The Emperor Granted Me a Trade Charter

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The leader's dragon-scale cloak swung backward with his swift steps, and along with the Thunder Hammer he wielded, he forcefully tore a huge gap in the Dark Eldar's formation.

"You bastard!"

He shouted curses and brandished his warhammer, repelling any enemy that dared to invade.

Even with his desperate efforts to save him, he still couldn't stop the Dark Eldar warriors from surging in from all directions and completely engulfing his presence.

As for his troops, after being heavily surrounded by Duelist Nightmare Demon of the Dark Eldar, even though their tenacious fighting inflicted great losses on the enemy, they still could not avoid the eventual defeat and annihilation of all of them.

The Salamanders Space Marine were merely a small Salamanders squad that quickly reached the invasion site using Land Raider due to the enemy's hasty attack.

However, the opposing Conspiracy consisted of everyone from the highest-ranking Archon to the lowest-ranking thugs. Outnumbered and outmatched, they were no match for the well-prepared Ko'shek.

As for the remaining main force, they are still on their way.

As the best blacksmiths in the entire universe, Salamanders will actively seek out planets with extremely high atmospheric pressure to settle on.

The environment here is much like their home planet, Nocturne, where rare metal minerals can be mined to forge divine artifacts.

This Salamanders squad is one of the members stationed on this famous mining planet.

Unlike other mining planets where slave laborers and Servitor are used on a large scale and mined by their blood and sweat, this planet is different.

The planet's inhabitants, following Vulkan's wishes, maintained relatively primitive tribal customs and traditional manual mining and forging practices, working at sunrise and resting at sunset.

Although the production cycle of weapons is extremely long, the quality is exceptionally good, and there are even occasional surprise weapons produced.

Little Thunder Hammer, a masterpiece.

During their downtime from patrols, these Salamanders would also actively engage in exchanges and trade with local mining tribes, and hold knife-forging competitions within their Salamanders based on the rare metal ore they received as a share.

But the good times didn't last long.

The rare minerals here, along with the healthy and perfect population of the local tribes, quickly attracted the attention of the Dark Eldar.

After a fierce battle.

"He's quite capable."

In Holographic Projection from a small airship, Ko'Shak, the ultimate victor of the battle, stands on a clearing piled high with the corpses of Salamanders and Eldar warriors, wiping his poisoned blade.

"Take these surviving giant Mon-keigh onto the Slave Ships as well, and see how many days they can survive in the Commorragh Gladiator Arena!"

"And those minerals! Take a few of the Mon-keigh's weapons too, so that the Commorragh can see the monkeys' craftsmanship."

Following Kor'Shak's taunts, another burst of laughter erupted from the Eldar.

He brandished the strange whip in his hand again, driving the crowd, whose hopes had just been ignited but were instantly extinguished, onto the Slave Ships as if they were herding livestock.

The Salamanders did indeed have personnel stationed on this planet.

However, with the Great Crusade in full swing and a large number of elite Space Marine following Vulkan's Expeditionary Fleet in their campaigns, the resources available on this mining planet are actually quite limited.

The Dark Eldar, with their advanced technology, can come and go freely, meaning that not every settlement on the planet can be completely protected.

The location attacked by the Blade Lotus Conspiracy was one of their weak points.

"Fortunately, we arrived in time—no, it should be said that Kosshek was courting death and led his fleet straight toward us."

"Otherwise, if they open the Webway Portal and escape at full speed, it will be really difficult for us to catch up."

Kasgar turned off the Holographic Projection he had on hand.

If humans are transported to Commorragh by the Dark Eldar, unless you are a descendant of a high-ranking Rogue Trader who has been granted a "Trade Charter" by the Emperor himself, there is virtually no chance of escaping.

Fortunately, Kasgar intercepted the Slave Ships in advance.

Now all we need to do is—

"The situation is not good."

After communicating via the internal voice of the Wraithbone, Yriel suddenly raised her head and spoke.

"We were unable to obtain management control over the Slave Ships."

"Not long ago, when the Slave Ships went out of control, the Salamanders captives on board led a rebellion and seized control of the ships."

