Warhammer 40k: Melee Warriors

"Whom do you want to recommend? Or rather, how many influential people are there in your family right now?"

Griffith blinked slowly, as if deep in thought, then he counted on his fingers and said, "Currently, there are 172 people who can influence the direction of the Child family."

One hundred and seventy-two? Are you kidding me?

“Uh…we are, after all, a large family. This is already the most elite group among the billions of family members who have Childe blood.” Griffith said with a hint of humor, trying to crack a joke, but this only made Komi more irritated.

“Ahem... For example, there’s the Ironforger, Dorjeel Child, who manages the Erlin Mining World. Every year, trillions of tons of mineral resources are transferred to other star systems through him. And there’s the Devout Child, who wields great influence within the State Religion. He even personally developed and named a State Religion world.”

“This sounds like a decent fellow. Am I not a saint? Maybe he'll listen to me for the sake of the Savior.”

“I don’t think so…Imaran’s faith is pure and fanatical. After learning about your beliefs, he publicly criticized your actions as heretical. He hates that you show mercy to demi-humans and that you call the majestic emperor a merciful savior.”

"But I have demonstrated miracles; isn't that enough to convince them?"

"Uh...Imaran also had a similar feat. Two hundred years ago, he quelled riots in fifteen star systems with a single public speech. The ringleaders committed suicide one by one, weeping bitterly in repentance. According to the priests of the state church, when Imaran stood on the high platform to give his speech, a giant whose face could not be seen stood behind him."

“Okay…” Komi pinched the bridge of his nose; he didn’t want to talk to Griffith about this pious person anymore. “Then what about the guy you recommended?”

“Oh!” Griffith perked up at the mention of this. “You will definitely like Saint Otto. He is my brother by blood, but I swear to the Savior that I am recommending him to you not because of that relationship, but because his ideals are most beneficial to the war in the Gothic Sector.”

Why do you say that? What are the others trying to do?

"Well... at least Imaran believes that if they want to repel the Chaos army's attack, they must uphold the purity of their faith. He believes that the sector is shrouded in warp storms because the Emperor is dissatisfied with the laxity of the citizens' minds. Therefore, he wants to first conduct a great census of purity, weeding out those who are dragging the Empire down, and then lead the pure to confront Abaddon's army."

"What about Dorjee, whom you mentioned before?"

He believed the war was already at a disadvantage and that it was necessary to concentrate efforts on protecting the most important world and resource points. He said: "I would rather see hundreds of billions of inferior citizens die under Abaddon's enslavement than see a box of bombs fall into their hands."

Koji scoffed after hearing this, clearly indicating that the idea that goods were more important than people, prevalent in the human empire, was taking hold in Dogel's mind.

If the enemy they face is conventional, Dojeel's idea isn't entirely wrong. After all, the human empire's hive world is ridiculously overpopulated, and the idea of ​​a gun being passed down through three generations is no joke.

But their enemy is Chaos. They can attract the blessings of the gods by sacrificing a large number of souls and make twisted demons their allies. Abandoning the densely populated and low-yield world will only make Chaos's twisted army grow larger and larger, which is undoubtedly a case of drinking poison to quench thirst.

Griffith smiled when he saw Komi's reaction. "My brother, Griffin Child, is a naval officer. He was taught and praised by Admiral von Luvansberg of the Gothic Sector. He is a true soldier, not an arrogant ruler or a bookworm who has become stupid."

A photograph was handed to Komi. He glanced at it and saw Griffin Child. The dark blue naval uniform perfectly accentuated Griffin's muscular physique, and he had the same silver-white hair as Griffin.

"What's he thinking?" Komi asked.

Griffin replied, “Griffin’s idea is the same as that of his superior, Luvansberg: to form a localized superior force to encircle and annihilate the Chaos Fleet, accumulating small victories into a major victory! The Chaos Fleet’s early attacks were indeed swift, but now they are engrossed in plundering and have scattered, completely neglecting to pursue our warships. We can take advantage of this.”

