A Core Ship From The Start

Everyone looked around as they walked. What they saw was a horrific sight. Strange flesh and blood stuck to the walls and the ground. Beyond that, there were hanged corpses, corpses locked in cages… The whole city looked like a boundless execution ground, which was nauseating.

No one spoke; it was as if even one more word uttered here would cause them to breathe in the nearly polluted, toxic air. Lorena had her hands joined, praying in whispers. Meldy next to her had her back towards the rifle, scanning the surroundings with clear disgust and vigilancy. Even though they had known the situation of this world from Duanmu Huai, they only realized upon witnessing it, that the darkness this world was facing, far exceeded their imaginations.

Only Feiya was walking at the back, her eyes shimmering like an excited mouse who had entered a rice jar. She looked left and right as if everything here gave her a very strong kind of stimulation… perhaps that was indeed the case.

Soon, they reached their destination and met with the members of the Nun Association. They were joined by three Combat Nuns. Dressed in nun attire, they held War Hammers and shields in their hands. They looked quite formidable.

“If you hadn’t come we might have had to reconsider our next action.”

Glancing at Duanmu Huai, the leader of the Combat Nuns spoke to the Imperial Captain.

“What is the situation at the temple now?”

“Very bad.”

The nuns shook their heads.

“In the beginning, this temple was occupied by the Ratmen, who attempted to build the ‘Disaster Bell’ here, to recreate the sin of the Great Disaster.”

Hearing this, everyone’s facial expression changed. The Disaster Bell was the clock that appeared in the creation legend of the Ratmen. At that time, the clock struck thirteen times, causing a Plague Disaster and a Comet. If such a blasphemous Disaster Bell is built within Sigma Temple, the consequences would be unimaginable.

“But soon, the Chaos Warriors attacked this temple, driving away the Ratmen. However, their plan next is…to open a portal and summon the Chaotic Demon here…”

“………”

Everyone looked as though they had a sinking feeling. Clearly, the temple was in a very dangerous situation. Either taken by the Ratmen to ring the bell, or taken by the Chaos Warriors to build a portal, neither were choices they would hope for. After all, if the Chaos Warriors managed to successfully construct a portal, the Chaos Evil God’s army could wreak havoc within the empire’s territory with terrifying consequences.

Although the Chaos Warriors had sealed the temple door after occupying the temple, they had also set up heavy guards around. With just three Combat Nuns, they obviously couldn’t break their defense.

But it’s not easy to attack the temple either.

The Sigma Temple itself had high walls and gates and was very much like the fortress within a city, and it hadn’t suffered any damage. Under such circumstances, it would be too difficult to break through forcefully. The other choice would be to go around from the back, but the guards there were very strict. *

“Then leave it to me.”

At this moment, Duanmu Huai stepped forward and said.

“You?”

Hearing Duanmu Huai’s words, the Combat Nuns looked at him skeptically.

“What do you plan to do?”

“My army will launch a frontal attack and lure the Chaos Believers’ attention. While they are distracted by me, you can sneak in from the back. What do you think? Simple plan right?”

“That’s straightforward indeed, but…… can you guys handle it?”

The Combat Nun had no doubt about Duanmu Huai’s ability to fight, after all, he looked capable. However, the girls following Duanmu Huai raised some questions in the Combat Nun’s mind- after all, they didn’t look like regular fighters.

“No problem, leave it to us.”

“Alright then, let’s proceed with that.”

The Combat Nun and the Imperial Captain briefly discussed it and decided to follow Duanmu Huai’s suggestion. Although this plan was simple, it was currently the most appropriate, assuming that they can indeed attract the opponent’s attention.

Soon after finalizing the plan, they split up. The Combat Nuns, along with two other teams, went to the back alley, while Duanmu Huai prepared to launch a frontal assault.

Looking at the retreating figures, Duanmu Huai’s gaze slightly changed. He softly snapped his fingers, and several invisible slaughter puppets silently followed the retreating figures.

Although they were temporary allies, Duanmu Huai would never forget to stay vigilant around the locals. When a Judge lands on a planet, anybody except himself- old or young, male or female, could potentially be the target of judgement, as they could all be Chaos’s minions and spies. *

For example, these Combat Nuns from the Nun’s Association, they could’ve already turned sides and become a Chaos Evil God’s servant.