"Isn't this a good thing? Why do you say the situation is bad?"

Kasgar was puzzled.

"They... those Salamanders also considered us to be accomplices of the Commorrite (Dark Eldar)."

"They even said they'd rather blow up their warships than move an inch with us."

"This"

The Salamanders didn't actually say anything wrong.

The warships of the Eldar are quite similar, and apart from some changes in clothing and equipment, there are no fundamental differences between the Eldar.

At the same time, they all claim to be the orthodox Eldar and look down on each other.

Unless one has a deep understanding of the Eldar, it is impossible to discern the differences between the various Eldar at a glance.

In the eyes of the Salamanders, this was a damned Eldar bandit double-crossing them.

The Xenos on both sides are no good!

Taking advantage of this internal strife, they strangled the guards on the ship and seized control of the entire Slave Ships.

Although they couldn't operate Eldar Xenos ships, they were still capable of destroying the engines and taking everyone down with them.

This is also a major reason why the Craftworld Aeldari always suffer a fierce attack whenever they want to help humanity fight against external enemies.

Those Dark Eldar, those little beasts who shoot and run, are going to share half the blame.

"So what do we do now? We can't just leave these ships wandering in space, can we?"

Kasgar is having a bit of a headache.

Would telling them we're willing to help them go back be effective?

"We tried, but they didn't believe us."

There's no way I could believe the Xenos' nonsense.

Who knows if they'll suddenly pull them along and charge towards Commorragh?

"Hiss"

The Salamanders's home Nocturne, Nocturne, has been frequently threatened by the Dark Eldar since ancient times, and they have never shown any kindness to these pointy -Xenos eared Eldar.

However, if humans intervene directly...

Humans alone are not enough; they must be humans with sufficient prestige.

Kasgar looked at the Angel beside him with a headache.

Perfectly, only Angel of sufficient authority could persuade the Salamanders to believe they were a human fleet.

"I?"

The Angel was somewhat embarrassed.

"Please don't do that. What if my fanatical offspring found out I was on an Eldar warship?"

"Then forget it."

Kasgar immediately stopped.

Now, everyone's attention fell on Kasgar, the only human in the entire arena, or at least someone who looked human.

"Sir, those Xenos say they are actually a human fleet."

"You're kidding me!"

The Salamanders, now fully equipped with the captured Power Armour, was practically ready to unleash a torrent of abuse.

As one of the managers of that mining planet, the Salamanders Captain, he was furious after hearing the message from the other party's communication equipment.

The Xenos with pointed ears on both sides was fighting so fiercely that everyone could see it clearly.

Captured, he led his remaining brothers to kill the nearby Dark Eldar when the Slave Ships fell into chaos due to the flagship losing signal. Using the various weapons and equipment they had disarmed, he wiped out the damned Xenos and gained control of the entire warship.

As the small Xenos Fleet gained control of the battlefield, the Salamanders Captain's eyes remained fixed on the Holographic Projection in the center of the Slave Ships's control room.

Perhaps they were indeed unable to escape from the Xenos, but after the turmoil just now, they regained the right to die a glorious death.

"Tell them that Salamanders will only fight to the death, they will not surrender!"

"I won't be fooled by such stupid things that only Xenos would say."

The Salamanders may die a glorious death, but please don't try to fool us Astartes into thinking we're idiots.

"Company commander, their small landing craft are heading towards our spaceship."

Here they come, the enemy's landing force.

The Salamanders Captain company commander, who had long been prepared to die, turned around and shouted to the remaining few Salamanders were still alive.

"Tell our Battle Brother to take up their weapons! Even if it means destroying this ship and dying with them, we will never bow down to the opposite sex!"

"For the Lord of the Fire Dragons!"

"For the Lord of the Fire Dragons!"

Just as the crowd was filled with righteous indignation and prepared to die in battle, the Holographic Projection from the center of the ship changed its appearance.

[Sherlock the Rogue Trader requests to communicate.]

Rogue Trader were a profession that maintained trade and border development within the Imperium.

Although the relationship between the Imperium of Man and the Xenos was irreconcilable during the Great Crusade, people still need to eat, after all.

