Chapter 26: The Mad Puhachi (Seeking Follow-up Reads)

Buksa, dressed in red robes, reported to Ninglu with meticulous care.

"My King, the reconstruction plan I have formulated for the security forces will recruit twelve thousand men."

"Among them, about three thousand come from the original unofficial Upper Hive Arbiter ranks; because they are not nobles, they cannot enter the Arbitration Court, and being unwilling to go to the Lower Hive, they can only be attached to the security forces to handle cases such as labor disputes."

"But these Arbiters all have varying degrees of experience; in five work cycles, I can complete their training. The specific training items and work hours are..."

After listening to the report, Ninglu nodded with satisfaction.

"Buksa, you shall serve as the Captain of the Teziwoke security forces, effective immediately."

"My King, I will certainly give my all to rebuild the security forces within one month."

Buksa said excitedly; he had finally obtained an opportunity to display his talents, as this position had previously been held by the illegitimate son of Boleslaw King.

When Yelena led six Assassins and Buksa out of the palace, Bukayo stepped off a fast-attack craft in the shantytown next to Lukebo Hive City.

The residents of the shantytown turned to look, and Bukayo noticed their greedy gazes.

He immediately drew his Laser Pistol from his waist and simultaneously issued orders to the subordinates Howard had arranged for him.

"Attack!"

Eighteen minutes later, Bukayo plunged a short blade into the back of a mutant's hand.

"Speak! Where is the passage that can be used to infiltrate Lukebo Hive City?"

A moment later, after obtaining the desired information from the three captives, he spoke to the Captain wearing gold-trimmed white armor beside him.

Subsequently, Bukayo shouldered a backpack taller than himself and walked toward Lukebo alone.

"You wait in the shantytown; I will go in alone."

"I wish you a successful mission."

The Captain looked at Bukayo's back, his eyes full of fear; he had never seen such a terrifying and ruthless youth, and he suddenly recalled.

【The new King seemed to be a bit shorter than him before; it is truly terrifying. If it weren't for their different hair and eye colors, I would even suspect they were brothers.

However, the new King looks like a god now.】

Eight work cycles later, Half-Day.

Teziwoke Hive City, Water Guild A-167 reservoir, Water Tower No. 5.

Ninglu stood upon the Hive Tower, standing steadily in the howling cold wind.

Luoersiliefu, standing beside him, was also in the cold wind, but he needed to wear a breathing mask.

"The one who keeps jumping into the water and is dragged out after losing consciousness is the best performer among the newly recruited soldiers."

"His name is Szczesny, thirty-three years old, and his parents were both technical workers at the factory."

"Besides swimming, he ranks first in every training item, even surpassing many veterans; he is also the only Captain I have appointed among the new recruits."

Ninglu nodded slightly, watching the persistent Szczesny shake off his subordinates and jump into the pool once again; his white body, somewhat swollen from long immersion in water, soon sank into the depths.

The soldiers hovering around only then dared to dive into the water to drag him out.

"Not bad, physically robust and firm in will."

"In the coming battles, the company he belongs to will follow me."

"As you command, my King."

Ninglu's communicator rang, and after discovering it was from Bukayo, he said to Luoersiliefu.

"You come with me to hear Bukayo's briefing."

After returning to the palace, Ninglu saw the youth waiting in the side hall; his expression was normal, without a trace of fatigue.

"My Lord," Bukayo said after connecting the Data Slate to the Cogitator, "the ruling family of Lukebo is the Piontkowski Family, and the current King is Puhachi."

"The Sosvrod people are devout followers of the Omnissiah; they believe the flesh is weak and the machine is eternal. Puhachi is even more extreme; he forces everyone around him to undergo mechanical augmentation."

"The direct armed force controlled by Puhachi is fifteen thousand men; all of them have accepted prosthetic augmentation, which has consumed a massive amount of wealth and is the reason he cannot expand his scale."

Ninglu looked at the projection: a body crafted from streamlined metal, painted red; his left arm was modified into a folding mechanical blade, and his right arm was a mechanical claw.

Not a single human feature could be seen on his face, and red, dangerous light flickered in his eyes.

The image shifted: a tall man with broad shoulders and a sturdy back, with neat short golden hair, held a long sword and swiftly decapitated an enemy who was attacking him with a swinging mechanical right arm.

"My King, it is worth noting that this Thierry—his father, Count Viera, was twisted to death by the mad Puhachi using a mechanical claw because he refused to undergo mechanical augmentation, which affected the family's reproduction."

"Since then, Thierry has been leading the remnants of his Viera Family guards, conducting guerrilla warfare in the Lower Hive, raiding the transport lines of the Piontkowski, and has even launched several attacks on the Upper Hive."

"Puhachi has launched several large-scale suppression operations, but Thierry has avoided them every time; I believe someone among the families dissatisfied with the cruel rule in the Upper Hive is sending him information."

Bukayo swiped his hand, pulling up image after image.

"Although Thierry is only twenty-four, he is already the most famous Hunter in Vostonia; it is said that he has practiced the 'Osberh-Waya' Dao to the extreme and is the strongest sword master."

Upon hearing this, Luoersiliefu stared intently at the golden-haired noble on the holographic projection.

"He accepts missions in Hive City No. 1 and several other Hive Cities, and he completes his missions every time; this is also the main source of income for the Freedom Liberators armed group he leads."

"Most of these missions are issued by the Kings of the Hive Cities around Lukebo; they have irreconcilable ideological and interest conflicts with the extreme Puhachi. What is certain is that the Piontkowski Family has no allies."

After listening to the briefing, Ninglu immediately understood why Bukayo had focused on introducing Thierry.

"You believe I should cooperate with Thierry Viera to launch an attack on Puhachi."

"My Lord is wise; that is exactly the case."

"If you can subdue Thierry, you will not only gain an armed force familiar with Lukebo but also gain a capable general, and after the conquest, you will be able to obtain the support of the Sosvrod people as quickly as possible."

Ninglu tapped his fingers on the table, "Within four work cycles, can you find him?"

Bukayo smiled confidently, "My Lord, please leave it to me; I will certainly not let you down."

"You depart immediately; I will contact you after I arrive at Lukebo."

"As you wish, my Lord."

Bukayo immediately put away the Data Slate, and after leaving the palace, he called for the Finde Family Captain, who had just finished a full meal and was resting on a comfortable large bed.

Ninglu looked at Luoersiliefu, "Is your regiment ready?"

"My King, not a single one of the severely wounded has retired; they all wish to continue following you into battle, until Death."

"Although the new recruits are green, they are also high in fighting spirit and eager to perform meritorious service."

He said with a firm tone: "I believe you also do not wish to hear words of lack of preparation, as you have already decided to launch the attack immediately."

"Assemble your regiment at once, Yekai Shift depart, target Lukebo."

"As you command, my King."

Ninglu then sent communication messages to Howard and Yelena.

"Curie Shift, hold a court session."

In the remodeled court session hall two floors below the top, Ninglu sat on his custom-made throne.

The throne was forged from Miguel Steel, its entire body pitch black.

Behind the throne, thirty-three black long spears protruded, and on the center one was skewered a golden crown; that was the crown of the Boleslaw Family.

Below the throne, the Patriarchs of the various families stood on the left, and the cabinet just established by Yelena stood on the right.

"Howard, you provide the briefing first."

(End of this chapter)