After intense haggling, Alex finalized a deal with Donia.
"Governor Alex, you're the toughest negotiator I've faced, but partnering with you may be my best decision. I trust you'll bring great returns for me and Mariupol Forge World," Donia said, exhausted but satisfied.
Though Alex agreed to cooperate, he scrutinized every detail and profit split, crafting a precise, unambiguous agreement in triplicate, written in High Gothic and binary.
Such meticulousness was rare, even among Mechanicus peers, let alone Imperial nobles or bureaucrats.
Donia was curious how Alex managed it but didn't pry. As an Inquisitor, digging into his secrets risked trouble—especially with the Ordo Machinum watching.
For her, securing the deal was enough.
Alex was pleased too. "Despite setbacks, our partnership's future is bright. Under the Emperor's gaze, Rostov's sub-sector will thrive, and Mariupol will rise as a premier forge world," he said, smiling.
"I hope so," Donia nodded, glancing at Ovilia. "Regarding her tech-heresy status, I'll try to help, but don't expect much. Only her teacher, Archmagos Cawl, could clear it. This won't affect our deal. I'll send her tech team and Skitarii soon. They're nominally under me, loaned to her, so please be discreet to avoid complications."
"You have my word, Sage Donia," Alex assured. Free Tech-Priests and Skitarii with minor restrictions? A steal.
Donia shook her head. "I trust you, Governor, but certain others…" She eyed Ovilia skeptically.
"What? Do I look like I'd mess this up?" Ovilia snapped, defensive.
"We grew up together," Donia said, exasperated. "How many times have you botched things with your reckless attitude? Need a list? At eight, you—"
"Enough!" Ovilia cut her off, covering Donia's mouth. "Fine, I won't cause trouble! You've always bossed me around!" She stormed out.
Alex cringed. A Sage acting so petulant?
Donia sighed. "Don't be surprised, Governor. Ovilia modified herself in a way I can't disclose. It secured her Sage status but altered her drastically, locking her mind at twenty and making her emotionally volatile. It's why she was branded a tech-heretic—partly due to Mariupol's factional struggles, where she was a scapegoat, but the charge is real."
Alex understood why Ovilia's demeanor clashed with Mechanicus norms. He'd thought Cawl's influence shaped her, but it was her own doing.
"Some Dark Age tech artifact?" he asked.
"I can't say," Donia replied, hands spread.
Alex dropped it.
After seeing Donia off, he returned to his office, where Merlin and Rachel awaited, having emerged from the secret passage.
"You don't seem surprised by the hidden room," Merlin noted.
"As governor, you think I wouldn't check my predecessor's secrets?" Alex grinned, dismissing Rachel after she handed him a file and briefed him.
Once alone, Alex activated a sound barrier and turned to Merlin. "I explored this office's tricks day one. Rachel knows some, but not all, of the old governor's secrets."
"Not interested in governor secrets—unless they're First Legion caliber," Merlin said. "You've got a deal with Donia. Do I still visit Graia and Griffin IV?"
"Go to Graia. Donia says Mariupol lacks orbital ring tech," Alex replied, his plan clear. "Hiring Tech-Priests from Griffin IV stays on. Donia's acting personally—another forge world's presence keeps her in check."
(End of Chapter)
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T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
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