Everyone gathered around the central tactical decision-making table, and the holographic image showed an overview of the entire planet.
Valedo is divided into twelve bishoprics, of which the first bishopric is the capital of the planet, and is separated from the sixth bishopric where the Ministry of Justice is located by the third bishopric.
"Yes, they will."
As he spoke, Soshyan dragged the planet on the screen.
"According to the results of aerial reconnaissance, enemies have begun to gather. The center is here, and the minimum estimate is tens of millions."
This is a data that is enough to make people take a breath of cold air.
"But it's also good news."
The Chapter Leader of the Soul Drinkers suddenly spoke.
Marcus glanced at the other party. Compared to the Astral Knights Chapter, which was already well-known to everyone, he didn't know much about the Soul Drinkers Chapter.
"The enemy will also draw out the power in the core area, and we will have a better chance of directly striking the enemy's heart."
"The question is whether the existing troops can hold the fortress. As long as the enemy believes that the existing forces cannot take it, they will use all their cards."
"I'll keep it."
Alex spoke with determination that he believed he could carry out the order.
His expression regained its old strength, and although he had stared at something that overwhelmed him, he now longed to prove that he was still strong when it was gone.
Marcus looked at Alex with an expression that was almost pity.
He didn't realize that the Astral Knights' plan was not a tactic, but that the fortress was just a decoy to attract some of the demonic power, giving the Space Marines a chance to break into the enemy's heart.
But you can't say this openly.
"Oh, yes, if you take charge of the defense, I will feel extremely reassured about our defense."
"Will there still be uncorrupted inhabitants?"
Soshyan asked suddenly.
"Maybe there are some more..."
Alex thought about it for a while, but his tone seemed unconfident.
“We’re not sure yet”
"No, I'm sure there aren't any anymore. Everyone's fallen."
Marcus made a sound from his clenched jaw.
"If they had not been corrupted, they would have come out to fight, so they and those who were corrupted must be destroyed."
Soshyan's eyes narrowed, it was not that he disagreed with what Marcus said.
But the Inquisitor's tone caught his attention. There was a growing iron-clad fanaticism there, and that was as it should be. After all, the bloody dark front of the Empire needed such enthusiasm.
Behind the anger and faith, Soshyan thought he found desire.
He seems eager to achieve a certain goal.
And after a simple exchange, he discovered that the purpose of the inquisitor's first appearance on this planet seemed not that simple.
This planet also hides another dark secret.
At this time, Alex also cautiously threw out some of the things he had heard.
"Well... strictly speaking, while I was stationed, I heard some rumors from the locals. There are huge ancient underground ruins in Valedo, which were converted into tombs at the back. Many saints and martyrs were buried there. Some
People may have taken refuge inside...the believers believed it was a place protected by the power of the Emperor."
"Stop talking about these crazy words!"
Marcus' voice echoed angrily in the hall.
"Don't think about it either!"
Alex fell back and leaned on the table, as if he was struck down by the inquisitor's words.
"Please forgive my rudeness, sir, I..."
Marcus walked towards the political commissar, his shadow shrouded the other person, and his entire presence seemed to be magnified.
“Don’t make the mistake of thinking you understand what’s going on in the world, or that you know what to do about it.”
"I'm not, I don't, sir..."
"The existence of the devil has been revealed to you, and while it's a good thing that you're still sane, it also shows that you don't fully understand the situation you're facing."
As he spoke, Marcus glanced at Soshyan's eyes. The look in the leader of the Adeptus Astartes Chapter showed that the other party had a better understanding of the situation faced by Valedo.
"Don't worry about superfluous things."
"Yes, my lord."
Beads of sweat appeared on Yaric's forehead. He was the one who made the soldiers so nervous in the past, but facing the judge, he showed more nervousness than the soldiers.
Because he knows what the judge represents here - nearly unlimited jurisdiction.
He has the power to execute anyone, even Astartes can be branded as traitors.
And he is just a small political commissar.
After Marcus finished speaking, he turned around, looked at the tactical display, and locked on the center of the First Parish, and found a path along the main street between the palace and the cathedral.
"This is a commanding height, the cathedral is another commanding height, and the two commanding heights are connected by streets."
His idea is actually similar to that of the Space Marines. When the enemy is attracted here, he will directly send out elite forces to raid the First Parish, eliminate the culprits, and cut off the source of subspace power.
According to past experience, as long as the source of subspace power is cut off, those unclean things will disappear, leaving only believers with no combat capabilities.
It would be enough to directly destroy those people with the Extermination Order.
The key is what caused all this.
Soshyan has shared his findings in orbit with Marcus, and he immediately concluded that the Extermination Order alone cannot eradicate corrosion, which is why he still remains on the ground.
He will never leave without destroying or sealing those mysterious scriptures.
"Those things have a leader?"
Gorgli asked curiously.
"Archbishop of Valedo, Pamphili."
Marcus projected a profile onto the monitor.
"Or something he became."
"If there are any valuables, he will definitely take them with him."
Soshyan looked at the man on the screen and whispered thoughtfully, then he turned to Marcus.
"But we must also pay attention to what Political Commissar Yarek said before. If there really is some kind of underground network on this planet, then the culprit may also be hiding in it, right?"
Marcus bit his lower lip, his eyes wandered for a moment, and finally stopped on Political Commissar Yarick.
"Except for Soshyan and Golgri, the two chapter leaders, everyone else please recuse themselves. Subsequent conversations may involve confidential content."
Alex shrugged his shoulders and immediately turned around and walked towards the door, as did Marcus's followers.
The soldiers of the two battle groups looked at their battle group leader, and after both nodded, they also left.
Soon, there were only three people left in the hall.
Marcus took a breath and said softly:
"What I say next, you two must not spread outside..."