Retirement Was Over

Haiwendland was a beautiful garden world. It possessed magnificent natural scenery and pure, fresh air. What was more, the planet enjoyed special tax-exempt status, raising its citizens' standard of living by several levels.

Rather than serving nobles and bureaucrats, this garden world preferred to grant residency rights to war heroes adorned with countless honors.

Thanks to the legends of war heroes and the local government's vigorous publicity, nine out of every ten young people on Haiwendland dreamed of joining the Astra Militarum.

Dong!

The bell rang. Yarrick raised his head, flexing the hand that had grown stiff from writing for so long, and looked toward the enormous, spotless crystal window.

Trees with fiery red leaves swayed in the wind on either side, producing a soothing rustling sound. At the end of the path winding between them stood an Imperial clock tower built specifically for Yarrick. Whenever the hour struck, the bronze bell personally cast by Adeptus Mechanicus priests would ring.

A small door beneath the clock popped open, and eighteen little Ork figurines scurried out. Yarrick's lifelike figurine then raised its axe and chopped off their heads one by one.

It was creative, but also strange.

Yarrick stood up and drew himself a glass of water from the beverage machine built into the wall.

Looking at the crystal-clear water, which even gave off a fresh fragrance, Yarrick instead lost all desire to drink it.

He fetched the leather boots he only wore when going out and knocked their soles together several times. Gathering the filthy mud and sand, he sprinkled it into the water as though brewing coffee.

He drank the murky cup of water. The earthy smell of dirt overwhelmed its fragrance and lingered in his throat, making him cough softly.

Yarrick frowned. He was still dissatisfied with the