Seraphs of the Emperor’s Judgment

Chapter 92: Colonel Lucian Silos

However, the response the Military Police Company Commander received was—

"Are you deaf?"

The Military Police Company Commander widened his eyes, unable to believe someone would speak to him like that.

"Y-y-you—you bunch of scum should serve yourselves up and die in that metal tomb on Macragge II!"

The root of the conflict was instantly exposed.

The vast majority of the Astral Knights' human servants, including the Mortal Auxiliaries, originated from the Chapter's former homeworld.

Kent's group, however, came from the Macragge II orbital station they had passed by not long ago.

Kent himself was previously a Malcador heavy tank commander holding a post within the planetary ground defense force. Later, due to discord with his superiors, he had been tossed onto the orbital station to slowly wait for death.

The Astral Knights passing by provided him the opportunity to escape that space prison.

On the other hand, the newly formed armoured battalion also required veterans like him who were familiar with operations.However, humanity was always accustomed to banding together. Aside from blood ties, a sense of belonging to one's homeland ranked second.

Most of the officers from the Chapter's homeworld rather ostracized these latecomers, and the soldiers followed their officers' lead. Following the establishment of the new structure, the clash between the two sides sharpened to the point that Soshyan had to personally resolve the issue.

His method was very simple: break everyone up and intermingle them—which might perhaps increase discord within the same company.

But he believed that after a period of time, the bond of comrades-in-arms would ultimately overcome narrow regional prejudices.

"Die? Die on your mother's arse hair!"

Kent immediately burst into profanities. Then, over a hundred men practically charged out from the formation, marching menacingly toward the military police.

The military police's arrogant bluster from moments ago instantly evaporated, leaving behind only panic.

"A-are you planning a mutiny?!"

"Blow the whistle! Blow the whistle!"

A sharp whistle pierced the air, yet Kent showed absolutely zero fear on his face. Instead, he waved his hand.

"Watch them!"

At his command, the soldiers rushed past him and completely surrounded the military police.

Kent charged past them, a vicious glint in his eyes from beneath his skewed military cap.

The Military Police Company Commander, however, had long since fled.

There was practically no lighting in the corridor. He staggered through a semi-dark area, but Kent's approaching footsteps quickly caught up to him.

Just as he turned his head to look back, a hand grabbed him, seizing the back of his military greatcoat and causing him to stagger.

"Where are you rushing off to?"

Kent's scarred fist smashed into his shoulder, dragging him back into the compartment and shoving him down in plain view of everyone.

"A twisted mutant abomination!"

Kent spat, slamming his fist fiercely into the Military Police Company Commander's stomach.

The man doubled over, the air completely squeezed from his lungs.

Through a desire to steady himself and catch his breath, he instinctively grabbed Kent's side. The latter shoved him back against the wall, as if to mock him.

"When we were fighting the Traitors on the orbital station, you were hiding behind the Astartes, basking in smug satisfaction, weren't you?"

Kent grabbed the Military Police Company Commander by his greasy black hair and hoisted him up, only to suddenly stop in mid-air.

He realized that the man in his hand was gazing past him, looking at a shadowy figure enveloping him.

A prickling sensation began to form on the back of Kent's neck, quickly transforming into a shiver that ran down his spine.

He let go and turned his head. Then Kent saw him—Colonel Lucian Silos, the commander of the 5th Armoured Assault Regiment, locally famous among officers and soldiers for having once been an Aspirant for the Astartes.

He was a nobleman hailing from the Vidar System. At thirty-one years old, he was tall with chiseled features, his brown hair and beard always neatly groomed. Rigid and exacting, he was deeply fixated on various forms of etiquette and doctrine. He possessed immense self-esteem and pride, and placed extremely high demands on his subordinates, earning the nickname "Centimeter" from the men.

But as one who was once a breath away from becoming an Astartes, his unique background bestowed upon him a powerful aura. Very few mortals could withstand his focused gaze.

So, this time was no exception.

That dim, bloated light fixture happened to be right behind him—always right behind him—so it appeared almost as if he were equipped with a natural gift: the very first thing anyone ever saw was his silhouette or shadow.

And at close proximity, such as where Kent stood now, the only things visible were his sharp, freezing blue eyes.

His face was set like stone; an obvious indicator of his poor mood.

"Enough, Lieutenant."

The Colonel said casually, his left hand casually resting on the pommel of his power sword.

"This son of a bitch needs a beating."

Kent replied, his arm still raised mid-air, eager for action.

Many felt this guy might actually be foolish enough to try, secretly hoping he would so they could see how the Colonel would dismiss him.

But under the Colonel's stare, Kent resentfully retracted his hand and returned to the front of the formation.

"Dismiss your soldiers."

The Colonel looked at the Military Police Company Commander, who was getting up from the ground, and said calmly:

"My men will promptly leave your sight. I will provide a ruling concerning this incident."

"This is mu—"

The Military Police Company Commander looked like he wanted to argue further, but then he mistakenly locked eyes with the Colonel. Kent watched smugly as the man flinched beneath that freezing stare.

Different people saw different things within those blue eyes, but they always reminded them of something painful and unpleasant.

After that, the Colonel stood completely motionless and without a word as the Military Police Company Commander led his men to disband. As they left, the Military Police Company Commander threw a vicious glare toward Kent.

"Kent Ruspel, step forward!"

The Colonel suddenly shouted, still remaining motionless.

The unruly tank commander cautiously stepped out of the formation but did not meet the Colonel's eyes, having already braced his nerves for the impending punishment.

"Explain yourself, Lieutenant."

He asked quietly, crossing his arms like a strict tutor.

"That scum said we should've all died on the orbital station, sir."

Kent told him in a furious tone.

"Fan-fucking-tastic, sir. My battalion sacrificed a thousand men to fight against the Traitors, so I lost control."

"Do you think a piece of gutter trash like you deserves to continue living?"

The Colonel asked calmly.

"All I know is that we fought just as tenaciously as any Astra Militarum, perhaps even more so! While that pig-head only dares to hide behind the Angels and flaunt his authority!"

Kent raised his head and looked directly into the Colonel's eyes for the first time.

"Very well."

The other suddenly nodded, which caused Kent's jaw to drop in uncontained surprise.

"Receive ten lashes. I forbid any further brawling from now on, Lieutenant Kent."

After speaking, the Colonel pivoted on his heels and marched off toward the corridor.

Kent cast a bewildered look at the other tank commanders, who simply responded with frowns and shrugs.

He then took a moment to calm down, trying not to consider what that attitude implied. He had long since learned that it was best not to attempt to fathom the Colonel's thoughts at any time; it would only leave him even more confused.

"Alright, you lot who never think the show is big enough!"

Kent shouted to the remaining men:

"Get your fucking arses over here and watch me eat the whip!"

(End of Chapter)