Warhammer: The Time Traveler

Chapter 292 Influence from All Sides (Fifth Update)
Count Cassius von Gresham's own situation, however, has changed somewhat.

Judge Kelas initially detained him on grounds of "negligence and strong suspicion" and prepared to conduct a thorough investigation, which usually means a bad prospect.

However, just as Keras was preparing to begin the formal interrogation, the Military Affairs Department of the Solar Sector sent a direct communication.

The communicator was an official from the Ministry of Military Affairs, not the highest-ranking, but the organization he represented carried significant weight.

The other party used formal language but made its intentions clear, pointing out that Earl Gresham's factory has long and steadily supplied the Starfield Defense Force with high-quality general-purpose parts, and that its output and quality are among the best in the surrounding area, which is important for maintaining the local arms supply chain.

The Ministry of Military Affairs provided relevant procurement records and quality certificates, and "reminded" the inquisitors that, given the multiple threats facing the Empire, ensuring the stability of key military production capacity was no less important than eliminating individual heretics.

In the name of the Ministry of Military Affairs, they gave a kind of endorsement to the Earl of Gresham's "loyalty," implying that he was more "negligent in his supervision" than "actively involved," and suggested that fines, increased supervision, and loyalty reviews be the main measures to deal with the matter.

Inquisitor Kelas understood the balance of power among the various departments of the Empire.

The fact that the Ministry of War personally intervened to vouch for him demonstrates that Earl Gresham truly has value in military production, and that continuing to resist would be pointless.

After confirming that the Count himself was not well aware of the Chaos Cult growing within the factory and that his past record of loyalty was not problematic, Keras accepted the Ministry of Military Affairs' proposal.

Ultimately, the Earl of Gresham was released, but received a stern warning and a hefty fine, which was earmarked for the court's "purification operation."

He retained his title and most of his property, but his factories were placed under the supervision of a regulatory committee composed of the Ministry of War and the Court of Justice for a period of at least fifty years.

Count Gresham was relieved by the outcome, realizing that he had escaped with his life during a power struggle between two powerful departments of the empire, and that his control over his territory was not monolithic.

He became more cautious, even overly vigilant, and began to conduct a thorough internal review of all the businesses under his name.

Vesta Prima's legal department appeared rather passive throughout the incident.

They were the original discoverers and handlers, but were completely marginalized after the court intervened forcefully.

Their efforts to maintain order and routine law enforcement procedures proved futile in the face of the courtroom's "purification first" principle.

The fighting and casualties of Sheriff Atkins and his men were only briefly mentioned in the courtroom's macro report.

Local justice ministry officials were dissatisfied with the court's overreach of authority and the final decision-making process, but were powerless to change anything.

All they could do was compile the entire course of events—including the actions of the court, the role of the Ministry of Military Affairs, and the Earl's handling of the matter—into a detailed report and submit it through the internal channels of the Ministry of Justice.

This report will eventually reach the legal headquarters of Holy Terra, where it may be archived or mentioned in some future power considerations, but in the short term, it will not change anything.

Having dealt with Vesta Prima's main affairs, confirmed that the purification was nearing its end and the monitoring mechanism was activated, Inquisitor Kailas Walker did not linger any longer.

He handed over the remaining specific tasks to his deputy, and then, accompanied by a team of elite Storm Loyalists guards and the ever-silent yet reassuring Astartes warrior of the Imperial Fist, boarded a frigate belonging to the Inquisition.

The warship's engines started, it broke away from the hive city's orbit, adjusted its course, and headed straight for the forging world Nexus.

He had high expectations for his upcoming meeting with the sage Chen Yu, as well as for the power armor called "Iron Guard".
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The Neksam foundry world remains shrouded in its usual industrial fumes and constant roar.

Inside Chen Yu's private laboratory, however, lies a different kind of quiet, focused work.

He had just received an encrypted message from the Vista Prima system monitoring station confirming that Inquisitor Keras's warship had entered the system and was expected to arrive at the starport soon.

Chen Yu shifted his crimson optical lens from the information interface to a holographic projection on the side of the laboratory, displaying structural diagrams and performance optimization plans for the "Iron Guard" prototype. The collaboration with the courtroom was an unexpected but valuable step in his plan.

This not only brings valuable combat data and potential resources, but more importantly, it opens up a direct channel to the core armed forces of the empire.

He summoned Ignis and instructed her, "Judge Keras Walker is about to visit. Prepare the Seventh Analysis Room and appropriate hospitality. Elevate his access level to 'Important Guest'."

Retrieve the non-core technical data from the 'Iron Guard' project that can be publicly displayed, including the compatibility list of modular weapon interfaces and basic maintenance procedures, and notify the Grand Sage in charge of the project.

“Instructions confirmed, Sage.” Ignis responded flatly, and then issued a series of preparation instructions through the data link.

Several servo skulls changed their hovering trajectory and moved towards the seventh analysis chamber.

Chen Yu's massive body slightly adjusted its posture in front of the control panel, and one of its mechanical tentacles moved slightly in the air as if by instinct.

He wasn't worried that the court's visit would cause trouble; on the contrary, he saw it as an opportunity to showcase his technological prowess and expand his influence.

The key is to strike a balance in the presentation.

Chen Yu understood that Judge Keras's personal orders were just a starting point.

He needs to fully demonstrate the tactical value of the "Iron Guard" during the meeting—not only its firepower and protection that surpass conventional equipment, but also its high survivability and mission adaptability in complex environments.

He wanted the judges to clearly understand that equipping "Iron Guard" could significantly reduce combat losses for elite units when carrying out high-risk purification missions, which was irreplaceable in the courtroom.

Only in this way can the factions behind it and even higher-level institutions place larger orders, thereby paving the way for opening up the market for other departments such as the Imperial Guard.

His core logic rapidly simulated the meeting scenario.

He prepared detailed operational data comparisons, highlighting the outstanding performance of the "Iron Guard" in various combat environments.

He has also prepared convincing responses to potential questions regarding costs, maintenance, and other aspects.

Each presentation segment revolved around a core objective: to convince the court that the large-scale deployment of "Iron Guard" was a necessary and urgent investment.

He was fully aware of the potential interference.

This did not originate from the Inquisition, but from within the Cult of Mechanics.

Mars headquarters may exert pressure by citing technical reviews or production standards in an attempt to share the results; other foundries, seeing the orders and influence brought by "Iron Guard," will inevitably compete for it through political lobbying or by launching competing products.

He must rely on the "Iron Guard's" superior technical advantages and the direct supply and demand relationship established with the court to deal with these anticipated internal competitions.

Outside the laboratory, the colossal beasts that forge the world still roar.

Inside the laboratory, a meeting concerning future orders and the internal structure is about to begin.

Chen Yu waited patiently, his crimson optical lens shining steadily as he calmly assessed the impending confrontation.

(End of this chapter)