If all Xenos technology and goods were completely excluded, the new expansions would often lack timely supplies from the central region due to the vast distance between the border and Terra. This inability to engage with the Xenos would actually slow down the Great Crusade due to resource shortages.

This is intolerable.

Therefore, under these special circumstances, the official position of Rogue Trader came into being within the Imperium of Man.

They will engage in trade, diplomacy, construction, and military operations within their chosen territories—as long as they uphold the Imperial Truth and do not violate Imperium interests, these guys won't be subjected to too harsh a beam of light even if they flirt with the Xenos.

Even if he were the heir to a large Rogue Trader dynasty, he could have a White Sprouts sister right in front of the Inquisitor, and he wouldn't be able to say anything.

The problem is that even the most heretical Rogue Trader wouldn't change their vehicles to Eldar designs, nor would their followers all be pointy-eared Xenos.

Not even a single human being could be found!

It's obvious.

This is the Xenos hoax!

"My fellow Space Marine, my comrades, it is an honor to see you here again."

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, the Xenos -Xenos like landing craft slowly landed on the deck of the Slave Ships.

"Xenos, stop trying to pull any tricks or use any sweet talk. Our people will never become your slaves!"

As the bizarre-looking landing craft, so different from any normal Imperium warship, landed before him, the Salamanders became even more convinced that it was Xenos.

He held the poisoned blade, which he had seized from the Dark Eldar garrison and was not yet very comfortable to use, across his chest, fully prepared for battle.

"And I agree with you, Salamanders."

"Your bravery and kindness are commendable, and as the head of the Sherlock Family of Rogue Trader, it is only natural for me to return the hero of the Imperium intact to his land."

The landing craft's Sound Array announced that a tall man had disembarked from the ship's hatch.

He was dressed in a magnificent suit, the extraordinary nature of which could be discerned even by the blacksmith Salamanders.

And it seems that you can see the muscles hidden beneath his well-fitting clothes.

"Astartes?"

The Salamanders Captain immediately recognized the other party's true identity.

Astartes, who called himself Rogue Trader, disembarked from a strange, Xenos- eared spaceship.

There's a sense of artificiality about it.

"No need to say more. Since you are Space Marine, state your legion, rank, unit number, and superior."

"And why are you hanging out with those Xenos! Have you forgotten the Emperor's orders?"

"Never forgotten."

The tall Space Marine who identified himself as a member of the "Sherlock Family" gave him a perfect Aquila Salute.

Three years of expedition, a lifetime of SM passion!

"As for the legions to which they once belonged"

He slowly walked forward, meeting the distrustful gazes of the crowd.

"Stop! Don't go any further!"

"Your lies cannot deceive us. Space Marine are the Emperor's most loyal warriors; they would never become Rogue Trader or associate with Xenos!"

As Kasgar stepped forward, he saw several Salamanders, clad in tattered Power Armour and wielding captured Xenos weapons, staring warily at him.

Really?

The image of a Lord Regent and his Lord Regent flashed through Kasgar's mind.

Warhammer isn't just about fighting and killing; it also involves human relationships and social interactions!

"I can guarantee that what I'm saying is true."

"If you still don't believe me, here is my identification."

As he spoke, Kasgar pulled a roll of parchment from a small pocket in his clothes.

Then he stretched out his hand and confidently showed the handwriting on the letter to all the Salamanders present.

"This is."

The several Salamanders, wearing green helmets, moved closer.

"Trade Charter?"

A few months ago, the Pride of the Emperor.

"Kasgar, we should go back."

The Emperor, standing before the phantom of the throne, spoke thus.

"Your actions have still uncovered a lurking sabotager for us, preventing him from dragging the Legion into the abyss of evil."

The details protect the legion, regardless of what Lorgar does.

"I listen to your expectations—what kind of reward do you want?"

A reward, you know.

Hey, Kasgar has a great idea.

"A Trade Charter?"

The Emperor found Kasgar's request somewhat incomprehensible. "You don't want to join me on the Great Crusade?"

That's not what I meant.

