Civilian Merchant Wanderers.
The phrase stirred a ripple in Selene's once calm heart. Her originally indifferent expression gradually shifted into one of keen interest. Her hands, resting at her sides, unconsciously rubbed against the reddish-brown surface of the desk as her mind began to sift through the relevant "data."
Selene unfolded the document in her hand and expanded the section titled Astartes First Legion – Dark Angels, Conquered World Serial No. 1: Civilian Merchant Wanderers.
It contained a concise yet detailed introduction to the major business families and second-tier powers of the local world. With Selene's ability to read ten lines at a glance, she absorbed it all within seconds.
"Sector 11 — one of the largest private trading families under the Dark Angels' jurisdiction on Conquered World No. 1: the Tendo Family. Current head: Tendo Kisara."
Opening the next directory, the folded report's built-in holographic projector formed an image before her—an elegant Oriental noblewoman with straight, glossy black hair styled in a traditional hime cut.
The life of this woman—Tendo Kisara—was presented clearly before Selene's eyes.
From birth to rise.
— Growth Record — (click to view details)
Born in the Tendo family's old Tokyo estate (see: birth certificate). Her parents perished in an internal family feud during her childhood. She left home, was disowned, and removed from the Tendo family registry…
Enrolled in Miwa Academy, a prestigious private noble school in Sector 11 (now renamed the Imperial National Second Noble Academy, Tokyo District, Sector 11)… Graduated from… Later founded the Tendo Civil Security Company…
— Medical History —
Attacked by Gastrea during childhood, resulting in kidney damage. Required regular dialysis to sustain health… now recovered.
— Historical Records —
Hospital: — ; Number of visits: — ; Expenses: — ; Receipts: — ; Medical reports: —
— Family Relations —
Grandfather: Kikunojyo Tendo — Former Deputy Assistant Officer of the Pseudo-National Administration.
...
— Personality Analysis —
— Romantic History —
...
One could say that even Tendo Kisara herself did not know her own life as thoroughly as this dossier did.
Turning the page, Selene found the Tendo family's trade fleet scale, product categories, completed large transactions, and annual profits and tax records—all meticulously documented.
Every aspect was accounted for, every source traceable.
"Holds both the Imperial Trade License issued by the Ministry of Commerce and the Imperial Privateering License signed and authorized by the Astartes First Legion Headquarters (Dark Angels)."
Reading this, Selene raised an eyebrow.
The former, the Imperial Trade License, was the Empire's internal permit allowing business operations across planetary governorates, interstellar sectors, and colonial worlds—even between the jurisdictions of Astartes Legions.
In short, it was akin to a business license—a legal certificate authorizing one to conduct trade throughout the Empire.
Holders of such a license could, in theory, travel freely across any known sector or Imperial territory, conducting legitimate commercial activities.
Of course, this applied only to worlds under Imperial political administration—it did not include military-control worlds, central government domains, or restricted special territories.
The latter license, however, was far more intriguing.
The Imperial Privateering License.
Holders of this certificate possessed privileges similar to those of the Empire's Exploration and Expansion Fleets, effectively serving as civilian auxiliaries to the official Expeditionary Forces.
They could be interstellar traders, explorers, and adventurers—or ruthless colonizers, scouts, and forerunners for Imperial invasion fleets.
To foreign entities without Imperial citizenship—local natives, alien races, or external powers—the strength of these so-called "legitimate Imperial merchants" determined their behavior.
For behind that polished façade of lawful Imperial commerce, these wanderers were often little more than pirates cloaked in respectability.
Within the Sacred Selene Empire, those holding a Trade License were called civilian merchants, while those also possessing a Privateering License were known as civilian merchant wanderers.
The two groups shared similarities but were fundamentally distinct.
The former were simply large-scale interstellar traders—manufacturers, transporters, or distributors operating within the Empire's lawful trade networks.
The latter, however, lived on the edge.
Once beyond the borders of Imperial control, they became blood-soaked raiders—pirates living by the sword.
Within Imperial space, though, they were law-abiding citizens and respectable merchants.
Anyone possessing a Privateering License must also hold a Trade License.
After all, profit always walks hand-in-hand with risk.
