Warhammer 40K in a box

Chapter 183 Secret Investigation
Within the Inquisition, and the wider Imperium, the term "cult" is used very loosely indeed, encompassing nearly every possible religious sect, secret society, creed, political party, association, guild, and conspiracy across the Imperium's many cultures.

These sects exist in various forms, some are open, some are secretive, and some are even only circulated among specific groups.

While the Empire's two main denominations - the Ecclesiarchy and the Adeptus Mechanicus - dominate, the presence of other denominations is equally significant.

The most common cults tend to be those that focus on a particular aspect of the imperial faith, or the veneration of a particular saint or miraculous event.

Although these sects vary in form, most of them are inextricably linked to the teachings of the state religion.

However, in addition to these more orthodox sects, most worlds also have dozens of local sects, the nature of which is often elusive.

These sects are usually closely related to certain characteristics of the local culture, planet, tribe or historical events. The origins and purposes of some sects are even a complete mystery to the outside world.

Sects only come to the attention of the Inquisition if a group is deemed heretical and their ideology clearly contradicts Imperial law or the teachings of the State Church.

Heresy itself is highly contagious. Once it spreads, a cult will often form quickly among its believers.

Sometimes a powerful or charismatic leader attracts a group of devoted followers, forming a cult; in other cases, like-minded heretics band together to support and protect each other, forming a more complex organization.

Cults exist for a variety of reasons, the most obvious of which is secrecy.

Larger groups offer more protection and resources, allowing sects to better organize and hide themselves from outside prying eyes, adversaries, or external threats.

Second, the combined strength of a sect's members often far exceeds what any individual could achieve.

Whether it's pooling funds or maintaining and strengthening the loyalty of members, the existence of a sect is a manifestation of power on many levels.

After all, isolation itself fosters cohesion, while division can easily destroy a sect like a witch-hunt purge.

While cults vary in their goals and nature, they often share several common attributes.

Most cults will try to cover themselves up with a more benign or at least acceptable guise, or remain completely hidden from the authorities to avoid detection.

In addition, cults often prefer to operate and recruit new members in specific environments, which is usually determined by the nature of the cult itself.

For example, a cult centered on fomenting rebellion among mutant labor might confine itself to the Broken Zones and wastelands where mutants live, recruiting members from among the disaffected and outcast.

A demon-worshipping cult among the decadent nobility might confine itself to the salons and private estates of the elite as sites of activity and recruitment.

Despite their diverse goals and nature, many sects share similarities in their organizational structure.

Each organizational structure has its own advantages and disadvantages, and there may be many nuances in actual operation.

While a particular denomination may favor one structure, it often incorporates elements of others.

Therefore, even a branch order recognized by the state religion, such as the Blood Oath Order, may engage in heretical behavior and even become a breeding ground for cults.

The reason could be simple: perhaps a nun was corrupted, or their rituals were exploited by someone with ulterior motives.

Some minor changes may not be noticeable, but they are often the cause of degeneration.

Khadgar wasn't surprised by Chen Xi's suspicion; he even felt that Chen Xi's reaction was a bit too cautious. A Hammer Inquisitor who dealt with the Grey Knights frequently would have likely already taken out several demonic hosts for interrogation, or perhaps used psychic divination to seek answers.

As for sending people to collect evidence and conduct secret investigations, although most inquisitors do so, this is not usually their primary method.

Especially for a Lord Inquisitor, he can take much more actions than this.

Sending spies to conduct secret investigations is often just to collect some evidence needed to write a report.

Real actions are often more direct and brutal.

Although the approach of directly leading a team to raid the enemy's stronghold and then collecting evidence after the clearance is completed is simple and crude, it is also an effective method.

Generally speaking, only those judges with less experience and less "technology and hard work" will choose to use conventional investigative methods to collect evidence.

Those experienced and skillful judges often have more ways to achieve their goals.

However, what Khadgar really cares about is not these, but whether the Blood Oath Order really has committed heresy.

As a Grey Knights think tank, Khadgar's psychic power level even exceeds that of Inquisitor Chen Xi.

Therefore, before taking action, he conducted divination and prophecy, trying to find out whether this action would encounter heresy.

However, all he saw was a sea of ​​blood.

This is obviously not a good sign, and can even be said to be quite bad.

"It seems that the Governor has not forgotten his duties as an Inquisitor." Khadgar's expression became solemn.

Now that things have come to this, he needs to take this matter more seriously.
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"Hello, Brother Khadgar. I am Ian from the Knights of Embers. Lord Chen Xi has ordered us to provide you with assistance." Sergeant Ian greeted Khadgar. He brought a standard tactical team.

"Hello, Brother Ion.

I hope we can cooperate wholeheartedly on this mission.”

Khadgar responded in a friendly manner, and then briefed him on the situation and the mission: "His Excellency Chen Xi suspects that the Blood Oath Order, one of the branch orders of the Ecclesiarchy, has committed heresy, so he ordered me to investigate it. You are responsible for assisting me in conducting an in-depth investigation.

Chancellor Rachel will dispatch spies from the Governor's Palace and two defense reconnaissance teams to assist us. If necessary, we can also call on the support of the Sisters of Battle.

But this is a secret investigation, and the Governor does not want to make a big fuss about it.

Before coming here, I had already done a psychic divination, and the result was not optimistic. I only saw a bloody color."

"I understand. The Knights of Embers will do their best to assist you, Brother Khadgar." Ion's face suddenly became serious, and he nodded to indicate that he understood the seriousness of the matter.

"Then let's begin the investigation! Let's start from the altar of the Blood Oath Order in Rostov." Khadgar indicated that they could begin the action.

(End of this chapter)