Terra is the sanctuary for every human being.
The stars were shining with sharp edges in the dark night. They walked in the snow, one foot deep and one foot shallow, waiting for their fate to be judged.
Serious, silent, black-armored warriors with similar physiques to theirs lined up on both sides of the queue, sandwiching the group of people in uniform civilian clothes in the middle. Further on the queue were the taciturn Space Marines, their black armor blending into the night. Only the old man of the Hades Cult at the front of the team could be heard muttering incessantly.
Cecilia raised her head and looked anxiously at their destination - the cathedral on the Himalayan ridge, which looked like a dead tree stabbing the sky with its frighteningly bony shape.
“… You are lucky, blessed by heaven, but also in pain. You don’t have to be lambs. The flock will spontaneously expel those with sharp teeth and claws among them.”
The whispers of the Hades missionary came through along with the dim light from his scepter, which made Cecilia feel a little irritated. She could vaguely understand the meaning of those words - she was not welcomed by the crowd.
She is a "soulless person".
Cecilia remembered her childhood. She was born on Casimir, a hive planet. As soon as she was born, her mother, a female worker, stuffed her into the gap under the assembly line. She cried for the first time while listening to the roar of the machines, and no one liked her.
Her mother didn't like her either. She was raised in a hasty manner. When she was unable to work, she was thrown onto the assembly line. When her hands were old enough to pick up a shovel, she was sent to the most remote area to shovel dirt.
No one wanted to approach her. People looked at her with disgust and threw clods of dirt soaked in sewage at her. This made her character mature precociously. She began to consciously avoid crowds and hide in places where rodents gathered.
Maybe she should have died early, but no one taught Cecilia this concept. Most people in the hive were mediocre. Sometimes she envied those who were in gangs, at least they looked happier.
She thought her life would go on like this, in a corner of the hive where she could never see the sky, far away from the crowd, she had no relatives or friends, and no human was willing to approach her.
—Until that day.
"Pluto needs you."
A black-robed Hades cult missionary and a person with the same physique as her appeared in front of her, followed by the bowing and nodding Middle Nest Manager. Cecilia stood beside the earthen hill, holding her shovel, dumbfounded.
Unexpectedly, they did not take her away directly. The Hades missionary walked up to her side - his clothes looked very simple, not as luxurious as those of other big shots, but extremely serious.
The missionary solemnly took out a small black leather book, which Cecilia later learned was the Holy Words of the Hades Cult. He explained something to her in a gibberish manner, but she did not hear a word clearly as she was completely immersed in great shock.
The assembly line at birth, the blurry crowd, a shovel, and a mountain of earth that could never be dug out—that was her world.
She didn't understand anything else.
She only remembered that after the missionary finished speaking, he and the lady smiled and nodded at her, and asked her if she was willing to fight for humanity. Cecilia nodded confusedly. This was the first time someone was willing to talk to her so much, and then she was pulled onto the spaceship.
It was a huge assembly line with many people on it. Some were very friendly, some were very serious, but generally speaking, they were friendlier than the people Cecilia had met before. She saw people with mechanical bodies and giants. She didn't know there were so many strange creatures in the world.
Priests in black robes took them to bathe, change clothes, and study. According to their situations, everyone had a different study plan. Cecilia entered Class E, the last class, to learn to read and write, and to give herself a name.
Of course, the first High Gothic word she was taught before she had a name for herself was "Pluto."
Pluto.
This word appeared in the mouths of priests, on paper, sculptures, plates, clothes, everywhere, as if it was the air of this black church.
Through learning exorcism, Cecilia learned that the world was filthy, and Hades was the most "efficient" one for them to expel the filth. She was the chosen one, and people hated her because she was born with fangs. She should be the guardian and expel chaos.
But the big ship assembly line did not teach her what "chaos" is.
This content will be learned on Terra, her dark teacher said so.
Terra, Cecia thought, this word is even more ancient... This is not something that a tiny being like her should consider.
In fact, Cecilia was still confused. Thinking was more difficult for her. Most people who stayed away from the crowd had not learned how to think. They were closer to beasts than humans.
