Warhammer: Starting with Industrial Revolution

Luo Ning didn't spend too much time with Dani, after all, their private relationship must not be known to a third party, as any unnecessary suspicion would only give the enemy in the shadows an opportunity to take advantage.

Dani was also very tacit; after returning to the conference room, she didn't give Luo Ning a single unnecessary glance.

Calling out the governor's administration members one by one for individual questioning was a clear display of official judicial authority.

Everyone else was relatively normal, but he suddenly fainted during his final conversation with Governor Karl.

Luo Ning gave an awkward smile and helped the governor back to his room to rest, which could be considered as helping him escape a disaster.

After Dani's entourage completed the final check of all reports and ledgers and confirmed that there were no irregularities, at least on paper, Dani led her team back to base.

She didn't even rest in the luxurious room prepared in advance at the Governor's Palace, but went straight back to the court ship at the airport with her entourage.

Luo Ning personally escorted her to the airport, and couldn't help but sigh inwardly: As expected of a professional judge, his actions were watertight, and he even perfectly left enough opportunities for the traitors in the shadows.

To outsiders, this judge was extremely vigilant, completely ignoring the governor's office's overtures, and even choosing to rest on a simple but absolutely safe ship—a veritable, impartial imperial enforcer.

But only Luo Ning and Dani knew who this show was for.

Back at the governor's mansion, Luo Ning didn't rest either.

The soldiers of the defense force were almost all his trusted confidants whom he had personally trained. Anyone who wanted to get close to the airport or contact the court's ships could not escape his eyes.

Next, he just needs to wait patiently for news.

To ensure the charade went smoothly, he even ordered a halt to the entire paving project along the Death Forest Highway, giving the workers a three-day break.

The judge is in the hive. If he continues to ignore the scrutiny and blatantly push forward with the projects, it would be tantamount to exposing his relationship with Dani directly to the face of the enemy lurking in the shadows.

As night fell, a secret report came from Garan's side:

Dani, accompanied by her personal adjutant, changed into civilian clothes and quietly left the Inquisition ship.

Clearly, she planned to travel incognito and lure the enemy out.

Luo Ning immediately sent back a message: There is no need to actively intervene. Let her move freely. Just keep track of her whereabouts and report in real time.

He understood Dani's thoughts all too well.

After waiting for most of the day, the enemy in the shadows did not reveal anything.

The other party was clearly more cautious than he had imagined, and would never rashly contact an Imperial Inquisitor at an airport heavily monitored by the defense forces.

Of course, there is another possibility: the whistleblower simply did not have the authority to enter the upper-level airport of the Nest City.

In either case, Dani's departure from the airport and her journey deep into the city gave the other party an excellent opportunity to contact her.

But Luo Ning quickly issued a second order:

Garland was instructed to secretly transmit Dani's photo and identification details only to the duty officers of the defense forces in each neighborhood, keeping track of her movements throughout the process to minimize the possibility of information leakage.

One should always be wary of others.

Even if Dani was one of his own people who came specifically to deliver the message, he still had to have a backup plan.

He knew very well that if Dani really intended to convict him, he would have almost no chance of turning the tables.

At least, knowing her whereabouts in advance would allow him to make thorough preparations.

When Ronin received news that Dani and her group had entered the lower levels of the hive, he couldn't help but frown.

This girl is definitely not a love-struck fool.

Even though she traveled a long way to inform him, she did not forget her duty as a judge.

The accusations in the whistleblower letter, such as "illegally granting citizenship to displaced people and privately expanding the army," all originated from Xiachao District. She wanted to personally verify the authenticity of the whistleblower's claims and, incidentally, see if Luo Ning harbored any rebellious intentions.

Ronin immediately sent an encrypted message to Delaman, instructing him to arrange for secret police to monitor Dani's movements in secret throughout.

In particular, everyone who has had contact with her must record their identity, the duration of contact, and the content of the conversation word for word.

All he had to do next was wait.

The entire city is now moving forward together with one heart and one mind, and the soldiers of the defense force and Delaman's secret police are his most trusted confidants, as well as the group with the strongest surveillance capabilities.

In addition, with the powers he received from Slaanesh, even if Daenerys really wanted to do something underhanded, she would never escape his eyes.

Unconsciously, Luo Ning clenched his fists; he didn't want to fall out with Dani.

On one hand, Daenerys was a rare source of protection for him from the upper echelons of the Empire. She was probably the only Inquisitor in the entire sector responsible for investigating heresy.

As long as he maintains a stable relationship with Dani, he can implement many reforms more freely.

On the other hand, Dani is also a first-rate beauty, and what man wouldn't want to add another icy beauty to his harem?

The jumbled thoughts lasted only a moment before Luo Ning quickly regained his composure, sat quietly in his office, and focused on waiting for each encrypted report.

The messages from the various captains of the defense forces came back very quickly. Almost every block Dani went to in the lower nest, her whereabouts were synchronized to Ronin's desk in real time.

When compared with the secret surveillance records sent from Delaman's side, the information from both sides matched highly, and the accuracy of the intelligence was beyond doubt.

"Luoning? The judge is gone?"

The office door was suddenly pushed open, and Governor Karl peeked in, leaning close to Ronin and speaking in a very low voice, as if afraid of being overheard by the judges' men.

Ronin shook his head with regret. "It's a pity, Governor. It seems the Inquisitor and her entourage will be staying on our planet for at least a few more days."

Upon hearing Ronin's words, Governor Karl felt a wave of dizziness wash over him, and his breath almost stopped.

But he persevered, gripping Luo Ning's shoulders, his eyes already brimming with tears.

"Is this the end for us?"

Ronin shook his head. "We are safe for now. The officials of the Imperial Court will never convict someone without cause. Everything we have done is legal and compliant. Governor, you don't need to worry."

"Legal and compliant? Do those two words even exist in your dictionary?" Governor Karl couldn't help but ask, his face filled with disbelief. "Just based on your reputation in the Lower Nest District, you practically have the support of the people! Those stubborn judges could convict you of treason based on that alone!"

"My lord, please calm down and listen to me," Ronin said solemnly, supporting Governor Karl who was about to collapse.

"It is not my reputation, nor the will of the people. All the credit belongs to you."

"The people of Xiachao know in their hearts that I am the one who often appears before them, but they know even more clearly that I am just your messenger, and all my actions are to complete your mission; all the blessings they receive come from you, the governor."

Seeing Governor Karl's increasingly desperate face, Ronin chuckled inwardly and continued to deliver the final blow:

"Rest assured, Luo Ning will never take all the credit for himself. Every project and every reform was carried out in your name, and I will never steal even a fraction of the Governor's credit."

But Governor Karl could no longer hear him; he collapsed on the spot, his body convulsing uncontrollably.

Meanwhile, news from the scouts had already come back.

Dani and her group have returned, and everyone she spoke with along the way has been recorded in detail.