On this day, the grand bells of churches across all worlds of the Imperium of Man rang out, announcing the arrival of St. Giles Festival.
The streets of the Upper Hive were adorned with festive decorations, hung with various red and white angel ornaments.
Small snowflakes drifted from the sky. Mrs. Peru, elegantly dressed, held her beautiful daughter's hand, and together they happily made their way to the Bishop's Cathedral to celebrate the festival.
In the morning, Vice Admiral Alexander Hood, carrying a large bag of handover documents, prepared to rush to the Navy Department.
This top-secret document bag listed suspects who might be the Chief Priest of the Slaanesh Evil Cultists, or individuals related to him. But he no longer had time to verify each one.
On this year's St. Giles Festival, the promotion appointment from the Obscurus Sector Navy Department finally reached his hands after several twists and turns.
From this day on, he, like his brother, Samuel Hood, was a Navy Lieutenant General of the White Flag, officially possessing the right to command a main fleet battle group.
As the traitors hiding in the Eye of Terror became increasingly rampant, and defensive pressure approached critical levels, the Bastion Fleet's distress signal to the Gothic Fleet also arrived on the eve of St. Giles Festival.
Lord Navy Admiral Venuska Katalia assigned the newly promoted Vice Admiral Alexander Hood to lead the 'Holy Will' battle fleet, which was undergoing refitting and upgrading at the Lucius Forge World, to provide support.
The flagship of this battle group was the Retribution-class Battleship 'Holy Will', which he commanded as a colonel captain for the first time. The battle group included several squadrons composed of 3 battlecruisers and 5 cruisers, as well as 4 full-strength frigate squadrons, each with 4 frigates, making it a massive force.
In addition, there were hundreds of transport ships, supply ships, and carriers providing support for this fleet operation.
Today was also his last day in charge of the Fleet Military Intelligence Headquarters. He was set to depart tonight for Lucius to rendezvous with his fleet.
Some top-secret documents were to be handed over today to Commodore Edward Peru, who would succeed him as the head of the Fleet Military Intelligence Headquarters. Commodore Peru would continue his unfinished work until his return.
"Master, this is the St. Giles Festival gift Miss Peru prepared for you." The old butler, after handing Vice Admiral Hood his gold-rimmed bicorne hat, presented a delicate gift box with both hands.
The young Lieutenant General opened the box, revealing a sparkling diamond bow tie.
Beneath it was a small, exquisite greeting card that read, 'Congratulations, Dad, on your promotion to the esteemed White Flag Navy Lieutenant General. Wishing you a safe and happy St. Giles Festival. Hope you return victorious soon. Love, Farida,' along with a cute smiley face.
Vice Admiral Alexander Hood rarely curved his lips, letting out a soft chuckle, and fastened the diamond bow tie to the collar of his brand-new general's uniform, looking incomparably opulent.
"Please package the Retribution-class Battleship 'Holy Will' on my desk and send it to her. If she returns, tell her I won't be home for dinner tonight."
With that, he picked up his briefcase, filled with top-secret documents, and hurried into the car. This day would be exceptionally busy for him.
Loyalist Academy Ready Room.
"Horatio, here you go. Happy St. Giles Festival." Louise handed a beautiful ornament to Horatio beside her.
"This is… Blackstone?" Horatio examined the pendant.
"We Cadians use this as an amulet; it's said to ward off Chaos corruption. Do you want me to help you put it on?" Louise smiled and stepped forward, unlatching the pendant's clasp.
Horatio smiled back: "Thanks, this is for you."
He opened an exquisite gift box and offered it to Louise, and the gift inside brought a look of surprise to her face.
She had expected it to be something like a knife, but lying in the gift box was an exquisite, custom-made Skyhawk-shaped rose rosary, looking like a small gold medal.
"It has a miniature field generator inside. Wearing this rosary creates a protective energy field close to your body, which can deflect any single attack against you, but the field requires 24 hours to recharge for the next protection."
"This… is very expensive. You should keep it." Louise knew that only by spending a fortune or being a person of extremely noble status could one obtain such a rosary. This single gift alone might well exhaust his bounty from hunting.
Horatio, disregarding her refusal, hung the rosary around her neck.
"In battle, I might not always be able to reach your side at the most dangerous moment, but this can at least buy you and me a chance."
