The List

Feeling the increase in the Power of Hope, Ron was very satisfied.

This trip had been a massive profit!

While everyone was still fired up from the promises he had just made, he struck while the iron was hot and formally announced the Logistics Department's new discipline.

The new discipline included quite a few strict regulations.

It restricted some of the Logistics Department's powers.

Including the power to collect protein from living people and to open fire at will to execute those who obstructed them.

Of course, that was under the condition that safety was guaranteed.

If an emergency arose, Logistics Department personnel could use every means necessary to protect their own safety.

Ron was not so pedantic as to place too many restrictions on Logistics Department personnel.

That would be the same as putting himself in a cage.

This was Warhammer 40K, not the extremely safe and civilized modern world from his previous life.

The lower-ranking Warbands and the temptations of the Dark Gods could turn ordinarily mild citizens into terrifying rioters and killing machines!

Before the situation was completely under control, harsh methods of suppression were indispensable.

He could not be overly merciful, much less foolishly manage things according to the methods of his previous life.

Perhaps in the future, he could?

With that thought, Ron concluded his speech. "May the Palatine District be with you!"

"Ho!"

Everyone gave him the Aquila Salute again, and the entire square fell silent once more.

That was a little awkward...

Having finished his speech without hearing enthusiastic applause, Ron felt somewhat strange.

He decided that before his next speech, he would make arrangements in advance and have everyone applaud enthusiastically at the end!

Just as he was preparing to step down, Bayev quietly approached and reminded him in a low voice:

"Governor, you haven't mentioned the new department yet..."

Ron froze for a moment before remembering the new department.

He had dealt with so much government business lately that his mind had gone fuzzy. He had nearly forgotten something so important!

He returned to the podium and announced the new department.

Ron planned to draw some personnel from the Logistics Department and establish a new department within it.

The people in the new department would take part in entirely new tasks.

Moreover, he would personally arrange and train them!

The moment the news came out, the square erupted with a boom, and quite a few people cried out in surprise.

But those people immediately fell quiet again, not daring to make another sound lest they be seen as disrespecting the Governor.

Although they remained silent, everyone still could not suppress their excitement.

Their blood boiled!

The Logistics Department's new department would actually be personally arranged and trained by the Governor.

That fact alone was enough to make those loyal young people willing to give everything!

Devere felt his blood rushing faster, his heart pounding in his chest.

He desperately wanted to join this new department.

He wanted to offer every ounce of his Loyalty to the Governor!

After announcing the new department, Ron stepped down to rest.

The new department needed two hundred people, and Bayev would select them. Personnel matters were the field he knew best.

He took out a list and began reading name after name amid the crowd's tense anticipation.

Every person selected was immensely excited.

They stood tall and held themselves in the most perfect posture.

Because being selected to join the new department meant they were outstanding and had gained the Governor's recognition!

This was Glory!

They could not wait to return home and share it with their families, allowing them to share in that Glory as well!

As fewer and fewer names remained on the list, those whose names had not been called grew increasingly nervous.

They silently prayed to the God-Emperor and swore oaths to the Governor.

They hoped their names would appear on the list.

Devere was no different, his body taut with tension.

"God-Emperor above, my name has to be on it. As a descendant of Lapp House, I cannot disgrace my family!"

He had always been among the very best in the Logistics Department's internal assessments.

He had more than enough confidence.

He believed that the Governor would notice him and that he would enter the new department.

But as fewer and fewer positions remained on the list, his heart gradually plunged into an icy abyss.

Every time another name was about to be called, his heart clenched again.

Devere silently counted the remaining positions. "One hundred ninety-seven, one hundred ninety-eight, one hundred ninety-nine..."

When the chief officer on stage prepared to announce the final name, his heart rose to his throat.

He stared fixedly at the stage. Please let it be me!

"Popov Kada!"

When Bayev spoke the final name, the fat man beside Devere could not help letting out an excited cheer.

Realizing his breach of etiquette, he hurriedly covered his mouth.

He looked just like a guinea pig holding its breath.

How could it be him?

Devere was stunned. How had Popov, that coward who had always ranked at the bottom in assessments, also been selected for the new department?!

He had once gone on a mission with that coward.

They had encountered an attack by rioters then, and Popov had not only failed to dare fire at them, but had cried in fright!

In the end, Devere had resolved the problem and saved that coward's life.

Devere had always believed that Popov had squandered the Governor's blessing.

If Popov's father had not made major contributions to the Logistics Department, he would have been kicked out long ago.

As if sensing Devere's gaze, Popov turned toward him and smiled.

In that instant, Devere thought of another, even more important problem.

All two hundred names on the list had been read, and his was not among them.

He had not been selected!

Even Popov had made it in, yet he had failed to enter the new department personally led by the Governor!

For a moment, Devere was overwhelmed by immense shame.

He had disgraced his family!

Just as he was dazed, he suddenly noticed Popov staring at him again!

Popov was still smiling!

Was that guy mocking him?

Devere restrained his emotions as best he could. He absolutely could not do anything that would damage his dignity.

Anger was the mark of the incompetent!

Then he clearly saw the shape of the other man's lips. He was saying, "Congratulations!"

At the same time, he saw the colleagues around him looking at him, their eyes faintly revealing envy.

What was going on?

"—Lapp!"

The chief officer's voice came through the loudspeaker.

The moment Devere heard that surname, his spirits surged.

He understood.

He was the only person in the Logistics Department with the surname "Lapp." The chief officer had just called his name.

That meant he had gained the Governor's recognition and could enter the new department!

It seemed he had been too nervous earlier, miscounted the number of names already called, and made a fool of himself.

Once he understood all this, Devere felt as though he had ridden a roller coaster, and overwhelming joy flooded his heart.

He desperately maintained his composure and restraint, nodding slightly to the colleagues looking his way.

Yet before he realized it, tears had already filled his eyes.

After reading all the names, Bayev instructed those on the list to remain where they were, while everyone else dispersed and continued the day's work.

Devere and the other selected people formed neat ranks together, waiting for further instructions.

In the distance, they saw the Governor approaching!

As the Governor drew nearer and nearer, everyone's hearts began to race.

Umm, I'm so sleepy. Meetings really are the best form of hypnosis— Ron complained inwardly. He pinched the bridge of his nose, slightly dispelling his fatigue.

Step by step, he approached until he stood before Devere and the others...