Meeting Again

Inside a bedroom at Spire Mansion.

Ron was sound asleep beneath the warm covers.

"My lord, it's time to get up..."

Half-asleep, he heard someone gently calling him by his ear.

A sweet fragrance blew directly into his ear, making it tickle.

What the hell was that noise? Couldn't a man sleep?

Irritated, he reached out to push the person away, only to grab something soft and instinctively squeeze it.

"Ah~"

Caught off guard by the sudden attack, Linda cried out and hurriedly backed away.

"Linda?"

"Why are you waking me up so early?"

Ron came to his senses and quickly withdrew his hand.

"My lord, it's already noon."

Seeing that the Governor was awake, Linda immediately and skillfully gestured for the maids to enter and help him wash and dress.

As she gently wiped Ron's face, she added, "Bishop Dony has been here for quite a while. He's waiting to see you..."

Bishop Dony had come looking for him?

Ron was delighted. It seemed last night's "dream message" had worked!

Everyone in the Imperium worshipped and was loyal to the Emperor. Playing the "Emperor card" was incredibly effective.

It seemed he would have to make good use of his ability to create visions in the future.

He just had to keep it secret.

Once fully dressed, Ron did not even bother with breakfast before eagerly heading to the reception room to find Bishop Dony.

He wanted to learn the result as soon as possible so he could proceed with the next stage of preparations for the ceremony.

Bishop Dony sat in a chair with his eyes closed in contemplation, but the hand tightly gripping his staff betrayed his emotions.

Last night, the God-Emperor had issued a Holy Decree!

He had spent the entire morning pondering the scenes within that decree.

He believed he had completely grasped the God-Emperor's intentions.

His Majesty the God-Emperor had chosen the young king—Ron Grant—as the Savior.

Ron would lead the people of Earth Planet through the blockade of darkness, back to the Imperium and into the God-Emperor's embrace.

And he, Dony Moore, would serve as a mentor responsible for guiding the young king onto the righteous path.

There was no doubt about it.

At that thought, Bishop Dony felt an enormous burden settle upon his shoulders.

He could not betray His Majesty the God-Emperor's trust. He had to give everything he had for this cause!

"Praise the God-Emperor!"

Bishop Dony smiled as he exclaimed.

The God-Emperor thought so highly of this old bag of bones that he felt vigor course through his entire body.

"Bishop, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."

Ron hurried over with a warm expression. "What did you need to see me about?"

Last night, he had created a vision within Bishop Dony's mind. That was already the limit of what he could do.

As for whether the man believed it and how he interpreted it, those things were beyond Ron's control.

Bishop Dony studied Ron. In the past, he had thought this Imperial Governor mediocre, indulgent in drink and women, and utterly corrupt.

But the more he looked now, the more extraordinary Ron seemed. There was a faint air of kingship about him. No wonder His Majesty the God-Emperor had chosen him.

I really misjudged him!

Bishop Dony smiled. "Governor, did you have any strange dreams last night?"

"What dream? I didn't dream last night."

Ron put on an innocent expression.

Bishop Dony nodded, understanding everything.

That was how it should be!

Only the most devout believers can receive a Holy Decree.

Ron Grant had previously been unwilling even to repair the God-Emperor Statue. How could he possibly be qualified to receive a Holy Decree?

Yet the great God-Emperor had chosen him.

No, He had chosen him—His most loyal servant.

He, Dony Moore, needed to guide the young king onto the righteous path and save the people of Earth Planet from darkness!

Bishop Dony looked solemnly at Ron. "I agree to your earlier request. Under the guidance of the God-Emperor's will, I shall fully cooperate with your actions..."

Hearing that, Ron let out a sigh of relief.

It seemed the vision he had created earlier had worked.

But the other man paused before continuing, "However, you must make a promise!"

"What promise?" Ron's heart rose again.

Bishop Dony spoke as though declaring something sacred. "Fulfill your duty. Under the guidance of the Great God-Emperor, save the people of Earth Planet!"

That suited Ron perfectly.

"I promise to reclaim Earth Planet from the hands of Heresy and Chaos!"

