Although there were some bumps along the way, overall, the frigate Alex sent to pick up the Sisters of Silences of the Hunter Demon Order successfully brought them aboard.
Relying on his rich navigation experience, the captain skillfully avoided several potential Warp danger zones, finally delivering all nineteen sisters safely to the Rostov II.
As the ship slowly docked at the Starport's berth, the Sisters of Silences changed into their brand-new Vartine Armor, the silver-gray armor gleaming with a cold light under the Starport's illumination.
They stood in neat formation, each uniformly bearing an ancient-looking Executioner Greatsword on their back, with oath-strips wrapped around the hilt gently fluttering in the microgravity environment.
This solemn and majestic display momentarily reminded one of the Hunter Demon Order in its heyday.
Alex, standing on the observation deck, watched this scene, his heart inevitably stirring.
Although for ten years he had continuously poured resources into the 'bottomless pit' that was the Sisters of Silence—from equipment supplies to the replenishment of new untouchables, and then to providing support to the Hunter Demon Order in other Star Districts—he had indeed received sporadic battle reports in return over the past decade; but it wasn't until today, seeing these valiant young sisters standing in formation before him, that he truly felt that this long-term investment was finally beginning to show significant returns.
"Is that the Governor? He... isn't human?" Reimu Le, standing among the ranks, couldn't help but murmur, her eyes wide.
In her and the other Silent Sisters' special vision, what stood on the high platform was not a human form, but a dazzling golden Psyker, its light so intense that several young sisters unconsciously squinted their eyes.
Although most of them had only recently completed their training and lacked practical experience, as untouchables, they understood the basic knowledge of what a Psyker that could remain stable within their Void Field meant.
Not to mention that iconic golden glow—in the Imperium of Man, who else could bestow such power besides the great being seated on the Golden Throne?
"It should be said that the Emperor has manifested." Siddhga's slender fingers rapidly moved across her chest, signing to Reimu Le.
The nineteen Sisters of Silences present stood in neat formation, the metallic sheen of their Vartine Armor gleaming with a cold light under the Starport's illumination.
The faces of twelve official sisters were completely obscured by silver-gray full-face masks, symbolizing that they had taken the Silent Vow never to speak again; while the other seven apprentices kept their faces exposed, their young countenances still showing a hint of immaturity and nervousness.
These so-called "apprentices" had actually already completed all Sisters of Silence training courses—from Void Field control to close combat, from demonology to Psyker identification.
All they lacked was the final solemn vow ceremony, the ancient oath that would forever deprive them of their ability to speak.
Alex's gaze swept over this group of young female warriors, unconcerned by the differences in their masks.
In his view, the Silent Vow was more like a formalistic restraint—forcing these young women in the prime of their lives to remain silent forever neither enhanced their combat effectiveness nor helped improve mission efficiency.
Compared to these formalities, he was more concerned with how much these untouchables could contribute in countering Warp threats.
Despite this, as the host Governor, Alex straightened his collar and walked towards this special group of guests with a slight smile.
"Welcome, everyone. I am Alex, Governor of Rostov. Welcome to my domain." Alex bowed slightly.
His gentle gaze swept over the young female warriors before him, noticing that some nervously gripped their sword hilts, while others curiously peeked around.
He could tell that although these sisters wore heavy Vartine Armor and carried the death-symbolizing Executioner Greatsword, the half-faces visible beneath their masks and the uncovered faces radiated youthful vitality.
Their eyes sparkled with the same liveliness and curiosity as ordinary girls, only with an added touch of resolve and vigilance.
If one were to remove the equipment symbolizing battle and sacrifice from their bodies, and ignore the Void Field emanating from within them, they were simply a group of young maidens in the prime of their lives.
They should have been playing in gardens, studying in schools, meticulously dressing up for a ball, blushing over a romance—instead of holding sharp blades, ready to rush into the most dangerous battlefields at any moment.
But this world was so cruel.
Alex's gaze swept over their young faces, a pang of sorrow in his heart.
These maidens, as delicate as flowers, should have been blooming with the brightest smiles, yet now they had to confront the darkest threats in the galaxy.
Their slender shoulders had to bear the heavy burden of protecting humanity.
This made Alex fall into deep thought.
Perhaps it was witnessing too much of such injustice and cruelty that made him determined to change this world; and it was this ideal of making the world a better place that sustained him in bearing the heavy responsibility of Governor, striving day after day.
The girls before him might not fully understand what the responsibilities on their shoulders meant, nor why they had to make such sacrifices.
But they still chose this difficult path without hesitation, building a defense line against darkness with their young lives.
Alex looked at them, a surge of respect in his heart.
It was because of countless people like them, silently dedicating themselves, that the Imperium of Man could stand firm in this galaxy full of darkness and despair.
They were the faint light in the dark night, the hope in despair.
—
"Xiao Le, are you and your sister in the same squad?" Siddhga's slender fingers rapidly moved across her chest, signing her question to Reimu Le.
She and the other Sisters of Silences had already been assigned missions, with the nineteen sisters divided into several small squads.
Most were two-person teams, while a few lone wolves like Siddhga were arranged to cooperate with local Battle Sister Squads.
"Yes!" Reimu Le's voice was clear and pleasant, standing out in the noisy Starport.
She eagerly explained, "We originally wanted to be with you, but it's only two-person or one-person squads, so I had to be in a squad with my sister."
At this point, she pouted playfully, then became excited again: "We've been sent to a new colony planet, responsible for investigating whether there are illegal Psykers and cultists there!
They say the scenery there is beautiful, full of primeval forests! How about you, Siddhga?"
"I'm in a one-person squad, but a Battle Sister Squad will be with me, responsible for clearing out a heretical cult in a certain colony." Siddhga silently signed a passage, then pulled out a data-slate from her waist pouch.
She quickly wrote a long message on the data-slate, introducing her mission to Reimu Le: "The mission brief indicates that the local cult has already grown in scale. The cult leader is a powerful Psyker, said to be a former Astra Militarum Psyker Battlemaster.
He fell due to some encounters on the battlefield, deceiving and controlling his Astra Militarum company to rebel.
My mission is to cooperate with the Battle Sister Squad to decapitate this Psyker. They say this Psyker is very powerful. This is my first time executing a mission alone, and I don't know if I can complete it…"
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