The fleshy human face roared as it drove more fleshy tentacles to surge in from all directions.
The filthy Chaos energy clashed violently with the golden holy flames within the cramped cockpit, producing a crackling sound.
Perhaps it's because the foundation laid here for decades is too deep, or perhaps Leo's newly awakened holy flame is not yet strong enough.
The surging tide of flesh and blood actually withstood the purification of the holy flames, creating a stalemate between them.
Leo's forehead was covered in cold sweat, and his arms were trembling from the continuous exertion.
He could clearly feel that the Chaos power, like a viscous swamp, was gradually eroding his holy flame.
The opponent was like a malignant tumor growing deep within the Wrath of Holy Judgement, its roots having already spread to every pipe of the mech, its energy inexhaustible.
The golden flames within him were more like newly lit flames; though intensely hot, their total amount was limited.
Stubborn to the end!
Leo gritted his teeth and growled, his left hand reaching for his waist, but the pistol's energy magazine was already empty.
Just as he was about to change his angle of attack, he caught a glimpse of the outline of the mecha's right shoulder out of the corner of his eye.
The twin-barreled automatic cannon was rotating, slowly aiming at himself at the cockpit door.
Dark red fleshy mycelium was wriggling along the heat sink in the gaps of the cannon barrel, forcefully driving this heavy weapon that had been dormant for many years.
"Click-clack, click-clack..."
The clattering of the machinery was particularly jarring in the silent cabin, each sound like a death knell for Leon.
Damn it!
Leo's expression changed drastically.
He knew very well how terrifying the weapon system of the Lord-class Knight mech was, and what if it were detonated inside the cockpit?
Not to mention his flesh and blood body, even the entire cockpit would likely be destroyed.
He tried to back away, but his ankles were already entangled by several fleshy tentacles that had emerged from the cracks in the floor.
The tentacles gripped him tightly, trying to drag him into the core of flesh and blood and assimilate him together.
Leo swung his dagger to sever the tentacles, but more tentacles immediately wrapped around him.
The charging indicator light on the shoulder cannon has turned a dangerous red.
At this critical moment, the frantically writhing mass of flesh suddenly stiffened.
All the tentacles froze in mid-air, and the shoulder cannons that were charging also stopped, emitting a crackling sound of electricity, and the red light flickered.
The entire mass of flesh was twisting and deforming violently, as if two different wills were frantically vying for control within this filthy mass of flesh and blood.
"Ugh, get away..."
The old man screamed in agony, his features contorted in pain, "This is my body... my mecha..."
But as soon as he finished speaking, an irregular bulge began to appear on the other side of his cheek, as if another face was desperately trying to pop out from it.
Leo gripped the dagger, took a half-step back warily, and frowned.
What happened? Is there some internal strife?
The next second, a wrinkled, aged yet resolute face struggled to emerge from the flesh.
That's Caladogon.
He looked much older Leo remembered; his hair was gray and sparse, his face was deeply lined, and the corners of his eyes and mouth were twitching uncontrollably, clearly indicating that he was enduring immense pain.
His cloudy eyes were bloodshot, but when his gaze fell on Leo, all the pain temporarily faded away, replaced by an undisguised sense of relief.
"You've arrived."
Caladogon's voice was soft, weak with the passing of age.
Leo's hand holding the dagger trembled violently.
It's been three months.
He searched for his grandfather for three whole months.
He had imagined countless scenarios of their reunion: perhaps in a mine on an icy plain, perhaps in a Chaos prison, perhaps his grandfather was already long gone.
But he never imagined that the grandfather and grandson would meet again in this way.
Grandpa was enveloped in Chaos flesh and blood, sharing a body with a strange old monster, trapped in this dusty family mech, never seeing the light of day.
"Grandfather..."
Leo's voice trembled uncontrollably, and his eyes instantly reddened.
He wanted to go forward, but his feet felt as heavy as lead.
He knew that the grandfather before him had long been corrupted by Chaos.
In this world, being corrupted by Chaos means falling into depravity and death.
There is no such thing as salvation.
Caladogon seemed to read his mind, and with difficulty, he tried to force a smile, but his facial muscles were quickly pulled and twisted by the force on the other side.
"I can't hold on any longer, Leo." He gasped for breath, each word seeming to drain all his strength.
"Kill me now..."
"Including him, including him."
"Him? Who is he?" Leo blurted out.
" Orian St. Garus," Caladogon's voice carried a hint of sorrow.
"My father, your great-grandfather."
Leo's pupils suddenly contracted.
Orian St. Garus?
The previous Supreme King of the St. Garus Family?
According to family records, the Supreme King died in battle during the Xenos war more than two hundred years ago, and his body was never found. He was a renowned hero in the family's history.
How could he... have become like this?
As if sensing Leo's doubts, Caladogon, taking advantage of Orian's temporary weakness due to being burned by the Holy Flame, spoke at top speed:
"Back then, he was critically injured and on the verge of death. Unwilling to see his family decline, he refused the Emperor's summons and accepted his Grandfather's gift."
"He hid in this underground warehouse, using the Wrath of Holy Judgement as his breeding ground, and eked out a living for over a hundred years."
"Twenty years ago, I was critically wounded and on the verge of death in a battle against pirates, and he took the opportunity to lure me..."
"Promise me power, promise me immortality, promise me the restoration of my family."
Caladogon gave a bitter laugh, his laughter filled with self-mockery and helplessness.
I know that Chaos should not be touched.
"But at that time, we were beset by internal and external troubles. Luna was ambitious, the nobles were all plotting their own schemes, and the Orks were eyeing us covetously on the border..."
"If I die, St. Garus will truly be finished."
Leo listened blankly, feeling a tightness in his chest, as if something was blocking his heart.
He finally understood.
Why did Grandpa turn into that ghostly figure sitting on a throne?
He feigned acceptance of the power of Chaos, using his own soul and body as a cage to imprison the lurking monster, Orian.
Together with the corrupted Wrath of Holy Judgement, they were trapped in this underground warehouse.
Twenty years.
Twenty years in total.
He sustained his life by relying on the power of Chaos while desperately resisting the erosion with his willpower.
He navigated between Orian's allure and devouring power, preventing this filthy force from ever leaving the warehouse.
Until recently, Luna, in her attempt to seize power, once again sent men to ambush him.
Already exhausted, Caladogon was too badly injured to continue and could no longer suppress Orian's will.
If Leo hadn't accidentally stumbled in, it wouldn't have been long before Orian completely devoured the Caladogon and returned to the world aboard the Wrath of Holy Judgement.
At that time, the entire Brevis will face a catastrophe.
"My life... is a sin."
Caladogon's voice grew softer and softer, and the outline of his face began to blur; Orian's power was retaliating.
"To associate with Chaos is a disgrace to our ancestors, a disgrace to our Emperor..."
"To die at the hands of one's own grandson, to be ended by the bloodline of St. Garus, is a kind of redemption."
"Let's do it, Leo."
He raised his cloudy eyes and looked deeply at Leo, his gaze filled with relief, guilt, and deep expectation.
" St. Garus is now in your hands."
The moment the words left his mouth, Caladogon's face was suddenly pulled back by a force from the other side.
Orian's venomous face regained its dominance, and he roared madly:
"You unfilial sons! Two unfilial sons!"
"I've worked so hard to ensure the continuation of my family, and you want to destroy all of that!"
"The glory of St. Garus can only be continued by me!"
The flesh and blood began to writhe wildly again, and the charging indicator light on the shoulder cannon lit up once more, its blinding red light illuminating the entire cockpit.