Inside a luxurious secret room, a strange musky scent in the air possessed a fatal allure, as if it could ignite the most primitive indulgences buried deep within one's heart.
A strong man, covered in 'profane' purple tattoos and hideous scars, pushed away the pair of snow-white, slender arms wrapped around his neck.
He stretched, loosening his stiff muscles, and under the dim light, his dark, robust body seemed to be oiled, taut and vibrant.
Behind him, about nine scarred women lay haphazardly.
However, from their cold body temperatures and chests that no longer rose and fell, it was clear that these individuals had likely died long ago.
But what was eerie was that these varied women all had smiles on their faces—no, it would be more accurate to say they had died with the most extreme joy.
This was the price of pleasure!
The victor didn't even glance at the mess behind him.
He picked up a bath towel from nearby, covered his head, and walked into the shower room.
A moment later, he emerged wearing a bathrobe and left the secret room.
In the living room outside the door, he sat on a large sofa, took out a glass of chilled fine wine that a servant had prepared, and drank it in one gulp.
This was Tossak-Rome, the former Inquisitor who betrayed the Inquisition.
It was evident that his life after the betrayal was far more comfortable than when he served the Inquisition.
Ever since he pledged allegiance to that one, he had developed an insatiable taste, becoming deeply immersed in it.
Everything, from his complexion to his mental state, had improved qualitatively, becoming incomparable to his past self!
"This taste of indulgence is too wonderful."
Although life in the Inquisition offered immense power, Inquisitors were self-disciplined individuals.
Their usual 'fun' involved listening to the agonizing cries of heretics undergoing torture.
How could that compare to this decadent experience, with endless delicacies, beautiful women of all types, and an inexhaustible supply of fine wine?
Especially since this was also a ritual to please that one.
Slaanesh is known as the God of Pleasure; his power comes from the joy of his followers.
Followers of Slaanesh constantly seek various pleasures, always immersing themselves in hedonism.
Eventually, they lose themselves in pleasure, slowly decline, fall into despair, and ultimately lead to self-destruction.
However, that applies to the lowest-tier followers.
As a former Inquisitor, Tossak-Rome awakened with the 'help' of a certain kind individual.
Embracing Slaanesh had its benefits.
Tossak-Rome's eyes were bloodshot like a beast's, and the tattoos on his body became even more alluring.
Perhaps it was an illusion, but these purple lines seemed to writhe on his body like venomous snakes.
"My psychic powers have grown stronger again!"
As long as one performs acts that bring pleasure, that one will actively reward them, which is very common among demons.
To receive, one must first be granted a boon, allowing the corrupted to sink deeper and deeper.
Therefore, demons always appear very generous; they readily bestow their power upon these fallen ones.
To acquire such immense power, the corrupted often need to commit wicked acts.
Eventually, they don't even need demonic guidance; the user's power itself can bring about very evil influences.
"Knock, knock, knock."
A knock came at the door.
"Come in."
Tossak-Rome swirled his wine glass, saying unhurriedly.
After receiving permission, a bald man with crude mechanical devices implanted in his arm walked in.
His name was Didier Santini, the Boss of Jimmy, the unlucky fellow caught by Kenmyo Isayama, and the leader of the "Wild Horse Gang."
"Sir, all arrangements are in place."
Didier Santini respectfully said to Tossak-Rome.
This lord's origin was unknown, but his formidable martial prowess was always the best calling card.
His Wild Horse Gang could now establish a foothold in the cross-world middle-tier largely due to his good service to this lord.
Moreover, the tasks this lord assigned were not difficult; it was merely adding a small decoration to the private rooms of each elegant courtyard.
However, what Didier Santini didn't know was that what he considered a'small decoration' had the power to sway the fate of the middle-tier, and even everyone in the Hive World.
Since the traitor's plot had been confirmed, Kenmyo Isayama no longer needed to grope blindly in that stinking, vast area.
Instead, he came to the middle-tier.
The checkpoints, which were like a 'Wall of Sighs' to the lower-tier inhabitants, were as good as nonexistent to Kenmyo Isayama and Elena.
With the help of the intelligence department, they passed unhindered from the pitch-black lowest tier to the middle-tier of the Hive World.
Hive Worlds typically served as Imperial armories or factory production lines for essential goods.
The middle-tier bore the entire production function of the Hive World, leading to a dense, visible forest of chimneys.
Although the sky was perpetually grey, covered by the dust spewed from countless factory chimneys, the air was filled with pollutants.
Even during the day, streetlights were needed to see the path ahead, giving Kenmyo Isayama the illusion of being in medieval London, with industrial exhaust filling the sky.
However, compared to the Ashleys of the lowest tier, where slaughter and chaos were ubiquitous, it was practically paradise.
The middle-tier of the Hive World was home to a large civilian population, accounting for two-thirds of the Hive's total population, mostly factory workers.
Kenmyo Isayama looked at the report in his hand.
In the middle-tier, the number of registered pleasure establishments alone reached 8,900, not including the underground venues.
Therefore, one could imagine the immense profit if this market were captured.
Even if Kenmyo Isayama and Elena split up, each would have to inspect over 4,000 establishments—a ridiculous and impossible task.
This was the most foolish method.
Kenmyo Isayama had another, much easier method that wouldn't require them to inspect anything; it would even make the enemies come to them.
To that end, Kenmyo Isayama went to the local legal department in the middle-tier.
He simply revealed his identity as a high-ranking Imperial official, legally forged by Lord Inquisitor Horst-Eisenholm.
That same afternoon, after shooting a few stubborn old-timers who only promised but never acted, he instantly brought the heads of these legal departments to heel, making them follow his rules.
It's worth noting that when Kenmyo Isayama changed into opulent clothes and had Elena act as his secretary, he truly exuded the air of a wealthy scion traveling with a beauty.
As for why he didn't use his Inquisitor identity, it was to avoid alerting people who might collude with merchants and to avoid frightening the enemy.
The infamous reputation of Inquisitors was widespread.
Between a regular high-ranking Imperial official and an Inquisitor with powerful martial threats, who would be more likely to be targeted when walking alone at night?
Kenmyo Isayama wanted the legal department to shut down all illicit underground establishments in the middle-tier, and they were not allowed to reopen until he gave the word.
Not only were they not allowed to open, but Kenmyo Isayama also wanted the law enforcement agencies to launch the largest-scale 'anti-vice' and 'anti-illegal' operation in the Hive World, arresting all involved personnel and imprisoning them in the middle-tier's jail.
Kenmyo Isayama's goal was to starve the "Wild Horse Gang." By smashing their rice bowl, he was confident they would personally come knocking to 'deliver warmth.'
Kenmyo Isayama had the capital to overturn the table.