(Thank you, Bei Ming Luo Yu, for the tip—bonus update 14/25.
Another 20,000 words today. That's it for now; tomorrow, maybe. I'm calling it here today—I've been squeezed dry.)
After touring the Plasma Guns manufactured by the Nuclear Factory, Governor Zeppelin pulled Li Qinwu along and said:
"Come on, come on. Now that you've seen them, come with me. Those merchants are already waiting in the hall. It's time to meet them.
Oh, right. Did you bring your Rosette?"
Li Qinwu took the Rosette from his collar and hung it over his chest.
"What do you need that for? Don't tell me you want me to back you up?"
Governor Zeppelin chuckled.
"Of course you're backing me up. You're an Inquisitor now—even an Astartes Chapter Master would have to show you some respect. Space Wolves excepted.
Some of those people who came to our planet in warships to do business are legitimate merchants, but some are no good at all. They won't conduct honest business with us.
If you stand here wearing an Inquisitor's Rosette, you'll be able to keep all those monsters and misfits in line."
Li Qinwu gave an acknowledging sound, straightened his collar, and followed Governor Zeppelin briskly toward the reception room.
Before long, they arrived at an extravagantly decorated reception hall.
It was arranged like a free-form ball. Fine food and wine covered the tables for guests to help themselves to, while everyone gathered in groups to talk and socialize.
The reception hall was now packed with people, every one of them dressed in luxurious formalwear.
They were either representatives of Armed Merchant Ships or captains themselves. Some were even officers of the Astra Militarum. There were nearly a hundred of them.
When the hall doors opened and Governor Zeppelin entered with Li Qinwu, every gaze