Forced to die just after becoming invincible in Warhammer?

……

The perfect city collapsed amidst a roar, and dust flew everywhere.

Lorgar and the Word Bearers are like those husbands in Japanese comics who are faced with... but are powerless to do anything. They can only watch it all happen, but can do nothing.

Well, there's also watching and listening.

Their eyes are full of pain and helplessness. The city where they once poured countless efforts is now gradually turning into ruins, and they can only be forced to endure this cruelty.

As the Perfect City continued to collapse, each loud noise struck Lorgar and the Word Bearers like a hammer in their hearts.

The raised dust filled the air, blurring their vision but unable to hide the excruciating pain in their hearts.

Luo Jia clenched his teeth, his lips turning white due to the exertion, and his hands clenched unconsciously, his knuckles turning bluish-white.

This city is not only a pile of bricks and steel, but also the embodiment of his beliefs and pursuits. Now it is falling apart before his eyes.

The expressions of the speakers were equally sorrowful. Some shed tears silently, leaving streaks of tears on their dusty faces; others sobbed softly, their suppressed cries appearing and disappearing amid the roar of the collapse.

They had dedicated everything to this city, but now they could only obey the order that seemed like a punishment from heaven, kneeling in humiliation and witnessing its demise.

Not far away, the Astartes who were carrying out the destruction mission were still advancing in an orderly manner. Every time the power hammers in their hands fell, the city buildings collapsed.

For Lorgar and the Word Bearers, each blow felt like a blow to their own souls.

When the last iconic building collapsed, the perfect city was completely reduced to ruins.

The dense dust slowly settled, and the surroundings fell into dead silence.

Lorgar and the Word Bearers were still kneeling there, as if time had stopped at this moment. They and the ruins became witnesses of this faith.

But who can they blame?

Ultramarines or Dawnbringers?

Or other warriors who participated in the operation, or even other Primarchs?

If we trace the root of the problem, aren't the culprits behind all this their own internal problems?

That evil Erebus was like a cancer that deeply tainted the Word Bearers and desecrated their once purest and noblest faith in the God-Emperor.

It was because of his actions that the perfect city built by the Primarch and countless believers with all their efforts collapsed in an instant and turned into a desolate ruin.

His heretical behavior became the fuse of this tragedy, burning all his efforts and hopes.

The sins of Erebus, like an unhealable wound, deeply stung the hearts of the Word Bearers.

Luo Jia's heart was filled with regret and self-blame. He blamed himself for not being able to notice Erebus's abnormality earlier and for not being able to protect this belief and the fruit of his labor.

As the Primarch, he should have led the Word Bearers towards the light, but now, due to the fall of one man, the entire legion has fallen into endless pain and shame.

The Word Bearers knelt before the ruins, their hearts burning with rage. Their hatred for Erebus ran deep.

But this hatred cannot save the perfect city from disappearing, nor can it heal their inner wounds.

They knew that no matter how angry they were, they could not change the bleak scene before them.

At this time, the eyes of the other Primarchs also fell on Lorgar and the Word Bearers.

Although they had a mission in mind, they couldn't help but feel complicated emotions when they saw this scene.

(This tragedy caused by faith made them realize that any negligence in the pursuit of the will of the God-Emperor may bring devastating consequences.) Written by Hui Le.

As time passed, the dust on the ruins gradually settled.

The Word Bearers also had to slowly recover from this heavy blow.

They understand that the road ahead is still long, but they can never go back to the past when they had a perfect city.

Luo Jia slowly stood up. In his eyes, besides pain, there was also a look of determination.

The Word Bearers Legion must re-examine its beliefs and find its way forward, even if the road ahead is fraught with thorns, unknowns and challenges.

Led by their Primarch Lorgar, the Word Bearers silently turned around and left this once perfect city.

Their backs appear particularly lonely in the afterglow of the setting sun, but at the same time, they also carry a kind of tenacity that comes from surviving a disaster.

And this ruin will forever be a scar in their hearts, constantly reminding them of the fragility of their faith and the price of betrayal.

