“We’re supposed to risk our lives to defend an archaeological site?” Kayvaan tilted his head, his to. ‘Holy, I couldn’t care less.’ His thoughts mirrored his words. Not only was he ued, but if he had the choice, he’d leave immediately. Let the 101st Regiment fight to the death for Coca-Co. It wasn’t fear of bat that drove his apathy—it racticality. If they won but found nothing of value, this whole endeavor would be a waste. Gustav had pared the excavation to buying a lottery ticket, and Kayvaan wasn’t the gambling type. The odds of winning seemed far too slim.

  What would history record as the Temprs’ first great victory? ‘The warriors of the Knights Tempr fought bravely on Aion and shattered an evil spiracy. It was a historic victory, the dawn of their legend. Or perhaps The Temprs ic battle, their first war and their first victory, heroically defending Coca-Co for the Imperium. They e did not fall into the hands of Chaos.’ Kayvaan s the thought. If that were the case, he’d disband the war group himself.

  “This isn’t just about i,” Gustav interrupted, his toeady. “Acc to a ants, Imperial soldiers are duty-bound to protect relics deemed sacred by the Meicus. A assured, the Meicus will not let its allies fight in vain. We’ll provide… suitable pensation.”

  Kayvaan's eyebrow rose. “pensation, you say? That’s not bad. But let’s not leave it at vague promises. If there’s a thank-you gift, I’d also like some souvenirs. Is that fair?”

  “It depends on the souvenir,” Gustav replied cautiously. “Artifacts from the a city are cultural relics. Their value must be assessed by experts.”

  “I’m not talking about random tris,” Kayvaan said with a smirk. “I’m talking about the Coca-Co STC. I have it?”

  “That’s a sacred relic! It ot be handed over so casually.”

  “But you just said it’s useless.”

  Gustav stiffened. “I also said, ‘May the Mae God five me.’ The Mae God’s will is not to be taken lightly.”

  “True enough,” Kayvaan ceded with a shrug. “The Mae God may five you, but I wonder if your superiors on Mars will be as uanding. I’ll make sure to write them a detailed report.”

  Gustav gred at him but relented. “Fine. I’ll authorize a copy. The Coca-Co STC tempte isn’t particurly plex. Its schematics be transcribed into a manuscript. You’ll receive a detailed copy of the manufacturing process and produ liup. The inal tempte, however, must be delivered to Mars.”

  “Good enough.” Kayvaan stood, his mood visibly lightened, and turo examihe map on the wall.

  Elizabeth, who had been quietly the exge, suddenly interjected. “Kayvaan, why are you so obsessed with that Copte?”

  “Because I want to drink it,” Kayvaan replied without missing a beat. “I’ve asted anything like it before—a bck, fizzy drink. How could I resist? Besides, future recruits o knoarked the Temprs’ first great battle.”

  Elizabeth stared at him, her expression a mix of disbelief and disdain. “You’re unbelievable.”

  “Alright, let’s leave the Coca-Co debate for ter,” Kayvaan said, tapping the map with a e to draw everyone’s attention. Pointing to the map, Kayvaan tinued, “Here’s the pn. Our objective is clear: destroy the enemy’s ritual within three days and prevent the rift from stabilizing. If possible, we’re also taking down the Eldar Rosina. Acc to my research, she’s a wanted criminal responsible for killing multiple Imperial Inquisitors. Her head carries a hefty bounty. The Inquisition will reward us handsomely for her demise.”

  Kayvaan paused to let the weight of his words sink in before adding, “Naturally, the bounty will be distributed acc to an agreemeween Elizabeth and me. Now, about the Eldar—initially, we didn’t sider w with them. They’re ly trustworthy, and we had no way of log the enemy reliably. Aion is a vast p, and Rosina could’ve been hiding anywhere. Even the Eldar rangers, with all their trag skills, couldn’t pin her down. But now we know she’s likely in the underground a city. That simplifies things. We team up with the Eldar, storm the city, eliminate Rosina, and dismantle her summoning ritual.”

  Elizabeth raised an eyebrow. “Why involve the Eldar? You just said they ’t be trusted.”

  Kayvaan smirked. “They ’t, but they bring firepower and knowledge about our enemy. If their information checks out, we’re dealing with a powerful foe. We might win on our own, but it’ll cost us lives. With the Eldar alongside us, we minimize losses. Besides, the underground city’s terrain is plex and fined. It suits your Sisters perfectly, Elizabeth. biheir close-quarters expertise with the Eldar rangers, and we’ll have the upper hand.”

  Elizabeth’s voice dripped with sarcasm. “So the grand pn is to gather a band of misfits and charge in?”

  Kayvaan ignored her jab. “Ohird day, Marlbh, yiment will move to this location.” He tapped a spot on the map.

  Marlbh leaned forward, studying the map. “Chapter Master Kayvaan, do you want us to block the entrao the underground city?”

  “Exactly,” Kayvaan firmed. “You’ll establish two lines of defense—one inside and oside—with Gustav’s assistahe a city is vast, and if we don’t achieve our objectives in three days, the rift might stabilize. If that happens, Serapheas will likely start p out. Yiment’s job is to hold the line and buy us time to finish the fight iy. Once we destroy Rosina’s altar, the rift will colpse. It’s unstable, so taking dowar should close it.”

  “That’s correct,” Gustav interjected.

  “Good. That’s the framework of the pn,” Kayvaan said, stepping back. “Now, I’ll let the Inquisitor expin the finer points.”

  Elizabeth stood, her expression grim. “No matter the type of Seraphea we face, priority one is to close the dimensional gate. Without the gate, Serapheas lose their anchor to this world. Until the gate is closed, killing a Seraphea is essentially impossible. At best, you destroy its physical form, but it return through the gate in the same or a different guise. Ohe gate is shut, their power diminishes. Only then we truly banish them.” She turo Marlbh, her voice firm. “Be prepared. Closing the gate is the turning point of the battle. When Serapheas seheir failure, they’ll beore frenzied and violent. Their desperation will make them more dangerous. Your fortifiust be strong enough to withstand their assault during this critical phase. The more desperate they bee, the harder they’ll strike.”

  Marlbh swallowed hard, his face pale. “You mean my people are supposed to hold the line against those... things? That ’t be right. Most of my troops think Serapheas are just myths. Even I’ve never seen anything like them.”