A group of abandoned people, a group who had abandoned themselves, a group of numb people.
That was Lin Fan's first impression upon seeing the Penitent Army as it was now.
These people were dressed in rags, but that was not because clothing was currently scarce in the hive city. The Krieg had always done an excellent job of collecting the dead, and the Imperium also had equipment for cleaning the deceased's clothing.
Lin Fan looked at their nearly self-abusive attire: iron wire wrapped around their arms, thorn-wrapped flails clutched in their hands. Judging from the darkened bloodstains and the scars on their backs, Lin Fan believed these were tools the Penitent Army used to whip themselves onward.
These people had inherited the Ecclesiarchy's Penitent Army's customary fanaticism, even ignorance. But Lin Fan was in no position to criticize them. After all, gods truly existed in this world, and their faith was indeed steadfast and tenacious.
"Oh, Lady Selina, I truly didn't expect to see you here."
"Greetings, Officer Soap." Sister Superior Selina still looked plain, with scraps of scripture stuck to her clothing and even wooden chips carved with words.
"The situation here... are you in charge now?"
"Uh... actually, no one is in charge. We don't believe we are capable of managing ourselves... the Penitent Army here is beyond saving."
"Why do you say that?"
"...When we fell into lies, we lost everything."
Selina slowly told Lin Fan these people's story. Compared with those members of the Penitent Army who had returned to normal life, the Penitent Army here had slaughtered all their own family and friends. After all, when you were trapped deep in an illusion, your beloved children and gentle family members all became twisted monsters.
How could someone loyal to The Emperor unto death tell