Kasgar replied, "But when I'm out in the world, I might need an additional identity, especially to make some preparations in advance for the aftermath of Horus Heresy."

If the Emperor's prediction is true, Horus Heresy is inevitable, then Kasgar must prepare for his future self.

"If Horus Heresy were to occur in the future, I would very likely fall into slumber until the 40th millennium."

"Unlike those Primarch of the Imperium who can command a large following with a single call, I need more time to regroup my forces."

Even if no Horus Heresy occurs, it won't affect anything.

Kasgar is like a fish out of water; it's best to take three chances and plan ahead for the future.

If Horus Heresy were to occur, and Kasgar were to also slumber for ten thousand years...

Once Guilliman awakens, he can immediately launch the Indomitus Crusade, and all the Ultramarines will follow their Primarch.

Although it was humiliating to be smuggled by Hurons, he was ultimately able to defeat the High Lord and the Adeptus Custodes Guard in the internal factional struggles of Terra, and finally control Astartes.

He can, but Kasgar can't.

If he were to wake up 10,000 years later, given his influence within the legion, he would at most be around the level of Bjorn.

He is respected, but difficult to convince.

The Grey Knights alone could easily humiliate him and create a Month of Shame. Kasgar wants to rise from his slumber and take control of the entire Imperium, he'll have to lie low for a while first.

"This Trade Charter will give me some breathing room in the future, allowing me to regain control of the entire Imperium!"

Kasgar's words are somewhat dangerous.

He seemed completely unconcerned about the Emperor's authority, discussing in front of him how to seize power ten thousand years from now.

"Indeed, your current plan is not without reason."

After a moment's thought, the Emperor was not angry at the other party's overstepping of authority. Instead, he nodded with satisfaction and casually produced a neatly trimmed parchment and a quill pen from beside him.

The two objects seemed to dance before Kasgar's eyes as if they were alive, until the last stroke was made.

The Emperor's Golden Gauntlet vanished, and then a drop of blood from his fingertip, along with his fingerprint, fell onto the parchment.

Finish.

"Take it."

"By my will, Sherlock and his offspring shall be the holders of the Trade Charter."

"The scope covers the entire Imperium, okay? And the signature is—"

"Emperor!?"

"Wait a minute."

The Salamanders couldn't believe what it was seeing.

"Any further questions, esteemed Salamander?"

Kasgar continued to capitalize on their momentum.

He originally just wanted to get an identity for his mission ten thousand years in advance, but he never expected it would come in handy here first.

"This is Trade Charter personally granted by the God-Emperor, I mean, the Emperor."

"But your Trade Charter is really too short, my friend."

"Moreover, there is no precedent for Space Marine becoming Rogue Trader."

The Salamanders Captain was still somewhat taken aback.

Although there seems to be nothing wrong with him, this guy and his Trade Charter look strange no matter how you look at it!

"Have you ever heard of the Sherlock family, who were granted a sacred Trade Charter by the Emperor?"

"No, and as the Emperor's vanguard, we will dedicate everything to the Emperor's expeditions."

There is no talk of Astartes retiring.

If Astartes could truly retire with a single document Rogue Trader, Dante would definitely tear through all timelines to come to this world.

(Dante: Where?!)

Furthermore, there is no known Astartes from the Sherlock family among the Salamanders who could be appointed as Rogue Trader by the Emperor.

This is extremely unorthodox.

"Perhaps this is indeed Trade Charter from the Emperor, but I don't believe that the Rogue Trader is you, my friend."

The Salamanders Captain's vigilance seemed to deepen.

Kasgar maintained his polite smile.

Oops!

Why does this Salamanders talk so much?!

If it weren't for saving you, I wouldn't even want to reveal this Trade Charter!

No way.

If some of the less-than-stellar legions continue to be so stubborn, Kasgar really will have to send Eldar assassins to kill them and then send the remaining humans back.

But the fact that it was the Salamanders's older brother put Kasgar in a difficult position.

They are all good-natured people who protect their country, work hard and love the people, while the Kasgar side are all Xenos members (actually, they are aliens themselves).

If he were to act recklessly due to a misunderstanding, Kasgar would never forgive himself.

