Aren't You His Illegitimate Son?

In the description provided by Priest Aruman, Alvin gained a general understanding of their past.

Aruman Vella and Tark both belonged to the Astra Militarum infantry regiment, the 175th, and had participated in hundreds of battles, large and small.

Later, they were deployed to Planet Cadia for that horrific campaign. The entire 175th regiment was nearly wiped out, with only a handful of survivors managing to retreat under orders from the Departmento Munitorum and settle in the front-line settlement of the Nachmund Gauntlet, Losel Hive World.

After their retirement, the members of the 175th regiment were assigned to different jobs, far from the clamor of war.

They thought their lives would continue like this, spending the rest of their days in the leisurely but peaceful Mid-hive.

But as expected, the unexpected happened!

One day, a suspected Genestealer Cult was discovered outside the hive. Governor Galken Hadley then summoned the Planetary Defense Force to investigate the situation in the wilds.

Of the seven surviving members of the 175th regiment, Tark and Aruman considered it too much trouble and declined the assignment. The remaining five comrades mostly served as instructors in the Planetary Defense Force.

However, what they didn't expect was that their comrades from the 175th regiment and that Planetary Defense Force unit would completely disappear without a trace afterward.

Galken Hadley dispatched two more Planetary Defense Force units to search the wilds for the five missing squads, but there were no clues.

The five squads seemed to have vanished into thin air, leaving no trace, disappearing silently.

After hearing the news, Tark and Aruman also teamed up to investigate the wilds, but found nothing.

This led to what happened later. Tark suspected a Cult, and under Rashid's deliberate guidance, assassinated Kallen, the first in line to inherit the Hadley family, nearly getting himself shot by Galken Hadley. It was only after Rashid's repeated pleas and the supposed evidence that Kallen was involved with a Cult that the sentence was commuted to exile.

After listening to Priest Aruman's account, Alvin had only one thought.

It was said that this Rashid was from a collateral branch, but unfortunately, the direct Hadley bloodline was thin. Galken Hadley had only two sons. The elder son, Kallen, was suspected of colluding with a Cult, and Tark infiltrated his chambers and blew his head off with a bolter. The younger son was still underage.

To protect his young second son, Galken Hadley appointed Rashid as the first in line to inherit, with the aim of fending off assassinations from other families until his son came of age.

But now, it seemed that from Kallen's suspected involvement with a Cult to his assassination and Alvin being established as the heir, it was all orchestrated by Rashid!

"I'm going to find Galken!"

Tark's veins bulged on his forehead, and he stood up abruptly, ready to rush out.

But he had only taken two steps before Aruman's mechanical arm stopped him. The Tech-Priest's eyes were grim, and he said coldly, "How can you be sure Galken doesn't know all this?"

His words made Tark freeze. His legs felt as heavy as lead, and he couldn't take another step.

"But he's a hero!"

Tark struggled to retort, but his throat felt choked, and he opened his mouth but couldn't speak.

"Even if he was a hero before, you and I have both seen how terrifying Chaos is."

Aruman's voice was low, his gaze dim. "Even the most steadfast will can hardly resist the corruption of Chaos. Moreover, Galken Hadley being a hero was sixty years ago. Who can guarantee that he is still loyal to His Majesty the Emperor now?"

Yes, even if Galken Hadley was once a hero of the Imperium, who could guarantee that after all these years, he would still maintain that loyalty?

Tark remained silent, but his face was still etched with pain.

It was precisely because he understood how potent Chaos corruption was, having witnessed the roaring might of the Chaos Gods on Cadia with his own eyes, that he understood how difficult loyalty was!

Finally, all his emotions turned into a long sigh.

"How is the person you contacted?"

Tark, being a veteran of combat, quickly regained his composure and turned to Aruman, asking.

"I've contacted an Inquisitor, but it will take at least a month and a half for them to arrive." Aruman's gaze inexplicably flickered towards Alvin when he mentioned this, and he continued, "As for the other one... they are further away, taking at least two months."

Alvin noticed Aruman's gaze and couldn't help but mutter to himself.

If you have something to say, why look at me?

"Two months. Given the current progress in the Underhive, I have a premonition that something major will happen in at most a month and a half."

