"Damn, for the first time, I think the Underhive isn't so bad."
Yuki and Yuno strolled through the streets of the Mid-level. Their objective was clear: the massive elevator platform leading to the Spire.
"The Mid-level does look a bit better than the Underhive," Yuno noted.
"More than just a bit."
Yuki looked at the dense apartment blocks and the streets—notably free of corpses. If the Underhive was a slum, the Mid-level had finally reached the standard of a civilian district. At the very least, one could see the Imperium's authorities maintaining order here rather than criminal gangs.
Yuki had always wanted to take Yuno on a proper date in a place like this, but they wouldn't be able to fulfill that wish this time. They hadn't come here of their own volition; they had been invited by a person of significant influence.
Griffith, one of the Ecclesiarchy's bishops and a strong contender for the position of Arch-Cardinal.
He was the source of many of Yuki's recent troubles, having tasked him with purging Chaos cultists in the Underhive—a mission that triggered a chaotic series of events. To be honest, with two Greater Daemons appearing in the Underhive, Yuki didn't think the Imperium would be stupid enough to miss it, even with Yuno's Shadow in the Warp masking their presence. This visit would be a chance to probe for information.
In exchange for his cooperation, Griffith had provided substantial benefits: procurement orders from the Ecclesiarchy, charitable supplies, and more. Yuki felt that Griffith was a rare member of the clergy who actually had some foresight, given his attempt to garner support from the lowest rungs of society. However, trusting a man of the cloth in this universe was entirely unnecessary.
At the elevator platform, a Dialogus Sister was already waiting. As expected of those in clerical work, her appearance was much more refined than the battle-hardened Sisters of Battle they had met before.
"I am Sego," she said. "Bishop Griffith sent me to receive you."
The elevator platform was vast. It was a military-grade facility, capable of transporting two hundred tanks or more if needed. Even as decaying and wretched as the Imperium was, its sheer scale could still crush almost any being in the universe.
The ascent to the Spire would take time. The elevator car was empty save for them. Yuki felt a bit awkward; Sego remained silent, and he didn't know how to break the ice. When they had ascended about three thousand meters, Sego finally spoke.
"Yuki, is anyone else eavesdropping nearby?"
Sensing something off, Yuki expanded his psychic awareness. There was no one else in the elevator, nor within a radius of several kilometers. Sego's mouth didn't move, yet her voice came through clearly.
"I have undergone specialized augmentations. It is a secret. It allows me to speak without others noticing. Do not respond; just listen."
Sego's posture remained unchanged as her voice continued to transmit.
"The Spire has encountered some unexpected circumstances. Bishop Griffith is currently facing a crisis—but it is not just him. All high-ranking officials in the Spire are facing it."
"Is it—"
"Do not interrupt. I cannot be certain if there are listening devices here." Sego continued. "I doubt you haven't guessed the source of the crisis, but let me be explicit: an Inquisitor from the Ordo Xenos has arrived on our planet. He is enraged by a xenos crisis on another world."
"Two Astra Militarum regiments have already intervened on planet Start. The fires of war have spread to the Mid-levels there. It is said the Inquisitor is considering an Inquisitorial Representative's order for Exterminatus. Now, he has come here to investigate us."
"Bishop Griffith hopes you can prove to the Inquisitor that the Underhive has no xenos contamination. This will be a difficult task."
Yuki frowned. This essentially meant he had to talk his way out of an Inquisitor's scrutiny. An Inquisitor was not someone easily fooled.
"Bishop Griffith will pretend he invited you for a cathedral mass. The Inquisitor will naturally find his way to you then."
Yuki's brow furrowed deeper. The pressure was immense. After finishing her briefing, Sego added, "This matter concerns the survival of us all. Take it seriously. On a side note, fix your expression. Someone is likely watching."
Once the mission description was complete, Sego fell silent. Yuki didn't delay and immediately relayed the details to Yuno via their psychic link.
"An Inquisitor?" Yuno asked.
"I don't have a good feeling about these people," Yuki replied. "There are already madmen dropping Exterminatus on the paths the Hive Fleets take. Just thinking about a future filled with even more Exterminatus gives me a headache."
"So what's the plan? We can't just kill him; that would bring down the full force of the Imperium. Is the fleet you sent here large?"
"Not large. Much smaller than Gorgon. Since this is deep within Imperial space, a large force would be even more troublesome."
"Your intention?"
"Eat this star system and then run away with you."
"A simple and practical plan," Yuki thought.
About two hours later, the elevator finally reached its destination. The Spire was a completely different world from the Mid-level and the Underhive.
Grand, pristine buildings towered into the sky. Neatly dressed priests, nobles, and lavishly clad merchants filled the area. Numerous aircraft streaked through the air. And there was the sky—Yuki finally saw the real sky from the ground.
He'd had a chance when leaving planet Scott, but he'd been too rushed then. Now, through a semi-opening in the iron dome, Yuki saw the sky of planet Ende for the first time. The weather was good today; the sky was a pale shade of green.
"Good afternoon, Sister Sego. Thank you for your hard work."
"It was no trouble. I have brought the guests invited by Bishop Griffith."
Several sisters and monks took Yuki and Yuno's luggage, which contained nothing but some unimportant clothes.
"Be ready," Yuno warned. "If things go wrong, we head back to the Underhive." She had already prepared for the worst-case scenario. "We might not have the time or ability to kill everyone on this planet, but Slaanesh and Khorne do. When the time comes, I'll release Slaanesh, you summon Khorne, and we'll escape in the chaos."
With those thoughts, the two entered the Spire, following a group of pilgrims and an escort of sisters into a grand cathedral.
A massive golden icon stood before the cathedral, with countless devout believers kneeling before it. "Sinners" swung spiked whips in self-flagellation, letting their blood soak the ground.
Yuno suddenly grabbed Yuki's arm. Yuki looked at his girlfriend; she was trying her best to hide the fact that she was salivating.
"Are you hungry again?"
"I've never actually been full."