The Bizarre Adventures of the Oil Man, but Starting with Warhammer 32K

"Why doesn't he come in person?"

Kurland questioned.

"This... After all, the current situation is special, and the Planetary Governor is busy with other matters."

The fat man lowered his head in fear and trepidation. "Please don't misunderstand me, my Lords. We absolutely have no intention of looking down on the Emperor's Angels."

"I only hope he's busy coordinating the defense of Covenant Harbor. Lead the way."

The fat man raised his head slightly and looked at the more than 300 Astartes behind Kurland.

"I'm afraid that's not possible yet, my lord. Our planetary governor is only willing to work with the leaders of your chapter, so those angels behind you..."

Kurland's eyes widened, and the garrison commander's knees suddenly weakened. He knelt down and began to shake his head like a rattle.

"I had no choice, sir! This is an order from the Planetary Governor, it's none of my business!"

Kurland cast an inquiring look at Leon, who nodded slightly, and he reluctantly agreed to the request.

"Brother Armidale, please take the other brothers and stay aboard the ship. The rest of us will meet with the planetary governor."

"This still seems a bit much..."

The garrison commander was still hesitating.

"Everyone here represents the will of a chapter."

Hearing Kurland's answer, the garrison commander's eyes widened. He stood up as if he had seen a ghost, and only then noticed that, with the exception of the Black Templars, the other yellow-armored Space Marines had different details in the insignia of the Junzao Chapter.

He didn't dare to say anything more and quickly led the way for the rest of the group. However, judging from his unsteady steps, he was obviously quite frightened.

They reached the ground via the spaceport's elevator and quickly boarded the luxurious vehicle provided by the planetary governor. This luxurious stretch limousine, originally not intended for Space Marines, had been modified to a size suitable for them. Judging from the signs of modification, Leon was certain that the planetary governor had devoted a significant amount of his attention to this during the two days they had informed him of through the Star Fortress.

The people of the hive gathered nearby were still cheering, but the Astartes in the car were frowning.

“They saw us as their saviors.”

Leon looked out the window at the residents of the Hive City. These civilians, who had just started from the Mid-Hive, were dressed fairly neatly, but it was clear that they couldn't get a ticket to escape from Covenant Harbor. "It seems that Covenant Harbor has no control over the news that the orcs are coming."

Add to that the pig-like garrison commander and the modified luxury car they were riding in...

No one is optimistic about the abilities of the planetary governors here anymore.

But when they arrived at the planetary governor's manor, everyone's opinion of the place changed.

"Welcome, my Lords Astartes."

The middle-aged butler who came to greet us was neither humble nor arrogant. He was dressed in a blue-black suit and saluted everyone gracefully. "Please forgive me, everyone. My master is aware of your arrival, but due to official duties, he cannot come in person, so I will receive you on your behalf."

"Official business?"

Leon asked.

"of course."

The middle-aged butler looked at Leon. He seemed curious about the only mechanical priest in the group, but he hid his emotions well. "My Lord prepared a grand reception for the arrival of all the lords, but the unexpected arrival of distinguished guests has prevented us from doing so. My Lord can only receive those visitors first, and has assigned me to greet all the lords."

This statement clearly indicates that the new visitor's status is higher than that of the Astartes, and combining their sudden arrival with this status...

Li Ang looked at the others, and they all had the answer in their hearts.

Inquisitor.

As the Empire's supreme secret service, the Inquisition holds greater power than any other political entity in the Empire. While the Empire's loose structure often means the execution of the Inquisition's power relies on the personal prestige of its Inquisitors, their status demands that everyone at least maintain a superficial level of courtesy towards them.

"It seems the adults have already made their own conclusions."

The butler chuckled and said, "Please follow me, my lords. I will show you around the manor and then arrange for the Governor to meet with you as soon as possible."

The butler before them was impeccably polite, evidently possessing an extraordinary familiarity with the complexities of the empire's aristocracy. Led by him, the group began their tour of this manor, a work of art.

The corridors on either side displayed rare treasures from various worlds. Gemstone artworks shimmered under the light, and intricate carvings were carved into the marble floors. Leon gazed thoughtfully at these carvings. He deciphered from the logic analyzer that they told the story of a mortal family who followed a Space Marine chapter into battle and ultimately received this planet as a reward.

"Art is a glorious tradition of the Hoster family, originating from the gift given to the Hoster family by the great Emperor's children during the Great Crusade."

The butler walking in front explained to everyone: "For more than a thousand years, the Horst family has maintained the tradition of collecting art, and every planetary governor is an outstanding master of art."

"As a naval fortress planet, I thought it would be more martial."

Li Ang hinted at something.

"This became a naval fortress world long after the Hosters took control of the planet. Of course, the Hosters have always been loyal to the Empire, and we have no complaints about that."

