Warhammer: Hail to the Void Lords!.

Chapter 1050, 09:1049: "A Brother Did a Good Deed"

“A Dark Eldar assassin sniped you from upstairs while your child was being baptized in the church,” Yadwiga said.

"The Dark Eldar?" Horatio's brow furrowed deeply. "They're targeting me?"

He began to think rapidly about the motives behind the Dark Eldar's actions.

“Their motives are too numerous to count. There are many conflicting opinions out there.” Yadviga gripped the hilt of his sword and said in a deep voice, “Some say it’s because you thwarted their long-planned scheme in the Duchy of Severus and personally killed their governor; others, conspiracy theorists, say it was a hired killing because you seriously threatened the interests of certain people. The truth remains unknown to us.”

"The first one, although it seems more like the truth to many people, is just applying the alien's thinking to a human social perspective... Based on my understanding of the social laws of the Dark Eldar, this is unlikely."

Horatio shook his head, took a cup of warm water from Sister Arabella, and drank it down in one gulp. His parched throat felt as refreshed as a dried-up riverbed receiving new water.

"Those alien societies are pure, survival-of-the-fittest jungles. The death of a ruler does not lead to the collapse of his power or retribution—his successor is probably laughing all the way to the bank. Soon, another schemer will eliminate all his rivals and seize his throne."

The governor who died by my hand will soon be forgotten by the other Xenomorphs. Even his most loyal followers are now either frantically vying for new positions or desperately trying to evade the purges of their rivals.

Where would they find the resources, to infiltrate the heavily guarded Qiming Cathedral, to carry out a pointless retaliatory assassination for their former masters?

"You mean... this could very well be... a murder-for-hire?" Louise immediately deduced, following Horatio's more plausible line of thought. "Yes, that's very much in line with the style of the Dark Eldar. As long as there's enough profit, they never refuse any employment, even from what they call 'savage monkeys'."

These self-serving Aidas have no regard for honor.

"The truth is something we can never know."

Yadwiga's voice carried a hint of regret, "The commander of the Leaping Battalion, Desai, was the first to pursue and catch up with the alien defender after your assassination attempt."

However, by the time she caught up, the assassin... was already dead.

His death was very suspicious.

Desai couldn't be sure either. The fatal wound on his throat didn't seem like it was caused by a broken gun part she had shot; it seemed more like... he had been silenced by another being. But if he had indeed been silenced, so many people were searching for the assassin, yet no one witnessed any trace of the silencer, not even a hint of them being there.

The whole thing is currently impossible to investigate unless some other clues are uncovered, or... let's assume it's from the group that would benefit the most from your position.

"Although I hate to admit it, that's the truth. If it were up to me, many people would lend a hand." Horatio shrugged playfully, not at all like someone who had just escaped death, perhaps to ease everyone's worries.

"Pfft, you know that too?" Yadwiga chuckled. "You've accomplished a lot in Calicis. But it's precisely because of that that you've become someone many interest groups feel uneasy about in such a short time. You're a real threat to their interests."

"How long have I been in a coma?"

"Almost a month."

[Almost a month...] This news exploded in Horatio's mind like a muffled thunderclap.

"Where are my fleet and troops?"

"The new recruits you enlisted are already training at the training grounds in Polaberia. Because you are unconscious, the location was decided by Poniatovsky and me. But don't worry, this is our homeland, and the place we chose is the best."

Horatio breathed a sigh of relief. *Tap tap!*

A knock came from the heavy wooden door.

“Please come in,” Jadwiga said.

The guards outside opened the door for the visitors.

Archie Cuthbert Collingwood strode in, carrying documents, followed by a curious half-cat girl looking around.

“Good brother, I rushed over as soon as I heard you were awake on the way here.” Archie stepped forward quickly, intending to hand the documents in his hand to Horatio.

The half-cat girl behind him leaped forward, her soft, furry head slamming into Horatio's arms as she cried out, "Quack! I thought you were going to die, boss!! Waaah!"

"Uh...I...I'm fine now." Horatio seemed a little flustered in the face of the catgirl's attack.

"Boss, next time you must let Youyou protect you! No matter what kind of 'mouse' it is, Youyou will definitely catch it!" The half-cat girl's ears twitched, and she said with her face puffed up, "The big black guy before has already taught Youyou a lot of skills! Youyou wants to use these skills to protect Boss!"

[Yes... it seems Yoyo has been personally trained by Brother Korchagin... but I'm not sure about the results of her training... However, after this assassination attempt, I really need to consider forming my own personal security team...]
"Thank you for your concern, Yoyo. You're right, I really should reconsider my personal security measures. Nothing major had happened before, which made me a little careless, but not anymore. The lessons learned from blood have taught me that no matter what, only your own people can be trusted."

Horatio stroked Youyou's head.

"Also, remember that name, Brother Astartes. No matter how hard it is to pronounce, it's easy for others to get into trouble if they hear you call him that."

"Horaceau, this is the fleet dispatch record. The Swift Eagle is undergoing major repairs at the orbital repair yard. The project is extensive, and even with the highest priority, it will take at least a year to complete."

The large cruiser HMS Duke's Pride lost its power plant and bridge. It was only towed to port today. It will probably take more than 10 times longer to fully repair this warship than the Swift Eagle.

However, it can still function as an orbital turret, just as you said, and repairing its macro guns is quite simple.

"Rear Admiral Edward Perug is on his way, bringing your new warship, the brand-new 'Imperial' class battlecruiser HMS Indulgence," Archie quickly reported after Yoyo finished speaking.

“Well done, brother. You’ve done everything I wanted while I was unconscious.” Horatio smiled with relief; Archie was as reliable as ever.

"The naval replenishment recruitment is proceeding in an orderly manner. The Skylen Har Hegemony Group had tried to act as our substitute replenishment force, recruiting and providing crew members, but I declined their offer. After all, given the assassination attempt, I believe all newly recruited crew members must undergo vetting."

This proposal is currently being drafted by Inspector Carson, and the specifics will be finalized once Inspector Hood returns to his post.

While this might slow down our recruitment pace, I personally believe that security is more important than recruitment speed. Besides, we've already improved recruitment benefits, and your saintly status makes many loyal followers willing to join our ranks.

“Careful consideration is always the best policy, Archie. Very good, you’ve done a great job so far. You will return to the fleet to take over for me. I need to focus on how to recruit and build the Imperial Navy’s orbital landing force in Polaberia.”

"I wish you all the best, my good brother."

"You too, my good brother."

(End of this chapter)