The Emperor’s Angel of Death

Faced with Soshjan's light-hearted questioning, the Governor stammered in response:

“Y-Your Excellency, everything is, is still under control... under control, and order will be, will be restored immediately.”

“I know, your forces have all been drawn away, which is understandable. It's cold kneeling on this golden floor, everyone get up.”

The voice was deep and resonant, carrying a monarchical威严 (wēi yán - imposing authority) that commanded instinctive obedience. The crowd rose to their feet, heads bowed slightly, including Governor O'Brien.

“Are there any cultists here?”

Hearing Soshjan's question, O'Brien hastily replied with humility.

“No, there's only a small number, not enough to be a threat. They are the primary target of the Department of Law.”

“Are there any Genestealers?”

“Uh...”

The Governor glanced to the side, having only heard of Genestealers and lacking any real understanding. Fortunately, a Tech-Priest, also his advisor, immediately stepped in to answer.

“No such xenos activity has been detected in this star system.”

“No cultists, no Genestealers, then the riots are quite simple.”

Soshjan clasped his hands behind his back, tilting his head slightly as if gazing at the massive Emperor statue carved into the wall.

“The citizens of the Imperium have low demands. A bite to eat each day, a bunk to lie down on, and they will never riot or rebel. So...”

No one could see Soshjan's expression beneath his helmet.

“...there is only one reason. They can no longer even have these two needs met. Am I right?”

As he spoke, he waved his hand, and Mark hauled someone in, throwing him to the ground. The obese middle-aged man was like a rat thrown into the spotlight, immediately curling up and kneeling on the ground, repeatedly saying “I was wrong.” The others noticed his uniform, which belonged to the Star System Defense Monitoring Department.

“When our fleet arrived, we almost exchanged fire with the star system's defense system because the transponder system didn't respond immediately. What was the person in charge doing at the time? He was trying to find a way to transfer hundreds of tons of smuggled goods hidden in the monitoring station's warehouse. What was in those goods? Banned drugs, luxury goods, expensive xenos beast specimens, xenos artifacts. And the war supplies that should have been there? Gone, not a single item left.”

With that, Soshjan began to pace around the station chief, who was trembling like a leaf on the ground, and said slowly:

“I once heard an ancient wise man recite an ancient Terra folk song. It may be a little awkward and difficult to pronounce, but I think with everyone's knowledge, you should be able to understand it. It goes like this—”

Large rats, large rats, do not eat my millet! I have served you for three years, yet you do not care for me. I will leave you and go to that happy land; happy land, happy land, where I can find my place.

Large rats, large rats, do not eat my wheat! I have served you for three years, yet you do not cherish me. I will leave you and go to that happy country; happy country, happy country, where I can earn my worth.

Large rats, large rats, do not eat my seedlings! I have served you for three years, yet you do not reward me. I will leave you and go to that happy suburb; happy suburb, happy suburb, who will sigh there forever?

When Soshjan finished reciting, everyone present was drenched in sweat and silent as cicadas in winter. The Governor was even more ashamed, almost burying his face in his chest.

“This person will be handed over to Governor O'Brien for disposal. I hope everyone understands that Orpheus is now facing a crisis of extinction. Everyone must show the determination to sacrifice their families for the sake of the nation. Not long ago, I led troops against the Tyranid in the Saint Caspalien district. Many people were reluctant to part with this and that, but when the enemy comes, they will find that they will end up with nothing. It is better to do your best from the beginning. The Imperium is not stingy with rewards and prizes for those who have contributed.”

“Yes, Your Excellency is right! Men! Drag this filthy dog down! Arrest all his family, relatives, friends, parents, and siblings! Confiscate all his property, investigate thoroughly, and ferret out all the suspects related to him!”

Hearing the Governor's furious threat to exterminate his clan, the man was so frightened that he fainted.

“Governor O'Brien, I have a suggestion for you. In order to quickly stabilize prices and ensure supply, you must severely crack down on hoarding and speculation.”

As soon as Soshjan said this, a group of people on the right side of the hall, dressed in luxurious clothes and adorned with gold and silver, showed obvious signs of unease.

The Governor lowered his head again.

“I will certainly follow your teachings.”

“No need to be like this. I am an Astartes and will not interfere in your area of authority, just giving some suggestions.”

As he spoke, he turned sideways and pointed to the several Mechanicus sages behind him.

“I brought some supplies from my homeworld and Ekvoria. The quantity is not large, but it should be able to alleviate the planet's current predicament. Draw up a ration distribution plan to first appease the public's emotions. In addition, I will send warriors down to the areas where the riots are more intense. The top priority is to quickly quell the situation and restore production.”

“That, that is really too kind of you! All the soldiers and civilians of Decapolis will forever remember Chapter Master Soshjan Alexius's great kindness and virtue! I have prepared a welcome banquet for you and your warriors, please don't disdain our humble place.”

“Haha, it will be enough for me to attend. The warriors still have a lot to do.”

After receiving Soshjan's reply, the Governor immediately signaled his confidants with his eyes, and the palace immediately burst into rousing music. Soshjan followed the other party to the banquet hall.

There was nothing too special afterward, just endless flattery and praise. Soshjan could see that their level was indeed not very high, and they repeated the same words over and over again. He was too lazy to remember too many people, just roughly remembering a few key figures.

After the banquet, he held a private meeting with the Governor, which was the key.

As the main “sponsor” of Ekvoria, Soshjan's layout of Orpheus played a role. Regarding his vision of building an Ekvoria-Decapolis integrated supply chain, the Governor agreed with both hands. At the same time, after the two sides had a certain basis for communication, he showed a certain political ambition, constantly hinting to Soshjan that the current governor of Amara has been frightened by the enemy and is no longer suitable to bear the burden of the entire sector.

Soshjan naturally knew the thoughts of this Governor O'Brien. His choice to come to Decapolis was actually based on this consideration.

If the Amara Sector Governor is proven to be really incapable, or Amara is occupied by the enemy, then Orpheus must have a new center, and Decapolis is undoubtedly the best choice for the new capital, so there is this consideration in planning Decapolis in advance.

But he would not reveal it, after all, he had not met the Sector Governor, and the situation here was not as closed as the Grand Diocese. The Minotaurs and other chapters would also arrive soon. If the actions were too big at the beginning, it would be easy to be caught. Therefore, the actions of the Holy Fire Order would have to wait for a while.

However, as long as he controlled the war zone logistics, then he would have control over the command, and it would be much easier to do anything afterward. This can also be regarded as Soshjan's personal strategic style.

Bonus chapter tomorrow! I hope everyone will vote more in the new month!