Sigismund and Loken quickly reported the matters concerning the Blood Knights and the Flesh Tearers to Alex.
Facing the situation of these two problematic Chapters, Alex also felt a headache.
The past experiences of these two Chapters were simply too terrible.
The situation of the Flesh Tearers was slightly better.
After discovering that the Chapter was deeply mired in the Black Rage and almost beyond redemption, the entire Chapter began to fight in the galaxy in an almost self-destructive manner.
They sacrificed themselves for the Imperium regardless of casualties or cost, using blood to wash away their past infamy.
Although the effectiveness of this extreme method was not significant, and the casualty ratio was often astonishingly high, it did at least somewhat reverse the Chapter's previous unfavorable reputation.
Later, in the Battle of Baal, they sacrificed the majority of their Chapter, completely washing away their former brutal reputation with their heroic sacrifice, earning the respect of many.
But the Blood Knights… having already been declared traitors by the High Lords of Terra, their reputation was naturally self-evident.
Previously, Alex had also been wary of these two Chapters due to their reputations.
Although Sanguinius did indeed teach his children to become noble Angels from ghouls, just as The Great Angel himself was a wolf in sheep's clothing, Sanguinius's children still had a cannibalistic nature at their core.
This innate bloodthirsty nature had never truly disappeared; it was merely that some Chapters could control it through strict discipline and faith, while others chose to indulge this nature.
Although sanctus wine could temporarily alleviate the symptoms of the Blood Thirst and the Black Rage, Alex knew very well that this was not a fundamental cure.
The root problems of both Chapters still existed and could erupt again at any time.
If it had been other Blood Angels successor Chapters with better reputations this time, Alex would have used them boldly, even the Crimson Angels would have been fine with him.
But the Blood Knights and the Flesh Tearers… the situations of these two Chapters were completely different.
On one hand, Alex was worried that they would succumb to the Blood Thirst on the battlefield, indiscriminately slaughtering allies and causing irreparable losses.
On the other hand, he was also worried that once unleashed, they would rush to the most dangerous battlefields regardless of everything, until all of them died in battle—they were not seeking victory, but seeking death.
One must know, these were two complete Chapters! Dante actually sent all of them this time, which was both support for the Expeditionary Force and potentially a heavy burden.
Alex even suspected that the Lord of the Blood Angels might also have harbored some thoughts of letting them find release on the battlefield.
If the war truly necessitated it, then so be it.
For instance, during the previous assault on the Magnificent Stone, almost all the warriors of half a Death Company sacrificed themselves; although Alex felt pained, he had no other thoughts—because that was a necessary casualty of war, the brutal essence of conflict.
But the Blood Knights and the Flesh Tearers were different; they actively sought death!
They cared not for tactical value, nor for the battlefield situation, only to burn out their lives in combat.
If they were truly allowed to die off, losing two Chapters at once would be too great a blow to the Expeditionary Force, which was already short on troops.
Therefore, even knowing that these two Chapters were eager for battle, and might even become dissatisfied due to being suppressed, Alex still did not dare to easily let them go out and die.
He could only instruct Sigismund and Loken to keep a close eye on them, only letting them achieve their "glorious sacrifice" when a true suicide squad was needed—at least that way, their deaths would have some value.
As for other matters, such as their morale problems, discipline problems, or even potential internal conflicts… Alex couldn't manage them, nor did he have the mind to do so now.
Because Ovilia's Rejuvenation Potion was finally ready.
—
"Is this the Rejuvenation Potion?" Alex gazed at the two low-temperature potion boxes in front of him, emitting cold air, with misty condensation forming fine water droplets on the metal surface.
He lifted his head, his gaze turning to Ovilia, who stood beside him.
"Yes, as per your request, Planetary Governor, I have prepared two different specifications of the potion." Ovilia stepped forward, her slender finger gently tapping the purple potion box: "This one is the most advanced formula I currently possess; there are four vials in the box. Only one vial is needed per surgery, and the first use can extend the recipient's lifespan by 90 years.
Subsequent uses can extend life by seventy years, but after that, the efficacy significantly declines, so it's recommended to switch to a better potion."
Her fingertip moved to the green potion box next to it: "And this one is a simplified version I developed based on the Imperial standard Rejuvenation Serum formula, with ten vials.
Each vial can provide a 20-year lifespan extension, but subsequent effects will significantly decline; the second surgery can only extend life by 10 years, and the third only by 1 year, after which it will become completely ineffective."
At this point, Ovilia's brow furrowed slightly: "Although I'm not clear on your specific purpose, I must warn you that this simplified version of the potion is typically only used by Hive gangs members or minor nobles who cannot afford proper Rejuvenation Surgery; I do not recommend you try it yourself."
"I have my own considerations," Alex replied calmly, then changed the subject: "By the way, I learned about a special type of jellyfish that can reverse its own cells into stem cells when reproducing or stimulated externally, redeveloping into a juvenile form and achieving a cyclical regeneration of its life cycle.
Does this biological characteristic have any reference value for the research of Rejuvenation Potion?"
"A creature capable of autonomously reversing aging?" Ovilia's pupils slightly dilated, and a look of shock appeared on her face.
Ovilia fell into thought, and after a moment, she looked up, her eyes sparkling with excitement: "If such a creature truly exists, as long as we can decipher its mechanism of rejuvenation, I can develop an even superior longevity potion!
Not only will it be more effective, but it will also circumvent the common drawbacks of diminishing efficacy and post-operative infection found in existing Rejuvenation Serums."
"As long as it's useful. I will give you the biological sample later, but…" At this point, Alex paused, then warned Ovilia: "You must keep it a secret. Do not tell anyone any related information; I don't want to cause trouble."
Ovilia showed a puzzled expression: "Researching Rejuvenation Potion is not forbidden in the Imperium, is it? Even if someone coveted your advanced formula, they would usually choose to pay for the surgery."
She leaned forward slightly, her tone carrying a hint of incomprehension: "As for commercial competition… you are a Planetary Governor, an Inquisitor who is about to be promoted to Sub-Sector Governor."
Ovilia's unspoken meaning was simple: who would dare to step on your Inquisitor's turf, and who would dare to snatch your business as a Sub-Sector Governor in the Sub-Sector you manage?
Alex knew he had misunderstood, so he nodded, took the potion, and said nothing more.
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