Warhammer: The Time Traveler

Chapter 125 The Lin Guang Family (Fifth Update)
“The path of exploration is indeed full of variables,” Chen Yu’s synthesized voice continued the topic smoothly, as if stating an objective fact, “On those forgotten battlefields, one can often find some… sizable ruins.”

Historically, not all war machines return to base intact; their wreckage sometimes lies dormant for centuries, waiting to see the light of day again.

Miller's prosthetic eye slightly adjusted its focus, a glint of interest flashing in its eyes.

“Indeed. According to the Legion’s records, during the end of the Great Crusade and the subsequent turmoil, several Divine Machines went missing in this sector, including several Warhound-class and their elite variant, the ‘Fear Wolf’.” His voice lowered slightly, carrying a solemn tone that was a mixture of regret and longing. “These Divine Machines were the Legion’s precious assets and a gift from the Om Messiah. Their loss is a loss for the Legion and the entire Mechanicus.”

If any relevant clues are obtained during your future explorations, whether it is fragments of information pointing to the location of the wreckage or reliable reports about its last combat area, the Steelhound Legion will consider it a top priority for cooperation.

They are willing to provide full assistance, including armed protection and technical support, to ensure the successful recovery of the divine machine.

Chen Yu's mechanical fingers rubbed against his sage's staff, as if he were making some kind of calculation or weighing.

"In subsequent data retrieval and field investigation, I will pay special attention to keywords and anomalous energy signals related to Titan units. However, exploration is full of uncertainties. The starry sky is vast, and the ruins are both real and illusory. I cannot make any guarantees here."

He paused slightly, the light from the optical lens steadily shining on Miller. "But if anything is found, cooperating with a military force like the Steel Dog Legion, which has professional recovery capabilities and a deep foundation, is indeed the best solution to ensure the safe return of the divine machine and its proper disposal. Efficiency and professionalism are key to handling such matters."

This cautious and nuanced dialogue laid a pragmatic foundation for future cooperation between the two sides.

For Chen Yu, this was an opportunity to establish a potential connection with the strongest Titan Legion in the region and gain their support; for the Steelhound Legion, it was a seed of hope planted in the heart of a newly promoted sage who had the right to explore dangerous frontier star systems and seemed to be quite lucky.

The subsequent conversation naturally shifted to a more professional technical level.

Miller presented detailed data and case studies on the Warhound-class Titan's operational adaptability, typical firepower configuration, and maintenance cycle characteristics in different extreme environments. He also shared the Legion's latest threat assessment report on several known dangerous areas in the nearby star system.

Chen Yu, from the perspective of an explorer, inquired about the stability of the Titan's large energy core in a long-term silent state, as well as the special maintenance protocols that might be required for the ancient models.

Throughout the dialogue, the atmosphere remained objective, pragmatic, and data-driven, characteristic of technical experts.

"May the wisdom of the Om Messiah guide your exploration and illuminate the darkness ahead." Miller concluded his farewell with a standard Mechanicus blessing.

"May the flames of the furnace burn forever, forging an even more glorious tomorrow." Chen Yu responded with the same traditional blessing from the School of Mechanical Engineering, his tone calm and even.

After seeing off the representatives of the Steel Dog Legion, Chen Yu stood alone in the reception room, his mind working silently, recording and archiving the key points of the meeting into a specific database of "potential strategic cooperation nodes".

This exchange successfully established a strategic cooperation possibility based on mutual needs and careful assessment, maintaining appropriate distance and independence while leaving ample room for future collaborations involving the recycling of high-value technological creations.
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Shortly after his meeting with the Steelhound Legion representatives, Chen Yu welcomed his second important visitor of the day—Margaret Nearl, a representative of a knightly family loyal to the Forging World, who hails from the Nearl family in the Kazimierz star system.

The Nearl family boasts a long and rich history, ruling the feudal world of Kazimierz for centuries and bound to the Foundry by an oath of loyalty. Unlike the Titan Legion, which is fully integrated into the Mechanicus, the Knight families retain unique feudal traditions, their status resembling that of highly autonomous vassals.

They swore allegiance to the Cult of Mechanics, providing not only elite knight mechs as military support but also tribute of the planet's unique agricultural products.

In return, Forgeworld provides them with the latest knight mechs, comprehensive technical maintenance, secure political protection, and extensive trade rights.

This ancient and solid alliance forms the basis for centuries of cooperation between the two sides.

The Nearl family enjoys a prestigious reputation in this star system, built on three pillars: the unparalleled bravery of their knights, the honor code upheld for generations, and their consistently top-level combat capabilities.

Margaret Nearl herself is the perfect embodiment of these qualities.

Her posture was as upright as a pine tree. Even though she wasn't wearing her signature armor-like driving suit, one could still feel the calm and composed demeanor that had been honed through years of rigorous training and countless real-world battles.

She meticulously combed her brilliant blonde hair into a neat updo, revealing her well-defined features; her clear blue eyes were bright and resolute, like a cloudless sky, revealing an unwavering will.

The well-tailored family gown perfectly accentuated her figure, with the Kazimierz emblem—three lances pointing side by side to the sky and a horse's head held high—exquisitely embroidered in gold thread on the shoulders and chest.

This ancient totem not only symbolizes the bloodline of the Nearl family, but also represents the pure and indomitable spirit that chivalry is proud of.

Unlike the extensive physical modifications often seen on mechanical priests, the visible traces of modification on her body are extremely limited, consisting only of necessary mecha neural interfaces and a few basic performance enhancement implants, retaining most of the original form of a human warrior.

“Greetings, Sage Chen Yu.” Margaret’s voice was clear and steady. Her bow was elegant and powerful, a standard knightly salute that expressed due respect without losing the pride of her family’s heritage: “On behalf of the Nearl family, I congratulate you on being awarded the title of Sage of Exploration. May your journey be like a shooting star breaking the dawn, illuminating new routes for the Empire.”

“Welcome, Margaret Nearl.” Chen Yu greeted Margaret warmly. “The Nearl family’s loyalty and achievements are frequently seen in the archives of the Forging World. Even I have often heard of them. Please have a seat.”

A servant silently stepped forward and offered her a drink.

It was not a high-energy nutrient solution or synthetic beverage commonly kept by members of the Mechanicus, but rather a specialty tea produced in the feudal world ruled by their family.

These kinds of natural agricultural products are one of the typical tributes handed over by the knights in the world.

She calmly accepted it, took a small sip, and her demeanor exuded composure and refinement.

(End of this chapter)