Bukayo's Assessment

Nimrod knew Vostonia could not hold out for much longer, and he had already decided to conquer Oceanic Movement as soon as possible.

After finalizing the framework of the deal, Nimrod further confirmed the various specifications of his Battlecruiser with Kivior-9.

He did not want to receive a ship that was all show and no substance, so he questioned Rosicky to determine the most advanced technology currently mastered by the Adeptus Mechanicus, ranging from hull plating materials to modules such as engines, lance batteries, and void shields.

Among these, in addition to the broadside batteries, the artillery included elevated Aether Cannons on both wings.

Of course, he also made his own requirements clear regarding the personally designed quarters, armory, and other facilities.

After all, this warship would be his flagship before his return to the Empire.

Throughout the entire process, he kept his spirit vision active, observing the auras of both individuals.

After finalizing all the details, Nimrod and Kivior-9 signed the "Agreement on Technology Development and Trade between Sovereign Nimrod and Mars Technology."

He did not use the title of Hive City ruler—King—but instead replaced it with a new Low Gothic word.

The political implication contained within was that he would become the sovereign who unified Vostonia.

The Tech-Priest discussed the term "sovereign" with Nimrod, but upon learning it was merely a special title he had bestowed upon himself for occupying four Hive Cities, he did not inquire further.

Rosicky was lost in thought; during the time he had spent by Nimrod's side, he had come to understand this giant, and he knew he would never perform an action without meaning.

While signing the document, Nimrod pondered for a moment and decided to use the symbol of the "Black Emperor" path as his personal seal.

He quickly sketched an image on the data-slate: chaotic black arcs, followed by surrounding wings, spikes, and an abstract crown above.

Wojciech quickly completed the production of the electronic seal based on the image.

After signing the agreement, Nimrod ordered the 4th Regiment to retreat, taking all the spoils of war they had found, including the Flao Glass Blade and the psychic staff.

He stood on the bridge, listening to Szczesny's briefing.

"My Lord, after contacting Fender and the Kournikova family, I formulated a plan to lure Robert with the spoils. I took the opportunity to lead a strike team to seize the ship, and he has been captured alive by me."

"Well done," Nimrod nodded with satisfaction; Szczesny's growth proved his judgment was correct. "Take him into custody and hand him over to Bukayo after returning to Vostonia."

As Nimrod's fleet sailed toward Oceanic Movement, at the Novgorod Dome in the underhive of Lukpo Hive City on Vostonia.

A thin, frail child wearing ragged clothes and covered in mud asked anxiously.

"Mikhailovsky, you said there is corpse-starch to eat here, is that true?"

"Look, there are thousands of teenagers gathered here. Would anyone really give us little burdens who can't work like adults any corpse-starch?"

The teenager, wearing pants pieced together from rags and stepping into oversized, hole-ridden boots, patted him heavily on the shoulder.

"Grzegorz, don't you worry. What I say is guaranteed."

"I heard this lord is also a teenager, and he has already held an event in another dome."

"However, there are conditions for getting a meal. I heard you have to pass a brutal test. Last time, thousands of teenagers from over a dozen domes participated, and only three hundred passed."

Mikhailovsky's brown pupils flickered with light. "As long as you pass, you'll be able to eat your fill at every meal from then on."

Grzegorz swallowed subconsciously. "If I can really eat my fill, no matter how hard the test is, I will pass it."

While the numerous teenagers were discussing in small groups, a teenager with brown skin and azure eyes walked out from the darkness.

A teenager of about fourteen or fifteen beside him struck the iron frame of the high platform heavily with the sheathed chainsword in his hand.

The teenagers were all startled and turned their heads to look.

Everyone looked up at the platform at the teenager wearing custom-fitted carapace armor.

Bukayo looked down at the crowd and spoke.

"Not long ago, I was just like you, a homeless teenager in the underhive who couldn't get enough to eat, but now I can eat whatever I want at every meal."

"You also have a chance. As long as you can complete my two assessments, you will become a member of the Vostonia 3rd Regiment."

"Look there."

Everyone followed the direction of his finger toward the pitch-black door that opened along with his voice.

"Inside that factory, all light sources have been extinguished. There are a total of one thousand black stones inside that emit a faint glow like the one in my hand."

"Without any obstruction, you can see them within one meter. Anyone who finds one will receive a standard ration of corpse-starch for an upper-hive technician today."

"There are no restrictions on the methods used during the process; as long as you can get one, you can steal, rob, cooperate, or work alone. If you are lucky, you can find a stone, hide it to cover the faint light, and bring it out."

Bukayo clapped his hands, drawing the attention of those looking at the factory gate.

"The important rule is that you must walk out of the other three exits with the stone to pass the first test."

"You are not allowed to rob the stones from those who have already walked out of the factory!"

His azure eyes swept sharply over the crowd.

"The rules are that simple. The assessment begins now!"

Bukayo watched as the teenagers scrambled toward the factory, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

The old, weak, sick, and disabled were the most miserable people in the underhive, and his own personal experience taught him just how much these teenagers struggled to survive.

Most youths in the Underhive die before reaching adulthood; those who survive are hardened individuals, and even those fortunate enough to be scouted by gangs, much like he once was, could barely be said to be living.

As long as they are given a path to survive, they become the most loyal subordinates; compared to adults who harbor ulterior motives and look down upon his age and physique, these youths possess much greater malleability.

Furthermore, the youths who passed the two trials he set were either outstanding in terms of physical strength and intelligence, or possessed a specialty in a certain area.

Take the youth wielding the Chainsword, for instance: he is robust, has a decent mind, and is quite skilled in melee combat. He cleared three checkpoints using only a steel pipe and learned the first rule of "Osberh-Vaya" in just three work cycles.

One standard hour later, the first youth ran out of the factory.

Grzegorz clutched a stone and sprinted with all his might. His clothes were shredded and his shoes were gone, but the moment he stumbled out and felt the glow of the lumen-lights overhead, he knew he had succeeded.

The second trial set by Bukayo tested stamina; every youth had to walk through a long, narrow corridor, and the three hundred who persisted the longest would pass the assessment.

Just as Bukayo's second trial was underway, the fleet led by Nimrod arrived in orbit above the Cradle of the Sea.

After Rosicky connected his data-slate to the Cogitator, he began to brief him on the situation of this world.

"The total surface area of the Cradle of the Sea is 702 million square kilometers, of which the ocean covers 594 million square kilometers, accounting for 84.62%."

"The landmass consists of 7,381 islands of varying sizes, with over 1,672 of them inhabited. The total population prior to the xenos invasion was approximately 17.5 million."

"Over 17 million of the population are distributed across 49 islands. The seafood and grain they produce sustain the development of Vostonia, and the Tech-Priests hope you can eliminate the xenos invading these islands."