Bastogne abandoned factory, basement.
Savan was in the basement, listening to the gunfire outside, kneeling weakly on the ground... Why... why did he betray the Imperium! Mammon! His deacon! It was he who instigated and tempted him, leading him step by step into the abyss!
Back on Planet Phalanx, Deacon Mammon was a young man who had recently joined the Bishop's inner circle on Thrace I.
Mammon was shrewd and capable, quickly gaining the Bishop's favor. With his understanding of the local situation, Deacon Mammon began to incite the Bishop, leading him further and further down this path.
He claimed that if Savan united the many sects of the Imperial Cult, his pilgrimage could become a faith war sweeping across the Star Sector and galaxy.
But Mammon also advised the Bishop that he should proceed carefully and cautiously, as the Inquisition had eyes everywhere, and the terrifying Heretic Inquisition would surely notice the Bishop's activities. If the Bishop made a single misstep, he could be arrested for violating the strict regulations governing the Ecclesiarchy.
Most critically, the Bishop himself could not command any armed Soldiers, as the Ecclesiarchy was not allowed to have any armed men after the Age of Apostasy.
So Mammon constantly whispered poison into Bishop Savan's ear, saying that the Bishop could not trust anyone now and needed to form an internal team. This team would be centered around the Bishop and composed of his trusted confidants.
Only those who could pass various scrutinies and remain loyal could join this team. If the Bishop wanted his faith war to be remembered in history, he had to carefully and cautiously choose a safe and hidden planet to plan his actions.
The place Deacon Mammon chose was Frax. Frax was a Department of Military Affairs armory world, and the Frax Star System's critical strategic importance made it a very sensitive location. Any vessel wishing to enter the system had to obtain prior approval. Bishop Savan entrusted the application for permits to his favored Deacon Mammon.
Regarding Bishop Savan's pilgrimage, the Department of Military Affairs naturally did not dare to neglect it at the time, specially arranging several Imperial Navy ships to escort the Bishop's entourage.
Although Bishop Savan was secretly carrying out his plan, rumors spread like wildfire among the oppressed and hopeless workers of Frax.
Millions of workers on Frax, ragged, destitute, and in shackles, toiled day after day under close supervision, building underground warehouses and maintaining road networks.
Bishop Savan's preachers brought them a glimmer of hope. They would receive the Bishop's absolution and participate in a holy war, longing to escape their brutal, short-lived existence... igniting the flames of rebellion.
The Heretic Inquisition had witnessed many times in the past how the personal power of bishops gradually grew, ultimately leading them away from the light of the Emperor. When the powerful begin to believe they should be worshipped like the Emperor, decisive action must be taken. (You can ponder this sentence carefully)
The secret order was given: Bishop Savan's brief reign must end.
However, the failure of the assassination completely pushed Bishop Savan into rebellion.
The preachers immediately spread the word: Rebels had just attacked the Bishop, attempting to kill their savior.
Large quantities of armaments on Frax were stolen, and the Adeptus Arbites tried to restore order but found itself in a fierce battle at the spaceport. They requested aid from the castle garrison, but Deacon Mammon ordered no reinforcements. Rioters quickly surrounded the Adeptus Arbites sub-bureau building and completely occupied it weeks later.
As the fires of war raged across Frax, Frax Castle, the seat of power on Frax, was breached from within. When the fighting outside the castle subsided, Bishop Savan had taken control of Frax.
Thus, Savan, this ambitious Bishop, gradually fell into the trap of Chaos, corroding step by step... and all of this originated from Deacon Mammon by his side.
And at this moment, in Frax Castle,
Deacon Mammon looked at the distant flames of war, listening to the constant distress calls from Warp communications. He swirled his glass of red wine, 'The true victor will have the last laugh...' He slowly walked into the main hall. The profane device was now complete. As long as the vortex was opened, he, Mammon, would become the first under the Four Chaos Gods! The so-called Chaos Warmaster Abaddon would be nothing more than a mere subordinate in his presence!
The blood and carnage on the battlefield had clearly met the conditions for opening the vortex. Savan was merely an arrogant clown. He thought all of this was for himself, yet fate had already marked the price for everything.
"Initiate the ritual! Connect the Warp to this place! Go fetch the Bishop's Relic Key! I will open the vortex now!"
The Relic Key was a creation of mysterious matter fused with blackstone. Due to centuries of Warp Storms, this item was lost on Frax. The Relic Key resembled a scepter, containing a vast amount of energy. Theoretically, activating the Relic Key could tear a rift between the Warp and reality.
As a servant handed a box to Mammon, Mammon opened it... and it was empty, because the scepter was currently on Bishop Savan's person.
"This, this, this... Savan! You fool!"
But just as he roared, a dagger plunged directly from his chest... Mammon stared at his chest in disbelief... And behind him was an Alpha Warrior.
The servant who had presented him with the box also gradually shed his disguise... transforming into a Space Marine clad in teal power armour... "Unbelievers... cough cough... even if you kill me... you won't be able to open it..."
At this moment, the Alpha Warrior in front of him removed his helmet: "The ritual was always a ruse. Without that person, the so-called Relic Key is just an oversized battery."
"Wh... what?"
"The purpose of the Relic Key was never to open the Warp."
As the dagger was pulled out, Mammon fell weakly to the ground, watching as the surrounding servants and guards all transformed into Space Marine of the Alpha Legion... "Who are you...?"
"I am Alpha, and Omega, the beginning, and the end. And I will give the water of the spring of life freely to those who are thirsty..."
...In the basement, Bishop Savan cowered in a corner, watching the Imperial Guard's boots gradually ascend the metal stairs. Bishop Savan swallowed hard... "I surrender! I surrender! It was all that Mammon! He was the one who incited me! No! He's the real traitor! He deceived me! I knew nothing! The Relic Key is in my hand! With this, those Chaos traitors won't be able to open the Warp rift!"
The Soldier slowly walked towards him, his disguise peeling away with each step... transforming from an Astra Militarum into a Space Marine over 2 meters tall, clad in teal (the Alpha Twins are the shortest among the Space Marine).
(Oh, for goodness sake, I was referring to Alpha, one of the two brothers, Alpha and Omega.)
"It's... it's you... Alpha! You've come to save me! Right!"
"Bishop, it's time to go..."
Savan's face instantly lit up with joy, and he immediately scrambled to his feet, starting to walk towards the stairs. Since he could enter, it meant it was safe above!
Just as his hand touched the stair railing, a rope tightened around his neck from behind. His eyes suddenly widened:
"You... you..."
But it was no use. The teal-armored Warrior exerted a little force, and a crisp snap was heard from Bishop Savan's neck, before he slumped down limply.
After retrieving the Relic Key from Savan's corpse, he hung Savan's body in the basement with the rope, placing a toppled chair nearby to create the appearance of Savan committing suicide in defeat... As the basement door gradually opened, the deafening pre-battle mobilization outside had already begun, this was the final assault on the factory and the requiem of Frax... "You are all the best Soldiers! Chosen from the finest armies! Assault team! Today we will plant our flag on Frax! (Battlefield charge whistle)..."
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