"This is why we have a preschool," the missionary in front of her closed the book calmly, "I know you don't understand, but I just ask you not to embarrass yourself when you go to see Hades, and don't let them know that I taught you."
The missionary sighed, with a hint of fatigue between his brows. He raised his head and looked at the soulless Ogryn who was playing with a table in the back row of the classroom.
"Soulless! Stop! Stop!!"
The missionary shouted, "If you still want to have dinner! Put down your classmates!"
Ogryn did not listen to the missionary. The man sighed and waved his hand. Two sisters of silence rushed over. Cecia heard Ogryn's screams.
"Oh! Oh! I surrender! Don't hit me! It hurts!"
"I really hope that education can be universal," the missionary said calmly, looking at Ogryn who was being beaten, "It can save a lot of trouble, but it is too difficult... Education can only be carried out where there is a church... Let's leave it like this for now."
The missionary seemed to be talking to himself. He shook his head. His well-manicured nails did not look like a poor man.
"Let's solve the problem of eating first... It's difficult, it's difficult."
The missionary waved his hand, signaling Cecilia to go back, and he began to sigh again.
"Go back and continue reading the second page."
By the time Cecia had learned Page 7, their ship had arrived at Terra.
They first gathered at the port, which was so huge that the end of it was visible as far as the eye could see. They were separated and regrouped according to their body size along with other people in black robes.
Cecilia was very tall, so she was assigned to the last group with Ogryn. While they were waiting and having their physical examinations, countless missionaries from different star fields came over just to see Quhun'er.
"Fuck, Soulless Ogryn."
Every missionary who came by would sigh, so that the soulless ones behind him learned to answer first, and Ogryn would say "Fuck, soulless Ogryn" before these black robes spoke.
Cecilia also saw the missionaries gathered together, playing and teasing each other. The missionary who taught her seemed to be the only one in good health among the group. The rest of the teaching missionaries seemed to have experienced harsh battles, so they could only do light work, such as teaching.
"Hey, here comes the little sighing guy."
The missionaries came up to the man and shouted, "Go down to the grassroots, brother—oh, you are just a big talker, the grassroots don't want you."
"I was thinking from the overall perspective," the man said, his face red from his neck to behind his ears. "I am suitable for management, not grassroots."
The whole room burst into laughter.
"The Pluto made his fortune in the fields, what are you dreaming about?"
"This is a big test!" the mocked missionary shouted, "Pluto will personally examine it! Just wait and see - I will definitely be appreciated!"
Cecilia didn't hear what was said next. The team had reached her. She stood next to a machine, which tattooed a string of numbers and barcodes on her wrist. This meant that "Cecilia" had been recorded in a larger system.
When she heard that this was the result of some data-driven and information-based policy, Cecilia didn’t understand.
There were many things she didn't understand, such as Ogryn and Hades. What on earth was Hades? Cecia thought he would be some tall, unimaginable being. The limit of her imagination was Ogryn-sized, a giant dressed like a hive noble, holding a sickle.
But you don’t have to understand everything in life. If you don’t understand, there’s no need to think about it. The missionary did not set the goal of figuring everything out. On the contrary, he told them that it was okay to be confused.
Now you can be confused.
But after meeting Pluto, you can't make any mistakes.
The stars in the sky were watching them. Groups of people were climbing towards the church on the ridge. The Cult of the Underworld did not allow vehicles to travel in the holy land, so people were crawling like ants.
They arrived when Cecia began to feel pain in her ankle.
On the red carpet in front of the church, the missionaries began to direct them to line up. Monks and deacons from other areas... people in black robes hurriedly walked past their lines solemnly. Under the Cathedral of the Underworld, everyone subconsciously became serious, as one must not be disrespectful under the feet of the gods.
Even Ogrin felt this strange atmosphere, and Quehuner began to count to make him less nervous.
"One, one, three... Big girl, I'm nervous."
Cecia swallowed. "Take it easy," she said, remembering what the missionary had said. "Don't burp, don't fart, pretend to be dead. Dead people don't make any noise."