A single expedition could bring unimaginable riches—stumbling upon resource-rich star systems, densely populated native worlds, or alien civilizations possessing unique talents. By plundering them, these wanderers returned to Imperial space laden with alien artifacts, rare treasures, precious minerals, new technologies, knowledge, and even new species.
With such spoils, they could earn the Imperial government's commendation, rise to nobility overnight, be granted fiefdoms, and stand proudly at the pinnacle of success.
Of course, far more often, they lost everything.
Most of what they found were desolate worlds—either barren rocks inhabited by naked savages, wild planets crawling with snarling beastfolk, or lifeless husks devoid of people, minerals, or resources.
Whatever meager gains they managed to collect were barely enough to offset the trip.
A few struck it rich. Some made small profits or just broke even. But nearly half ended up with losses so severe they couldn't even pay their crew and security personnel. Once you factored in supplies, maintenance costs, and weapon wear and tear—
They were utterly, hopelessly ruined.
Interstellar travel wasn't cheap. After a few expeditions like that, no fortune—no matter how deep—could survive the bleeding.
They weren't Imperial Navy regulars, backed by the Forge Department or Treasury. They were less than stepchildren of the Empire.
And for the unlucky ones—well, some simply never returned.
If they ran into another interstellar civilization, the result was usually disastrous. Either they suffered massive casualties or achieved nothing at all—dying in vain, paving the way for the Imperial Expeditionary Fleet that would later arrive to avenge them.
Their only consolation? That their coordinates had helped the Imperial Fleet find and obliterate the native species who dared fire upon them.
"So, the Tendo family leveraged their early advantage to become a merchant-wanderer house…"
Selene merely shook her head.
The concept of civilian merchant wanderers had originally been nothing more than an offhand remark she'd made during a strategy council with Alex, Robert, Sanguinius, and Lorgar—Legion Masters known for their administrative talents.
It had been one of Selene's many "crossing the river by feeling for the Golden Giant" policies.
Selene: (Amen. Sincere gratitude to the Master of Mankind. Praise be—may the God-Emperor live forever.)
She'd thought of it after hearing Alex and Robert discuss ways to further improve the efficiency of the Eternal Imperial Crusade and to properly handle the kings and ruling houses of conquered worlds.
For dynasties and noble families that had sincerely submitted or rendered great assistance during the Empire's wars of conquest, she couldn't exactly grant them planets or systems as fiefs. But stripping them of all hereditary authority, leaving them with nothing but regret and resentment, wasn't ideal either.
So, she'd decided—give them licenses. No direct military control, but freedom to venture out, to trade, to explore.
Better that than letting them sit idle.
She never expected Robert, Lord of the Ultramarines, to take her casual suggestion and formalize it as a central topic for debate—developing and expanding it until it became standard policy across the Legions.
Nor had she expected the system of merchant wanderers to flourish so powerfully within her Empire.
Compared to the Golden Giant's original model, Selene's version was heavily refined.
First, their powers were vastly reduced. In the Sacred Selene Empire, no privateer's fleet could ever rival—or even approach—the might of the Imperial Navy.
Not a chance.
The largest ships a civilian merchant wanderer could command were retired Imperial Navy light warships (under 10 km) and functional vessels such as transports or factory ships.
The Imperial government's authority had never been stronger—true centralization under the Grand State. Any privateer foolish enough to prey on Imperial Navy convoys or play at piracy… would be annihilated. No matter how powerful their backers, they would all burn together.
And finally—Selene herself would never stoop to personally sign Privateering Licenses with her own divine blood, unlike a certain golden giant from another age.
Merchant wanderers were always meant to be substitutes—never equals. They could never stand above the Imperial regular forces, not even the local auxiliary armies.
If any wanderer carried a Privateering License personally authorized by Selene herself, she had no doubt that they could easily use it to command Imperial garrisons for personal gain—not possibly, but certainly.
Selene was fully aware of the weight her authority carried.
Even a license signed by an Astartes Primarch remained bound by Imperial law. But once Selene's personal will was attached to a document, it became something above the law.
For example—if a regular license bore the signature of a Primarch, local garrisons might hesitate, but they would still investigate. Auditors or tax officers might still dare to seize the goods. But if it bore Selene's signature—no Inquisitor would dare to interfere.
