Seraphs of the Emperor’s Judgment

Chapter 85: Oath-breaking

West smiled at Soshyan.

He grinned, his confidence radiating from him like a palpable aura.

"Revered Angel, there is no need to dirty your hands. The rebellion has been quelled. The vast majority of the rioters have been eliminated, and a small portion have also received punishment."

This was the city's council hall. Here was where landowners and city councilmen quarreled and fought for power over this region, and also where various insidious schemes were laid out.

Soshyan stood upon the dais where the Speaker usually sat, barely an arm's length from West.

The other Space Marines stood behind Soshyan, but did not approach the dais where West stood as closely as he did.

All the landowners in the city, including the councilmen, were also gathered here—a full crowd of over a hundred people.

Upon hearing West's words, Soshyan, who had already removed his helmet, took a deep breath. Perhaps even he himself didn't realize that in that instant, he resembled a lion enraged to the absolute limit, his black hole-like eyes only intensifying his furious visage.

Yet West continued to smile.

"My Lord, you are unaware. After you left, those rioters attempted to stir up a rebellion within the city once again. The Departmento Justitiae issued us a suppression order."As he spoke, he drew a Dataslate from behind him and offered it to Soshyan.

But the Space Marine simply stood there, motionless, and naturally made no move to take the offered Dataslate. This brought a trace of awkwardness to West's face, but he quickly covered it up.

As a Chapter Master, Soshyan had only commanded the Chapter for a short time, but he already bore the authority of a superior. When he looked directly at West, everyone could feel his surging fury.

Clearly, this Mayor had completely misunderstood his own standing.

But soon enough, it wouldn't matter much anyway.

"Our oath."

Soshyan let out a displeased, low growl.

"Do you still remember?"

Several people began to cough, as if the Astartes had said something terrifying.

His displeasure instantly intensified.

But of everyone present, only Sol could sense how much Soshyan wanted to raise his Bolter and end this charade. However, he was still restraining himself; the rules and dogmas he had been taught were the final chains binding him.

Once those chains were broken, no one knew how tragically it would end.

"Well... I too feel deep regret, but protecting the city is my duty."

West clasped his hands before his chest, assuming a look that was both pitiful and ready to face death.

"I am willing to bear any consequences!"

Sol immediately let out a sneer.

In just a few short days, he had already gained a sufficient understanding of the Imperium's current state.

Take this very city hall before him, for example. Even for a Planetary Governor, it appeared outrageously luxurious, let alone for a mere miniature city.

Mechanical cherubim adorned the edges of the city hall, bearing the sacred banners that proclaimed the state religion.

These cloned infants, grown at an accelerated rate, flew on anti-gravity wings fashioned from tin, conversing and giggling among themselves with nothing but monosyllabic hums when not singing hymns.

They were utilized by those obsessed with worthless ornamentation. Sol was completely certain that producing such things in the era he came from would undoubtedly be considered a blasphemous and abominable waste of resources.

Was the human body meant to be used to produce these soulless, living replicas?

Clearly not, and it shouldn't be.

An honor guard composed of marble statues lined the center of the red carpet, each a full-scale reproduction of a useless past mayor.

These were a pile of false authority carved in stone, looking down with arrogant and complacent expressions at the gathered councilmen.

The decorated armrests of the Speaker's chair connected to its curved back, the entire seat resting heavily upon twelve pillars.

For a moment, Sol wondered what kind of mind would find such a thing beautiful.

In his eyes, it looked like something flawed and only half-finished.

No matter how much gold was piled onto this hideous architecture, it couldn't alter the fact that this chair was a grotesque manifestation of inferior wealth, flanked by a sea of red composed of hypocritical men and women.

"Revered Angel."

West continued, his silk coat appearing baggy over his weak, unexercised body.

Since he could remember, Sol always found it very difficult to maintain respect for those who allowed their bodies to grow frail. Apart from throwing money and undergoing restorative surgery, these people couldn't fight against age—when, in truth, everyone could fight against laziness through their own efforts.

A decayed body was the result of a fragile soul.

"Set aside your posturing."

Soshyan said to him, his voice as cold as ice.

"M-My Lord..."

West managed to force another smile. He knew it wasn't his foolish smile that had enraged the other party, but his actions.

"We are exceedingly overjoyed by your arrival. I am certain you have enjoyed your time here thus far? The harvest season is nearly upon us; it is a season to praise the great Emperor."

"Do you still remember our oath!"

Soshyan firmly turned to face the entire hall.

"Do you know the consequences of forcing us to break our oath!"

More coughing ensued, and even West's jaw trembled as he fought back his fear.

But he held his ground, whispering humbly:

"All of this was authorized by the Departmento Justitiae. We were merely carrying out orders."

Sol couldn't tell if this man was merely feigning confidence outwardly, or if he genuinely believed a single document from the Departmento Justitiae could serve to intimidate an Astartes.

"Actually, strictly speaking, it was those rioters and murderers who broke the oath. Your honor, My Lord, has not been tarnished in the slightest. Absolutely not. And no one will spread a word of everything they've seen."

His honeyed voice triggered Sol's train of thought, bringing to mind the speeches he delivered to gathered crowds.

Setting aside his moral character, this man was undoubtedly an excellent orator.

"Enough, I have heard enough."

Soshyan still showed no intention of touching his weapons, merely lowering his head slightly and glaring at West.

"Confess, and your death will be a little quicker."

West was no longer smiling. The other landowners and councilmen were still whispering and muttering, but no one was laughing anymore.

"My Lord, we have committed no crime whatsoever, nor have we violated any Lex Imperialis."

West said in a low voice, but he was no longer humble.

"Furthermore, the officials from the Departmento Justitiae will arrive shortly."

This fool—that was Sol's final internal assessment of him.

His words had become the final factor to snap the chains binding Soshyan.

The Chapter Master of the Astral Knights, Soshian Alexei, whose face just moments ago had been full of guilt, now wore an extraordinarily cruel smile, his heavy breathing whistling past his bared teeth.

"Then no one will walk out of this room alive. Regardless, Cetis's City Council and the Agricultural Federation will cease to exist by sunrise."

(End of Chapter)