Warhammer 40K in a box

Chapter 117: Holy Land and Shrine World, rd Update
The so-called Karman line is the dividing line between the atmosphere and space.

On Earth in the 3K era, the height of this line is about feet, or about kilometers high.

Building a church spire so high was something that was unthinkable in the 3K era, or no one was crazy enough to want to build such a tall building.

But in the 40k era, thanks to the rapid development of technology in the era of human prosperity, they really have this ability.

For example, the top nests of many hive worlds of the empire can basically be built to this level.

For example, the orbital elevator in Rostov actually reaches this height, and even the location of the starport is far beyond this height.

Just building a church to this height is still a bit abstract.

Facing the State Religion Bishop who formally made this request to him, Chen Xi considered it for a moment before asking, "Is the State Religion planning to build a nest city?"

"Not really. We're just expanding the church. Once it's completed, Rostov II will become a holy place in the Mariupol star zone of the state religion, and this place will become a new shrine world." The bishop was very old. He curled up on his anti-gravity suspension platform, relying on various life-support devices to maintain his life. He spoke in a soft voice, but what he said made Chen Xi's eyes focus.

Simply put, a shrine world is a world where the entire planet is a church or serves a religion. This is not uncommon in the Empire.

Most of them are holy places canonized by the state religion, usually marking the birthplace of saints on the planet.

Saint is a religious title, which is completely different from Saint Celestine, a living saint whose essence is the E-demon, although she also has the title of saint.

They are usually people who have accomplished amazing things and made outstanding contributions in spreading the Emperor's faith or safeguarding the interests of the Empire.

For example, a priest of the state religion who reclaims an entire star sector will be canonized as a saint after his holy deeds are recognized.

Generally speaking, it is difficult for a living person to obtain this title, but it does exist, such as a living saint who drives away Chaos demons by reciting the Emperor's motto.

Having said so much, the simple summary is that one must have Sunnah deeds, or simply receive the blessing of the Emperor himself.

The place where a saint or a living saint performs a holy act will be recognized as a holy place by the state religion, and will be built into a shrine world to facilitate more devout believers to come and make pilgrimages in the future.

Although the Holy Land also has the burial place of saints, the place where the emperor's miracles appeared, or it is simply a church built to enshrine holy relics, it is ultimately religious in nature.

This is actually something similar to the Mechanicus's Forge World, except that one is a factory and the other is a church.

There are certainly many benefits to building a shrine world. Whether it is the economic benefits brought by the huge number of pilgrims or the heavy investment of the State Church on this planet, it will provide strong support for the development of the planet.

But for Chen Xi, there is still a problem that needs to be solved.

"In my plan, Rostov II will be the capital of the entire Rostov sub-sector in the future. If this is a shrine world, isn't it inappropriate?" Chen Xi looked directly at the old bishop and raised his question.

This is a commonplace issue in the Empire: a state religion is useful and necessary, but allowing it to become too powerful? No way.

The main reason was that Gorg Vandir left such a deep impression on people during the apostasy era, and this former state religion was indeed abstract, so that an abstract creature like Gorg Vandir, who could serve as a foil to the benevolent monarch of Tongliao and sit at the same table with Emperor Meiren, could sit on the position of Pope of the state religion and High Lord of the Empire.

Moreover, this ruthless man also controlled the military and political power of the empire at that time, and would issue an extermination order to the world of the empire simply because of his own mood.

Ultimately, the Imperial Fists, in conjunction with other Space Marine Chapters and those dissatisfied with Vandire, overthrew his rule and marched directly to the gates of the Terran Imperial Palace, intending to purge the emperor. The original Sisters of Battle stood in the way of the Imperial Fists and the rest of the Imperial Army.

Of course, after the Golden Corn of the Custodians walked out of the palace and led the six battle sisters into the throne room to meet the Emperor, they directly swung their swords and chopped off Vandire's head.

It was also because of this incident that the Ecclesiarchy had to disband its own Crusaders and only retain the Battle Sisters as its armed force.

Because of this incident, the Battle Sisters are, to some extent, the supervisors and safety valves of the state religion.

At the same time, the state religion was also feared by various forces in the empire. Once the state religion exceeded its authority or acted beyond the rules, it would be suppressed by all parties.

There is even a special order within the Inquisition responsible for supervising the state religion.

"The state religion has no intention of interfering in the political affairs of the sub-sector, but this planet is where the Emperor's miracles appeared, and it will inevitably become a holy place!" The old bishop did not argue with Chen Xi, but stated a fact.

In response to this, Chen Xi simply spread his hands and said casually: "It can be a holy place, but it cannot be a shrine world.

I have no objection to you building churches, nor do I object to the establishment of a large-scale construction of churches on this planet.

But remember this, this is an Imperial world, and it will not change as long as I am the planetary governor."

Faced with Chen Xi's tough attitude, the old bishop simply opened his dim eyes and looked at Chen Xi deeply, without any emotion in his eyes.

Just when Chen Xi thought the old bishop was about to turn hostile, he simply lowered his fair head slightly and whispered, "Your will, Governor."

After saying this, the old bishop left.

Looking at the old bishop leaving, Chen Xi couldn't help but pursed his lips, feeling troubled and difficult.

If the old bishop turns against us directly, it will be easy to solve. At most, we will just have to break off relations with the state religion.

Although Chen Xi developed Rostov II with the support of the state religion, he was an Inquisitor and a planetary governor after all. Now he had the Knights of Embers at his disposal, so he was not afraid if the state religion turned against him.

But the old bishop gave in, which made Chen Xi feel difficult to deal with.

After all, the state religion has already taken a step back. If Chen Xi continues to be aggressive, it will be his problem.

"Politics is really too complicated. It would be great if I could have an administrative secretary!" Chen Xi shook his head and sighed.

Palace Minister Rachel was a former political commissar. She was very good at government affairs, but politics...

These nobles on Rostov II, descendants of former Astra Militarum officers, had not been nobles long enough, and their level of political struggle was still too low.

However, this problem only caused Chen Xi a headache and trouble, and was not an imminent crisis.

In the final analysis, as long as he still controls the army, Chen Xi is not afraid of anything.

(End of this chapter)