After walking forward for more than ten minutes following Jane Harrington's footsteps, he and the accompanying honor guards and imperial guards had arrived in a quiet hall.
The furnishings here have obviously been modified and are specially designed to accommodate large targets that exceed the size of mortals, such as Astartes warriors.
Calvin chose an armchair with no armrests and sat down quietly, while his honor guard stood outside the hall door. Only the Forbidden Guards and the guard leader Gavins followed him into the hall and stood beside him.
Left and right.
The two company commanders of the founding Astartes Chapter were supposed to accompany and talk here, but after experiencing the previous "small twists and turns", they hurriedly returned to their home base.
Cardinal Jane Harrington looked at the quiet hall and tried to break the embarrassing silence several times, but fortunately her brain was still clear. After clarifying her position, she decided to remain silent and quietly wait for the return of the Holy See. Calvin did not wait too long, and in fact no one dared to make him wait too long.
The footsteps of Supreme Administrator Saratan sounded outside the hall door a quarter of an hour later.
The honor guards lined up at the hall door and corridor looked at him and the entourage behind him in silence.
After putting Saratan and his personal attendants in, the paladin outside the hall crossed his two silver halberds, and with a condescending and scrutinizing gaze, used silent but determined body language to stop any follow-up attempts.
Followers.
Saratan was not surprised, he just silently waved his hand to signal his followers to step back and wait.
This is a matter of course in his eyes. After all, according to normal diplomatic etiquette, the status of host and guest between them has been changed.
When Calvin walked into this hall, it was by default the place where Calvin stayed.
When Saratan returned from outside, the nature of his behavior had changed from a reception to a visit.
This is the dignity that all high-ranking officials in the empire should have. Even if Calvin’s mysterious Primarch identity is put aside, even the Lord of Terra should have such majesty.
"I've kept you waiting for a long time..."
After entering the hall, Saratan's tone was friendly and homely. After handing over the heavy and gorgeous platinum crown on his head and the scepter in his hand to his entourage, the old man took off the cloak from behind with one hand and hung it on the clothes hanger at the door.<
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"See your seat."
Calvin glanced to the side, and Jin walked out of the queue behind Nicholas. Saratan was flattered and thanked the imperial guard, and then sat on the velvet armchair opposite Calvin.
After watching the old man sit firmly, Calvin stopped wasting time on meaningless pleasantries and directly brought the topic to what he cared about most.
"Tell me about the specific situation. I believe that you should not make such a mistake with your caution. There must be something unexpected that you didn't expect. Let's find a way to solve this problem together."
Saratan's face also became visibly serious. At this point, he had no position to hide his questions and doubts.
In particular, Calvin did not use any language of accusation or excuse, which made the old man feel grateful and at the same time glad that Calvin appeared.
So after a short period of time to sort out his thoughts, he truthfully told Calvin the problems he encountered.
"So, your internal review process has been started, but you still haven't gained anything valuable?"
Calvin rubbed his chin and made a simple conclusion after listening to Saratan's statement.
"I'm afraid that's true..."
Saratan looked in the direction of Calvin with a wry smile. The mere occurrence of such an omission was already a stain on his teaching career.
And the incompetence shown by his lack of clues in handling the aftermath will inevitably be written down in his daily life notes after his death.
"The internal investigation team led by thirteen cardinals re-examined the Emperor's Hall three times and did not find any abnormalities, nor could they see any weapons of the Heavenly Punishment stance."
Saratan was in a very bad mood. His eyes were looking at the murals on the wall behind the two of them, and he was already imagining a scene where his deeds would be depicted in the confessional hall as a counterexample a hundred years later.
"Have you checked the purity seals above and below?" Calvin asked.
"Checked." Saratan replied.
"Well...I understand."
Calvin quickly summarized the information from Saratan in his mind, without rushing to give an opinion. His eyes also unconsciously wandered around Saratan and the hall behind him, until a mural in a corner caught his attention.
Attention.
It was a mural depicting the dedication of holy objects
The glorious sun shines down from the dome of the church. The supreme administrator, who represents the emperor's faith, sits on a throne made of gold and looks compassionate. The top of his head symbolizes divine power. Shining in the light given by the emperor, he extends his right hand downwards; <
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In the background of the mural below, there is the triple 13 representing the holy number of the emperor. A total of 38 cardinals wearing red robes are surrounding the last cardinal and the radiant holy object in his hand, performing for it.
Holy blessing.
The cardinal looked solemn and solemn, kneeling on one knee and handing out the holy object on the tray to the saint on the throne.
This mural did not attract Calvin's attention at first, but after scanning his eyes several times, he still discovered the puzzling details.
"The Holy See." Calvin's expression also turned serious at some point. He straightened up from his chair and used his spiritual power to isolate the hall from reality with his hand.
With everyone behind him on alert, he looked seriously at the old man in front of him.
"I'm here, please call me by my name Saratan. What did you think of?" Saratan looked at Calvin's expression and became nervous.
"As you said, all the actions of your religion must comply with the holy words, and all ceremonies should respect the emperor's oracle. Is this true?" Calvin's tone became as dark as his eyes, as if
He was thinking about something that surprised him.
"Seriously!" When it comes to the belief in the imperial state religion, Saratan's attitude is extremely firm, and his response is also slightly eager.
"What did you think of?" he asked Calvin.
"Then if everything is as you said, and witnessed by the emperor, should the regulations of your religion's holy prayer book also be based on the emperor's sacred number?"
"That's right! But..."
Saratan's tone was equally firm, but then he thought of something under Calvin's prompting. His face instantly twisted towards fear. While his whole body became stiff, his neck was still making a clicking sound, and he slowly moved toward
Looking behind me...
This hall was used for diplomatic receptions after he succeeded to the throne. The decoration and the selection of murals in the hall were all done by him personally.
The posthumous "Ode to the Sacred Relics" was a gift presented to him by several painters who had served the Holy See for generations after he succeeded to the throne. His familiarity with this mural can be said to be clear in his mind every stroke.
.
But how could he ignore this mural?
When did it start?
As Calvin said, since any sacred ceremony should be based on holy numbers, the number of cardinals who entered the King's Hall to pray should be 39!
Then why are there 32 people coming out!
What about the remaining 7 people? Where did they go?
Why has no one ever realized this problem?
Why didn't he notice it and instead took it for granted that this was the correct number?
Who distorted their consciousness and made them subconsciously ignore this obvious problem?
Who is he?
Where is he?
How many people in the Holy See have their consciousness distorted by him?
This is blasphemy!
Desecration at the heart of the Emperor's faith!
Sarata's heart was roaring violently, and the warning sign was like an isolated voice, roaring violently in her conscious consciousness after losing the isolation!
Thinking of the news he had received before about the unexplained ringing of the Holy Bell, and thinking about the strangeness he encountered now, Saratan's mind suffered a powerful blow. He didn't even know whether he was dreaming or awake at this time. Calvin in front of him
Is it true or false again...
And at this moment, Calvin's voice came from behind again, causing his mind, which was already on the verge of collapse, to receive another heavy blow
"Do you really think that the 32 people who walked out of the King's Hall are the original 32 people? Or, are you really Saratan?"
"No...God the Emperor...I..."
The horrified Saratan turned back and glanced at Calvin. The cold and inquiring expression on the other person's face was the last thing he saw before he fainted.