Warhammer 40: Doom

Chapter 265 A lot of doubts
In the city's skies, anti-gravity vehicles shuttle back and forth, weaving a three-dimensional transportation network; the streets on the ground are pieced together from geometric patterns, wide and orderly.

The sculptors, dressed in burqas, walked in hushed tones along the clean streets, obeying order and the law, demonstrating exceptional personal qualities.

Technological devices are everywhere, serving all citizens, and the lush greenery adds a touch of fragrance to the city air.

This vision of technology coexisting harmoniously with humanity and nature, even surpassing the empire, is comparable to the Nur Stars in some aspects.

However, it was precisely this prosperity that made Doom realize the hidden crisis and feel an "eerie" atmosphere.

The city's tranquility is not a facade; there are no security personnel or order maintainers on the streets, and people understand and tolerate each other.

Seeing these anomalies, he was now almost certain that the shapeshifter was up to no good.

A highly developed social structure and a population with extremely high quality can be a terrifying force if used in war.

Doom called for more support to ensure that the human side maintained a superior force in the upcoming war and avoided falling into a disadvantageous position in the battle.

"Why?" Doom pointed to the city, to the bustling streets, and asked in confusion, "Are there only men outside, and no women around?"

“Our culture,” the governor stepped forward, bowing slightly with his tall frame, and explained to the giant before him, “is that women are in charge of domestic affairs, while men are in charge of all foreign affairs.”

"Most of the time, women stay at home to take care of the elderly and children, while men work and earn money; the division of labor is clear."

“Your Excellency has truly exceptional insight,” the governor explained, offering a complimentary compliment: “You noticed at a glance that there are no women on the street.”

Doom remained silent, still displaying his arrogant and disdainful demeanor, and led the imperial delegation on a sightseeing tour.

He had all sorts of questions in his mind, and his brain kept analyzing, trying to tear apart the illusion and see the truth behind the prosperity.

Why would such a developed and orderly society want to be merged into the empire, and even be willing to give up its political power and follow the empire's arrangements?

This kind of behavior, which puts the cart before the horse, goes against the fundamental human instinct to pursue "better".

What ideology sustains such an orderly and efficient society? The equality and mutual respect between the people and the ruling officials are genuine and not feigned.

Humans have selfish desires and unequal social status; a utopia where everyone is equal does not exist.

Unless the people at the Body Shaping Alliance aren't human!
But the genetic data doesn't lie; they are human, even more so than the average citizen of the Empire.

In today's technologically regressive world, the genes of humans, remnants of the glorious ancient times, have been modified or edited to varying degrees.

The Empire's detection methods were simple: if an individual's appearance was identical to a human's, their genes had not been significantly modified, and their skull showed no deformities, they could be certified as human.

Strictly speaking, Astartes are outside the human race and can only be considered as modified soldiers based on humans.

"Shaping Union, our philosophy is: harmony, fairness, justice, and symbiosis." The governor, full of pride, opened his arms to embrace the sky and introduced the cultural concept to Doom.

He certainly has reason to be proud, as the Imperial delegation saw.
Upon hearing the governor's account, a cold glint flashed in Doom's eyes as he caught a strange word.

Why do body sculptors emphasize this?
"What technology allowed you to transform into beautiful forms?" Doom asked, his tone domineering and unquestionable.

He wasn't asking a question, but rather issuing a hidden command for the consul to understand on his own.

"I'll take you there now." Clearly, the governor understood the implication and, without any hesitation, enthusiastically led the way, showing the foreigners the foundation of their settlement.

Was I really wrong? Or was it just a false alarm?
Doom began to doubt himself, but he kept making requests, and the other party agreed to them all without any hesitation.

The governor remained calm and composed throughout, appearing as if he were an extraordinary person, with a vision and foresight far exceeding that of ordinary people.

The doubt only flashed for a moment before Doom suppressed it. His intuition was infallible; there was definitely something seriously wrong with the Shaping Union.

The group boarded a hovercraft, which wasn't specially prepared but rather an existing mode of transportation in the city. The interior was spacious, and even Doom's tall frame didn't feel cramped inside.

