Chapter 2636: Chapter 1773: Steel Star (Double Dots Series Is Still Fun)
The colony is located on the planet Alpha 5 in the Tian Niao Constellation, a newly developed colony. Its members originated from Dada Niel’s initially controlled overpopulated technology planet. Their purpose here is simple, to further modify the environment and climate of this planet and lay a good foundation for future settlers.
After being smelted, most of the minerals excavated from Planet 3 are sent here for further processing and assembly to expand the current colony. According to the data provided by Dada Niel, there are currently five hundred thousand residents here. They are pioneers who were transported from the home planet.
But for Duanmu Huai, none of these matters.
Night Raven Black Star slowly landed on the platform. Duanmu Huai strode out of the cabin, while Ogis sat silently on his shoulder, surveying the surroundings. Hei Chuan Chi Yin stood on the other side, observing the giant metal spire ahead with curiosity and tension.
Workers were everywhere around the platform, silently doing their work. No one cared about these outsiders, not even Hei Chuan Chi Yin’s inquisitive gaze; they showed no reaction. Everyone wrapped themselves tightly in work clothes, wearing gloves, boots, and helmets.
Silent and indifferent.
A group of excellent slaves.
The entire tarmac resonated only with the roar of machines. No one spoke, no one shouted. Duanmu Huai surveyed the surroundings, then continued forward. As he stepped off the tarmac, a group appeared before him.
"I represent the Crude Family, welcome to Steel Star, esteemed guests."
The leading man showed a flattering smile, bowing to Duanmu Huai in salute.
"We have prepared rooms and delicious food for you, so you all can wash away the fatigue and dust of the journey..."
"I did not come here for a vacation."
Duanmu Huai opened his mouth directly without even glancing at the other party.
"Take me to the Governor’s House."
"The Emperor is currently busy."
The man’s expression remained flattering, but his tone was firm.
"He doesn’t have time to welcome you right now. I know you were sent by Lord Dada Niel, but we have our own...
The man’s words ended as his head and upper body exploded and shattered in an instant, with his internal organs and blood spraying onto the surrounding ground and attendants. Even the workers stopped at this moment, straightening up and staring at Duanmu Huai’s group. The air was filled with tension and held breath, but Duanmu Huai paid no mind. He didn’t even look at the workers, as if they didn’t exist.
He just focused on the person in front of him and continued to speak.
"The Tribunal does not accept refusals, in any form. I am confident that I have clearly expressed through Dada Niel the demand for the highest ruler of your planet to meet me in person. I don’t care if he’s a bumpkin rolling in mud from who knows where, nor do I care about the value of his pitiable self-respect. I only know he has refused the Tribunal’s request, which is intolerable behavior."
Duanmu Huai’s voice was not loud but very calm, yet it clearly transmitted to everyone’s ears, like a Heavy Hammer pounding their hearts.
"Now, I will repeat once more, take me to the Emperor, or I will kill you all and find someone else willing to take me."
Although the Imperial is already fallen, the Tribunal still survives, and Duanmu Huai doesn’t mind personally teaching these country bumpkins the respect they should have for the Tribunal.
If they can’t learn it... then let blood and corpses teach them.
The latter raised their heads, gathering courage and staring at Duanmu Huai. Then, another person reached to wipe the blood from his face. He gritted his teeth tightly, showing resentment, staring at Duanmu Huai.
"You can indeed do that, but with violence, you will never get what you want! This is not the home planet! Don’t think you can intimidate us into obedient compliance!"
Duanmu Huai said nothing.
What he needed to say was already said.
So naturally, there’s no need to repeat it to the dead.
A rumbling sound abruptly burst out, rousing Roster from his sleep.
"Damn it, what’s going on?"
Roster complained while sitting up from bed, dressing. He had never heard such a sound. Was the Emperor planning another blasting operation? Couldn’t he let people sleep peacefully for once? Ever since being sent here as labor, Roster hadn’t enjoyed a comfortable sleep. He was required to act according to schedule with other workers, and he wasn’t one of those damn misfits...