Komi pondered for a moment and said, "This plan sounds alright... at least it's quite feasible."

"Right, right?" Griffith's smile widened, like a little kid admiring his older brother. Combined with his handsome face that would make any woman jealous, Komi Makoto suspected that Griffith might have some strange thoughts about his older brother.

“Then lead me to see him. We can’t have come all this way for nothing.” Gu Jian immediately got up and, led by Griffith, found Griffith.

Judging from the medals on his chest, this man is already an admiral, which is much higher than the rank of Rear Admiral Tius. This also means that he has the authority to manage a proper fleet battle group, rather than staying in the rear to protect the supply lines that are often harassed by pirates.

Upon meeting Gu, Griffin showed great respect. Compared to his overly handsome brother, Griffin himself had more of the rugged demeanor of a naval admiral than the petty calculation of a businessman.

“Saint Otto, I have heard of your deeds, but they are not as exciting as what Griffith told me himself! It is hard to imagine that you could control the actions of those orcs and make them cannon fodder for the Imperial fleet, not to mention that you conquered that terrifying Heart of Darkness with a brave boarding maneuver! I wish I had been there at that time.”

The barrage of praise made Komi feel a little embarrassed. He waved his hand, indicating that it was no big deal and that he was willing to do more dangerous things in order to carry out the Savior's will.

“Your fighting spirit is truly admirable!” Griffin waved his fist as if he held a sharp sword, while all around him were cowards who wanted to kneel and beg for mercy from the Chaos army. “After the tragedy of Savavon was deliberately publicized to various star systems by the enemy, many people are afraid of Abaddon’s methods and say nonsense such as resistance will lead to destruction and only obedience can ensure survival.”

"In fact, their surrender only postponed the pain; Abaddon and his men will only slowly bleed these worlds dry."

"That's absolutely right!"

"Alright, alright." Komi reached out, indicating that he really couldn't stand Griffin's enthusiasm anymore. "Let's stop with these meaningless words and talk about the current situation. I need to know if the Child family can become an ally in the fight against Abaddon."

Griffin chuckled, suppressing his enthusiasm as he sat back down, displaying his calm and rational side to Koji. "The Child family will always be loyal to the Emperor, but sometimes, loyalty manifests in different ways. I think my brother Griffith has already told you this. I have an idea, and others have one too. The entire family is currently united under the leadership of Old Master Ross, but if anything happens to him, the Child family will fall apart, and everyone will try to save this sector in their own way."

Chapter 448: The road ahead is difficult, and the rear... is also tough.

“I hate your family politics... Why can’t things be simpler?”

Seeing Komi's frustration, Griffin smiled helplessly. "We all have the expectations of hundreds of millions of people behind us. This can't be simple. Large families may seem glorious and grand, but they operate with extreme caution..."

Koken remained silent upon hearing this; wasn't the Child family's problems a microcosm of the human empire?

Because of its vast size, the empire was divided into numerous factions with diverse ideologies. Each faction tried to save the empire in its own way, even when their actions ultimately proved to be a complete disaster.

For example, Moriana, the former Inquisitor next to Abaddon, was obsessed with using the power of Chaos to reshape the Emperor's body.

"Then let's talk about helping you become the clan leader. How can I help you become the clan leader, and what will I get in return? Give me a brief answer." Komi asked casually, arms crossed.

Griffin, with his hands clasped together and chin in hand, said, "Saint Otto is really straightforward. Becoming the clan leader is simple; all you need to do is achieve something. Victories written in blood will become stepping stones to the position of clan leader."

"So you mean I'm working for you? You really have a lot of influence."

Griffin understood the teasing in Komi's voice. He smiled politely and continued, "Of course I won't give you direct orders. I'm just issuing you some tasks in the name of General Luvansberg. You just need to complete them and show me a friendly attitude. These gestures are enough to demonstrate your support for me."