“Observe every detail carefully; they are very well hidden.”

Doom gazed at the beautiful scenery outside the window and issued a command via telepathy, instructing the Doom Warriors to keep a close watch.

Out of the corner of his eye, he kept his eyes fixed on the governor talking to Mnbia, trying to find a flaw in his argument.

Until the vehicle reached its destination, the governor behaved impeccably and did not exhibit any unusual behavior.

"My lord, this is the technology of the Shaping Union—the Shaping Hall." The governor gestured, introducing the towering building to Doom. "It originates from the Dark Ages of Technology and shaped us into perfect beings."

The first thing you see is a triangular building made of deep stone, decorated with reflective gilded strips. Its highest point shines with gold, and its sides extend gently, embracing the square.

People come and go at the port, with a large number of ordinary people entering and leaving.

Doom smiled with interest and nodded to signal the governor to lead the way. His smile came from the heart; he had finally found something different.

The commoners coming and going, though wearing tight-fitting clothes and robes, were different from the normal bodybuilders.

They are short in stature and clearly have not undergone technological modifications, or are currently undergoing such modifications.

The group entered the Sculpting Hall in a grand procession, and what they saw before them was an eye-opener for the imperial delegation.

The hall contains thousands of capsule-shaped machines, gilded in gold, neatly arranged on bases and placed in the center of the hall for people to use.

The user lies down inside, and golden liquid immediately flows out of the capsule machine. The user is then immersed in the golden liquid and undergoes technological transformation.

Some people completed the transformation, stood up from inside the machine feeling refreshed and aware of the changes in themselves.

Doom noticed that most of the people who entered the machine were short and slender, and judging from their physique, they should be normal teenagers.

"Can someone with my size do it?" Monbia asked at the opportune moment, pointing to the body-transforming machines in the hall, her words filled with envy.

“As an imperial diplomat…” he smiled slightly, stroking his belly fat, “my appearance isn’t very good. If you made me look better, the noble ladies and beauties would welcome me more.”

His words elicited soft chuckles from the crowd. The accompanying governor shook his head, covering his mouth to elegantly conceal his laughter at Mambia's sense of humor.

Doom also smiled, knowing that the diplomat had made a probing move with a joking tone.

"Of course you can use it; the ancient technology will change your form." The governor was very generous and did not refuse the foreigner. He walked to a machine and gestured for him to use it.

Mambia quickly waved his hand in refusal, saying with a regretful expression, "I'm a son-in-law who lives with his wife's family. It's best to just think about such things. Attracting women would be like playing with fire for me."

hum~~
The delegation members were trying to suppress their laughter; some even turned red in the face from holding it in, while others looked on with pity and cast knowing glances at Mnbia.

"That's a pity." The governor shook his head regretfully and returned to the group with graceful steps.

Doom wore a mocking smile, but he had already reached a conclusion in his heart.

Mambia used himself as a starting point to let him know that body sculptors are not exclusive and are even happy to share body sculpting technology.

A Doomsday Soldier walked toward the machine, pointed to the golden liquid inside, and turned to the Archon, saying, "I need to collect some samples."

At Doom's instruction, the Doom Slayer made his move.

"Of course, no problem. It's a nutrient solution, and it only works when used with the machine."

The governor did not refuse, and as always generously indicated that the Doomsday Warrior could operate the machine at will.

The pharmacist Hippocrates took a container from his backpack, filled a capsule machine with a cup of golden liquid, and hung it on his waist for later use.

"Take..." Doom found nothing here and was about to go look elsewhere when a clear voice interrupted him.

"Father! I don't want to go in!"

The sudden sound shattered the tranquility of the Sculpture Hall, drawing everyone's attention.

Doom, standing five meters tall, naturally had a wider view. He saw a corner of the hall where a young boy was pulling back, trying to escape his father's large hand.

The boy's next words surprised him even more.

"Ever since I went in last time, I've felt really strange all over." The boy's voice was trembling with tears as he shook his head violently, clearly not wanting to go in again.

The governor strode over, patted the boy's head to calm him down, and said to the father, "Take the child home and let him adjust to the rehabilitation reaction before coming back."

(End of this chapter)