He looked earnestly at Bishop Dony. "I hope the Ecclesiarchy and the Palatine District can move forward hand in hand and work toward a bright future for Earth Planet!"

Bishop Dony nodded in satisfaction. "Naturally!"

"Especially you, His Majesty the God-Emperor's most loyal servant."

Ron enthusiastically grasped Bishop Dony's hand. "Without your guidance, it would be difficult for us to accomplish such an arduous task."

As the only surviving Bishop on Earth Planet, this old man not only held an exalted position but also possessed astonishing combat strength.

Winning him over could not be wrong.

Those words struck straight at Bishop Dony's heart.

Unable to suppress his expression any longer, he beamed. "Governor, do not worry. I will support you, and the Ecclesiarchy will provide you with every possible assistance!"

"God-Emperor, that's wonderful. We really do need help. Anything at all, truly?"

Ron's smile widened.

"Of course..."

Bishop Dony nodded instinctively, then came to his senses and wanted to shake his head in refusal.

But looking at Ron's eager, expectant face, he swallowed hard and nodded with difficulty. "...Yes. All for the God-Emperor!"

After an hour of friendly negotiations, Ron warmly and reluctantly escorted Bishop Dony out of Spire Mansion.

Bishop Dony felt his head swelling.

Just now, he had agreed to give away the Ecclesiarchy's treasury.

Within it were all kinds of blessed holy relics accumulated by the Ecclesiarchy over thousands of years, including weapons and armor.

At that thought, his legs nearly gave out.

He took a deep breath and desperately consoled himself.

This was all for the Holy Decree. Everything had been arranged by His Majesty the God-Emperor!

Ron stood smiling at the entrance, watching Bishop Dony's retreating back.

Why was the old man walking so unsteadily? Was his body too weak?

That would not do.

Without a healthy body, how could he work for Ron?

Ahem, he meant devote himself to the God-Emperor.

Ron instructed Bayev, who stood ramrod straight beside him, "Later, send the Bishop some restorative tonics. Make sure they're the best."

The original owner had spent years indulging in drink and women, leaving his body weak. He knew very well how to nourish oneself and had stockpiled many restorative tonics.

Remembering something, Ron continued, "Oh, and bring the transport team along. See what is needed for the ceremony and move it all back.

"In short, don't be polite. It's all for His Majesty the God-Emperor. The Bishop will not mind."

"Yes!"

Bishop Dony had sharp hearing. When he heard those words, his steps staggered even more, and he muttered, "All for the God-Emperor!"

Although Bayev looked determined to carry out the order, Ron was still somewhat uneasy.

Like a thief, he instinctively glanced around and gave a quiet instruction.

"As long as it's valuable, move it back here. Understood?"

Bayev lowered his voice as well. "Understood, my lord. I'll call for a few more transport vehicles."

Hearing that, Ron nodded in satisfaction and returned inside with his hands behind his back.

Preparations for the ceremony were proceeding in an orderly fashion. Now he had to deal with another important matter—appeasing the military.

The Palatine District's armed forces were currently divided into three main branches: the Praetorian Guard, the Arbites, and the Defense Force.

The Praetorian Guard was responsible for protecting the Governor's safety.

The Arbites were responsible for maintaining internal order.

The Defense Force was the main combat force, primarily composed of refugees from the Lower Hive.

It was responsible for fighting external enemies and undertaking difficult combat missions such as purging cultist dens and large mutant nests.

There was little problem with the Praetorian Guard and Arbites.

But the Defense Force, which had the largest numbers and heaviest responsibilities, was under increasing pressure. Supplies were insufficient as well, breeding much dissatisfaction.

If he did not resolve this quickly, it would be troublesome if something went wrong during the ceremony.

Upper Hive District, Pipeline Defense Zone.

Massive metal pipelines crisscrossed the area, connecting to the heart of the mountain, and they were extraordinarily spacious.

Some of the transport pipes were even large enough for massive transport aircraft to pass through.

At that moment, noisy, piercing sounds rang out from within the pipelines, like the roars of wild beasts.

Deformed, twisted mutants covered in flesh buds roared as they poured from their nests!