Due to the attention from Holy Terra, many matters on Rostov progressed quickly.
Pavel from the Ecclesiarchy came again, bringing a thousand-strong Battle Sister contingent to reinforce the Order of the Ebon Chalice.
In addition, there were ten million throne gelts in cash, and the Ecclesiarchy's promise to help him repair the Orbital Ring.
"Governor, I don't even know what to say! It's an immense honor for Rostov's sanctus wine to be delivered to the Throne Room by the Custodes! You have truly received the Emperor's favor!" Pavel looked at Luka with a terrifying fanaticism, as if he were looking at the deity he worshipped.
This was not an exaggeration. For followers of the Ecclesiarchy, it was not unreasonable to worship Luka as a divine spokesman, especially since he was one of the few people the Emperor had directly contacted in ten thousand years (the last time being when six Battle Sisters met the Emperor).
Especially now that Luka was a saint officially canonized by the Ecclesiarchy, the Ecclesiarchy Headquarters on Terra was even discussing whether to bestow upon Luka the title of Living Saint.
"The Emperor equally favors each of us; it's just that too many people need his favor, and he cannot look after every citizen of the Imperium," Luka said, shrugging indifferently.
Huang Lao Han truly loved humanity, that was beyond doubt, but as he was not yet a god, he indeed could not attend to every person in the Imperium.
You could only shout loudly and hope he would hear your voice.
"Yes, that's why we, as his spokesmen and followers, should look after the citizens of the Imperium on his behalf," Pavel affirmed with a nod. Although his position made him somewhat worldly, his faith was utterly genuine.
"Indeed, it's just a pity that some in the Imperium still don't understand this principle, always forcing us to do extra work," Luka shrugged, uttering a line perfectly fitting for an Inquisitor.
Pavel nodded in strong agreement, but then changed the subject to business: "The Ecclesiarchy has agreed to pay for the construction of your Orbital Ring this time, but we also contacted the Mariupol Forge World, and they said they are unable to complete such a large project.
So, what do you plan to do about the construction? Do you need me to help you contact other Forge Worlds?"
"There's no need for that. My Rogue Trader has already gone to contact the Griya Forge World for me, and they have agreed to send a technical team," Luka explained the situation to Pavel and thanked him for his kindness: "The Griya Forge World is very interested in this order. The Sage they sent is already on my Rogue Trader's ship."
"That sounds really good. I hope you can successfully get what you want," Pavel didn't find anything amiss with this, merely showing a hint of regret.
Luka noticed the change in his mood and asked curiously.
Pavel didn't hide it and simply explained: "I'm currently seeking a higher position. After all, although I am the Archdeacon of the Sector Church, I am less than fifty years old, and there is still potential to advance further to serve the Emperor better.
But you might be aware of the situation in the Mariupol Sector; promotion requires opportunities and merits.
Cooperating with you is a merit for the Sector Ecclesiarchy, but merely paying for you cannot be called a merit.
On the contrary, if I could help you contact a Forge World and finalize this matter, that would truly be considered a merit."
After speaking, Pavel shrugged, feigning nonchalance, but Luka could sense the regret that he had not fully expressed.
After listening to Pavel's explanation, Luka also frowned slightly, but then his mind turned, and he said to Pavel: "The Planetary Governor of Rostov plans to build a grand cathedral. I have already approved this plan. Do you know about this?"
"I've heard about it. That Old Bishop has grand ambitions and plans to build a cathedral comparable to a Hive City spire," Pavel, of course, knew about this, but he wasn't very optimistic about it: "Although the Old Bishop's piety is admirable, I imagine you wouldn't support this, would you?
After all, you are from the Inquisition and also the Planetary Governor. That Old Bishop's plan should conflict with your arrangements.
I heard about the Living Saint's arrival that day. By all accounts, the Ecclesiarchy should undertake extensive construction and expand the Emperor's sanctuary on this planet, but doesn't this conflict with your interests as Governor?"
Pavel was different from other members of the Ecclesiarchy. Perhaps due to his position and work, he had more contact with nobles and the secular world, thus he could better understand what others were thinking.
Just like this matter, the Ecclesiarchy itself strongly supported the construction of churches, but Pavel could imagine how much Luka, as Governor, did not want this to happen.
After all, if the Ecclesiarchy became too powerful, it would encroach upon his authority as Governor.
However, Luka shrugged and smiled: "That's not entirely true. I welcome the Ecclesiarchy's willingness to invest heavily in this planet; I just don't want this planet to become a Shrine World.
Moreover, I will also be developing the entire Sub-Sector later, and it would be even better if the Ecclesiarchy could provide me with assistance in this regard.
After all, colonizing new planets cannot be done without your Ecclesiarchy's priests guiding the people's faith and showing them the way forward."
"I think I understand what you mean. You hope to cooperate with the Ecclesiarchy in developing the Sub-Sector?" Pavel showed an interested expression.
"Yes, the Ecclesiarchy needs to proselytize, and I need a large number of Pilgrims to help me develop new colony planets. I think we can cooperate, can't we?" Luka smiled, then looked at Pavel and lowered his voice: "And having a friend in a higher position within the Sector Ecclesiarchy is also a help to me, isn't it?"
"Then perhaps we should have a good talk?" Pavel looked at Luka and also smiled.
Both of them smiled together. Some things were not conspiracies or schemes, but merely an unspoken understanding between them.
—
At this time, in a certain star system of the Imperium, Mai Mai and Twilight had just repelled a raid by a group of Eldar pirates.
"Isn't Rogue Trader life a bit too exciting? Succubi in the bathroom, Bloodletters on the lower deck, and now Eldar pirates after leaving the Warp. Are we going to have a Chaos Warband jump out next?" Mai Mai pulled her dueling sword out of an Eldar pirate's stomach, couldn't help but complain.
Beside him, Sage Seleya from the Griya Forge World was putting away her shield.
Just now, this shield had activated a special force field that made those agile Eldar directly appear as if petrified, their agility greatly reduced, allowing humans to easily eliminate them.
"The frequency of your attacks is somewhat abnormal. Even for a Rogue Trader, it's not normal to be attacked as frequently as you are," Seleya came before Mai Mai, looked at him, but said nothing more, then turned and left.
Meanwhile, Twilight quickly came over and asked Mai Mai: "Did Sage Seleya figure something out?"
"Not necessarily, right? We don't have any contraband on our ship!" Mai Mai's eyes also wavered a bit. While they didn't deal in contraband, other things...
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