Datch soared above rebuilt Macragge using his jump pack, weaving between towering buildings.
Below, the city's streets were orderly, the grand architecture gleaming in the sunlight.
Carefully designed fountains refracted rainbow light, and lush green spaces brought vitality to the majestic city.
Crowds thronged the streets; holographic ads and Imperial slogans flashed everywhere.
Datch quickly arrived at the mission site.
An apartment building had been tightly sealed off by the Ultramar Auxiliary and black-armored Watchmen.
Reports said heretical activity had occurred—five people had died under mysterious circumstances.
Outside the cordon, many citizens gathered, tension thick in the air.
A priest in ornate Ecclesiarchy robes stood atop a makeshift platform, shouting fanatically at the crowd, his haggard face twisted with zeal.
"Purge! Purge them all! Doubt is heresy, tolerance is betrayal!"
"For the Emperor's glory, we must burn everyone possibly tainted inside, and that damned daemon—only the holy fire can cleanse sin and return those poor souls to the Emperor's embrace!"
The crowd, whipped up into a frenzy, shouted in unison:
"Burn them!"
"Burn them!"
Datch's gaze passed over the crowd to the apartment building.
He saw a child peeking through a window, helplessly watching the angry mob, face full of fear.
Just then, a tall, stern Watchman commander approached Datch, saluting with the Aquila.
"Honored Emperor's Angel, have you come to help us find the daemon?"
Watchmen were a special organization in Macragge, independent of regular law enforcement and the military, specializing in warp and heresy cases.
A mission update appeared:
[Mission Update: Find the true killer, expose its daemon identity.]
[Description: A brutal killer daemon is hiding among the residents, using disguise to deceive everyone. Find its true form and save the innocent.]
[Reward: 200 EXP, 200 points, Reputation +30]
Datch stroked his chin in thought.
"Looks like a detective puzzle mission."
"Find the killer, find the daemon."
If the Imperium followed standard procedure, they'd burn the whole building.
But Datch was here for fun—solving the mystery was more interesting.
He opened the shop and quickly found what he wanted.
[Item: Amazing Detective Outfit. Put it on to become Sherlock Holmes, unveil the truth behind the fog.
Effect: Highlights case-related clues. Once enough clues are gathered, activate Deduction Space—a 3D projection of all clues for free arrangement, combination, and deduction.]
[Review: Remember, my dear friend, when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.]
"This is it!" Datch confirmed the exchange.
In the next instant, his heavy, powerful Cataphractii Pattern Terminator Armour vanished, replaced by classic British detective attire:
A deerstalker hat, double-breasted coat, a faintly smoking pipe, a monocle over his right eye, and a fine cane—an unmistakable Astartes Sherlock Holmes.
The sudden change in style left officials and citizens gaping.
How did he just change outfits like that?
Ignoring the shock, Datch tipped his hat, eyes sharp and focused behind his monocle.
"My dear Watson, let us see what terrifying truth lies behind this tragic chain of events."
…