Within the Inquisition and the wider Imperium, the term 'cult' is used very broadly, encompassing almost all possible religious factions, secret societies, creeds, political parties, associations, guilds, and conspiracies across the Imperium's many cultures.
These cults exist in various forms; some are open, some are hidden, and some are even only circulated among specific groups.
Although the Imperium's two major factions—the Ecclesiarchy and the Mechanicus—dominate, the existence of other cults cannot be ignored.
The most common cults are often those that focus on a specific aspect of the Imperial faith or the worship of a particular saint or miraculous event.
While these cults vary in form, most are inextricably linked to the Ecclesiarchy's doctrines.
However, in addition to these more orthodox cults, most worlds also possess dozens of local cults whose nature is often elusive.
These cults are usually closely related to certain characteristics of the local culture, planet, tribe, or historical events, and the origins and purposes of some cults are even a complete mystery to outsiders.
Only when a group is identified as heretical and its ideology clearly violates Imperial law or the Ecclesiarchy's doctrines do these cults attract the attention of the Inquisition.
Heresy itself is highly contagious; once it spreads, cults often rapidly form among believers.
Sometimes, a powerful or charismatic leader will attract a loyal following, forming a heretical cult; in other cases, like-minded heretics will unite to support and protect each other, forming a more complex organization.
There are various reasons for the existence of cults, the most obvious being secrecy.
Larger groups can provide more protection and resources, allowing cults to organize and hide themselves better, avoiding external scrutiny, attacks from rivals, or external threats.
Secondly, the combined strength of cult members often far exceeds what individuals can achieve.
Whether it's pooling funds or maintaining and strengthening members' loyalty, the existence of a cult is a manifestation of power on many levels.
After all, isolation itself promotes cohesion, while division, like a Witch Hunter's purge, can easily destroy a cult.
Although heretical cults differ in their goals and nature, they usually share several common attributes.
Most heretical cults will try to disguise themselves under a more benevolent or at least acceptable facade, or remain completely hidden from the authorities to avoid detection.
Furthermore, 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 inciting rebellion among Mutants laborers might confine itself to the broken lands and wastes inhabited by Mutants, recruiting members from the disgruntled and abandoned.
Conversely, a cult that worships demons among fallen nobles might limit itself to elite salons and private estates as its venues for activities and recruitment.
Despite varying goals and natures, many cults have similar organizational structures.
Each organizational structure has its own advantages and disadvantages, and there can be many subtle differences in practice.
While a certain cult may prefer a particular structure, it often also incorporates elements of other structures.
Therefore, even an Ecclesiarchy-approved branch like the Blood Oath Society could exhibit heretical behavior and even become a hotbed for cults.
The reason might be simple, perhaps just a Battle Sister being corrupted, or their rituals being exploited by someone with ulterior motives.
Some minor changes might not be noticeable, but that is often the root of corruption.
Kaldor Draigo was not surprised by Alex's suspicion; he even felt that Alex's reaction was a bit overly cautious.
If it were an Inquisitor from the Hammer Ordo who had more dealings with the Grey Knights, he might have already pulled out several demon hosts for interrogation or sought answers through psychic divination.
As for sending people to collect evidence and conduct secret investigations, while most Inquisitors do this, it is usually not their primary method.
Especially for a Lord Inquisitor, the actions he can take go far beyond this.
Sending secret agents for a covert investigation is often just to gather some evidence needed for a report.
The real action is often more direct and brutal.
Directly leading a raid on the enemy stronghold and then collecting evidence after the purge, though simple and crude, is also an effective method.
Generally speaking, only those Inquisitors with less experience and fewer 'technological and ruthless' means at their disposal would choose to use conventional investigative methods to gather evidence.
Experienced Inquisitors with a wide range of methods often have more ways to achieve their goals.
However, what Kaldor Draigo truly cared about was not these things, but whether the Blood Oath Society genuinely had heretical behavior.
As a Librarian of the Grey Knights, Kaldor Draigo's psychic level even surpassed Alex, the Inquisitor.
Therefore, before taking action, he performed a divination and prophecy, attempting to glimpse whether this operation would encounter heresy.
However, all he saw was a blood-red expanse.
This was clearly not a good omen; it could even be said to be quite bad.
"It seems His Excellency the Governor has not forgotten his duty as an Inquisitor."
Kaldor Draigo's expression became solemn.
Now that it had come to this, he needed to take this matter even more seriously.
—
"Brother Kaldor Draigo, hello. I am Sergeant Aarn of the Ashen Knights Chapter, and His Excellency Alex has ordered us to assist you."
Sergeant Aarn greeted Kaldor Draigo, bringing a standard tactical squad with him.
"Hello, Brother Aarn.
I hope we can cooperate wholeheartedly on this mission."
Kaldor Draigo responded amicably, then informed him of the situation and mission brief: "His Excellency Alex suspects that the Blood Oath Society, one of the Ecclesiarchy's branch orders, has heretical behavior, so he has ordered me to investigate it, and you are responsible for assisting me with the in-depth investigation.
Chamberlain Rachel will dispatch Governor's Office secret agents and two Defense Force reconnaissance teams to assist us, and if needed, we can also call for support from the Sisters of Battle.
But this is a secret investigation; His Excellency the Governor does not want a grand display that causes an uproar.
Before coming, I already performed a psychic divination, and the results are not optimistic; I only saw a bloody expanse."
"I understand, Brother Kaldor Draigo. The Ash Knights will do their utmost to assist you."
Aarn's expression immediately became grim as he nodded, indicating that he understood the seriousness of the matter.
"Then let's start the investigation! Let's begin with the Blood Oath Society altar in Rostov."
Kaldor Draigo indicated that they could begin the operation.
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