The Emperor’s Angel of Death

"It's so hot, stop pushing!"

Squeezed in the middle of the crowd, Roquim and the others were forced to move. When he looked up, he saw countless massive building outlines in the distance. Many aircraft and the cleaners on them were dealing with the accumulated dirt, rust, and peeling paint on the dilapidated walls of the buildings.

All of this was a huge blow to his senses. For a moment, he felt like a five-year-old child, lost in the tall crowd. Even if he stomped his feet, no one would lower their heads to hear his tiny cries.

"Wow, this place is huge."

This victory parade attracted many people. It had been many years since Terra had such a large-scale ceremony. In many people's memories, it was something their grandparents often talked about. Therefore, many people were willing to spend a lot of money to buy a ticket here.

However, with so many people already, the authorities restricted the flow of people. Si Sina was only able to get the last train ticket to the City of Petitioners because of her special status.

Because of this, they had been delayed for a day, and she almost thought they wouldn't make it.

The station was very crowded, with people trekking from all directions, from the platform to the diversion area, and then from the diversion area to the sidewalk.

The grand staircase led to the main road. Its once glorious paving stones were cracked due to subsidence, and one-third of the perfect oval dome was hidden by the rusty beams supporting the ceiling. The stairs outside the station crisscrossed, and the walls were covered with corrugated calcification seeping from the concrete. There were many statues on the roadside, but they looked like half-melted wax figures.

At this time, the City of Petitioners had implemented complete traffic control. The Department of Law mobilized all the police force they could, maintaining order on the streets. Only occasionally did a car stir up waves in the crowd, with people moving to the side and then merging again after the car passed—those who could drive at this time naturally had extraordinary identities.

Of course, such occasions are also indispensable for another group of people.

"The God-Emperor watches over us! This great victory is a manifestation of the glory of the Throne!"

A priest of the Ecclesiarchy stood on a mobile podium at the intersection, surrounded by a group of church attendants holding sticks. His sermon was played from the loudspeakers installed on the side of the podium at an unbearable volume.

"Please do not crowd, to prevent stampedes and trampling accidents..."

"All viewing platforms are full, please do not go there again."

"The Emperor Savior Cathedral is full, please do not continue to go there."

Hearing the sound, Roquim looked up and saw airships flying slowly along the walls of the high-rise buildings, broadcasting various announcements.

Suddenly, the crowd became a little restless, and then Roquim saw a group of people holding torches, wearing metal-faced pointed helmets, and wearing priestly robes walking by. When they passed by, many people waved the slips of paper or cloth strips in their hands.

"These are the Confessors."

Si Sina whispered to Roquim about the identity of these Ecclesiarchy marchers.

In a sense, they are also the Ecclesiarchy's "tax collectors" because any resident will owe the Emperor unconscious debts due to improper lifestyles, so the Ecclesiarchy can easily construct a theory—they are sinners and must make amends in some way, especially in the City of Petitioners, a place full of extravagant and dissipated lifestyles.

The existence of the Confessors is to allow people to symbolically burn their sins to atone for their faults and violations of Ecclesiarchy doctrines.

The Confessors will build huge bonfires in front of cathedrals and shrines. At this time, people who need to confess gather together, tightly holding the sins written on paper. Those brave enough can come forward and have the presiding clergy or priest read aloud and decide whether to grant forgiveness.

If forgiveness is granted, the sin is thrown into the fire, and the person will receive a blessing and permission to leave.

However, if the sin is too great to be "repaired" in such a simple way, then the person has a choice: they can donate Throne Gelt equivalent to the sin (determined by the clergy) to the Ecclesiarchy, or jump into the fire themselves.

"Such a socially awkward confession? The people of Terra really know how to play."

"Keep your voice down! Be careful of being caught and forced to confess if you are heard!"

Si Sina glared at Roquim.

"Let's go, I've already booked a place in advance."

The three followed Si Sina along the crowd, walking for more than half an hour, and came to a towering hotel building. This place was also crowded, but not as much as outside. After taking out the reservation voucher and passing the security check, the four took the elevator all the way up. At this time, Roquim was surprised to find that this hotel had a full 360 floors!

And finally, the elevator stopped on the 298th floor.

"The 300th floor and above have been booked by very prominent people or families. This is already the best height and location I could buy. The Palm Hotel is just in the middle of the parade route, the location is very suitable, and you can basically see everything with the help of the equipment."

On the red-carpeted aisle, the attendants stood against the wall. After Si Sina handed over the room card, two of them, one leading the way and one pushing the dining car, turned a few corners, and the four came to a huge mahogany door. When the door opened, a magnificent hall and a super-large viewing balcony appeared in the four's sight.

"The reserved meals and drinks are all here. If you need anything, you can press this buzzer. Wish you all a pleasant time."

Soon, the attendants withdrew from the room. The short man, Dogo, immediately picked up a bottle of cocktail from the dining car, directly opened the bottle cap that required tools to open with his bare hands, and then took a gulp.

"Hmm, not bad."

Isvin picked up a plate cover and, after seeing the exquisite desserts, couldn't help but pick them up and devour them.

At this time, Roquim and Si Sina had already walked to the huge semi-circular observation deck. The railings here were metal, entwined with marble carved into flower patterns. The craftsmanship was very exquisite, and there were even artificial flower gardens and observation equipment mounted on the railings.

At a glance, the wide and straight Hero's Road was almost suspended on the spiers of various buildings. Only those buildings with a height of more than 300 meters had the opportunity to see its true face.

This avenue is estimated to be more than a hundred meters wide. Both sides of the avenue are various mottled statues, mostly in the image of wearing power armor. It is said that they were all carved according to the images of various warriors after the Terra Defense War. This road extends all the way to the distant end of the line of sight. The Lion's Gate Spaceport towering in the distance is like a giant spire standing upright, and various "silk threads" are constantly extending from the tower body, forming hundreds of tracks and highways.

According to official propaganda, the Space Marine team will walk out of the Lion's Gate Spaceport and arrive at the Eternal Gate along this avenue.

Dong, dong, dong—

Suddenly, heavy bells echoed in the sky. Roquim looked at the sky, and a trace of gold penetrated the thin clouds.

It's six o'clock, it's dawn.

Which also means that the parade is about to begin!