Chapter 59: You Want to Rob Me? But I'm a Living Saint!
The industrial zone was almost entirely completed.
Four hundred-plus combat suits meant nothing to the current Lucan.
Of course, the combat suits sold to Caligos were, at most, made of plasteel.
Leading Caligos to the warehouse where that batch of combat suits was stored, he saw the new suits neatly arrayed.
For a fanatic of battle, that passion naturally extended to a love for weapons and equipment.
Caligos, ignoring Lucan at his side, stepped forward to caress these combat suits. Both of them felt they had made a killing on this deal.
Just some grain in exchange for so much force-feedback armor – Caligos was very satisfied. And for Lucan, exchanging equipment that could be produced in a few hours for grain that could save hundreds of millions of people was an incredible bargain!
The best outcome of a trade is when both parties are very satisfied.
"Not bad, not bad! Lucan, have you considered selling the technology?!" Caligos turned and looked at Lucan.
"If it were you, would you sell?"
"Your Dynasty is so weak right now, aren't you afraid I'll just take it?!"
Caligos's tone changed, becoming increasingly aggressive.
"Are you planning to attack my Dynasty, Caligos?!" Lucan retorted, not showing any weakness.
"And what if I am?! My fleet is already in your system, and my warriors are ready. So what if you have these combat suits? The scale of my fleet far exceeds yours! Lucan, trade is often only established when both parties are of equal strength.
Even if I attack you, it will merely be considered our trade dispute."
Khorne's daily corruption had already begun to affect Caligos's judgment.
"Hah, so the Winterscale Rogue Trader is a madman!"
"What did you say! Lucan, are you insulting me?!"
As someone who was quick to draw his blade and slow to talk, Caligos could no longer tolerate this. The last shred of his rationality told him that while he couldn't directly kill Lucan, he could still teach this newcomer among Rogue Traders a lesson.
He strode towards Lucan, swinging his fist, which was the size of a sandbag.
This punch from the heavily gene-enhanced Caligos was definitely not to be underestimated. His speed was also very fast. But just as the fist was about to smash into Lucan's face, Lucan easily caught it.
Caligos looked at Lucan in disbelief. He tried to retract his fist, but found he couldn't; the strength coming from Lucan's hand was astonishing, squeezing his own hand until it was raw with pain.
Lucan looked at the Caligos before him.
"You were a pushover when I killed you in the game, and it seems you're not much better here," he thought.
"Caligos, do you know what you are doing right now?!"
"What am I doing? I'm just preparing to kill a guy who insulted me!"
Caligos was still defiant. Seeing that he couldn't gain an advantage in strength, Caligos's other hand was already reaching for the power axe at his waist.
But Lucan's next sentence made Caligos freeze in his tracks.
"You are attacking a Rogue Trader, but at the same time, you are also attacking a Living Saint of the Imperium! Caligos, do you understand the consequences of this?"
"A Living Saint?! Are you talking about yourself?!"
Simultaneously, a faint golden radiance once again appeared around Lucan's body.
And under the dual effect of Lucan's purifying power and the Emperor's blessing, Caligos's impulse to solve everything with violence began to subside.
"A Living Saint… a Rogue Trader is a Living Saint…"
Lucan released Caligos's hand.
Now calm, Caligos looked at the Lucan before him. Such a thing had never been heard of. A Rogue Trader, who was hardly clean, who had engaged in no small number of heretical acts and illegal trades, had actually become a Living Saint?!
"The facts are as they are, Caligos. Haven't you noticed that your desire for battle is a bit too strong?"
"What are you trying to say? That I've been corrupted by Chaos?"
"Chaos corruption often arrives when you least expect it. Pay more attention to that first mate of yours, Caligos!"
"Enough! Even if you really are a Living Saint, you have no right to question my most loyal first mate!"
However, Lucan's words had ultimately planted a seed of doubt in Caligos's heart.
Lucan knew that mere words couldn't persuade Caligos, and he couldn't possibly kill Caligos here. If he did, the fleet remaining in the system would immediately attack Agathos.
A Dynasty with deep foundations would have many warriors who would follow their Rogue Trader with grim determination, even if he turned to Chaos.
To avoid conflict, Lucan said no more. His warning would eventually have some effect.
If he had the chance to meet Wolteng, Lucan planned to eliminate him directly. He refused to believe that under the threat of death, the man could still hide his true nature.
Caligos didn't want to stay on Agathos a moment longer.
And in his heart, he was mulling over Lucan's words.
Taking the combat suits obtained from the trade, he boarded a shuttle and left Agathos.
Watching the shuttle depart, Lucan hoped that what he had done could save a Dynasty from complete damnation.
Returning to his palace, Verre walked to Lucan's side.
"My Lord, the food has filled the warehouses, and your soldiers' morale is high. Everyone has had enough of these days; they are eager to reclaim their home! Do you need to prepare a speech? I believe it will certainly enhance your prestige!"
"A speech?"
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The refugees in the uphive saw workers and Tech-Priests setting up one loudspeaker after another in various locations across the uphive.
Administrators walked through all parts of the uphive, notifying everyone.
"The Rogue Trader is giving a speech?"
To this announcement, these refugees, who were merely trying to survive, didn't have much of a reaction.
Lucan had previously ensured they could eat one meal a day, but that was merely enough to keep from starving.
They had heard the speeches of nobles before, or the sermons of priests. They were nothing but grandiose words, declarations of their rule and power over the common people.
They were numb to it.
In the eyes of these refugees, this speech was most likely just Lucan announcing his rule over this planet and everyone on it.
The former Rogue Trader, Ludwig, had done the same.
However, on the day of Ludwig's inauguration, they had all received a free day's worth of food, and that was it.
Could it be that they would have such good fortune today as well?
Although Lucan had saved them all from the encroachment of Chaos, they didn't believe his existence would change their miserable lives.
Once the Rogue Trader retook the underhive, they would still be driven back to that sunless place to live out their lives in endless toil.
But the refugees soon noticed something unusual.
Unlike previous speeches, this time, administrators were actually seeking out so-called "outstanding" individuals among them, the refugees, and forcibly taking them away.
The most pious among the refugees, or the most hardworking, were selected.
And among the soldiers, the bravest and most loyal warriors were also chosen.
They asked these servants of the Rogue Trader why they were being sought out.
"Enough with the nonsense! Now! Drop what you're doing and come with us immediately!"
"But… I have to tell my foreman… leaving my post will get my rations docked!"
However, the officials paid no attention to this, forcibly dragging these people away.
In the eyes of others, it looked more like they were being arrested…
With apprehensive hearts, they were escorted by soldiers to Pilgrim's Square.
(End of Chapter)