novelnext Chapter 120: Are you trying to make things difficult for me?
Chapter 120: Are you trying to make things difficult for me?
The entire day of censorship was long and oppressive.
The three judges had already reached a conclusion: Ronin's action to recover the Kalon II was entirely compliant with regulations, and the post-war handling of the situation adhered to imperial laws and regulations, with no suspicion of heresy or treason.
But Valerius from the Ministry of the Interior clearly had no intention of giving up.
He relentlessly interrogated the man until dusk enveloped the capital, only then temporarily halting the interrogation. He also set a requirement for a full-scale patrol the next day, pressing him relentlessly without giving him a moment's respite.
During the reception dinner that evening, Luo Ning was impeccable throughout.
All meals were delivered directly from the Vatos VII transport ship, without using a single grain of food or a drop of alcohol from the Caron II warehouse.
Even though the documents for planetary trusteeship have been issued, he will not leave any room for maneuver before the review panel issues a formal certificate of approval.
During the banquet, Valerius approached with feigned concern, speaking in a deliberately friendly tone, and began to coax:
"Lord Luo Ning, this banquet is far too simple. The capital's treasury is overflowing; why treat yourself and everyone else so poorly?"
Luo Ning remained calm and responded in standard official language, neither humble nor arrogant:
"The capital has just been recovered, the people are impoverished, and food supplies are scarce. Everything must be done in accordance with imperial regulations. Before the review is completed, the sealed supplies must not be moved without authorization."
He knew better than anyone that Valerius's kindness was all a facade.
This is a trap, a blatant inducement.
If he dares to touch even a single resource, he will be accused of embezzling imperial property and neglecting the people's livelihood tomorrow, leaving him with no way to defend himself.
Luo Ning had already seen through the essence of the confrontation that day.
Valerius wasn't there to audit the tithes at all; essentially, he was there to act as Graham's protector. Behind him was very likely the second most powerful figure in the entire sector, the renowned Imperial Secretary of the Interior stationed in the sector.
This is the source of the confidence of a noble family that has existed for five hundred years, and also the root of Graham's unbridled behavior.
And this person is constantly trying every possible way to get rid of himself.
Clearly, a governor who is forever loyal to military power is not something that the nobles would like to see.
What they need is a useless governor who is assigned to them, who outwardly shields them from external risks, but behind the scenes is completely powerless against their various illegal businesses.
A cowardly and obedient puppet who lets them manipulate him.
After the banquet, Luo Ning arranged for the inspection team and a group of nobles to stay at the governor's mansion, where security was layered and appeared impeccable.
In the dead of night, all was quiet.
A sharp gunshot shattered the tranquility of the city and broke everyone's slumber.
Neither the officials of the court, Valerius, nor the nobles ever imagined that a battle would break out inside the nest city of this reclaimed planet.
The guards quickly imposed a curfew, sealing off all streets.
Scattered shouts of green-skinned soldiers echoed through the streets and alleys as Luo Ning's guards carried out their mopping-up operations in an orderly and swift manner.
"Lord Ronin! What's going on!" Valerius rushed out the door, his face pale, and bumped into Ronin who was walking out. His tone was full of shock, anger and unease.
Luo Ning reached out and pushed him back into the room, his tone steady, with just the right amount of seriousness: "Prosecutor, please wait. Do not go out. The nobles previously obstructed the army's clearing of the mines, and the hidden remnants of the green skins took the opportunity to cause trouble. The situation is under control, and we must not allow the aliens to harm you, sir."
Valerius trembled, dared not say another word, hurriedly closed the door, and dared not take another step out.
The Governor's Mansion was a secluded, dark alleyway shrouded in shadow.
Dani was already waiting there, her black judge's robes blending into the darkness, her aura chilling.
She only emerged from the shadows when she saw Luo Ning enter.
"Lord Luo Ning has taken a risky step." She had a knowing smile on her face, but the next second, Luo Ning pulled her into a tight embrace and kissed her deeply.
There was no lingering affection, only a fleeting moment of tenderness amidst the chaos of war.
It was all part of Ronin's plan. To meet Dani, he needed to create something that would attract attention.
This escape of the Greenskins was also an opportunity created for Rhonin by Father Lucizer of the Mechanicus.
Flawless, without leaving a trace.
"Valerios is clearly trying to kill me. If I don't create chaos, I won't even have a chance to see you. I'm afraid I won't see you until you leave."
Luo Ning smiled and looked at Dani with deep affection.
Dani looked at Ronin and said, "You always seem to run into the most troublesome opponents. The Ministry of the Interior wields immense power; even the Tribunal cannot easily overstep its authority to interfere. Just how many people's interests have you infringed upon?"
"I had no intention of breaking ties with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, but the local tyrant of this planet refuses to give me a way out," Luo Ning explained helplessly.
Upon hearing this, Dani's eyes instantly sharpened. "Graham Walker."
"Exactly." Luo Ning nodded. "I dare not touch him easily because I am wary of the powerful backer behind him. Killing him will only provoke a fierce counterattack from the Ministry of Internal Affairs. What I want is for him to be utterly ruined, with no one daring to protect him."
Dani looked at him, her eyes full of admiration.
Luo Ning is always so meticulous. He always considers the consequences before doing things and never acts impulsively. Even when faced with the most difficult situations, he can control his emotions.
During the day, Valerius made things difficult for her in every way, and even her fellow judges were secretly indignant. Her biggest worry was that Ronin would lose control and turn on her, but he remained as steady as a mountain throughout.
Fortunately, Luo Ning did not disappoint her.
"But he's protected by the Ministry of Internal Affairs; conventional methods can't touch him in the slightest," Dani said in a deep voice, breaking through the core deadlock.
Luo Ning laughed, with his usual cunning.
"Yes, the normal channels definitely won't work, but what if there's evidence proving he's colluding with aliens?"
Dani's eyes instantly turned sharp; colluding with aliens was a capital offense, the highest crime in the Empire.
Once this crime is committed, even gods and Buddhas cannot save you. Even the Secretary of the Interior would immediately sever ties, fearing being dragged into an abyss of no return, and there would be absolutely no possibility of protection.
But the risks are equally deadly.
"Where's the evidence?" Dani lowered her voice. "This crime can't be fabricated out of thin air. Without solid evidence, if we're ultimately accused of framing an imperial noble, we'll both be executed."
Luo Ning's smile deepened, his tone became resolute, and every word reassured:
"If it's a frame-up, it will naturally be full of flaws. But what if the Mechanicus accidentally uncovers evidence of the Walker family's collusion with the Xenomorphs while they're eliminating spores in the mine?"
"At that time, it will have nothing to do with me, the temporary governor."
Dani gasped, instantly grasping the entire plan.
The scheme was meticulously planned and executed, using others to do the dirty work without leaving any future trouble.
This is the true way of killing in the imperial bureaucracy.