In response to Luko's accusation, the voice just responded with a disdainful sneer.
"Stop being hypocritical and talk like a traitor. What are you still struggling with?"
"He'll tell us one way or another."
This is Pallas's voice.
"Brother Pallas, you know that I am not a traitor! I never intended to betray the empire!"
The voices continued to surround Luco, one after another, piercing his soul through accusations.
After each taunt, he became angrier and angrier. If they wanted to kill him based only on imagined betrayal, then he would not give in easily and let them get their wish.
"I have done nothing wrong! I am an honorable Astartes!"
"You are nothing!"
Strange voices taunted him.
"You are just a sinner who dares to turn his back on the Emperor's light. A cruel fate awaits you."
"I have never attacked my compatriots! Or are you too stupid to see clearly?"
A hand reached out from the darkness and grabbed Luko's throat.
Although he couldn't see it, the heavy and painful breathing reminded him that the trachea that had been hit hard would probably break this time.
"If you keep talking nonsense, I will kill you!"
The stranger also became a little angry.
"Put him down, Yazdan."
The third voice sounded, but it was gentler than the first two.
"I'll handle it."
The big hand around his neck was released, and Luko fell heavily to the cold metal floor, groaning in pain several times.
"The interrogation is over, can you talk to me about your past? Just talk casually."
A calm, soothing but hollow voice sounded in his ears. Luko slowly straightened his body, trying to stand proudly in front of the interrogators and show his fearless determination in front of their questioning.
He began to describe his past.
When he joined the Soul Drinkers Chapter and became an Adeptus Astartes, he faced various trials, many of which were life and death matters.
Now, he faces the unknown with the same determination.
He told the men about the secret meeting between the veterans and his role in it.
Luko spoke of the Holy Lord and his 'herd', and how they were told the lie that their actions were authorized by the Chapter Master, and that they were not even aware that they had been judged until Gorgori showed up.
He even revealed his innermost secrets.
Although he pretends to be warlike in order to inspire his men, Luko actually does not like war. He loves peace more. He has no interest in fighting and killing. He becomes a Space Marine just out of duty.
Then they asked Luco again and again, but his answer was the same every time.
Once again, he told why he did not continue to follow Sarpedon - he was disgusted by the fratricide and the Librarian's embrace of the power of Chaos, and he was unwilling to join in it, even if it meant facing death.
But he didn't want to die in disgrace either.
As he spoke, Luco felt the hostility in the darkness fading.
Suddenly, the lights began to come on, this time from an external source - orbs embedded in the walls of the room began to glow.
The moment the lights came on, Luco covered his eyes and could only see the interrogator standing next to him.
"You have great courage, Captain Luko."
Pallas looked at him with a smile, the previous fierce look had disappeared without a trace.
"If what you say is true, then your crime can be reduced a lot."
A priest in black armor was staring at him, but still with a critical tone. At the edge of the hall, there was also a man standing against the wall. His iconic halberd impressed Luko deeply.
"What I said is real."
Luko endured the severe pain radiating from all parts of his body and said as sincerely as possible.
"you sure?"
"I never lied."
"But there's always a first time for everything."
"Brother Luco didn't lie."
A voice came from behind the priest, and the black-armored interrogator turned around and saw a great and noble figure standing at the door.
The armor on his body was more gorgeous than the others, shining with jumping light, and he also held a spear in his hand that shone with strange light.
Luko immediately recognized him, the Chapter Master of the Astral Knights Chapter, Soshyan Alexey.
He also recognized the spear in his hand - the Soul Drinker's sacred object, the Soul Spear.
Soshyan looked at him, walking step by step in front of Luko.
"Captain Luko, under the witness of the soul spear and after interrogation, I am willing to believe that your soul is still noble and pure."
Hearing this, Luko secretly breathed a sigh of relief, but Soshyan's next words made his heart beat again.
"However, the crime of treason is irrefutable, and I will not take back my previous words."
"I--"
"Don't rush to defend yourself, just listen to what I have to say, brother Luko."
Soshyan stared into his eyes.
"Next, you will hear a huge secret. This secret concerns you, all Soul Drinkers and Astral Knights, and even the entire empire. Instructor Thor chose you, and I have also observed it.
You, I hope you understand the tremendous responsibility involved in this secret."
Hearing these serious words, Luko subconsciously took a step back. He was vaguely aware that the secret in Soshiyang's mouth would probably shake the world once he said it.
"Do I...do I have a choice?"
"sorry, we do not have that."
Afterwards, Soshyan slowly revealed the secret of the 11th Legion.
Luko listened, first shocked, then fearful, and then confused.
By the time Soshyan finished, he had been numbed by one horrific truth after another.
The former company commander of Drinking Soul stood there blankly, like a sculpture, not knowing what to say or what to think.
Soshiyang looked at him, slowly raised the soul spear in his hand, and said in a deep voice:
"Luco Gimili."
Hearing his name, Lu Ke's energy recovered slightly. He looked at the soul spear in front of him and nodded slightly.
"Are you willing to shoulder this important task again, be loyal to the Emperor and humanity wholeheartedly, wash away the shame of the past with your blood, rebuild the Eleventh Legion with us, and save the Empire and humanity from the abyss of darkness!"
Luko's body swayed twice, and after hesitating for about three seconds, he slowly knelt down and bowed his head in salute.
"Luco Gimili will die for the Emperor."
"Chapter Commander, he has not completely withstood the test..."
Pastor Yazdan seemed to have some objections, but Soshyan replied firmly:
"Chaplain, there is no room for suspicion or mistrust in the warband. We must unite as one, otherwise we will be lost in the road ahead... The tragedy of the Soul Drinker cannot be repeated again."
He used to hate traitors so much, but his current transformation was thanks to Thor's persuasion.
He and Soshyan spent three full days discussing the topic of "standpoint". The purpose was to hope that Soshyan could understand that not everyone's will is unwavering, and not everyone's position is firm.
Like a rock.
Accepting these soldiers who had committed acts of rebellion is the first step for Soshyan to become the commander of the army.
Tolerance and flexibility are also lessons he must learn.
That's why there is a huge difference in his attitude towards Luko.
"As you wish, Chapter Master."
Yazdan nodded and stepped back.
Soshyan put down his soul spear and stretched out his hand to Luko, with a gentle smile on his face.
"Welcome home, Brother Luco."
Luko looked at him and slowly stretched out his hand, but Soshyan grabbed his palm first and lifted him up from the ground.
"Thank you for your trust, Soshiyang Zhan...Legion Commander."
After hearing the last three words, Soshyan's shoulders stiffened for a moment, and he suddenly felt that the burden on his shoulders suddenly became extremely heavy.