Tark's expression was serious. He pondered for half an hour, smoking one cigarette after another until a pile of cigarette butts accumulated at his feet. Then he slowly said, "I'll figure out a way to resolve this. You contact a few officers in the Mid-hive and try to make preparations in advance."

"I will try to contact nearby Astra Militarum legions."

Aruman sighed deeply. The current complex situation had completely exceeded their expectations.

Given that Governor Galken Hadley was involved, unless an Inquisitor or the Astra Militarum intervened, it would be difficult for them to stop the rise of the Cult with their own strength!

"Wait, Mr. Tark." Seeing Tark about to leave, Alvin hurriedly spoke, "I want to go back to the Underhive with you, can I?"

Hearing this, Tark showed a surprised expression. "Did an Ogryn bite your brain? The Underhive is about to turn into a madhouse. Why aren't you staying in the Mid-hive and going to the Underhive?"

"Mr. Tark, I know the Underhive is dangerous, but I have reasons I must go."

Alvin knew that simple lies wouldn't fool Tark, let alone the Tech-Priest beside him, so he said with a stiff upper lip.

This kid has a lot of secrets. Tark glanced at Alvin meaningfully, then nodded. "Okay, I'll take you back."

"Wait, Tark, he can't go with you!"

Just then, Priest Aruman, who had been silent, suddenly interrupted Tark, showing a rare serious expression. "Alvin must stay in the Mid-hive. I will be responsible for protecting his life. He absolutely cannot go to the Underhive with you!"

What's going on?!

Alvin was shocked by Aruman's tone.

Oh no, could the priest be possessed and actually have designs on his body?

While he was lost in wild thoughts, Tark sensed something unusual from Aruman's expression. "You have to give me a reason, at least, Aruman."

"No, absolutely not," Aruman shook his head, his expression calm and indifferent. "In any case, he can't go with you to the Underhive. It's too dangerous there."

Tark was speechless. He turned to look at Alvin, as if to say, I can't do anything about it either.

"Priest Aruman, I must go to the Underhive," Alvin took a deep breath and looked at the Tech-Priest in his rust-red robes, saying earnestly, "Thank you very much for taking care of me, but this is very important to me. Even if you don't agree, I will sneak out."

Priest Aruman's face remained expressionless as he slowly walked in front of Alvin. His nearly 1.9-meter height cast a shadow that enveloped the young man.

An invisible pressure filled the air. Under the scan of the Tech-Priest's crimson electronic eyes, Alvin remained calm and composed, showing no trace of fear, and met Aruman's gaze directly.

Tark, on the other hand, showed no intention of stepping away. He watched the two of them with great interest, even mockingly commenting, "At this distance, it's either kissing or fighting."

The originally serious atmosphere was suddenly shattered.

Priest Aruman glared at the unreliable Tark, then snorted coldly, "Fine, if you insist on going, I can't stop you. But I have something to tell you."

Although Alvin was a bit confused by the Tech-Priest's inexplicable concern, he still nodded respectfully. "Please, Priest Aruman."

"Protect yourself. If you really can't manage, then go find Tark."

Saying that, Priest Aruman hesitated for half a second before taking out a Gear Pendant from his robes, his face full of pain. "Take this. It can save your life in a critical moment."

Tark, standing nearby, widened his eyes when he saw the Gear Pendant. "By the Emperor, you're actually giving this to him? Is this kid your illegitimate son?!"

[Item Detected: Deflection Field Defence Device (Excellent)]
[Product of Adeptus Mechanicus Tech-Priest Aruman Vella. Can autonomously defend against lethal damage, and carries the blessing of an Ecclesiarchy Priest, with a certain probability of resisting Warp corruption.]
[Energy Available: 1000 Units]

What the hell?

A fully charged Deflection Field Defence Device!

Before Alvin could finish his shock, Aruman slowly took out an exaggeratedly large-caliber firearm from his rust-red robes and handed it directly to him. "Trust me, one shot is enough to solve most problems. If you encounter something you can't solve, don't hesitate, run immediately!"

"Now I'm starting to suspect if you're actually Aruman's illegitimate son."

Tark stared at Alvin with envy, practically drooling. "I've asked him for this thing hundreds of times, and he wouldn't even lend it to me. And you just give it to him like this? This isn't logical!"