"Aren't you going to comfort her?" Guilliman asked. He didn't know about the plan between Huile and Curze, and he had always simply thought that all this was caused by the heretic Erebus.

"Right now, what he needs is some quiet time alone. Perhaps our brother should have understood long ago, and rightfully so, that what truly pleases the Divine Emperor is walking side by side with him on the same path, not simply bowing down to him on the path he once trod, or even stooping to licking the traces he left behind."

Aurora said calmly, her eyes looking at Luo Jia who was slowly getting up from the ruins in the distance, with a hint of complexity in her eyes.

Guilliman nodded slightly, his gaze also looking in the direction of Lorgar, a trace of emotion rising in his heart.

He knew very well that what Aurora said was true, but seeing his brother who had once fought side by side with him suffer such a heavy blow, he couldn't help but feel a little bit reluctant.

"But this is undoubtedly a heavy blow to him," Guilliman said softly. "The Perfect City, the culmination of countless efforts by him and the Word Bearers, is now destroyed."

"This is a necessary pain," Aurora responded. "Throughout history, the path of faith has never been smooth. If one cannot grasp the true meaning amidst setbacks, how can one truly walk with the God-Emperor he speaks of? Lorgar is the Primarch, shouldering the heavy responsibility of guiding the Word Bearers onto the right path. This experience may help him and his Legion truly understand the meaning of faith."

Aurora cleared her throat, as if to pull out the dense knowledge in her mind in a clear and orderly manner.

She began, "Many ancient texts have stated that true faith should be a dynamic pursuit. It's not static, clinging to the past, but rather forging new paths in the present alongside the gods. Just like our interstellar journey, we can't simply look back at the footsteps of our predecessors, but must explore the unknown alongside the God-Emperor. The vitality of faith lies in constant renewal and evolution to adapt to the ever-changing challenges of the universe."

Guilliman was just listening casually at first, but as Aurora explained, a hint of surprise gradually appeared in his eyes.

The way he looked at Aurora changed completely. It was no longer just the familiar look between colleagues, but it was filled with appreciation and scrutiny.

In his impression, Aurora was more focused on actual combat and strategic command, but he did not expect that she had such unique and profound insights into the deep meaning of faith. These remarks extracted from the knowledge of ancient books made Guilliman realize that Aurora was far more profound and knowledgeable than he thought.

But this was actually just Aurora reading a few books about faith.

At this time, Luojia and the Word Bearers were gradually moving away, and their figures seemed increasingly small under the setting sun.

The Primarch and the Word Bearers, who had been silent all this time, walked aimlessly with heavy steps.

There was dead silence all around, only the sound of their footsteps echoing in the emptiness.

At this time, Lorgar spoke slowly, his voice low and weak: "Bring Erebus back! No matter how heretic he is, he is still a member of our Legion and should be dealt with by us. Bring him back and stick his head there..."

Luo Jia's voice was ethereal, as if a slight breeze could easily blow it away.

The voice was filled with endless fatigue and sorrow, as if carrying the grief of the entire legion.

However, Luo Jia himself seemed to be fine on the surface, still standing straight, but the emptiness and confusion in his eyes that were difficult to conceal revealed the deep hurt in his heart.

The Word Bearers nodded slightly when they heard the Primarch's order. Although they were also filled with sorrow, they would still carry out the Primarch's orders without hesitation.

Then, several Word Bearers turned quietly and walked towards the place where Erebus was imprisoned, to carry out the Primarch's order, which was filled with endless hatred and helplessness.

Those Word Bearers who received the order and left walked hurriedly, and their figures quickly disappeared from everyone's sight.

Lorgar and the other Word Bearers continued to move forward in silence, their steps heavy and dragging, as if bound by invisible shackles.

The atmosphere around was so oppressive that it was hard to breathe. No one spoke, and only a few heavy sighs could be heard occasionally.

Luo Jia stared blankly ahead, his mind flashing with the former glory of the Perfect City and its current tragic ruins. Every scene was like a sharp blade, piercing his heart.

The Word Bearers now clearly understand the horror of heresy.

