The Emperor’s Angel of Death

However, during the True Flame transformation of those Commorragh Kabalite warriors, Sojyan had a novel experience. This was the second time, after Veronica, that he had established some kind of spiritual connection with other Eldar. He felt as if he were browsing countless screens, seeing into the depths of their hearts and discovering the patterns of the Sacred Fire's selection. The pattern was that no matter how brutal a person had been in the past, as long as there was a last shred of purity in their heart, and they could be transformed into the power of true anger, they would likely pass the test of the Sacred Fire. However, Sojyan always felt that as the highest-ranking priestly warrior of the former Eldar Empire, the standard shouldn't be that low.

Or was it because he was controlling the Asuryan Grail that the requirements of the True Fire trial were closer to his thoughts and heart?

These people did have some common characteristics, such as a deep hatred for Commorragh and the Kabals, and a remnant of justice within them that could be excavated and amplified. However, Duran was the most special of them all. He was the only one who retained 'love' and 'regret,' and he was also a Drukhari.

This was also the reason why he entered Duran's consciousness alone to talk to him. Perhaps it was some kind of feeling in the dark, but he felt that this was a person who could be entrusted with important tasks.

Madail had said that the Phoenix Lords could absolutely guarantee the issue of loyalty because their souls already belonged to the Fire of Asuryan. Their spiritual world had become an Asuryan shrine. They were not only warriors but also priests, and could even be called a kind of psychic entity derived from the Sacred Fire of Asuryan. Their consciousness only contained loyalty, dogma, and the most efficient and magnificent combat skills.

Based on this premise, Sojyan had a long talk with Duran alone, telling him some secrets about himself and Asuryan, with the aim of shaping an executor who could understand his thoughts and plans, someone who could perfectly execute his will if he was not in the Court.

Although Dorlar could also be competent in this, Madail and Veronica had reminded Sojyan more than once that Dorlar now had too much power and too much political influence. Although Sojyan never doubted his loyalty, he did need someone to 'share' Dorlar's influence—Duran, who completely obeyed Sojyan in soul and will, was a good choice.

"Everyone, now you are the chosen of Asuryan. In the ancient past, you were called Phoenix Lords, but now..."

Madail paused for a moment and said a new name.

"You will be called the Phoenix Guard."

Upon hearing this, Sojyan really wanted to turn his head and say, "What are you doing?", because what Madail said before was Phoenix Guard, how did it suddenly become the Phoenix Guard!?

The word Guard cannot be used casually. For Sojyan's current identity and position, it was really awkward, so awkward that he was sweating profusely. Wasn't this indirectly equal to him wanting to... do that?

At this moment, Madail's voice sounded in Sojyan's ear at the right time—

"I thought about it. The Phoenix Lords of the past were similar to religious knights, serving the Father God Asuryan, and their duty was only to guard the Great Shrine of Asuryan. Many of them never took a step out of the Great Shrine of Asuryan until it collapsed in their lifetime. The name Phoenix Guard is close to its meaning and is not very suitable, while Phoenix Guard represents their identity changing from holy warriors to the Emperor's guards. The object they serve and the duties they perform will also change. They are going to the battlefield with you, so Guard is more appropriate."

"Could you please tell me in advance next time?"

"I will pay attention."

Although Madail's explanation was reasonable, Sojyan always had a feeling that someone was forcibly putting something on him...

Afterward, Sojyan stood up holding the Grail, and all the Phoenix Guard knelt down and chanted in unison—

Asuryan grants us fire, burning brightly, dispelling the darkness

Asuryan grants us a shield, standing proudly, blocking evil

Asuryan grants us a sword, cutting through the sky, annihilating the demonic aura

Asuryan grants us the law, mysterious and profound, distinguishing between good and evil

We are the legion returning from the old days

We are the immortal heart of the lost sun

We will trample the stars and all enemies

We will eternally defend our dying race

The Sacred Fire and Wrath bear witness

We are all one!

"Duran, I grant you the name Blade of Holy Flame and bestow upon you the position of Commander of the Phoenix Guard."

Duran lowered his head and replied in a deep voice:

"I will fight until the Holy Fire burns the last bit of my soul!"

Sojyan nodded slightly, turned around, and came to the huge brazier burning with the Holy Fire. At the center of the brazier stood the Sunflare Sword. It could be seen that the runes on the sword were flowing and glowing. Only Madail, a serious "Eldar God", could know such secret ritual steps. Any Eldar today probably doesn't know that the Sunflare Sword is also the key to creating the Phoenix Lords. Sojyan then poured the Grail, and some crystal-clear, diamond-like fragments fell into the brazier, causing the flames to suddenly rise nearly a meter, and the flames became more pure as if they were transparent.

This was the last step for the Phoenix Guard. From then on, their souls would be permanently bound to this Asuryan Shrine. When they died in battle, they would also be reshaped here, but it would consume the power of the Holy Fire and a part of their own souls. Each reshaping might cause them to lose some of their original emotions and personalities. When they had nothing left to lose, it meant that they could no longer be reshaped. At that time, they would also become a part of the power of this Holy Fire, which was why Duran would say that he would burn the last bit of his soul.

After doing all this, Sojyan took out the Sunflare Sword and looked at the Phoenix Guard. He could feel the abundant psychic power on them. Now they were not only warriors, but each could be regarded as a powerful Warlock, and this was the result of only 600 people left out of 6104 candidates.

After that, they would continue to stay in the temple and receive Madail's training. Gaining power does not mean being able to use power, especially since they all came from Commorragh, a place where psychic powers are forbidden. They still have a lot to learn. Fortunately, they can "enter" the Flame Arena built by Madail inside the temple, a space where time is eternally frozen, and they can train there without time constraints.

In addition, there is the equipment of the Phoenix Guard. According to Madail, they will wear a set of armor that has been quenched by the Holy Fire. This armor has a device called the "Eternal Diamond", which is actually an imitation of the Primordial Flame Amulet, which can form a psychic shield called the Fire Shield, and can also allow the user to briefly enter a spiritual state, allowing them to move regardless of most obstacles. It also combines many cutting-edge technologies of the ancient empire, including "Fire Wings" that are more advanced than the dimensional spider's warp packs and can transmit faster and farther, as well as "Spirit Boxes" installed on the arms that have multiple functions such as reading memories, imprisoning souls, and sealing psychic powers, and Shadow Flame Mirrors that can reflect the opponent's psychic or mental attacks.

And these things are all secret knowledge belonging to the Asuryan priests of the past, which the Bonesingers cannot manufacture. Currently, only Madail in the Court can manufacture them, so it not only has to train them on its behalf, but also has to manufacture equipment for them one by one. These hundreds of people are enough for it to rub for a long time.

In addition, regarding the weapons of the Phoenix Guard, in the past, due to their duties and dogmas, their weapons were mostly pure melee weapons. Now, considering the need to take the initiative to attack, firearms will also enter their arsenal, but the main weapon is still the disappeared Holy Flame Glaive. This weapon is a bit similar to the current Wraith weapons, but unlike the Wraith weapons that are driven by soul stones, the Holy Flame Glaive is directly bound to the user's soul, thereby obtaining the flexibility and precision of a limb, and the Holy Flame attached to it and the powerful psychic field are enough to cut off most things in the real universe and the non-real universe.

However, these are all handled by Madail, and Sojyan can't help much.