The Kármán line is the boundary between the atmosphere and space.
In the 3k era on Terra, this line was approximately 330,000 feet, or 100 kilometers high.
Building a church spire to such a height was unimaginable in the 3k era, or rather, no one would be crazy enough to build such a tall structure.
But in the 40k era, thanks to the rapid technological development during humanity's age of prosperity, they truly possess this capability.
For example, the top Hives of many Imperial Hive Worlds can basically be built to this height.
Another example is Rostov's orbital elevator, which also reaches this height, and the Starport's location is even far beyond this height.
However, building a church to this height is still somewhat abstract.
Facing the Old Bishop of the Ecclesiarchy who formally presented this request, Alex pondered for a moment before asking, "Is the Ecclesiarchy planning to build a Hive City?"
"Not quite, it's just an expansion of the church. Once this church is completed, the Rostov II World will become the Holy Land of the Ecclesiarchy's Mariupol Sector, and this place will also become a new Shrine World." The Old Bishop was very old, curled up on his anti-gravity hover platform, maintaining his life with various life support devices. His voice was soft and weak, but the content of his words made Alex's eyes narrow.
Simply put, a Shrine World is an entire planet dedicated to churches or serving religious purposes, which is not uncommon in the Imperium.
Most of them are Holy Lands consecrated by the Ecclesiarchy, usually signifying that a Saint has appeared on that planet.
A Saint is a religious title, completely different from a Living Saint like Saint Celestine, who is essentially an E-Daemon, although she also holds the title of Saint.
They are usually individuals who have achieved various astonishing feats and made outstanding contributions in spreading the Emperor's faith or safeguarding the Imperium's interests.
For instance, an Ecclesiarchy priest who reclaims an entire Sector will be canonized as a Saint after their holy deeds are recognized.
Generally speaking, it is difficult for living people to obtain this title, but it is not impossible, such as a certain Living Saint who repelled a Chaos Daemon by reciting the Emperor's maxims.
To summarize, it requires holy deeds, or simply the blessing of the Emperor himself.
And the place where a Saint or Living Saint's holy deeds occurred will be recognized as a Holy Land by the Ecclesiarchy and built into a Shrine World to facilitate more devout Pilgrims coming for pilgrimage later.
Although Holy Lands also include the burial places of Saints, sites where the Emperor's miracles appeared, or simply places with many churches housing holy relics, they are all religious in nature.
This is actually similar to the Adeptus Mechanicus's Forge Worlds, except one is a factory and the other is a church.
Building a Shrine World naturally offers many benefits, whether it's the economic revenue brought by countless Pilgrims or the Ecclesiarchy's significant investment in the planet, both will provide strong impetus for the planet's development.
But for Alex, there was still a problem that needed to be resolved.
"Rostov II, in my plan, will be the capital of the entire Rostov Sub-Sector in the future. If it is a Shrine World, wouldn't that be inappropriate?" Alex looked directly at the Old Bishop, posing his question.
This is also a perennial problem in the Imperium: the Ecclesiarchy is useful and indispensable, but allowing the Ecclesiarchy to grow too powerful? No.
The main reason is that the Age of Apostasy and Goge Vandire left too deep an impression on people. Moreover, the previous Ecclesiarchy was indeed abstract, to the point where an abstract creature like Goge Vandire, who could make a benevolent ruler from Tongliao look good enough to sit at the same table as Emperor Renzong, could occupy the positions of Ecclesiarchy Pope and High Lords of the Imperium.
And this ruthless individual also controlled the Imperial Army's political and military power at the time, issuing extermination orders on Imperial Worlds merely based on his mood.
So, in the end, the Imperial Fists, along with other Space Marine Chapters and various factions dissatisfied with Vandire, overthrew Vandire's rule, marching directly to the Imperial Palace on Terra with the intention of purging the corrupt officials.
At that time, blocking the Imperial Fists and other Imperial Army forces were the first Battle Sisters.
Of course, after the Custodes' Golden Corn entered the Imperial Palace and led six Battle Sisters into the Throne Room to meet the Emperor, they directly swung their swords and cut off Vandire's head.
It was because of this event that the Ecclesiarchy had to disband its Adeptus Militarus, retaining only the Battle Sisters as an armed force.
And because of this event, the Battle Sisters, to some extent, serve as the Ecclesiarchy's overseers and safety valve.
At the same time, the Ecclesiarchy also became wary of various Imperial factions. Once the Ecclesiarchy oversteps its authority or boundaries, it will be suppressed by all sides.
There are even specialized orders within the Inquisition responsible for monitoring the Ecclesiarchy.
"The Ecclesiarchy has no intention of meddling in the Sub-Sector's political affairs, but this planet is where the Emperor's miracles were manifested; it is destined to become a Holy Land!" The Old Bishop did not argue with Alex but stated a fact.
To this, Alex merely spread his hands and said casually, "It can be a Holy Land, but it cannot be a Shrine World.
I don't oppose you building churches, nor do I oppose the Ecclesiarchy undertaking large-scale construction on this planet.
But please remember one thing: this is an Imperial World, and as long as I am the Planetary Governor, it will not change."
Facing Alex's strong stance, the Old Bishop merely opened his dim, yellow eyes and gazed deeply at Alex, his gaze devoid of any emotion.
Just as Alex thought the Old Bishop was about to turn hostile, he merely bowed his hoary head slightly and whispered, "Your will, Governor."
With that, the Old Bishop left.
Watching the Old Bishop depart, Alex couldn't help but purse his lips, feeling troubled and thorny.
If the Old Bishop had directly turned hostile, it would have been easier to resolve; at worst, Alex would just break ties with the Ecclesiarchy.
Although Alex had developed the Rostov II World with the support of the Ecclesiarchy, he was, after all, an Inquisitor and a Planetary Governor, and now with the Ashes Knights Chapter at his disposal, he truly wasn't afraid if the Ecclesiarchy turned hostile.
But the Old Bishop's concession made Alex feel it was difficult to deal with.
After all, the Ecclesiarchy had already taken a step back. If Alex were to be overly aggressive, that would be his problem.
"Politics is indeed too complex. If only I could have an administrative secretary!" Alex sighed, shaking his head.
Chamberlain Rachel is a former Commissar; she is very good at administrative matters, but politics...
The nobles on Rostov II, as descendants of former Astra Militarum officers, have not been nobles long enough, and their level of political struggle is still too low.
However, this issue only caused Alex a headache and trouble; it was not an urgent crisis.
Ultimately, as long as he controlled the military, Alex feared nothing.
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