Warhammer: Starting with Industrial Revolution

Upon hearing the news, Ronin composed himself in just a few seconds, decisively leaving the unconscious Governor Karl in a room at the Dome Base, and then drove straight to the factory area in the middle of the hive capital.

Viktor had been waiting for him for a long time by the repaired production line.

"I'm sorry I'm late." Luo Ning said with a hint of apology on his face.

Viktor, however, didn't seem to care. He simply waved his hand and continued to bury himself in debugging the production line's control terminal, his mechanical fingers flying across the panel.

Ronin was already used to his way of doing things, so he didn't bother him any further. He just stood quietly to the side, waiting for Viktor to finish his work.

Less than twenty minutes later, Viktor finished his work, and the red light from his electronic prosthetic eye swept towards Ronin. "Lord Ronin, do you mean you can provide me with a new batch of apprentices?"

"That's right." Luo Ning nodded politely, "I plan to select a group of the most technically sound and mentally stable workers from the mid-level factories in the Nest City and send them to assist you. They can also learn mechanical knowledge from you, so you won't have to do everything yourself."

Luo Ning politely replied that even if the workers didn't cause trouble, that was his plan all along.

Viktor nodded slowly, his mechanical voice carrying a hint of approval: "We give priority to people with families. These people have a much higher sense of responsibility and patience at work than the average person. For stable pay and the livelihood of their families, they can endure hardships that ordinary people cannot bear."

"Yes, rest assured, that is exactly my selection criterion." Ronin paused, his tone becoming more serious. "There is one more thing I must inform you in advance—the people from the Inquisition are here again, and they will land in Nest City around this time tomorrow."

Viktor stopped abruptly. He looked up, but without a trace of panic, calmly asked, "Is there anything I can do?"

"Not for now." Ronin gave a wry smile. "I just can't understand why the Inquisition would suddenly visit a remote planet on the edge of a star system like ours, which has always been one of the least favored places in the Empire. I'd like to ask you if you have any insights."

Victor pondered for only a few seconds before saying, "The Inquisition's messengers never visit without a reason. They chose this juncture to come with only two targets: either this newly unsealed Golden Age ruin, or Lord Ronin himself."

"There have been no signs of rebellion, chaos pollution, or alien activity in Nest City recently. The only variable is this ruin and the earth-shattering changes you have brought to this planet in just a few months."

Luo Ning took a deep breath.

He had the same guess in his heart, but after getting confirmation from Victor, the unease in his heart intensified.

He did not disturb Victor's work any further, and returned to the Dome Base by car. He woke up Governor Karl, who was still unconscious, and they returned to the main hive together.

The court's visit is a foregone conclusion. Since we cannot predict the other party's purpose, instead of living in constant fear, we should do all the preparations we can.

Back at the governor's mansion, Luo Ning immediately calmed down and began to review the progress of the dome base.

The overall renovation plan for the base is progressing very smoothly, except for the manpower shortage that remains unresolved.

The subsequent housing arrangements are also a headache. Currently, there are about 20,000 rooms on the first basement floor of the dome base, and living areas for management and private spaces for high-ranking officers of the stationed troops must be reserved.

The remaining majority will be allocated to the workers who move in, and it will take careful consideration which group of workers to prioritize for relocation.

Luo Ning circled the core issues of personnel allocation on the report and noted the requirements for prioritizing production line repair and base security system construction.

Once these workers have been screened and assembled at the dome base, he only needs to use a sliver of Slaanesh power to gently amplify their obsession with fighting for their families and their sense of belonging to the hive. Then, the issue of these workers' loyalty will no longer be a concern.

Just thinking about power made Luo Ning frown again.

Today, in the factory square, he can accurately remember the name of every worker and the details of their past work. This extraordinary memory is something that an ordinary person cannot possess.

The infiltration of power had already occurred quietly, without his own awareness.

By the time he finished all his official business and walked out of the governor's mansion, it was already completely dark outside.

Luo Ning didn't deal with any more miscellaneous matters and went straight back to his residence.

He dismissed everyone and sat alone in his room, repeatedly considering the various possibilities of a court visit and how to respond, until late at night when he finally fell into a deep sleep from exhaustion.

When he opened his eyes again, he was in that familiar garden, which was always filled with a sweet fragrance.

This time, Slaanesh did not deliberately avoid him as before, but instead sent his familiar to greet him at the garden gate in advance.

The appearance of this familiar was clearly carefully considered.

She was a fallen medical nun, her nun's habit was already torn, and the instruments of torture binding her body were tearing at her delicate skin every second, but her face showed only a morbid enjoyment, and soft panting and moaning escaped her lips.

A surge of excitement swept through Luo Ning's heart, but he quickly suppressed it.

He has something important to ask today.

"Great Lord of Pleasure, I've come to keep you company again." Rhonin, like an elegant gentleman, slowly walked to the rocking chair where Slaanesh was leaning, knelt down on one knee, and gently kissed the pink instep of Slaanesh's feet.

Slaanesh looked down at him, his exquisite face full of a sly smile: "You, you, pretending to be such a proper gentleman. Tell me, what are you planning to steal from me this time?"

Luo Ning scratched his head, a slightly embarrassed smile on his face. "How can you say that? Can't I have come here to be with my darling?"

"Hmph, don't even think about trying to fool me with your glib tongue." Slaanesh chuckled as he withdrew his jade foot, crossed his legs, and lightly tapped Ronin's forehead with his fingertip. "If you really came here to keep me company, then I'll decide today's itinerary."

Luo Ning smiled gently and slowly lowered his head: "I will follow your arrangements."

With a sweet chuckle, the scenery around them suddenly distorted and changed.

The next second, the two were standing in a small, dimly lit room.

The room's owner was an elderly man with gray hair, who was kneeling on the ground, humbly praying before the huge stone in front of him.

The room was filled with finished sculptures—figures, flowers, birds, and icons—each one incredibly lifelike. Even someone like Luo Ning, who had no interest in art, could see the immense effort poured into them.

The huge stone in front of the old man had been carved into the basic shape of an imperial statue, exuding an aura of majesty and compassion.

Countless pebbles and fragments were scattered around the statue, clearly indicating that he had overturned and re-carved this holy image countless times.

"How can I possibly complete this unparalleled masterpiece? Holy and great Emperor, please grant me inspiration so that I may create the most perfect creation for your tribute, and display your glory to the world!"

The old man's voice was full of weariness and stubbornness, and his prayers, tinged with sobs, echoed endlessly in the small room.