Some Things Are Not for Us to Think About

"So what now? Are we still building that Safe House or not?"

After leaving the warehouse, the four of them found a random corner and began their final preparations.

"I think it may be expensive, but it is ultimately a means of protecting humanity. Until we find a more cost-effective alternative, we should keep using it."

Like many of the projects they had known in the past, it was a loss in terms of construction costs. But it still had to be built for the sake of people, because life could not be defined purely by value.

Romulus thought for a moment.

"How about this? From now on, we'll put five percent of the souls we acquire toward expanding the Safe House, until it can accommodate the naturally deceased population of an entire Hive World at once."

They still had ambitions. Once they dealt with their first pot of gold, they would address the issue of their identities. Once that was settled, they could get themselves a recruitment world and begin developing it.

After all, their abilities were right there. What they lacked was not equipment or production capacity, but massive vehicles such as a Void Fleet, as well as people capable of using that equipment.

So they also needed a stable world free from Chaos raids.

"Fine. I'll leave the accounts to you."

Ramesses said he had no problem with that.

"Then I'll go keep an eye on astropathic communications in the Warp. I'll handle pestering Old Man Gold, find another spot to lure the Daemons, and even if I can't contact Old Man Gold, I can try stuffing the Daemons in there later. I'll also fill out the codex... Why does it feel like I have so much to do?"

"Yeah, Ramesses II, your workload is a little heavier. We'll have to trouble you with all that."

"Sure. I'm happy to do it anyway."

For the moment, Ramesses was the only one in contact with the Warp. Until they determined just how dangerous it was to them, there was no need for a second Transmigrator to share the risk.

That was the consensus among all four of them.

"I'll be in charge of the group's operations and diplomacy, as well as familiarizing myself with battlefield command—Arthur."

"You'll handle frontline combat, squad command, and studying Space Marine expertise. Also, make the most of your talent in battle. In theory, anything risky will be left to us. Your job is to keep an eye on every one of us at all times."

Arthur had always been steady and took victory and defeat seriously, so his thinking was not particularly unconventional. Back when they played games together, Arthur was usually the one cleaning up after the others when they came up with ridiculous schemes.

And now—

Romulus glanced at Ramesses, who seemed to be brimming with bizarre new ideas again.

It was even more necessary now.

"Alright."

Arthur nodded.

The hidden risks between them at present were their own abilities and contact with the Warp. Until the safety of those two matters had been verified, he truly had no interest in getting involved.

He could not learn Ramesses's wild maneuvers anyway.

"Then... should I wander around?"

Seeing that there was nothing for him to do at the moment, Karna spoke bluntly.

"Sure, go wander around."

Romulus looked unconcerned.

Karna was not doing nothing, either. As someone who viewed things from the sidelines, he needed to gather information from angles others overlooked, then take part in reviewing the entire operation.

Back when they acted as strategists to help a roommate pursue a girl, Karna, who had gone out to gather information, was always the one they relied on to fill in the gaps.

"You have thirty minutes to familiarize yourselves freely, then we officially begin work."

After assigning everyone their tasks, Romulus clapped his hands.

"Dismissed!"

"Understood."

The group dispersed, quickly slipping into their roles and looking remarkably professional.

In truth, none of this was difficult for them.

The only difference was that in the past, they had done these things to improve their own lives.

Now, they were doing it to survive.

Inside the spacious chamber, the three of them, having finally calmed down, began carefully inspecting the weapons.

None of them felt embarrassed about choosing equipment first. The Imperium itself clearly stipulated that commanders at regiment level and above had the right to dispose of spoils of war unless ordered otherwise by a superior.

After all, anyone who understood the Administratum's logistical capabilities understood the situation. Without such authority, half the Imperium's Astra Militarum would starve to death, while the other half would probably be fighting with bayonets.

Yet after a thorough inspection, they fell into deep self-doubt.

Were these weapons truly something they were worthy of wielding?

"These weapons are all extraordinary."

Kovek swallowed as he casually picked up a Power Weapon.

Though they lacked the religious markings that had spread throughout the Imperium since the Age of Apostasy, those exquisite classical decorations and patterns...

When those fabulously wealthy planetary governors came to seek an audience with him, most of them could not even bring a sword like this.

"Calling them extraordinary is already a desecration."

"My apologies, Canoness."

"It is fine."

Arabella shook her head slightly. She was not one of those fanatical Sanctum Guard who protected relics. She merely intended to correct his improper choice of words.

The loyalty and bravery of the Cadians were worthy of her respect. Not every mortal could react so quickly after losing all their heavy weapons to a sudden attack by Xenos and Daemons, tear open a gap between them, and hold the central elevator until the Astartes arrived.

As for the fate of the weak, the Safra Chem-Dogs, now decorations on the lower decks, had the most say in that matter.

"They are relics, an inheritance left to the present day by the Imperium's most glorious era."

Arabella approached the supplies the Angel had prepared for the Sisters.

She recognized equipment similar to the force-feedback Power Armor worn by the Sisters of Battle. She immediately knelt in prayer, reverently recounting the origins of the equipment.

"Before the God-Emperor stand the gold-armored Adeptus Custodes, but few know that at their side, the Sisters of Silence say nothing, existing only to drag the approaching Daemons into the Abyss of Silence."

"But I have never seen them."

The Commissar recalled his return to Terra to give his report.

The Emperor's Adeptus Custodes were actually not difficult to spot. Their noble, upright figures could often be seen before the gates of the Imperial Palace.

It was just that...

The Commissar's expression became somewhat strange.

To be honest, he had complicated feelings toward the Adeptus Custodes who had made him recite a Terran-style name in front of the palace.

"Of course. Of course you could never have seen them."

Arabella stroked the holy silver armor. Her usually rational and placid eyes carried a rare trace of fervor.

"When they fought for the Imperium, He still walked among mankind."

After hearing the Canoness's account, Kovek seemed to think of something.

He went to a suit of armor and began examining it carefully, only to discover that every piece of information indicating its age had been erased.

His eyes widened.

"Kovek, do not think too much about such things."

A hand pressed down on his shoulder, and Alex's steady voice reached him.

"Wear the equipment, obey orders, and fight until death. That is our duty."

Alex drew a master-crafted Power Sword from the armory. Looking at the deliberately erased serial number area, the Commissar unceremoniously fastened it to his waist.

"Some things are not for us to think about."