"Isn't that still just doing odd jobs? It's so boring. I might as well go back to Wuding Port and figure things out myself." Gu Jian lost his patience after hearing this and prepared to leave with a disappointed look on his face.

"Wait! Please let me finish!" Griffin's tone was urgent. "Admiral Luvansberg is already in a terrible predicament, because the Imperial Fleet is facing more than just Abaddon as an enemy! Since he launched his attack, the pirates that plague the Empire have become increasingly active! Those alien pirates are plundering our world and transport fleets. Our fleet is already doing its utmost to deal with Abaddon's attack, and it's really difficult to spare any elite fleet to hunt down these damned pirates!"

Komi stood at the doorway, tilting his head slightly as he asked, "Have the pirates become so rampant? What kind of creatures are they plundering us?"

"Previously, there were mostly green-skinned pirates... but in the last few days, the number of green-skinned pirates has decreased. Our agents claim that they are heading to a secluded place to gather, and nobody knows what they are up to."

This is probably due to the red forehead exerting its power...

Komi thought to himself, then Griffin continued, "Right now, Eldar pirates are attacking our supply lines, plunging several worlds into famine. In a direct confrontation, they would be no match for our fleet, but they are cowards, only capable of nipping at our heels as we retreat, attacking defenseless transport and merchant ships. They lurk in the asteroid belt and around barren moons; pursuing them would be a severe waste of our fleet's resources..."

Komi retorted, "Then what makes you think I can easily catch these guys?"

Griffin's eyes gleamed with trust. "Because you have the experience of single-handedly defeating an Eldar warship, and I've seen the holographic image you gave to Rear Admiral Tius, the Imperial Navy, from top to bottom, regards you as the Emperor's savior!"

"Is that so..." Komi hesitated. He didn't want to refuse Griffin's suggestion; he just wanted to use this hesitant attitude to entice him to give up more benefits.

If Komi is truly as important as he claims, Griffin will offer a realistic price, rather than trying to fool him with so-called honors.

Chicken blood is indeed useful, but we can't rely solely on chicken blood. Wuding Port's supplies are running out, and Komi needs to garner more support for the factions close to him.

As expected, his silence led Griffin to relinquish more benefits, possibly even a line that General Luvansberg had drawn for him long ago.

"How about we allocate 3% of the supplies to each merchant ship you protect?"

"5%."

"make a deal."

Griffin's prompt agreement surprised Koji. He turned to look at the guy and saw a broad smile on his face. Griffin explained, "As long as we can severely damage these Eldar pirates, what is a mere 5% of the supplies? The supplies we've already left in their hands are already in the hundreds of millions of tons."

"Heh...then I should have said 50% just now." Komi said this and left. Griffin watched the door close again and his smile disappeared. He muttered to himself in the room.

"Would even a sage bargain like this?"

The group waited in Auberdine for a few more days to allow the Exterminator and other warships to resupply. During this time, Koji continuously adjusted the Spirit Bird Divination Device, learning more about the dark side from Sharon to modify and upgrade it. Whether they could capture the Eldar pirate ship next depended entirely on this device.

If he could capture a live Eldar, the Eldar oracles could be deployed, and this advanced device that could effectively lock onto the enemy's location would give his fleet the upper hand in battle.

After adjusting the Spirit Bird Divination Instrument, Komi will also take a shuttle to leave the ship and come to Auberdine to enjoy the local customs and culture.

This planet, originally run by the Childe family, is filled with a vibrant and wonderful atmosphere. The streets are clean and wide, and well-dressed people gather around the statue of the family leader, admiring the glory of the Childe family.

Komi sometimes seeks out small stalls in the corners of the streets and alleys, buys some snacks she has never heard of or seen before, and chats with the kind owners about her recent life.

Sometimes this place is so relaxing that Koken forgets he lives in the brutal Warhammer universe and feels like he's on vacation in a corner of a bustling city on Earth.

