The twisted and blasphemous vision did not last long.
It was as if a cold Sun had driven away all those terrifying illusions and ear-splitting screams.
Emrys, suddenly awake, felt as if his throat was clutched; his lungs strained to expand, but no air rushed in, and the sensation of suffocation felt like being gripped by an invisible hand.
Breathe!
Breathe!
Finally, Emrys broke free from the restraint.
"Pant… pant…"
He gasped for air.
Although he had escaped the influence of the illusion, the fear lingering within him had not dissipated in the slightest; instead, it grew even more intense.
"What was that?!"
Emrys, struggling to calm his fear, recalled what he had just seen, still feeling a lingering dread: "Twisted flesh constructs, the shadow of the Warp, and… that cold Sun!"
Those twisted, blasphemous creations—one glance was enough to feel the surging malice flowing from them, as if echoing the will from Immaterium.
If… it hadn't been for that cold Sun, he might have been completely engulfed by the Warp's malice!
"It couldn't really be the Emperor manifesting, could it?!"
Emrys recoiled, feeling inexplicably frightened.
They say the Emperor's projection in the Warp is a cold Sun, but… how could he be sure that thing was truly the 'Emperor' and not something else?
Even if there was a ninety-nine percent chance it was truly the Emperor protecting him, who would dare to bet on that one percent chance that it… wasn't the Lord of Lies?
"No, I should try to avoid using psyker abilities in the Warhammer Universe from now on… it's too dangerous!"
This sudden Warp surge made Emrys realize that psyker power was by no means an omnipotent force; on the contrary, every time he drew from the Warp, it came with immense risks!
The essence of a psyker is to draw power from the Warp.
But when used, it comes with many uncontrollable risks and severe side effects.
Among them, the most typical examples are: Pillar Delusion, Aetheric Stench, Memory Worms, Breath Extraction, Daemon Mask, and so on; severe backlashes can even lead to death!
Therefore, Emrys speculated that the suffocation just now should have been 'Breath Extraction' among them.
As for the visions he saw… he couldn't be sure whether they were illusions caused by side effects.
His gaze once again fell upon the Ironvault.
There were no twisted flesh constructs, nor any symbols of corruption; it still belched thick black smoke, as if everything he had just seen was merely a product of illusion.
"Was that really… an illusion?"
Emrys couldn't help but doubt; the scene he had witnessed was too real.
So much so… that it was hard to dismiss it as an illusion.
Twisted and corrupted flesh constructs, surging malice from the Warp, and that cold Sun—all signs seemed to warn him that the factory was extremely dangerous!
Once he stepped in, he might lose his life there.
But, leaving now would certainly save his life, but if he avoided the first day of the month, could he avoid the fifteenth?
Emrys knew very well that running away wouldn't solve the problem.
When the cult grew to a certain scale, and the entire hive capital fell, where could he hide?
"I'll risk it! It's just one life, isn't it?!"
His experiences from the lower hive ignited Emrys' fighting spirit; he glared fiercely at the factory and cursed, "I don't believe it; can it really be hiding a Daemon Prince inside?"
With the Traveler System, if he couldn't win, couldn't he at least run away?
"Activate optical camouflage stealth mode!"
Emrys adjusted the settings, and the Mark 5's outer armor refracted light, as if it had suddenly vanished.
Having made all preparations, he no longer hesitated and flew directly towards the Ironvault factory, deliberately concealing his energy thrusters as he approached.
Gazing at the increasingly close mine, Emrys slowly descended, observing the abyss of the bridge in front of Ironvault: "The gate is already closed, it seems I'll have to find another way to get in."
The main gate leading into the mine was completely sealed.
Flying over from above rashly was too dangerous; even with the armor's stealth mode, he might still be discovered.
"Can you scan for a route to get in?"
He placed his hope in the armor's built-in system.
Although the AI had been removed, the armor's functions were still not to be underestimated; the armor immediately began scanning the mine to create a 3D model.
Soon, a miniature projection of the mine model appeared on the helmet's information display, and Emrys indeed found an extremely hidden path.
"It's right below the abyss!"
Having found the entrance, Emrys no longer hesitated.
