Free Web NovelChapter 2671: Chapter 1804: Everything
"Prophecy?"
Upon hearing Duanmu Huai’s inquiry, the Fat Governor’s face was filled with smiles.
"Ah, I have indeed heard of that prophecy. However, I don’t think there’s any issue with it. Everyone believes in that prophecy, which allows them to continue persisting even after losing contact with the Empire. Because we believe that the Empire will return one day, and all we need to do is trust the Divine Emperor, trust the Empire."
For the upper echelons, this is indeed not a problem, as a vague prophecy can make their work much easier, at least preventing riots, rebellions, or even worse matters. But in Duanmu Huai’s view, things aren’t so simple.
"And the person who made the prophecy?"
"I heard he’s already dead... The previous Governor even held a grand funeral for it, there should be records of this in the archives."
"I’d like to review those records."
Duanmu Huai’s voice was calm.
"The Empire will not overlook the contributions of those loyal."
Similarly, the Empire will not ignore the foolish deeds of traitors.
But Duanmu Huai felt there was no need to state this, as the other party should understand it.
Or perhaps it doesn’t matter if he doesn’t understand.
"Certainly, I will immediately send someone to the archives to review the reports, and you should receive the original records before dinner."
The Fat Governor grinned, perhaps seeing this as an opportunity for advancement. A world that has lost contact but remains loyal to the Empire and the Divine Emperor to this day. Perhaps he even hopes this will earn him a promotion... well, dreaming doesn’t hurt.
"By the way, what’s the story behind the Dark Fortress? I heard an interesting little tale about it before."
After asking about the prophecy, Duanmu Huai remembered another matter, and this time, the Fat Governor’s reaction was unexpectedly calm.
"Oh, that’s just a foolish rumor, I don’t know how it spread... The so-called Dark Fortress is actually the colonial ship that the first batch of settlers used to reach this planet. It seems there was some malfunction with the warship, which led it to make an emergency landing there..."
"Malfunction?"
"Could be toxic gas, or maybe an explosion or something."
The Fat Governor waved his hand.
"In any case, after that, the other colonists left that place and built our new city here. No one has returned there since, and regarding that story you mentioned, it did happen. The doctor even conducted an autopsy and examination on that soldier’s corpse—at least from the analysis results, he seemed to have died from some kind of poison. So after that, everyone believed the area was shrouded in toxic mist, and consequently strictly prohibited anyone from going there."
"So you don’t have any specific intelligence about that area either?"
"That’s very difficult, the evacuation at the time seemed chaotic... no records were left... But if you want to see the ’Dark Fortress’ itself, it’s actually not difficult; follow me."
As he spoke, the Fat Governor struggled to move his obese body, standing up from the chair, and then walked to the balcony, with Duanmu Huai joining him by his side. The Fat Governor then extended his hand, pointing forward.
"Look, it’s right there..."
"Hmm..."
Duanmu Huai looked up, staring at the distant silhouette on the horizon. The sensors in his helmet began to operate, quickly bringing the originally remote image to his view. He saw a warship wreckage lying in the desolate desert wilderness, the wind and sand covering its metal, mottled frame, but Duanmu Huai could still easily identify this ship.
This wasn’t an Imperial transport ship or an armed freighter, but a warship.
To be precise, it’s a Retributive Level battleship.
"Did the Empire ever send anyone to investigate that place?"
"Well... report, I don’t know, but I suppose they did..."
These weren’t ordinary settlers.
Duanmu Huai withdrew his gaze again, at least their ancestors weren’t. But unfortunately, so much time has passed by now, and Duanmu Huai couldn’t find anyone to inquire about the relevant intelligence from back then. He also didn’t want to casually use Divine Power here, after all, this place is the Eye of Fear, the nest of the Chaos Evil God, using the God of Destruction’s Strength here is akin to lighting a lamp in a dark cave.
Setting aside other matters, those Demons would undoubtedly swarm here.
"I need to conduct an assessment of your current production status."
Duanmu Huai thought for a moment, then made a decision.
"You wouldn’t mind if I went to the production area to check the situation, would you?"
Upon hearing Duanmu Huai’s inquiry, the expression on the Fat Governor’s face became slightly stiff, as if he was savoring a delicious champagne, only to find himself stuffed with excrement.
