The atmosphere on the landing pad instantly became oppressive.
The charge of heresy was too severe; no one dared to speak carelessly.
Magos Koro continued, "There is no data for this mechanical exoskeleton in my databases. It is evident it is not a creation of the Omnissiah."
Qin Yun stepped forward to explain. "This is an exoskeleton armor improved by the Emperor's Chosen, intended to reduce battlefield casualties."
"This is a desecration of the Omnissiah!"
"You damned heretic, a fraud trying to deceive!"
Magos Koro pointed at Qin Yun and shouted.
"You would do well to watch your tongue, Magos Koro."
Bishop Heydrak spoke up for Qin Yun.
"His Excellency the Guide is an Emissary of the God-Emperor."
"The Emissary of the Omnissiah would not alter the creations of the Omnissiah. He is a fraud," Magos Koro stated.
"This is a grave insult and accusation," Qin Yun's gaze swept over the crowd. "If you do not require my assistance, then I shall take my leave."
"Lord Guide, please forgive Magos Koro's rudeness. We need your help."
Alaric apologized to Qin Yun, then turned to Magos Koro and said sternly, "Magos, you should go and rest. The duty of delivering the battlefield report will be handed over to your subordinate. This is not a request, but an order from the House Von Valancius. Do not make me repeat myself."
Magos Koro's pair of crimson eyes fixed on Alaric.
But soon, he yielded.
He could not challenge the authority of House Valancius here.
"As you command, Governor."
Magos Koro chose to step aside, but that did not mean he had conceded.
"But this matter will not end here! This is a desecration of the designs of the Omnissiah! I will report this matter to Mars."
These words made Alaric's expression turn very ugly, a flash of killing intent deep in his eyes.
Magos Koro's actions had humiliated him and made him fear that this incident could become a threat to his house in the future.
Even though House Von Valancius possessed a Warrant of Trade signed by the Emperor himself, they would gain little advantage against Mars.
But the current situation was critical. Without the Guide's help, House Von Valancius wouldn't survive the present.
It might be best if a certain Magos were permanently silenced. It would be for everyone's good.
Concluding this small farce, Qin Yun, surrounded by Alaric, Bishop Heydrak, and other dignitaries, entered the hive city.
"So grand, so magnificent!"
Twisty widened his eyes, gazing up at the towering spires and hundred-meter-tall giant statues, his awe lingering.
The other players felt the same.
Experiencing the hive's grandeur up close was deeply impressive.
Qin Yun was led to a great hall with a massive machine installed in its dome.
A huge holographic projection hovered above a metal platform in the center of the hall.
It displayed a full view of Tyren Hive.
Also shown were the designations of various loyalist units.
Outside the hive were densely packed red dots.
The number of enemies far exceeded theirs.
While Qin Yun was examining the holographic projection of the battlefield situation,t he hologram suddenly flickered violently.
The metal control console emitted a sharp, screeching sound, buzzing and crackling.
"The machine spirit is displeased and needs appeasement."
A Tech-Priest looked panicked.
He picked up a censer and moved to perform an appeasement ritual on the console.
Before he could get close, Magos Koro's grating voice rang out.
"Those who assist the desecrator of the Omnissiah share the same guilt."
This made the Tech-Priest stop in his tracks and silently retreat.
Other Tech-Priests, not daring to challenge Magos Koro's authority, lowered their heads and remained silent.
"Magos Koro, let's address the current problem first. We can discuss other matters later."
Alaric looked at Magos Koro, hoping he would send someone to repair the projector.
"Either punish that damned heretic, or solve it yourselves."
Magos Koro pointed at Qin Yun, his mechanical voice cold and merciless.
He wanted them to know.
Without his help, not only could they not win this war, they wouldn't even have access to the battlefield hololith.
Qin Yun glanced at Magos Koro, then placed his hand on the groaning and wailing projection control console.
He activated the skill [Soothe Machine Spirit].
Golden light emanated from his hand.
Soon, the out-of-control machine spirit calmed down.
The flickering projection reloaded, outlining the detailed battlefield situation map.
This scene shocked everyone in the hall.
It also firmly established Qin Yun's identity as a Living Saint.
"Venerable Saint!" Bishop Heydrak hurried to Qin Yun, devoutly knelt, and kissed his feet.
"This is the great power of the Omnissiah!"
Others also devoutly saluted Qin Yun with the Aquila.
Qin Yun looked at the many Tech-Priests behind Magos Koro.
"Magos Koro has forsaken the Omnissiah. Are you certain you wish to continue following him?"
Upon hearing this, the many Tech-Priests showed unease.
They one by one stepped past Magos Koro, devoutly saluted Qin Yun, and begged for his mercy and forgiveness.
"The identity of a Living Saint is really useful," Baldy muttered, watching the kneeling crowd.
"Look at the Guide's abilities. I suspect he's the Emperor's biological son," Warmaster said in a low voice.
"Stop talking nonsense." Little Chubby stopped the two from continuing their reckless talk.
No one in the hall paid any further attention to Magos Koro's words.
Within the fanatically religious Imperium of Man, the Emperor's status is undoubtedly supreme.
And His messengers represent His will, walking among the stars.
Defying His messenger is undoubtedly defying Him.
No one dared to bear such a charge.
Otherwise, even if they managed to survive this crisis,
The Inquisition and the Ecclesiarchy would come for them.
Then, they would have to pray for a quick and painless death.
Magos Koro watched this scene, then turned and left in anger.
Qin Yun stared at Magos Koro's departing back, frowning.
A conservative adherent of Martian dogma would surely bring many troubles in the future.
After all, those little players are so prone to causing chaos.
He needed to make sure the Magos ended up with three shots in the back, a clear suicide.
Only after Magos Koro's figure disappeared did Qin Yun shift his gaze back to the projector.
"Now, let's analyze the current battlefield situation."
"The rebels have the aid of the Dark Gods and can command endless Plague Zombies."
"The number of Imperial troops is too small. Holding the main urban area of Tyren Hive is already a struggle."
Planet Astroma originally had four hive cities.
Three and a half had now fallen.
Countless Imperial citizens had been transformed into Plague Zombies.
Using just horde tactics, the rebels could exhaust the Imperial defenders to death.
"In a direct confrontation, we are at an absolute disadvantage."
"But we have a Lunar-class cruiser. I will move this ship above the rebel forces and bombard their main strength."
"On the other hand, I will dispatch elite squads for special operations to seize key areas and eliminate high-value targets."
"..."
Twisty idly observed everyone in the hall.
Although the buildings outside the window were grand and impressive at first glance,
After looking a few more times, it was just that.
He had no interest in the military briefing and didn't want to listen.
Twisty's gaze fell on a bald soldier nearby.
"This bald guy's forehead is quite distinctive, with vertical wrinkles. Could he be from old Beijing?"
Twisty mused to himself.
But as he smiled, he suddenly stopped.
Because it wasn't just one soldier, inside the hall, over one-third of the soldiers were bald and had those vertical forehead wrinkles.
One could be attributed to genetics or other random reasons.
But if ten, a hundred appear simultaneously, that's a huge problem!!
"I feel like something's not right," Twisty moved closer to Warmaster
Warmaster looked puzzled, "Not right? What's not right?"
"Look at the third one on the left, his forehead."
"What about it? Just a bald head with a few lines on the forehead?"
"One isn't scary, but what if ten, a hundred, all look like this??"
Warmaster, who had been casual, instantly became serious.
He looked around, confirming Twisty words.
This planet seems to have Genestealers!!