Nareth knew that Vostroya wouldn't last much longer. He had already resolved to conquer Symphony of the Sea as soon as possible.
After finalizing the transaction framework, Nareth continued to confirm the details of his battlecruiser with Kivior-9.
He had no intention of accepting a hollow shell good on the outside, but was empty within. He asked Rosicky to confirm the most advanced technologies currently mastered by the Mechanicum, ranging from hull plating materials to engines, light lance, void shields, and other critical systems.
The armaments included not only the broadside cannons but also elevated aether-cannons mounted on the wings.
Naturally, he didn't forget about the custom-designed quarters and armory for his private use. Nareth had specific requirements for each.
After all, this vessel would be his flagship before his return to the greater Imperium.
Throughout the process, he kept his spirit vission active, observing the auras of the two men.
Once all the details were finalized, Nareth and Kivior-9 signed the "Technological Development and Exchange Accord Between Monarch Nareth and the Mechanicum."
He deliberately avoided using the term "King" a term for hive city rulers, replacing it with a different word in Low Gothic.
The political implication was clear: he intended to become the sovereign ruler of all Vostonia.
The Magos discussed the use of the term "Monarch" with Nareth, but upon learning it was merely a self-declared title based on his control of four hive cities, he dropped the issue.
Rosicky seemed thoughtful. Having spent time by Nareth's side, he had come to understand this giant well, he never did anything without a reason.
When affixing his seal to the treaty, Nareth decided to use a symbolic sigil representing the "Black Emperor" path.
On a dataslate, he quickly sketched an image: chaotic black arcs, surrounded by wings and spikes, with an abstract crown floating above.
Wojciech swiftly completed the electronic stamp based on the design.
After signing the accord, Nareth ordered the Fourth Regiment to retreat, bringing with them all looted spoils, including the Fra'al's glass blade and psyker staff.
Aboard the bridge, he listened to Szczesny's briefing.
"My Lord, after coordinating with Houses Fender and Kulnikova, I devised a plan. Using loot as bait, we lured Robert out. My assault team seized his vessel, and I captured him alive."
"Well done," Nareth nodded in satisfaction. Szczesny's growth confirmed that his judgment had been right. "Detain him. Once we return to Vostroya, hand him over to Bukayo."
While Nareth's fleet set course for Symphony of the Sea, in the Lukevo Hive City of Vostroya, deep in the lower hive beneath the Novgorod dome...
A skinny, mud-covered child in ragged clothes asked anxiously:
"Mikaeli, you said there's corpse starch to eat here, is that true?"
"Look around, there are thousands of kids gathering here. Do you really think anyone's going to give useless, kids like us corpse starch?"
The boy named Mikaeli, wearing a patchwork pants and mismatched boots full of holes, clapped his friend on the shoulder.
"Gregorz, don't worry. I promise it's true."
"They say the one in charge is a boy, too. He already did something like this at another dome."
"But getting food comes with conditions. I heard you have to pass a brutal test. Last time, thousands of kids from over a dozen domes took part, only a bit over 300 made it."
Mikaeli's brown eyes gleamed.
"If you pass, you'll never go hungry again."
Gregorz swallowed hard.
"If I can eat every day, no matter how hard the test is, I'll pass it."
As the kids chatted in groups, a boy with dark brown skin and striking blue eyes stepped out of the shadows.
Beside him, a 14 or 15-year-old struck the iron frame of the high platform with his sheathed chainsword, making a loud clang.
The kids all turned in surprise to look.
On the platform stood a boy clad in custom-made carapace armor.
Bukayo looked down and spoke:
"Not long ago, I was just like you, starving, scrabbling in the underhive. But now, I can eat whatever I want at every meal."
"You have that chance too. If you pass two trials I set, you'll become a member of Vostroya's Third Regiment."
"Look there."
Everyone followed the direction he pointed to a set of pitch-black factory doors that creaked open.
"Inside that factory, all light sources have been extinguished. There are 1,000 black stones like the one glowing faintly in my hand."
"Without obstruction, they can be seen within one meter. Anyone who finds one will receive an upper-hive technician's daily ration of corpse starch today."
"No rules. Use any means, steal, rob, cooperate, or go solo. If you're lucky, hide the stone and bring it out; it counts."
Bukayo clapped his hands, drawing everyone's attention back from the factory.
"One key rule: to pass the first trial, you must exit through one of the three other doors while carrying the stone."
"You may not rob stones from those who have exited the factory!"
His piercing blue eyes swept across the crowd.
"The rules are that simple. The trial begins now!"
As the kids rushed toward the factory, Bukayo's lips curled into a faint smile.
The old, weak, sick, and disabled were the most miserable in the lower hive. He knew from experience how harsh life was for these children.
Most of them would die before reaching adulthood. Those who survived were hardened and tough. Even those lucky enough to be picked by gangs, like he once was, barely scraped by.
But give them a path to survival, and they'd become the most loyal subordinates. Compared to adults with agendas who looked down on him due to his age and size, these kids had far greater potential.
Moreover, those who could pass his two trials either had good strength, intelligence, or a unique talent.
Like the boy with the chainsword, he had a strong body, a clever mind, and was already skilled in melee combat. With a steel pipe, he broke through three trials and mastered the first move of "Otsberg-Vaya" in just three work cycles.
An hour later, the first boy burst out of the factory.
Gregorz clutched his stone and ran with all his might. His clothes were torn, and his shoes were gone, but as he stumbled under the glow of the lumen lights above the exit, he knew, he'd made it.
Bukayo's second trial tested stamina: the kids had to walk through a narrow tunnel, and the 300 who lasted the longest would pass.
While Bukayo's second trial was underway, Nareth's fleet arrived above the orbit of the Symphony of the Sea.
Rosicky connected his datapad to the cogitator and began briefing:
"Symphony of the Sea has a total area of 702 million square kilometers, with 594 million being ocean, accounting for 84.62%."
"Its landmass is made up of 7,381 islands of various sizes. Of those, over 1,672 are inhabited, with a pre-Xeno invasion population of around 17.5 million."
"Over 17 million concentrated on 49 key islands. Their fisheries and agri-zones sustain Vostroya. The Magi hope you can eliminate the xeno invaders from these islands."