On the outskirts of Weixing City, Phoenix Monastery.
After more than half a year of construction, the Phoenix Monastery no longer looked like a major building site — at least, not in the core area.
The main part of the chapel had been completed, and next to it, an even larger cathedral was under construction; the living quarters had been finished; and the training grounds had been mapped out.
Apart from the larger and more majestic parts, the main practical buildings of the monastery were all done.
Inside the chapel, there even stood a statue of The Emperor, glittering with gold.
Indeed, it was cast from gold. Currently, on Rage Owl Star, aside from a portion needed for industrial production, the value of precious metals lay only in their use as decorative items; they held no capacity for currency, savings, or circulation. Using them to decorate the chapel and the divine image of The Emperor was just right.
And before the divine image of The Emperor, a figure, aged yet tall and robust, knelt on one knee, his eyes tightly closed, maintaining this posture for quite some time.
Priest Rizzo was always like this. Even as a priest, he spent too long praying with his eyes closed.
It hadn’t always been this way, only after coming to Rage Owl Star had his time spent in prayer and attempting to communicate with The Emperor grown longer and longer.
The other two members of the Phoenix Battle Group had felt at a loss for some time now.
After three consecutive failures of gene-seed implant surgeries, their battle group leader had locked himself in the confessional and had not come out since. And their battle group priest was in this state.
The atmosphere was oppressive, and anguish and confusion filled their hearts as well.
But today seemed a little different.
Although the head priest still knelt in prayer before The Emperor’s statue, the confessional door nearby opened.
The battle group leader finally emerged.
But this did not bring any reassurance.
They could see that Matins’ massive frame was stooped, weary, hiding despair.
When an ordinary person despairs and acts recklessly, they can cause considerable destruction, let alone a star-faring warrior.
They watched the battle group leader with considerable concern as he approached the head priest step by step.
They felt that what was about to happen would determine the future destiny of the battle group, but they did not know what it would be.
Matins stood behind the head priest, gazing for a long time.
During this, his fists clenched several times, only to relax again.
Eventually, he let out a deep breath, and like Rizzo, knelt before The Emperor’s statue, murmuring a prayer before speaking in a disheartened voice, “Priest, over half a year ago, you said you had foreseen that the battle group’s lifeline resided on this star named Rage Owl Star…”
Matins’ voice was hoarse and grating.
In recent times, he had barely drunk any water, leaving his throat very dry.
Priest Rizzo, being questioned, opened his eyes, a faint smile playing on his lips: “Yes, I did have such a revelation.”
“Do you still stand by your revelation?”
“Of course, I’ve never doubted it.”
“Even if…” Matins took a deep breath, “even if the battle group has become what it is now?”
At this question, Priest Rizzo did not answer directly.
He countered, “Are you blaming me?”
Matins was silent, but the bloodshot look in his eyes as he glared at Rizzo gave away the answer.
Rizzo sighed, “It seems you really do blame me, but do you remember exactly what I said at that time?”
“You said the hope for saving the battle group lay on Rage Owl Star…”
“No, that’s not what I said.”
Matins was startled.
A star-faring warrior has a good memory, and he immediately recounted the scene from that time, certain that he had not misremembered.
What did the head priest mean?
Rizzo continued, “I said, the opportunity for the battle group’s rebirth from the ashes lies there, in the person of the governor of that star.”
“Is there any difference?”
“Of course, there is.” Rizzo’s face broke into a smile once more, “Hope has never been in a place, or on a star; it’s always been upon a person. I made myself very clear.”
“But…” Matins immediately started to speak, “The governor has already done everything within his power to help the battle group, what more can he do?”
This indeed was Matins’ own thought, so he held no particular resentment toward Gu Hang.
The Phoenix Battle Group and the governor of Rage Owl Star had always had an equal partnership. They executed commissions for the governor as they deemed fit, and of course, they could refuse if a mission was particularly preposterous.
While sacrifices had been made, fighting the enemies of the Imperium, whether followers of the Evil God or Green Skin Orcs, was a matter of course. In this respect, Governor Gu Hang had never betrayed them. Any intelligence that needed to be clear was clear, any support that needed to be in place was in place. The losses of their battle brothers were caused by combat with the enemy; Mr.
Gu could not be blamed for that.
While they fulfilled missions for the governor, Rage Owl Star had reciprocated. Building the monastery for the battle group, allowing them free choice among the planet’s youth for candidates. When they needed surgical equipment, the latest was bought; they replenished their arsenal, and they were even gifted a precious set of Terminator Power Armor!
What more was there to say?
Gu Hang had done all that he could.
What more could Rage Owl Star offer for the battle group’s development?