Warhammer 40K in a box

Chapter 616

Saint Celestine's departure was as abrupt and dazzling as her arrival.

There were no words of farewell.

There were no further instructions.

After a burst of dazzling golden light that was almost blinding, she and the small temple ship "Holy Word" vanished completely from the void of the Medusa system as if they had never existed.

All that remains is endless speculation and a faint, sacred aura lingering in the air.

For the representatives of the state religion stationed at Medusa, the arrival and departure of the living saint was itself a powerful stimulant.

This became the ultimate evidence for their claim that the original body had returned to its "miracle".

They were busy recording divine signs and organizing grand sermons.

This event was portrayed as an extraordinary favor and blessing bestowed upon Medusa and the Iron Hand by the Emperor.

However, the atmosphere inside the core command center of the Karada Fortress was far more somber than it appeared from the outside.

Saint Celestine brought far more than just a blessing.

She was delivering a secret message.

Along with it comes a situation far more complex than before.

Judge Warren found himself in an extremely awkward position.

The arrival of the living saint, especially her explicit request to meet Chen Xi, greatly enhanced Chen Xi's authority and the legitimacy of his cause.

It was as if all his actions had received the highest recognition from outside the subspace.

In comparison, Warren's hidden suspicions and secret investigations appear particularly insignificant and laughable in the face of the "miracle" manifested by the living saint.

It even carries a sense of blasphemy.

His technical priests were unable to find any definitive evidence of "heresy" in Feralus.

The scanned data was indeed abnormal, but it could not be clearly categorized or characterized.

His spies and all his tentative attempts either yielded nothing.

Or they will be cleverly exploited by the other party.

The feedback was all carefully crafted, religiously fanatical, and ultimately meaningless information.

The intelligence network woven by Chen Xi is like an invisible yet extremely resilient net.

He restricted all his actions to a very narrow scope.

After several attempts to request an extension of the inspection period or an expansion of the inspection scope were coldly and forcefully rejected by Ferrus on the grounds of "military urgency, we cannot receive you," Warren clearly realized that he had temporarily lost the best opportunity for investigation.

Finally, on an ordinary morning, Warren's fleet—the "Purifying Fire" and its two escort ships—slowly departed from Medusa Orbital Port.

There was no farewell ceremony.

There was no polite farewell.

There was only one cold and concise departure permit order.

In his last communication before departure, Warren's face was so somber it was almost as if ice water could freeze over.

Through the video screen, he stared intently at the communications officer representing the Karada Fortress—who undoubtedly represented the shared will of Chen Xi and Felus.

His voice was hoarse from suppressed anger and resentment.

"Pass on this message to Judge Chen Xi, and... Primarch."

He practically forced out the title through gritted teeth.

"The courtroom's gaze has never left."

"The truth may be covered up temporarily, but it will never be buried in darkness forever."

“This inspection is over, but the investigation… is far from over.”

"I will find the answer, I swear."

This blatant threat, like a cold, venomous snake, slithered across the communication channel.

It was then unilaterally and decisively cut off.

The black-clad court ship adjusted its course.

The engine emitted a dark blue exhaust flame as it gradually accelerated.

Ultimately, it tore through the veil of the real universe, leaped into the subspace, and disappeared.

The potential internal threats have temporarily subsided.

But everyone in the core group understands that this is by no means the end.

Warren's paranoia, nurtured by setbacks, will not disappear.

They will only become more vigilant and dangerous in silence.

He was like a shark that smelled blood but was temporarily driven away.

It always lingers in the deep, dark ocean currents.

Patiently wait for the next opportunity to launch a surprise attack.

The pressure hasn't dissipated; it has simply shifted its form.

Direct external surveillance has temporarily come to an end.

However, the burden of internal integration and the unpredictability of the future situation have become clearer and more pressing.

However, unlike before, Chen Xi now has an unbreakable fulcrum in her heart.

That single statement, "Macado is right," which only he truly understood the weight of, gave him unprecedented confidence.

The path he chose was not a wrong one.

Rather, it is a compromise that is tacitly approved, or even urgently needed, by the highest will.

This made him more composed when facing Feralas.

In implementing various integration and reform policies, it has also demonstrated unprecedented determination.

His communication with Ferrus became more direct and efficient.

The Primarch may still have doubts about the Emperor's words.

But she could clearly sense a subtle transformation in Chen Xi.

A deeper, more deeply rooted confidence and decisiveness.

She attributed this change to the increased authority brought about by the coming of a living saint.

They did not investigate further.

Instead, they chose to continue to devote all their energy to the urgent task of integrating the legion.

The pace of integration has clearly accelerated.

The amendments to the Gorgon Instructions were implemented with great effort.

The emphasis on both "protection" and "efficiency" is gradually permeating every corner of the legion.

New recruits gathered from various regiments underwent transformation and training under the personal supervision of Felus at Medusa.

The efficiency of gene seed screening and implantation has reached an unprecedented level.

The military factory is operating at full speed.

New equipment is constantly rolling off the production line.

The orbital defense system and planetary-level void shield generator were repeatedly tested and calibrated.

A sense of impending doom hung heavily over the entire Medusa.

Everyone sensed that Warren's departure and the arrival of the living saint were not the end of the storm.

On the contrary, this may be a brief and oppressive calm before an even bigger storm.

The Empire will never easily accept a Primarch who has returned from the dead and her powerful, newly assembled legions.

Chaos, aliens... none of the factions in the galaxy can stand idly by.

"We must increase the scope of patrols and surveillance."

Hathor made the suggestion at a high-level military meeting.

Her gaze swept across the vast and dark star field surrounding Medusa on the star map.

"Not just neighboring galaxies, we must send reconnaissance ships and long-range monitoring probes into the darker reaches of space."

"We need the earliest possible warning time."

Her proposal was passed unanimously without any objection.

Small reconnaissance fleets, like probes dropped into the dark depths of the sea, quietly sailed away from the port.

Their mission is to monitor fluctuations in the subspace and any signs of fleet movement.

The powerful sensor array at the Karada fortress has begun operating at full power around the clock.

They meticulously scanned every potential route to Medusa.

We will not overlook any abnormal fluctuations.

Ferrus stands atop the highest observation platform of the fortress.

Looking down at the bustling port below and the eternal, fiery plumes of smoke from the furnace world in the distance.

Her Gorgon skin shimmered with a dull luster under the cold starlight.

"A storm is coming."

Her deep voice was like a precise prophecy.

Dissipated in the unique, biting wind of Medusa.

Chen Xi stood quietly to his side.

Their gazes were also drawn to that deep, boundless starry sky, where endless dangers and possibilities were hidden.

"Yes."

His answer was unusually calm, yet it contained an unshakable strength.

"But this time, we are prepared."

The emperor's message echoed repeatedly in his mind.

It is both a protective shield and a shield.

It is also a spur to move forward.

They must make good use of this brief period of calm.

Do everything you can to make yourself stronger.

In order to meet the inevitable, unknown, and destined-to-be-severe challenges.

(End of this chapter)