For Astartes like the Word Bearers, who place faith in the God-Emperor at the core of their being, the existence of heretics is far more abhorrent than the xenos. While xenos are also a threat to the Emperor's domain, they represent a strange force in the universe that is distinct from humanity, bringing physical destruction and existential crises.

However, heresy attacks the very foundation of faith and is a blasphemy against their most sacred beliefs.

In the Word Bearers' cognition, the God-Emperor is the source of all order, truth and salvation, and their faith in the God-Emperor is pure and unquestionable.

Heretics, those who appear to be believers but secretly distort the doctrine and spread heresy, are like dark cancers lurking in the light.

They are eroding the purity of faith and shaking the spiritual pillars of the entire legion and even more believers.

This corruption and degeneration that grows from within is more terrifying than a violent invasion from external aliens, because it may quietly destroy the fortress of faith built by the Word Bearers with countless blood and sacrifices.

Therefore, in the eyes of the Word Bearers, heresy is the greatest betrayal of the God-Emperor, and its abomination far exceeds the threat posed by the aliens.

Chapter 295: The Fanatic's Expedition of Atonement

"You actually said that because you were in a bad mood, you ordered Aurora and the others to destroy Lorgar's perfect city, and then you just sat there and acted emo? I'm confused. How on earth did you put all these words together and say such a thing?"

Xi controlled the puppet and could not believe that these words came out of the emperor's mouth.

"Can you even say that? You're just putting all the blame on being in a bad mood? Who do you think you are?"

The puppet tilted its head, and the stiff expression on its face seemed to carry a bit of disbelief and resentment. It just stared at the emperor, as if waiting for a more reasonable explanation.

The emperor remained silent and did not respond to Xi's violent lecture.

He stood there quietly, like an emotionless statue, allowing Xi's words to shoot at him like sharp arrows.

"Can you please use your brain? If you can't talk, just shut up. If you can't raise a son, then don't take on the responsibility and just let someone else raise him! How did I end up running into a weirdo like you?"

Xi's face flushed with anger. She had just cleverly plotted against Tzeentch in the Warp and was in a good mood. However, she was stunned by the Emperor's incredible actions and her anger was instantly ignited.

Xi controlled the puppet, and the puppet waved its arms excitedly according to her emotions, as if venting her dissatisfaction with the emperor's behavior.

In this somewhat silent space, Xi's angry rebukes continued to echo, while the Emperor remained silent. This one-sided "quarrel" continued in a weird atmosphere.

……

Lorgar watched silently as his offspring brought Erebus, who no longer looked like a human, to him.

The tragic scene of Erebus before our eyes was shocking.

His mouth was cruelly cut off with a knife, and the area where his lips and mouth should have been was now just a bloody mess.

The skin on his body was completely gone, and the red muscle tissue was abruptly exposed. The crisscrossing blood vessels were clearly visible, like a hideous net covering his body.

The limbs were torn off abruptly, with dark purple blood clots at the broken ends, emitting a disgusting bloody smell.

Erebus raised his head with difficulty, and the moment he saw Lorga, an unclear sound of "Woo-ah-woo-ah" came from his throat.

He wanted to say something, but his mouth, without lips and tongue, could only utter broken and painful syllables and was unable to form complete words.

Luo Jia looked down at him, his eyes cold and complicated, mixed with anger, pain and a hint of indescribable relief.

The Word Bearers around stood silently, no one made a sound, only Erebus's faint and painful whimpering echoed in the oppressive atmosphere.

"Take him away! This is the punishment he deserves. From now on, he will have to bear the consequences." Lorgar was like a fair and strict judge, ruthlessly sentencing Erebus's future fate.

After saying this, two Word Bearers stepped forward quickly, one holding up what was left of Erebus, while the other dragged his twisted and deformed limbs, without any hesitation or mercy.

Erebus struggled in vain, the "Wooah" sounds he made becoming weaker and weaker. As the Word Bearers walked further and further away, he finally disappeared from the hearing range of everyone.

Lorgar still stood there, his eyes filled with mixed emotions, witnessing the end of this tragedy caused by betrayal, perhaps thinking about the long and unknown future of the Word Bearers Legion.

