New Appointment

Seeing the two of them somewhat nervous, Ron waved a hand reassuringly.

"You needn't be so restrained. I know all about your situation, so let's get straight to the point."

He walked down and handed them the Defense Force appointment documents, stamped with the Governor's seal, along with their insignia.

"In light of your outstanding performance and exceptional contributions, I have decided to appoint you as commander and strategist of the Earth Planet Planetary Defense Force!"

Ari and Kais stared blankly at the appointment documents and insignia in their hands.

The Governor had actually made them the two highest-ranking officers within the Defense Force!

It was practically the same as handing the Defense Force directly over to two Lower Hive natives like them.

What incredible trust!

For a moment, both of them were stunned senseless.

"Well? Are you willing to shoulder this responsibility?"

Ron looked at them expectantly.

Faced with the Governor's expectant gaze, Ari was deeply moved.

"Dammit... Governor, you're truly a good man! I'll take this commander's post!"

Kais was much calmer. He considered many things and found it hard to believe that the Governor trusted them so much.

Yet faced with this gift, he still gladly accepted it.

No matter what, with the two of them taking over as commander and strategist, the Defense Force soldiers would be much better off.

He gave a standard salute. "I accept the appointment!"

Ron nodded in satisfaction, then dropped another bombshell.

"The Defense Force has given too much for the Palatine District. From now on, the Defense Force's administrative rank will be raised, and its status will be equal to that of the Palatine District's other combat units."

This would be a major change.

After the rebellion, the original Defense Force regiments had been almost completely wiped out.

The few remaining regiments had fallen into the Lower Hive and Underhive, unable to return to the embrace of the Palatine District.

To meet new combat demands, Bayev had reorganized the Defense Force.

He selected suitable people from among the Lower Hive refugees to form new Defense Force regiments.

The new Defense Force, however, had been positioned as cannon fodder among cannon fodder—expendable goods.

Their status had fallen drastically as well.

They were practically slaves, unable even to fill their stomachs.

Their combat effectiveness was nowhere near that of the previous Defense Force.

Ron had decided to change this situation and grant the Defense Force new honor and purpose.

The soldiers would no longer be slaves, but defenders of Earth Planet—heroes worthy of respect!

"In short, the Defense Force will no longer be constrained by others. Your lives have value. You deserve the honor that is rightfully yours, and no one will dare look down on you again!"

Ari trembled all over with excitement, his eyes moist.

His electronic prosthetic eye flared brightly.

Ari swore solemnly:

"I, Undying Ari, will never betray your trust, even if I fall into hell!"

Kais was moved as well. He lowered his head. "Governor, I offer you my Loyalty!"

Ron nodded.

"The Palatine District needs a capable and loyal Defense Force. You are both highly capable, so I will grant you full autonomy and allow you to recruit and train the Defense Force in your own way."

He patted them on the shoulders. "The Defense Force is in your hands now. Don't disappoint me!"

Ron's unreserved trust moved Ari even more, and he silently swore to repay it with his life.

Kais's impression of the young Governor changed as well, and he became more respectful in both word and deed.

That was precisely the result Ron wanted.

To be honest, he had no idea how to train the Defense Force or keep the soldiers loyal.

Nor did he have the energy to manage the Defense Force himself.

All he could do was select the right people and let them handle the work.

Since Ari and Kais were talented, he would give them sufficient autonomy.

He would let them work without reservations!

Afterward, Ron invited Ari and Kais to lunch.

After being stripped of its gold and gemstones, Spire Mansion had become less extravagant.

But through Linda's efforts, the craftsmen redecorated it with other materials, making the place look even more refined overall.

Ari and Kais sat in the magnificent banquet hall, feeling somewhat uneasy.

They had never been in such an upscale place before and were afraid of making fools of themselves.

Under Ron's new rules, lunch at Spire Mansion had become much simpler.

Today's meal was Grox steak and Aken Berry pastries, accompanied by Manola Wine.

To Ron, this food was nothing remarkable.

But for people outside Spire Mansion, it was an untouchable delicacy.

Ari took a bite of the Grox steak, and his mechanical eye flashed wildly.

Damn it, this stuff was outrageously delicious!

He didn't know how to describe such exquisite food.

He only knew that the food before him was ten thousand times better than Corpse Starch and the Radiation Mushrooms of the Underhive!

He hurriedly cut into the steak, itching to grab it with his hands.

But the Governor was sitting across from him, so he didn't dare be too unrestrained.

Still, he couldn't control his strength, making the plate clatter as he cut.

Kais beside him was much the same. The tender, juicy steak and sweet-tart Aken Berry cake had thoroughly conquered him.

His taste buds were practically exploding.

He tried hard to control his manners and maintain his composure.

He couldn't embarrass himself in front of the Governor!

As Ron ate his steak, he secretly observed the two of them.

He knew perfectly well how rare such food was to people outside.

So he remained as quiet as possible and did not pay them too much attention.

That way, they could enjoy the food to their hearts' content.

Ron decided that he would invite more important subordinates to lunch in the future.

While rewarding them, he could also build closer relationships.

As they ate, Ron noticed Ari wiping away tears. He looked up at Ron, hesitating as though he wanted to say something.

After hesitating for a while, Ari finally couldn't help speaking.

"Governor..."

"Commander Ari, if you have something to say, just say it."

Ron kept his voice as gentle as possible, so as not to put too much pressure on him.

"I thought of the regiment's soldiers. They... they're still going hungry!"

Ari stammered somewhat.

Kais raised his head and added:

"Over the past few months, the Defense Force regiments have suffered severe shortages of supplies. At times, we have received even less than factory workers. Under prolonged Hunger, the Defense Force's combat effectiveness has been severely weakened, and some have even starved to death. If supplies are not replenished soon, even more serious consequences will follow..."

Ron fell silent as he listened to Kais.

He knew about these circumstances.

With the Palatine District's food reserves running low, the Logistics Department had been the first to cut the Defense Force's supply rations.

According to the Logistics Department's investigation, most new Defense Force recruits did not survive longer than three months.

They were expendable anyway, so it didn't matter whether they ate their fill.

They only needed enough strength to carry a gun and fire it.

Thus, the Defense Force's supplies had been cut again and again, until they received even less than factory workers.

In truth, that was not an isolated case. Supply rations were being reduced everywhere throughout the territory.

That included the administrative departments.

"Y-yes, the crafty... strategist is right!"

Ari nodded, looking at Ron pleadingly. "Governor, the soldiers need food!"