Nack tipped back his head and drained an entire bottle of beverage, then grabbed a cigarette from the table, lit it with effortless flair, and began puffing away. His leisurely gaze rested in the distance, his eyes carrying a hint of languid satisfaction.
Ever since Nack and the others had seen Lord of the Stars' fondness for smoking, they had begun imitating him as well, as though it had become a fashion trend and anyone who did not smoke would seem out of place.
However, after tasting the cigarettes personally made by Lord of the Stars, Nack and the other senior officers had become utterly obsessed. They could not resist the unique flavor and intense kick. Like hard liquor, these cigarettes were intoxicating, leaving the Space Marines unable to put them down.
The Space Marines' immensely strengthened bodies could no longer take any interest in many things ordinary people enjoyed. Fine wine and food were one example: alcohol with too low a proof tasted as bland as plain water, while the energy contained in ordinary food was so limited that it could only fill a Space Marine's stomach.
Only highly concentrated energy bars could truly make Space Marines feel full and provide the energy needed for intense combat.
Nack lightly shook the cigarette pack in his hand, took out several smaller cigarettes suitable for ordinary people, casually tossed them to Marshall and the other man, and asked with a smile, "Do you know how to smoke?"
Marshall reacted swiftly, catching the cigarettes Nack had thrown over. Without hesitation, he put one between his lips and answered with a smile, "I do. Not only do these calm the mind, they're quite precious as well!"
Some nobles grew and sold cigarettes, a luxury good, but due to the Imperium's sluggish trade routes,