Chapter 375: Warhammer: What Do You Mean You Conquered the Zerg

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Protagonist:

Lin En

Lena

He found no scapegoat, shifted no blame to subordinates, but bore all responsibility himself.

Dominic's eyes flickered slightly; the suspicion in his heart inexplicably faded a bit.

He deliberately feigned ignorance, furrowed his brow, and asked:

"Apologize? What crime has Governor Kerry committed?"

Lin En gave a bitter laugh, raised his head, his eyes full of self-mockery.

"Adult, there's no need to hide it from me."

"You sent a reconnaissance team into Bottom City; if I hadn't noticed, I wouldn't be fit to be this governor."

He sighed, walked to the window, looked at the starport below, his voice carrying some fatigue:

"To put it simply, it's not complicated."

"After the plague broke out, Bottom City fell into complete chaos."

"My Official Epidemic Prevention Team couldn't hold out at all; more people died every day than were born. If this continued, forget three billion soldier sources—gathering even one billion would be difficult."

"During that time, I couldn't sleep every night. On one side, the plague pressed in; on the other, the tithe deadline loomed. Both were burdens of a thousand jin."

"Just then, the Purge Plague Sect appeared in Bottom City, claiming they could tell who was infected with the plague and who was healthy, and could calm the crowd and maintain order."

His voice carried some regret.

"At first, I doubted them too, feeling something was off."

"But those I sent back said they really could precisely find infected people in the incubation period, and really stabilized order in several districts."

"I... I was momentarily bewitched, thinking I'd get through the crisis first, so I tacitly allowed my subordinates to use them to help screen the population."

"I was taking a chance, thinking that as long as I controlled the plague and gathered the soldier sources, this bit of Left-path Heresy didn't count as anything."

"It was also my lax supervision that let the sect take the opportunity to expand, even infiltrating the soldier conscription."

Lin En turned around, looking at Dominic, his gaze open.

"In the end, it's all my fault."

"I was blinded by interests and forgot the Empire's rules."

"I've already ordered the Vanguard Army to clean up all sect outposts, and the remaining conscripts will all be handed over to the State Religion for re-examination. I will definitely thoroughly eradicate the influence of heretics."

"This matter, I leave it to Adult to decide. Whether reporting to the Ministry of Internal Affairs or punishing me, I have no complaints."

After speaking, he stood there, his waist and back straight, looking like he was calmly accepting punishment.

The command room fell quiet, only the low hum of the air conditioner's ventilation echoing in their ears.

Dominic looked at the young man before him, his heart filled with mixed feelings.

He felt what Kerry said was quite believable.

Especially since he packaged everything as "ordinary dereliction of duty from seeking quick gains and employing heretical sects."

But strangely, he also felt some appreciation.

He appreciated this willingness to take responsibility without shifting blame or passing the buck.

He appreciated this frankness of daring to act and take responsibility.

If it were another noble governor, encountering this, they'd long ago have pushed their subordinates out to take the blame and kept themselves spotless.

How could he be like him, bearing it all alone, not even giving himself a way out?

Moreover, Dominic understood those difficulties he mentioned.

If he were sitting in the Governor of Brevis's position, facing the dual pressure of plague and tithe, could he do better?

Probably not necessarily.

The Empire's dogma is dead, but people are alive.

When it truly comes to a matter of life and death, everyone wants to find a shortcut.

Moreover, the results are there.

The first batch of soldier sources was of high quality, the plague was controlled, Bottom City didn't completely collapse, and the tithe was advancing steadily.

Objectively speaking, Kerry did better than the vast majority of governors in the Empire.

The scales in Dominic's heart had quietly tilted.

He didn't blame him; instead, he stood up, patted Lin En's shoulder, his tone carrying some regret.

"Alright, I'm not an unreasonable person." He sighed.

"I know the situation in Brevis."

"Plague, internal strife, tithe—several things coming together would give anyone a headache."

"Taking a detour for a moment, being blinded by Left-path Heresy, can be considered human nature."

Lin En raised his head, a trace of surprise flashing in his eyes.

This wasn't an act; he truly hadn't expected Dominic to say such things.

"As for the soldier sources, you don't need to worry too much." Dominic continued.

"The State Religion's Blessing Ritual, the Machine Cult's Physiological Examination—after double screening, the first batch of soldier sources has no problem."

"They're all healthy commoners, their faith is fairly firm, and they haven't been led too far astray by heretical fallacies."

"That's good." Lin En seemed to let out a big breath of relief.

"As for the remaining three hundred million, I will also keep watch over them until the screening is fully complete, ensuring absolute safety before handing them over — absolutely not letting a single Heretic slip into the Tithe Fleet."

