Nimrod looked up beyond the palace. Aside from Yelena walking ahead, he sensed six other presences.
These six had received professional training and excelled at concealing themselves. Ordinary people would have found them impossible to detect, but to a Primarch's senses, they were exceptionally clear.
The seven soon arrived outside the palace, and Yelena spoke.
"I am going to meet with my king. Wait outside until I summon you before seeking an audience."
The countess in the red gown stepped into the palace and gave a deep bow.
"My king."
"Yelena, what is it?"
"My king, I have come first to offer you my sincere gratitude. You entrusted House Szymanski's pharmaceutical industry to House Kournikova. I certainly will not disappoint you."
Nimrod leaned back, his gaze assessing Yelena.
"Then I shall wait and see. I hope you bring me a pleasant surprise."
"What else?"
"My king, forgive my bluntness. Although your subordinates are formidable fighters, their backgrounds limit them. At least in the short term, they cannot contribute much to governing Tezwork."
Fire burned in Yelena's eyes as she smiled confidently.
"I believe you should establish a cabinet, and I believe I can play a pivotal role within it."
"Oh?"
Nimrod gave no indication of approval or disapproval. His fingers tapped upon the tabletop, producing dull thuds that rang beside the countess's ears like the great bell of the Omnissiah.
After a long three seconds, he pushed the Data Slate forward.
"Show me your solution."
Yelena's smile faded as she approached the desk and seriously faced the test before her.
Her stern expression gradually relaxed.
"My king, I have a way to rapidly rebuild the security forces."
"I believe you wish to rebuild them as soon as possible. That requires a capable person to share your burden, and I happen to have such a person by my side."
"House Kournikova is a house composed of sisters. Before joining us, my husband, Baron Buksa, served the Omnissiah and acted as an independent arbitrator in a dome jointly controlled by House Skorupski and the Adeptus Mechanicus."
Yelena took out a Data Slate. Her standard for choosing a spouse had been a capable man from a minor noble house, and she had conducted careful background investigations on every candidate. Now, they were finally useful.
"Please allow me to show you his file."
Drawing upon the material, the countess gave a detailed introduction before concluding.
"During his tenure, Buksa recruited, established, and developed his own Arbitration Hall."
"After joining House Kournikova, he also adjusted systems such as the house guard. In the fifty-two years since those systems were implemented, there had not been a single loss, including at the Lower Hive factories."
"Send him a message immediately. Before the Nightfall Troupe, I want to see his report."
Yelena did not dare delay. She immediately contacted her husband, then continued waiting for Nimrod's instructions after ending the transmission.
"Since you believe yourself capable of establishing a cabinet, tell me your thoughts."
"My king, for thousands of years, the houses have developed independently because of Boleslaw's greedy seizure of their properties, as well as the Muskans' indifference and their conservative cultural traditions."
"Every house's strategy has been to protect its own industries and avoid expanding them. As long as we deepen cooperation, integrating Tezwork's resources will greatly improve efficiency. The cooperation between House Kournikova and House Skorupski proves this."
The countess laid out her preparations one by one. She had clearly given the matter deep thought.
"First, we must break down barriers to communication by holding exchange banquets and similar events."
"Then we must set an example. House Kournikova and House Finde can take the lead in establishing a cooperative relationship."
"Once they gain profits, the practical results can prove the value of cooperation to the other houses. Their attitudes will change accordingly, and they will not let such a splendid opportunity slip away."
Nimrod questioned Yelena from time to time, and the countess answered each question in turn.
Two Terra-hours later, Nimrod nodded in satisfaction.
"You will take the lead in establishing the cabinet."
"Thank you for your trust. I certainly will not disappoint you."
Yelena spoke excitedly. She had once offered the same proposal to the false king Boleslaw, but that greedy pig had shown no interest whatsoever.
Now, she finally had the chance to realize her political ambitions. Through these reforms, House Kournikova could truly become a pivotal house of Tezwork, rather than merely a young and wealthy one.
As her heart surged with excitement, she heard Nimrod ask,
"Are the six people outside yours?"
Yelena froze for a moment. The six she had brought were elite Assassins she had cultivated from childhood using genetic technology and pharmaceuticals.
Even if they attacked together, they might not be a match for the giant before them. Yet after their modifications, each woman moved so lightly that her footsteps were quieter than those of a prized Curl-eared Cat, and their breathing was so faint it was nearly nonexistent.
This place was separated from the entrance by a side hall for those awaiting an audience, attached rest chambers, and the servants' tea room. The new king should not have been able to hear her earlier conversation.
If they faced the new king, their only chance would be to use their concealment to launch a surprise attack. Now that the new king has discovered them, they have no chance at all. Fortunately, I have no unrealistic ideas.
The countess was shocked. She took a deep breath and once again raised her assessment of the new king's combat strength.
"My king, they are all Assassins I have carefully cultivated."
"They will become the sharp blades in your hand, eliminating the disloyal."
"Let them come in."
Yelena immediately switched communication channels and gave the order.
"Maria, bring them in."
A moment later, six women clad in black bodysuits and carrying different weapons entered.
Some carried Las-rifles on their backs, while others bore shields and swords...
Out of habit, the six women looked at the giant seated in his chair, who was still taller than them, with the eyes of hunters assessing prey.
Then they met Nimrod's dark, unfathomable eyes, and the six Assassins immediately felt a chill run down their spines.
Five of them immediately lowered their heads.
Only the blonde woman in the center, with her high nose bridge, clenched her lips tightly and stubbornly held on.
After sweeping his gaze over them, Nimrod immediately spoke.
"Set out at once. Go to Mazov and Szczecin and conduct assassinations."
"Your targets are the commanders and nobles of the two Hive Cities. Choose the specific targets yourselves."
"Return and report in twenty-three Work Cycles."
After deciding to seize Lukpo, Nimrod intended to capture Mazov and Szczecin next, linking the four Hive Cities together.
Sending them there would both test their capabilities and weaken the enemy.
Yelena froze. "My king, you..."
"Tezwork is only the beginning."
Mazov and Szczecin are not powerful Hive Cities like Lukpo. Their strength is comparable to Tezwork's. With the new king's strength, he truly can take them.
Before the Nightfall Troupe, Buksa hurried over.
Before you continue