The tour was just a boring way to kill time. The butler took Leon and his group around here, and eventually they ran into another oil man in red.

The oil man seemed to be laying some equipment. When he saw the butler coming with Astarte, he hurriedly put his things away.

He turned around and looked at the butler, whose electronic voice, tinged with anger, came through the audio system: "Letting outsiders in when the Inquisitor is visiting? Is this how the Horst family entertains guests?!"

Inquisitor?

Leando glanced at him, and on the other's red collar, which symbolized Mars, he saw the rose knot representing the identity of the judge.

It seems that a Martian colleague has joined the Inquisition.

It's not uncommon for Oilers to be absorbed into the Inquisition, but they are extremely rare. These Om Messiahs serve specific areas of the Imperium with their unique identities, sometimes becoming an extension of the will of both political entities.

"I'm sorry, Your Honor."

The butler didn't mention the other party's little action. He simply bowed, with just the right amount of panic on his face: "I didn't know you were here..."

"Don't know? My logic leads me to suspect that you don't have a clear understanding of the Inquisitor's authority."

The oil man seemed to want to teach the butler a lesson, but he was also wary of the Astartes behind him. The situation settled into a strange stalemate as they stared at each other.

Thinks the Astartes will stop him from teaching a governor's steward a lesson?

No, it's more like Mars already knew what they were doing on Maxim.

If one considers that the other party views him as an enemy, Leon can understand why this oil man, who serves as the judge, is so hesitant.

But he didn't turn hostile directly. Li Ang didn't know whether it was because he didn't dare to do so, or because Mars didn't intend to pursue these issues for the time being.

"Pavonis."

A female voice interrupted their standoff, and a cold-looking woman in military uniform emerged from the depths of the corridor. The oil man responded to her call and turned to look at the white-haired Inquisitor. Although he couldn't see his expression, Leon was certain he was relieved.

"That's it for now."

The white-haired Inquisitor said, "Our visit has ended."

Pavonis nodded as if he had been pardoned. He put Leon and his group down and trotted back to them.

Li Ang looked at her, and she looked at him as well. After a moment of staring at each other, she nodded politely to Li Ang and left with the oil man.

"Inquisitor Frody Reina Milligan."

After seeing the other person disappear, the butler, who had been bowing to apologize, stood up and explained, "She was the one who initiated this sudden visit. I don't know what she discussed with our Lord, but I don't think it was anything good."

Leon glanced at the steward, who had regained his composure. "That Pavonis is right about one thing. As a steward, you've crossed the line."

"That's because we rely more on the power of you gentlemen than on the Inquisitor."

Chapter 125: The Shadow of the Inquisitor.

He used compliments to evade Li Ang's reminder and quickly changed the subject.

"But since she's here, it means our Lord has concluded his conversation with her. I will take you to the reception room and introduce you to our Lord."

He once again walked in front and began to lead the way, but Kurland slowed down his pace slightly. He approached Leon and whispered, "I don't think what happened just now was just a coincidence."

"uh-huh."

Li Ang remained noncommittal. "This steward is indeed a bit too clever. You can try again."

They didn't say anything more. Under the guidance of the butler, they came to the door of the reception room.

"My Lords, it's right here."

He gestured for everyone to enter, but Kurland was in no hurry. He looked at the butler and said, "Although this may be a bit presumptuous, you've done a good job. I will report your outstanding performance to the planetary governor."

"My pleasure, my lord."

"So, what's your name?"

Leon noticed that the butler was nervous for a moment. He lowered his body and replied humbly:

"My name is Ayesh, my lord, Ayesh."

Kurland nodded, ending the conversation. He entered the reception room with Leon, Thorne, Isaga, and Lancelot. A servant pulled out five chairs for them, and they sat down opposite the planetary governor. The servants withdrew, leaving only six people present.

A faint aroma filled the conference room. Leon's olfactory system detected the change, analyzing it as a mildly hallucinogenic incense. He looked at the planetary governor, finding him handsome, but with a pale complexion that suggested exhaustion. He stood to greet the Astartes, but the mere act of greeting left him slightly breathless.

"Welcome, Angels of the Emperor. I am Egrim Horst of the Horst family, the current planetary governor of Covenant Harbor. This incense is a tradition of our family. We will ingest it to better approach our ideal art. Please do not be offended, my Lords."

This mild hallucination had no effect on the Astartes, but the atmosphere certainly made everyone present feel uncomfortable. Seeing the planetary governor's earnest words, Kurland suppressed his irritation and asked bluntly, "Does Covenant Port have the confidence to withstand the Battle Moon?"

