Chapter 404: Custodian: I Quit!
Dawnstar, Dawnbreaker Fleet
A Ramilies-class Starfort was surrounded by a dense array of warships. Metal shimmered in the mist attracted by gravity. Below them, towering space elevators vibrated constantly as automatic lifts sent piles of ammunition and supplies up to the fortress.
Swish—
The sound of iron boots scraping against the red carpet echoed. The wide stride stirred the cloak. Drakus was hurrying along the avenue towards a mega-port completely enveloped by a Blackstone array.
It was a port clearly visible from the planet's surface, and inside the port was a majestic ship, her body as heavy and tall as a mountain range.
She floated in a chamber covered in lights, protruding angles casting long shadows, obscuring many details, making this perpetually silent giant ship appear unusually quiet.
As Drakus approached, soldiers in power armor on the stairs bowed and saluted him.
He stopped to chat briefly with some sergeants, shaking their hands, understanding their psychological state, and encouraging them with words. Even such simple actions, a few words from the Chief Steward, could maintain the courage in the hearts of soldiers suffering in waiting.
Iron armor clinked against weapons.
He held his sword, head high, walking towards the warship hidden in the shadows.
Passing through patrolling guards, through checkpoints guarded by Custodians, passing the administrative hall filled with unarmored Custodians, Astartes, and mortals...
A Custodian wearing a white toga hurried past, carrying a thick stack of the latest reports in his arm.
The Custodian lightly bumped into Drakus.
At a speed completely imperceptible to the mortal eye.
"Lord Colquan."
Drakus turned his head calmly, then took the initiative to ask: "Is something the matter?"
Although Lord Ramesses often said that Custodians were a bunch of things that consumed resources without dealing any damage, explicitly and implicitly mocking the inaction of these superhumans who consumed the resources of an industrial planet per person, teasing that their connection to the Emperor wasn't even as stable as the Grey Knights', making it hard to tell who the real sons were at first glance—
Including a series of remarks like the above, directly causing most Chapter high commands who previously viewed the Emperor's Custodians through a filter to fall into a rather awkward situation.
Typically, the Black Templars, known for their faith in the Emperor and traditionally loathing psykers, began to actively cooperate with the Grey Knights, and exceptionally welcomed these one-in-ten-thousand psychic Astartes stationed in the fleet as a supplement to psychic power and a symbol of the Emperor's gaze.
Now, almost every Black Templar Crusade fleet scattered across the galaxy had the opportunity to observe the figures of Grey Knights. The arrival of a Grey Knight could also greatly boost the morale of local combat troops. Those who didn't know better might think the Grey Knights were the true spokespersons of the Emperor.
But since they were now on the same front, working together for the rejuvenation of humanity, Drakus still gave these warriors enough face.
"I'm going your way."
Tribune Colquan, who had come with vigilance at first, replied, not directly answering the Chief Steward's query.
Compared to those truly glamorous Custodians, he looked more like a human who was simply far taller than average.
His equipment was confiscated after arriving in the Dawnstar Sector.
The Dawnbreakers had no filter for the Custodians. These 'corn cobs' weren't overly overpowered in combat, too wasteful as bodyguards, yet didn't like administration and research.
So facing those Custodians who ran out of the Solar Segmentum to seek employment, Romulus was not polite at all.
Want to be assigned to a combat post?
Sure, first work under the Regent to pay off those previous loans.
When you create the output value of an industrial planet equivalent to one Custodian, then you are qualified to decide what you should do.
As for quitting?
Simple. If you don't process documents, you have to roll back to the Imperial Palace on Terra.
Either endure the Emperor's senile nagging and psychic slaps lasting 24 hours a day urging you to 'go out and work, don't stand guard here', or go to the Dark Cells to duel those seniors for positions, or go sweep toilets at the High Lords Council.
As for why the Custodians can endure it.
First, rule out those who lost the fight.
Colquan tightened his grip on the documents.
The biggest difference between the Dawnstar Sector and the Solar Segmentum is that one side is solving problems, and you can see your efforts being rewarded, while the other side pulls out bigger problems after solving one, pulling out a radish only to find dense roots entangled with ten thousand years of time underneath.
That kind of problem, dense enough to make a Lord of Change drool 'aba aba', would make any intelligent creature's first reaction be to burn it all down, rather than biting the bullet and trying to untangle the endless threads with bare hands.
But the problem is they can't. Currently, they can only bite the bullet and eat it.
Looking at it this way, doesn't the Dawnstar Sector suddenly seem much more attractive?
Here are the saviors appointed by the Emperor, a truly thriving human civilization, and Lord Ramesses who makes people subconsciously think of the Emperor at a glance and can talk to the Emperor at any time...
Currently, a culture of 'Three Trials' has emerged among the Custodians.
First Trial: Custodians superior to all other Custodians. The Shadowkeepers guarding countless dangerous entities in the Dark Cells, able to enjoy normal conversation with the Emperor and fulfill their duties within the Palace.
Second Trial: Custodians superior to the rest. Custodians who came to the Dawnstar Sector, also able to enjoy normal conversation with the Emperor, but have to pay off debts to Romulus before moving freely. No one speaks for them.
Third Trial: Custodians who lost twice. These Custodians are left at the High Lords Council to stabilize the situation and have been removed from all combat missions.
Terra never lacks fighters. Every additional Custodian joining the Administratum means the Assassin Temples can spare resources to cultivate several super assassins, and the Inquisition can have more disposable combat power to invest in more thrilling missions, and casualties aren't heartbreaking.
While the Grey Knights are seriously learning how to press the Emperor back on the Throne, while the Space Wolves are actively communicating with various harsh ice worlds for recruitment trying to drag their Primarch back to the throne of Fenris...
As the strongest unit in the current version besides Primarchs, the Emperor's Custodians have already experienced the welfare brought by the version update.
This is the Imperium's best life support system. This is the limb assistance system developed specifically for Custodians' characteristics.
This is the movement assistance system to ensure that Custodians' bodily functions do not degenerate with long-term work, ensuring you perform physical labor while doing mental labor.
This chair, capable of maintaining the eternal life of an Emperor's Custodian, is your new prison.
The Emperor and the High Lords Council have done their best to press these supermen onto the seats of the Administratum.
The Emperor probably wasn't this desperate when He ascended the Throne back then. Those days of sitting dryly in the Imperial Administratum simply have no end in sight.
In this era, everyone has a sewer to unclog, everyone has their own Golden Throne to sit on.
Damn Romulus, don't think you can trap me at a workstation. I want to see the Emperor, I want to serve the Emperor again.
Tribune Colquan gritted his teeth, full of resentment towards Romulus.
Drakus nodded unobtrusively.
Click~
☆☆☆
-> SUPPORT ME WITH POWER STONE
-> FOR EVERY 400 PS = BOUNS CHAPTER
☆☆☆
-> 30 Advanced chapters Now Available on Patreon!!
-> https://www.pat-reon.co-m/c/Inkshaper
(Just remove the hyphen (-) to access patreon normally)
If you like this novel please consider leaving a review that's help the story a lot Thank you