Why Was Everyone So Humble? Nobody Wanted to Be Planetary Governor?

"All right, down to business. Who wants to be the new governor?" Vasily, the leader, suddenly asked.

Fu Haoran wondered for a moment if he'd heard wrong.

This was a Planetary Governor's position! In ancient times, it would've been the equivalent of a regional lord.

And now someone was saying he didn't want it?

But Fu Haoran didn't say anything. In terms of seniority, he was just a newbie.

Of course, more importantly, he was just a Reincarnator grinding through missions in a reincarnation world. Once he finished this mission, he'd be out of here. At most, he might get a chance to revisit the place someday.

Of course, if he had a choice, Fu Haoran would rather die than return to this "cesspit" of a world.

There was no helping it. This world was too dangerous. Human lives were worthless, and demigods roamed everywhere.

Yet a minute passed, then two... and still, nobody spoke up!

Fu Haoran looked around and saw everyone sitting bolt upright like elementary school students, their eyes darting away.

"This doesn't make sense. If everyone's so aboveboard, why did we start a rebellion at all?"

Suddenly, a voice broke the silence:

"Fu Haoran, I think you'd make a fine governor. We're all old and can't handle the job anymore."

It was Mikhail speaking. If anyone else had said it, Fu Haoran might've been a little touched.

But Mikhail was a noble... even if all he had left was the title, he'd always looked down on people.

What had gotten into him today?

Did dogs stop eating shit today?

"Hmm, that makes sense. Fu Haoran is handsome, responsible, and caring."

"Indeed, the future belongs to the young. As the Ancient Terra proverb goes: 'The waves behind drive on those before.' It's time we stepped aside."

"He's the only one fit for the governor's seat!"

Fu Haoran couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. Since when had everyone become so agreeable?

"Whatever. I'll take the job first and think about it later!"

"Besides, I can get out of here in three days. I'll try being a governor, and I'll get more points for it. It's a great deal."

So, for once, Fu Haoran modestly replied, "Since you all insist, I'll accept."

Fu Haoran smiled brightly.

Everyone else smiled brightly, too.

The next day, Fu Haoran stood atop the platform at his coronation, his expression grim.

Vasily, Brandon, Mikhail... none of the familiar faces had shown up!

Below him stood only the Guard Regiment led by Wade and a few young staff officers. Other than them, he was the only big shot left.

"Are they worried I'll kill the donkey after it's done its work?"

"We're comrades, for goodness' sake. They could've at least waited until after my coronation before leaving."

The more Fu Haoran thought about it, the more something seemed wrong.

"Why does this feel like someone's trying to kill me?!"

Fu Haoran was just about to send someone to investigate when Wade hurried over, his voice grave. "My lord, Vasily, Brandon, and the others have arrived at the Starport with their entire families. It looks like they're leaving the planet!"

"With their whole families?" Fu Haoran asked.

Wade nodded firmly.

Fu Haoran's eyelids started twitching like crazy.

The last time this had happened was before he'd crossed over!

Back then, Fu Haoran had bought the deluxe edition of Space Marine 2. When he launched it, the user agreement that popped up included a particularly eye-catching joke: "Upon death, the user's soul will be reincarnated in the Warhammer 40K universe, where they will devote their worth to The Emperor for all eternity."

Fu Haoran had laughed at the time.

It was understandable for a game company to joke around with gaming references.

Back then, Fu Haoran's eyelids had been twitching like crazy, too.

The next day, Fu Haoran went to work.

Who could've guessed that while he was crouched on the ground adjusting a machine tool, a hundred-ton Isekai Truck would burst through the wall!

Fu Haoran was completely stunned. Three enormous question marks flashed through his mind:

Wait! How did you drive in here?

Why aren't you braking? Are you a woman driver who thinks yelling will make the brakes work?

You're doing this on purpose, aren't you?! Wherever I run, you chase me!

Just as the truck hit him, Fu Haoran saw the driver.

