Facing the scrutinizing gaze of the officer, Eden felt a slight tension.
After all, a mysterious psyker would always arouse suspicion and vigilance.
Especially among those loyal to the Emperor.
They could very well mistake him for a heretic and burn him at the stake.
"Dear, don't scare the child..."
The gentle woman beside him seed particularly concerned for Eden.
Child?
Right, Eden realized.
This psychic projection of his did look like a young boy.
Hearing the woman's words, the officer softened his expression, showing a hint of apology:
"Sorry about that. I'm too used to military life.
Thanks to your warning, we avoided a much bigger disaster..."
With the officer's response, Eden finally relaxed.
It seed his use of psychic powers hadn't been exposed.
He had purposefully attacked from a corner and used subtle psychic techniques rather than overt displays of energy.
Besides, with the chaos around him and his youthful appearance, no one was likely to notice.
The gentle woman nodded, looking at the officer.
"Thanks to his warning, I'm alive; otherwise, I wouldn't have seen you again."
The officer turned to the woman and advised:
"With heretic attacks becoming more frequent, it's best if you don't go out as often.
But don't worry, soon the Emperor's loyal warriors will launch a counterattack, and those heretics will face justice!"
Through their conversation, Eden learned that the gentle woman was nad Eve, and the officer was her husband, Gallia.
It seed the Defense Forces had successfully resisted the heretical cults, and they were doing a comndable job.
Moreover, these people were extrely loyal.
They were as dedicated as the elite forces in the Hive.
In Eden's mory, the Underhive Defense Force had never been so resolute.
Perhaps the heretical threat had united them?
"Where are you staying?"
Gallia interrupted Eden's thoughts, squatting down with a kind tone:
"I can arrange for soone to take you ho..."
Eden shook his head.
The Underhive was vast.
He had no idea which part of the hive he was in.
Moreover, with this rare opportunity, he hoped to gather more information from Gallia.
No way would he leave so easily.
"This poor child might be holess."
Eve's voice softened as she spoke; she had seen far too many orphans like him.
Their families had been killed by heretics, leaving them with nowhere to go.
Great Emperor, please deliver your divine justice and cleanse these heretics!
With Eve's help, Eden nodded, playing along.
Just as he was about to say sothing, Eve turned to Gallia and suggested:
"Why don't we take him in? He can keep our little one company!"
Gallia smiled, nodding:
"That's a great idea; Little Gallia would like him..."
Seeing her husband's agreent, Eve took Eden's small hand:
"Would you like to stay with us?
Don't worry, I'll take good care of you!"
Seeing their hopeful expressions, Eden nodded in agreent.
Sigh...
Though he had achieved his goal, he felt a bit guilty.
In the Underhive, providing food for just one more person was no small feat.
And they had just t, yet they were willing to trust and help a stranger's child so readily.
This couple was exceptionally kind-hearted.
Before long, Eve and Gallia brought Eden to their ho.
The residents of their neighborhood got along harmoniously.
People greeted each other, holding their children's hands.
It was as if the terrifying heretics and war had not extinguished their hope for life.
Eve happily introduced Eden to her neighbors.
They showed no hesitation, warmly greeting him and congratulating Gallia on their new family mber. One elderly lady, muttering a blessing from the Emperor, even snuck him half a block of corpse-starch.
Eden intended to return it, but the old lady refused.
With a gentle smile, she spoke haltingly:
"Children need to eat more so they can grow strong.
Don't refuse this old woman's gift... don't worry, I have plenty to spare!"
Then, with her hands behind her back, she slowly walked away.
Clearly, the people here cherished children dearly.
No matter whose child it was.
From Eve, Eden learned that this old woman had lost six children to battles against the heretics.
Eden felt deeply moved by this; these were truly kind-hearted people.
It seed their faith in the Emperor had united them.
He silently vowed:
"Don't worry, I'll soon eradicate the heretics and liberate the entire Hive!"
Soon, Eden arrived at Eve and Gallia's ho, becoming a temporary mber of the family.
Concerned that everyone might be hungry, Eve went to the kitchen to boil water and prepare so food.
Gallia stayed in the living room to chat with Eden.
Taking advantage of the mont, Eden used his psychic powers to hypnotize Gallia, extracting information from him.
Under hypnosis and guided by Eden's questions, Gallia began discussing the situation in the Underhive.
From him, Eden learned they were in the HL-18-66 residential district of the Underhive.
This area was situated at the rear of the Defense Force's stronghold, relatively safe.
Currently, the Defense Force controlled about two-thirds of the Underhive, while the remaining third was overrun by heretical cults.
Most soldiers were fighting on the front lines, holding back the heretical forces.
Though the Defense Force had a slight advantage, they couldn't completely eradicate the cults.
To make matters worse, the heretical activities had intensified lately.
Gallia feared they might be planning sothing significant.
Because of this, the Defense Force had bolstered their defensive lines.
Gallia, as a Defense Force captain, was ho to recover from an injury and would soon return to the front lines.
It seed the situation wasn't as dire as Eden had feared.
The Underhive Defense Force had managed to contain the heretical incursion, likely saving over half of the population.
However, when Eden asked Gallia about his opinion of the palace district, he rely shook his head.
He had joined the Defense Force five years ago and had no knowledge of the palace district.
Furthermore, the Defense Force's loyalty lay solely with the great Emperor.
They served no one else.
Eden discovered that this officer nad Gallia, apart from his concern for family, was entirely dedicated to fighting for the Emperor.
This was fantastic news.
Eden could leverage his "Sun Emperor" role to guide and win over these Defense Forces.
The combined might of the palace district and the Underhive Defense Force would be enough to crush the heretical cults.
All is stable, completely stable!
"What are you two talking about?"
Eve poked her head out of the kitchen, smiling.
Eden quickly ended the hypnosis.
Gallia scratched his head:
"Oh, nothing, just talking about the front lines with him.
Funny how I ended up discussing this with a child..."
"You always talk about those things! Hurry up and co for dinner!"
Eve brought mushroom soup and corpse-starch to the table, calling them over.
Seeing the food on the table, Eden understood.
Even for an officer's family, food was scarce.
"Waaah—"
A child's loud cry echoed from the other room.
Eve hurried to the room:
"Little Gallia is awake; looks like he's hungry..."
When Eve brought out Little Gallia, Eden's brow furrowed instantly.
This child...
(End of Chapter)
[Check Out My Patreon For 20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!! For Only $5!!][/zaelum] [ 500 Power Stones = 1 Extra Chapter] [Thank You For Your Support!]
User Comments
0 comments from readers