I summoned the Fourth Scourge in Warhammer

Chapter 228 The Peredit Priest
In a relatively safe rear area, inside a logistics workshop filled with the smells of engine oil and incense, the atmosphere was unusually lively.

A tech sergeant clad in power armor painted with the Emperor's Scythe, his right shoulder armor emblazoned with a red gear and skull insignia, was engaged in a heated argument with three mechano-priests from Pedidia. The tech sergeant also held a strangely shaped laser gun in his hand.

"...Its energy cycle can be further optimized! If the original array on Mars is replaced with my improved Trident model, the focusing efficiency can be improved by at least seven percent!" the technical sergeant said in his metallic voice.

“Objection!” a priest from Pedittias immediately retorted. “The trident model would lower the overheat threshold, causing a sharp increase in weapon attrition rate under high-intensity continuous fire. Our goal is to achieve maximum battlefield reliability while maintaining firepower!”

Just as they were arguing heatedly, heavy footsteps came from the workshop entrance. They all stopped arguing and turned to look.

The sergeant recognized the newcomer and said to the mechanical priests, "Excuse me, my brother has arrived."

He strode up to Reinhard, looked him up and down at the battle damage on his power armor, and asked directly, "Is the power armor malfunctioning, or is there a problem with the bomb gun? Reinhard, brother."

He immediately assumed Reinhard's visit was due to equipment problems, which is understandable. Aside from equipment maintenance and tactical data exchange, combat comrades rarely seek out the technical sergeants of the combat group.

While Tech Sergeants play a crucial role in the Chapter, their interpersonal relationships tend to be rather weak. After all, they were raised under Martian tutelage, and while their brethren shout the Emperor's name, they silently chant the prayers of Om Messiah, the god of machines. Different beliefs and worldviews naturally make it difficult to build deep personal relationships with others, not to mention that Tech Sergeants are often too busy to engage in any social activities.

Unexpectedly, Reinhard shook his head: "No, I came here hoping you could do me a favor, brother. Build me a Thorex [Death Ray] laser gun, human size."

“It’s possible, it’s easy, no difficulty at all,” the technical sergeant hesitated, glancing at Reinhard. “But… can I ask why, Reinhard, brother? You know, I’m always quite busy.”

“I made a promise to a mortal about this laser gun,” Reinhard’s voice was low, tinged with barely perceptible regret, “and in the battle, he was killed by a ricat while trying to create an opportunity for me…”

The sergeant's doubt vanished instantly, replaced by profound respect. He straightened his posture: "I see. In that case, it's a well-deserved reward. I'll have it made as soon as possible."

“I will give this laser gun to that squad… but his entire squad was wiped out in that ambush. I can only hope that the Legion of the Dead will rebuild their designation,” Reinhard shook his head. “I’ll ask them about it later.”

“There’s no need to worry about that,” the technical sergeant laughed, his buzzing laughter echoing through the workshop. “They’ll rebuild it immediately if you just give them a hint of your requirements, Reinhard brothers.”

Reinhard looked puzzled. "Really? But wouldn't this be interfering too much with ordinary people?" "Of course not. It's just rebuilding a squad's designation; it's not a big deal," the technical sergeant said. "As for whether it's interfering too much with ordinary people... Brother Reinhard, you don't really think our relationship with them will go back to the way it was after this war, do you?"

"I even have reservations about whether our battle group will still be the same after the war ends. Hehe, maybe our paint scheme will turn blue after the war..."

“Watch your words, my brother,” Reinhard said. “It’s best to keep quiet about this kind of thing. You can’t bring that kind of unbridled attitude from the Eighth Underworld here!”

So the interrupted tech sergeant changed the subject: "At least, I think I get along quite well with these Peditia-born cyborgs... God knows what that planet governor named Ruan Wenbo did, these cyborgs are all... very innovative."

"Mechanical priest? Innovation?" Reinhard raised an eyebrow. In his mind, the word "innovation" was almost synonymous with "heresy" within the Cult of Mechanics.

“Yes,” the technical sergeant affirmed. “They don’t shy away from the source of their technology; they’re practically constantly innovating, and in the process, they don’t care about their own lives at all.”

Reinhard raised an eyebrow and said, "Sounds a lot like those guys from Riza."

“They are indeed very similar, but there are fundamental differences.” As he said this, the technical sergeant subconsciously glanced back at the three mechanical priests who were chatting and laughing. One of them noticed his gaze and waved at him in a friendly manner, revealing a slight smile beneath his half-mechanical mask.

“They know how to share. Share! Reinhard brothers, can you understand what an incredible quality that is for a mechano priest?” Seemingly overwhelmed by the way these Peditian mechano priests acted, the technical sergeant couldn’t help but confide in his chapter brothers, “They tell me about their latest research results without hesitation! If I’m willing to cooperate with them, they can even share some of the core construction data with me!”

He waved his arms excitedly: "When I tentatively asked them why they shared this precious knowledge so readily, they actually said—'How much progress can one make if one studies in isolation until death?' Oh Messiah! I don't know how to describe how I felt when I heard those words..."

“Uh, brother, I understand your shock,” Reinhard had to interrupt the technical sergeant’s rambling, “but I need to get back to the battlefield as soon as possible; the fighting on the front lines is far from over…”

The technical sergeant, recovering from his earlier excitement, adjusted his posture somewhat sheepishly: "Sorry, Reinhard, I got a little carried away. I'll go make that [Death Ray] right now, please wait a moment..."

(End of this chapter)