The Meat and Wine of the Rich Stink

When Alvin walked out of the bar, his face was covered in drunkenness, and anyone who saw him would have thought he was a drunkard, and the Astra Militarum did not suspect anything.

The battle inside the bar was completely shielded by Alvin's Psychic Power, Astra Militarum outside were naturally unaware of what was happening inside.

After getting into the car, they returned to the mansion.

Zabriel then curiously approached and asked, "What tasks did you assign them? Do they need any help?"

It's clear that the leisurely days of the past two days have made Zabriel restless.

"Keep it confidential."

However, Alvin silenced Zapori's curiosity with a single sentence. "You don't need to ask, nor do you need to know. We'll just wait here. Soon, the governor will summon us."

There was one more thing he kept to himself.

Hopefully, the Lion King won't blame him; after all, this tactic was rather underhanded if word got out.

"Summon us?"

Zabriel didn't understand. "But isn't she still suspicious of us?"

"Yes."

Alvin said calmly, "But that doesn't matter. She'll summon us, and she'll even have to thank me for doing her a big favor."

"What big favor did you do for her?"

Zabriel is confused. Haven't you been wandering around aimlessly these past few days?

You'll find out soon enough.

Alvin, holding a glass of wine, stood before the mansion window, gazing at the heavy night outside, a slight smile playing on his lips, "The view tonight is truly magnificent."

Zabriel looked completely bewildered.

Outside, it's nothing but darkness. What scenery could possibly be considered "good"?!

Night fell.

A black curtain shrouded the Hive City. Although the country was still at war, the nobles in the Upper Hive of Avalon continued their revelry day and night.

The singing and dancing continue as usual.

That's what they're talking about: the extremely greedy and extravagant parasites of the Imperium. They don't care at all about the soldiers who fight to the death with Chaos in space every day, nor do they care how many civilians have starved to death because of the war.

Even if a million or ten million more of these people died, in their eyes, it would just be a number; what's more important than their own enjoyment?

Life is short, so enjoy it while you can.

The nobles of Avalon, adhering to this philosophy, cared only for their own pleasures and paid no heed to the raging floods outside.

The Jabba Family is a powerful Hive City that was among the first to immigrate to Avalon, following the governor's family. They control the interstellar transport routes and their family assets are astonishing, spanning almost half of Avalon, including countless factories, mines, and more.

Today, the Jabba Family still maintains a brightly lit, opulent hall, where extravagance is rampant. Even the most ordinary table lamp is made of pure gold.

The woman holding the golden goblet was a scantily clad young girl; they were maids who served the nobles and were also their playthings.

The obese Carl Jabba, holding a glass of liquid as golden as gold, proclaimed loudly, "Thank you all for attending my Earl birthday celebration!"

He is the current head of the Jabba Family, having inherited his father's Earl. Expensive silk and gold thread are woven into the robe he wears, and even the buttons are made of jewels, all of which demonstrate his noble status.

Today is his 130th birthday.

The entire banquet hall was filled with rare delicacies that are rarely seen elsewhere.

But these delicacies and fine wines were nothing special to these extravagant nobles; they wouldn't finish them because it didn't conform to noble "etiquette."

After a few bites, these delicacies and drinks, which required a massive amount of manpower to transport from all over the Imperium, would be discarded.

This was done to showcase the extravagance and power of the elite nobility.

"I heard that the Governor visited you all a few days ago?" Carl Jabba, holding a glass of wine, glanced at the faces of the nobles attending the banquet, and took a sip of wine with his plump, sausage-like lips.

As a top nobleman, Carl Jabba indulged in extreme luxury, but he was by no means a fool.

This 130th birthday celebration, which summoned a large number of Upper Hive nobles from Avalon, was certainly not just for the purpose of celebrating his own birthday.

"Earl Jabba is indeed well-informed." Soon, someone below responded, "The Governor hopes that we can provide some supplies to help the Astra Militarum and the Imperial Navy at the front."

The battle at the front is intense, and the Chaos Fleet's offensive is fierce, putting great pressure on Governor Hal. Supply reserves are being depleted at an alarming rate, including ammunition and food. She must prepare in advance for a protracted war.