He controlled the armor to fly directly into the abyss beneath the bridge, and during the descent, he noticed that there were remnants of excavation everywhere, clearly indicating that this was the Ironvault mining vein more than fifty years ago.
Upon reaching the deepest part of the valley floor, Emrys confirmed his suspicion.
The exposed mineral crystals in the surrounding rock layers, as well as the large mining equipment that had been abandoned for a long time and was heavily rusted from wind and sand erosion, all confirmed his guess.
"According to the model… this path, is it here?"
Emrys glanced at the 3D model and found the route; it was precisely the pipeline that the mine had used to dump waste and slag before it was abandoned.
Following this pipeline straight would lead directly to the core area inside the mine.
Emrys took out the Deflection Field Pendant given by Galahad from his personal space and embedded it into the armor's core.
"Deflection Field Generator detected!"
"Automatic charging mode activated!"
"Defense System officially taken over!"
"Detection mode activated!"
"Armor entering full power mode!"
Looking at the pop-up notifications, Emrys once again marveled, truly a Stark product, so thoughtful!
Who knew what kind of monsters were inside?
Emrys thought it over carefully and still pulled out his Plasma Gun, which finally made him feel a little more at ease; he sneered, "I'd like to see how many plasma shots a psyker can withstand!"
Loyal Plasma never overheats!
And he, Merlin Emrys , the Emperor's most loyal subject, would certainly not overheat!
With all preparations made, Emrys cautiously explored deeper along the pipeline; in night vision mode, even though it was dark inside, he could still see everything clearly!
The abandoned pipeline was filled with various ore dregs, but it didn't pose a challenge for Emrys; with the help of the armor, he could easily climb over them.
"Almost there…"
According to the 3D model, he was not far from the exit.
Emrys raised his guard to the highest level, disengaged the Plasma Gun's safety in advance, slowed his pace, and explored deeper bit by bit.
But, just around the corner ahead!
On the armor's display interface, a highly distorted, bizarre statue suddenly appeared; it was several meters tall, with four jointed arms and a hideous, inhuman face, yet it wore a look of compassion, as if praying!
"Emperor above, what in the hell is this blasphemous thing?!"
Emrys stared at the bizarre statue, completely stunned, and it took him a full half-minute to recover.
"Large amounts of suspected life remains detected!"
At this moment, the armor emitted a prompt sound; Emrys looked in the direction indicated, startled, only to see that next to the bizarre statue, in a huge cave carved out by machinery, lay piles of… corpses!
But, what was terrifying was this:
All the corpses abandoned in the cave had been incinerated by flames, and their bones showed signs of charring and carbonization.
"Detect their cause of death and time of death," Emrys commanded the armor system.
"Suspected to have died from some high-intensity flames, time of death… fifty years ago!"
The system's voice sent a shock through Emrys' heart:
"Could these be the Ironvault residents massacred by the PDF fifty years ago?!"
Suddenly.
The armor system pieced together the deceased humans into a graphical model, presenting it before Emrys: "Preliminary inference: this organism does not match human genes; it is suspected to be some kind of arthropod life form!"
Looking at the simulated humanoid creature in the image, which had multiple arms and a completely twisted biological face and skull, Emrys exclaimed, "Holy crap!"
"Genestealer?!"
I understand, I understand everything!
After seeing the Alien-like twisted non-human remains, the mystery that had always plagued Emrys finally had an answer.
Fifty years ago, the Ironvault was infected by Tyranidss, which then bred genestealers. Although it's unclear what generation they were, it's certain that the Governor of Galarion world, upon discovery, immediately ordered the PDF to eliminate the Genestealer in the Ironvault.
Furthermore, to prevent another infection, the Ironvault was abandoned forever!
"No wonder the Governor massacred all the residents of the mine."
Emrys' expression was somewhat complex. He had previously suspected the governor, but now it seemed he had completely wronged him.
If it were him, he would probably make the same decision.
Genestealers are an advance party sent by Tyranidss to conquer a world.
They typically insert a seed containing Tyranids genes into a host's body, silently twisting and altering the host's consciousness and perception.
Therefore, many genestealers often shout 'For the Emperor!' while performing large-scale infection rituals.
But those genestealer are unaware that their perception has already been twisted and altered by the tyranid genes within them.
