You Thick-Browed, Big-Eyed Kid

Deputy Kyle was carried out by the Vostkani medical team. Before he left, he gave Creed a thumbs-up.

Sir, you're fucking incredible...

Creed watched Deputy Kyle go with despair in his eyes. He had known Kyle since his days as a White Shield recruit. He was a passionate man with a booming voice. On the battlefield, he was responsible for protecting Creed and the regimental standard, relaying Creed's orders through his fitted sonic communication device.

They had endured countless brutal, bloody campaigns together, yet who could have imagined they would part ways here...

Creed's grief could not be expressed in any form. The intensely spicy hotpot had already disrupted his bodily functions and was even slowly killing him. The only reason Creed had not displayed Deputy Kyle's humiliating state was his contempt for traitors and his boundless Loyalty to The Emperor.

I have to warn the higher-ups...

Creed tried to use the communicator disguised as a button at his cuff to transmit his situation, but he found that he could not do it.

Sergeant Aurora? No... Sergeant Aurora...

Creed saw Sergeant Aurora pour the flames into her own copper pot as well. Her purple eyes were filled with curious light.

Sergeant Aurora took a bite. Her face merely turned bright red; she did not collapse on the spot like Deputy Kyle.

Aurora only grew more enthusiastic the more she ate, while the people around her cheered and marveled at her appetite. To Creed, these scenes were no different from cultists selecting their chosen one.

Creed watched Aurora toss the flames directly into her mouth and crush them viciously between her teeth. Her lips were as red as though she had just drunk blood.

Forgive me... my Emperor...

Creed closed his eyes. He knew nothing of what happened afterward.

"Sir..." Deputy