Chapter 885: Arrival at Longyou Shuangzixing (3)

Longyou Shuangzixing, Kafu-Long Planet, Diqishisihao Kuangqu Jiluo, temporary detention pit.

Cold, damp, dark.

This was everything Ayue could perceive.

Together with dozens of other women, children, and the elderly, she was imprisoned in a shallow pit originally used for dumping waste ore, covered overhead by a rusted iron mesh.

They were the family members of "insurgents."

Their husbands, sons, and fathers had participated in killing the Liquidator and the riot, and they had become the targets of implication, gathered under guard, waiting for execution.

Ayue curled up in the corner of the pit, her arms tightly hugging her knees, her body trembling uncontrollably.

Axing... her younger brother... how was he?

When the riot broke out, she was still working in the refining pretreatment plant enduring the acid mist, when suddenly she was seized by the Grey Dog soldiers who rushed in, pushed and shoved all the way, and locked in here.

She only sporadically heard the soldiers' conversation, saying things like "the scum of Diqishisihao Kuangqu have rebelled," "killed the Liquidator," and "the higher-ups want to punish them severely."

Axing was in Diqishisihao Kuangqu! Did he participate? Was he injured? Was he still... alive?

Thinking of this, Ayue could not help but start sobbing.

"Quiet! No one is allowed to cry!"

From above the pit came the impatient scolding of a Grey Dog soldier.

The crying was forcibly suppressed.

Time passed bit by bit, every minute and every second was an ordeal.

Ayue could only pray that her brother had managed to escape, or at least... could survive.

Suddenly, there was a commotion among the guards above the pit.

A squad of Fengqi garrison troops walked over, and those Grey Dog soldiers hurriedly made way for these garrison troops.

A Fengqi officer held a data pad and said in a cold tone.

"Those on this list are the immediate family members of the miners confirmed to have participated in the rebellion. The Special Envoy has ordered them to be dealt with immediately, as a warning to others."

Dealt with... as a warning to others...

Ayue's pupils shrank slightly, and there was a commotion among the others around her as well.

"Officer... this... there are even children among them..."

A Grey Dog soldier said in a low, hesitant voice.

The Fengqi officer's voice immediately turned dangerous.

"Hmm? Are you questioning the Special Envoy's order? Or do you want to be 'dealt with' along with them?"

The Grey Dog soldier immediately fell silent, not daring to speak again.

The iron mesh was opened.

"Those whose names are called! Come out!"

The officer held a data pad and shouted coldly.

One name, two names... every time a name was called, it was accompanied by a desperate wail, and then they were dragged out by the soldiers.

Ayue bit her lip, almost biting it until it bled.

She was afraid to hear that name, yet afraid not to hear it; not hearing it meant Axing might not have been found yet, or...

"Ayue! Family member of number K-774!"

Ayue's body stiffened, her blood feeling as if it had frozen.

They had found Axing... and... "dealt with"...

Axing... her only younger brother...

Two soldiers jumped into the pit, grabbed her arms, and dragged her out.

"No... no... Axing..."

Ayue lost all her strength, murmuring her brother's name, tears gushing out.

She was dragged to the edge of the pit and lined up with the other "people on the list."

A Fengqi soldier raised an energy rifle and aimed it at them.

Ayue closed her eyes, waiting for the final release.

BOOM!!!

A loud noise came from the perimeter of the detention area.

The entire ground shook.

Immediately following, dense gunfire erupted.

"Enemy attack!!"

"What is that?!"

"Fire! Open fire quickly!"

The Fengqi soldier who had raised his rifle to execute them also subconsciously lowered his gun and looked toward the direction the loud noise came from.

Ayue opened her eyes, looking blankly at the chaos before her.

What had happened?

She saw that at the entrance of the passage, the Grey Dog and Regular Army soldiers responsible for guarding were firing into the smoke and dust.

Soldiers were continuously being shattered by some kind of powerful firepower.

A tall, crimson figure rushed in!

It was a giant nearly 2.3 meters tall! Shouting loudly.

"For the Emperor! Purge the Heretic!"

Every time the muzzle fired, a Fengqi soldier was blown to pieces!

More red giants rushed into the detention area, efficiently carrying out a Harvest of lives.

The resistance of the Fengqi soldiers collapsed rapidly under this ferocious strike.

A Greyhound soldier watched his companion get cut in half at the waist by a Chainsword, and in his terror, he dropped his weapon and knelt to beg for mercy.

"Don't kill me! I surrender!"

But the red giant had no mercy, the muzzle of his Bolter adjusting slightly.

Bang!

The pleas for mercy came to an abrupt end.

Ayue and the other prisoners saw the soldiers who were about to execute them being wiped out, their minds going blank.

This... what is going on? Who are these red giants? Why are they attacking the Fengqi army?

Very quickly, the battle ended.

Only those red giants remained, along with the corpses of Fengqi soldiers covering the ground.

One red giant walked toward their group of prisoners.

Ayue was so scared she closed her eyes.

These giants were so terrifying, even the Fengqi garrison was no match for them; how would they treat people like her?

"Innocent citizens, you are safe. In the name of the Human Emperor, the Blood Angels Legion has come to liberate this world. The forces oppressing you have been cleared."

Ayue slowly opened her eyes.

What came into view was a young human face, with short golden hair and blue eyes.

His gaze swept over the terrified crowd, and he spoke again.

"Have you been harmed? Do you require emergency medical assistance?"

Safe? Liberated? Blood Angels? Human Emperor?

Hearing these words let Ayue know that she would not die.

The shock of surviving the ordeal, combined with the worry for her younger brother's whereabouts, made Ayue kneel forward and plead.

"Please! My brother! My brother Axing is deep within Diqishisihao Kuangqu! He might still be alive! Please, I beg you to save him!"

"Stand up! In a world liberated by the Emperor, there is no need to kneel!"

That Blood Angels Space Marine looked down at the human female at his feet who had erupted with such strong emotion, fell into Silence for a moment, and helped Ayue up.

"What I mean is, you do not need to kneel in a world liberated by the Emperor! I meant nothing else."

A faint sound of instructions seemed to come from the Communication Device inside his helmet.

He spoke again, his voice remaining steady.

"The main resistance in Diqishisihao Kuangqu has been cleared, and survivors are being gathered. We will ensure the safety of all innocents. Now, follow our guidance, leave here, and head to the temporary safe zone."

After speaking, he made a gesture to another warrior behind him.

That warrior stepped forward and began to guide the shaken prisoners out of the pit.

Ayue was helped up and stumbled along with the crowd.

She looked back at that Blood Angels warrior; he had already put his helmet back on, returning to the appearance of that cold war machine, and began directing others to clear the battlefield.

Hope was ignited in her heart once again.

Axing... you must stay alive! You must wait for these... these "Angels" to save you!