Nareth looked up toward the palace gates. Besides Yelena walking ahead, there were six other presences.
These six individuals were professionally trained and skilled at concealing themselves; ordinary people wouldn't notice them. But to a Primarch's senses, they were incredibly clear.
The seven quickly arrived outside the palace. Yelena spoke.
"I will go before our King. You are to await my summons before seeking an audience."
The Countess, dressed in a crimson gown, stepped into the palace and gave a deep curtsy.
"My King."
"Yelena, what brings you here?"
"My King, I have come for two reasons. First, to sincerely thank you. You entrusted the Himansky family's pharmaceutical industry to the Kurnikova family. I will not disappoint you."
Nareth leaned back slightly, studying Yelena carefully.
"Then I'll wait and see. I hope you'll surprise me."
"And the second reason?"
"My King, with your permission, I will speak bluntly. Though your subordinates are formidable in combat, their backgrounds limit them. At least in the short term, they cannot meaningfully contribute to the governance of Tizca."
Yelena's eyes burned with ambition, a confident smile on her lips.
"I believe you should form a cabinet. And I believe I can play a key role within it."
"Oh?"
Nareth remained noncommittal, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the table, thump, thump, like the great Omnissiah Bell tolling in the Countess' ears.
After a long three seconds, he pushed a datapad toward her.
"Show me what you've got."
Yelena's smile vanished as she stepped forward and faced the test seriously.
Her stern expression gradually softened.
"My King, I have a method to quickly rebuild the garrison forces."
"I believe you wish to restore them quickly, and for that, you need someone competent to ease your burden. I happen to have just the person."
"The Kurnikova family is composed of sisters. Before my husband, Baron Buksa, joined us, he served the Omnissiah and acted as an independent arbitrator under the joint control of the Skorupski family and the Mechanicum within the domes."
Yelena produced a datapad. She had chosen her spouse based on competence from a minor noble family. She had carefully investigated each candidate's background, and now the time had come to use that preparation.
"Please allow me to present his dossier."
Combining the information on the pad, the Countess gave a detailed briefing, then concluded:
"During his term, Buksa recruited, organized, and developed his own arbitration tribunal."
"After joining the Kurnikova family, he restructured the family's guard system. Over the next 52 years, including the lower hive factories, not a single loss was recorded."
"Contact him immediately. I want his report on my desk before Night-Kai shift begins."
Yelena dared not delay and contacted her husband at once. After ending the call, she stood awaiting Nareth's next instruction.
"Since you believe you're capable of forming a cabinet, share your ideas."
"My King, for millennia, due to Boleslaw's greed in monopolizing family assets and the Muskan people's indifferent and outdated cultural traditions, all families have developed independently."
"Each family only focuses on guarding its own interests and doesn't dare expand. But if we deepen cooperation, resource integration across Tizca, it can greatly increase efficiency. The collaboration between the Kurnikova and Skorupski families has already proven this."
The Countess methodically explained her prepared plan, clearly, she had thought this through.
"First, we should eliminate communication barriers through diplomatic banquets and other events."
"Then we establish a model example. The Kurnikova and Fender families can lead by forming a cooperative relationship."
"Once profit is gained, tangible results will sway the other families. They won't let such opportunities slip away."
Nareth occasionally interjected with questions, which the Countess answered one by one.
Two standard hours later, Nareth nodded in approval.
"You will lead the formation of the cabinet."
"Thank you for your trust, my King. I will not let you down."
Yelena spoke with excitement. She had once proposed this same idea to the useless king Boleslaw, but that greedy pig had shown no interest.
Now, she finally had the chance to realize her political ambitions. The Kurnikova family could become a pivotal force in Tizca, not just a wealthy, up-and-coming house.
Just as her heart surged with passion, she heard Nareth ask:
"The six outside, are they yours?"
Yelena was momentarily stunned. The six she brought were elite assassins raised from childhood through genetic engineering and modification.
Even if they attacked together, they might not match the giant before them. But with their modifications, they were feather-light on their feet, quieter than rare curled-ear cats. Their breathing was nearly inaudible.
From where they stood, a side hall and rest chamber separated them from the throne room. During her speech earlier, the new king shouldn't have been able to hear them.
'If they were to face the new king, their only chance would be a surprise attack using their stealth skills.'
'Now they had already been detected, there would be no chance at all. Good thing I had no foolish intentions.'
The Countess was shocked. She took a deep breath and raised her evaluation of Nareth's combat strength once again.
"My King, they are assassins I've cultivated carefully."
"They will become blades in your hand, striking down the disloyal."
"Have them enter."
Yelena switched to a comms channel and issued the order.
"Maria, bring them in."
Moments later, six women in black bodysuits entered, each armed with a different weapon.
Some carried laser rifles, others shields and swords…
They instinctively scanned the towering figure seated before them with the cold eyes of seasoned hunters.
Then they met Nareth's deep, abyssal gaze, and instantly, chills ran down their spines.
Five of them immediately lowered their heads.
Only the tall blonde in the center, with a high-bridged nose, bit her lips and stubbornly held her gaze.
Nareth looked them over, then spoke.
"You are to depart immediately for Mazov and Szczecin. Eliminate the commanders and nobles of the two hive cities. You may choose the specific targets yourselves."
"Return to report after twenty-three work cycles."
After taking Lukevo, Nareth intended to seize Mazov and Szczecin to link all four hive cities together.
Sending the assassins would serve as both a test of their capabilities and a preemptive strike to weaken his enemies.
Yelena hesitated, "My King, you…"
"Tizca is only the beginning."
'Mazov and Szczecin aren't as strong as Lukevo. Their strength is comparable to Tizca's. With the new king's power, he can indeed conquer them.'
That night, Buksa rushed to the palace.