Early in the morning, Sego appeared at the door of Yuki's room with an expression of profound discomfort.
She was no ordinary sister. Her position as a Dialogus Sister to a Bishop was owed largely to her family background. Born into minor nobility with a comfortable upbringing, she remained far removed from the lethal grit of political struggle—one of the fortunate few. Serving as a clerk in the Ecclesiarchy was a far more pleasant life than that of a Battle Sister. She believed her own piety had earned her this beautiful existence.
Taking a deep breath, she knocked on Yuki's door.
To her, Yuki was not a normal human. All those who crawled up from the Underhive were the same: paranoid, muttering, and constantly acting as if they were victims of some grand conspiracy. Only someone like Bishop Griffith would think to use an Underhive dweller for assistance.
"Mr. Yuki?"
What Sego found even more intolerable was that these two had actually engaged in that sort of activity within the Emperor's solemn cathedral.
"I'm here. What is it?"
Sego suddenly found herself at a loss for words. Seeing Yuki's face, she lowered her head slightly, making a conscious effort not to meet his eyes.
"Um... Mr. Yuki, some of the sisters mentioned that... unusual shouting was heard coming from your room last night."
Hearing this, Yuki instinctively covered his neck and gave an awkward laugh. "Right. Well, we'll try to keep it down in the future."
"Also, the Mass is about to begin. Please prepare yourselves."
"We will. I'm looking forward to it."
...
The Grand Mass.
Held every one hundred and thirty days, the ceremony rotated among the twelve bishoprics of the sector. This time, it was being held in Griffith's district.
Yuki and Yuno changed into heavy, voluminous monastic robes that concealed their forms entirely—the standard attire for all participants. Sego led them through a side entrance. Inside the colossal cathedral, hundreds of thousands had gathered. These were the elites who had traveled to attend—the high society of Griffith's diocese.
It was Yuki's first time seeing these figures. Sego, well-versed in such matters, could identify them even through their heavy garments.
"That man over there is the representative of a Rogue Trader family. Their patriarch is currently leading a fleet to chart new Warp routes.
"That one is the representative of the Departmento Munitorum. He holds little actual power; he's essentially just a bridge between the planet and the Imperial military.
"There is the Canoness of the Order of the Dying Rose. The Sisters of Battle remain politically neutral, so they attend every Grand Mass.
"And that is the Commissar of the local Astra Militarum regiment. He's a serious man who has been trying to win a unique honorary title for his regiment recently.
"Also, that Rear Admiral over there—our sector's void defenses are relatively weak, so he is already a major figure in the local naval fleet."
Yuki nodded, committing each person to memory. Whether for infiltrating the planet's upper crust or for the eventual arrival of the Hive Fleet, this was valuable intelligence.
Seeing Yuki so attentive, Sego continued, "If you want to move from the Underhive to the Mid-levels or the Spire, these are the people you must know. You Underhive dwellers are all the same, always dreaming of rewriting your destinies, unaware that yours—no, all of our destinies—have already been ordained by the God-Emperor..."
Yuki had little patience for Sego's superstitious lecture. Suddenly, he noticed a towering figure and inquired.
"Who is that one? So tall... can an Ogryn actually participate in this Mass?"
Sego looked over, a rare look of confusion crossing her face. "Hmm. Likely a private Ogryn bodyguard for some high-ranking official."
As the ceremony commenced, the crowd fell silent, taking their seats in anticipation. Griffith appeared, dressed like a pontiff in crimson robes, standing atop a magnificent, gilded pulpit. Beautifully phrased High Gothic began to echo through the cathedral. Yuki noticed that everyone bowed their heads in prayer—or at least appeared to.
The ritual proceeded. Griffith proclaimed the sins of the masses. He spoke of the wretched fate of humanity without the Emperor's protection, his tone earnest and filled with pity. When he spoke of the traitors who had betrayed the Emperor's grace, his voice turned harsh, his expression contorted, and the rage and loathing in his words became incredibly sharp.
A qualified priest of the Ecclesiarchy was, at the very least, a fanatic. Incendiary rhetoric could coax incredible strength even from the most cowardly of humans. Faith—in this dark universe, humanity needed faith. Even though Yuki had once arrogantly claimed he would shatter their beliefs, he had to admit that faith was a double-edged sword; it cut down the enemies of mankind, but it wounded humanity as well.
As the ritual reached its climax, Griffith announced: "Brothers and sisters, for now at least, let us attempt to wash away our sins."
Sisters brought forth holy water, approaching each person. The participants dipped their fingers and marked their foreheads. Yuki and Yuno mimicked the gesture.
"This water contains a faint psychic trace," Yuno whispered. "It feels like that Emperor fellow."
"Speaking of which, have you ever met the Emperor in the Warp?"
"I've seen him, but we never clashed. We were both busy at the time."
"What did he look like?"
"I only saw his psychic essence. If I had to describe it... a black sun radiating golden light."
The ceremony continued with the singing of hymns. Yuki and Yuno had received the lyrics and sheet music the day before; after a bit of practice, they were able to follow along.
Then, an unexpected segment began.
Griffith signaled, and a row of tall crosses was pushed forward. Lashed to them were dozens of naked men and women.
"These heroic believers have volunteered to offer their lives," Griffith declared. "They shall serve as examples for us through the holy fire, cleansing their sins. We can only repay the Emperor's sacrifice through death, and now, they shall fulfill that duty before us."
Yuki frowned. Yuno tilted her head and remarked, "A few of them actually are volunteers. Humans really are fascinating. Back when I used to feed, many people would 'volunteer' their lives too."
The fires were lit. The congregation continued to sing their hymns, the screams of the "offering" becoming a perfect harmony. Amidst the solemnity, the icon of the God-Emperor watched over it all.
The Mass finally concluded. Yuki prepared to find Griffith to catch up, but just as he was about to leave, a man called out to him.
"Mr. Yuki, may I have a moment of your time?"
Yuki looked at the man. He didn't recognize him, and Sego hadn't introduced him earlier.
"And you are?"
"I am Justice. Inquisitor Justice."