Warhammer 40: Starting as a Rogue Trader

Chapter 205 Loyalty in a Curved Way
Damon recounts to Gao Yi their encounter with the hooded Astartes and his attack on Zagara.

"The Voice of the Emperor. Hooded Man. I didn't expect Cypher to appear on this planet. Damon, be careful of this twisted guy. I'm not sure what he'll do. But those so-called followers of the Voice of the Emperor don't need to worry too much."

It's normal that you didn't sense the chaotic energy emanating from them. I believe Cypher's actions have solidified their faith in another way, even though it seems somewhat heretical and has some negative impact. These people are indeed loyal followers of the Emperor. Don't worry, I've already figured out how to deal with them.

The plague of filth is difficult to eradicate completely using conventional methods.

However, Gao Yi himself, along with the special artificial untouchables he brought, could solve this problem.

With the cooperation of the state religion of Agathos, based on the name of Saint Gauguin, the 20 artificial untouchables were portrayed as saints.

Aren't you followers of the Emperor's Voice able to walk through the plague without getting infected?
Alright, then I can not only do the same thing, but I can also solve the problem of people around me being infected by the plague. It's obvious which is stronger.

In the outer area where the survivors gathered, temporary high platforms were erected, and the 20 clones were draped in holy robes and stood on the platforms.

They had no other mechanical devices or restraints on their bodies.

It is presented to everyone in the most basic human form.

The survivors were gathered around the high platform in the name of witnessing the miracles of the God Emperor.

"The great God-King has witnessed your suffering. You have withstood the test and proven your faith. Therefore, He has sent His living saint and 20 saints to bring you salvation. Go, stay with the saints, and sickness will leave you. Your faith will be rewarded!"

As the pastor's call to action ended, the Ranger gates that had been separating the crowd parted to allow passage.

One by one, the people walked toward the twenty makeshift platforms with a mixture of belief and doubt.

As they drew closer, the people of the empire found that the pain in their bodies was indeed beginning to lessen, as if the plague that had been afflicting them had truly been taken away by these saints.

The expressions on people's faces grew increasingly fanatical; what these state priests from other planets were saying was actually true!

Gao Yi also timely mobilized a bit of the God Emperor's power, making Gao Yi himself seem to be shrouded in a layer of golden radiance.

Golden holy light shone on the people, as if taking away their fatigue and healing their bodies.

The twenty clones looked slightly pained. There were still too many infected people. Even though each person did not have much subspace energy, the total amount of energy they had gathered together was still enormous.

They will reach their limit soon.

However, in the eyes of the surrounding people, the pain on the faces of these clones seemed as if they were bearing the pain that should have been borne by them.

While Gao Yi was dealing with the remaining Nurgle corruption on the planet and gaining the trust of its inhabitants in this way, his psychic senses detected a psychic fluctuation that did not belong to the dynasty.

Gao Yi turned around sharply and saw a person whose figure was shrouded in psychic energy observing everything from a building in the distance. Gao Yi narrowed his eyes, and Cypher, wearing a hood, suddenly appeared in his sight.

Cypher hadn't expected that Gao Yi would be able to find him under these circumstances.

Cypher witnessed the scene just now. Gao Yi shone with imperial brilliance, causing Cypher's pupils to shrink, while the power of those clones puzzled him.

Like psionicists, untouchables also have different levels. Ordinary untouchables may only make those around them feel uncomfortable.

However, the energy capable of purifying such a range of subspace energy clearly could not have come from those low-level untouchable entities.

As soulless beings, they would also devour the soul fire of those around them.

Under normal circumstances, this level of untouchability would be enough to leave even the weak-willed people around them without the strength to stand up.

Moreover, the opponent did not have any suppression equipment on them.

Special individuals, the power of a god-emperor, human soldiers in combat suits, and those bizarre aliens.

Gao Yi began to become increasingly enigmatic in Cipher's eyes. Seeing the soldiers surging towards him, Cipher surprisingly did not flee this time.

When Damon surrounded him with the Night Watch and Rangers, the opponent remained standing there, seemingly unfazed.

Cipher kept his head down, and his face was still obscured by the hood.

"Put down your weapon!" Damon pointed a heavy bomb at Cypher.

According to Zagara, the opponent was extremely powerful and even possessed some kind of teleportation technology.

“I need to see the living saint you speak of!” Cipher said to Damon.

However, it was clearly impossible for Damon to meet Gao Yi, as the other party was too dangerous.

Just as Damon and his group of Night Guards approached, intending to force Cypher to disarm, Gao Yi's voice rang out in the communicator.

"Damon, bring him to me!"

"But."

"It's alright, Damon. I don't personally take action much anymore, but I'm not as weak as you think. Just stay by my side and protect me."

"Alright. Come with me, the lord is willing to see you."

Under the watchful eyes of the Night Guards, Cypher was brought before Gao Yi, but the weapon pointed at him was never lowered.

Gao Yi sized up Cypher, while Cypher sized up Gao Yi in return.

Gao Yi was surprised to find that he could not sense any chaotic corruption in the other party. If Qi He was a traitor, even if he did not believe in a specific evil god, he would definitely sense the power originating from the subspace if he received power from the subspace.

The Xel'Naga projection showed no reaction to him, which made Gao Yi even more certain that Cypher was still a loyalist.

The only difference is the way loyalty is expressed; indirect loyalty is indeed quite common in Warhammer.

As Cipher slowly raised his head, Gao Yi also saw the face under the hood.

An ordinary face, yet younger than one might imagine; under normal circumstances, Cypher should be at least several thousand years old.

"Lord Cypher, this shouldn't be your true self. I'm really curious whether this title refers to one person or a group of people. Which Cypher are you? Or are you a loyalist or a traitor? If you are a loyalist, why are you causing chaos?"

If you are loyal to the Emperor, then at this juncture, this will only make the Empire's existing defenses even more vulnerable.
But if you are a traitor, why would you secretly help the warband hunting you down?

Gao Yi's words caused a change in Cypher's calm expression; the other party had actually recognized him at a glance.

He was well aware of his own existence and certain circumstances, which the dark angels who were hunting him would never have revealed to anyone outside the warband. The mortal before him seemed to know more about him than he had imagined.

"How do you know all this? Do you really think that the measures taken by the imperial government on this planet can truly save those suffering mortals? No, they will not. They will eventually be swallowed by chaos, or even throw themselves into chaos out of fear and the desire for life. What I am doing is simply using a method of sacrifice to awaken those who truly have firm faith."

The existence of these people is what allows others to believe that the Emperor is still protecting them, giving them the courage to rebel.

Cipher's voice also began to sound slightly agitated.

"I know more than you think. It's a pity that your actions, which seem to be saving them, could easily lead to the destruction of everyone on this planet."

"Some people are destined to die anyway. Rather than letting them die meaningless deaths, it's better for them to make a greater contribution to humanity. As for those with weak faith and weak will, rather than letting them throw themselves into chaos, I hope to use their lives to awaken hope in others. If my actions can save one more planet and one more person, then I have done nothing wrong."

(End of this chapter)