These wealthy aristocratic assets naturally caught the eye of Governor Hal.

Upon hearing this, Carl Jabarmo raised his glass, a smile playing on his lips, and said calmly, "And what do you all think?"

Upon hearing this, the noisy hall immediately quieted down. The bloated, obese nobles all looked at others, but remained silent.

Asking them to pay? That's like cutting them out of their own flesh!

But without paying, they couldn't disobey Governor Hal's orders.

Haha, why is everyone so quiet?

Carl Jabba, adept at breaking the silence, looked at the nobles and smiled, "Actually, I understand the governor's difficulties, and I understand your hardships. Avalon is currently at war, and it wouldn't be unreasonable for everyone to offer some support."

The nobles wore stiff smiles.

"But-

Suddenly, Carl Jabba, drawing out a single, simple "but," revived the spirits of the nobles. "Wars always end eventually. This isn't the first or second time in recent years, and we've provided aid more than once or twice. But we can't just keep throwing away the wealth our ancestors painstakingly accumulated, can we?"

"Yes, Earl Excellency."

"The Earl is right. This is all the meager wealth our ancestors earned by working hard and sacrificing their lives for the Imperium!"

"Exactly! Once or twice would be one thing, but how many times has this happened? They take our money and let those thugs and lowly people squander it—why should they?!"

Looking at the nobles whose anger had been stirred up, Carl Jabba's lips curled into a slight smile. His goal had been achieved. He continued, "War? No matter how fiercely Chaos fights, they can't possibly invade. It'll just result in some deaths. Besides, these Astra Militarum and Imperial Navy will take their money and leave after the war, leaving us with a mess."

His heartfelt words struck a chord with the nobles present.

"Indeed, Earl is right!"

Someone shouted, "It's just Chaos! With the Astra Militarum and the Imperial Navy here, it'll just mean a few more deaths!"

"Exactly! We can't let our money go to the Astra Militarum and the Imperial Navy to fill their holes!" The person who said this was a fat pig, his mouth full of decayed teeth. "It's just a Chaos Fleet, isn't it? They've been here all these years, and when have they ever actually captured Hive City? Governor Hal is just making a mountain out of a molehill. Who knows what they've done with our money?"

This statement garnered the approval of many nobles.

"Since everyone shares the same opinion, then I, the Earl, am relieved." Carl Jabba said with a kind smile on his plump, white face, "To be honest, the Governor also came to me, asking me to provide ten tons of Energy Gel to stabilize the lives of the Underhive. But I believe that we are the nobles of the Imperium, the glory of the Imperium. Let these commoners die; it would save some food rations. But unfortunately—this Governor's attitude is very firm, so I took this opportunity at today's banquet to ask for your opinions."

"We need to teach this governor a lesson." At this point, Carl Jaba's seemingly amiable face revealed a sinister glint. "This Avalon doesn't belong to the Avalon alone. We must unite and show her who the true pillars of the Imperium are!"

"Unite! Unite!"

"That's right, let's unite! With the Jabba Family backing us, let's see what she can do to us!"

"Hahaha, with everyone saying that, I, Carl Jabba, am relieved."

Carl Jabba, beaming, laughed heartily, "As long as we remain united, she, a mere Planetary Governor, can do nothing to us! Let us raise a toast to the Emperor, a toast to the Imperium!"

The nobles laughed as they raised their cups to drink.

Then, Carl Jabba laughed, pulled a scantily clad maid into his arms, and brazenly fondled her, a hint of malice creeping across his face. "Now, the revelry begins, everyone, enjoy yourselves!"

In the vast hall, the elegantly dressed nobles completely tore off their disguises, transforming into beasts and animals, wantonly engaging in lewd acts with the surrounding maids. The sounds of debauchery echoed, and the smoke of incense rose and swirled around the portrait of the Emperor painted on the dome.

The Emperor, who originally had a compassionate expression, appeared somewhat ferocious and terrifying amidst the swirling smoke, like a demon from the underworld!