"Of course, of course, Great Judge, you are here representing the Empire, I believe the workers will be very eager to see you."
Undoubtedly, this was merely a polite, empty remark.
Duanmu Huai knew very well that things were not like this at all.
And indeed, this was the case.
Excluding the food-producing planets, nearly any planet’s production area could be considered a large slum. A swamp of corruption, the dirty and fetid air, workers with greasy clothes.
A large garbage dump.
And naturally, a garbage dump breeds pests.
Aliens, Heretics, cult members who worship Evil Gods.
Duanmu Huai stood silently on the flatboat, while the Fat Governor seemed a bit uneasy. For someone of his pampered status, the Fat Governor really didn’t wish to come to such a filthy place. Moreover, he hadn’t taken off his formal attire, nor had he brushed his teeth. The pungent odor of the processing area made the Fat Governor feel suffocated, as if the corrupt and rancid air had turned into a tangible large hand, crawling into his body through his nostrils, grabbing hold of his stomach, trying to yank it out through his throat.
The workers continued silently with their tasks, not stopping their hands. They worked in an orderly manner, industriously and silently transporting materials, checking pipelines, the epitome of the most dutiful workers.
"It seems you’ve taken good care of them, Governor."
Duanmu Huai remarked casually while observing the production area below, while the Fat Governor could only cover his mouth and nose with a handkerchief, offering a polite smile — unlike Duanmu Huai, he wasn’t wearing a helmet, so he could only forcibly endure this odor akin to torture.
Then, without warning, Duanmu Huai suddenly jumped off the flatboat.
His movements left the Fat Governor stunned for a moment; before the Fat Governor could react, Duanmu Huai had already landed heavily on the ground. He completely ignored the astonished glances thrown his way and strode towards a nearby alleyway. If it were Duanmu Huai’s real body, entering such a narrow place wouldn’t be easy.
But fortunately, as an avatar, Duanmu Huai could effortlessly pass through this narrow alley and continue onward. He walked without hesitation, heading toward the darkest, most chaotic, most dangerous place. The glances that followed Duanmu Huai shifted from initial confusion and surprise to anger and unease.
However, Duanmu Huai paid no mind to these looks because his hand was resting on the Chainsaw Sword, and he trusted the workers understood what that meant.
The Tribunal was most fond of, and best at, a massacre.
Then, Duanmu Huai reached the end of the alley where a piece of torn cloth hung, as if hiding something. Duanmu Huai paused for a moment, then reached out and suddenly pulled the cloth away.
He had seen this kind of scene many times before, shrines hidden in the most secret places of the garbage dump, filthy symbols and holy statues worshiping Evil Gods, along with those evil and ugly cultists......
However, behind the cloth was only an empty space with a few wooden crates filled with food.
No shrine, no filthy symbols of Evil Gods, only the phrases of Divine Emperor’s protection on the wall, as if even in this lowest, darkest place, people still held faith and loyal expectations for the brilliance of the Divine Emperor.
Duanmu Huai stood in silence for a moment, then turned to leave.
As he exited the alley, he saw the gasping Fat Governor and the Guards, who looked like they were facing a formidable enemy.
"You’ve taken good care of this world, Governor."
Staring at the Fat Governor before him, Duanmu Huai said calmly.
"The people here are so devout, so persevering, so hopeful and faithful to the Emperor. Even in such harsh conditions, they still pledge their lives to the Emperor and the Empire. It truly is something worth celebrating, and I think the Empire will reward your loyalty and competence."
"Th-thank you for your praise, Great Judge."
The Fat Governor, who had previously been looking uneasy, began to show a hint of a smile upon hearing Duanmu Huai’s praise. Although he didn’t know what Duanmu Huai had just done, for now at least, it seemed everything here had pleased this elusive Judge very much. This also allowed the Fat Governor to breathe a sigh of relief, for he had heard stories of terror from the Tribunal, and he certainly didn’t want large-scale massacres or disasters occurring in his city. At least for now, it seemed this Judge didn’t intend to create a horror story here.
Duanmu Huai turned his head again, carefully examining the surroundings. He saw the workers had resumed their previous working state, as if nothing had happened, everything was orderly, peaceful, and serene, so Duanmu Huai nodded in approval.
"Alright, let’s leave here."
He now already knew where the problem in this place lay.
