By the time Yuki and Hopper stepped out of the cathedral, the square had already been purged; only those associated with the Ecclesiarchy were permitted to draw near. Yuki even spotted the Bishop of Tex Cathedral—that ancient, withered husk of a man had actually made an appearance.
In the square, a full three thousand heavily armed Sisters of Battle stood alongside ten Castigator tanks. Yuki easily identified many of the units: Dominions, Retributors, Zephyrim, and even Seraphim squads. There was no doubt that this was a complete Battle Sister combat formation—likely the main force of a Preceptory under the Order of the Bloody Rose.
Using Sisters of Battle for urban trench warfare was bound to be a bloody affair.
"Look at yourselves! Cowardly and hideous! Is this the state we are in as we prepare to sacrifice our lives for the Emperor on the battlefield?"
The Canoness was delivering an address. She was exceptionally strong and tall, bald, and gripped a heavy flamer in her hands.
"Tell me! What is our purpose for being here!"
"To slaughter the xenos!"
"And what shall we bring back to our convent!"
"Glory and victory!"
"Sisters! May our souls return to the Golden Throne!"
"For the Emperor!"
Hopper was beyond ecstatic, barely containing her urge to jump up and cheer. Yuki, however, just watched. Damn, they're even uglier than the GW models.
Ugliness aside, from a distance, the appearance of many Battle Sisters could only be described as disfigured. Yet their pre-battle mobilization was incredibly stirring; a few thousand voices roared with the intensity of tens of thousands, and their faith acted as a literal psychological buff. These "man-women" were pound-for-pound more formidable than an equivalent number of Astra Militarum!
Yuki wasn't a Sisters of Battle player, but he had used the faction while playing various Warhammer games. He watched as the leading Canoness ordered a squad to directly seize the pathetic Cathedral Bishop, an act that shocked the watching monks and nuns of Tex.
"Bishop Tex, regarding your dereliction of duty, judgment will be rendered after the war concludes."
The Canoness turned to the onlookers. "Look at you. As those who serve the Emperor, you lack order and discipline. This cathedral was founded in the name of a Saint, yet I see nothing of the Saint's likeness in any of you!"
The crowd trembled in fear. Only Yuki remained composed, while Hopper gripped his sleeve and hid behind him. The Canoness noticed Yuki's presence and approached him step by step.
"Are you of the Underhive?"
"As you say."
"Impossible. No human of such features could emerge from this filthy, low-born place."
她 grabbed Yuki's head, scrutinizing his bone structure through his skin and pressing her rough fingers into his muscles, searching for any xenos traits. She found none.
"Did I pass your inspection?"
"No, far from it! Physical health does not equate to purity of thought; the Imperium is rife with such examples. Having grown up in a place of such sin, I have every right to be suspicious."
"May I ask where the Canoness grew up, to be so confident that you are beyond corruption?"
The Canoness raised her brazier-flamer, pointing it at Yuki. "You insult me! A Sister of Battle never betrays! A Sister of Battle shall never fall!"
The corner of Yuki's mouth twitched slightly. He knew exactly what words would break the Canoness's composure—after all, Sisters of Battle who fell to Chaos did indeed exist. But if he spoke them, there was no telling what a broken-down Battle Sister might do.
"Then it must be my lack of knowledge."
"Count yourself lucky, dreg. You survive only by the Emperor's Grace. Be proud of your lineage; it is the nobility of the scions of Terra, not yours."
"Scions of Terra"—the phrase caused even the surrounding Sisters to show signs of shock.
"I have seen Terrans before; their features and temperament are similar to yours. This barren land could never produce such a noble countenance. You are merely an atavistic ape."
The Canoness was taller than Yuki. She looked down at him and commanded, "Now, use your appearance to soothe these wretches. While we fight, you must maintain neatness and order here."
Tasked with this responsibility out of nowhere, Yuki did not refuse. The other Sisters Superior didn't have the power to refuse either.
That evening, the charitable activities that had lasted for over twenty years ceased. Crate after crate of munitions were transported down from the upper Hive, filling the entire square. Unknown Astra Militarum regiments took up positions; Yuki realized that this place was now the rear of the frontline.
He checked with Yuno and learned that the Genestealers were no longer the greatest threat. The demons summoned by Chaos cultists had become the new enemy. Which meant, he needed to consider running away.
Yuno lay on Yuki's bed. When there was nothing to do and no need to feed, she would stay here with him.
"I suggest you find a way to leave. The Genestealers fear my power, but Warp entities do not. You know I've always loathed Warp demons."
"I want to run too."
Yuki looked at the armed forces outside the cathedral. The Sisters of Battle deployed in small squads; not a single squad returned whole. The medical Sisters' tents were busy around the clock. The remaining garrison had blockaded the cathedral and surrounding blocks. Anyone acting strangely was treated as a heretic.
"Can I escape with your help?"
"If you need it, I can slaughter them all and walk you out. It wouldn't be a problem."
"Let's not do that unless it's a last resort."
Yuki turned and walked out of his room. He saw the Canoness praying before the statue of the Emperor in the Great Chapel. He remained quiet until she finished her prayer and noticed him.
"I have no intention of doubting the combat prowess of the Emperor's daughters. However, is it time to consider evacuation? There are at least forty to fifty thousand people in this cathedral and the surrounding blocks. If the frontline falters, things will get very ugly."
The Canoness no longer possessed the confidence she had days ago. She had fought on the frontlines herself and had just finished praying for sisters whose souls had returned to the Golden Throne.
"Brother Yuki, you had best pray to the Emperor that we hold the enemy. Because if we fail, there is nowhere for you to retreat that will matter."
"What I mean is, grant us permission to find a way out before you make a strategic relocation—rather than leaving us behind as a means to delay the enemy's advance."
The Canoness looked at the statue of the Emperor and murmured to herself, "Rest assured. Such a thing will not happen."