Imperial Frontier: Another World

If the Mid Hive is a hodgepodge and the Underhive is a literal junkyard, then the Upper Hive is the absolute antithesis of both combined.

It is unlike the crowded districts and narrow, dim streets of the Mid Hive, and even further removed from the pitch-black, bottomless pits of the Underhive, which are lit entirely by artificial light, not to mention the abysmal state of law and order and living conditions in those two sectors.

In the Mid Hive, you might survive—you likely won't die, as the power of the Imperium still reaches that far—but with low income and wretched living conditions, especially the exhaust fumes from the Adeptus Mechanicus and the dismal public sanitation, you won't live well. At the very least, however, the Imperium guarantees you are still breathing.

As for the Underhive, ah, we don't need to dwell on that, do we? You have seen enough, and I believe you are all quite familiar with life in the Mid Hive; after all, it doesn't seem that different from our own daily lives—though, of course, I am referring to the addition of Ecclesiarchy zealots, paranoid Tech-Priests of the Adeptus Mechanicus, brutal enforcers, and corrupt Imperial bureaucrats.

Hmm. Well, perhaps the difference isn't that great after all.

But in the Upper Hive? It is a completely different story. Here, there are wide streets, fresh air, and architectural structures that can only be described as magnificent and exquisite.

Unlike the steel forests of the Mid Hive, the buildings here are breathtaking, clearly designed and constructed with meticulous care. Every palatial structure, adorned with sculptures and fine reliefs, is surrounded by well-manicured greenery.

These exquisite gardens and street-side plants imbue the area with a sense of vitality. Each building is spaced at a respectful distance, a far cry from the dense, wall-to-wall, person-to-person crowding below; this place can truly be called comfortable.

Large shopping malls, entertainment districts, hospitals, cinemas, and all manner of clubs are visible almost everywhere. These components of upper-class luxury are distributed along the streets and floating platforms of the Upper Hive, following their own unique architectural logic and layout.

On the well-maintained, wide roads, a stream of luxury sedans and grav-vehicles shuttles back and forth; the traffic density here is also a stark contrast to the Mid Hive.

Exquisite public streetlamps line the roads, illuminating the way. Each golden, decorative lamp features a small angel statue holding a lantern, and it is from these that the light illuminating the world is emitted.

Vito leaned back against the leather upholstery of the car's rear seat, his body tilted to one side, one hand resting on the window frame. His eyes gazed at the brightly lit, exquisite buildings on both sides of the street. These luxury villas and palaces were clearly enjoying their nightlife; from time to time, one could hear laughter and loud conversation.

Vito had only just arrived in the Upper Hive, and in less than ten minutes of driving, he had already seen four garden parties. The delicious food, the luxurious indulgence, and the sheer waste on display were enough to sustain the lives of many common Imperial citizens for a lifetime.

Vito had indeed visited many hive cities and had certainly seen similar scenes. The lives of the Imperium's nobles and elites were always this decadent and debauched, but one had to admit, the level of indulgence on Victoria Planet seemed even more exaggerated than usual.

Vito was certain he had seen some... less-than-loyal forms of entertainment, or rather, something more akin to the kind of entertainment one might find among the followers of a Chaos deity.

Vito gave a wry chuckle and sighed softly. Inside the car, beside him, Henry also leaned against the window, watching the myriad lights outside. "Every time I come to the Upper Hive, it makes me deeply uncomfortable. The vast majority of people on this planet are suffering, struggling at the poverty line, yet here, these bastards who have enjoyed privilege for generations can revel in song and dance night after night."

"I often wonder, if The Emperor truly protects humanity, would he really allow all of this?" Henry said in a low voice, sounding more like he was talking to himself, but Vito chuckled, resting his chin on his hand.

"No, he wouldn't. At least, I don't think he would." "Perhaps. But the light of The Emperor is hard to find here now. Or perhaps... the one on Terra is no longer the true Emperor."

Henry said, his eyes flashing with the reflection of those lights and scenes of revelry. "I have heard that he has completely turned into a corpse. Now, only the vermin of the privileged class remain, using his glory as a pretext to hoard wealth and indulge in pleasure."

"I once believed in The Emperor, believed in the Imperium, Vito. But every time I come here, I ask myself why. Why on earth should I believe in them? Thousands of years have passed, and nothing has ever changed. Perhaps we should have stopped waiting for salvation from The Emperor a long time ago."