In the eyes of the genestealers, the glorious 'God-Emperor' is actually a blasphemous statue with four arms!
But the infected and infiltrated genestealers do not notice anything unusual, they don't feel there's any problem at all. Their daily behavior is like that of model citizens, even becoming more 'pious'.
The speed of Tyranids infiltration and infection is astonishing. If left unchecked, it will quickly spread like a virus throughout the hive capital.
Until the hive capital is completely replaced, or at an opportune moment, the Tyranids, upon receiving a signal, will descend upon this world, completely devouring all biomass, including the genestealer!
So, the Ironvault was once a den of a genestealer. No wonder it was later occupied by cults.
"Good, good, good, I'm even more curious now about what great secrets are still hidden within this mine!"
Emrys suddenly felt an increasing anticipation for the truth hidden within the Ironvault.
Then, he turned and proceeded deeper into the pipe, but as he passed the blasphemous four-armed statue, he stared at it for a few seconds, feeling a deep sense of revulsion.
Immediately, he raised his armored arm, and a beam of crimson laser shot out, directly cutting the statue to pieces.
What blasphemous rubbish? Die!
"That's much better."
Looking at the shattered pieces on the ground, Emrys nodded with satisfaction, silently performing the Aquila salute: "Emperor bless me, I am your most loyal subject!"
After the salute, he walked deeper into the pipe.
But the closer he got to the pipe exit, the higher the air temperature became, with waves of scorching heat assailing him!
Moreover, the armor's filtration system detected a large amount of toxic substances in the air, seemingly waste gas produced during smelting!
"What exactly is inside?"
With deep suspicion, Emrys quickened his pace.
When he emerged from the abandoned pipe, he was immediately shocked by the scene before his eyes.
Inside the Ironvault was a completely hollowed-out mountain, and his position was right in the center of the mountain.
Looking around, above the hollowed-out mountain were the original abandoned factory facilities.
The entire interior of the mountain had been completely transformed by the cults into a foundry, with pipes of exaggerated sizes leading to unknown places.
Dense pipes, beams, and mechanical constructs were like predators perched on a spider web.
"What are the cults planning to manufacture here?"
Emrys frowned, then his gaze swept over the strange constructs, like cages, suspended in mid-air by thick chains.
"Are those people who were escorted here all imprisoned inside these?"
Upon closer inspection, they were indeed people who had been specially escorted there.
They were confined in welded iron cages, with thick chains attached to the top, suspended in the center of the hollowed-out mountain.
Moreover, it wasn't just Tohte's area; people from other areas were also there.
He roughly counted twelve cages, and estimated that at least a thousand people were imprisoned inside!
Each cage was packed with people, its crowdedness no less than the Tokyo subway at 8 AM.
"Tsk, this is purely increasing the difficulty!"
This scene made Emrys, hiding, feel a headache.
Trying to find the Inquisitor among so many people was simply too difficult.
Temporarily suppressing the thought of finding the Inquisitor, Emrys followed the source of the heat. Directly beneath the suspended cages of people was a giant, boiling 'boiler'!
The 'boiler' had both mechanical and flesh-like characteristics, covered with blasphemous brass carvings and intricate, twisted runes.
At first glance, Emrys felt an endless malice emanating in his mind!
The giant 'boiler' forged from flesh and steel seemed to have already acquired some biological characteristics!
Inside the 'boiler', molten steel at high temperatures filled it, and mechanical constructs moving on beam tracks continuously fed some kind of metal into the boiling 'boiler'.
Then, the molten golden liquid flowed along a specific track towards the deeper core area of this foundry!
"The cults went to such lengths to capture people, wasn't it for sacrifice?"
This scene left Emrys somewhat confused.
The people sent by the Iron Crows gang were not sacrificed but imprisoned in iron cages. What exactly were the cults planning to do?
But, in the very next second!
The cults answered Emrys with their actions.
The thick iron chains made a loud noise, and to his horror, one of the cages suspended in mid-air suddenly plunged into the boiling 'boiler'!
"Help!"
"No, don't! Someone save me!"
"Ah ah ah ah!"
The people in the iron cage screamed in chaos.
