"Everyone knows that back then——"
Just when the Grand Inquisitor Torquemada was about to talk about the similarities between Soshyan and Huron, an unexpected voice sounded. It was almost a whisper, but everyone could hear it clearly, as if The other party is within earshot.
"It was the decision of the High Lords Council to appoint him. Representatives of the Tribunal were also present at the time. Even those who are illogical must have some basis for questioning."
Marcus would never forget this voice for the rest of his life. He turned his head and saw the tall Cleudes with his hands folded on his chest.
Torquemada looked at the mysterious inquisitor and frowned slightly, then relaxed again after a few seconds.
"Claudius is right, but suspicion is our duty. However, accusations naturally require caution. This expedition is related to the rule of the entire empire in the Maelstrom area, and there must be no negligence."
"Can I ask a question?"
"Please say."
"Why are you here?"
After Torquemada pondered for a moment, he replied:
"I come to hunt down a vile demon and heretic."
"Then why have we been summoned?"
"Because I have received information that that thing has joined the Red Pirates to fight against the Empire. To eliminate it, we must ensure that the expedition can be successful. I have summoned you all so that everyone can work together to assist the Imperial Expeditionary Force in eradicating all abominable heretics. And the devil!”
Although the other party spoke impassionedly, Claudes just sneered.
"To assist the expeditionary force, we will naturally contact Soshyan Alexei. There is no need to rely on others. As for whether to cooperate or not, that is also a matter for us to decide. Instead, it is the Grand Inquisitor of Torquemada. I guess the purpose of your meeting is not to gain more weight and benefits in the expeditionary force as a representative of the Tribunal?"
Marcus was very surprised at this time. This Claudes actually dared to refute the opponent's face again and again. What is his background?
But his words clearly resonated with the surrounding inquisitors, and their expressions also revealed their dissatisfaction at this time.
Torquemada stared at Cleudes coldly, but did not have an attack. This further confirmed Marcus's guess that Cleudes's background was very unusual, and Torquemada knew it. .
Next, the Grand Inquisitor said something that surprised Marcus.
"Since you said so, I will be frank. In addition to hunting down the demon prince, I also accepted a mission from Terra to clean up the reconquered areas and ensure that heretics and witchcraft props were captured or captured in the battle. and subspace creations are effectively destroyed and recycled.”
As he spoke, he took out a piece of parchment covered with stamps.
"This is my warrant."
"That's your business and has nothing to do with us."
"If there are colleagues who do not want to cooperate, I will naturally not force it. After all, everyone has their own way of serving the Emperor."
At this moment, Marcus was trying to estimate how true or false the other party's words were. It should be true that Torquemada received Terra's instructions, and it was probably true that he was hunting the demon prince, but the rest of what he said was worth debating.
He guessed that the other party's real mission was to monitor Soshyan.
as well as--
Tianshi battle group!
Marcus suddenly had an enlightenment at this moment. Torquemada held this meeting and summoned so many people. It was most likely that it was actually a smoke bomb to release all kinds of information. What Terra really asked him to do was to report to the police repeatedly. A lesson for the Tianshi Fighting Group!
In fact, he personally thinks that the Tianshi incident is just a trivial matter, and he can just prevaricate it casually. However, some big figures in Terra feel that their own face is not worth losing, and it has escalated to the point where the authority of the entire Tribunal is being challenged. It is really unnecessary and more important. What's more, the Tianshi Chapter is currently in charge of the key second theater and is still the leader of the first round of attacks. If something goes wrong with them suddenly, it will cause a huge blow to Soshyan's plan and even the entire expedition.
Marcus lamented in his heart that some people were too selfish and put personal and organizational interests above the empire.
"The expeditionary force must be in great need of intelligence support now. You are all loyal servants of the Emperor. Regardless of your stance, I believe you are all unanimous in serving the Emperor. I am not familiar with the Maelstrom. But you must have a lot of relevant information in your hands. We can jointly establish an intelligence station in the expeditionary force to be responsible for providing intelligence to the expeditionary force. By then, with the help of the expeditionary force, we will be able to achieve our goals."
Marcus had actually already thought of the other party's proposal, but he didn't really have any authority, so there was nothing he could do about it being proposed first.
Most of the judges were still interested in this proposal and basically agreed.
The meeting lasted for more than an hour. Everyone discussed a lot about the situation in the Maelstrom area and the expedition. Most of the inquisitors were not very optimistic about the Imperial Expeditionary Force because they knew the power of the Red Corsairs well. At the end of the meeting, everyone dispersed. At this time, Marcus found an extra note in his pocket.
He didn't even know when and who had stuffed it in. There was only one line written on it -
Come to Shadow Manor.
This place surprised Marcus because it was a secret stronghold he had used in the past. How did the other party know about it?
After much thought, he decided to meet this mysterious man.
The so-called Shadow Manor is actually an abandoned aristocratic mansion that has fallen into disrepair. The wealth and glory have given way to the filth and tackiness necessary for a dilapidated ruin. It is surrounded by slums and rows of rooms have been cut into Homes to people who used to be beaten just for approaching the front door.
This place is a microcosm of how the fate of Serenity 2 has changed. In the past, this place was extremely prosperous as the home of the Mantis Warriors. However, after the plunder of the Shark Chapter, most of the rulers of the planet were killed or taken away. , the commoners inherited the glory of their former rulers, only to find that it was a painful legacy.
They couldn't rebuild even if they wanted to, and under the tyranny of the new governor of the empire, they dared not do anything.
When Marcus entered the yard, his hands were hidden under his coat, clutching weapons.
At first this dilapidated and silent place was empty, but then he noticed that the shadows twisted and a figure slowly emerged.
Just as he guessed, the only person who could stuff the note into his pocket without anyone noticing was this guy with stronger psychic abilities than him——
Cleudes.
When the mysterious inquisitor approached Marcus, one of Marcus' followers was already pointing a sniper rifle at the man's head from a distant tower.
"No need."
Marcus waved his hand into the air, and the sniper took his finger off the trigger.
"Is necessary."
As a result, the other party answered suddenly.
"If your people know that I can smash your head like a watermelon with just a move of my fingers, they will rush out first."