"It seems we really have to resort to that move."

Seeing that they were still wary of him, Kasgar sighed inwardly.

"Space Marine certainly don't become Rogue Trader."

"As for the reason, my Battle Brother, please allow me to connect to your communication system."

He put away the parchment scroll in his hand and quietly stepped forward, meeting everyone's gaze. "Have you ever heard of the Lost Legion?"

The Lost Legion!

You mean...

Upon hearing this news, the Salamanders Captain was immediately shaken.

What happened to the mysteriously vanished Second Legion?

Or perhaps the Eleventh Legion?

He didn't know. No information was revealed. Apart from having heard of the names of these two legions long before he joined the army, he knew nothing about them since!

Actually, Kasgar didn't know either.

But since nobody knows anyway, what's wrong with him talking nonsense?

Upon hearing Kasgar's statement, the Salamanders Captain fell into deep thought.

Could it be

He chose to retire like some of the Thunder Warrior after the Second Legion was wiped out for some reason.

At the same time, because of his outstanding merits and abilities, he was not only not eliminated, but was also appointed by the Emperor as Rogue Trader.

To be honest, my task is to cultivate good relationships with some normal people among the Eldar.

The Emperor hopes that I can learn some of the Eldar's key technologies through our interactions.

(Referring to the Webway)

I see

The Salamanders Captain nodded as if he had just realized something.

That's why Astartes appeared on the Xenos' ship.

He truly endured humiliation and carried a heavy burden!

(Actually, it's much more comfortable than inside Imperium warship.)

The Salamanders Battle Brother, deeply moved by each other's unwavering commitment.

Why would an Astartes become Rogue Trader? Why would he associate with pointy-eared Xenos and possess Trade Charter personally signed by the Emperor?

Now everything makes sense.

"I see."

The Salamanders Captain nodded.

Whee.

He believed it!

He actually believed it!!!

Kasgar wanted to laugh, but his expression was sad.

"That's all in the past, brother. It has nothing to do with what we're talking about now."

"I will send you back to the planet you came from, and my best request of you is that you keep this secret."

Kasgar looked at the other person, his expression unreadable.

". clear."

The Salamanders Captain nodded.

"They really did send us back."

When they stepped back onto the high-pressure ground, the Salamanders and mortals could hardly believe their journey.

That Space Marine who looked suspicious no matter what, who mingled with the Eldar and claimed to be Rogue Trader, actually released them all as agreed!

"We're back! We're really back!!"

"May the Emperor protect us! Praise be to the great Emperor, who saved us from the Xenos!"

Behind the Salamanders Captain, countless mortals who had been abducted and brought aboard the ship returned to their planet, embracing each other excitedly and weeping with joy.

Escorted by the fleets of Kasgar and Yriel, they successfully breached the planet's surface defenses once again, allowing the crew of the Slave Ships to return to their home planet.

"Everyone, if we have all arrived safely, we will be leaving soon."

"The garrison has received the invasion signal and is preparing to surround us. Due to our special status, we cannot stay any longer. Please understand."

"Thank you. Your ability to save these mortals is an immense favor to us. I should be the one apologizing to you."

"It's nothing. Remember what I said: don't mention my real identity to anyone!"

"Clear."

"Phew, at least we got those old men back."

Sitting atop the newly replaced flagship of the Corsairs warship, Kasgar breathed a sigh of relief.

"Let's go quickly. After all, this is still Eldar ship. If the garrison stationed on the planet catches up, it will cause new trouble."

[Received, about to proceed to the nearest Webway entrance at maximum speed]

Call.

Finally, all these troublesome things have been resolved.

Next, we will be able to safely reach Nuceria.

[Ripples of Empyrean energy have appeared ahead!]

[A large human fleet has been detected in the distance, undergoing Empyrean jump and about to enter the real world!]

The Void Dreamer has sent intelligence.

[It is speculated that this type of fleet, of this size, is most likely an Expeditionary Fleet equipped with the Gloriana-class Battleship.]

The Gloriana-class, the Primarch's designated vehicle.

When she appeared here, everything was somewhat self-evident.

"No way, what a coincidence!?"