Before entering the palace, Howard took a deep breath. The sight he had witnessed earlier and Rawlslev's words still echoed in his ears. He also remembered the youth named Bukayo.
Nimrod's image in his heart had become ever more mysterious and powerful. He had already received confirmation from Tech-Priest Rosicky of the Czech family, servants of the Omnissiah who had maintained generations of friendship with his own family: the Adeptus Mechanicus's manufactured biological humans could not possibly possess such a powerful body and combat strength.
Could he truly be the God of Old Night descended into the world?
Looking at Nimrod's back, he spoke respectfully.
"My lord, I have reached an agreement with Magos Kaminski. Please review it."
Nimrod emerged from the swordsmanship duel simulation in his mind, turned, and walked toward Howard.
"My lord, the Magos has agreed to support your claim to become king of Tezwork. He is willing to bestow the Omnissiah's blessing upon you."
"His demands are that their current interests remain untouched, and that you resolve the xenos problem in Oceanic Movement."
After hearing Howard's report, Nimrod accepted the Data Slate and rapidly swiped through it as he asked,
"Oceanic Movement?"
"Yes, my lord."
"Oceanic Movement, as its name suggests, is an oceanic nation. Pearl-like island chains dot its waters. It is a beautiful world."
As Howard sincerely praised Oceanic Movement, Nimrod had already finished reading the 1,503-page document. After his superhuman brain read through it at high speed and isolated the essential points, he found them completely consistent with Howard's summary. He looked at the blond noble with approval.
"The seafood and small quantity of agricultural produce from Oceanic Movement are vital to Vostonia."
"Recently, the emergence of xenos pirates has disrupted the food supply, and reserves are being rapidly depleted."
"If this continues, Vostonia will fall into crisis within three months."
Howard's words were filled with worry. He had already caught the scent of danger.
"What kind of xenos are invading?"
"My lord, there are currently no reports concerning the xenos' physiology."
"What deserves attention is that their vessels are extremely advanced. They can fire a beam of pulsed energy that ignores the Adeptus Mechanicus's Void Shields and directly corrodes the ship's hull."
Howard looked grave. He had once believed the Adeptus Mechanicus to be synonymous with technology, but after hearing Tech-Priest Rosicky's words not long ago, he realized that even more advanced technology existed.
"It also has an irritating side effect. Once an Adeptus Mechanicus vessel is struck, its shields immediately overload, while the enemy warships can follow up their attack with a barrage of Lance fire."
Nimrod fell into contemplation upon hearing this. He immediately thought of the Night Fragment and the Flao from the potion formula.
The xenos' cannons and attack characteristics sound similar to the Flao's Aether Cannon.
"I accept the Adeptus Mechanicus's terms."
Even if it had nothing to do with the potion ingredients, Nimrod would not permit xenos plundering. The Vostonia System was his territory.
"But I have demands as well. The xenos' firepower is formidable. I will need to board their ships to defeat them."
"Therefore, I require weapons and armor suited to my size and capable of unleashing my combat strength."
Two ingredients for the Sequence 9 "Know-it-all" potion were still lacking. The technical capabilities of low-sequence Beyonders were also inferior to those of Mars's Tech-Priests. Since they were asking him to drive off the xenos, he naturally had to take the opportunity to demand equipment.
"Such a request is reasonable and also accords with the logic of the Omnissiah's followers."
After pondering for a moment, Howard reached that conclusion based on his understanding of Magos Kaminski.
Then determination appeared in his azure eyes.
"My lord, my family possesses a sacred Standard Template Construct discovered and copied by one of our ancestors."
Nimrod knew that the abbreviation for Standard Template Construct was STC. In essence, it was a complex analytical processing program.
Humanity's various technologies had been preserved within STC systems. Together with Warp engines and human mutants—the Navigators—they were the principal factors that had enabled humanity to expand beyond the Sol System and conquer the planets.
STCs allowed human colonists to maintain a standard technological level. Even without any relevant knowledge, colonists could efficiently use every available local material to build shelters, generators, transport vehicles, and other necessities.
Users only needed to ask how to construct a house or drilling machine, and the STC would provide every necessary plan.
The future Imperium of Man's technology would also depend on STCs. The Tech-priests would even launch exploratory expeditions in search of sacred templates.
"Though the Standard Template Construct obtained by our ancestor is incomplete, the technologies it contains—biological scanners, automated robots, refractor fields, and more—are all proof that House Finde has received the Omnissiah's favor."
"Other than House Boleslaw, House Finde is the only family that has stood within the Hive Spire continuously since Tezwork was founded."
"Now, I offer you the foundation of House Finde: a copied file of a sacred template."
Nimrod knew that STCs existed in many forms, from paper documents and data files to immense, complete installations.
Those lucky enough to excavate STCs generally found incomplete fragments, their data damaged by the passage of time and other causes.
They would duplicate and copy them to preserve them for longer.
Howard was now producing a copied backup. Naturally, even a backup was worth tens of billions in Mars Credits.
After Howard finished speaking, he pressed hard against the golden lightning bolt on his family crest over his right chest.
A section of his Artificer Power Armor over the left side of his chest sprang open. He reached in and removed an Adamantium case. Through its glass shell, a delicate rectangular wafer could be seen within, its surface covered in intricate metal circuits and tiny electronic components.
He respectfully presented it with both hands into Nimrod's enormous palm, then stepped back.
"You will be responsible for communicating with the Adeptus Mechanicus and the nobles who can be brought to surrender. Confirm the time for the ceremony."
"Also, coordinate with your subordinates and identify the families that attacked the Hive Spire just now, as well as those diehard loyalists of House Boleslaw. I want a list within one standard hour."
"As you command, my lord."
Howard withdrew from the palace. Having received no blessing, he felt somewhat disappointed, but quickly rallied.
I have served under my lord for less than one Work Cycle. Even if I offered up my family's secret, there must still be a period of evaluation.
From now on, I must carry out every task my lord assigns me perfectly and earn his blessing as soon as possible.
At the same time, Nimrod activated his communicator and switched to his channel with Bukayo.
"Bukayo, how is the situation in the Hive City?"
"My lord, all shops in the Hive City's commercial district have closed, the factories have halted work, and everyone is fully armed. No large-scale melee has broken out among the various factions."
"Based on my assessment, the major families should act cautiously. They will first send intelligence personnel to determine the circumstances of the force that seized House Boleslaw. Most importantly, they will observe the Adeptus Mechanicus's reaction."
"Only a few fools who believe they have been given an opportunity, along with forces loyal to House Boleslaw, will launch attacks against us."
What Bukayo said matched both Nimrod's and Howard's predictions. Nimrod then issued Bukayo a new order.
"End the reconnaissance and proceed to the Arbitration Court. I want you to bring back every gavel, each marked with its former owner's name and position."
"As you command, my lord."
Bukayo did not know why Nimrod wanted the gavels, but he knew he should not pry into the secrets of the god he served, so he did not voice the question in his heart.
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