"Don't you think the Lord of Redemption, from beyond the sea of stars, can bring hope and salvation?" Vito asked, tilting his head slightly. Henry gave a bitter smile, sighed heavily, and rubbed his neck.

"I believe, yet I do not. I don't know why. I am not as pious as Mosley. Since joining the family and the church, I have indeed undergone many shifts in my thinking, but I always feel... that some power, or some underlying thought or will, is making me doubt everything we claim, and even the Lord of Redemption himself."

"I feel like..." "A Chaos heretic?"

Henry froze for a moment, then gave a bitter laugh, leaning powerlessly against the soft car seat. "Perhaps. I always think, our doctrine claims that all humans, all living beings, are equal. That everyone is equal before the Lord of Redemption, and that we can all receive final salvation."

"But why do our high-ranking leaders mostly still live here, in the Upper Hive? They are part of the Imperial privileged class themselves. Why would they believe in the Lord of Redemption? For the sake of the common people?"

Vito seemed amused. "No, remember? They are the nobles and elites of the Imperium. Aside from the Ecclesiarchy and the Adeptus Mechanicus, they have no piety or loyalty to speak of."

"Even within the Ecclesiarchy and the Adeptus Mechanicus, there are such people."

"The Imperium uses wealth and power to bind them to its war machine. I don't believe they worship the Lord of Redemption out of faith. They aren't religious fanatics like Mosley."

Henry fell silent. His eyes reflected a myriad of colors, weaving together like a brilliant feast of lights.

"Tell me, Vito, does Mosley's disappearance have anything to do with you?" After Henry spoke, the atmosphere in the car turned cold. This suffocating silence lasted for a moment.

Vito looked at a statue passing by—it was an angel. "Directly? No. But I knew he would disappear." "You are very honest, Vito. You are essentially admitting that you harmed Mosley." "I don't intend to lie to you, brother, and I don't believe I bear direct responsibility."

"Yes, I knew Mal would find Mosley through the traitors and take action against him. I said at the meeting that there were traitors among us colluding with the other side." "But you still sent him there, or rather, you encouraged it."

Vito sighed deeply. "You know, even if I hadn't said anything, he would have gone anyway. It would have just been him going on his own and disrupting all our plans. So, yes, I encouraged him to go, and I knew there was a high chance he wouldn't come back."

"I used Mal's hand to get rid of him. Neither you nor I need to bear the responsibility or the infamy. No one will ever know. And now, the Underhive Convent is safe."

"The Hammer Factory is in our hands, and there is no longer a madman inciting everyone to do one crazy, unreasonable thing after another."

Henry shook his head, still looking at the magnificent buildings outside the window—a massive garden-style estate where the gardens were in full bloom, filled with perfectly manicured greenery.

"You are not pious, Vito. I know you came to the Underhive for power, too. You are no different in essence from the people here." Henry's voice sounded as if it came from a dark void—ethereal and lingering. Although they were less than half a meter apart, the voice still felt as though it were drifting from an endless nothingness.

Vito smiled and patted his stomach. "Yes, I won't deny that. I went down there for my own reasons—power, wealth, desire, and so on. Just like most people."

Henry smiled and rubbed his head. "You really are honest. Most people aren't willing to admit that." Vito also smiled. "I don't intend to lie to you, brother. I'm just telling the truth."

As Vito spoke, the entire car suddenly came to a halt. He looked at the guard outside the front window with confusion and curiosity. It was a guard wearing a magnificent uniform, adorned with the insignia of a private family. Clearly, he was a guard for some wealthy household, not a local enforcer.

The gate guard, dressed in a blue uniform with gold-threaded trim, exchanged glances with the driver in the front. They said nothing, and then the guard signaled to the guardhouse beside them. The thick iron gate slowly swung open.

They drove into a garden—a private garden that appeared to be of considerable size, with fountains, sculptures, and all manner of artistic structures. Vito squinted slightly as he took it all in.

A moment later, the car stopped in front of a palatial building. Henry smiled and opened the car door on his side. "You are very honest, Vito, so you will like him." "Who?" "Go out and see for yourself."

Henry left the car first, and Vito followed, stepping out of the vehicle. His boots landed on the pristine white marble ground, and he lifted his black eyes to look at the opulent building.

Vito froze for a moment, then gave a helpless laugh. "Of course. What was I even wondering about?"

Yes, this was simply the Governor's Palace of Victoria Planet.