It didn't take long for news of Elaine's return to spread quickly.

The children of the mountains, who had been silent, quickly regained their vitality, and because the backlog of complicated affairs after Karn's departure was quickly resolved, Greer, who had been busy all day, gradually relaxed, and then, under Elaine's methodical handling, even the internal affairs that the Legion Commander was in charge of were all resolved.

The shipping routes around Nukeria continue to be opened, and many of the agricultural and mineral worlds that once belonged to them have also been transformed into the nest capital world under Elaine's will, although no one knows what the meaning of her actions is, but the almost astronomical order of raw materials still makes many logistics worlds in the Extreme Star Domain feel excited.

So much so that many eyes were on Nukeria, either directly from the Empire or from some ancient world, and these behemoth caravans came to Nukeria in an endless stream just to find out the future intentions of the Lord of the Twelfth Legion.

……

"Ahh What a perfect deal, and I guess after seeing this will stop the pedantic old fellows from thwarting the opening of the shipping lanes—you know, Mr. Karn. There is always a lot of resistance to the areas you will be involved in... Of course, it is very closely related to your identity, after all, this is in the extreme star field, and those old guys definitely don't want to see ......"

“… The second Ultramarine? I can understand that this is an inherent stereotype. Before I actually came into contact with the Ultramarines, I thought their Legion Leader was an ambitious being. Just like the monstrous military discipline of the Midnight Lords and the blood of the Holy Blood Angels hiding beneath their nobility, I think that as the Great Expedition progresses, it seems that the misconception is not far off. ”

"Hehe... I didn't expect to hear so many Legion anecdotes on your lips, Mr. Karn. It's just that, like many of the merchant leaders waiting here, we're really curious as to why your legion would transform so many hive worlds - according to the Terra Archives, a hive world of this magnitude would increase the output of the Empire's basic industry by one-tenth, which is a big project that will appeal to all the logistical worlds in the galaxy. ”

"I have no comment on this issue."

"I'm sorry, but I trespassed."

Karn sighed as he watched the merchant leave the castle.

He looked out the window at the blizzard that was freezing all day long, as if his heart was being constantly cooled by many complicated things.

This is the highest mountain in Nukeriyah and is a sacred place called the throne of the mountains by the Nukerian people. Here, apart from the brutal cold that can quickly kill any life, there is only one castle that symbolizes the status of the Lord of Nukeria.

The Conqueror, the Lady of the Snowy Peaks, and the Lord of the Red Sands are all part of his mother's legacy on this planet, and Karn has lived here since returning from the Chaos Expedition, serving as part of the Legion of Revival with Greer.

After his mother's return, although he no longer has to deal with the busy government affairs and field work as usual, he has to deal with the responsibility of communicating with the Imperial caravan...

Now, the representatives of the major caravans from the Extreme Star Domain are waiting outside the door, and for the technological level of the Human Empire, the severe cold on the Sacred Peak of Nukeria naturally has no effect, which is why Elaine chose this place for negotiations.

Truth be told, Karn would have preferred to go to the front lines of the Great Expedition to fight the Xenomorphs rather than negotiate with these scheming merchants.

As Karn began to prepare for the various treaty documents for the next merchant, Elaine's slightly playful voice suddenly sounded in his head.

[Pss Ambitious Lord of Otrama, it seems that my brother does not have a good reputation throughout the Empire. 】

“… It's true, Mother. No one would think that a genetic primordial who has inherited the status of a planetary governor has no selfish intentions about 'expanding the territory', and there is no such thing as a five hundred worlds until we return. ”

Karn said helplessly, knowing that his mother was eavesdropping on his conversations with the merchants, and that he was mentally prepared for being ridiculed.

In the various things he had negotiated with the Ultramarines before his mother's return, Karn had clearly seen that the five hundred worlds under his command were showing a strange trend of an empire within an empire.

Although his personality does not like to use this kind of rhetoric as an adjunct in negotiations, after all, Nukeria is indeed within the Extreme Star Field, and even within the scope of the Five Hundred Worlds of Otlama - in the process of negotiating with the merchants, it is very important to be clear from the Ultramarines.

[Uh-huh.] So I can understand that you're accusing Killiman, Karn? 】

Suddenly, Elaine's voice suddenly became serious, and Karn even felt as if his mother's expression was looking at him.

"No... I didn't mean that, Mother. Of course, I don't dare to accuse a Legion Master..."

Karn immediately began to defend himself in a panic.

[Hahaha! Look at what scares you. 】

As if anticipating Karn's panicked look, Elaine let out a hearty laugh.

[Seeing that every time you mention the Ultramarine, you have a complicated expression, it can't be because of Kiliman in the future 'Second Empire', right?] 】

Before Karn could fully reassure him, Elaine's casual voice came to his ears again.

"Don't play tricks on me, Mother... There are several caravan representatives waiting for me. ”

Karn couldn't help but smile wryly.

[Okay—I'm just a little bored. After all, those jobs are really nothing, and now it's just a matter of waiting for when Onomamus will be free...]

"Is there something about recruits?"

[That's right. After all, the Legion can't be just a few hundred of you all the time, and while we're still in the recovery period, the expansion of the army is still on the agenda. 】

"Looks like you've figured out what to do with those recruits."

[Strictly speaking, it's not a big problem, because our legion's genetic defects have long been repaired after the Chaos Expedition.] But your caution did help me a lot, and I realized that even my psychic connection has a limit—and now, as long as I merge the recruits into your link, I don't have to worry about anything. 】

“… Are you already paying the price? ”

Karn thought back to his mother's empty right arm, and he couldn't help but feel a little worried.

[As long as it's for you, it's definitely not a 'price'. 】

……

……

(End of chapter)