"Thank you, Horatio." Louise smiled, feeling a long-lost delicate warmth in her icy heart.
It was said that Miss Hood and Miss Peru also prepared gifts for Horatio, and Horatio also prepared return gifts.
However, the few of them had no opportunity to exchange gifts for now and could only wait until the end of the day.
Underground.
The Middle Hive people had their own way of commemorating. They might not have as many exquisite decorations, but various stalls filled the streets beside the church. Crowds bustled, streets were packed, and hawkers, acrobats, and performers were everywhere, creating a vibrant atmosphere.
This was the Church of the Celestial Woman of Saint Arabella, located in Vegas G-8 district.
The Church of the Celestial Woman could seat 300,000 people, but in front of the fervent and devout worshippers, prayer seats were still scarce, and many had camped outside the church the night before.
Horatio led thirty Hellspawns, arriving here aboard three Imperial Navy Valkyrie Fighters.
Since his helmet was damaged last time, Horatio simply wore his Sergeant Major beret. Louise stood beside him, continuously scanning their surroundings with her Aom Shield Helmet.
He observed the existing defenses.
In the outer perimeter, Shawei Arbitrator and five Adeptus Arbites Arbiters led Imperial Guard Soldiers, positioned every five meters, maintaining order around the cathedral. They were from the Cadia 304th Regiment, and like Louise, had purple eyes.
They were originally supposed to be stationed in the Hades System but were temporarily reassigned by the Department of Military Affairs at Abyss Port to assist with security for St. Giles Festival.
Forty percent of these individuals were veterans, skilled at managing order. They had also set up heavy logging guns and sandbags outside the church entrance and on both sides of the church's exterior.
In the church forecourt where he was, 50 fully armed Battle Sisterss in silver armor and black robes stood in formation, guarding their Saint's cathedral. They were veterans among the Battle Sisters—Seraphims. Their armor was adorned with numerous purity seals, and parchment inscribed with scriptures fluttered in the wind, making them awe-inspiring and terrifying to evil demons.
Additionally, there were many ceremonial Sisters and orator Sisters dressed in white robes. They were the ritual personnel for the festival, all led by a Great Sister in power armor with a holy song array on her back, loudly singing rehearsed hymns. Their pure female voices were melodious and pleasant to hear.
Because the remains of Saint Arabella were here, the Sacred Rose Sisterhood placed great importance on this area's defense, sending the most numerous and elite personnel.
Whoosh!!!! —
A gust of wind swept through, and a massive dark shadow enveloped the forecourt.
Horatio looked up; it was a blood-red Thunderhawk Gunship.
Under the clearing efforts of the Battle Sisterss and Imperial Guard Soldiers, the bustling pedestrians made way for the red Thunderhawk to land.
Initially, people complained, wondering if parking a vehicle in such a sacred place would disturb the Saint's rest.
But soon, the tall warriors who disembarked left everyone wide-eyed.
On this day, the residents who came to this church were fortunate enough to witness the legendary Blood Angels Astartes Monks.
Five Angels walked to the courtyard square in front of the Church of the Celestial Woman. Many Imperial citizens, upon seeing them, knelt in prayer with tears of gratitude. Lay clerks in hooded brown robes stood beside the Blood Angels, passionately proclaiming the great legends and deeds of Sanguinius.
"Lord Roman Roland." Horatio saluted the leading Astartes Monks: "It's truly wonderful to see you fully recovered. Thank you for coming to assist with the defense despite your busy schedule."
"No need to be polite, Sergeant Major Horatio. Today is our father's festival. Protecting the Imperial citizens who come to pray is a sacred duty of us, the Blood Angels." The tall warrior was humble and elegant in his speech.
"The ceremony will begin soon. Let us guard together."
Abyss Port Void, Blood Angels 'vengeance blade' Battle Barge.
"Report!" The Astropath on alert suddenly cried out.
"Report." The captain looked at the Astropath.
"We detected unknown readings approaching from the distant void! Identification code is… eight eights! Estimated volume, at least cruiser class!" The Astropath's expression was grave.
"Sir, what are your orders?" The captain looked at Captain Afiel behind him.
The solemn warrior gazed into the distant void. He felt something, a hatred deeply rooted in his blood, heating up and boiling.
