Chapter 260

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Protagonist:

Lin En

Lena

On the transport aircraft, Lin En gazed down at the Nest Capital below.

Countless civilians gathered on the streets, waving homemade flags and portraits, shouting his name at the top of their lungs.

By the time Lin En's fleet docked at the starport, the news had already been transmitted back to Bryweiss Upper City.

Seeing the transport aircraft fly over, the crowd's cheers grew even more fervent.

Lin En's heart was filled with mixed emotions.

Their demands were simple — just to eat their fill, to live safe and sound.

For Lena, and incidentally for them as well, he had to weather this Tithe Crisis.

The transport aircraft landed on the Governor's Mansion helipad.

Lin En had just stepped off the transport aircraft when he saw Carter and Lei Ou already waiting there for him.

Carter was the same as ever, dressed in a crisp blue-grey uniform, expressionless, taciturn.

But when he saw Lin En, a trace of joy he could not conceal still flashed in his eyes.

Lei Ou, on the other hand, was leaner, and looked much steadier.

"Kaili! You're finally back!" Lei Ou strode forward and gave Lin En a big hug.

"If you hadn't come back, I wouldn't have been able to hold on!"

"You've worked hard." Lin En patted his back and said with a smile.

"Hard work isn't the issue." Lei Ou let go of Lin En and said with a bitter face.

"It's mainly heart-exhaustion — you don't know, these months you've been gone, what kind of days I've lived through."

The three entered the Governor's Mansion and sat down in the drawing room.

Maids brought tea and pastries, then withdrew and closed the door.

Although he deliberately put on a patriarch's dignity, before familiar faces like Lin En and Carter he quickly dropped the disguise.

On his originally high-spirited face, a closer look revealed it was covered in fatigue and weathered wear.

Though his hair was groomed meticulously, heavy dark circles hung under his eyes.

"Tell me, how are things at home?" Lin En picked up his teacup, took a sip, and asked.

"How else could they be." Lei Ou sighed and began pouring out his grievances.

"After you left, Luna's faction left in Bryweiss started jumping up and down, fanning the flames everywhere, trying to seize power."

"I fought them for whole months, and only with great difficulty stabilized the situation."

"And those stubborn old fossils of the Machine Cult are even harder to serve — they speak of nothing but the Omnissiah's will, this isn't allowed, that isn't allowed."

"If not for relying on the lingering prestige my grandfather left behind, I probably wouldn't have been able to contend with them."

"Now I can only control half the Saint Galus Family's power and assets; the other half is still in Luna's hands."

Lin En gave an "Mm" — this outcome was better than he had expected, after all Knight Families are deeply dependent on the Machine Cult.

For Lei Ou to achieve a stalemate against Luna's Machine-Cult-backed faction relying on his legitimate bloodline was already not bad.

"But the worst part is, my grandfather still hasn't been found." Lei Ou's tone grew low.

"I sent many people to search, scoured all of Bryweiss, no news of him. It's like he vanished into thin air."

Lin En nodded and comforted him: "Don't hurry, Lord Karadong is rich in experience, he'll be fine."

"Perhaps right now he's somewhere, recuperating and regenerating."

"Hope so." Lei Ou forced a smile.

He paused a moment, then looked at Lin En and said seriously:

"Kaili, I won't say more about other things — this Tithe, rest assured, the Saint Galus Family will fully support you."

"Although Knight Families don't need to pay the regular Tithe, whatever you need — grain, arms, funds — we can provide."

"Who let us be friends."

Lin En's heart instantly leapt with joy.

With Lei Ou and the Saint Galus Family's support, even if only half the Saint Galus, the pressure of this Tithe was reduced considerably.

"Thank you, Lei Ou." Lin En said sincerely.

"Thank what." Lei Ou waved his hand.

"Right, how's Luna? How is she doing? I heard she's not having a very pleasant time on Kal II?"

Mentioning Luna, a schadenfreude expression appeared on Lei Ou's face.

Lin En smiled and briefly recounted what happened on Kal II.

When he spoke of Luna being beaten by Green Skins into a panicked rout, the fleet losing over half its strength, Lei Ou laughed until he bent forward and back.

"Hahahaha, serves her right, truly satisfying!" Lei Ou slapped his thigh and said.

"Let her be so arrogant normally — this time she finally fell!"

"I'd like to see how she struts before us in the future."

Watching Lei Ou liven up again, Lin En and Carter couldn't help laughing too.

The atmosphere in the drawing room relaxed considerably.

That evening, Lin En held a grand welcome banquet at the Governor's Mansion.

He invited all the prominent figures he had come to know in Brevis.

Most of the guild masters from Middle City, nearly half the alliance leaders of the scavengers from Bottom City, and several noble groups supporting him.

And the nobles brought by Lei Ou, who followed the orthodox Saint Galus Family.

The Governor's Mansion Banquet Hall was brilliantly lit, cups and goblets crossing in toast.

Everyone surrounded Lin En, speaking words of flattery and praise.

On their faces, all wore sincere smiles.

For them, Lin En's victory was their victory.

After three rounds of wine and five courses of dishes.

Lin En stood up, raising his wine cup.

The banquet hall fell instantly silent, everyone looking toward Lin En.

"Everyone," Lin En's voice was dignified and loud.

"Today, I am very happy."

"Happy to return alive, happy to see everyone again."

"The victory at Kal II is not mine alone, it is the victory of us all."

"It is the victory of every soldier who fought bloodily on the front line, the victory of every worker who silently contributed in the rear, the victory of every citizen who believes in the Emperor, who believes in Brevis."

"I stand here, thank you all!"

Lin En raised his wine cup and drained it in one gulp.

Everyone raised their wine cups and cheered loudly.

After the cheers subsided, Lin En's expression turned solemn.

"However, I must tell everyone a piece of bad news." Lin En's voice became somewhat lower.

"The Empire's Tithe Collection Fleet will arrive at Brevis very soon."

In the banquet hall, silence fell instantly.

On everyone's faces, grave expressions appeared.

The Tithe, this is the great mountain pressing on every imperial citizen's head.

No one wishes to speak of it, but it must be faced.

"I know, everyone's days are not easy." Lin En looked at the crowd, his tone sincere.

"Brevis has just gone through war, a hundred wastes await revival."

"We lack grain, lack supplies, lack population."

"But the Empire's Tithe, we must pay."

"If we cannot pay, what awaits us is the Tribunal's judgment, the Empire's punitive expedition."

"At that time, Brevis will be finished."

"So, I hope everyone can unite as one, and tide over this difficulty together."

"I have already discussed with Governor Carter; mineral products and military supplies will be provided by the various guilds."

"Soldier sources, mainly the responsibility of the Scavenger Alliance."

"As for the most scarce grain, I hope the noble kin can extend a helping hand, help Brevis through."

"As for the Spirit Energy Users who may be levied, this part, I will find a way to resolve, and will not let everyone be put in a difficult position."