But soon, the entire iron cage plunged into the 'boiler', and thousands of degrees of boiling molten steel splashed, making a horrifying burning sound!
Flesh and bones melted in the high temperature, and agonizing screams echoed one after another, but in just a few seconds, they were completely submerged by the boiling molten steel!
At this moment, the boiling molten steel overflowing from the 'boiler', infused with the lives of a hundred people, let out an even more piercing wail!
That was a wail from the soul!
Thick smoke billowed from the 'boiler', and within it, countless twisted faces seemed to struggle and shriek as they surged upwards.
Perhaps because he was a psyker, Emrys could clearly feel it.
The black smoke contained the hatred, pain, resentment, and other negative emotions of mortals, instantly making him shiver from head to toe, as if he had fallen into an ice cellar!
"It couldn't be…"
Emrys' pupils suddenly contracted, as if he had thought of some terrifying outcome.
He didn't even care whether the Inquisitor was in the cage that was thrown down; he immediately flew along the molten steel track pouring out from the 'boiler'.
The armor's built-in stealth mode was indeed powerful, completely avoiding detection by the mechanical constructs along the way.
Soon, Emrys reached the end of this track, and looking at the massive assembly line factory, he suddenly felt as if his throat was constricted, filled with a sense of suffocation!
The blasphemous factory, covered in a combination of flesh and machinery, was carved with twisted symbols everywhere, radiating an endless malice from the Immaterium!
Tens of thousands of creatures, almost completely losing their human form, with a blasphemous and twisted appearance combining flesh and machinery, were like diligent and tireless worker ants in a nest, endlessly repeating the production work on the assembly line.
But at this moment, Emrys was no longer concerned with those Chaos-corrupted constructs.
Because, at the end of the production line, he saw a gigantic construct!
Its shape resembled an ancient scorpion, its surface a mix of flesh and mechanical attributes, with vein-like pipelines entwined around its blood-red metallic shell!
Its two giant scorpion claws were covered with sharp saw teeth, leaving no doubt about their destructive power, capable of easily tearing through dozens of inches of steel defense!
At its tail, an upward-curving scorpion stinger was an exaggeratedly sized giant cannon!
Just looking at the blasphemous and twisted construct, Emrys could profoundly experience what it meant to fall into an abyss!
"Daemon Engine—Brass Scorpion?!"
Emrys, hiding in the shadows, nearly choked.
His eyes were bloodshot, as if he couldn't believe the truth of what he saw, and he rubbed his eyes hard.
"Fake, it must be an illusion!"
"By the Emperor, I must have seen wrong!"
But unfortunately... things did not go as he wished.
Even though Emrys nearly rubbed his eyeballs out, the giant scorpion-like machine didn't disappear; instead, it became even clearer.
At this moment, Emrys' face turned ashen.
If there was one word to describe his mood at this moment, it would undoubtedly be... screwed!!!
"Heh, no wonder... I get it, I get it all!"
His hanging heart finally died.
Good news: the cult didn't perform a sacrifice.
Bad news: the cult was manufacturing a Daemon Engine.
Worse news: the manufacturing of a Daemon Engine required a powerful psyker and an dark mechanicum!
"What exactly is in this godforsaken place that makes the cult bring in a Daemon Engine?!" Emrys, exasperated, cursed wildly in his heart with the most venomous language.
A Daemon Engine, in essence, is a Daemon from the Warp forcibly extracted from the Warp and inserted into a mechanical construct as a core, similar to a 'driver' in a tank, but with the difference being... it can never leave the 'vehicle'!
Daemons inserted into 'vehicles' are usually not willing.
Imagine, if you were a Daemon, eating hotpot and singing songs in the Warp, and then suddenly someone dragged you out and, without a word, stuffed you into an iron shell - would you be in a good mood?
Such is the case with Daemons.
Therefore, the process of manufacturing a Daemon Engine is fraught with unpredictable risks; even with a psyker and an Oil Goblins present, the success rate is not high.
But once successful, the Daemon, bound within the killing machine, becomes filled with malice and rage, indulging in bloodthirsty slaughter, becoming a terrifying presence on the battlefield, capable of razing cities and capturing fortresses with ease!
Moreover, driving a Daemon Engine inevitably requires a large number of tormented souls of innocent people, so that the Daemon at the engine's core cannot escape its iron shell.
