Warhammer: Start with a dog.

Chapter 750 Are you a walking encyclopedia of questions?
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“So, Chief Speaker, you know I’ve always considered you the most learned person I’ve ever met, and the War Marshal has instructed us to learn the truths of the Empire from you. So, I have a question now, and I swear I’ll only ask you once.”

Gavial, Nairo, and Sindman stood by the pool, while the other sergeants, following the company commander's orders, led the narrators to another cave.

Zhu Bo's body was placed beside the pool. His pale, dead flesh still had a distorted face and a stiff state. Under the light of the relit candles, his sallow face looked particularly terrifying.

“Of course,” the old man said, walking over and placing his hand on Loken’s arm, seemingly to comfort him, or perhaps to reassure himself. “You know, Gavial. I’m happy to answer any questions you may have, and you can ask me anything without worry.”

Loken nodded, glancing around warily at the same time.

His adjutant, Vipas, immediately understood and deliberately walked around the cave again. "Don't worry, platoon leader, it's just a few of us here."

"That's good. Our next conversation is top secret. Understand? Top secret."

“Of course,” Sindman said softly.

Having witnessed how Loken acquired his current scars and how Jubo became a corpse, the old man understood the uncertain and unsafe situation everyone present was in, but Loken, as an Astartes, was probably safer than him.

Sindeman realized that perhaps the strongest bond he could rely on now was not his official position or his proud knowledge and eloquence, but his personal relationship with Loken and even the Warmaster.

“You have been leading preachers to spread science and truth to all the worlds we have conquered,” Loken said in a low voice. “So, could you explain to me, using science and truth, what happened to Jubo?”

Hindman pondered for a long time, almost looking like an old man's statue in the candlelight.

“Perhaps,” Loken added, “Although the teachings we receive and the world we live in are governed by science and truth, here, in a world where ignorance and irrationality have reigned for so many years, there exists a demon—”

"No!" the chief preacher immediately and resolutely responded, his eyes as firm as a hawk's in the firelight. "If we have learned anything from the unification of past empires, it is that there is no place in the universe, no place in the deepest part of the earth, where there are demons, ghosts, or anything you would call them by the names of ancient superstitions."

"Then how do you explain all the crazy things Jubo did after being possessed? And this Samus he keeps talking about?"

“I don’t think possession is a proper term for formal occasions, Gavial. It shouldn’t be uttered by someone like you. It’s too idealistic…”

"Stop with the rhetoric! You saw it with your own eyes, Kyrell! Facts speak louder than words! Isn't that what you taught me? Are you trying to tell me that mortals and Astartes simultaneously experienced the same illusion?"

"Calm down, Gavial, oh child, calm down." The old man, surprisingly, regained his composure. "Your injuries—"

“The blood has already clotted. It will heal soon.” Loken waved his hand, casually pulled the short sword that was stuck in his shoulder, and threw it to the ground. The weapon clattered and slid several meters across the terrazzo floor of the hall.

"Look, my body is the best embodiment of the Emperor's genetic engineering and science. We are stronger than mortals in both mind and body. Discipline, fighting spirit, and the inability to kill each other are written into our genes!"

Loken practically spat out the last few words through gritted teeth, “This goes against everything! All of it! Why?! Can you tell me why the truth you preach is right?!”

“I’m sorry.” He realized that the old man beside him was looking at his angry face with fear, and Loken regained his control. “I just… I just… I need to get a result that can be analyzed with reason and science right away. It’s very urgent, Carell. I hope you can understand.”

"Of course... child, I understand. Let me take a look."

The chief speaker got up and walked to Zhu Bo's horribly mutilated corpse, which stared wide-eyed at the ground, to examine it closely.

The deceased had a broad skull, with eyes as wide-set as those of every Shadowmoon Wolf known as a son of Horus. His pupils were noticeably protruding, with bloodshot veins at the bottom. His dull, enlarged pupils stared blankly at the dark cave ceiling covered with stalactites. Transparent water droplets fell on his blood-stained pearl-white power armor, drawing strange patterns.

Under the firelight, the corpse's skin was a color between bluish-white and waxy yellow, like rotten wood that had died of disease. The skin was covered with black spots that looked like mold, and wisps of dark capillary-like objects were distributed on the exposed skin surface.

"Can you smell it?" someone asked.

“Yes.” Sindman frowned. “There’s a faint, rotten smell… but it shouldn’t be this fast here, given how low the temperature is.”

“Some kind of autolytic disease?” someone suggested. “Yes, that makes sense.” The old man’s brows relaxed slightly. “A disease, an unknown plague, acute symptoms caused by bacteria or fungi, an invasion of the brain and organs that leads to insane, indiscriminate attacks.”

“Astartes are associated with immune diseases and toxins,” Loken points out.

"That……"

"It's reasonable that no diseases have been discovered on unknown planets, especially since you're going to places that ordinary people wouldn't go. How about we look at excavating ancient tombs?" someone else said.

“Indeed.” Loken slowly furrowed his brow. “So it really is an unknown, highly virulent plague?”

“A plausible explanation, including the abnormal mental state following the outbreak of the plague,” Sindman said. “This has also been documented in ancient explorations of many ancient tombs or similar enclosed spaces.”

"Then why are the rest of us, including you, fine, but Zhu Bo is the only one who has fallen ill?"

"Could there be some minor errors or defects in Zhu Bo's genetic code?"

"That's far-fetched. Are you accusing the War General and his offspring of having genetic problems? Speaker? Are you saying that the Emperor's most favored son's son inherited defective genes?"

The company commander's voice clearly carried a dangerous hint of disapproval.

"Tsk. You ask so many questions." Someone muttered through gritted teeth, then raised their voice, "Perhaps Zhu Bo's gene fragments underwent individualized mutations after being exposed to large amounts of inhaled chemicals and irradiated by radiation from different stars."

“Indeed. A brilliant and reasonable deduction,” Hindman agreed. “Although only Jubo was infected, if it is indeed such a ferocious plague, I suggest that everyone who has been in contact with him be quarantined and cleaned and disinfected. You should also report to the Pharmacists’ Association, Gavial.”

"Then why does he keep repeating 'Sams'? Can the plague control the language of Astartes?"

"……I'm done!"

"What did you say, Kyriel?" Loken stepped forward, bolt pistol already in his hand. "Who's there?"

"It's me." Two bolters were pointed alertly at their side.

"When did you arrive? How much did you hear?"

Ramizan stood a few feet away from them, staring at Sindeman with a look of utter disappointment.

“Let’s get these problems sorted out quickly!” he shouted.

"what?"

"Stop asking questions! Good heavens! Gavial Loken! If you ask me again, I'll put a gag on you!"

"How dare you insult the company commander like this!" Vipas stepped forward.

"I think it's better to point a gun at the one behind you than at me."

"Lamizann said, glancing behind them at the same time."

"It's awake."

A teeth-grinding scraping sound rang out.

(End of this chapter)