Warhammer: Hail to the Void Lords!.

Chapter 1037 09.1036: 'Blindness'

The checkpoint where Horatio ordered the hovercars to land was the choke point controlling the underground rapid transit between the Sibelius hive and the Tarsus hive. A massive steel gate stood there, coldly scrutinizing all those attempting to cross between the two colossal cities.

Tarsus, the second largest population center on the planet Sintira.

It is not only a commercial hub for global trade, but also a vast military camp of the Astronautical Army, a fortified stronghold of the Ministry of Justice, a dry dock of the Starport, and the location of the Cathedral of Enlightenment and the headquarters of the Order of St. Drusus, a landmark of the state religion.

Despite its political efforts to break free from Sibelius's shadow, it remained economically heavily reliant on the industrial products continuously exported from Sibelius's factory.

Horatio's residence was located above the orbital starport, but he had never actually set foot on the land of Tarsus hive.

Because the city is located in the heart of Sintila's most inhospitable desert, enduring the scorching sun and sandstorms year-round, it stands in stark contrast to Sibelius, which is situated on the coast with a pleasant climate.

At this moment, the crowd below the checkpoint was bustling, like an anthill being disturbed.

Clad in black armor and wielding riot batons, the Ministry of Justice bailiffs shouted themselves hoarse trying to maintain order, their voices drowned out by the clamor of the crowd.

A black hovercraft with the Imperial Navy's double-headed eagle emblem emblazoned on its side slowly came to a stop on a dedicated parking platform.

Chief Justice Javert stood on a metal platform of a terracotta barrier, looking down at the chaotic crowd below.

The terrifying stun baton in his hand was being impatiently tapped against his palm, making soft "snap, snap" sounds.

He turned his head, his sharp gaze catching the tall, uniformed man stepping down from the hovercar.

“Greetings, High Commander.” Javert’s voice was as hoarse and powerful as ever. “What brings you to this filthy place?”

"You ask my question first." Horatio smiled, his gaze passing over Javert's shoulder and landing on the sea of ​​people below the checkpoint, a crowd so dense it resembled a hellish landscape.

"Order from the Marshal of the Legal Department."

Javert's face remained stern and wary. "Sintira is absolutely the most dangerous planet I've ever seen, bar none. There have been many extremely brutal indiscriminate attacks recently. In Abyss Harbor now, I swear on my career that such a situation would never occur."

"Is it the aftermath of the French Revolution?" Horatio asked.

As soon as he asked the question, horns and shouts rang out from the crowd.

"Blessing Parade! Everyone make way!!"

A high-pitched chant suddenly rang out from the distance, followed by a deafening cacophony of gongs and drums. Several golden cherubim floated in mid-air, their mechanical vocal cords emitting sacred and uplifting hymns that instantly drowned out the noise.

The crowd jostled to the sides, making way for a narrow path amidst the hustle and bustle. Horatio's gaze pierced through the throng of heads and spotted a familiar figure—Arabella.

She led six angelic sisters clad in silver power armor, walking inside a massive procession float decorated with countless relics and lilies. Slightly outside them were two groups of battle nuns, dressed in black robes and armor, their expressions solemn; they were members of the Martyr's Sisters, renowned for their fanatical and fearless nature.

The nuns of the Holy Rosary led the singing of the main melody of the hymn, while the nuns of the Sisters of the Martyrs echoed with a powerful chorus. The two distinct voices intertwined to create a solemn and magnificent harmony.

Arabella saw him too. Through a gap in the crowd, the two exchanged a glance and nodded to each other in unison.

This was the first time Horatio had seen two different branches and systems of the Battle Sisters holding a consecration procession together.

It appears to be a pilgrimage event where the host invited guests to socialize.

That makes sense, since the saints they worship are all officially canonized by the imperial state religion.

Having arrived at the territory of the Drususian Order, it was natural to pay homage to their deceased saints.

At the outermost edge of the formation were cuirassiers sent by the military.

Their tall, strong warhorses, clad in heavy armor, acted like moving walls, forcefully carving out a safe path through the crowded throng, escorting the massive pilgrimage group to their final destination—the Cathedral of Enlightenment in Tarsus, the hive of the city.

"No, it's not a revolution."

Javert's voice brought Horatio back to his senses. "The attackers' targets were indiscriminate, not aimed at any particular class. We were not summoned by the State Church to maintain order, but were specially mobilized by the highest orders from the Inquisition. They... do not seem to trust the local law enforcement."

He glanced at the rose knot badge on Horatio's cuff and lowered his voice: "Given your authorization, I can reveal some information to you. We need to pay special attention to some unusual situations recently, just in case."

"Thank you, I'm all ears." Horatio took a step closer.

“A group of cultists who have gone completely insane are wreaking havoc in the shadows of the hive.” Javert’s tone became extremely grave, the grim security situation putting him under immense pressure: “These madmen will attack passersby without warning, tearing at the flesh of their victims with their teeth, and even… gouging out their eyes, as well as their own. Before being subdued, they will scream and spread some chilling and terrifying prophecies.”

He pointed to the chaotic crowd below and sighed, "Because of the upcoming operations, I'm afraid my bailiffs and I will be unable to assist you in traveling to Polaberia, nor will we be able to continue our campaign against the traitors along the Whirlwind Route. The planet Sintira alone is enough to keep us extremely busy."

[The Inquisition again?] Horatio thought to himself. The Inquisition's recent actions were indeed far too frequent. If the previous gathering of inquisitors from various orders was to deal with the Chaos fleet that had escaped from the Eye of Fear, then why bother conscripting and mobilizing bailiffs from other regions who were carrying out other missions?

Indiscriminate harm... gouging out eyeballs... these words sent a familiar chill down Horatio's spine.

The pilgrimage procession slowly passed through the checkpoint, and the massive influx of people threw the already fragile cordon of justice into chaos. They had to deploy more officers and rearrange the checkpoints in an attempt to alleviate the immense pressure by diverting the flow of people.

The pilgrimage procession was like an out-of-control torrent, violently crashing against the fragile dam of the checkpoint.

(End of this chapter)