Chapter 214: An Interesting Cardinal
The Ecclesiarchy has its own unique tithe.
Aside from a few lost worlds and void-ships where the Imperial Cult pragmatically modifies its doctrines to lower the barrier to entry and win the support of void-born and abhumans, on most worlds, the church has a near-fanatical obsession with genetic purity. Even the basic requirements for becoming a priest include a comely face and an excellent physique. Any flaw, whether a twisted feature, unusually colored hair, or a hunched back, is seen as a sign of an impure soul and is mercilessly screened out.
For this reason, although the Ecclesiarchy is strictly forbidden from forming its own male armed forces, the men who emerge from its cardinal worlds are always highly sought after. They are fervent, steadfast, and have a natural resistance to heresy. More importantly—most of them are literate. Whether assigned to the grassroots as scribes and preachers or drafted into the Astra Militarum as its backbone, these men are excellent candidates.
As for the women, that goes without saying. Whether they are the blade-wielding Battle-Sisters or the scripture-holding Dialogus, they are the most outstanding female representatives of the Imperial system. Many an Imperial noble and Munitorum high-officer dreams of marrying a sister. Aside from those who have taken a vow of celibacy, the vast majority of sisters, either after retirement or during their administrative work, will choose to find a partner.
Thus, while the Ecclesiarchy amasses the wealth of the Imperium, spreads its doctrines, and brings countless worlds under its control, it also fulfills the important duty of providing the Imperium with money and high-quality human stock. From this perspective, the High Lords are not entirely inflexible. Faced with the rising power of the Ecclesiarchy, they have pragmatically adjusted the tithe system. And this is merely a compromise made when dealing with other mortal factions.
The Ecclesiarchy has also fully lived up to its reputation of being a "galactic paragon in adversity, and a cause of ruin in prosperity." When all other institutions are failing, the Ecclesiarchy is often the last to stand, holding out until the problem is solved. And if there is no problem, then the Ecclesiarchy is the problem.
Due to certain undeniable objective realities, and a vast and devout following among the lower and middle classes, its power expands easily and can directly threaten the position of the Administratum. However, whenever its expansion reaches a certain point, the Ecclesiarchy always turns its attention to the hollow games of power. The rest, as they say, is history. Political struggles are never bloodless.
The skies of Astorgius were stained a solemn gold and red. The Ecclesiarchy's charter fleets, like devout pilgrims, orbited the planet. The warm light of faith shone from the viewports of every warship, guarding the Emperor-class battleship Dawnlight as it entered the starport. The Ecclesiarchy had received the arriving Primarchs with its highest honours.
The entire starport was lit by billions of candles. The flickering flames reflected in the polished metal walls, creating a flowing golden halo, as if the entire structure were immersed in molten gold. The Cardinal, holding a staff inlaid with the bones of a saint, stood tall on a welcoming path strewn with the petals of Madonna lilies, awaiting the Primarchs' arrival.
"This level of reception..." Navradaran murmured to Romulus, looking down at the city bathed in a golden ocean. "Not even the pict-records from the time of the Emperor's life were this extravagant."
"The Emperor provided his own special effects," Karna suddenly interjected, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Being able to change a planet's climate at will, make it rain on Mars, appear in a perfect form to different believers, and teleport around in a golden glow... being worshipped as a god now is, in a way, the price he pays for his own vanity."
Look at me, he seemed to imply. I don't do miracles.
"..." Navradaran awkwardly retracted his comment.
Karna, chuckling, turned and strode cheerfully to join the ranks of the Blood Angels to strike a pose. His golden-red power armour gleamed warmly in the candlelight, blending perfectly with the formation of the Angel's sons. It had to be said, complaining about the Emperor with his companions and complaining about the Emperor with a Custodian were two completely different experiences.
Romulus, however, simply shook his head. After his tour, he had a good idea of the Imperium's extravagance. To be honest, while this scene was dramatic, it was not difficult for a galactic civilization to achieve. Hmm. Only at times like this does the Imperium actually look like a galactic civilization.
When the Primarchs' honour guard appeared on the starport platform, the entire structure erupted in a deafening cheer. Billions of pilgrims waved prayer flags and shouted praises, welcoming the Primarchs to the loyal world of Astorgius.
Romulus looked around. After confirming there were no unsettling mechanical cherubs or other human-cyborg abominations, he and Karna began to walk side-by-side towards the Cardinal. The Primarchs' magnificent figures were so striking that every priest they passed unconsciously held their breath.
"Greetings, the honored Romulus, the holy Karna," the Cardinal said, the first to offer a salute. His movements were as precise as if they had been traced from a book of etiquette.
Romulus keenly noted that this bishop's eyes lacked the fanatical glow common to other members of the Ecclesiarchy. Instead, they held a certain... scrutiny. Is he sizing me up?
The discovery surprised Romulus slightly. He narrowed his eyes and asked directly, "Are you Cardinal Jorge?"
"I am, Lord Romulus," the Cardinal replied, meeting the Primarch's gaze without flinching, his voice steady. He then turned to Karna and said with a respectful but composed tone, "Lord Karna, a banquet and a ceremony have been prepared at the Cathedral of the Dawn. Please, follow me."
Surprisingly, this Cardinal had not prepared a long and elaborate ritual. He simply led the Primarchs' procession on a tour of the port. Then, Karna departed for the newly constructed Cathedral of the Dawn to participate in the Ecclesiarchy's activities and banquet—in reality, a simple transfer of power. What surprised Romulus was that Cardinal Jorge did not go with him.
They boarded a shuttle and, escorted by Stormbirds, began a tour of the planet.
Through a brief conversation, Romulus learned that this Cardinal, who had only been ruling Astorgius for three years, was a rare, moderate reformist. He noticed that Jorge would unconsciously trace the patterns on his crozius as he spoke, a small gesture that betrayed his inner stress. The power structure on the planet was still in a state of relative chaos. As a newly-appointed Cardinal, Jorge's arrival had directly challenged the vested interests of several local sects.
At the most recent synod, he had only managed to win the support of two factions, the "Argent Shroud" and the "Frateris Militia," both of which preached "justification by works." This relatively enlightened thinking was a refreshing change for Romulus, who had seen his share of filth.
"As long as one can walk their own path, they can receive the Emperor's protection, even if they do not believe in him," Jorge said, in response to Romulus's curiosity. "There are countless people in the Imperium who do not worship the Emperor. The Adeptus Astra Telepathica, the Navigator houses, and even among the Emperor's Angels, there are those who deny His divinity. But their sacrifice is not diminished by their lack of faith."
"Thank you for the clarification," Romulus said, raising an eyebrow, a rare interest in his voice.
"Please, continue."
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