Chapter 78

“Are you sure you didn’t mistake it?”

Winnie’s first reaction was that Alvin was pulling her leg.

In this godforsaken dump, the chance of finding a “Demon Engine” was equal to digging up gold from a cesspool.

The Lothel Nest-Capital World had a population of barely a hundred billion—how could something as high-tier as a Demon Engine possibly appear here?

Besides, what on earth could this backwater place possibly possess to warrant the Chaos Gods going to such lengths to deploy a Demon Engine?

But then Winnie saw Alvin, face solemn, say: “Respected Inquisitor, I swear by the Great Emperor’s name—I did not mistake it!”

Hearing him swear by the “Emperor,” Winnie fell silent for half a second.

“Can you stop opening and closing your mouth with ‘the Emperor’?” Winnie glared at him fiercely.

As a loyal Inquisitor, she simply could not tolerate Alvin’s habit of swearing by the Emperor at every turn.

What do you even think the Great “Emperor” is?

A guarantor?!

If it weren’t for Aruman’s sake, she’d have blown his head off already!

Alvin awkwardly rubbed his nose: “I’m just trying to make you believe me. How about… you come see it yourself? The thing’s right inside.”

“Wait—I have another question.”

Winnie’s already cold gaze suddenly turned deadly serious, her voice low and heavy with authority: “First, explain to me how you know… the term ‘Demon Engine’—this advanced Chaos knowledge?!”

In the Imperium, knowledge of demons and Chaos was accessible only to a tiny few.

Such as Imperial Guard officers, Astartes, Inquisitors, Knightly Houses, the Adeptus Mechanicus, Battle Sisters, or nobility.

But… none of them included Lower Hive scum or commoners!

Oh shit.

Alvin froze, sweat pouring down his back.

Damn heretics, damn Demon Engines—his mind was full of them, and he’d completely forgotten the most important thing!

“What? Can’t come up with an explanation?”

Winnie’s eyes grew colder still; she had already drawn her bolter, its chilling killing intent thickening the air: “Alvin Valthus, I now suspect… you are tainted by Chaos!”

Yes.

How could an ordinary Lower Hive scum possibly know advanced knowledge about demons?

Unless he’d been infused with Chaos knowledge, already fallen into the embrace of the Chaos Gods—how else could a Lower Hive scum recognize a “Demon Engine”?

A seasoned Inquisitor would not even listen to Alvin’s explanation at this point.

A single bolter round would be the best solution!

But fortunately, Winnie Winslet had only recently graduated and been recommended as an Inquisitor by her mentor.

Her mind had not yet hardened into the fanaticism of those madmen; her methods were still mild, even willing to follow order and rules—a rarity among the many deranged Inquisitors.

So Winnie did not fire immediately.

Although Alvin’s suspicion was high, she still held to her bottom line—no innocent bloodshed, and she would never become like her mentor!

It is said that when facing mortal peril, a man’s mind races faster than a high-power motor.

The truth proved this right.

In mere seconds, a bold idea flashed through Alvin’s mind.

Then, meeting Winnie’s skeptical gaze, he spoke slowly, deliberately, as if challenging her: “Winnie Winslet, do you believe… that the Great Emperor’s will still walks the Imperium’s domains, protecting the glorious Human Empire?”

What the hell?!

Winnie thought she’d misheard; her stern expression twisted into fury: “Are you mocking me, Alvin Valthus?!”

It was common knowledge that since the Emperor sat upon the Golden Throne for humanity, ten thousand years had passed.

“No. I am merely stating a fact to you.”

Alvin crossed his arms like the most devout believer: “For all the knowledge I possess comes from the Great ‘Emperor’ Himself.”

“Blasphemy! You blaspheme! Damn heretic!”

Winnie’s hand gripping the bolter trembled with rage; her pupils shrank to needle points, veins bulging on her forehead as if she would pull the trigger and execute this blasphemer in the next instant!

But… deep within her, a faint voice halted her impulse.

What if?

Winnie had once heard from her mentor of a hero known as the “Living Saint,” and of a distant realm on Macragge, where an agent of the Emperor’s will had foretold a turning point in the war!

To some extent, the Emperor… did indeed have agents. But for Winnie to believe this man before her was truly an agent of the “Emperor” was still too hard to accept.

“You… what proof do you have?!”

Winnie suppressed her chaotic thoughts, her voice rising sharply: “”

“When I faced death, I saw a cold sun… black, profound.”

Alvin stared at Winnie, speaking slowly: “When I awoke again, I suddenly possessed many new insights. If you need proof… I can tell you: the Great Emperor foresaw the return of His children, correct?”

Winnie shuddered violently; she was nearly certain the “children” he spoke of were none other than the King of Macragge—the great historical figure, now the Regent!

“You… you actually know?!”

Though this was no secret among the Imperium’s high echelons, it was absolutely impossible for a backwater world like Lothel to know!

“If you still cannot believe me…”

Seeing Winnie’s stunned expression, Alvin knew the moment was right—flaunting one’s power had limits; if he pushed too far, he might end up dragged off by Huang Laohan into the Oathbound Legion.

So he calmly lifted his helmet’s faceplate, took Winnie’s slightly cold hand, and pressed the bolter’s muzzle to his own forehead: “I am willing to stake my life to prove my loyalty to the Emperor. You may shoot.”

Psionic energy subtly surged, blocking the barrel.

Play all you want, joke all you want—but never gamble with your life!

What if she was just a coward?

Safety measures were still necessary!

Alvin’s expression was one of tragic, righteous indignation—like a loyal minister wrongfully accused, ready to die for his cause.

“You!”

Winnie was furious, glaring at him fiercely.

He’d said all this—now if she actually pulled the trigger, wouldn’t she become the heretic who desecrated the Emperor?

Winnie struggled, but Alvin gripped her hand too tightly—she couldn’t pull free. She glared at him angrily: “Let go!”

“Alright.”

Alvin swiftly withdrew his hand.

“Don’t think this is over.”

Winnie took several deep breaths, calming her agitated mind, then resumed her icy expression: “When we return, I will test you. If there is any trace of Chaos corruption… you will regret this!”

“Understood, Respected Inquisitor.”

Alvin readily agreed—he’d survive this crisis first. Besides, an Inquisitor’s test was just the old-fashioned Thinker Array—nothing new.

If you stand upright, your shadow won’t crook. He was a loyal Son of the Emperor—why fear a Chaos scan?