Lin En's expression turned serious again, and he shifted the topic.

"However, Adult, the soldier source being fine does not mean this matter can just be left at that." His tone was solemn.

"The Purge Plague Sect is ultimately a Heretic private cult; letting it be is a provocation against the State Religion's dignity, a destruction of Soul Faith purity."

"Even if they are temporarily useful, they absolutely cannot be relied upon for long."

After hearing this, Dominic did not respond to Lin En immediately, but looked at him, his eyes narrowing slightly.

Interesting.

He actually turned around and emphasized faith and rules to himself instead.

Dominic did not speak, just stared at Lin En with a half-smile, wanting to see how much further he would perform.

Lin En also looked at him, four eyes meeting, neither speaking first.

A subtle tacit understanding suddenly rose in the air.

Both knew full well the other had not spoken the whole truth, both knew the other was hiding a Secret.

But with just this thin layer of window paper between them, neither was willing to pierce it.

After a few seconds, Lin En looked away first, the corner of his mouth tightening, as if a bit Embarrassed.

After another moment, Dominic broke character first, letting out a low laugh, breaking the silence.

"You..." He Shook Head, sat back in the Chair, fingers tapping the Tabletop, "You speak quite righteously."

He Body Leans Forward, tone softening, carrying a few parts frank honesty: "Kaili, I'll also tell you a real word."

"What time is it now? The Kadian War Zone is fighting fiercely, people dying on the Front Line every day."

"Three billion soldier source isn't much, but it can solve the urgent need."

"At a time like this, clinging to doctrine and rules, not willing to bend an inch, that's not upholding principles, it's pedantry."

"Practicality is sometimes more important than doctrine."

Lin En Fiercely raised his head, a Trace of shock flashing in his eyes, as if Unexpected that Dominic would say such words.

"So..." Dominic leaned back in the Chair, spread his hands,

"The Conscription matter, just have a Count in your heart."

"As long as the soldier source handed over in the end is healthy, usable, this bit of twists and turns in the middle, I can Temporarily pretend I didn't see."

"But." His topic shifted, tone abruptly turning serious, "I have two conditions."

"Please speak, Adult." Lin En immediately straightened his expression.

"First, strictly control the degree." Dominic's gaze sharp as a Blade.

"It can only be Utilization, absolutely no deeper Collusion."

"In Imperial History, examples of being Backlashed by Xenos, inviting wolves into the house, are Countless."

"You dare use them to handle Plague today, tomorrow they'll dare hollow out your Planet from within.

"This measure, you must grasp well."

"Second, after the Tithe handover is fully complete, after all three billion soldier source are sent away, the Purge Plague Sect must be Completely Eradicated." He said it with finality.

"No matter how much merit they established before, they are ultimately Heretics, a hidden danger."

"When the cunning rabbit dies, the hunting dog is cooked; this principle doesn't need me to teach you, right?"

The boulder hanging in Lin En's heart finally completely settled.

He had Originally prepared a whole pile of arguments, prepared to persuade Dominic bit by bit.

Unexpected this Major General was actually even more flexible than he Expected, directly laying the words bare.

This saved him no small effort.

"Adult rest assured, I understand." Lin En nodded solemnly.

"Actually I've had Cleanup plans for a long time."

"These Chaos Heretic forces remaining in Bottom City are ultimately a disaster; once soldier source Conscription ends, I'll immediately organize manpower for a full Cleanup."

He Paused a moment, as if suddenly remembering something, and spoke an invitation:

"Speaking of which, there are quite a few Cult Outposts in Bottom City, and quite a few hard bones."

"When the time comes, if Adult is interested, might as well supervise the battle together? With Navy cooperation, the Cleanup can also go more smoothly."

Dominic's eyes instantly brightened.

Bottom City Cleanup battle? Street fighting?

He fought Space battles all his life, Macro Cannon Light Spear blowing up Warships he's proficient at, but this kind of drilling into Nest Capital depths to fight street battles, Cleanup Heretic Outpost work, he's truly experienced it comparatively few times.

This is far more stimulating than sitting on the Bridge reading reports.

"Good!" He agreed immediately, slapping the Table.

"Just right, I'm bored to mold too."

"When the time comes, you give advance notice, I'll bring a Naval Marine Corps squad down, and wipe out their lair together with you!"

Looking at Dominic's eager appearance, the corner of Lin En's mouth also revealed a trace of genuine Smile.

Matters went even more smoothly than he Expected.

After chatting a few more sentences about the general Cleanup arrangements, Lin En rose to take his leave.

Dominic personally saw him to the Doorway, watching his figure Disappear at the Corridor End, before turning back to the Room.