Warhammer: Starting with Industrial Revolution

As the court's dark gray ship slowly docked at its exclusive berth in the upper-level airport of the Nest City, the entire management of the Governor's Office had been waiting on the tarmac for quite some time.

Even Victor and Father Moraes, who rarely attend public events, arrived early.

Viktor, dressed in a mechanical priest's robe embroidered with a gear emblem, calmly and steadily scanned the ship bearing the emblem of the Inquisition with the red light of his optical prosthetic eye.

Father Moraes gripped the imperial emblem on his chest, his expression solemn, ready to respond to any questioning from heretics.

Governor Karl stood at the front of the procession, his body trembling slightly uncontrollably, yet he still managed to maintain the dignity of an imperial governor, standing with his back straight.

The hatch slowly closed, and Dani emerged from the cabin with her squad of judges.

She was dressed in a sharp black judge's uniform, and her bright blue eyes, filled with the scrutiny of a judge, swept over the welcoming crowd, her gaze immediately landing precisely on Luo Ning.

Governor Karl hurried forward and, in a trembling voice, read out the welcome speech he had prepared long ago.

The group then entered the governor's mansion according to procedure. Dani's entourage immediately took over the conference room and began to check the various reports, tithe records, population and military inventory ledgers that Ronin and his men had prepared in advance.

While everyone else was busy, Dani herself called Ronin to the governor's mansion terrace alone.

"I heard that Lord Ronin has been managing the hive very well recently, and has even voluntarily increased the amount of tithe he pays to the sector."

Her words were still as sharp as when they first met, carrying the interrogative quality of a judge, but now that there was no one else around, her gaze had softened considerably.

Ronin shook his head helplessly: "There's no other way. If we want the workers to work hard, we have to make sure they're well-fed. Right now, the only way we can get extra food rations from the sector is by exchanging them for excessive tithes."

"Just how large is the food shortage for Navatos VII?"

Dani's conversation seemed casual, but Ronin knew perfectly well that this extremely perceptive judge was still subtly probing her intentions.

He chuckled and affectionately ruffled Dani's hair. "What are you up to? You dumped all the verification work on your subordinates, but dragged me out here just to trick me into telling you something?"

"I'm saving you, you idiot." Dani's face flushed instantly at Luo Ning's touch, but she didn't flinch. She just bit her lower lip. "If you can't cover up your accounts and data, what will you do if the next person who comes isn't me?"

Luo Ning's heart skipped a beat; he instantly sensed the hidden meaning in her words: "What's going on? You're being transferred?"

Dani sighed softly and said, "I'd rather be transferred, at least I wouldn't have to worry about you, you idiot, anymore."

She turned and leaned against the balcony railing, looking out at the towering steel buildings of the city stretching to the horizon, and slowly closed her eyes.

Luo Ning didn't disturb her; he simply stood quietly beside her.

After all, although Dani has always dressed in a neutral style, her beauty beneath that sharp edge is still top-notch and eye-catching.

After only a dozen seconds, Dani seemed to have made up her mind. She opened her eyes, took out an encrypted note from her bosom, and handed it to Ronin.

"You still haven't been discreet enough. Someone secretly reported your actions, but thankfully Star Language Communications eventually got through to me, and I stopped it. If it had been someone else, or if this report had reached the court headquarters, the consequences would have been unimaginable."

Luo Ning was taken aback. He took the note and quickly unfolded it. As his eyes scanned the contents, his fingertips couldn't help but tighten slightly.

This is a printed encrypted report of accusation. The other party's interstellar communication level is not high, and it can only transmit a small amount of core information. However, every line on it is enough to cost him and Governor Karl their heads:

Governor Karl Simmons of Vatos VII and his assistant, Ron Ning, are corrupt and plot to rebel.

First, they privately and on a large scale conscripted soldiers, illegally granted citizenship to the refugee empire, gathered popular support, and cultivated private power.