Cecilia was trying to comfort Ogryn so much that she ignored the subtle changes in the atmosphere. The Hades members who were hurriedly walking on the red carpet stopped, stood on both sides, and saluted the latecomers.
"Oh, Soulless Ogryn?"
A frivolous female voice sounded, and Cecilia was startled, because people here are generally very serious. The gears clicked, and a female sage appeared beside them.
"Such a big guy?"
This was said to Cecia, who stared at the female sage nervously and nodded.
"Well," Belinda said, "Are you interested in coming to my place? I can ask you to come over, and you can tease Mingzi and his gang with me - don't be afraid, little guy, I have someone to protect me."
Before Cecilia's brain could react, another electronic sound rang out.
"Belinda, stop it."
The great sage of watch, Jin-306, walked over with his huge body, picked up Belinda beside Cecilia, and slowly walked towards the door.
"Does it matter?"
Kim said, "You only even met him once, little one."
"But he approves of you, father."
"… "
Belinda said with a grin, she looked back at Cecia, made a face and mouthed "don't worry".
It seems that she can choose this female sage
After all, Cecilia thought vaguely, she had spoken to her actively and seemed enthusiastic - but according to the missionary, they would choose their own destiny.
The two mechanical sages went away, and the team Cecilia was in also began to move. Cecilia heard Quehun'er's heavy breathing, and she hoped that Ogryn would not cry later.
They entered the Cathedral of the Underworld, a space comparable to a large square. Black tears hung from the sharp dome. The space was dim, with a little light shining through the hazy glass. The light and shadows slapped at their trouser legs like a dark ocean.
The missionaries arranged them to stand in the front and center of the hall, and Cecilia realized uneasily that their team seemed to be standing in the most important position.
The crowd was silent.
"clang-"
The clock struck twelve at midnight, and the cold wind blew down from the palace, with the muffled sound echoing in the silent cathedral. Standing opposite the crowd, a bald man stood out from among the seven people who seemed to have the highest rank. He looked at the various departments of the Underworld Cult who had come from afar, and began to give a speech.
"Cough, cough, cough," the bald man coughed a few times.
"First of all, welcome to Terra,"
He opened his hands in welcome.
The silent crowd did not applaud him, but the atmosphere was noticeably relaxed.
"We all know that this is the first convening of the Central Underworld Cult since Hades returned."
"But please rest assured, the Hades are kind. Hades fully affirmed and supported the process of our previous convening, so your schedule for this month will not be too different. I will explain it briefly."
"First, the opening ceremony will be held. Hades and the Pale Lord will be present. In addition to the various departments of the Hades Cult, the Sons of Hades delegation, the Phaos delegation, the Mars delegation, the Grey Knights delegation and other departments will also be present."
Cecilia quickly sensed a commotion, which did not come from the word Pluto, but from the word Grey Knight.
"Grey Knights?" "Psychics?" "What?"
A low, hushed whisper was heard.
"Just be patient."
Archbishop Samuel said, frowning,
"I know there are a lot of people attending this time, but there won't be many speakers, so I won't waste your time. After the opening ceremony, those who need to visit attractions can do so, those who need to prepare for exams can prepare for exams, and those who need to go out can do so flexibly, so as not to waste your time."
There were sounds of relief from the crowd, and even sporadic applause from the missionaries.
"Silence!" Samuel shouted, "Those who are clapping, put down your hands!"
The sparse applause died down, and the bald bishop smacked his lips in satisfaction.
"Anyway, we didn't prepare any drinks or food for this opening ceremony - but moved it to tomorrow afternoon, which is equivalent to our previous opening ceremony being moved to tomorrow noon, and we are gathering tonight to celebrate the arrival of Pluto."
If Pluto hadn't come, these bastards would never give him a good face, Samuel thought. He looked at the trembling soulless newcomers and felt that these new recruits made him proud.
The teachings of the Underworld Cult emphasize flexibility. In addition to those who come to take the promotion exam, most of those who come this time are well-known figures of the Underworld Cult in the region. Most of those who can reach their positions have their own unique understanding of the operation of the Underworld Cult.
A strange phenomenon is that the higher one's status in the Hades Cult, the less one believes in Hades.
