"You must think clearly, the road to promotion will be full of thorns and obstacles."
Yazdan said calmly, his voice reminded Bahram of the old pastor in the small town church, except that the other person's final tone would not be deliberately prolonged.
"Among the people we select, only a very small number are physically and mentally qualified to join us. Some of those who fail will die directly. Those who succeed will swear to serve the emperor for life, while remaining loyal to the emperor.
You will also die in the process."
Without any encouragement or grandiose declarations, Yazdan expounded only cold reality.
"Afterwards, your life will be filled with endless wars and hardships. The only satisfaction will come from war, the only rest will come from death, and you will no longer feel any love from others except the friendship between brothers.
Love, you will have no family, and no traces that can be left to future generations. There will only be records of fighting for humanity written in the records of the war group."
Hearing this, Bahram raised his head slightly, thinking of his parents.
When they found out that he was missing, were they anxious and looking for them everywhere?
After losing sight of his older brother, will his younger brother keep wandering around the place where they often play?
Can I really let go of all this?
"... Even so, you will one day be forgotten along with these records. Your family will not know what happened to you. They will not know whether their children will continue to fight for the Emperor or die.
In war, mortal life may be full of hardships, but it is life after all and the continuation of life. To become an Astartes means to embrace death and become death."
The pastor paused and scanned the kneeling crowd again.
"Raise your head, look at me, take a good look at me. This skeleton will be the future for all of you. No matter which path you choose to take, we will give you one last chance to choose where you want to be.
Where to die."
The kneeling boys raised their heads one after another, and the pale skull helmet on the black-armored priest looked like a mockery.
There were hesitant looks on some people's faces.
The pastor also noticed those people and emphasized his tone.
"I know that many of you have gone through a lot of hardships to get here, and even risked everything, just to become our brothers! Even so, you still have a chance to change your mind now. Those who are hesitant should leave
Here, choose life over death, even if this life is short and cruel."
Bahram heard a low chuckle coming from beside him. He turned his head and found that it was Haomo who was laughing.
"what are you laughing at?"
"I'm laughing at the fools who give up when they get here. This pastor is clearly trying to scare those cowards."
"I don't think so."
Bahram shook his head and continued to listen to the pastor's sermon.
"You can rest assured that even if you choose to withdraw, no one will judge you! And for those who have not left and are chosen by me and my brothers, your lives will no longer belong to you! This is
The contract we have made, once it comes into effect, cannot be broken! So now, let’s act! Who wants to leave?”
As soon as the pastor finished speaking, a boy stood up hesitantly and walked out of the square with his head lowered.
His departure attracted the attention of many people.
Once one person takes the lead, others will soon follow his example.
After a while, several more people walked out of the crowd in shameful silence.
One after another, a total of more than a hundred people chose to leave behind them, followed by murmurs of contempt.
"Don't judge others, otherwise others will judge you too!"
Yazdan shouted solemnly, his voice echoing around, making the crowd shiver involuntarily.
Then, the black angel swept his scepter around at shoulder level, and the huge shoulder pads moved with his movements, making sounds as if they were alive.
"You must remember that this admission of cowardice is an act of courage. Some of these boys will become future citizens, future husbands, and future fathers! By fulfilling these identities, they also perpetuate
The future of mankind! Because their children may one day come here and gaze at the Emperor's icon."
Bahram's knees shook and he hesitated whether to stand up.
But Yazdan's next words strengthened his determination.
"The moment when a person realizes his true worth is sacred!
No matter how humble its value is, it should not be ridiculed!"
Bahram is convinced that his worth lies in fighting among the stars.
The crowd fell silent.
"I ask again, who else is leaving?"
This time, no one moved.
"very good.
The rest of you have agreed to accept our inspection, your lives already belong to us, the screening begins!"
The priest raised his hand and declared.
The servants of the battle group walked down from the platform and shuttled among the crowd, while others built temporary compartments on the platform.
They selected the boys one by one, picked them up, and brought them to the apothecary.
In this case, even the bravest boys were trembling in fear, while the weak ones cried uncontrollably in front of the giant.
The pharmacist took a machine off his belt, placed it next to the boys and examined the results displayed on it.
The white angel spoke to each boy in a low voice, so quiet that no one else could hear them.
He would also take the boys into a cubicle and pull apart their clothes for a detailed physical examination.
The pastor expressed his opinions by nodding lightly or shaking his head, and asked the boy some questions from time to time.
The selected boys were taken to the garden and divided into three groups.
Since there were many boys and only one apothecary, the work continued for a long time until a priest from the Mechanicum joined in and the situation improved.
The crowd gradually shrank, and the size of the three teams also gradually increased.
Finally, it was Bahram's turn.
He walked up the stairs, and Pharmacist Balitaem stood in front of him, as if he was taller than the statue of the emperor.
He smelled a strange smell, which seemed to be a mixture of engine oil, perfume and a sweet and brassy smell.
The surface of Balitaem's instrument was covered with tiny needles, which pierced Bahram's skin when it was attached to his body.
The boy gritted his teeth and endured the pain.
Soon, a burst of laughter floated from the pharmacist's helmet.
"Kid, your test results are very good."
The instrument made a beautiful sound, and a green light flashed out from inside.