Warhammer: Lord of the Endless Monster Horde [100]

Tonight is the agreed-upon time with the Empire—the three-day deadline has arrived, and it's time to give the Empire a response.

"No problem, Master!" Balt nodded, returning to a normal human-sized form before transforming into the appearance of a Dark Eldar member.

Rhodes activated his teleportation ability and returned to the brutal arena of Queen Lelith.

"Lelith! Have the people from the Empire arrived?" Rhodes asked.

"Lord Loki, and Master Balt, the people from the Empire arrived an hour ago. I had them wait in the living room. Do you want to see them now?" Lelith approached Rhodes with a smile.

During this period, she felt like she had changed. In the past, she had no interest in anything other than gladiator battles. But recently, she had taken on the role of Lord Loki's personal steward.

She had no choice—he had too many things she wanted. Moreover, for some reason, she had a strong feeling that following and pleasing him would bring only benefits, not harm.

"Alright! Let's go. I'll meet them now," Rhodes nodded.

"Understood, Lord Loki!

Also, I have good news for you. The first batch of Space Marines and Battle Sisters has arrived—I managed to get you 20 Space Marines and over 30 Battle Sisters.

They just arrived. After you meet with the Empire's people, you can take them away," Lelith said.

"Oh! That's great. After I finish meeting with the Empire's people, I'll take them all with me," Rhodes nodded.

At last, the Space Marines and Battle Sisters had arrived.

Under Lelith's guidance, Rhodes and Balt arrived at the reception hall, where the rogue trader Kania and the Imperial Inquisitor Damz were already waiting.

When the two saw Rhodes enter, they immediately stood up and nodded slightly.

"Sorry to keep you waiting! I had some matters to attend to, so I was slightly delayed," Rhodes said with a smile as he sat down.

"You're not too late. Now then, Mr. Loki! You've seen the schematics of the Golden Throne. Can you give us a definitive answer now?" Imperial Inquisitor Damz asked impatiently.

"I had the top technological masters in my family review it. This is indeed a very ancient design.

If you're looking for a perfect restoration, that's impossible—too much data has been lost!"

As soon as he said this, the two members of the Empire looked as if they had just been struck down, their faces turning pale. The Dark Eldar had been their last hope.

If even the Dark Eldar couldn't repair it, then the only ones who might be able to would be the Canoptek constructs of the Necrons.

However, Rhodes then changed his tone.

"Although a perfect restoration is impossible, if you only need a basic repair to keep the Golden Throne operational, that won't be a problem," Rhodes said.

As soon as he said this, the two Imperial representatives immediately perked up.

"Lord Loki, to what extent can it be repaired? According to our Adeptus Mechanicus, the Golden Throne is estimated to function for only another two to three centuries at most. In fact, within two centuries, it may completely collapse, and within one century, it will develop serious safety hazards that could even lead to the failure of our Astronomican," Damz explained.

"Rest assured! Our repairs will guarantee that your Golden Throne remains operational for at least 1,000 years.

And that's just a conservative estimate. Once we examine the actual device, we may be able to repair it even better," Rhodes said.

"I've reviewed some of the parameters of your machine. To be honest, your previous repair personnel were extremely rough.

They were crude and foolish, essentially just replacing parts. Some components were even installed incorrectly, and they made inexplicable modifications.

Even the one sitting on the throne is in a dire situation. If I handle the repairs, you can rest easy," Balt added.

If his master could summon a Zettonian or Pedan, they could discuss and research the matter academically, and perhaps restore the Golden Throne even better.

"We trust in your abilities. Now, let's move on to the most critical part—what kind of compensation do you two desire?" Damz asked, taking a deep breath.

To repair the Golden Throne, the Human Empire was willing to pay any price, as this concerned the survival of the human race.

However, he had also received orders from the High Lords to negotiate if possible.

Before coming here, they had conducted a thorough investigation. Due to the threat of Chaos, the Dark Eldar needed to torment other life forms to replenish their soul energy.

So this time, on the part of the Empire, the maximum they could offer was 20 billion people, along with a large amount of tithes, and even two or three forge worlds, agri-worlds, or hive worlds.

