In reality, Rex let out a long breath.
Incredible!
The [High Gothic Charisma] talent was practically a god-tier skill!
He looked at his simulated self; that series of maneuvers had been smooth as silk using both the carrot and the stick, preaching theology while offering worldly gifts, keeping the two most critical figures firmly in his grasp.
it was a textbook-level display of the art of bureaucracy!
He survived!
In reality, Rex leaned back against his chair, feeling as if all his strength had been drained, yet his spirit was exceptionally exhilarated.
The result of the second simulation had given him a crystal-clear path to survival.
Though the process seemed fraught with peril involving a Ministorum Priest and a live performance the outcome was optimal.
Not only did he survive, but he also successfully "offered" the "Smart Memory Metal" STC data to the Imperium in the safest and most correct manner possible.
Credit to the Emperor; it was a stroke of genius!
In this world where theocracy reigned supreme, any object beyond the scope of understanding completely changed its nature once it was associated with the Emperor.
It was no longer your personal invention, but the Emperor's grace.
You weren't the owner of the technology just a chosen lucky discoverer.
This way, those dark hands coveting the archeotech wouldn't dare to easily move against him.
Because to touch him would be equivalent to questioning the Emperor's Divine Revelation, which was a cardinal sin Heresy.
"Whew... so that's how you play this game," Rex murmured to himself.
Only now did he realize how terrifying the [High Gothic Charisma] talent truly was.
It wasn't as simple as making you a smooth talker; it allowed you to make the most correct choices and say the most appropriate things at the most critical moments.
However, the simulation wasn't over yet.
He forced himself to focus and continued reading.
[After you successfully persuaded the Priest and the Tithe Master, the atmosphere became harmonious. The Master no longer looked at you as if you were a dead man; he even hypocritically patted your shoulder and praised your contribution to the Imperium.]
[However, the necessary procedures could not be skipped in the slightest.]
[The soldiers of the Departmento Munitorum swarmed into the major warehouses of Planet Alice, packing up and seizing all stored resources, including but not limited to precious metals, finished industrial products, grain, and even that chest of jewelry you used for the bribe. They claimed this was to "offset a portion of your Tithe arrears.]
Rex's eye twitched.
Damn it, those bastards didn't leave a single thing! They even made off with the props he used for his act!
[After emptying all your inventory, the Tithe Master held a data-slate and began calculating the debt you needed to "repay" next.]
["Governor Rex, according to Article 739 of the Lex Imperialis and the Fabricator-General's preliminary valuation of this 'memory metal' STC, we have formulated a new Tithe schedule for you."]
[The Tithe Master swiped a few times on the data-slate and then turned the screen toward you.]
["To repay your arrears and as a return for the Imperium's 'mercy,' Planet Alice needs to provide a total of ninety thousand tons of refined 'Smart Memory Metal' to the Forge World 'Gryphonne IV,' three light-years away, within the next ten standard months, to be used for casting new carapace armor and wargear for the Astra Militarum."]
[Ninety thousand tons!]
[Ten months!]
[Seeing this number, the heart you had just put at ease instantly leaped back into your throat.]
In reality, Rex's pupils also constricted sharply.
Ninety thousand tons?!
Are you kidding me!
Just now in the simulation, the entire planet's industrial system had run around the clock for twenty-four hours just to barely produce a one-kilogram sample!
Now they were asking for ninety thousand tons and demanding it be paid in full within ten months?
On average, that was nine thousand tons a month!
This was a task that couldn't be completed even if all three billion citizens on Planet Alice were chained to the manufactorum lines without rest!
How was this mercy? This was simply a different form of execution! It just went from immediate beheading to a suspended sentence!
[The color instantly drained from your face. Your lips moved as if to say something, but seeing the Tithe Master's this is what you deserve expression, you swallowed your words.]
[You knew that bargaining now was meaningless. The figure provided wasn't a negotiation; it was an Imperial Decree.]
[Being able to survive was already the best possible outcome.]
["I... I understand," you squeezed these few words out of your throat with difficulty, feeling your voice grow incredibly dry.]
[The Tithe Master nodded with satisfaction and took back the data-slate. "Very good, Lord Governor. I hope you do not disappoint us, and even more so, do not disappoint Him on Terra. We will send a Black Ship to collect the first month's quota on time. The Emperor Protects."]
[With that, he and his men boarded their massive transport. With the roar of engines, the Tithe Collection Team left Planet Alice, leaving behind only emptied warehouses and an astronomical debt.]
[You stood on the empty landing pad, watching the departing ship ascend into orbit, your expression becoming incredibly grave.]
Rex felt the same.
Though it was just a simulation, he could already feel that immense pressure weighing on his heart like a mountain.
Ninety thousand tons... this number circled in his mind like a curse.
" these people are ruthless," Rex cursed.
They took the STC data and still wanted him to work for them, producing enough refined product to pay the Tithe.
The cogitators of the Administratum must be overheating with greed.
However, cursing aside, Rex knew in his heart that this was already the best outcome.
At least he had gained a few more months of time.
With time, everything was possible.
Crisis—within danger lies opportunity.
What he needed to do now was find a way to increase production in the simulation.
As long as he could find a way through in the simulation, he could replicate it perfectly in reality.
His gaze returned to the text of the simulator.
[The simulation continues.]
[On the third day, after the Black Ship left, the atmosphere in the Governor's Palace underwent a subtle change. Your assistant , who had always been cold toward you, showed significantly more respect when reporting her work. The look in her eyes was no longer the numbness of seeing yet another short-lived ghost, but held a hint of genuine awe.]
[Because she knew very well that a Governor who could persuade an Imperial Tithe Master and even have a Ministorum Priest vouch for him had completely established a firm foothold on this planet. Before the next batch of Tax Collectors arrived, you were the supreme, undisputed ruler of Planet Alice.]
[You immediately ordered her to gather all logistical data on the entire planet; you needed the most comprehensive understanding of Planet Alice's current situation to formulate a subsequent development plan.]
[The attendant, Tifa, began assisting you in organizing this massive amount of information.]
Seeing this, Rex's heart stirred.
This assistant was that serious woman in reality.
It seemed that as long as he resolved the immediate crisis, he could truly grasp power and win over people's hearts.
And Tifa, as expected, was truly a godsend.
With her around, the efficiency of handling these complex affairs would be terrifyingly high.
[On the fourth day, after a full day and night of tireless organization and analysis, Tifa presented you with a clear and concise summary report.]