Leaving the Warp

"It's over..."

Gao Yi was surprised by the 20,000 Psionic Crystals credited to his account. He hadn't expected those few Nurglings to yield such a bounty.

But in truth, it was because the ritual Scott had set up here had taken years to prepare.

Using his authority, Scott had dragged everyone he'd killed—openly or in secret—to this spot, sacrificing them to accumulate power.

That was why Gao Yi's harvest was so substantial.

"Almost 50,000 now. A shame it's still a ways off from the Heavy Factory. Even if I clear out all the remaining Chaos enemies on the ship, I probably won't hit 50k."

Still, Gao Yi wasn't worried. This world lacked many things, but heretics weren't one of them. Even if he didn't go looking, they'd come to him.

Watching the corpses around him collapse as the Warp energy sustaining them faded, Gao Yi realized his physical strength had grown far more than he'd anticipated.

The Marauder Combat Suit he wore could barely keep up with his body's capabilities now.

But he also felt a glaring lack in combat technique—his fighting style relied entirely on brute force.

Gao Yi had already decided that once he left the Warp, he'd find someone to train his skills properly. Surely the Dynasty wouldn't lack for powerful warriors.

"Thank you, Lord Gao Yi. You've saved everyone on this ship once again."

Veil sighed as he looked at the Rogue Trader's corpse. Seeing the corrupted Ludwig with his own eyes, he finally understood why Gao Yi hadn't let anyone else come.

He crouched down and removed a ring from Ludwig's body.

It was the ring that marked the identity of the Mongert Dynasty's Rogue Trader.

"Captain! The previous Rogue Trader is dead. Only someone of your bloodline on this ship is qualified to inherit the position, and your deeds have earned you enough prestige to take it. I believe no one aboard will object!"

Veil held the ring up with both hands, presenting it to Gao Yi.

"You want me to inherit the Rogue Trader position now? Won't there be issues with legality or procedure?"

"Legality and procedure won't be a problem. Weren't you here for the assessment anyway? But when you return to the Dynasty's Capital World, the families coveting this seat will certainly challenge you."

"Still, every Rogue Trader faces that. This position isn't just about bloodline—it's more about means and strength, isn't it?"

"True. As long as the legality is sound, that's fine. Veil, announce it to the crew: Rogue Trader Ludwig Mongert upheld his oath, loyal to the God-Emperor to the end. He shouted the Emperor's name and fought the Chaos foe until his last breath!"

"When he utterly shattered this Chaos conspiracy, his soul returned to the Golden Throne."

"Since this is fully resolved, execute Scott and the other collaborators as soon as possible."

After hearing Gao Yi's words, Veil bowed deeply once more.

"I'll see to it immediately. I'll also prepare your inauguration ceremony. Until it begins, please rest in the Rogue Trader's quarters! I'll send people to clean up here and ensure no lingering threats remain!"

"Then I'll leave it to you!"

"Ah... that's nice..."

Gao Yi lay in the massive pool inside the captain's quarters, soaking in a hot bath. Ever since arriving in this world, he'd been on edge without a moment's respite.

Looking at the clean water filling the pool—water many Shipworkers couldn't even drink at this quality—he could use it freely for a bath.

On the pool's edge sat delicate pastries and fresh fruit. There was no denying it—having power felt good.

A perfectly cooked Glock Steak and top-grade Amasec were within easy reach for Gao Yi to enjoy.

He could indulge in these delicacies as he pleased.

Now, at last, he had a chance to relax.

The captain's quarters spanned a full 500 square meters. Ornate statues, exquisite ornaments, even alien artworks—each piece could fetch a fortune outside.

Here, Gao Yi enjoyed things he might never have obtained in a lifetime of struggle.

The only thing he couldn't get used to were the dozen attendants standing by the pool.

"Can you all step out? I don't like being watched while I bathe."

"Forgive us, Captain. We are not permitted to leave while you bathe."

The attendant replied with a hint of fear, still unsure how this new captain would react.

"Why not?"

"We've been trained since childhood. First, to serve you at all times. Second, to prevent any accidents during your bath. Who knows if you might slip, or if someone might infiltrate? Serving you is also protecting you."

"Slip, huh." Seeing the attendants refuse to leave, Gao Yi dropped the matter, forcing himself to get used to this Rogue Trader's lifestyle.

Just then, the blast shield over the ship's viewport began to rise. Gao Yi looked out, and the endless starscape of realspace appeared before everyone once more.

The veil between realspace and the Warp was torn open again. Riding the Warp's tides, the Golden Ram had finally emerged.

The Warp engine powered down, and the conventional engines kicked in, steering the Golden Ram toward its destination.

A knock came at the room's door.

"It's Veil, Captain. I have work to report!"

"Come in!"

As Veil walked in, Gao Yi didn't bother caring. With so many eyes already on him, one more made no difference.

"Captain, we've crossed the Great Maw and reached the Koronus Expanse! The ship has emerged from the Warp—we're safe!"

The news of exiting the Warp was enough to let everyone breathe a sigh of relief.

The Koronus Expanse is a world far from human territory, so distant that even the Astronomican cannot reach it.

This is a realm belonging to Rogue Traders and explorers, where countless uncharted planets brim with opportunity as well as danger.

You might stumble upon lost technology and strike it rich overnight, or you could face an attack from unknown xenos.

Here, profit reigns supreme. Enemies one moment might band together the next over shared interests to face a common foe.

"Where do we need to go next?"

"Under normal circumstances, we'd head straight back to the Capital World, but our losses this time are too severe. We still need to navigate the Warp, and while this route is relatively safe, I recommend we first head to the Landing Port to resupply, replenish personnel, and repair the ship."

"The Landing Port... how heavy are our losses?"

"The Golden Ram originally had a crew of 112,000. Now, only 51,000 survive, unaffected by the Warp. The loss of ordinary crew is acceptable, but soldiers and technical personnel are in urgent need of replacement! The Acoustic Array Master was assassinated, the Master of Discipline betrayed us, the Choir of the Stars suffered heavy losses, and Lady Eunice needs rest after maintaining our course for so long."

Hearing "Landing Port," Gao Yi recalled what he knew about it.

The Landing Port sits at the gateway between the Expanse and Imperial territory.

It is not a planet, but a massive starport floating in the void.

It is composed of countless asteroids and derelict starships.

Every human faction in the Koronus Expanse inevitably comes here to fence goods.

Rogue Traders, the Navy, pirates, the Inquisition, illegal factions, cultists, spies—the Landing Port is a den of chaos where you can find anyone.

Besides legitimate trade, illegal deals are common here. Xenos artifacts and blasphemous technology are not as strictly regulated as within the Imperium. As long as you don't flaunt it, everyone turns a blind eye.

If they really cracked down, probably everyone would qualify for the Inquisition's pyre—not a single innocent soul among them.