Puhach's Madness (Seeking Follow-up Reads)

Buksa, dressed in red robes, reported to Nimrod with meticulous precision.

"My King, the reconstruction plan I have formulated for the garrison will recruit twelve thousand men."

"Among them, approximately three thousand come from the informal upper-hive Arbites. Because they are not nobles, they cannot enter the Arbitration Court, and being unwilling to go to the lower hive, they were forced to attach themselves to the garrison to handle cases such as labor disputes."

"However, these Arbites possess varying degrees of experience. I can complete their training within five work cycles. The specific training items and hours are..."

After listening to the report, Nimrod nodded with satisfaction.

"Buksa, you shall serve as the captain of the Tezwork Garrison, effective immediately."

"My King, I will certainly give my all to rebuild the garrison within one month."

Buksa said excitedly; he had finally obtained an opportunity to showcase his talents, as this position had previously been held by the illegitimate son of King Boleslaw.

As Yelena led six assassins and Buksa out of the palace, Bukayo stepped off a fast-attack craft in the shantytown next to Lukpo Hive.

The residents of the shantytown turned to look, and Bukayo noticed the greed in their eyes.

He immediately drew his las-pistol from his waist while issuing orders to the subordinates Howard had arranged for him.

"Attack!"

Eighteen minutes later, Bukayo plunged a short blade into the back of a mutant's hand.

"Speak! Where is the passage to infiltrate Lukpo Hive?"

A moment later, having obtained the desired information from the three captives, he spoke to the captain standing nearby, who was dressed in gold-trimmed white armor.

Afterward, Bukayo shouldered a backpack taller than himself and walked toward Lukpo alone.

"You wait in the shantytown; I will go in alone."

"I wish you a smooth journey."

The captain watched Bukayo's retreating figure, his eyes filled with fear. He had never seen such a terrifying and ruthless youth, and he suddenly recalled:

The new King seemed a bit shorter than him before; it is truly terrifying. If it weren't for their different hair and eye colors, I would even suspect they were brothers.

However, the new King looks like a deity now.

Eight work cycles later, Bainiban.

Tezwork Hive, Water Guild A-167 Reservoir, Water Tower No. 5.

Nimrod stood atop the Hive Spire, standing steadily amidst the howling cold wind.

Rawlslev, standing beside him, was also in the biting wind, but he required a respirator mask.

"The one who keeps diving into the water, only to be dragged out after losing consciousness, is the best performer among the new recruits."

"His name is Szczesny, thirty-three years old. Both his parents were technical workers at the factory."

"Aside from swimming, he ranks first in every training project, even surpassing many veterans. He is also the only captain I have appointed among the new recruits."

Nimrod nodded slightly, watching as the persistent Szczesny shook off his subordinates and dove into the pool once more. His white body, bloated from prolonged soaking, soon sank beneath the surface.

Only then did the soldiers loitering nearby dare to dive in and drag him out of the water.

"Not bad. A sturdy body and a firm will."

"In the coming battles, his company will follow me."

"As you command, my King."

Nimrod's communicator chimed. Realizing it was from Bukayo, he said to Rawlslev:

"Follow me to hear Bukayo's briefing."

Upon returning to the palace, Nimrod saw the youth waiting in the side hall. His expression was normal, showing no signs of fatigue.

"My Lord," Bukayo said after connecting his data pad to the cogitator, "the ruling family of Lukpo is House Piatkowski, and the current king is Puhach."

"The people of Sosvold are devout followers of the Omnissiah. They believe the flesh is weak and the machine is eternal. Puhach is even more extreme; he forces everyone around him to undergo mechanical augmentation."

"The direct armed force controlled by Puhach consists of fifteen thousand men, all of whom have undergone cybernetic augmentation. This has consumed a vast amount of wealth, which is also the reason he cannot expand his scale."

Nimrod looked at the projection: a body crafted from streamlined metal, painted red, with a left arm modified into a folding mechanical blade and a right arm serving as a mechanical claw.

No human features could be discerned on his face, and red, dangerous lights flickered in his eyes.

The image shifted to a tall, broad-shouldered man with neat, short blonde hair, wielding a longsword and swiftly decapitating an enemy who had attacked him with a mechanical arm.

"My King, it is worth noting that this Thierry—his father, Count Viera, was killed by the mad Puhach, who twisted his head off with a mechanical claw because he refused mechanical augmentation, which affected the family's reproduction."

"Since then, Thierry has led the remnants of his Viera family guards in guerrilla warfare in the lower hive, raiding Piatkowski's supply lines and even launching several attacks on the upper hive."

"Puhach has launched several large-scale suppression operations, but Thierry has always managed to evade them in time. I believe someone among the families in the upper hive who are dissatisfied with the cruel rule is sending him information."

Bukayo swiped his hand, pulling up a series of images.

"Although Thierry is only twenty-four, he is already the most famous bounty hunter in Vostonia. It is said that he has practiced the way of the 'Osberh-Waya' to its peak and is the strongest sword master."

Upon hearing this, Rawlslev stared intently at the blonde noble on the holographic projection.

"He accepts missions in Hive No. 1 and several other hives, completing them every time. This is also the primary source of income for the Freedom Liberators armed group he leads."

"Most of these missions were issued by the Hive City kings surrounding Lukpo. They have irreconcilable ideological and interest conflicts with the extremist Puhach. It is certain that House Piatkowski has no allies."

After hearing the briefing, Nimrod immediately understood why Bukayo had emphasized Thierry.

"You believe I should cooperate with Thierry Vieira to launch an attack on Puhach."

"Your brilliance is unmatched, my liege; that is exactly the case."

"If you can subdue Thierry, not only will you gain an armed force familiar with Lukpo, but you will also acquire a capable commander and, following the conquest, secure the support of the Sosvold people as quickly as possible."

Nimrod tapped his fingers lightly on the tabletop. "Within four work cycles, can you find him?"

Bukayo smiled confidently. "My liege, please leave it to me; I will certainly not let you down."

"Depart immediately. Once I arrive at Lukpo, I will contact you."

"As you wish, my liege."

Bukayo immediately stowed his data pad, left the palace, and summoned the captain of House Finde, who had just finished a hearty meal and was resting on a comfortable bed.

Nimrod looked at Rawlslev. "Is your regiment ready?"

"My King, not a single one of the severely wounded has retired; they all wish to continue following you into battle until death."

"Although the recruits are green, they are high in fighting spirit and eager to earn their merits."

He said with a firm tone, "I believe you would not want to hear that we are unprepared, as you have already decided to launch the attack immediately."

"Assemble your regiment at once. The Nightfall Troupe departs. Target: Lukpo."

"By your command, my King."

Nimrod then sent communication messages to Howard and Yelena.

"Curiban, convene the court."

Inside the renovated court hall two levels below the top floor of Curiban, Nimrod sat upon his custom-made throne.

The throne was forged from Miguel Steel, its entire body pitch black.

Behind the throne, thirty-three long black spears protruded, with a golden crown skewered upon the center one—that was the crown of House Boleslaw.

Below the throne, the heads of the various houses stood on the left, while the cabinet Yelena had just established stood on the right.

"Howard, you provide the briefing first."