In fact, when Emrys walked out of the artillery-covered area unscathed, the entire defense line's Planetary Defense Force soldiers all stared wide-eyed, looking as if they had seen a ghost!
After all, in the normal person's perception...
Anyone who could walk out of such a densely artillery-covered area was most likely not human, and probably had some shadow of Loki.
"Don't... don't come any closer!"
Some soldiers raised their guns in fear, aiming at him.
"Put down your guns!"
At this moment, Commissar Grey suddenly stood on a high point, pointing at the bewildered Emrys, and immediately declared, "This is a miracle! A miracle displayed by the Emperor!"
No, how could this be attributed to the Emperor?
Emrys was dumbfounded, watching Commissar Grey, who was like a fanatical believer, raising his arms and shouting, ceaselessly recounting the miracle of his to live from the artillery-covered area, and how the Emperor's wrath would surely incinerate the heretics, and how they would ultimately achieve victory, and so on... such inspiring speeches!
God Damn, no wonder you're a Commissar!
Looking at the originally fearful Planetary Defense Force, whose morale was reignited by Grey's encouragement, he couldn't help but sigh.
"You kid..."
Grey scrutinized Emrys from head to toe with the eyes of someone looking at a rare creature. His fervent, intense curiosity made him wish he could dissect the kid to see what he was made of inside.
To to live out of a dense fire-covered area unscathed, what the hell is that if not a miracle?
"Commissar... your gaze, I'm scared."
Emrys' mouth twitched. If it weren't for his high rank, he would have kicked him already. If it weren't for the Traveler system, he would have truly been dead just now!
Grey remained silent, circling him. His fiery gaze made Emrys wonder if he had some kind of XP problem.
The more Grey looked, the more he liked him, not because of Emrys' command ability, but because of the 'miracle' just now!
Because of Khorne's 'Chosen One's' axe, the Planetary Defense Force's morale had plummeted. Emrys' 'miracle' came at just the right time. With a little promotion, it could quickly boost the low morale!
After all, a person blessed by the Emperor could definitely inject a surge of vitality into the current, almost collapsing morale!
This isn't Cadia!
The Planetary Defense Force isn't the Astra Militarum; they don't have such firm will and courage to still grip their guns after facing 'demons.' So, as a Commissar, Grey was too aware of the importance of morale!
"Very good, I declare that you are a member of the Planetary Defense Force!" Grey said decisively, giving Emrys no chance to object: "Corporal Emrys, you are assigned to 3rd Company, 185th Regiment, temporarily taking over the position of Company Commander!"
What the hell?
Wasn't he the temporary Company Commander of the 177th Regiment? How did he suddenly become the Company Commander of 3rd Company, 185th Regiment of the Planetary Defense Force?
"Me? Are you serious?"
Emrys pointed at himself. In one day, he had crossed the social classes of the hive city, transforming from an underhive scavenger into a Company Commander of the Planetary Defense Force!
No matter how you look at it... it's a bit unbelievable!
"Corporal Emrys, I need to remind you that on the battlefield, when addressing an officer, you must include his title!"
Grey spat at him, roaring, "I swear to the Emperor, if you dare to call me by my name again, I'll shove my boot up your ass!"
So crude.
Emrys stood at attention, saluted, and loudly replied, "Yes, Commissar Grey, I don't believe I can serve as Company Commander. Please reconsider."
"No, you are very suitable."
Grey stroked the beard on his chin and grinned, "It's the first time I've seen a human who could to live out of so much artillery fire. Just for that... you are very suitable! Do you understand what I mean?"
Emrys understood the deeper meaning in Commissar Grey's words.
He didn't care how Emrys managed to to live through the dense artillery fire, nor did he care if it was truly... a miracle from the Emperor!
But, whether it was truly a miracle or not, Emrys had to insist that it was... a miracle from the Emperor!
True or false, it didn't matter.
What mattered was that the Planetary Defense Force, the last military force of the hive city, must not lose confidence and courage, otherwise it would truly be over!
"I understand what you mean... Commissar Grey."
After figuring out the key, Emrys nodded reluctantly: "My to live from such a terrifying battlefield is, without a doubt... the blessing of the God-Emperor, and we shall surely defeat the heretics!"
"Indeed, we shall... defeat the heretics."
Commissar Grey, seemingly the bravest, eagerly opened his arms and embraced Emrys tightly, then whispered in his ear, in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Thank you... thank you..."
The voice was so soft that Emrys thought he had misheard, but then he saw the exhaustion, and... deep despair, in the eyes of this tough man.
He suddenly froze.
He felt a pang in his heart, as if a thousand words were on the tip of his tongue, but he didn't know what to say.
Yes, Commissar Grey knew very well... they couldn't win!
Even if all the Planetary Defense Force were sent out, it would be impossible to win this war. Their only hope of survival lay in the support of the nearby Astra Militarum and Astartes Chapters.
But the question was... how long could they hold out before the Astra Militarum and Astartes arrived?
Given the current situation, the most optimistic outcome was only fifteen days, and that was excluding Khorne's 'Chosen One.' If the 'Chosen One' was included... three days would be difficult!
All of this was the most optimistic estimate.
Therefore, Commissar Grey, who knew the truth, was the most pained and despairing person!
He knew it was impossible to win.
Yet he couldn't retreat, because more civilians, and even the glory of the Imperium, all depended on them!
So... what could he do?
It wasn't simply about to live for himself, but... for those soldiers who, knowing they would die, still held firm in their faith and defended the Imperium, and for those civilians who would be ravaged by cults.
Suddenly, Emrys found himself in a dilemma, feeling somewhat lost and unsure of what to do.
Commissar Grey released Emrys and, turning around, once again resumed his defiant, confident demeanor: "Brothers, the God-Emperor is watching us! For the Imperium, let us crush those damned heretics!"
"For the Imperium, crush the heretics!"
"For the Imperium, crush the heretics!"
"For the Imperium, crush the heretics!"
Deafening, like a mountain roaring and a sea raging.
Soaring to the sky, morale was high, and every soldier's face was filled with fanaticism and a readiness to die!
Emrys lowered his head, looking at the wristband on his hand, a bewildered expression on his face: "Emperor, if you can truly hear my voice... can you tell me, what should I do?"
Clink~
Suddenly, the rosary in his arms fell to the ground.
Looking at the pure skull glowing with a faint light, it was as if Winnie's resolute expression when she bravely faced death, once again... appeared in his mind!
Sacrifice is the cornerstone of the Imperium!
Life is the Emperor's currency!