Even every step in the manufacturing process requires a large number of innocent souls as sacrifices to ensure that the evil Chaos sorcery can 'press' the Daemon into the pre-prepared 'iron shell' forged from the spines and flesh of the wicked!
In some respects, a Daemon Engine is very similar to a Dreadnought, as both are forcibly inserted.
"So, those people who were captured weren't for sacrifice, but to forge a Daemon Engine!"
Thinking of the iron cages suspended above the 'boiler' and the person suddenly thrown in earlier, Emrys gritted his teeth in anger.
Don't let this thing seem clumsy; in fact, the Daemon Engine codenamed 'Brass Scorpion' is an extremely flexible heavy destruction vehicle.
Its thick armor is enough to sweep through the entire hive city!
Whether it's its powerful melee capabilities or its terrifying long-range firepower, it can easily annihilate the PDF!
Even... well-trained Astra Militarum are not much different from mortals when facing this thing.
A Daemon Engine is not common; you can't just hack it to death with numbers.
In short... invincible!
Strong!
Powerful!
Dominating!
Unless an entire company of Astartes is brought in, with their current strength, the probability of destroying a complete Daemon Engine, from a probabilistic standpoint, cannot be said to be entirely nonexistent, but it is infinitely close to zero.
Either that, or the Emperor plays dead and bestows a blessing.
But obviously, both of these paths are undoubtedly a pipe dream for Emrys right now.
If he knew an Astartes, he would have long since taken off from this godforsaken place; who would want to stay and wait for death!
"This is absolutely outrageous!!!"
Emrys was speechless, what kind of 'blessed land' was Losel to attract so many big shots?
Honestly... not even Sentinel Star had such a grand display!
"The cult must not succeed!" Emrys glared fiercely at the massive, blasphemous, twisted creation, his eyes bloodshot, and veins throbbing on his forehead: "Damn it, I'm going all out. If I don't dismantle this thing, everyone will die!"
Although he had to dismantle it, it wasn't as simple as rushing in to destroy such a massive hunk of iron; a meticulous plan was required.
Otherwise, never mind whether he could smash that hunk of iron.
As long as the factory's system wasn't destroyed, even if that hunk of iron was smashed, the cult would still be able to recast a Daemon Engine later, it would just take a little more hustle.
"Oh, right, the Inquisitor!"
At this moment, Emrys suddenly remembered that the Inquisitor was still thrown in the iron cage; what if she was 'sacrificed'? Wouldn't that be the end of it?!
He hurriedly turned back.
Boom!
Another huge iron cage plunged into the scorching molten steel, and the wails from souls echoed throughout the factory.
"Uh..."
Emrys paused for half a second, then performed the Aquila sign: "Emperor protect, the Inquisitor... she shouldn't die so easily, right?"
Of the twelve hanging iron cages, two had already been thrown into the furnace. A one-in-twelve chance... he shouldn't be that unlucky, right?
Emrys called up the system to search the remaining ten iron cages.
"Beep beep beep, target found!"
After a tense wait, the armor finally located the target.
"Huh? Not in the iron cage?"
Looking at the displayed target information's marked location, Emrys was somewhat surprised and looked down at the massive 'boiler'.
In the magnified view, he could see the Inquisitor carefully emerging from the lower level, holding a bolter, wary of her surroundings, slowly approaching the boiler.
Only at this moment did Emrys' heart, which had been in his throat, finally settle. The Emperor protects, the Inquisitor was not dead!
But looking at the armor he was wearing, Emrys hesitated.
Would he be suspected if he went down to see the Inquisitor wearing it?
But taking off the armor in this godforsaken place was tantamount to seeking death. After much deliberation, Emrys decided to keep it on; his life was most important, and he could explain the rest later.
Winnie was about to sneak in when someone suddenly covered her mouth and dragged her into a dark corner.
Damn it, was she exposed?!
"Don't be agitated, it's me, Emrys."
Hearing the voice, Winnie finally relaxed, but when she turned around and saw Emrys in silver-black armor, her brows furrowed.
But after a moment's thought, she concluded that it was armor the tech-priest had specially given Emrys for self-preservation. Although it looked luxurious, the material was... hard to describe.
