The first half of the meeting proceeded as usual.
The powerful and influential began to discuss the matter freely.
But the atmosphere today was noticeably less enthusiastic than before, even though Brevis's three most important figures were all present.
Lynn, Goodwin, Luna.
Add to that the heated exchange of gifts between Lynn and Luna just now.
No one dared to act as recklessly as before.
The topics discussed were all kept to a minimum.
The efficiency of our own grain production, what delicious food we've recently discovered—these are all trivial topics.
Lynn listened while observing Luna.
The woman sat upright beside the main seat, a smile always on her face.
She would occasionally chime in with a few words, but they were all just polite, innocuous remarks.
But Lynn noticed that her eyes would light up whenever someone mentioned topics related to Adeptus Mechanicus.
That prosthetic eye will slowly rotate, capturing every detail.
She is gathering information.
Lynn sneered inwardly.
The meeting was halfway through.
Luna suddenly spoke.
"Gentlemen."
The hall fell silent, and everyone looked at her.
Luna stood up and walked to the center of the hall.
She looked around, her gaze sweeping across everyone's face before finally settling on Lynn.
"I've invited you all here today not only to discuss routine matters, but also to announce something else."
A bright smile spread across her face.
" The St. Garus Family has completed its internal restructuring."
"From this day forward, I will officially assume the Lord Regent, and shall have full authority over all family affairs."
She looked at Lynn, her smile laced with provocation.
"Your Excellency, I hope we can cooperate well in the future."
Lynn looked at her without saying a word.
The hall was so quiet you could hear someone breathing.
"Alright, so how does the Lord Regent hope we can cooperate?"
Upon hearing Lynn's reply, Luna's last remaining wariness dissipated.
Is this the Emperor's chosen one? Nothing special.
Her signature smile returned to her face as she turned to everyone present and spoke in a clear, bright voice.
"Gentlemen, I've heard that the Governor is planning a Purification Crusade against Dorito the Orks."
Everyone in the hall was looking at her.
"I have just become the Lord Regent of St. Garus, and it is only right and proper for me to do my part for Brevis."
She paused for a moment, her gaze sweeping over the crowd.
"Moreover, the Adeptus Mechanicus has been in Brevis for so long; it's time they did something practical for this planet."
Lynn looked at her but didn't rush to speak.
"Therefore, I hope to serve as the marshal of this expedition."
Led by the Noble Council and the Adeptus Mechanicus, led by the St. Garus Family, we will completely purge the Orks that threaten Brevis!
After he finished speaking, the hall fell into a deathly silence.
Anyone with a modicum of intelligence understood what she meant.
On the surface, this is Luna wanting to contribute to Brevis.
But in reality, her ambitions extended far beyond just one Lord Regent.
If she is appointed as the expeditionary marshal, the main hive must support her with all its might, no matter what.
All resources, including provisions, equipment, and troops, will be directed towards her.
In the unique political environment of Brevis, the positions of the Planetary Governor and the high king were roughly equal.
It could even be said that, over the years, the High King has consistently held the upper hand over the Planetary Governor.
At that time, even if Luna sidelines Lynn, no one will say anything.
The glory of the expedition's victory belongs to her.
The achievements made during the expedition were hers.
After the expedition ended, she returned to her homeland with a large army and great prestige.
What is a governor?
The faces of those in the governor's camp all changed.
Goodwin's pure white eyes narrowed to slits, Carter's brows furrowed deeply, and his fingers kept fiddling with a pen.
Those who couldn't understand were still looking at each other, bewildered as to what had happened.
But some of those who understood were clearly unhappy.
President Trayn suddenly stood up, the chair legs scraping loudly on the floor.
"Bullshit!"
The entire audience erupted in uproar.
President Trayn, now the leader of the Mid-City Trade Union, was one of the first to defect to Lynn.
His face flushed red, and he pointed at Luna's nose and started cursing:
Who do you think you are?!
Luna's smile froze on her face.
"Just a woman who took advantage of Caladogon's absence to climb the social ladder!"
President Trayn became more and more excited as he spoke.
"You're in charge of technology, you've never been on a battlefield in your entire life, what makes you think you can be a marshal?!"
Luna opened her mouth, about to retort.
But Chairman Trayn didn't give her a chance at all.
" The Purification Crusade was proposed by the Governor! It was orchestrated by the Governor!"
"As the founder, even if he doesn't become marshal, he still needs their consent, right?"
He slammed his hand on the table, making the teacup jump.
"The governor resolved Brevis's current Orks problem in just a few months!"
Killed two Warboss! Subdued the Icefield Savages! What can you compare to these achievements?!
He stared at Luna, speaking slowly and deliberately.
"You, a mere peach-picking technician, aspire to be a marshal?"
"Alright, first demonstrate your military achievements and honors to prove you're qualified for this position!"
After Chairman Trayn finished speaking, he sat back down, panting heavily.
The entire room fell silent.
Luna stood in the center of the hall, her face flushing red and then turning pale.
She opened her mouth, but couldn't utter a single word.
Those who sided with Lynn were all suppressing their laughter.
Carter lowered his head, pretending to look at a document, but his shoulders were trembling slightly.
Goodwin raised his teacup, using the motion of drinking tea to conceal the smile playing on his lips.
Those all-seeing eyes were now filled with the word "exhilarating."
Even the neutral parties lowered their heads, afraid of having their expressions seen.
After all, in the Warhammer universe, there is only war, and no normal life or entertainment.
For most people, honor is almost everything.
Luna was left speechless by the retort.
She's been involved in politics for too short a time and hasn't yet learned how to argue with these seasoned veterans.
If Callum had said those words, she could have easily covered it up, but she...
She took a deep breath and closed her eyes.
When she opened her eyes again, the panic was gone.
"President Trayn is right."
Her voice calmed down, even carrying a hint of self-deprecating laughter.
"I truly have no military merits, no honors, and have never been on a battlefield in my entire life."
Chairman Trayn was taken aback; he hadn't expected the other party to back down.
But Luna's next words made him stop laughing.
"But."
Luna stared at Chairman Trayn, her gaze filled with unparalleled confidence.
" The Purification Crusade faced a massive Orks army from the Dorito agricultural planet."
"That was a planetary war."
"There are billions of Orks units, countless war machines, and all sorts of things we've never seen before."
Her voice became increasingly steady.
"For a battle of this magnitude, are honors and military achievements enough?"
President Trayn opened his mouth, wanting to refute, but couldn't utter a word.
Because what Luna said was true.
Lynn was indeed formidable; he killed two Warboss and repelled a massive army of millions of Orks.
But that was in Brevis, on the Forbidden Wall, where there was a natural barrier to defend it.
Dorito is different.
That was the Orks ' lair, territory they had been operating for two years.
What does a billion Orks mean? If they just stood there and let you kill them, it would take years.
Moreover, they can resist, charge, and use strange and wonderful war machines.
Relying solely on the Vanguard, the governor's office, and a few labor unions was indeed insufficient.
Chairman Trayn sat in the chair, his expression complex.