Her name and her seal could never be misused.
Selene's authority was sacred. To allow it to be borrowed by others would be a betrayal—not only to the Empire, but to her loyal subjects.
And so, even without her direct blessing, the civilian merchant wanderer guilds continued to grow within the Sacred Selene Empire.
At first, they were collectives of feudal lords from powerful colonial worlds. Later, as the system matured, strong mercantile families entered the field, carving out a place in this thriving "blue ocean."
The Tendo family was among the newest to bear the title of "wanderer," recently granted a Privateering License.
As one of the earliest Conscription Worlds to be integrated into the Empire, the revitalized Tendo family had accumulated considerable wealth—enough to take part in such high-risk ventures.
Their recent "harvests" were… mixed.
Losses far outnumbered gains, but the records in Selene's dossier showed one notable success: during their explorations of the unknown void, they had discovered an asteroid belt rich in titanium ore—the primary raw material for A-grade titanium alloy used in Imperial starship composite armor.
A massive profit.
That single discovery not only recovered their previous losses but left them with a substantial surplus. Emboldened by success, the Tendo family reinvested immediately—and promptly lost it all again.
"A bunch of gambling dogs," Selene laughed softly, tossing the dossier aside.
After all, weren't these merchant wanderer ventures the Empire's grandest form of gambling?
They poured the profits of legitimate domestic trade into the endless black hole of deep-space exploration—either striking it rich or dying in ruin.
That exhilarating dance between paradise and oblivion had drawn in countless bored aristocrats and scions of fallen royal lines.
Honest trade wasn't their style.
They lived for thrill.
And if fortune smiled upon them, they could even be ennobled—becoming minor lords of the Empire, their success a thousandfold return.
There was an old saying: when profit reaches ten percent, they grow restless; at fifty, they become reckless; at one hundred, they trample all human law; and at three hundred—they risk everything.
But a landed title? That was more than three hundred percent—it was eternity.
"Well… so be it," Selene mused. "It's a fair trade. A healthy outlet for their ambitions."
"Let them pour their greed into the Empire's expansion. It serves me well. I'll even feed them a little—titles, fiefs… I've more unclaimed worlds than I can count."
If necessary, she could simply create more.
Custom orders, even.
A paradise world of floating islands and radiant light? A cursed world of eternal storms and shattered lands? A lush, vibrant paradise teeming with life? Or perhaps…
"Whatever kind of planet you desire—I'll make it yours," Selene murmured with a wry smile. "Truly, I'm far too kind."
Her crimson lips curved faintly as she picked up a cup of tea, walking toward the vast panoramic viewport at the edge of the chamber.
Below her, the planet slowly grew larger—a world of mountains and oceans, its continents clearly outlined.
It was developing well.
With her sharp gaze, she could make out the orbital starport, the governor standing in ceremonial formation, and the gathered nobles, aristocrats, and officials below. She scanned the ranks.
As expected, at the edge of the procession stood Tendo Kisara and the other heads of the licensed wanderer families.
"Your Majesty… the Dark Angels' Conscription World No. 1 has arrived," came the resonant report from the golden-armored guards as the grand doors opened.
"Mm."
Selene nodded slightly and tapped the air beside her. Ripples formed, and from the void she pulled out a small dragon clutching a notebook thicker than a brick—its hair tuft drooping pitifully.
"Alyssa, it's time to go."
Selene's voice faded as Alyssa, realizing what that meant, dropped Sebas' assigned homework and dashed away in a panic.
"Wait, Your Majesty! I'll behave this time! It's an inspection, not a vacation—!"
...
As the Empire's governors and colonial worlds rushed to prepare for the Empress' grand inspection, far beyond Imperial borders—
In the boundless silence of deep space, conquest never ceased. And neither did the scams and deceptions of the merchant wanderer fleets.
At the edge of the Honkai hyperspatial network, deep within an unknown void, the hazy light of warp transition flickered as seven or eight colossal steel warships emerged from the jump corridor.
"Nothing again? Oh for hell's sake! Navigator, don't you dare tell me this trip was another bust!"
—
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