Upon hearing this, Heydrich was momentarily rendered speechless.
The world wasn’t all about fighting and killing; it was about navigating human relationships and social niceties.
There was really no need for the two of them to take on an entire Genestealer tribe single-handedly—besides, those heretical cultists were their actual objective.
But at the very least, Heydrich felt reassured.
This Sister of Battle had clearly received repeated instructions.
At least it confirmed that those occupying high positions weren’t fools—or rather, that they belonged to some of the more moderate factions.
As for that, all Heydrich could say was that this little Sister’s awareness still wasn’t quite enough.
“Everything is for the Golden Throne.”
Heydrich offered no further explanation on the matter, instead adding this single line with utter composure.
“For the Golden Throne…”
Upon hearing Heydrich’s words, Irena had no choice but to echo him.
Soon the two of them, led by several Genestealers, passed through layer after layer of radiation-filled piping and arrived at the Genestealers’ gathering point.
As for all that radioactive material, the two of them simply ignored it—please do not underestimate the superhuman constitution of people in Warhammer 40K.
As for Heydrich, although he wasn’t a local, his body, having been enhanced by the power of the Path, was already more than a match for an Astartes, indeed even somewhat stronger.
Though for now he couldn’t compare to Stelle and March 7th drifting through the cosmos for hours without protection, that was merely a matter of time.
So very soon, accompanied by a burst of urgent bell-tolling, an extraordinarily spectacular sight appeared before Heydrich and Irena.
Countless oddly-shaped Genestealers surged forth from all directions, and at this moment every one of their faces was brimming with blissful smiles.
Unlike those chaotic and disordered under-hive gangs, these people instead seemed, in terms of mental disposition, more like humans.
Of course, that was if one ignored the four-armed stone statue looming behind Heydrich, as well as Irena, who kept rubbing her boltgun.
THUD!!!
At this moment, accompanied by a muffled boom, a figure standing over two meters tall and radiating an oppressive presence stepped forward.
The Genestealer Patriarch.
Seeing this being, both Heydrich and Irena instinctively tensed their bodies.
At this moment, the Genestealer Patriarch, whose body had already undergone severe mutation, double-checked with his subordinates, and only after confirming there were just two of them did he step out with peace of mind.
He was no idiot, after all—the hive had launched purges against them so many times.
Naturally, they harbored some degree of wariness in their hearts, but after confirming there were only two people, he relaxed considerably.
“Emissaries of the great Governor, has our piety finally been recognized by the great Governor?
All three of my children have already given themselves for the great Governor; they all died on the road escorting the tithe.”
“That is correct.”
Hearing this, the corner of Heydrich’s eye couldn’t help but twitch, yet he still spoke with righteous conviction.
As for Irena, she maintained an air of complete matter-of-factness throughout—after all, being able to give one’s life for the Emperor was an honor for these blasphemous xenos.
“Then, great Emissary, what does our holy Planetary Governor require?”
“Blasphemous and filthy heretics have long entrenched themselves in the lower-hive, and they will contaminate the entire hive.
United citizens of the Imperium must set aside their mutual prejudices and give of themselves for the great cause.”
“Hooo…”
Sure enough, as Heydrich’s words landed, quite a few Genestealers were already growing fervent with excitement.
As for Irena, a dazed expression had already surfaced on her face—of course, since she wore a helmet, none of these expressions could be seen.
Instead, she stood there obediently, lending Heydrich her presence to vouch for the weight of his words.
“The holy Governor is great, and you, as laborers, are great as well.
We live in a great nation, and our future shall be greater still.
So here and now, let us praise His holy Majesty, the Master of Mankind, the Yel—Emperor!!!” Heydrich’s tone abruptly soared, and at the critical instant those final syllables were forcibly wrenched from “Yellow-skin” to “Emperor”—the transition so smooth that even he gave himself a mental thumbs-up.
His voice seemed to have undergone some special resonant treatment; though he used no amplifier, each syllable rolled clearly across the eardrums of every Genestealer present, carrying an indisputable solemnity, as though what spilled from his mouth were not mere words, but sacred decrees being written into history one after another.
“Praise the Emperor!!!”
“Praise the Emperor!!!”
“Unity!!!”
“Cooperation!!”
Sure enough, as Heydrich’s words landed, all the Genestealers erupted into cheers.
Even the Genestealer Patriarch felt an urge to weep with emotion—finally, finally, their devotion had been acknowledged by the great Sector Governor.
The holy Governor was so merciful, so understanding of them.
“Now the great Lord Sector Governor understands your difficulties.
So long as you can purge those heretics of the lower-hive, the Lord Governor is even willing to petition the Ecclesiarch on your behalf to incorporate your faith as part of the True Faith.
So at the same time—march forth!
May His holy Majesty be with you!!!”
“…”
As Heydrich’s words landed, the scene fell somewhat silent.
Because his last promise had been a bit too grand a pie in the sky—if Heydrich, as the special envoy, represented the secular authorities, then the Sister of Battle Irena beside him was the symbol of theocratic power.
“Hurry and say a couple words.
If you can’t manage words, just nod.”
At this moment Heydrich quietly transmitted his voice to Irena, signaling for her to at least make some gesture.
“…”
Quite simply, though Irena was extremely unwilling at this moment—she even wanted to blow Heydrich away—she nonetheless stiffly nodded her head at this juncture.
“March forth!!!”
“March forth!!!”
“March forth!!!”
Having obtained the Sister of Battle’s confirmation, the entire body of Genestealers grew agitated at this moment.
Countless Genestealers let out earth-shaking cheers, then one after another snatched up their weapons, about to charge out.
“Calm down—I need to contact the other tribes.”
At this moment, although the Genestealer Patriarch was likewise extraordinarily excited, he at least hadn’t lost his reason.
He suppressed the frenzied crowd and, at this juncture, analyzed the situation rationally.
“Great Emissary, and Sister—might you come and stay with us a while?
I shall prepare a sumptuous feast.
And my daughter greatly admires the great Emissary, I wonder if…”
Hearing this, Heydrich’s brow twitched, and he then looked toward a bald female Genestealer standing beside the Genestealer Patriarch.
The latter, noticing his gaze, then threw him a flirtatious wink.
In that instant a chill ran down Heydrich’s spine, and he then said without the slightest hesitation:
“The battle situation is urgent right now, and I have my own sacred and great mission.
So I can only come another time—I shall take my leave first, then.”
“What a pity…”
Hearing Heydrich’s words, the Genestealer Patriarch spoke with great understanding.
He then signaled the crowd to clear a path, letting the two of them depart.
Soon…
“Phew…”
After leaving the Genestealer tribe behind, Heydrich finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Although he wasn’t afraid of the Genestealers’ genetic contamination, he had no desire to put it to the test.
“Next is to head to…uh, what’s with that expression of yours?”
Glancing at the map in his hand, Heydrich looked back toward Irena, who at this moment had removed her own helmet, revealing a head of beautiful white hair.
At this moment she was gazing at him with a rather complicated and bizarre look, and only after a long while did she slowly say:
“You really are just like a loyal heretic!!!”
“…”