Silence.
Konrad Curze lightly pinched a thin sheet of paper between the index finger, middle finger, and thumb of his right hand.
On the surface, it was no different from any other similar sheet of paper, its intricate border patterns gleaming—so what made it worthy of such serious attention from the lord of the Eighth Legion?
"According to the Third Company's investigation, all five Hive Cities have their own embryo laboratories. Broadly speaking, they still follow the same production model, differing only in minor details. Production has currently been halted as an emergency measure, but a large number of embryos are still in the cultivation stage."
Fer Zalost finished speaking expressionlessly. A concealed anger flickered across his face, but it was faint.
Like most normal people, he could naturally control that emotion—after all, he had already vented once before returning to the Nightfall.
"Cultivation stage?" Konrad Curze asked softly. He had his emotions under such excellent control that Fer felt an inexplicable anxiety.
"Yes," he answered in a low voice. "There are thirteen thousand two hundred and forty-one in total."
"People," Curze corrected. "Thirteen thousand two hundred and forty-one people."
He leaned back in his chair and breathed calmly.
Paperwork had become second nature to him by now, and the officials who had adapted to his style had begun working with twice the efficiency. Because of that, the sight of him sitting in this chair almost made him seem unlike himself.
"Primarch, those machines have been shut down," Fer said in a low voice. "These people were artificially matured before they even emerged from the nutrient tanks."
"I know. I have read the report you submitted, or I would not have summoned you here to discuss this matter in person, my Third Company Captain."
With a soft sigh, Konrad Curze