Warhammer: In the Name of Ashes.

"I know your confusion, you will have a new mission, but not now."

Calvin pulled Marku up from the iron-gray floor, and turned to look at the faceless statue.

The face of the Lord of Humanity is hidden behind layers of nothingness, but its sacred light and heat radiate holy brilliance belonging to the collection of human will all the time.

That was the Emperor, and Calvin knew it, and so did Marduk.

Even though Calvin has not actually met him in the physical universe, this statue that exists in the spiritual world lacks some details;
But He represents the pure divinity of the human race, and truly points to that unique existence.

"But I am no longer worthy of the name of a saint to continue walking in the empire."

Marduk responded in a low voice under the Emperor's portrait, and this was also the most confusing question for him today.

His mission from the Emperor had been fulfilled, and he was due to return to his throne in the final battle.

The planetary remains of Korkash, in the original destiny, should be called the end of St. Marduk;
And on Libelas, the home planet given to the Angels of the Dead, it should also be the sanctuary where his remains are preserved.

What else could he do?Go on preaching with a false title of saint?
The century-old operation is only to spread the emperor's salvation to this suffering land;

And when all of this is accomplished, it should be the day when he will leave the stage.

"It's not something you can decide."

Calvin winked at Marduk, then explained to the bewildered apostle:
"It's not even my problem, it's His will.

He caused me to be born in that agricultural world called Seur a hundred years ago, and it was also He who made me come here all the way to keep you and the sentient beings of this Orpheus. "

Marduk did not refute. From Calvin's memory, he already knew the growth and encounter of the Primarch.

Having a fundamentally different origin and upbringing from all Primarchs, this particular being never made it to the highest stages of the Imperium.

He also has the emperor's favor and care, but unlike those elder brothers, he has no mission fixed in life and destiny since he was born.

"Only the insight of the Emperor..." Marduk prayed in a low voice.

"Only lead us the way forward." Calvin continued the prayer.

"What's your next plan?"

Marduk asked Calvin.

Since it was the emperor who ordered him to save him from death again, his future whereabouts would naturally follow Calvin's arrangement.

"Go back. I'm going back to Terra, and you're going to your post."

Calvin said firmly.

Things in the Orpheus sector are already on the right track, and it doesn't make much sense for him to stay here.

The battle group alliance from the Krieg galaxy is about to be disbanded, and the main force of the battle group returning from the extreme star field in the distance also needs to be supplemented by these fighters.

And he should also return to Terra to see what He looks like in the real universe.

Regarding this universe, Calvin had too many doubts to be answered by the Emperor.

Regarding the future road, he also has too much confusion and needs the guidance of the pioneers.

The rescue of Marduk was purely accidental, and he had no long-term plans for the now canonized state priest.

But the historical accumulation of the previous nation and his brain with powerful computing power are telling him instinctively:

Only by uniting all forces that can be united can we achieve our lofty goals.

In this context, allies are assistance, and the more the better; while enemies are resistance, the fewer the better.

Marduk understood Calvin's intentions.

At this time, Marduk, who has reached the position of the state church in red, had not died after being canonized, within a hundred years, he should have a place at the top cardinal position of state church power.

And if there is no accident, his influence will far exceed that of his peers. As long as he maintains his existence, he will naturally be a strong candidate for the next pope.

At this time, Calvin and Marduk did not have such long-term ambitions, but only wanted to continue their previous work.

The latter can accept such an arrangement, but they still have their own small demands regarding the title of saint.

"Don't worry about these names anymore, since it has come, you won't be allowed to refuse it."

Calvin comforted the brooding old man earnestly.

"Think of the people behind you, those who followed you through all hardships to Orpheus;

Think of the rogue traders and admirals who risked their family honor and fortune to support you and help you.

Refusing this honor is not only denying your personal dedication, but also denying their dedication. "

"...your will."

Marduk accepted the honor with a difficult tone. He was too obsessed with his own purity and forgot the existence of these followers.

When Calvin put all the hard work and dedication behind it in front of him, he realized his selfishness belatedly.

"I……"

Faced with his excessive pursuit of reputation and purity, Marduk was terrified. Under the temptation of fame and fortune, he fell into an obsession that he shouldn't have.

"It should not be your burden, but your motivation. You should take this guilt and serve the Emperor better."

Calvin drew the final conclusion for this matter, and also marked a higher self-pursuit for Marduk on the road of faith.

This exchange of souls ended here, and after the two woke up, there was no more communication in the eyes of others.

In the following days, Calvin fell into a busy official business, making the final finishing touches for his return to Terra;

The confessor St. Marduk, who has been named as a saint, also appeared at the ceremony, and led a huge pilgrim crowd to parade to the next bishop's world.

According to outside intelligence, Orpheus is not the end of the jihad tour;
According to the marching rhythm of the pilgrimage fleet, they should return to the starting point of the jihad - Bishop World of Ofelia No. 7 after a hundred years.

Calvin gave great support to the pilgrims.

Under his order, the sectoral government prepared more merchant ships and supplies for the pilgrims.

Even the sector fleet contributed several small ships for escort.

There is a lot of waste waiting to be done inside the sector, and it is not without complaints;

But Calvin knew that as long as this flag is still there, in the next few hundred years, more people will follow the footsteps of their ancestors and come to this land where they shed their blood.

This is an investment with long-term returns. Whether it is the superficial political capital or the real demographic dividend, it has long-term significance and value.

All of the above are the reasons he put forward on the surface when discussing politics in the star area, but the reasons for his support for Marduk beyond the norm in the dark are unknown to outsiders.

The date of the farewell coincided with the date of Krieger's return, and Calvin did not appear at the farewell ceremony in person.

Alan, as his representative, said his final farewell to the leader of the pilgrim army, the Great Confessor St. Marduk.

Looking at the "colleague" in front of him who was still old except for his face, but the muscles under the red robe were full of vitality, Alan Janus brought Calvin's exhortations to him:

"Fortresses and swords are not the last line of defense of the empire, faith is.

And your mission is to strengthen it endlessly.

The value of this job is unique and irreplaceable, please cherish your lost and recovered life, and put it into the great cause of the Emperor. "