A Gathering of Heroes in Losel

Inside the Mechanical Sanctuary, Tucker looked eagerly at his good comrade. "How's it going? How long will it take for reinforcements to arrive?"

Aruman remained silent, as if burdened by an immense weight, and slowly sat down in the chair.

"Say something!"

Tucker paced frantically, pointing outside in the direction of the booming cannons, shouting, "Listen! The planetary defense artillery is getting very close! That means those idiots can't stop the cult at all. If reinforcements don't arrive soon, we're all going to die!"

However... Aruman remained silent.

It didn't even budge, leading Tucker to wonder if it had crashed.

Or maybe they forgot to apply lubricant.

Seemingly having heard Tucker's blasphemous voice, Aruman said in a low voice, "Now, there's bad news and worse news. Which do you want to hear first?"

"???"

Tucker froze for a full three seconds before reacting, looking at Aruman with the same gaze he'd given Ogryn: "Did you forget to lubricate your brain? What's the difference between those two?"

It's shocking.

This time, Aruman did not get angry, but explained seriously, "One is bad news, and the other is worse news."

"Then tell me the bad news first."

Tucker impatiently urged him to hurry up and stop beating around the bush.

"The bad news is that, due to the effects of the Warp, their jump location has deviated, and it will take them at least ten days to reach Losel," Aruman said.

"I seriously doubt that those useless Upper-hive can even last another two weeks." Tucker covered his face, looking utterly defeated, and sighed, "I'm curious, what news could be worse than this?"

"The worse news is..."

As a technical assistant, Aruman's mechanical modifications were not extensive, so Tucker could easily see a deep sense of powerlessness and despair on Aruman face.

"If Alvin Valshius... were to perish, I estimate there's a 98% chance that the entire Losel Hive, and indeed the planet, would be utterly destroyed."

In a desperate tone, Aruman uttered terrifying words that made Tucker gasp in horror.

Are you kidding me?

Tucker's eyelids twitched, his face filled with disbelief.

"I'm not kidding you, it's true."

Aruman was filled with regret, wishing he could beat his chest in despair. Had he been influenced by Tzeentch? Otherwise, why would he have sent that kid down into the Underhive knowing it was so dangerous?

What are you really thinking?

Tucker was furious. Had Aruman forgotten to lubricate his brain? Otherwise, knowing how important Alvin was, why would he let him go Underhive?

"I..."

Aruman was also very frustrated.

He thought going down to the Underhive wouldn't be risky; at worst, he'd be discovered by the Underhive- goers. With Deflection Field Defence Device and Plasma Gun, who could stop Alvin?

Besides, even with the Inquisitor present, and despite any risks, Winnie Winslet's background should ensure she doesn't die, right?

But who would have thought that neither of them would come back!

As a result, things escalated!

"You just said... it's a 98% probability, so what's the remaining 2%?" Tucker frowned and suddenly asked.

"Either the Emperor himself has appeared, or... the 'Primarch,' who is rumored to have awakened from his millennia-long slumber, has personally ordered this to be stopped," Aruman said with a sneer.

"Then they're doomed?!"

Tucker was desperate.

Putting aside the possibility of the Emperor manifesting himself, which is practically impossible, the remaining question is about the "Primarch" awakening... who knows if it's even true?

"Not entirely... the premise is that we can find Alvin. I always felt that this kid... wouldn't die so easily."

Aruman looked sincerely at Tucker, patted him on the shoulder earnestly, and said, "This matter is entrusted to you. I believe the Catachan Jungle Fighter will be able to penetrate deep into the Underhive, find Alvin's trail, and bring him back!"

"Did you throw your head in the recycling bin?"

Tucker's lips twitched, utterly speechless, and he retorted, "I'm Catachan Jungle Fighter, not the Emperor's angel! And certainly not Sly Marbo!"

"I wish you were Sly Marbo..." Aruman grumbled, looking Tucker up and down, his face full of disappointment. "We both come from the Catachan jungle, how come there's such a big difference?"

Sly Marbo... a resume so legendary that it might lead someone meeting him for the first time to think it's all made up.

To describe Sly Marbo in the simplest terms...

It's probably like this... he alone could wipe out the cult on Losel, including that Daemon Engine, and most likely, that wouldn't even be enough for him to warm up.

"Bullshit, then why aren't you Grand Sage?"

When it comes to empty talk, Tucker has never been afraid of anyone. Pointing his finger at Aruman, he started cursing. "If you were a Forge Grand Sage, would we be in such a miserable state?"

Aruman got angry and started spouting a string of binary language.

Unfortunately, Tucker didn't understand at all and steered the conversation back to the main point. "Seriously, I can try to get a Defense Force squad from Grey and see if we can force our way Underhive, but whether we can find one... is uncertain."

"This is the only way..."

Aruman finally breathed a sigh of relief, now only able to hope that the kid was really alright.

Otherwise... the wrath of an ancient Merchant Dynasty, even one that has declined for thousands of years, is far beyond what they, or even Losel, could bear!

Beep beep! Beep beep!

Suddenly, the dormant Astropathic Message array was awakened once again.

"Another Astropathic Message?"

Tucker was somewhat surprised and curious about who this was.

However, upon seeing the sender of that Astropathic Message, Aruman froze, feeling as if the sky had fallen, and even had a momentary illusion... that he was the Death Star shining brightly!

"Dear Martian Adeptus Mechanicus Congregation, Technical Advisor Aruman Vera, approximately fifteen days ago, we lost contact with Her Excellency Winnie Winslet. Our investigation indicates she contacted you before her disappearance. Please provide us with the specific details— The Ordo Hereticus, Charles Gransol."

The tone of Astropathic Message was very gentle and polite.

But... Aruman knew that this was merely a facade put on by the Inquisitor!

Charles Gransol... was Winnie Winslet's mentor and held immense prestige within the Vought Ordo Hereticus, a typical extremist Inquisitor.

As far as Aruman knows, this Inquisitor issued hundreds of Extermination Order during his tenure, nipping countless potential risks in the Imperium's bud!

The number of lives lost, directly or indirectly, to Gransol is estimated to be in the hundreds of billions. There are even rumors that Gransol is the biggest "heretic" because he possesses many unknown heretical technologies!

But what is more widely known is...

Charles Gransol is a staunch Yellow Talisman Stone Faction Inquisitor belonging to the Vought and the Ordo Hereticus. His extreme and radical behavior is considered by many mad Inquisitor to be too radical leadership!

Looking at Aruman, who had fallen silent again, Tak felt a sense of foreboding. "You're not going to tell me that something bad has happened again, are you?"

"Good news..."

Aruman forced a smile and said slowly to Tucker, "Now, another highly experienced and accomplished Inquisitor Mentor has taken notice of us."

A new month! Still stockpiling chapters, everyone please share your monthly votes if you have any~ Thank you all so much, kisses