Chapter 267

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Protagonist:

Lin En

Lena

Tyranids!

They are the most terrifying predators in the Galaxy, the common enemy of all life.

Wherever they pass, not a blade of grass grows; all biomass is devoured utterly, not even a single Planet left behind.

If Keli Feng has colluded with the Tyranids, the consequences are unthinkable!

But if that is truly the case, it would also explain Keli Feng's superhuman efficiency and ability.

After all, he had heard of a kind of Tyranid vanguard force called Gene Thieves, which seemingly can increase the work efficiency of those infected.

But Ralph's next gesture left him completely stunned.

【But another aura occupied the absolute dominant position.】

【That aura, loyal, holy, warm, bearing the God Emperor's radiance.】

【Just like...... those Living Saints.】

Dominic stood dazed in place, his mind a total blank.

The aura of an Imperial Living Saint?

These two completely opposed, mutually exclusive auras actually appeared simultaneously on the same person?

How is this possible?!

He looked at Ralph, his eyes full of disbelief.

Ralph nodded solemnly, and made another gesture:

【I would not mistake it. That holy aura is extremely pure, extremely powerful.】

【It suppresses that cold devouring aura.】

【He has not been contaminated by Chaos, nor assimilated by the Bug Race.】

【He is a man favored by the Emperor.】

Dominic let out a long breath, his suspended heart finally settling down.

Perhaps that cold aura was merely a special psyker ability he awakened himself.

He had originally thought Ralph had discovered evidence of Lin En colluding with the enemy or falling to corruption.

Unexpectedly, it turned out to be this kind of result.

The same aura as a Living Saint?

It seems the rumors that he is the Emperor's Chosen are not groundless.

No wonder he could create so many incredible miracles in half a year.

With the Emperor's favor, what is impossible?

"I see." Dominic smiled, the doubt in his eyes fading considerably.

"No wonder I always felt he was different from others."

Ralph nodded lightly, withdrew back into the corner, and once again became that silent, taciturn, presence-less Silent Sister.

Dominic looked out the window again, his eyes full of admiration and anticipation.

He had originally thought this trip to Calixis would be another dull, tedious tax collection journey filled with corruption and lies.

Unexpectedly, he actually encountered such an interesting person.

"Very well, Keli Feng." Dominic said softly, "I'll give you a chance."

"I will properly investigate Brevis's true situation."

"If what you say is all true, perhaps I will consider helping you out a little."

"After all, what the Empire needs are Governors like you, not those parasites who only know how to line their own pockets." Dominic murmured to himself.

Afterwards, he did not, as in the past, immediately lead his honor guard in grand procession into the Governor's Mansion to pressure Lin En into paying taxes with the most authoritative posture.

Instead, he decided to patiently wait for the investigation results first.

He also had sufficient reason not to be in a hurry.

First, his fleet encountered severe Warp Turbulence during Warp Travel.

Ever since that mysterious Black Fleet emerged from the Eye of Terror, the entire Menglong Star Domain's Warp has become abnormally chaotic.

Several main ships, including the James Tong's Gellar Field, suffered severe damage.

The hulls also sustained varying degrees of damage; at least a month's time is needed for full repairs.

Before the fleet repairs are complete, they cannot safely leave the Calixis Star System.

Second, he indeed admires Lin En somewhat.

Dominic hails from the martial Veturia Family; in his bones he worships the strong, admires loyal heroes.

After seeing so much of the Empire's corruption and degeneracy, encountering a Governor like Lin En — loyal, brave, capable, responsible —

Is simply like finding a sparkling gem in a pile of garbage.

He unconsciously developed a favorable impression of Lin En, willing to give Lin En a chance to prove himself.

If Lin En can truly complete the Tithe payment under such difficult circumstances, or produce a reasonable solution.

Then he does not mind using his connections and authority to give Lin En a hand.

"Come in." Dominic called toward the door outside.

"Adult!" The escort captain immediately pushed the door open and entered.

"Convey my command." Dominic's tone had recovered its usual dignity.

"First, have the fleet's engineering teams immediately begin repairing the damaged warships, prioritizing the restoration of the Gellar Fields and weapon systems on several main battleships."

"Second, arrange some personnel, divided into three teams."

He thought for a moment, then continued: "Team One, led by you personally, proceed to Brevis's Upper City.

Investigate the nobles' living conditions, grain reserves, and their evaluation of Governor Kerry·Feng."

"Team Two, proceed to Middle City, investigate the guilds' operations, industrial capacity, and workers' living standards."

"Team Three, proceed to Bottom City, investigate the commoners' food and clothing situation, public security conditions, and the severity of the famine."

"Remember, do not expose your identities, do not alert anyone."

"I want the most truthful, most detailed report. One week from now, report to me."

"Yes, Adult!" The escort captain saluted, turned, and left to arrange the mission.

As for himself, he planned to find an opportunity to test just what the Green Skins on Dolido were all about.

It just so happened he hadn't had a hearty battle in a long time, and his hands were itching.

Dominic picked up the data slate on the desk and looked through it again.

On the screen, Lin En clad in power armor, wielding a power sword, fighting bravely and killing enemies amidst the Green Skin horde, appeared exceptionally dazzling.

"Kerry·Feng, don't disappoint me." Dominic said in a low voice, "Don't let the Emperor's favor be wasted on you in vain."

On the night the Tithe Fleet arrived, the Brevis Governor's Mansion.

In Lin En's private office, smoke curled thickly.

Lin En sat behind the office desk, smoking one cigarette after another.

The ashtray was already piled full of cigarette butts.

His brows were tightly locked, his gaze heavy; his face showed none of the ease and composure he had just displayed while facing down Dominic in the reception room.

He knew the victory just now was only temporary.

Although Dominic had been moved by his battle record and agreed to a grace period, the Empire's tithe system was rigid to the extreme.

The tax that should be paid would not be short by a single fraction.

Even if he could get a one-month extension, he still couldn't scrape together that much grain.

Unless the deadline could be extended to a year or so, allowing him to retake Dolido and repair the production lines.

More importantly, the Silent Sisters on the Black Ship were like timed bombs.

As long as they stayed in Brevis one more day, the risk of the Bug Race being exposed would increase by one degree.

Lena's Bug Swarm, the Cold Soldiers on the Ice Plains, and those Gene Thieves lurking in every stratum — any single one being discovered would bring catastrophic disaster.

"Lin En, stop smoking."

A clear voice rang out in Lin En's mind.

Immediately after, a palm-sized Pink Shredder Worm crawled out from the drawer and jumped onto Lin En's knee.

It raised its head, looking at Lin En worriedly with those pale purple large eyes.

"You've smoked several packs already, it's bad for your health."

Lin En smiled, stubbed out the cigarette in his hand, and reached out to gently stroke the Shredder Worm's smooth carapace.

"I'm fine, just a bit annoyed." Lin En sighed.

"Although Dominic was temporarily bluffed by me, the problem hasn't been solved."

"Annoyed about what." The Shredder Worm tilted its head, speaking in a matter-of-fact tone.

"Why waste words with them? I'll just bring the Bug Swarm directly and clash with them!"

"Eat all those tax officials and Silent Sisters, eat their entire fleet too!"

"That way, no one will dare collect taxes from us anymore!"

Lena had said such things countless times before.

In the past, Lin En would patiently explain to her every time why they couldn't break face with the Empire, why they couldn't expose the Bug Race's existence.

But this time, Lin En did not refute.

He looked into Lena's eyes, fell silent for a few seconds, then slowly nodded.

"Alright."

"Huh?"