Chapter 72

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Protagonist:

Lin En

Lena

Goodwin's Pure White Eye twitched slightly.

He could sense that within Lin En's soul, that white radiance representing humanity likewise shone.

It was a radiance that had endured trials and suffering, yet still held fast to a certain bottom line.

Mutually reflecting with the red light that, on the surface of the soul body, represented indifference and cruelty.

Though it could not compare to a saint's flawlessness, this was the light of humanity belonging to mortals — flawed yet genuine and resilient.

This was far too contrary to common sense.

To the point that it stirred hesitation in Goodwin's heart.

By rights, such a complex soul composition, such an "ill-fated" destiny.

Was fully sufficient to judge "high suspicion of betrayal," even directly initiate purification procedures.

But the doctrine he had always believed in was to be vigilant against xenos and Chaos, yet also give the lost a chance at redemption.

Humanity surviving in the dark galaxy inherently requires tolerating a certain degree of "error."

Just like those hounds of the Tribunal.

Silence lasted for a time.

The great hall was utterly silent, all gazes gathered on Goodwin and Lin En.

The several bishops around also noticed the Archbishop's silence, and his gaze when staring at Lin En.

They more or less also sensed a certain "discordance" on Lin En, but far less clearly than Goodwin saw.

Seeing Goodwin not immediately take a stance, they too temporarily suppressed the doubts in their hearts, watching quietly to see how things would develop.

Finally, Goodwin's pure white eyes returned to normal.

He spoke, voice aged yet loud, like an ancient bell tolling:

"All of you bow your heads in quiet contemplation, repent mortal transgressions, listen to the Emperor's holy words!"

He turned sideways, making a "please ascend the platform" gesture toward Lin En.

After Lin En ascended the platform, he spoke again.

"With faith as torch, with piety as foundation."

"Scripture Mass, commences now!"

Grand symphonic music rose, like the gates of heaven opening.

The choir's holy chanting resounded through the church, Command with bell sounds, music, and countless believers' devout prayers.

A magnificent religious atmosphere unfurled across the entire venue.

Lin En released Isud's hand, signaling her to sit in the reserved front-row seat below the platform.

Gus, Butcher, Dou Dou and the others were also guided to the attendant seats on the side.

Lin En alone mounted the steps of the Preacher's Platform.

With every step, he felt the pressure grow heavier.

Those hymns, bell sounds, and prayer voices seemed not merely sounds, but ripples carrying the Power of Faith, washing over Lin En's body and soul.

Especially Archbishop Goodwin's pair of Pure White Eyes, fixed on him the whole time, as if wanting to see through all his disguises.

Lin En was actually stared at by this gaze until he felt somewhat "guilty."

He thought of the System, and his various "heretical" actions.

Did he still count as a "pure-strain human"?

Facing the Emperor's scrutiny directly, would everything be exposed?

He forcibly suppressed these distracting thoughts, face calm as he walked to the center of the Preacher's Platform, standing shoulder to shoulder with Archbishop Goodwin.

Turning, facing the nobles and believers below.

In an instant, countless gazes enveloped him.

Goodwin began presiding over the Mass.

He held the Scepter, using ancient solemn High Gothic, proclaiming the Emperor's greatness, proclaiming the Human Empire's sacred mission of survival in the dark galaxy.

Proclaiming the Planetary Governor's legitimacy and responsibility as "Emperor's Chosen" to rule the planetary world.

His voice seemed to possess a kind of magic, guiding everyone's emotions, pushing the atmosphere to a climax.

Lin En followed the procedure he had learned from Gus beforehand, cooperating with Goodwin's guidance.

Bowing when he should bow, responding when he should respond, performing the Eagle Salute when he should perform the Eagle Salute.

Movements standard to the point of flawlessness.

But he always felt that when reciting those oaths of loyalty to the Emperor, in the unseen depths, something truly seemed to be "watching" him.

Not Goodwin and the others present

But an ancient, vast will.

It was as if from an extremely distant place it cast a glance, its gaze penetrating the boundaries of reality and the Warp, landing on this soul swearing loyalty.

That feeling flashed past in an instant, and Lin En suddenly thought of something.

He instantly felt his back soaked with sweat.

And Archbishop Goodwin, while guiding Lin En through the oath, kept his eyes fixed on him the entire time.

An expression of benevolence, similar to an "auntie smile," unconsciously appeared on his face.

It was as if he were appreciating something interesting, yet also as if he were anticipating something.

This made Lin En feel even more uncomfortable all over; he could only brace himself and finish reciting the oath in full.

"I shall devote my loyalty to the Emperor, to humanity, to Brevis.

With my blood, my soul, and all my glory, I swear to guard this realm, resist Xenos, Heretics, and the enemies of Chaos, until Eternity.

Emperor's Blessing!"

The final syllable fell.

A neat, uniform response rang out in the great hall:

"Emperor's Blessing!"

The voices converged into a wave, lapping against the hall's interior.

Goodwin nodded in satisfaction.

He signaled two acolytes to step forward.

One held a golden tray, on which lay Holy Oil emitting a fresh fragrance.

The other held a silver ewer, inside which was blessed Holy Water.

Goodwin personally applied the Holy Oil to Lin En's Forehead.

An icy cool sensation spread, but Immediately, a "warm and cozy" comfort followed, like basking in sunlight on a winter day.

Goodwin's eyes lifted slightly.

Lin En's flesh-and-blood body reacted normally to the Holy Oil; no Rejection or burning appeared.

This showed that his biological foundation was still human.

Next, Goodwin dipped the Scepter in Holy Water, lightly patted Lin En's shoulders and Chest, and simultaneously recited the bestowal prayer.

"In the Emperor's name, grant you resilient shoulders, to bear this realm's heavy burden."

"In the Emperor's name, grant you a clear heart, to distinguish loyalty from treachery, good from evil."

"In the Emperor's name, grant you a fearless soul, to command ten thousand enemies."

Each line of the prayer was accompanied by a more intense power of Blessing from the Holy Water infusing into him.

In the Soul Depths, that purple aura representing Lena Fluctuated, as if it had a bit of Rejection toward this external "order" power.

But under the suppression of Lin En's Consciousness, it soon returned to calm.

And the white radiance of Lin En's human nature Core, nourished by the power of Blessing, seemed to grow a little brighter.

A trace of Surprise flashed in Goodwin's pure white eyes.

He clearly "saw" Lin En's soul's Reaction.

That purple aura's "submission," and the human radiance's "acceptance," both exceeded his expectations.

This young man was more interesting than he thought.

The bestowal was complete.

Goodwin stepped back one pace, his aged face becoming solemn once more.

The Atmosphere in the great hall also reached its peak at this moment.

Everyone knew the next step was the "most critical" one.

Goodwin turned, faced the Emperor's Holy Image, and bowed deeply.

Then, from a red velvet cushion held by another acolyte beside him, he lifted an object with both hands.

It was a Scepter.

About 1.2 meters long, predominantly white-gold in color, fine in texture, exuding nobility.

The ornament at the Staff Top was a complex, precise mechanical structure, at its Center set a deep red gemstone the size of an egg.

The staff body was engraved with fine sacred patterns, scripture fragments, the Brevis map, the family crests of successive Governors, and a Large Quantity of inscriptions.

It lay quietly in Goodwin's hands, yet emitted a heart-palpitating "Temptation."