Holy Knight Order? Holy Church Army Eastern Crusade? Where did this drag me?
Colchis is a desolate world covered in yellow sand, with Gobi Desert, barren lands, and radioactive craters that kill silently. The harsh living environment forces its inhabitants to live a nomadic life.
Like most Imperial World, the desolation of Colchis was man-made, wiped out by nuclear flames falling from the sky, killing or purifying ninety percent of its population.
All the hubs of the technological age were given special attention, leaving only a small portion of the area habitable for humans. This led to a technological stagnation among the inhabitants, and the world briefly reverted to a feudal state.
But humans are a species that loves infighting. After the survivors gathered together, they inevitably began to form their own small groups, which eventually evolved into different countries, and began to fight endlessly for population, oases, water, and even all the necessities of survival.
Among them, religion is the most rampant. The Colchis people, who have lost their technological heritage, believe in whatever they can. They are naturally attracted to strength and can launch holy wars for their religious beliefs, even going so far as to beat dogs senseless.
Moreover, due to their low level of education, their beliefs are diverse, and there is even primitive worship, such as in the Nuclear Bomb Town that Mordred and Horus infiltrated.
Their faith is the unexploded nuclear bomb at the center of the city-state. They established a strange cult called the Atom God Cult and formed the Atom Protectorate. When they draw their knives to kill people, they shout, "Fission is King, Fusion is God, God Bless the Order, Hallelujah!"
Given time, Colchis might very well have evolved into a strange organization like the Adeptus Mechanicus, but the appearance of one person changed this situation.
"My lords, you two look like you've come from out of town, preparing to join the Holy Church Army!"
The two people who were enjoying milk tea at a street stall looked up. Mordred and Horus had gone to great lengths to disguise themselves in order to sneak in unnoticed.
Mordred is easy to deal with; he can become whatever he wants. He's essentially a lump of flesh, so turning him into an attack helicopter wouldn't be a problem. But to make him look more human, we chose to scale him down proportionally.
Horus also had a solution. The Moon Wolves was quite wealthy, and Horus wore a pair of transformation glasses that had been passed down from the Dark Age of Technology. He could transform into a normal human by shouting "Wash your socks!" and would also get a red and white bodysuit for free.
I have no idea how idle humans were in the Dark Age of Technology to develop such a device. No wonder everyone was crazy.
"Master, what do you do for a living? How did you manage to tell us brothers' identities?"
The tea stall owner remained silent, but simply lifted his robe and pointed to Mordred and Horus:
"My esteemed guests, though I, Westen, am old, my eyes are not blind. Haven't you noticed that your attire differs somewhat from that of those around you?"
Mordred, dressed in a white tank top and baggy shorts with an afro, exchanged a glance with Horus was wearing a red and white bodysuit and a cloak, and had his sparse hair combed to one side as much as possible. They both thought the question they had asked was stupid.
Seeing that the two landlords' simple-minded sons understood, the tea stall owner even kindly brought them two packets of dates, suggesting they eat something sweet to nourish their brains.
"The saints you're looking for aren't here. They should be in the Black Gobi right now. It's already afternoon, so it'll take at least a month to get there. I can arrange for you to set off with the supply team tomorrow. The Black Gobi is not something fledglings like you can handle."
It's only because you met me that you two, with your delicate skin, would have been tricked into becoming male slaves long ago. Especially you, with your blond hair, those slave-catching teams love people like you the most.
But then again, even if you join the Holy Church Army, it has to be at the right time!
"The Holy Church Army?" Mordred felt he had heard a strange term, implying that they were going to join the Holy Church Army. Boss, if you know more, just say so.
An hour later, the two Primarch, each carrying Bolter, stood on the Gobi Desert, surrounded by corpses whose heads had been blown off by a single shot.
"The local gang is so rude! We were robbed as soon as we left town. How dare they? Don't they know I'm a gangster?"
Horus also somewhat confused. The people here were like madmen, shouting "Ankara Hoolaba" as they charged at them, each one fearless of death. Even after the enemy leader was shot, they still insisted on rushing forward to their deaths, making communication impossible.
"Mordred, something feels off. Didn't you say Luojia was a masochist? Something doesn't feel right!"
"How should I know? I clearly remember Luojia being a good-for-nothing. The arrival of saints, the unification of the order, the Holy Church Army Eastern Crusade —this script doesn't make sense."
According to the talkative tea stall owner, ever since Luojia descended upon Colchis, this saint has been exceptionally gifted. With his extraordinary wisdom, he debated with the popes of various city-states, leaving them speechless, and was highly regarded by the lord of Kor Phaeron.
Pope Kor Phaeron, however, was quite wise, and with the powerful influence of his Holy Son, he established the Holy Knight Order.
Luojia became the Holy Son, Kor Phaeron became the Pope, and there was also the beloved Aribas, who was also the most powerful Grand Pontiff at the time. Most human settlements joined the Holy Church Army and were even allowed to retain their local beliefs.
Take Nuclear Bomb Town as an example. Saint Luojia once said that the God-Emperor is the Atom God. He is the Omnissiah of the world, the first spark produced by atomic collisions.
Anyone who doesn't believe in the God-Emperor is a heretic and will be subjected to Nuclear Torture by the Atom God. In short, the God-Emperor is everything, and everything is for the God-Emperor. Nuclear bombs belong to the God Emperor, the sky belongs to the God-Emperor, the earth belongs to the God-Emperor, and even every bite of food you eat is a gift from the God-Emperor.
Moreover, joining the Holy Church Army is not a waste of time. Once you become a member, you will be protected by the Holy Church Army. There's even a saying, "Eat his mother's food, drink his mother's water, and the saints come and you don't have to pay taxes."
Upon hearing this abstract doctrine that blended feudal unification, mystery, primitive worship, and even a touch of internationalism, even Mordred couldn't help but feel a bit overwhelmed. Aribas was actually a good person? This was illogical!
"No, this is too bizarre. I have to find out exactly what Luojia's background is."
Seeing that no one was around, Mordred stopped pretending to be human. His flesh and blood churned, a pair of huge bone wings unfolded from behind him, and he grabbed Horus's shoulder and flew into the sky.
Meanwhile, deep in the Black Gobi, a giant dressed in a single garment and holding a scepter knelt on the ground, chanting incantations. Several tall knights brandished iron whips, quickly leaving bloody welts.
If any members of the Empire were present, they would surely recognize the holy image on that scepter as the Great Emperor, the Master of Mankind who led their Great Crusade.
"Your Holy Son, the Pope commands you to capture the city within a day. After the victory, the Pope will join you in the victory parade."