The Emperor’s Angel of Death

"Chapter Master, currently, the 240 million militia elites recruited from various worlds are concentrated in twenty-nine large boot camps in the Caspalen system. However, due to the rudimentary facilities and the heavy logistical pressure, the training progress is relatively slow."

Inside a highly technological side hall within the Cardinal World's Holy City, Saul Tarvitz stood with his hands behind his back on the colorful floor, looking up slightly at the various numbers, texts, and images on the huge screen, while Ustade gave his report from the side.

"As for the Holy Guard, we have gathered 31,745 people, but many of them are not adapted to large-scale operations and communal living, and their discipline is poor. The entire organization is still quite chaotic."

Seeing that Saul Tarvitz did not speak, Ustade hesitated, but continued his introduction.

"Currently, the currency of the Grand Diocese has been basically unified, but considering that promethium is prioritized for the front-line troops, and the Grand Diocese has a low level of industrialization without huge energy demands, Lady Siliru has made some localized modifications, implementing a dual standard system that uses both promethium and gold as currency anchors. Therefore, this currency is named the Gold Promethium Certificate, which is gradually being rolled out in various worlds. The corresponding banking institutions have also been established under the leadership of the Cardinal World Deaconate, named the Holy War Bank, headquartered in the Cardinal World. When all worlds are included in the Gold Promethium Certificate transaction range, the financial system of the Grand Diocese will undergo fundamental changes. All in-kind taxes and precious metal taxes will be replaced by currency taxes. According to the current tithe standard of the Grand Diocese, the estimated tax revenue that can be turned over by various regions by the next settlement year is 994,582.1 trillion."

"Due to the currency reform, the logistics system currently operates in both collection and transaction modes, but due to the severe war damage and—"

Ustade paused. He originally wanted to mention the suppression activities led by Talos. The Night Lord's methods were sometimes too cruel. Although he quickly suppressed the Genestealers, it also had a great impact on local production and life, especially since Talos also liked to use knives on the planetary ruling class, which made Ustade's logistical organization work even more difficult.

But everyone knew that Talos was closer to Saul Tarvitz than anyone else, even his own Legion's bloodline.

"Why did you stop?"

Saul Tarvitz's calm voice made Ustade purse his lips, and after a few seconds, he whispered:

"—and the destruction by the Genestealers, the demand for food and various basic materials, such as textiles and basic industrial products, cannot meet the logistical gap."

"Speak plainly."

Saul Tarvitz's voice suddenly became stern, leaving Ustade speechless.

"You think Talos's behavior is inappropriate, so have you communicated with him?"

"I—"

"I gave you all the authority in the rear. From that moment on, you are no longer a company commander, but the acting Chapter Master, even the acting Legion Commander. Talos and I have a good relationship, but he is just a company commander. If you have any ideas, don't you even dare to tell him?"

"I think this might be their style... Intervention might—"

But Saul Tarvitz bluntly exposed Ustade's disguise.

"But you are dissatisfied in your heart. You realize that Talos and Eleventh Company's behavior has created trouble for your work, but you just hide it in your stomach and then tell me here that you have encountered trouble. Why don't you talk to Talos? Don't you even have the courage to express your own opinions?"

Saul Tarvitz's stern words left Ustade speechless, and he could only lower his head and obediently accept the scolding.

Seeing him like this, Saul Tarvitz couldn't help but sigh softly, and then waved his hand.

"Forget it, what's past is past. Continue. What is the current situation of food and supplies?"

Ustade raised his head, cleared his throat, and continued:

"Currently, the Caspalen system where the Cardinal World is located can only meet 67% of the daily transportation capacity due to the lack of transport ships. Moreover, due to war, taxation, and other reasons, the overall food production has decreased by 17%. Some planets have already started to experience famine and are requesting a reduction in the Holy War Tax and religious tithes. However, after the Deaconate assessed the current situation, the result is that the food and biological material supply in the Caspalen system has also begun to be in short supply. The food prices on some planets have risen by 230%, but even so, basic survival materials such as food, textiles, and metal products are still in short supply, and those Faith Wardens in training consume astronomical amounts of food every day—"

After listening, Saul Tarvitz said nothing, just looking at the columns of data himself.

After a while, he slowly said:

"Your countermeasure is to hope that those nobles, senior priests, and merchants will bear more obligations, right? Even at the cost of forcibly confiscating their homes."

"Yes."

"What about the effect?"

"The effect... is not ideal, mainly—"

"Mainly, you still haven't carefully understood this place."

Saul Tarvitz turned to look at Ustade, his brow slightly furrowed.

"You think that you can just imitate everything I have done in the Maelstrom, but you have overlooked many problems. For example, the Grand Diocese, as a remote area far from the core of the Imperium, has almost no Imperial institutions, while the Maelstrom has a complete Department of Internal Affairs, Department of Law, and Department of Military Affairs. Manipulating any one of these institutions can extend your will. Here, there is only you. Your fist cannot hit everyone's head. Facing so many worlds and such a vast territory, your power cannot be extended, and your authority is not enough to make them take out everything to support you. Your crude methods only aggravate their avoidance and resistance mentality. Ustade, not everyone is afraid of the words Astartes, especially the Astartes who are tens of light-years away. Simply raising the butcher knife is useless. You also have a jar of honey in your hand. You have to tell them how they will benefit from participating in this Holy War. I have already demonstrated it to you once in the Maelstrom. For example, let the youths of those planetary ruling classes enter the Faith Wardens and directly become officers. However, in the senior officers you have formed for the Faith Wardens, there are almost none of these people."

"Chapter Master, these people are all good-for-nothings who don't know how to fight and have many bad habits. I—"

"Do you expect these troops to resist the Tyranids?"

Hearing this question, Ustade was stunned for a moment, and finally lowered his head.

Saul Tarvitz shook his head helplessly.

"I have never expected the Faith Wardens to lead this war. Although I don't like to use this word, their role is cannon fodder, materials to fill the battle lines. It doesn't make much difference who leads them. Ustade, to manage mortals well, you can't tolerate sand in your eyes. I once had a long conversation with a philosopher. He said that people have seven emotions and six desires. To live, they need to constantly eat, sleep, and also want to live comfortably and be lazy. Like Rozim, what do you think of him?"