Second, assassinate the five hereditary nobles—Hak, Mohammad, Sasiri, Idazi, and Obido—who were personally appointed by the Empire, along with their families, eliminate dissidents, and seize sole power over the planet.

Third, colluding with traveling merchants and space pirates, privately upgrading the troops' weaponry, and illegally possessing heavy military equipment;

Fourth, the discovery of high-concentration chromium veins was not reported to the star region; instead, they were privately mined and misappropriated for personal gain.

The impact of those few lines was immense. Luo Ning tried his best to control his breathing and remain calm, but a layer of cold sweat still seeped out on his back.

Dani, who was beside him, keenly noticed his subtle change. She crossed her arms, raised an eyebrow, and said with a hint of teasing, "It seems that these charges against you and the governor are not unfounded, Lord Ronin."

"It's just a baseless rumor."

Luo Ning quickly calmed down and resumed his usual cheerful demeanor.

"The entire planet Vatos VII is united as one, solely to better serve the Empire and contribute to the Emperor's cause. This is utterly and blatant slander."

Moreover, he wasn't lying.

Even though he constantly tested the limits of the imperial rules, neither his reform policies nor the development direction of the entire planet ever showed any intention of betraying the human empire.

Seeing Dani's completely disbelieving expression, Ronin laughed instead, sighed, and said:

"How stupid would I have to be to betray the human empire? Betrayal would bring me no benefit whatsoever, either to myself or to this planet."

"In this perilous universe, humanity's most reliable ally is always humanity itself; yet, its most formidable enemy often comes from humanity as well."

"When I pledge allegiance to the Empire, it may not even care about our little planet in the corner; but if I dare to betray it, the next day, the Inquisition's extermination order will be sent to us, and the entire planet's inhabitants will be wiped out. No matter how you look at it, it's not worth it."

Hearing Luo Ning's words, Dani shook her head helplessly.

"Ronin, your idea itself is dangerous. What do you mean the Empire doesn't care about this place? The Emperor's glory shines on every corner of His territory..."

Before she could finish speaking, Luo Ning reached out and pulled her into his arms, then lowered his head and kissed her deeply.

In that instant, panic, confusion, shyness, sweetness—countless emotions surged into her heart, but anger was nowhere to be found.

When she finally managed to break free from Luo Ning's embrace, her cheeks were so red they were almost bleeding, and she didn't dare to look Luo Ning in the eye.

"You're insane! I'm an Imperial Judge appointed by the Empire! How dare you treat me like this!"

She gritted her teeth and spoke in a deliberately fierce tone, but there was no confidence in her voice.

Luo Ning simply gently lifted her chin with his hand, turning her towards him so that she could look deeply into those azure eyes, and slowly say:

"At the same time, you are also the woman I love. You traveled a long way to bring me a warning from the betrayer, and even if you don't want to admit it, I know it in my heart. You've done so much for me, how can I bear it?"

Dani's face turned completely red upon hearing Luo Ning's words.

She looked at the man in front of her and finally stopped flinching, though a hint of stubborn resentment lingered in her eyes.

"You're smart to be sensible. But aren't you worried? How would anyone know so much about your inner workings? Whether you intend to rebel or not, once these accusations reach headquarters, neither you nor your governor will have your heads on your shoulders."

"How could I not be worried? But thankfully, it's you who came, my dear Judge Dani."

Luo Ning said with a smile, but that smile already carried an undisguised killing intent.

"In the next few days, someone will definitely contact you secretly, trying to give you more 'dirt' on you. So, please stay on planet Vatos VII for a few more days and help me to drag this rat hiding in the shadows out."

"You, you really know how to boss people around." Dani rolled her eyes at him, complaining, but her eyes were full of barely concealed amusement. "With your abilities, finding out on your own wouldn't have been too difficult, would it?"

"But I'd rather be with you." Luo Ning smiled and put his arm around her waist again, whispering in her ear, "After all, my life has long been in the hands of the Inquisitor."