Aboard the Void Hunter, in Nareth's Office.
Arsena Dunn summoned a star chart and projected it onto the tactical table.
Nareth examined the chart closely. Between Vostroya's System and the Crystal Mirage located in the A-068 system, vast areas remained shrouded in unknown mist.
Scattered regions marked the locations that the Mechanicum exploration fleets had reached by blind warp jumps.
The Primarch ran his fingers across the chart, drawing a corridor-like path, and asked his aide with a testing tone:
"If we send Legion warriors to explore these regions, it would take too much time. What's your suggestion?"
After a minute of thought, Arsena responded:
"My lord, since you believe deploying Legionnaires is too costly, we should turn to other resources."
"You should take full advantage of the privileges granted by the Imperium. There are usable provisions within the Lex Imperialis."
"You've read it all?"
When Nareth became a Lex Imperialis 'lawyer', the massive legal code had been directly implanted into his mind. He knew better than anyone how overwhelming it was.
And yet his aide, burdened with so much work, had found time to read the entire thing?
"My lord, I thought it necessary to read the full Lex Imperialis in order to serve you better."
"Only then could I offer constructive recommendations when required."
The silver-haired Reader skillfully demonstrated his initiative, then presented his idea:
"According to the Lex Imperialis, you have the authority to appoint Rogue Traders. Under warrant, they can explore unknown regions on your behalf."
"Even the Emperor himself made use of Rogue Traders. In M.38, Rogue Trader Hel DeAniasie discovered the Paramar System."
Nareth nodded in satisfaction. Arsena's thinking aligned with his own.
Free manpower was there to be used; it was better than consuming the Legion's strength. This, too, was mastery of the rules.
He gave an order:
"Once we return to Vostronia, gather information on the Imperium's supply fleets. Look among the conscripted merchant ships for suitable candidates."
"Local ones are acceptable too. Though they lack interstellar travel experience, as long as they're bold and capable, they'll do."
"I'll provide them with support."
Vostroya's noble houses were highly loyal. Nareth could offer aid, such as escort frigates, destroyers, or even retired, heavily injured Auxilia troops as ship officers.
"As you will, my lord."
Arsena bowed and left to fulfill the task. Nareth glanced up at the ornate clock hanging on the wall.
"It's about time. Marlena should be here."
Though Marlena had not been named as an official aide, Nareth held deep trust in both her loyalty and ability, perhaps even more than in Arsena's.
However, because her future path included roles like Harvest Priest (Sequence 7) and Druid (Sequence 5), both of which required a strong connection to nature, he hadn't assigned her to an office-bound role.
Still, during this period, he regularly dined with both aides to stay informed on the medical deck's developments from another angle.
At that moment, Marlena had just completed an exhausting surgery inside the medical bay.
As she finished, she felt the familiar sensation of inner digestion, as though her body had consumed a meal, just like every time she saved a life.
She removed her white coat and stepped out of the transformation chamber. Immediately, two Vostroyan auxiliary soldiers arrived, carefully pushing a cart toward her.
"Lady Marlena, have some water."
These two had been saved by her on the operating table. They had paid all their sovereign coins, Nareth's unified Vostronian currency, just for the chance to thank her in person.
"Thank you," she said with a radiant smile.
Her features momentarily stunned the two battle-hardened veterans.
They quickly came to their senses. There were no improper thoughts, only instinctive awe.
Marlena lifted the tempered glass shield that kept the scent of disinfectants at bay, picked up the silver cup, and downed the drink in one go.
"Thank you both."
"No, no... It's we who should thank you for saving our lives."
Though less intense than the post-surgery rush, their gratitude still triggered the familiar internal sensation in Marlena, bringing her one step closer to mastering her powers.
She took a dedicated elevator up to the bridge. Moments later, she arrived at the Primarch's office.
Taking a moment to adjust her appearance, though it was already flawless—she stepped inside and saluted.
"My lord."
"Take a seat."
She gracefully sat down in the oak chair.
Then, a legion aide entered, pushing a dining cart and laying out dishes made with meats sourced from Carrion Plains, now reclassified as an Agri-world.
The scents of applewood and cherry mingled with the sound of sizzling fat, teasing the appetite of the battle-weary Marlena.
First came a medium-rare cut of green-striped zebra steak, its marbled texture glistening golden in the candlelight.
The caramelized crust cracked under the silver knife, revealing molten-pink fibers that rippled like volcanic lava, as amber-colored meat juices bled into the bone plate.
Next: herb-marinated ram ribs, glistening with fat. The rosemary and garlic had fused into every muscle fiber under heat, releasing the scent of lamb cream and charcoal smoke into the air.
From deep in the oven came the sweetness of barbecue sauce made with aged Vosvoth wine. The flame-feather turkey breast, slow-roasted for twelve hours, unfolded like silk under the knife, each slice breathing in the scent of smoked fruitwood.
"Eat."
Nareth was the first to act, lifting his fork to take a bite of ram rib, dipping it into tide coral pepper sauce from Cradle of the Sea.
The spice exploded like thousands of glowing fish, merging with the juicy meat and then magnified by the Primarch's hyper-sensory biology.
"My lord, you seem to enjoy spicy food?" Marlena asked with a soft smile, noticing his natural expression of pleasure.
"Indeed."
"Spice offers not just flavor and stimulation, but a deep, primal satisfaction that burns into the bones."
Both Marlena and Arsena took mental notes, gaining deeper insight into their lord.
After a while, seeing that Marlena had set down her cutlery, Nareth asked:
"Is the transformation progressing well?"
"I bring good news," she smiled. "Mikael and I have analyzed the procedure thoroughly. Besides age, we've identified another key factor that affects success rates."
"Which is?"
"The transformation protocols are based on Terran standards. Vostroyans live in hive environments, so they're compatible. But Sicilians, who come from Symphony of the Sea, are very different."
"Our coastal lifestyle results in denser bone structures, but weaker resistance to toxins and corrosion."
Nareth nodded in realization. He recalled the Chogoris had a lower failure rate due to their tougher flesh.
"And you've found a solution?"
"Yes. Mikael and I made targeted adjustments."
"We created an artificial oceanic environment to simulate their native habitat. The gene-seed organs are soaked in this environment to precondition them."
"The result: older candidates like Szczesny have now successfully completed transformations five through eleven, finally catching up with Howard and the others."
Nareth nodded in satisfaction.
At that moment, Szczesny lay on a bed, his eyes half-closed, actively using his Lyman's Ear to filter ambient noise.
.....
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