"I want to hear your Empire's offer first! What kind of price are you willing to pay?" Rhodes asked.

Lord Loki, we are willing to offer 10 billion Imperial citizens, as well as the tithe revenue of ten Imperial worlds for 500 years. In addition, we can offer ownership of an agri-world as compensation for repairing the Golden Throne. What do you think of this proposal?" Inquisitor Damz tentatively asked.

"I'll just say this—this is a matter concerning the entire human race, perhaps even the survival of humanity itself. Repairing the Golden Throne is only worth this much to you?

If this is all you're offering, then I don't think Lord Loki will be going to your side." Before Rhodes could respond, Lelith spoke first.

The human Empire possesses millions of worlds, and yet they are only offering the ownership of one world, along with 10 billion people and the tithe revenue from ten worlds.

That's mere pocket change for the Empire. The same bunch of Imperial scoundrels have issued extermination orders that wiped out more planets than this.

And as for the tithe revenue and the agri-world being offered—what if the worlds they're offering have already been invaded by Chaos, Tyranids, or Orks?

Rhodes simply smiled, crossed his arms, and remained silent. This offer was undoubtedly the lowest possible price.

"We can offer up to 20 billion people, who can be delivered to your Commorragh, along with ownership of three Imperial worlds, which you may freely choose—excluding the homeworlds of certain Space Marine chapters.

Additionally, the number of tithe-paying worlds will be increased to thirty, with the tithe rights extending to a thousand years. After each collection, the revenue will be delivered directly to you. How about this as a show of sincerity?" Inquisitor Damz asked.

This was the highest price he could offer on his authority. If the other party pushed for more, he would have to contact the Imperial High Lords for further approval.

"Let me state my terms then! First of all, I don't need your Empire to provide me with people. Our family doesn't rely on any special methods to harvest souls for energy.

So the 20 billion Imperial citizens you're offering are unnecessary.

The three freely selectable Imperial worlds, however, are acceptable. As for the tithe revenue from dozens of worlds, I don't particularly need that either.

I'd like to exchange these people and the tithe revenue for something else from your Empire," Rhodes said.

At this stage, acquiring that many people would be useless to him—he wasn't a Dark Eldar who needed souls for energy.

As for the tithe revenue, it was even less necessary. The only truly valuable asset here was the planets.

"Fine! Please state your request," Inquisitor Damz nodded.

In truth, 20 billion people were the least valuable to the Empire. A few hive worlds working at full capacity could replenish that number within decades—such was the terrifying reproductive capability of humanity.

The truly valuable parts of the offer were the three freely selectable Imperial worlds and the tithe revenue from dozens of planets.

"I want 500 Custodians and 30 Space Marine chapters," Rhodes said.

"What? That's impossible!" Before Rhodes could finish, Inquisitor Damz jumped up and flatly refused.

Was this a joke? This guy was asking for Custodians!

Ridiculous! The value of the auramite armor worn by a single Custodian was equivalent to an entire Imperial planet.

Each Custodian was custom-made, with all their bioengineering and genetic modifications tailored specifically for them.

More importantly, not even the High Lords of Terra could command this ultimate Imperial force.

As for 30 Space Marine chapters, that was even more unthinkable. Every Space Marine chapter was crucial to the Empire.

Even the captain of a newly established chapter had the authority to issue an exterminatus order.

Selling them off or trading them was out of the question.

"Lord Loki, forget about 500 Custodians—even a single Custodian is impossible.

If you want, we can discuss adding another two or three Imperial worlds to the offer, but the Custodians are non-negotiable.

As for the 30 Space Marine chapters, I'm sorry, but that's impossible as well. Not even a single complete chapter can be given.

However, if you're asking for Space Marines, I can provide you with some who have been deemed corrupted or guilty.

In terms of numbers, we could send around 2,000 of them. What do you think?" Damz asked.

Gathering 2,000 guilty Space Marines was still feasible.

"Heh! You should let me finish. I'm not asking for ownership over them. What I want is for these individuals to participate in a battle.

I need them to join a revenge campaign for my family. I want your Empire to deploy these forces to assist me in my vengeance, not to hand them over permanently," Rhodes explained.