Chapter 27: 「Arbiter」

Dust-covered and weary, Howard, having returned from the Hantemanxi Dome, stood at the head of the left row.

"My Lord, I have recruited workers from the surrounding domes; currently, all factories in the Hantemanxi Dome have resumed operations."

"During the Yekai Shift, I will announce the work standards for each position at the Magnieto Steel Mill and deliver a speech to convey your will to all the workers."

"Very good," Ninglu looked at Yelena, "Yelena, it is your turn."

"My King, the Hive Security Force has completed its first recruitment, and after Busake conducted their initial training, order in the Upper Hive has been restored."

Busake noticed the gazes now cast upon him by the nobles who had previously looked upon him with disdain.

He wore a smile and puffed out his chest.

The strategy Ninglu and Yelena had agreed upon was for him not to step forward initially, allowing the various great families to see the benefits in a more relaxed atmosphere, and only then would he step in to establish rules, ensuring that cooperation could be realized efficiently through contracts.

He and the cabinet ministers tacitly avoided mentioning this matter, and after inquiring about road reconstruction and other issues, he opened his mouth to announce.

"I will launch an attack on Lukebo Hive City during the Yekai Shift."

The nobles and courtiers looked at one another in dismay; they had not heard a whisper of this beforehand, and many recalled at this moment that Leader Luoersiliefu, who had started out alongside the new King, was absent from this hastily convened court session.

Howard felt everyone's gaze gathering upon him; after becoming the "Arbiter," he knew Ninglu surely possessed more miraculous power, and he was also convinced that Lukebo could not contend with this God of War.

He ignored the gazes of the crowd; Ninglu's trust was more important than anything, and he longed to receive the next boon.

The crowd then gathered their gazes upon Yelena; she was a Count and the founder of the cabinet.

The Countess felt another hair on her head turn white, and she spoke helplessly.

"My Lord, are you not being a bit impatient?"

"Would it not be more appropriate to start from Mazov?"

"Too slow!"

Ninglu rejected Yelena's suggestion, "Since there is the ability, there is no need to beat around the bush."

The crowd felt the confidence he radiated; it was not a judgment, but a prophecy.

The court session ended accordingly, and ten minutes before the Yekai Shift, Ninglu walked out of the Hive Tower.

His gaze passed over Luoxiji and looked toward a transport vehicle surrounded by servitors.

"Your Heavy Halberd has been delivered; the armor is expected to require another fourteen work cycles."

Ninglu nodded; he stepped up to the transport vehicle and reached out to draw the deep black alloy Heavy Halberd.

A servitor opposite heard the sound of a strong wind above his head and leaned back to look, but only saw a majestic back, and after leaving behind the word "Not bad," he strode away.

At the same time, Howard also hurried back to the Hantemanxi Dome; he took a silver cup from the HuoweiDuiZhang and tilted his head to drink the purified water transported from the Upper Hive.

He suddenly thought of something, covered the cup, did not hand it back to the guard, and gave an order.

"Deliver my dinner to the high platform of the factory."

"As you command, Count."

The HuoweiDuiZhang immediately sent his men to execute the order.

When Ninglu boarded the specially made open-top war chariot, Howard also climbed onto the high platform.

The thousands of workers below all looked up at the noble on the platform, as if they were looking at some kind of creature.

Howard did not wear a gas Mask, and sniffing the foul air mixed with the stench of copper and oil, he frowned.

But it was merely a habitual discomfort, not a physical one; with his Physical Enhancement, he immediately overcame this discomfort.

He wore a smile, "My worker brothers, I bring you good news, good news that will change your destiny."

A worker wearing tattered clothes and covered in oil stains picked his ear with his little finger.

"Noble sir, what good news could you have? Is it a pot of rat meat stew?"

"I heard that King Ninglu, who just ascended the throne, once gave workers rat meat soup, and one worker even got a tail."

"Just thinking about that taste is intoxicating!"

He and dozens of workers around him swallowed their saliva; at the same moment, in other factories, many workers watching Howard's speech through the installed video screens could not help but have their eyes light up.

"Quiet, you..."

The HuoweiDuiZhang was so angry his face turned pale; he drew the Laser Pistol at his waist, wanting to teach these dregs of the Lower Hive a lesson and tell them what kind of respect they should maintain for the Count.

Howard reached out to stop his subordinate; a flash of anger crossed his eyes, but he immediately calmed down, a smile still hanging on his face.

"You have only eaten rat meat and thought it was the greatest delicacy in the world."

He picked up the AluzhiCanHe at his feet and opened the lid; the aroma immediately permeated the air, and all the workers stretched their necks.

"What is that?"

"This is tuna, from the Sea of Music; that is an ocean world."

"Even in the Upper Hive, very few people get to eat it, but now you have the chance."

Howard did not deceive them; the coalition forces of the Vostonia hive cities had not gained an advantage against the Xenos pirates, and the impact of disrupted transport had already begun to manifest in the Upper Hive.

While workers in other factories voiced mockery and skepticism, the Magnieto Steel Mill fell silent.

The workers were gradually infected by Howard's convincing words and smile; the blonde noble was no longer a high-and-mighty noble lord in their eyes, and they quieted down to listen to the "Arbiter's" speech.

The HuoweiTongLing was satisfied with the change in the Lower Hive dregs, yet felt somewhat strange; he suddenly heard his master raise his voice and say majestically.

"On behalf of King Ninglu, I announce that from this moment on, a new rationing system will be implemented."

"Every job type has a quota requirement; anyone who completes their task can receive a portion of Corpse Starch."

"Those who exceed their task quotas can receive corresponding rewards in proportion."

Workers in other factories spat disdainfully onto the ground and the machines beside them.

"It's a lie, when have we ever gotten paid for what we do?"

"Exactly, ever since the servants of the Omnissiah abandoned the Lower Hive, those gang thugs only knew how to beat us with sticks; when have they ever let us eat our fill?"

"I think even if it's true, the standard is impossible to meet; it's just to trick us into working hard."

Inside the Magnieto Steel Mill, the many workers did not make a clamor; Howard seemed to radiate an invisible aura that made them subconsciously want to obey.

Howard stepped toward the high platform and spoke at the same time.

"You must think the standards are too high to be met; now I tell you, as long as you work a little harder, you can absolutely do it."

The HuoweiTongLing hurriedly followed, gripping his weapon and nervously watching the dregs all around.

The blonde noble walking into the crowd, however, was not nervous; besides strengthening his Spirituality, the "Arbiter" granted him convincing Charm and sufficient authority, as well as excellent combat ability.

What's more, he was wearing Precision Power Armor; even if the workers rioted, Howard was confident he could fight his way out.

The workers did not move, their gazes following the blonde noble.

(End of chapter)