Zeke experimented with the Iron Golem. He flooded the ground with water and pushed the golem in.
Then, he moved the Iron Golem to a high point and "accidentally" nudged it off the edge.
The test results mirrored Minecraft exactly: the Iron Golem was immune to both fall damage and drowning damage.
Furthermore, depending on the severity of the damage taken, cracks would appear on its body, which could be repaired using iron ingots.
Growing bolder, Zeke attempted to attack the Iron Golem himself, but it remained completely indifferent.
Confirming that it held no aggression toward its creator, Zeke felt greatly relieved.
While the [Hero of the Village] buff was still active, Zeke didn't forget to take a tour around the camp to conduct some trades.
Bela was a farmer, and Dance was a Weaponsmith.
It was much as Zeke had guessed; their trades were related to their professions.
After a round of the camp, Zeke had exchanged for about ten emeralds.
Unfortunately, he didn't spot anyone with the Librarian profession in the camp, so he stowed the emeralds away.
For the rest of the night, Zeke continued his traditional craft: staircase mining. He wanted to see if he could dig down to some lava.
Clearly, Zeke had overestimated himself. In a single night, he probably didn't even breach the crust, let alone find lava.
–
At dawn, Zeke emerged from his mining tunnel, his face covered in grime.
After a hasty cleanup, he followed the tunnel toward the Tyrok Fields Bastion, preparing to meet with Castellan Creed.
After retaking the Tyrok Bastion, General Creed had delivered another rousing speech.
The gist of it was to mourn the Planetary Governor who had perished in the rebellion, and to announce that, due to the emergency, he had been appointed Lord Castellan. He declared he would carry out the Governor's unfinished orders and called upon all loyal forces across Cadia to continue rallying at Tyrok Fields.
Consequently, Zeke witnessed a familiar scene: more soldiers flooding into the bastion from different directions.
Passing through the tunnel, Zeke saw Dance in front of the assembly hall. He looked incredibly excited.
"Zeke, you absolutely won't believe it! I actually met General Creed! Emperor above, that's the legendary Ursarkar Creed!"
"Oh? What did you talk to him about?" Zeke asked, curious.
"He asked about my experiences during this time, and he even mentioned you, Zeke."
"He asked me what I thought of you as a person," Dance said. "I said a lot of good things about you."
So, it was a background check. Zeke patted Dance on the shoulder, signaling him to calm down a bit.
"Dance, you have to remember, even Creed puts his pants on one leg at a time."
Dance was momentarily choked up. "What does that mean?"
"It means you don't need to sell yourself short, Dance. No matter how great Creed is, he's still just a human."
"Since he summoned you, it means you were qualified to stand before him. Who knows, maybe in the future, you'll have the chance to become someone even more famous than him."
Dance stood there, stunned.
By then, Zeke was already walking toward the assembly hall, his figure disappearing through the doorway.
Sergeant Victor was waiting for Zeke inside. Without any unnecessary pleasantries, Victor led Zeke straight into the administrative area.
Even from a distance, Zeke could hear Creed's voice.
"We must discuss how to dispose of those traitor corpses, General Creed. They are piling up into mountains and the stench is foul."
"Then burn them all," Creed said.
"That will consume a lot of money. You know Promethium has never been cheap."
"So what? Burn the bodies of those traitors. Don't tell me you intend to bury them? The soil of Cadia will not tolerate such filth being buried within it."
Well said, Zeke silently agreed.
"I will wait for you here." Sergeant Victor stopped at the door, and Zeke pushed it open and entered.
Inside the office, Creed was sitting at the desk. Beside him stood his aide, Jarran Kell.
As for the man who had just been discussing burning corpses, Zeke noted the badge on his chest: Logistics Minister Rake.
"It seems the great hero of this campaign has arrived." Zeke's entrance drew everyone's attention.
There were gazes of scrutiny, appreciation, and suspicion.
"He is younger than I imagined," Kell commented in a low voice.
He pulled a chair from the side, placed it opposite the desk, and gestured for Zeke to sit.
Zeke didn't stand on ceremony; he walked over and sat down. This distance allowed him to see Creed more clearly.
Creed's complexion wasn't great; it looked like he hadn't slept well the night before.
"It seems I'm no longer needed here." Rake shrugged, glanced at Zeke, and walked out the door.
Only Creed, Kell, and Zeke remained in the room.
Creed crushed his cigar ruthlessly against the ashtray, extinguishing it, and got straight to the point.
"I just summoned Dance. He is a good soldier—loyal, resilient."
Creed clasped his hands on the desk and leaned forward slightly, exuding an oppressive pressure.
"I asked him for intelligence regarding you. What he knows is very limited."
"Where you come from, what you are... the answers to these questions remain a blank slate."
Zeke met his gaze without dodging, staying silent and simply listening.
Castellan Creed leaned further forward. "This does not mean we cannot cooperate."
"I think the transaction between Sergeant Victor and yourself is a very good example."
"We provide the materials, and you utilize your miraculous power. An exchange of interests is far more reliable than trust, isn't it?"
Creed was forceful, his sentences coming one after another, leaving Zeke no room to interrupt.
His aide, Kell, spread a massive map out in front of Zeke.
Zeke looked at it. Seven or eight bastions were marked on the map, but one, labeled "Kasr Kraf," was heavily highlighted.
"Do you know of the Null Field Matrix?"
"The Null Field Matrix... what is that?" Zeke looked at Creed.
Zeke, of course, knew what a Null Field Matrix was. It was a device discovered by the Adeptus Mechanicus.
Legend had it that the Blackstone Fortresses were creations of Vaul, the Smith God of the Eldar, possessing a massive warp cannon capable of drawing power from the Sea of Souls to pierce through anything.
If there is the sharpest spear, there must naturally be a corresponding shield.
The Null Field Matrix was a defensive matrix capable of resisting the warp cannons.
Since Creed mentioned the Null Field Matrix, it meant Abaddon had already deployed his Blackstone Fortress.
Zeke hadn't expected Abaddon's offensive to come so quickly; he had thought that after quelling the rebellion, he would have some time to develop and build up his resources.
"There is a Null Field Matrix located at Kasr Kraf," Creed continued.
"General," Kell couldn't help but interject from the side. "Is this something we should be discussing?"
"It's fine. It won't be a secret for much longer anyway."
"Zeke, your abilities are very useful. I want to invite you to participate in this afternoon's War Council."
"At that time, all the factions on Cadia will be present at the meeting, including the Astartes, the Sororitas, and the Tech-Priests that Sergeant Victor mentioned you've been wanting to meet."