"Unfortunately, no. Although the Horst family was the administrator of this planet, after it was chosen as a naval fortress world, they essentially lost control of the planet. For many years, the Horst family has been committed to the development of art, hoping to use art to inspire the people of the Empire... It wasn't until the Greenskin invasion that the Empire hastily evacuated Covenant Harbor, and I unexpectedly regained real power."

"It sounds like there's no hope here."

Kurland raised an eyebrow. Although this governor wasn't the incompetent they'd imagined, he didn't think a governor who had just taken power could organize a decent defense. The others also looked at Li Ang, seemingly seeking his opinion.

Leon's plan was to block the orcs' battle moon here, but if it really became impossible, they could of course return directly to Terra and organize the last line of defense.

Leon ignored the others. He leaned forward slightly and looked at the planetary governor, who was not nervous at all. "I gather that this isn't all the bad news you have, Governor Egrim."

"Of course. In fact, this news was just brought by the two Inquisitors."

Egrim nodded. "The main fleet of the Solar Segmentum is gathering on Terra and will soon arrive to support Covenant Harbor. They plan to engage the Orks in the final battle on Battle Moon here."

The Astartes looked at each other in bewilderment for a moment.

First they transferred the entire fleet from Covenant Harbor, and now they say they will send the entire army to fight a decisive battle with the orcs in Covenant Harbor... What on earth are the high lords doing?

Thorne was the first to deny it. "Most of the factories in Port Saint-Covenant have shut down, and the support they can provide to the fleet is very limited. Embarking on a desperate, decisive battle without any logistics? That doesn't make sense."

"You are correct, my lord. The Imperial Navy and the priests in charge of the shipyards evacuated Covenant Harbor immediately. Even the Grand Marshal of the Ministry of Justice was among the evacuating fleet. Their large-scale evacuation made it impossible to conceal the news of the orcs' impending arrival. As a result, not only are the factories shut down, but we can no longer even maintain basic order below the Midnest."

The planetary governor's answer confirmed Thorne's idea and made everyone more dissatisfied with the high lords who changed their orders every day.

In this situation, it would be better not to come to support Covenant Port. All the main fleets should be assembled on Terra, and when they return to the solar system, a real decisive battle with all the main forces will be fought there!

"Why don't you report the situation here to Terra through the Inquisitor?"

"Unfortunately, they are informing rather than discussing. I don't think anything we do can change the Empire's current decision."

Egrim clapped his hands, and a servant handed the documents he had prepared in advance to everyone.

"We think all we can do is to prepare the armaments of Covenant Harbor as much as possible so as to provide maximum support for the incoming fleet."

This sounds like something Leon could handle, but it's actually not. Documents indicate that much of Covenant Harbor's production resources are mined locally, and these resources were previously transported through the Underhive to the mid-level factories. However, news of the orcs' impending arrival sparked riots in the Underhive. Various gangs and sects, exposed in this apocalyptic atmosphere, transformed the Underhive into a den of rampaging demons.

The Ministry of Justice is no longer able to guarantee the safety of resource transportation lines. Even without the arrival of the orcs, the lack of resources will quickly lead to the destruction of this planet.

Leon understood that the planetary governor clearly wanted to use the power of the Astartes to sweep the bottom nest, reopen resource mining, and restore order on the planet.

No wonder the butler said they relied more on the power of Astartes.

Now, they are being used by this planetary governor who lacks his own power under the banner of the empire.

But this does explain why the planetary governor did not flee like others - the voluntary withdrawal of the Imperial army was indeed an opportunity for him to regain real power.

Ambitious...?

Li Ang looked at the pale governor again. He was not very sure about this guess.

"You want to use our help to re-establish your rule over Covenant Harbor."

Li Ang pointed this out as he observed the changes in the Governor.

Egrim remained calm and didn't shy away from admitting this: "That's true, but this is also what's best for the empire right now."

Egrim was right.

Since they couldn't stop the Imperial Fleet from arriving, they had to create the best possible environment for the decisive battle. Ultimately, the High Wall was summoned to defend Terra, and no matter how they considered it, they couldn't refuse this request.

Egrim stood up. Although he was frail, he seemed surprisingly strong. "The Imperial Army has abandoned Covenant Harbor, but I will not! The stubbornness, determination, and bravery displayed by humanity during the catastrophe are the very reason the Empire has stood firm to this day! Together, we will overcome this near-destructive baptism and allow humanity to evolve from suffering!"

He lowered his waving hand and said, "My Lords, what do you think?"

His speech deeply moved the Sons of Dorne. Kurland looked at Leon, and the questioning look in his eyes turned into affirmation of the planetary governor: "We should do this."

"of course."

Leon didn't deny it. He knew that this kind of honorable cause was something the Astartes couldn't refuse. "But we will do it according to our own plan and methods after we understand the situation."