last thing they needed to consider, as friendly artillery that had successfully moved to the firing position immediately initiated counter-battery fire based on the intercepted trajectories.
Amidst the barrage, a large number of shells impacted the ground, tearing apart several hastily deployed Chaos Basilisks amidst the flames.
Clearly, these enemy gunners proved one indisputable truth: exposing a small support force to the firepower of a full battalion was not a wise choice.
Tides were shifting, and various factions converged upon this location as more and more attention was directed here.
In the earlier troop movements, other commanders, seeing the large number of breakthrough troops deploying to this critical position, quickly recognized its strategic significance and unanimously launched counterattacks to delay the movements of the Chaos forces as much as possible, thereby slowing their troop mobilization.
It seemed the tide of battle was beginning to turn.
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