A Deal with the Sage

"Explain your reasoning, Inquisitor." Though Magos Ovilia showed no anger or other emotion, the obvious chill in her voice made her mood clear.

Chen Xi was not surprised. If you stopped the Adeptus Mechanicus from robbing tombs and digging up graves, they really could blow you away.

So he merely said to Ovilia, "Could we speak privately? This concerns Inquisition secrets."

Hearing this, Ovilia merely glanced at him, then slammed the Forged Great-Axe in her hand down. A force field immediately expanded from her body, enveloping both her and Chen Xi.

"This is a soundproof force field. No one will be able to eavesdrop on what we say." Ovilia's tone remained icy, and her eyes carried an intense sense of oppression.

She was restraining her anger, waiting to see what excuse Chen Xi could possibly offer.

"Blackstone is not a natural mineral. It came from an alien civilization sixty million years ago." Chen Xi opened with a bombshell before explaining, "This alien civilization called itself the Necrontyr. According to my investigation, they fought a terrifying war against the Eldar tens of millions of years ago, one that swept across the entire galaxy, and they ultimately won.

Blackstone was a material they developed during that war to oppose the Eldar, who could harness the Sea of Souls. This material could isolate the warp, but if its polarity was reversed, it could amplify warp influence.

However, for some unknown reason, this alien civilization fell into slumber. They turned their cities into tombs formed from Stasis Fields and lay dormant for sixty million years.

If the alien ruins Magos Ovilia found on this planet belonged to the Necrons, then excavating their tomb would be extremely dangerous.

Before making complete preparations, rashly excavating their tomb would only plunge the entire planet into war. I might even have to issue an Exterminatus order against the planet I rule."

After saying this, Chen Xi looked at Magos Ovilia with sincere eyes, hoping she would listen to reason.

Otherwise, this beginner mission of his would really not be easy to clear.

"Your reasoning has convinced me. I can suspend the excavation work." The anger in Ovilia's eyes seemed to have faded, but she clearly could not simply abandon the excavation of ancient alien ruins.

After all, an alien tomb from sixty million years ago, preserved by Stasis Fields until now, was simply too tempting for Tech-priests.

So she asked Chen Xi, "If I insist on excavating the ruins on this planet, what preparations do you think I need to make?"

Ovilia felt that since Chen Xi knew about this alien civilization, he should know how to deal with them.

"That depends. A weak Necron Dynasty might only have some mechanical Necrons decayed by time and a few mechanical constructs, but a powerful Necron Dynasty might even possess the power to extinguish stars." Chen Xi could not judge the level of the Necron Dynasty buried beneath this planet.

Although he could be considered a Necron player, the differences between Necron Dynasties were even greater than the differences between Imperial Worlds.

A weaker Necron Dynasty might have rotted away until nothing remained but ruins waiting to be excavated, while a stronger one might pull out something as terrifying as a World Engine.

The famous collector king, Trazyn, was merely the Overlord of his own dynasty. He was not even a Phaeron.

Though he was an exception, it still showed just how outrageous a prosperous Necron Dynasty could be.

"However, if Magos Ovilia insists on excavating it, then at the very least, please prepare your Adeptus Ministorum forces, invite at least one Knight House, and possibly seek assistance from Adeptus Astartes as well." After giving it serious thought, Chen Xi offered his advice based on the standards for going to war with a dynasty.

However, after hearing Chen Xi's suggestion, Magos Ovilia revealed a troubled expression. She hesitated before saying, "For certain reasons, I do not have any Adeptus Ministorum forces accompanying me.

As for a Knight House, I can try to contact one, but for certain reasons, I cannot guarantee that any Imperial Knights will answer my summons.

Perhaps you could consider extending the invitation in the name of the Planetary Governor or the Inquisition. Some Imperial Knights or Freeblades might respond to your invitation.

Comparatively speaking, I would still prefer to receive assistance from the Planetary Defense Force. This was part of the deal I reached with the previous governor."

After all that circling around, the subject had clearly returned to this matter, leaving Chen Xi somewhat amused and helpless.

But he still answered seriously, "I do not yet understand this planet's current situation. I also do not know the Planetary Defense Force's specific equipment or level of training.

However, according to the information Rachel gave me, a Planetary Defense Force with only ten regiments and lacking heavy firepower and vehicles would likely be unable to assist you.

If you can provide some help and allow the Planetary Defense Force to acquire sufficient heavy weapons and vehicles, then I believe we can provide you with a certain amount of manpower."

At this point, Chen Xi recalled the authority he possessed and added, "As for the Knights, I will consider your suggestion."

"I understand. It seems I need to make an initial investment." Ovilia did not become angry over this. She merely gave Chen Xi a deep look before asking, "What assistance do you need?"

"Technical support for equipment procurement and planetary construction." Opportunities to take advantage of the Adeptus Mechanicus were rare. Since the Sage had offered, Chen Xi naturally would not be polite.

"A reasonable request. I will help you contact a Forge World, but do not expect them to give me much face." Ovilia agreed to Chen Xi's request, then added, "Regarding planetary construction, I can provide some of the knowledge I possess. This falls within the scope of my deal with the previous governor, but I hope you can provide me with the necessary personnel and assistance as soon as possible."

Chen Xi was satisfied with Ovilia's answer. After all, receiving the assistance of a Tech-Sage was no easy matter.

At the same time, he was surprised by how easygoing Magos Ovilia was. Compared with ordinary Adeptus Mechanicus Sages, she was undoubtedly far more human, to the point that Chen Xi felt she did not seem like an Adeptus Mechanicus Sage at all.

But perhaps that was precisely why she had no Adeptus Ministorum forces at her side.

Chen Xi did not pursue the matter. He merely recalled something and asked Ovilia, "Magos Ovilia, I heard that you are a Bio-Sage. Do you happen to have any expertise in cultivating plants? If I provide you with a sample of a certain plant, would you be able to cultivate it on this planet?"