Rising up from a Nobleman to Intergalactic Warlord!!-Chapter 182

Recovering from her initial shock, Hesperax ordered her subordinates to stand down as she slowly released her weapon. Raising her hands in surrender, the Drukhari woman was secretly overjoyed to be on the losing side for once. Having grown weary of constant success on the battlefield, the sense of total defeat she was experiencing sent a shiver down her spine. Elated to know that there were still loftier heights she could aim for, there was no way she could let this opportunity slip through her fingers.

"Haha, this is fucking amazing!! Screw Vect and the Ynnari; how about letting the Cult of Strife serve under you, Stark? If you want, I can be your mistress like that Eldar woman that Malys was telling me about.", Hesperax said, desperate to find stronger foes to fight among the stars. "What do you say?"

"Hold your tongue, you pointy-eared bitch!", Yoma snapped, "Lady Amallyn Shadowguide is to become the Supreme Commander's wife, not a mistress or concubine. Go ahead and insult her further; I would love nothing more than to make your head the first I bag today."

"Sorry about that; the concept of marriage is foreign to both the Drukhari and Eldar. We usually pair up temporarily based on a lottery and almost never interact once the deed is done.", Hesperax chuckled, "Back to what I asked though, would you be willing to let us serve under you?"

Aware of her ties to Black Hearts and Vect, I was wary of merging such a dangerous group into my ranks. Using the Force to probe her mind for ulterior motives, the only thoughts I could find rattling around in her head were of all the powerful foes she would meet in my service. Checking her subordinates as well, as a safety precaution, every one of them was completely subservient to Hesperax and was willing to do whatever she ordered them to do. Satisfied that the Hesperax and her cult could be trusted, so long as I gave them strong enemies to engage, I agreed to take them in and placed them under Yoma's supervision.

"Commander Yoma, ensure that the Cult of Strife is brought up to our military standards and given the necessary equipment to aid in their duties. For the time being, you are free to utilize them for any military operation outside the Imperium of Man.", I ordered her, "If Hesperax or one of her subordinates steps out of line, you know what to do."

"Understood, Supreme Commander.", Yoma acknowledged as she and her subordinates released the Drukhari. "Once our job is completed here today, I will assess your combat effectiveness back at base. Until then, try to not get yourselves killed today."

"We will try our best, but no promises.", Hesperax laughed.

"By the way, where did Malys and her people go?", I inquired, glancing around the area for them.

"Malys and her people made the smart decision to join the Ynnari's ranks to save their hides from the slaughterhouse. They headed to the city's underbelly to prepare necessary countermeasures in case Vect decides to flood the city with the countless daemons crawling around down there.", Hesperax answered honestly, "Having served as his consort for a time, I know he will not surrender Commorragh to anyone. He would sooner see this place burn than let anyone take it from him."

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Assuming that might have been the case, I ordered Yoma and her team to assist with reinforcing the subterranean defenses as well as liberating the civilians down there. Once that was done, they were to help eliminate any fleeing Drukhari making a dash for the Webway. Accepting their orders, the groups quickly departed for the nearest entrance to the lower levels.

Asking the Asgardians if we could count on their assistance for this battle, Balder and Fandral eagerly agreed, while Loki gave me a noncommittal shrug. Bringing up a map of Commorragh, I pointed to the side road I needed them to hold for the duration of the fight. Positioned close to two separate Kabal bases and the main road into port, the chances were very high that the enemy would utilize it to strike at our exposed rear. Assuring them that reinforcements would be close by to reinforce them, if needed, the three Aesir deities promised to do what they could for me.

"Since you are unfamiliar with the dark city, I will send two of my Solitaires to serve as your guides and backup." Cegorach stated as two Harlequins stepped forward and bowed their heads, "Keep Loki and her friends safe, no matter what. It is hard to find good company like her in the universe nowadays."

Accepting their assignments, the group of five rushed into the city, aiming to get into position before the fighting commenced. With all the loose ends wrapped up, we teleported aboard the Endless Horizons and waited for the timer I set to run out.

---3rd Person POV, Fifteen Minutes Later---

Opening breaches at key points around Commorragh, the allied forces began flooding onto the streets, quickly overwhelming the exhausted Drukhari defenders. Giving locals only seconds to offer up their surrender, Eldar and Human alike exacted revenge for millennia of unwarranted aggression on their ancestors and compatriots. Watching the invaders mercilessly raze their city to the ground, those who could move freely fled to the spaceport, hoping to steal a ship to escape the massacre. Running straight into the maw of Victor's forces, most citizens surrendered on the spot, while a few extremists chose to go down fighting.

Throwing themselves at the unyielding wall of metal and muscle, Commander Lawson and his Helldivers crushed them beneath their boots as they marched on the city. Stepping around the POWs, Yncarne and Yvraine approached them with an offer to join the Ynnari. Initially hesitant to accept the offer, when they were informed that the alternative was a swift execution, unsurprisingly everyone immediately agreed to their terms.

(AN: For those who are unaware, POW means Prisoner of War.)

"In my humble opinion, Yncarne/Ynnead is wasting his time extending an olive branch to these unruly cretins. I can understand sparing the children, as Aeldari have trouble conceiving offspring, but the adults are frankly too far gone.", Cegorach remarked, shaking his head in annoyance. "They know nothing beyond spreading pain and misery to others."

"While I understand where you are coming from, the Aeldari are not in a position to turn away those willing to try changing their ways. Every battle they partake in pulls them ever closer toward extinction. Taking a few risks is necessary to give them the best chance of continued survival.", Victor argued, scouring the city for Vect with his drones.

"Ugh... that is a fair point, Victor.", Cegorach acknowledged, cursing Asuryan for that under his breath. "How about you take a few more Aeldari lovers for yourself and help them with that problem? You already won Amallyn Shadowguide and my niece Lileath over; it should be easy enough for you to pick up a few more, right?"

Before Victor had a chance to respond, Lileath puffed out her cheeks and proceeded to punch her uncle in the arm as hard as she could. Smiling at her adorable reaction, Cegorach insisted it was for the betterment of the Aeldari people, but she refused to listen to his nonsense any further. Looking to Vaul for his input, the smithing god wisely chose to sit this one out, as it was not his place to speak as a confirmed bachelor.

(Luxion)

"Alright ladies, we are up!", Victor said, turning to leave with Ahsoka, Bo-Katan, and Samus. "See you guys in a bit."

"Good luck, Victor.", Lileath stated, running over and planting a kiss on his cheek. "Make sure you give Vect and his ilk a generous thrashing for my mother and me."

More than happy to oblige her request, the four of them set out to intercept the Kabal of the Black Heart while Cegorach and Vaul began teasing Lileath. Poking fun at how cute she looked seeing Victor off, the young goddess tore into them like a Chihuahua attacking two German Shepherds. Trying his best not to laugh at their interaction, Victor was happy to see they were bantering with one another like any good family would. Hoping to one day bring all of them together again under one roof, aside from Khaine, the Primarch swore to do everything in his power to make that a reality.