Bishop Dony

"By the God-Emperor, how could I dare commit such blasphemy!"

Hearing Ron's question, Bayev went pale with shock. He clearly held the God-Emperor and the church here in great reverence.

With a solemn expression, he looked at Ron. "Without the church's help, our Palatine District would have fallen to the heretics long ago..."

Bayev told Ron about what had happened back then, when the nobles had joined forces with heretic believers and stormed the Palatine District.

They had driven the civilians to Sacred Plaza, intending to use tens of thousands of lives in a blood sacrifice to desecrate the God-Emperor Statue.

This was the heretics' most common tactic. Whenever they conquered a place, they would desecrate the God-Emperor Statue, then slaughter every loyal believer.

Such blasphemy was something the church could never tolerate, so it had mobilized every last member.

Those fanatical Chaplains and Frateris Militia had charged at the front lines, wielding warhammers and scepters as they swore to defend the God-Emperor's glory to the death!

In the end, the heretic rebels had been driven out of the Upper Hive District, but the church had suffered devastating casualties and nearly been wiped out.

Now, only Bishop Dony Moore and several clergymen remained in this church.

Ron followed Bayev up the tall stairs, while Carter led the Praetorian Guard behind them.

Since this was a church, they had all removed their heavy weapons.

Before long, the group entered the church's main hall.

The moment he stepped inside, Ron felt a solemn, sacred aura wash over him.

Sunlight streamed through the stained-glass dome dozens of meters overhead. Relief carvings around it depicted the God-Emperor leading the Primarchs against heretics.

Children with white wings embedded in their backs, wrapped in strips of scripture-covered cloth, fluttered through the air. Exposed mechanical components could faintly be seen on their bodies.

They were the Ecclesiarchy's Cherubs.

Cherubs resembled child angels. They were artificial creations, fusions of flesh and mechanical attachments, their bodies anointed with special Holy Oil.

Their status was equivalent to that of Servitors, but they possessed a degree of independent mobility and intelligence. They served as attendants to Ecclesiarchy Priests.

As holy sunlight poured down, the Cherubs flew to Ron's side and sang hymns praising the supreme God-Emperor.

Ron sensed someone watching him. Turning his head, he saw an elderly Chaplain in robes.

He was the last Bishop of the Earth Planet church headquarters, the old Chaplain Dony Moore. He looked frail with age.

His mechanical arm rested on a scepter engraved with scripture and marked by an Aquila. His hawk-like eyes stared fixedly in Ron's direction.

Had he seen through something? Why had he been staring at me?

Ron felt a little uneasy.

Just as he began to worry, Bayev beside him offered a timely reminder. "Bishop Dony's eyesight isn't very good..."

Bayev loudly greeted Bishop Dony. "My lord, our Governor has arrived!"

At those words, Bishop Dony's eyes suddenly lit up, and his gaze softened as he hurried toward them.

"Praise the God-Emperor!"

Bishop Dony came before Ron and excitedly seized his hand. "Governor, you have finally come."

Ron was greatly puzzled by the other man's overwhelming enthusiasm.

What was going on here?

Bayev seemed quite familiar with Bishop Dony and said directly, "As I mentioned before, our lord was attacked by heretics. We need you to examine him."

Hearing this, Bishop Dony nodded. "Naturally. I have been awaiting this for a long time."

"Let us begin at once."

Bishop Dony scrutinized Ron with sharp eyes, then led him to the Emperor's Shrine.

The area before the Shrine was filled with lit candles, giving off a rich fragrance of Holy Oil.

"You may relax a little."

Bishop Dony patted Ron's hand, signaling that he should not be too nervous.

Using a mental link, he directed the Cherubs to fetch Holy Water and sprinkle it over Ron, then opened the scriptures and began to pray.

Bishop Dony closed his eyes and recited the scriptures loudly, while the Cherubs circled above him and joined in harmony.

Bayev stood behind the two of them, waiting anxiously.

He gave Carter a look. They had already prepared a contingency plan before coming here.

If anything went wrong during the examination, or if Bishop Dony behaved too drastically, they would protect the Governor immediately and withdraw from the church.

Whether Ron had fallen into darkness or made a deal with a Daemon, they would follow him to the death.

That was their unquestionable Loyalty!

Halfway through the prayer, Ron sensed an energy similar to Psyker Power enveloping him, probing his body, soul, and consciousness.

So Chaplains really could use a power similar to Psyker Power.

Though they were not Psykers, it had been proven that their worship and prayers to the God-Emperor could produce effects similar to Psyker Power.

Bishop Dony was using the God-Emperor's will to examine Ron.

If it had been an ordinary person, nothing about him could have remained hidden. Even a powerful Psyker would have had his secrets laid bare before Bishop Dony's gaze.

No darkness could escape the God-Emperor's scrutiny.

But Ron had not fallen into darkness, and with the Little Sun within him, the Psyker Power on his body was far stronger than Bishop Dony's force.

Under Ron's control, the Psyker Power from the Little Sun quickly shielded his consciousness while deliberately exposing part of Ron Grant's soul for the other man to inspect.

Before long, that force withdrew from Ron's body, signaling the end of the examination.

Bishop Dony looked up at Ron with a smile. "The God-Emperor protects you. There are no traces of heresy upon you, and Warp energy has not affected you too severely.

"Your body and soul are largely unharmed. You are merely somewhat weak and need proper rest, along with a little restraint..."

As he spoke, he gave Ron a knowing look.

Mm...

Ron immediately understood. Bishop Dony was hinting that he had a weak kidney.

He could only nod along.

After all, he had only recently emerged from the Palace of Slaanesh. He really was weak beyond measure.

"In short, you will be fine after a period of proper rest," Bishop Dony concluded.

"By the God-Emperor, it is good that my lord is unharmed!"

Hearing that, Bayev relaxed completely. A smile appeared on his usually stern face. "Lord Dony, thank you a thousand times over!"

"I merely accepted the God-Emperor's guidance and saved a lost lamb."

Bishop Dony replied with a smile, then turned to stare at Ron again. "Governor, there is something you need to explain. You are a Psyker now, aren't you?"

Ron's heart tightened. He suddenly remembered that the Ecclesiarchy did not seem to think highly of Psykers.

In many respects, the Ecclesiarchy represented the Imperium itself. It united humanity through doctrine and served the Emperor and the Imperium.

The Ecclesiarchy's fundamental doctrines were known as the Imperial Creed.

They included: all humanity must believe in the Emperor; Xenos and heretics must be hated; Psykers and mutations among humanity were terrifying threats that had to be controlled.

All these doctrines originated from what the Emperor himself had preached during the Great Crusade and were regarded as the Imperial Truth.

The Ecclesiarchy's Chaplains would basically defend these doctrines with their lives in order to preserve their Loyalty to the God-Emperor!

If a Psyker fell into the hands of the Ecclesiarchy, there would naturally be no good end for him.

Most likely, he would be imprisoned and sent aboard a Black Ship, then transported to Holy Terra for further processing.

"Governor?"

Bishop Dony looked at Ron and pressed on, "You have not yet answered my question."

Thanks, Brother Emperor Knight.

Thanks to the boss "Why Aren't You Thanking Brother Emperor Knight Yet" for the reward!