"Sage Donia, how hard is it to get production licenses for Armiger-class mechs?" Alex asked.
They were walking through a small forge docked at the starport, now managed by Donia's Tech-Priests, formerly Ovilia's team.
Ovilia now fully controlled the forge, running it at peak efficiency to arm Rostov II's defense forces.
Amid the roaring production line, molten metal flowing, Donia was in high spirits. Any Omnissiah devotee would revel in such a sight.
She answered casually, "If you need them, licenses for Armigers or even Questoris Knights are easy to get. But…"
Pausing by a platform over a molten metal conduit, Donia raised her arm, chanting a binary prayer to the Omnissiah. Then she continued, "The Mechanicus doesn't tightly regulate Knight mechs. Knight world nobles pay tithes to the Imperium or Mechanicus for them, and Freeblades are similar, though they often offer serfs instead. Getting Knights is simple, but the process must be followed. Nobles pay tithes or heed Imperial calls to earn Knights—no deviations allowed. You can buy Knights for the Lingguang family, as many as you want, or even ennoble 'Knights' and seat them on Thrones Mechanicum, if they're worthy."
Turning serious, she faced Alex. "But the Mechanicus won't let you produce Knights and supply them to Knight families. That violates the Olympia Accord with the Emperor—a grave heresy."
"Even with a production license?" Alex wasn't surprised but was curious how the Mechanicus would handle it.
Donia smirked, her eyes teasing. "That's the crux, Governor. The forge and licenses from Mariupol are in Ovilia's name. She's a tech-heretic but still a Sage. Without my help securing it under her name, Mariupol wouldn't have sold to you. Understand the key?"
"A legal pretext—procedural legitimacy, right?" Alex grasped her point, reflecting on his own recklessness.
His Inquisitor status allowed flexibility, but some lines were untouchable taboos.
At least on the surface, procedures had to be followed.
Both the Inquisition and Mechanicus played dirty privately, but open breaches were untenable.
Donia nodded. "Exactly. You can say you're funding Ovilia, buying forges or licenses, or having her 'develop' products. But publicly, she must remain part of Mariupol or at least the Mechanicus. Per the Olympia Accord, even a governor building weapon factories needs Mechanicus clergy oversight to ensure Omnissiah compliance."
"I understand. I'll respect the boundaries," Alex said, thanking her politely.
"Uncle, the Governor sent three new Knights!" Maria burst into her uncle's study, shouting the news.
"Maria, how many times have I told you to act with dignity as a Lingguang Knight?" Marna scolded, then stood. "Three new Knights from the Governor? What's this about?"
Catching her breath, Maria explained, "I was helping serfs build houses when a transport arrived from the starport. They said the Governor ordered Knights from Mariupol Forge World, and the first three are a gift to our family."
"Free of charge?" Marna was stunned.
Three Knights were no small matter. Even at Lingguang's peak, losing a single Questoris Knight hurt. Gifting three was unheard of.
"That's what they said," Maria confirmed.
Marna frowned, pondering.
Three Knights boosted their roster from four to seven—a godsend for the struggling family. At their height, they'd had over a hundred, but seven was impressive, rivaling smaller houses. They could form two or three lances, earning battlefield honors.
This was a massive step for their revival.
But Marna distrusted unearned generosity. The Governor's gifts far outweighed his demands, stirring unease.
He preferred earning revival through effort, not charity.
"Send thanks to the Governor and ask how we can serve," he told Maria.
(End of Chapter)