The sound stopped.
Roster stood up, intending to check what had happened. Today, that bastard Supervisor didn’t come for trouble, which was no good news for Roster—maybe they had thought of new ways to torment him?
The door opened, but it wasn’t his fellow worker who came in.
Roster was terrified to see a figure tall as a bear, clad in heavy armor, entering. The dark muzzle of the gun pointed at him was as large as his head. Before Roster could react, he saw the stranger take out a strange device, scanning him from head to toe, and then, reaching out a big hand, grabbed Roster by the collar and dragged him out of the workshop.
Only then did Roster realize the surroundings were silent, a site that should be bustling was eerily quiet. Only the roar and slicing sound of machine fans were audible. Around him stood several figures as tall as giants, silent and helmeted, with red eyes staring at him coldly, making Roster feel boundless fear.
"My lord."
The massive warrior threw Roster to the ground.
"He’s clean."
Roster lifted his head, looking ahead. First, a pair of sturdy legs, then black armor, a golden skull, and Double-Headed Eagle, and then a terrifying face he hadn’t even seen in nightmares!
Such immense fear!
At that moment, Roster even wanted to scream out loud. He felt that the bald man in front of him was even more terrifying than those warriors. He was just staring at him, but that gaze seemed to choke his throat tangibly, rendering Roster incapable of speaking.
It was only when the other party moved his gaze away that Roster realized he had unconsciously stopped breathing.
"Answer my question."
The bald man stared at Roster, his voice deep and resonant, causing Roster’s heart to uncontrollably swell and tremble.
"Your name? Position?"
"I, I’m Roster Walter. I... I’m currently just a loader."
"And before?"
"I was a guard at the Governor’s House, once."
"Good."
The man nodded.
"Take us to the Governor’s House."
"........."
Roster hesitated for a moment, then stood up. He wasn’t a foolish idiot. He had already seen the blood on the other party, but what truly made Roster decide was a head lying beside him at the moment—that was the Supervisor’s head—now it seemed he no longer needed to worry about the man docking his work points.
"Understood, please follow me."
It had been a while since Roster left the dock, but when he did, he found that there was almost no change from before. The surroundings were still cold and empty, even the streets were devoid of people. He led a group of heavily armed men, not knowing where they came from, swaggering down the streets, but no one came up to inquire.
"There seems to be no one here?"
The bald man walking beside Roster opened his mouth to inquire, and Roster thought for a moment before providing an answer.
"At this time, they might be attending a mass."
"Mass?"
"Yes, it’s where everyone gathers in a large house to chant strange things..."
"........."
The bald man was silent for a moment, then continued to ask.
"You said before you were a guard at the Governor’s House, why were you sent to work at the dock?"
"Because I didn’t like their approach."
Even though the man beside him felt terrifying, Roster thought it best to obediently answer his questions.
"They require everyone to install mechanical augmentations, to transform their bodies... It’s truly disgusting, and as a guard at the Governor’s House, everyone had to do it. I wasn’t interested in such augmentations because they generally were meant for disabled people, but I wasn’t disabled, so why should I replace my limbs?"
At this point, Roster became infuriated.
"But those people are simply crazy. They even injure others, forcing them to replace their limbs! They say it’s some kind of blessing from God! I refuse such disgusting things!"
"What did they say?"
"They said..."
Roster furrowed his brow, carefully recalling.
"Something about... The flesh and life are evil and broken, only machines and gears are eternal... Therefore, all human flesh must be discarded, leaving only steel and metal..."
The bald man stopped in his tracks.
"Are you sure they said that?"
"Me? Sorry, I’m not sure, that should be the general idea..."
"............"
"Sir?"
"Do you know where they hold their masses?"
"I know."
"Take me there."
Duanmu Huai coldly issued the order, simultaneously gripping the War Hammer.
Why does trouble always seem to find me?
