Arbiter

Travel-worn after returning from the Khanty-Mansi Dome, Howard stood at the head of the left side.

"My lord, I have recruited workers from the surrounding domes. All factories in the Khanty-Mansi Dome have now resumed operations."

"During the Nightfall Troupe, I will announce work standards for every position at Magneto Steelworks and deliver a speech to convey your will to all workers."

"Very good." Nimrod looked at Yelena. "Yelena, your turn."

"My King, the Hive City security forces have completed their first recruitment drive. After Busak gave them their initial training, order has been restored in the Upper Hive."

Busak noticed the looks cast his way by nobles who had once dismissed him with contempt.

He smiled and straightened his chest.

The strategy Nimrod had discussed with Yelena was for him not to appear at first. In a more relaxed atmosphere, the great families would be allowed to see the benefits. Only afterward would he step forward to establish rules and ensure that efficient cooperation could be achieved through Contracts.

He and the cabinet ministers tacitly avoided mentioning the matter. After asking about matters such as road reconstruction, he announced,

"During the Nightfall Troupe, I will attack Lukpo Hive City."

The nobles and courtiers looked at one another. They had not heard the slightest hint beforehand, and many of them now recalled that Captain Rawlslev, who had risen alongside the new king, was absent from this hastily convened court meeting.

Howard felt everyone's eyes gather on him. Ever since becoming an "Arbiter," he knew Nimrod must possess even more miraculous power, and he was certain Lukpo could not stand against this god of war.

He ignored their gazes. Nimrod's trust mattered more than anything, and he longed to receive the next blessing.

Everyone then turned their eyes to Yelena. She was a countess and the founder of the cabinet.

The countess felt another strand of her hair turn white. She spoke helplessly.

"My lord, aren't you being a little too hasty?"

"Wouldn't it be more appropriate to start with Mazov?"

"Too slow!"

Nimrod rejected Yelena's suggestion. "Since we have the capability, there is no need to go in circles."

Everyone felt the confidence radiating from him. It was not a judgment, but a prophecy.

The court meeting ended. Ten minutes before the Nightfall Troupe, Nimrod walked out of the Hive Spire.

His gaze passed over Rosicky and settled on a cargo truck surrounded by Servitors.

"Your heavy halberd has arrived. Your armor is expected to require another fourteen Work Cycles."

Nimrod nodded. He strode to the truck and pulled out the dark-black alloy heavy halberd.

A Servitor on the opposite side heard the rush of wind above his head. He borrowed the force to look up, but saw only a towering back. After leaving behind a single word—"Not bad"—Nimrod strode away.

At the same time, Howard returned to the Khanty-Mansi Dome. He accepted a silver cup from the captain of the guards and tipped back his head to drink the purified water brought from the Upper Hive.

He suddenly thought of something, put the lid back on the cup, and instead of handing it back to the guard, ordered,

"Send my dinner to the factory's elevated platform."

"Yes, my lord."

The guard captain immediately sent someone to carry out the order.

As Nimrod boarded a specially made open-topped war chariot, Howard also ascended the platform.

Below, more than a thousand workers looked up at the noble on the platform as though they were looking at some strange creature.

Howard was not wearing a gas mask. He inhaled the foul air mixed with the stench of copper and oil grime, and frowned.

But it was merely habitual discomfort, not physical discomfort. His Physical Augmentation soon overcame it.

Smiling, he said, "My worker brothers, I bring you good news. Good news that will change your fate."

A worker dressed in rags and covered in oil grime picked his ear with his pinky.

"Lord noble, what good news could you possibly have? A pot of stewed rat meat?"

"I heard that King Nimrod, who has just ascended The Throne, gave workers rat-meat soup. One worker even got to eat a tail."

"Just thinking about that flavor is intoxicating!"

He and dozens of workers around him swallowed. At the same time, many workers in other factories watching Howard's speech through the installed video screens could not help but have their eyes light up.

"Quiet, you lot..."

The guard captain's face went pale with fury. He drew the Las-pistol at his waist, intending to teach these Lower Hive scum a lesson and show them the respect they ought to display toward the count.

Howard raised a hand to stop his subordinate. A flash of anger passed through his eyes, but he quickly calmed down, his smile remaining in place.

"You have eaten only rat meat, and you think that is the finest delicacy in the world."

He picked up the aluminum lunchbox at his feet and opened the lid. Fragrance immediately spread through the air, and every worker craned their neck.

"What is that?"

"This is tuna, from Oceanic Movement, an Ocean World."

"Even in the Upper Hive, few people can eat it now. Yet you have been given this opportunity."

Howard was not deceiving them. The allied forces from Vostonia's Hive Cities had gained no advantage against the xenos pirates. The impact of disrupted transport had already begun to show in the Upper Hive.

While workers at the other factories jeered and questioned him, Magneto Steelworks fell silent.

The workers were gradually moved by Howard's convincing words and smile. In their eyes, the blond noble was no longer a lofty lord. They quieted down and listened to the Arbiter's speech.

The guard commander was pleased by the transformation of the Lower Hive scum, though he also found it strange. Then he suddenly heard his master's tone harden as he declared with majesty,

"On behalf of King Nimrod, I announce that from this moment onward, a new rationing system will be implemented."

"Every trade will have its assigned quota. Anyone who completes their task will receive one portion of Corpse-starch."

"Those who exceed their quota will receive corresponding rewards in proportion to their excess output."

The workers in the other factories all spat disdainfully onto the ground and at the Machines beside them.

"You're lying, right? Since when did we get paid according to how much work we did?"

"Exactly. Ever since the Servants of the Omnissiah abandoned the Lower Hive, those gang thugs have only known how to beat us with sticks. When have they ever let us eat our fill?"

"Even if it's true, those quotas can't possibly be met. They just want to trick us into working ourselves to the bone."

Inside Magneto Steelworks, the many workers did not make a fuss. Howard seemed to radiate an invisible aura that made them instinctively want to obey.

Howard stepped down from the platform as he spoke.

"You must think the quotas are impossibly high. Now I will tell you that if you work just a little harder, you can absolutely meet them."

The guard commander hurried after him, gripping his weapon as he nervously watched the scum around them.

Yet the blond noble walking into the crowd was not nervous. The Arbiter had not only enhanced his spirit, granting him convincing charisma and sufficient authority, but also given him exceptional combat ability.

Moreover, he wore Artificer Power Armor. Even if the workers rioted, Howard was confident he could fight his way out.

The workers did not move. Their eyes followed the blond noble.