Or, someone from the Imperial Army could be secretly communicating with the Heretical Demons.

Therefore, Duanmu Huai would always keep a reserve against these people. Especially after getting the Slaughter Puppet, he would rather spend more spiritual energy to summon a few Slaughter Puppets to monitor them, in the hopes of taking the initiative.

“Alright.”

Duanmu Huai averts his gaze, looking back at the girls behind him.

“This will be your first battle in this world. Are you nervous?”

“Um, somewhat, Sir Knight.”

Despite seeming a bit unsettled this time, Lorena clenches her fist.

“But I’ll try my best.”

“Hmm, no need to worry so much, most of the enemies here are no match for you.”

Telling the truth, even the power of Lorena’s Iron Fist alone would be enough to crush most of the enemies here, not even afraid of higher demons if they were to come.

“What should I do?”

Merlot appears more calm, perhaps because of her military background, she quickly adapted to this situation.

“Find a high place and snipe those Chaos Believers on the platform when we charge in.”

Duanmu Huai pointed at the Chaos Believers patrolling with bows and arrows on the platform above the temple.

“Of course, you need to be careful as well. As you heard earlier, there are many complex forces lurking in this city. It’s unpredictable what might sneak up behind you and strike, so…”

Saying this, Duanmu Huai looks towards Feiya.

“Feiya, I need you to take a few Slaughter Puppets and stay here to protect Merlot to avoid her getting hurt.”

“Huh?”

Hearing Duanmu Huai’s order, Feiya is clearly dissatisfied.

“Can’t I go up there and kill them all? Master? I want to kill them all! Not a single one left!!”

“There will be enemies here for you to kill as well, but if I find out you have abandoned your post, you won’t have another opportunity to come out.”

Duanmu Huai has to admit, the psychiatric issues of this Slaughter Puppet are quite severe, but as long as she obeys, she can still be utilized as a tool.

Luckily, Duanmu Huai is not a Puritan judge, otherwise, he would have gotten rid of Feiya already. In fact, almost every player can be considered part of the Radical Faction. This deeply influenced the course of the war in the latter part of the game…well, it’s too early to discuss that now.

After scolding Feiya, Duanmu Huai turns to Ogis.

“Ogis, you’re to act with me…Ogis?”

However, this time the Puppet girl did not respond to Duanmu Huai as she usually would. Instead, her eyes were indecisive, as if she was pondering over something. It wasn’t until Duanmu Huai called her name again that Ogis returned to her senses.

“Ah, I’m sorry, Master. I…I don’t know what came over me…”

“No, it’s nothing. It’s completely normal.”

Duanmu Huai of course knew what Ogis was troubled over. In the previous Holy City battle, Gavi threw herself in a fit of madness at the nun at the very last moment, preventing her from proceeding any further. As a result, Duanmu Huai successfully destroyed the temple. But Gavi was caught in the explosion subsequently and shattered into fragments. In the end, Ogis only found half of Gavi’s head.

Duanmu Huai saw Ogis stare at that half of a head in her hands for a long while and didn’t know what she was thinking about. Eventually, they both gathered whatever was left of Gavi, burnt it, and buried it.

Though the two hadn’t known each other for long, it could be argued that Gavi was indeed Ogis’s younger sister. It was normal for Ogis to be anxious at this moment. Or rather, this was what Duanmu Huai hoped to see as beings could only harbor feelings if they possess a soul and heart. It also indicated that Ogis had indeed grown internally while following Duanmu Huai. On the contrary, if Ogis acted as if nothing had happened, Duanmu Huai might have to reflect on whether there was a problem with the way he utilized her.

“I’ll have a good talk with you after this. Now focus on the battle. You’re to act in conjunction with me and lay siege to the temple, attract the attention of the Chaos Believers. Any issues?”

This time, in response to Duanmu Huai’s question, Ogis shook her head without any hesitation.

“None, Master.”

“Good.”

Hearing Ogis’s reply, Duanmu Huai nodded and then gripped his War Hammer.

“Alright then, let’s get started!”