Inside the Jerma Hive World, in the winding, dark, bottomless passage leading from the upper levels to the spire, the atmosphere was suffocatingly tense.
This was a strategic chokepoint of the entire Jerma Hive World. Elite troops under the various nobles and battle-hardened enforcers stood ready and stationed here.
They understood the importance of this place. It was one of only two routes that could lead directly from the upper levels to the spire. So long as they held this passage, the nobles and governor within the spire would not face a life-or-death crisis.
A small but fiercely imposing minor noble stood on high ground. His face was twisted, and he roared himself hoarse, his voice echoing through the passage:
"Listen to me! Not for a single moment may you let your guard down! You must remain on high alert at all times! You must never give those deranged heretics even the slightest chance to break through the defensive line we have so carefully built!
Otherwise, every one of your families will become sacrifices to the wrath of the noble lords because of your failure—and burial offerings for those same noble lords!"
His words were both a naked threat to the soldiers stationed here and an all-out effort to steel them mentally.
If they were even slightly careless and failed to withstand the savage assault of the Carcharodons Chapter's incomparably powerful Space Marines, then once the enemy broke into the spire, only death would await these nobles and the soldiers' families.
Hearing the minor noble's roar, the soldiers were swept up in fervor. They raised their weapons and roared in response, "Yes!"
"We will fight these heretics to the death!" Their thunderous cries rang through the heavens.
At that moment, every face was flushed red with fury and resolve, as