Otherwise, how could a lower hive come to the cult's lair?
"I was just looking for you up there..." Emrys rubbed his nose and said, "I was worried you might have been thrown in, but it turns out the God-Emperor truly protects."
Winnie stared at him, forcing a smile, and said, "If I waited for you to save me, I would have already been melted in this furnace!"
Emrys was speechless.
Actually, this wasn't entirely his fault; who knew he'd find a Daemon Engine in there?
"Ahem, let me explain."
Emrys rubbed his nose, somewhat guiltily, and said, "I found evidence in there that absolutely proves there's a cult on this world. Come with me."
"What evidence?"
Winnie frowned, pointing at the massive boiler, and said in a deep voice, "This thing is a Chaos construct. If it's evidence, just this alone would allow me to mobilize the Astra Militarum."
"Uh..."
Emrys was silent for half a second: "The Astra Militarum, might, probably, should, perhaps... not be enough."
"The Astra Militarum, not enough?"
Winnie already held a great deal of resentment towards Emrys for stuffing her into the carriage, and then nearly throwing her into the furnace to burn. At this moment, she was even more annoyed: "The Astra Militarum is God-Emperor's most loyal army. Let alone eradicating cults, even on the battlefields against Chaos and Aliens, they are a force not to be underestimated. Why do you look down on them?"
"There's a Daemon Engine in there,"
Emrys said with a calm expression.
"Ridiculous, what Daemon Engin... Daemon Engine?!"
Winnie's eyes widened, her voice suddenly rising by more than a dozen tones, her sea-blue eyes filled with shock and terror!
"That, Winnie..."
"Are we close? Call me by my title!"
"Yes, title... Oh, no, Inquisitor."
"Are you sure you didn't see wrong?"
Winnie's first reaction was that Emrys was spouting nonsense.
The probability of a Daemon Engine appearing in this godforsaken place was equivalent to finding gold in a cesspit.
The Losel hive world, with a population of only about a hundred billion, how could such a high-tier item as a Daemon Engine possibly appear?
Besides, what exactly was in this wretched place that would make the Chaos Gods go to such lengths to deploy a Daemon Engine?
But then, Winnie saw Emrys say with a serious expression, "Esteemed Inquisitor, I swear by the God-Emperor, I absolutely did not see wrong!"
Hearing him swear by the Emperor, Winnie was speechless for half a second.
"Can you please stop mentioning the Emperor every other sentence?" Winnie glared at him fiercely.
As a loyal Inquisitor, she truly couldn't stand Emrys' habit of swearing by the Emperor at every turn.
What do you take the God-Emperor for?
A guarantor?!
If it weren't for Galahad's sake, she would have wanted to shoot him!
Emrys awkwardly touched his nose: "I'm just trying to make you believe me. Otherwise... you can come and see for yourself, it's inside."
"Wait, I have one more question."
Winnie's already cold gaze suddenly became extremely serious, her tone low and authoritative: "First, explain to me how you know... 'Daemon Engine', this kind of high-level Chaos lore?!"
It should be known that within the Imperium, knowledge related to demons and Chaos is only accessible to a very small number of people.
These could be Astra Militarum officers, Astartes, Inquisitors, Knight family, Mechanicus, Battle Sisters, nobles, and so on.
But... it definitely did not include lower hive, or civilians!
Oh no, this is bad!
Emrys was instantly dumbfounded, sweating profusely.
Damn cults, damn Daemon Engines, his mind was so full of these things that he completely forgot the most important matter!
"What? Don't know how to explain it?"
Winnie's gaze grew colder, she even drew her bolter, a chilling killing intent brewing: "Merlin Emrys , I now suspect... you are involved with Chaos!"
Yes.
How could an ordinary lower hive know such advanced lore about demons?
Unless he had been infused with knowledge by Chaos and had already fallen into the embrace of the Chaos Gods, how else could one explain a lower hive knowing about 'Daemon Engines'?
If it were a more seasoned Inquisitor, he wouldn't even listen to Emrys' explanation at this point.
A single bolt round would be the best way to deal with it!
But fortunately, Winnie Winslet had only recently graduated and was recommended as an Inquisitor by her mentor.