Then, Luojia made an unexpected decision.

He slowly sat down on the dusty ground, his gaze calm yet unquestionable as he looked at the Word Bearers surrounding him. He spoke in a steady voice, "My descendants! At this moment, I have decided to hold an impromptu discussion on faith."

His words echoed in this somewhat desolate space, and the Word Bearers gathered around him, some squatting and some sitting, their faces filled with solemnity.

The destruction of the Perfect City and the betrayal of Erebus had dealt a huge blow to the hearts of every Word Bearer. At this moment, they all desperately wanted to find the direction and strength of faith from the Primarch Lorgar.

Lorgar raised his head slightly, his eyes sweeping across every young and resolute face, and continued, "We have always believed in the God-Emperor devoutly, but why have we come to this point? The betrayal of Erebus, the collapse of the Perfect City, what does all this mean? Is our faith not firm enough, or have we lost our way in the pursuit of faith?" Every word in his voice was like a heavy hammer, striking the hearts of the Word Bearers.

Everyone fell into deep thought. After a brief silence, a young Word Bearer summoned up the courage to speak: "Primarch, I think we may have placed too much emphasis on outward forms and neglected the essence of faith. We built the Perfect City, thinking that it was the best expression of our faith in the God-Emperor, forgetting that true faith comes from the heart."

Luo Jia nodded slightly, indicating that he should continue.

Another Word Bearer stood up, his eyes filled with thought and worry. "Primarch, it seems to me that we have always followed a set pattern in our faith. We recite scriptures and build magnificent structures. But sometimes these actions seem more like inertia than a true understanding of the God-Emperor from the depths of our souls. Does Erebus's fall serve as a warning to us that faith should not be blindly followed, but requires each of us to deeply reflect and actively explore?"

Lorgar listened intently, his face expressionless, but a slight flicker in his eyes revealed that his heart was moved by these words. The Primarch spoke slowly, "You are absolutely right. For too long, we have been obsessed with constructing the outward appearance of faith, but have failed to build a solid foundation of faith within. Faith is not an empty ritual, but a deep-rooted power that should guide our every action and every decision."

At this moment, a veteran Word Bearer frowned and stood up. His seniority made even Lorgar take notice. Remember, he was once the Destroyer of Idols. The veteran said, "However, Primarch, when our faith has suffered such a heavy blow, how can we regain our confidence and rally our strength? The Perfect City has been destroyed. It was once a symbol of our faith, but now it lies in ruins, and our convictions seem to waver with it."

Lorjia gazed at the ruins in the distance for a long moment, then spoke slowly, "Though the Perfect City has vanished, the faith it carried must not perish with it. The city's collapse is a painful lesson, but also an opportunity for us to rebuild our faith. We should no longer rely on external symbols to maintain our faith, but instead rebuild an indestructible, perfect city within our hearts. From this day forward, we must re-examine our own path of faith and follow the will of the God-Emperor with even purer and more resolute conviction."

The Word Bearers nodded one after another, the flames of hope gradually burning in their eyes.

"But now, we must embark on the path of atonement. This is for no other reason than that we are responsible for the impure faith of the Word Bearers in the past. Even if the road ahead is long and difficult, we must shoulder the consequences like Yugong moving mountains, generation after generation. We must dedicate our everything to the God-Emperor, fearlessly rushing to every corner of the galaxy, and spreading the God-Emperor's name to every corner of the universe."

Luo Jia looked solemn and spoke firmly.

His words echoed in everyone's ears like a huge bell, and every word struck heavily on the hearts of the Word Bearers.

At this moment, although there was still sadness in the eyes of the Word Bearers, there was more of a determination and firmness.

They knew that this would be an extremely long and difficult journey, but for the sake of their past lost beliefs, they had no hesitation.

As Luojia finished speaking, the Word Bearers' atonement expedition officially began.

The Word Bearers rose in unison and began to pack their bags quickly and orderly.

They will carry the heavy burden of their past and embrace a new, pure faith in the God-Emperor as they journey into the vast and boundless universe.

On the planet Colchis, an operation of special significance is in full swing.