"Recall some brothers. The bloodletter army is coming, drawn by blood." The Company Commander said to the comms officer, then to the captain: "Contact the Gothic Fleet. Let's crush these 'bloodhounds' together."
The Blood Angels warriors in the forecourt of the Church of the Celestial Woman received the comms officer's order. The battle-brothers exchanged solemn glances. Two Blood Angels saluted their brothers, then returned to the Thunderhawk.
"What's going on?" Horatio frowned tightly and stepped forward to ask.
"We detected scarlet signals in the void. The battle barge will set sail to maintain vigilance and prevent these fellows from making any dangerous moves. Because there might be many Chaos Space Marines on the enemy ship, we must recall some battle-brothers."
Horatio felt a sense of unease.
[Could it be a diversionary tactic…?] But even if it was, he could only push through.
If he were Captain Afiel, he wouldn't risk his flagship being seized to patrol the void.
Suddenly, Horatio noticed a strange figure in the darkness.
"Where are the Soldiers on that high tower?" Horatio asked an Astra Militarum Lieutenant.
The Lieutenant looked at the high tower with his binoculars. The sniper he had arranged was gone. They were responsible for warning the Soldiers around the church. If the sniper was missing, it could only mean one thing.
"Stay alert!" Horatio shouted.
At the same time, he activated his Precognition Shard.
He saw a group of blood-soaked, fanatical Evil Cultists surging beneath his feet. He also saw Blood Pact Army Soldiers in blood-red armor, elite warriors who worshipped Khorne, whose combat power was on par with Astra Militarum Soldiers.
At the same time, he also saw that there was indeed a Khorne battlecruiser in the void, and a skull-laden sorcerer on board was gesticulating wildly, doing who knows what.
As the church bell slowly chimed.
Sisters in white robes stood in neat formation on the plaza outside the Church of the Celestial Woman. Ten Battle Sisterss guarded their outer perimeter, with the Great Sister leading the ceremony standing in front. Behind them followed devout lay clerks.
And behind these hooded, robed clerks followed the penitent 'Flagellants,' who were bare-chested and whipping their own backs with cat-o'-nine-tails, already covered in blood.
Further back were the long lines of Imperial citizens, who would follow the ritual procession into the church for the first day's ceremony.
Lively and adorable children, unable to sit still, ran out of the line to play and frolic in the square.
Several children walked up to Horatio, who was wearing a beret and maintaining vigilance. Louise and Archie stood on his left and right, also on alert.
Horatio immediately recognized the cute girl with different colored eyes; the Bread seller couple seemed to have also come here to participate in the ceremony.
"Wow, your sword is so big." A child pointed to the Holy Blood Chainsword on Horatio's back and said, "Big brother, are you a Space Marine? Only Space Marines carry such big swords."
"I am a warrior of the Imperial Navy." Horatio replied while observing his surroundings.
"Wow! Imperial Navy! Don't you operate big ships? Why are you here?"
"Because I need to protect you."
At these words, the children looked at the black-haired young man before them, their eyes gleaming with admiration and reverence.
"That's so cool. We also want to join the Imperial Navy. Big brother, how can we become warriors like you?"
[I can't exactly tell them they have to become orphans first.]
Horatio reluctantly curved his lips into a bitter smile.
"+ Horatio, a group of Evil Cultists are approaching from the west. Get ready +" Farida's voice came through the comms device.
She was wearing light power armor and a jump pack, so Horatio had sent her out as a scout.
"+ Boss! Boss! +" Yoyo's voice came through the comms again: "+ I see fierce-looking red-armored people, to the south. Oh! So many, they saw me, I gotta run meow! +"
Additionally, members of the Labor Union were hiding nearby, providing them with real-time reconnaissance intelligence.
"+ Boss, be careful. A group of people are coming from the east, very aggressively, and there are many of them +"
"When you grow up, apply to the Imperial Navy Officer Preparatory Academy's pre-college program. Now, get back in line." Horatio replied with a smile.
The Great Sister had already begun the ceremony. Incense lanterns swayed, and the commoners bowed their heads, silently reciting prayers as they walked towards the church.
They walked quickly, but the commoners still moved slowly.
"Move faster!" Horatio urged loudly, while monitoring nearby movements.
"+ Everyone, Evil Cultists are approaching. Maintain combat readiness! +" He issued a warning to the surrounding Soldiers.