Her cognition had not yet become like those fanatics, and her style of action was relatively gentle, even willing to adhere to order and rules, which made her unique among the many fanatical Inquisitors.
Therefore, Winnie did not shoot immediately.
Although Emrys was highly suspicious, she still adhered to her bottom line, not to kill the innocent indiscriminately, and certainly not to become an Inquisitor like her mentor!
They say that when people face a life-or-death crisis, their minds race no less than a high-powered motor.
Facts proved that what was said was true.
In just a few seconds, a flash of inspiration struck Emrys' mind, and a bold idea emerged!
Then, he looked at Winnie, who was casting him a suspicious glance, and said, word by word, in a questioning tone: "Winnie Winslet, do you believe... that the God-Emperor, His will still walks the Imperium, protecting the great Imperium of Man?"
What the hell?!
Winnie even thought she had misheard, her serious expression turning into anger: "Are you playing games with me? Merlin Emrys !"
It is well known that it has been ten thousand years since the Emperor ascended the Golden Throne for humanity.
"No, I am merely stating a fact to you."
Emrys crossed his arms, like the most devout believer: "Because all the knowledge I possess comes from the God-Emperor."
"Blasphemy! You are blaspheming! You damned heretic!"
Winnie's hand, holding the bolter, trembled with anger, her pupils contracted to pinpricks, and veins throbbed on her smooth forehead, as if she would pull the trigger and execute this blasphemous heretic in the next second!
But... deep within her heart, a vague voice stopped her thoughts.
What if?
Winnie had heard her mentor speak of the heroic deeds of a Living Saint, and that in the distant Macragge sector, there was an executor of the Emperor's will whose prophecy changed the tide of an entire war!
To some extent, the Emperor... indeed seemed to have executors, but for Winnie to believe that the person before her was an executor of the Emperor, was undoubtedly somewhat difficult to accept.
"You... what evidence do you have?!"
Winnie suppressed the chaotic thoughts in her mind, her voice suddenly rising several octaves, and she said in a deep voice: ""
"I once saw a cold Sun in a life-or-death situation... It was so black and profound."
Emrys gazed at Winnie and slowly said, "When I woke up again, I suddenly gained a lot of knowledge. If you need proof... then I can tell you that the God-Emperor foresaw the coming home of His scion, right?"
Winnie was utterly shaken; she was almost certain that the 'scion' returning, as mentioned by the other party, must be the King of Macragge, a great historical figure, and now... the Regent!
"You... you actually know?!"
Although this matter was not a secret among the current high-ranking officials of the Imperium, it was absolutely impossible for a remote world like Losel to know about it!
"If you still can't believe me..."
Seeing Winnie's shocked expression, Emrys knew the time was right. There's a limit to showing off, otherwise, what if Neoth really set his sights on him and abducted him to the Cursed Legion?
So, he frankly lifted the visor of his armor, actively took Winnie's somewhat cold hand, and pressed the muzzle to his brow: "I am willing to use my life to prove my loyalty to the Emperor. You can shoot now..."
Psionics surged quietly, blocking the muzzle.
Play is play, mischief is mischief, but never joke with one's life!
What if he really encountered a blockhead?
Necessary safety measures must still be taken!
Emrys' expression was filled with indignation and despair, much like a loyal minister who had been wronged, looking as if he was ready to sacrifice his life.
"You!"
Winnie was furious, glaring at him fiercely.
He had said so much; if she really shot him, wouldn't she become a heretic who blasphemed the Emperor?
Winnie struggled a few times, but found Emrys' grip too tight to pull away, so she glared at him angrily: "Let go!"
"Alright."
Emrys quickly withdrew his hand.
"Don't think this matter is over."
Winnie took a few deep breaths, calmed her restless heart, and put on her ice-cold face again: "When we go back, I will conduct a test on you. If there are any traces of Chaos invasion... you will regret it then!"
"No problem, esteemed Inquisitor."
Emrys readily agreed, thinking he could just get through the immediate difficulty. Besides, an Inquisitor's test was nothing more than a Cogitator array, an old-fashioned thing.
A straight body fears no crooked shadow. He was a loyal servant of the Emperor, so why would he fear a Chaos inspection?