The Underworld Cult is not a system where the central government manages the local areas, but rather a system where the local governments are autonomous. The central government is usually responsible for coordinating the liaison with the localities, and also acts as a mascot.
"That's about it,"
Samuel concluded that he had received news that Pluto, who was welded to his desk, had finished his work and was rushing to the cathedral, and that the Death Guard and the Grey Knights had also arrived here. He no longer had to be an unpopular mascot.
"During this pilgrimage to Terra, I wish you all to remain steadfast in your human nature, and I hope you all have fun - but one last reminder, at the request of Pluto himself, we have added new soulless people to this gathering, and I hope you will set an example for these future hopes."
Samuel gritted his teeth and said,
"Don't let them 'grow up' too fast."
He paused as he finished the last word and immediately left. The timing was just right as white mist was floating in from the gate.
The team, which was a little noisy just now, suddenly became silent. Samuel reprimanded in his heart that it was a trick of watching others take advantage of him.
Two giants stepped in one after the other.
Mortarion breathed wearily, his wings draped over the ground like a cloak. The Cathedral of the Dark Lord made him feel short of breath, but the Primarch felt it necessary to come.
He needed to help Hades maintain a serious atmosphere. The Pale Lord knew very well what kind of people the top leaders of the Cult of the Underworld were, but there were obviously other forces watching this gathering in secret. Hades needed to maintain a serious atmosphere, or he could do it for Hades.
This is also a symbol. No matter how kind Hades is to these people, the Death Guard will still be staring at them from behind.
Behind him is Magnus, who "also thinks he is important and wants to help Hades, but is actually completely insignificant."
Apparently Magnus thought that allowing the psykers to attend a Hades gathering would be beneficial to the understanding between the Soulless and the psykers, and Hades approved it.
If Mortarion hadn't been "lying" in the black coffin and refused to come out, he would have had a good talk with Hades.
Just now, in front of the Cathedral of the Underworld, the two Primarchs met for the first time. Mortarion simply nodded, and as expected, he saw Magnus showing a surprised expression.
Looking at Mortarion shrouded in mist, Magnus's red hair almost exploded.
[I know what you want to say, but please be quiet.]
Mortarion spoke first, and behind him, Karas, who had a hint of death in his eyes, also smiled maliciously towards the Grey Knights.
Wizard Mortarion spread his hands, [There is no need for us to fight here. ]
[I understand!] Magnus raised his voice and blocked Ahriman behind him, [I just... I just haven't seen you for a long time, Mortarion, are you okay?]
The wrinkles at the corners of the pale lord's eyes piled up,
[You won’t die.] Mortarion said sinisterly, then he ended the topic and walked out of the cathedral on his own initiative.
[Hey—] Magnus' words were stuck, [Okay.]
[He has a bad temper.]
The Primarch whispered, and followed Mortarion, keeping a careful distance.
The mist of the Lord of Death enveloped everyone. Cecilia saw that some people had started to collect the white mist in bottles, or took out some strange little things and soaked them in the mist. Unexpectedly, the big guy who looked tough ignored it.
The two Primarchs stood on the left and right of the main podium. The Death Guard and Grey Knights followed their Primarchs. The crowd fell silent again until the sound of slightly late footsteps was heard.
"I'm a little late. I'm sorry. There's so much to do."
Hades' casual voice sounded at the door. All the members of the Hades Cult were his own people. In the process of dealing with the Archbishop Samuel of the Hades Cult, Hades had fully understood this.
He saw Mortarion and Magnus, and Hades smiled. He walked over quickly. There was no need for the Primarch to come over. This was just an opening ceremony, and the screening that followed was the highlight.
Cecilia heard footsteps coming closer and closer, but when they were almost at their location, the footsteps slowed down, and then she heard a very low question from Pluto.
"…Soulless Ogryn?"
"Boss Pluto," said Soulless, "you missed the point."
Magnus coughed.
Standing behind the Pale Lord, Karas, with a forced smile, saw a faint sense of death emanating from Mortarion.
Karas was glad that Mortarion felt the same way.
(End of this chapter)