After finishing his meal and tossing down a few gleaming gold coins, Komi sighed, marveling at how the vastness of the human empire made the world's diversity possible. This enormous empire possessed a utopian and beautiful world, as well as a nightmare land that resembled the Chaos Land.

Komi would sometimes see manhole covers on the street and wonder if the underground of Auberdine would be a different story, just like the clearly divided upper and lower districts of Red Mining World.

But this curiosity did not last long. After receiving news that the ships had been resupplyed, Komi immediately returned and led the fleet that had sailed from Mutsei Port in another direction.

As for Chief Ross, according to Fris's reply, the hot-tempered old man has not yet regained his senses and talks nonsense every day in the company of medical staff.

.....

The Taserland Corridor, a stable trade route connecting twelve mining worlds, five agricultural worlds, and six hive worlds, is arguably one of the more important transport routes that Griffin requested Komi to protect.

The Punisher and other warships had just left the warp when their communications officer received a flood of distress signals, almost all claiming they were under attack by the enemy and that the entire crew was going to die.

Komi chose the closest signal and led the fleet quickly toward it.

Chapter 449: Spirit Clan Pirates? They're nothing but a bunch of moving materials.

Eldar pirates.

Among the sparsely populated Eldar, the pirates can be considered a branch that can stand shoulder to shoulder with the Ark Eldar and the Dark Eldar.

These adventurous and freedom-loving individuals gather together for various reasons, seeking success in any conflict and the thrill of plunder. They sail through the void in swift and agile Eldar ships, launching surprise attacks on unprotected vessels.

They sometimes act as messengers, transporting goods and letters to distant regions of the galaxy. They also sometimes act as explorers, venturing into uninhabited wastelands in search of ancient relics.

Sometimes they are also mercenaries, selling their services and sending what they get back to their home world, the Ark.

But for the human empire, for Komi...

They were just a bunch of aliens who should have died long ago, an ancient species that should have been inside the belly of that fallen god when Slaanesh was born.

If the space necromancer transformed himself into his current form, it could be attributed to escaping that cursed illness.

In order to establish an eternal empire in the universe.

In order to divert the increasingly divisive contradictions of the dynasty by setting a great goal, a difficult decision was made.

Then the Eldar deserved it. They enjoyed 60 million years of peace and prosperity after the War in Heaven and were the sole masters of this universe for a long time.

But they failed the expectations of the ancient sages, ultimately becoming a group of unambitious addicts, hedonists who disregarded death...

In short, Koken would not feel any heartache over the demise of these Elven races. The empires these guys built had enjoyed sixty million years of prosperity, and it was time for them to step down and let the younger humans rule.

He was at most sorry for the fact that the Eldar were being wasted. Various experiments he conducted in private proved that the blood, soul, and flesh of the Eldar possessed powerful effects. If they were really wiped out, he would not be able to recreate something similar.

Upon arriving at the location from which the signal originated, Komi only saw three lifeless transport ships floating in the void, clearly having already been looted.

"The aliens are really fast, aren't they?" Komi said with a smirk. Samuel, aboard the strike cruiser, also asked, "We have the ability to track their location, right? After all, you have that Spirit Bird Divination Device."

"That depends on how long those aliens have been on this ship. Let's go aboard and take a look."

A transport plane carried Komi and his guards to a transport ship. There were no living people on board; corpses, mutilated as if they had been slowly sliced ​​to death, were everywhere.

Sometimes, when you open the hatch, you'll see a large family lying inside in terror, the stench of blood and rotting organs making you want to vomit.

Koji walked through the pile of corpses, while behind him, Fitia was carrying a spirit bird divination instrument, collecting the traces left behind by the spirit pirates.

This task is not simple. The Eldar have many ways to hide their existence, but there are always some arrogant fools among the Eldar who think that humans, who are as backward as monkeys, cannot find them. They disdain to hide their existence, so the Eldar bird divination device in Phitia's arms reacted.