It was an old man in a hooded robe, smiling at him with a chilling grin.

"Holy crap! Are truck drivers overseas really this crazy?!"

After that, Fu Haoran felt himself go flying.

For the next year, he lived worse than a Hive City rat, somehow ending up with the rebels.

Now, that familiar twitch in his eyelids had returned!

"Forget it. I'll become governor first, then get out of here right away."

With a Tech-Priest presiding, the gene authentication was completed without a hitch.

[Identity registration complete. Full authority over Planet S-Sei 4 unlocked. Rights and responsibilities bound.]

[Occupation binding successful! Congratulations, player, you have become the Planetary Governor of Planet S-Sei 4]

[Permissions]

[1. You may transfer resources and technology from different worlds to your territory, build and upgrade exclusive facilities, and unlock a merged technology tree.]

[2. You may train and equip a dedicated army in your territory, then take it with you to fight in future reincarnation worlds.]

[Skill acquired: Cross-Dimensional Travel (costs 100 Universal Points per use)]

[Special Status: Unable to enter the next reincarnation world before completing the mission]

"Lord... Planetary Governor... and I can even take an army with me to other worlds?"

Fu Haoran was very pleased.

"With this ability, I can take an army to sweep through low-magic worlds and plunder their resources. Maybe I can even become a High Lord..."

Ding!

[Mandatory Main Mission triggered: Imperial Duty: Tithe Collection]

[Mission Description: Pay the Empire the three hundred years of overdue Tithe]

[Mission Difficulty: SSS (Death Rate: 99.7%)]

[In recognition of the Reincarnator's courage in willingly entering such an Extremis, a commendation is in order.]

[Achievement acquired: Game Breaker, Strength +3 (Don't ask why it didn't increase Intelligence)]

Fu Haoran's expression froze.

"WTF?! Tithe!?"

Fu Haoran wanted to curse.

On paper, it was 10% of production. In practice, it was 90%.

The Empire only cared about collecting. It didn't care what was happening on the Hive World. Even if the planet suffered a major disaster or a war that year, it still had to pay the same amount.

Didn't pay?

The Empire's response was that if you didn't dare, there were plenty of others who would.

If Fu Haoran still didn't understand that he'd been set up, he might as well just bash his head in.

Fu Haoran grabbed the communicator.

"Brandon, what's this about the Tithe?"

Brandon paused, then replied in a nonchalant tone, "Oh, I forgot to tell you. This planet's been behind on its Tithe for three hundred years. That's long enough that everyone forgot about it."

"Just a few years ago, the Hive City received word from the Imperial Ministry of Interior that they were coming to collect the Tithe."

"The old nobles knew they couldn't pay it back, so they chose to run. That gave us the chance to start our uprising."

"We only saw the full financial records after we took over the Hive City."

"But we figured someone had to be the scapegoat. After looking around, we realized that you, a commoner with no connections, were the perfect choice."

"We just didn't expect you to accept so readily," Brandon said without the slightest restraint.

"Otherwise, what did you think qualified you for this position?"

"All right, Governor. Enjoy what time you have left. We'll miss you, Your Excellency."

Fu Haoran's eyes turned cold.

"If you show me no mercy, don't blame me for returning the favor!"

Fu Haoran turned and ordered Wade, "Lock onto the Space Elevator and open fire!"

"My lord, you mustn't!" Wade hurriedly urged him. "That's one of the planet's only two orbital elevators. It handles 70% of interstellar trade and supply transport!"

"Destroying it would cut off port freight and anger every noble!"

"I know." Fu Haoran cut him off, his voice frighteningly calm. "That's why they just showed their hand. They didn't even bother pretending."

"They're certain I won't dare turn against them. They're betting I'll weigh the pros and cons."

"But they're wrong. Only useless fools waste time weighing the pros and cons."

"Now, bombard the Starport!"

"I want every last one of them trapped!"