Buksa, dressed in a red robe, meticulously reported to Nareth.
"My King, the garrison force reconstruction plan I drafted will recruit 12,000 people."
"Of these, around 3,000 are originally informal Upper Hive Arbitrators. Since they are not nobles, they couldn't enter the Adjuticatum Arbitration and refused to move to the Lower Hive. As a result, they were attached to the security force, mainly handling worker disputes and other such cases."
"But these arbitrators all have varying degrees of experience. I can complete their training within five work cycles. The specific training programs and hours are as follows…"
Nareth nodded in satisfaction after hearing the report.
"Buksa, you are now appointed as the commander of the Tizca Garrison Security Force. Assume your post immediately."
"My King, I will give it my all and rebuild the force within a month," Buksa responded excitedly. He finally got a chance to show his abilities. Previously, this position was monopolized by the illegitimate son of King Boleslaw.
When Yelena led six assassins and Buksa out of the palace, Bukayo stepped off a strike boat in the slums beside the Lukevo Hive Capital.
The slum dwellers turned their heads to look, their eyes gleaming with greed. Bukayo immediately drew a las pistol from his waist and gave the order to his subordinates, who had been arranged by Howard.
"Attack!"
Eighteen minutes later, Bukayo drove a short blade into a mutant's hand.
"Speak! Where's the passage into Lukevo Hive?"
After getting the information he wanted from three prisoners, he turned to the gold-and-white-uniformed captain beside him.
Then Bukayo slung a backpack taller than himself onto his back and walked alone toward Lukevo.
"You wait in the slums. I'll go in alone."
"We wish you success."
The captain watched Bukayo's back with fear in his eyes. He had never seen such a terrifying and ruthless youth. He suddenly remembered:
'The new king used to be slightly shorter than this guy. Frightening. If not for their different hair and eye colors, I'd suspect they were brothers. But now, the new king seems like a god.'
Eight work cycles later, White-Night Shift.
Tizca Hive City, Aqua Guild A-167 Reservoir, Water Tower No. 5.
Nareth stood atop the Spire tower, firmly planted in the howling cold wind.
Beside him, Roslov also stood in the wind but had to wear a breathing mask.
"The one who keeps diving into the water and getting dragged out unconscious is the best-performing new recruit."
"His name is Szczesny, 33 years old. Both his parents were factory technicians."
"Besides swimming, he ranks first in every training course, even outperforming many veterans. He's also the only recruit I've appointed as a captain."
Nareth nodded slightly, watching the determined Szczesny shake off his companions again and jump into the water. His pale, swollen body quickly sank beneath the surface.
Only then did nearby soldiers dare to dive in and pull him out.
"Not bad. Strong body, strong will."
"In future battles, his company will follow me."
"Yes, my King."
Nareth's communicator beeped; it was Bukayo. He turned to Roslov.
"Come with me. Let's hear Bukayo's briefing."
Back at the palace, Nareth found the boy waiting in a side hall. His face was calm, not showing any signs of exhaustion.
"My Lord," Bukayo said as he connected a data pad to the cogitator. "The ruling family of Lukevo is the Piontkovski family. The current king is Puhachi."
"The Sosvrodians are devout believers in Omnissiah. They believe flesh is weak, machines are eternal. Puhachi is even more extreme, he forces everyone around him to undergo mechanical augmentation."
"Puhachi commands 15,000 elite troops, all cybernetically enhanced. This consumes enormous wealth, which is why he can't expand further."
Nareth watched the projection: a red-painted, streamlined metallic body, left arm transformed into a folding mechanical blade, right arm a cybernetic claw.
There were no human features on his face, just glowing red danger in his eyes.
The screen shifted to a tall, broad-shouldered man with neatly cropped golden hair. Wielding a longsword, he swiftly decapitated an enemy lunging at him with a mechanical right arm.
"My King, this is Thierry. His father, Count Vieira, refused cybernetic augmentation, fearing it would hinder the family's reproduction. In a fit of madness, Puhachi tore his head off with a mechanical claw."
"Since then, Thierry has led the remnants of House Vieira in guerrilla warfare in the Lower Hive. He attacks Piontkovski's supply lines and has even launched several raids on the Upper Hive."
"Though Puhachi has conducted several large-scale purges, Thierry always evaded them. I suspect some Upper Hive families dissatisfied with Puhachi's rule are secretly tipping him off."
Bukayo swiped to bring up more images.
"Although only 24, Thierry is already Vostroya's most renowned bounty hunter. It's said he has mastered the 'Ostberg-Vaya' style to perfection, he's the greatest swordmaster alive."
Roslov's eyes locked on the golden-haired noble in the hologram.
"He takes jobs across several hives and always completes them. This also funds his group, the Free Liberators."
"Most of these jobs come from the kings of hives neighboring Lukevo. Their ideologies and interests conflict with the extremist Puhachi. One thing is certain—the Piontkovski family has no allies."
Nareth instantly understood the focus of Bukayo's report.
"You think I should ally with Thierry Vieira and attack Puhachi."
"Your insight is sharp, my Lord. Exactly."
"If you can win Thierry over, you gain a force familiar with Lukevo and a powerful ally. After victory, you'd quickly win over the Sosvrodians."
Nareth tapped his desk thoughtfully.
"Can you find him within four work cycles?"
Bukayo smiled confidently.
"My Lord, leave it to me. I will not disappoint."
"Depart at once. I'll contact you once I arrive in Lukevo."
"As you command, my Lord."
Bukayo packed up his datapad and left the palace, calling over the captain of House Finder, who was resting on a plush bed after a hearty meal.
Nareth turned to Roerslev.
"Is your regiment ready?"
"My King, not one severely injured soldier has retired; they're all willing to fight for you to the death."
"The new recruits may be green, but their fighting spirit is high. They're eager to prove themselves."
With conviction, he added:
"I know you don't want to hear excuses. You've already decided to strike."
"Mobilize your regiment. The Night Riders depart. Target: Lukevo."
"Yes, my King."
Nareth then sent a communication to Howard and Yelena.
"At Curie Shift, convene for court assembly."
Curie shift, two levels below the top, in the renovated court hall.
Nareth sat on a throne tailored for him.
The throne was made of Miguel steel, entirely black.
Behind the throne, 33 black spears extended outward. In the center, one spear held up a golden crown—the crown of the Boleslaw family.
Below the throne, the family heads stood to the left, while Yelena's newly built cabinet stood to the right.
"Howard, begin your briefing."