Starting from the Planetary Governor - Chapter 63: What to Save With?

The first meeting between Gu Hang and Salas Martins was hard to categorize as good or bad.

If you say it was good, both of them were disappointed in their hearts.

But if you say it was bad, they both quickly put away their disappointment and communicated fairly smoothly.

The Governor maintained a constant smile, making others feel warm and comfortable.

Martins and his star warriors kept their cold, stern expressions, but that was just their style, as they had always been.

Gu Hang did so because he had composed himself.

The Phoenix Battalion was even more dilapidated than he had imagined, which indeed disappointed him.

However, even though there were only seven of them, they were still seven top-tier warriors.

He even considered whether, with his current force of over a thousand soldiers, plus himself as a psionic user, they could take on these seven directly.

The chances were slim.

So, what else was there to say?

These seven star warriors were still a decisive force.

Moreover, if this battalion were not so severely damaged, with a hundred or so people, a couple of large starships, and a huge auxiliary force of ordinary humans, then what would be his role?

At that time, he, the Governor, might be propped up by the battalion leader, and it would be considered fortunate if he could secure a position as the logistics chief.

In this situation, however, the opportunity seemed greater.

By contrast, Gu Hang was more curious about the attitude of this so-called Battalion Leader Martins.

Their conversation, to put it nicely, was about mutual understanding; to put it bluntly, it was meaningless chit-chat.

They were discussing non-essential topics.

So why was this Battalion Leader, despite keeping a stern face, still patiently chatting with him about these trivial matters?

Even when he asked about their past experiences, Gu Hang could sense that this Battalion Leader Martins was somewhat resistant internally and seemed reluctant to answer such questions.

Yet, just when Gu Hang thought his questions might have been too intrusive, Martins, following Gu Hang’s lead, started talking about their experiences and battles over the years.

This was quite unusual.

These Death Angels of the Emperor usually weren’t very talkative—not because they couldn’t chat, but because they typically viewed themselves as separate from so-called mortals.

They always considered themselves the Emperor’s progeny, inheritors of the Emperor’s genes, the Emperor’s angels.

Though they originated from humanity, they transcended humanity.

Among them, some were friendly to mortals, some were brutal, some were indifferent… but regardless of their attitude, even the kind ones exhibited a condescending kindness, like an angel bestowing benevolence upon mortals.

Under normal circumstances, if he touched upon topics that displeased the Battalion Leader, it wouldn’t be surprising if the latter responded with anger, or at least a frown, refused to answer, or changed the subject.

Yet, he answered reluctantly, which seemed to reflect a certain attitude from the Battalion Leader.

Why was that?

I need you, but… do you also need me?

What do you need?

Gu Hang recalled the words from the event description.

[A star warrior battalion on the verge of extinction, ending a century-long Penitential Expedition, is approaching Fury Owl Planet. Here, they seem to be seeking redemption and hope.]

On the verge of extinction, seeking redemption and hope…

Oh, you need to rebuild the battalion and need my help, right?

But why me?

I look impoverished and destitute; how could I possibly help you rebuild the battalion?

Is it the system’s function again? Did the system make you believe that I can help you?

The key is, the system hasn’t told me how to help!

With a sincere and dignified demeanor, Gu Hang maintained his conversation with Martins, but internally, he was panicking.

However, as they continued talking, Gu Hang gradually put aside these thoughts and became increasingly absorbed in Martins’ stories.

Martins’ narration wasn’t systematic.

He simply recounted fragments of the missions they carried out during their Penitential Expedition.

But…

Boarding actions in blazing star battlefield, decapitating enemy leaders and capturing ships; penetrating deep into enemy lines to destroy heavy artillery positions; storming enemy-infested hives to eliminate entrenched heretical traitors; facing colossal alien beasts and decapitating them…

Those achievements sounded too legendary, one after another.

Gu Hang took a long sigh and said, “Battalion Leader Martins, your experiences are truly moving. Regardless of what others think, I believe that no matter what you have done or how great your sins were, you have now atoned for them. The God Emperor would never blame you again. You are great heroes and should not wander aimlessly in the star sea.”

Pausing for a moment, Gu Hang continued, “Although the conditions here are not great, if you don’t mind, I am willing to provide a place for the Phoenix Battalion to stay. You can rest and resupply here anytime. I know it might sound presumptuous, but if you are willing, Fury Owl Planet is also willing to become your second home. My doors are always open to you.”

At this point, Gu Hang had turned around to face the much taller Battalion Leader directly.

In their gaze, his expression was calm, sincere, and enthusiastic.

But Martins hesitated.

As an angel of the God Emperor, he avoided the gaze of a mortal.

“Thank you very much for your kindness, Governor, but I need to think about it.”

…

In the camp, Gu Hang had already had a house temporarily cleaned out for the Phoenix Battalion to stay in.

Their physiques were too large, resembling seven small giants.

Houses built for normal human needs appeared cramped and low for them.

But there was no other option under the circumstances.

Fortunately, they did not demand much regarding their living conditions.

Although theoretically in a safe environment, none of the seven warriors took off their armor, at most only removing their helmets.

They were sitting together, and a bald, square-faced warrior with three golden service studs on his forehead spoke in a muffled voice, “Battalion Leader Martins, I don’t understand why you were so polite to that mortal just now?”

“Brother Schneider, we all fight for the God Emperor and are all His subjects. We shouldn’t be too arrogant. We should show basic respect to a planetary governor.”

“But I don’t think that’s it. Battalion Leader, do you still believe that mortal is the hope to save the battalion? A mortal, a governor of a broken world, who can’t even control his planet, what ability does he have to help us rebuild the battalion? We are wasting time here!”

Schneider’s attitude was not exactly respectful.

He touched the service studs on his forehead, which were the source of his pride.

A golden service stud represented a star warrior who had served the battalion for a hundred years.

Three meant he was a three-hundred-year veteran.

He always believed he was more suited to the position of Battalion Leader than the younger Martins.

But the previous Battalion Leader had entrusted the important task to Martins.

He would rather have died fighting with the previous Battalion Leader than be led by Martins—though, in truth, he preferred not to be in the current state of aimless confusion.

He knew that the current Phoenix Battalion had no room for power struggles; they needed unity.

Despite not fully recognizing Martins as Battalion Leader, he would unconditionally follow orders as a warrior’s duty.

However, before orders were issued, while matters were still under discussion, he wouldn’t hold back. He would bluntly and frankly express his thoughts.

And he believed that this doubt was not only in his mind but also in the hearts of his other battle brothers.