章節 25: Inheritance
On their respective worlds, planetary governors wielded near-absolute power. They could establish their own laws, design their political systems, and dictate social norms. Some planets still practiced archaic systems like slavery simply because their governors allowed it, while others were barely governed at all. The Imperium maintained a hands-off policy unless a governor openly rebelled. As long as tithes were paid and loyalty to the Emperor remained unquestioned, a governor's rule was their own.
In his youth, Kayvaan had despised the idea of living under his father's shadow as a noble. He had wanted to prove his worth through his own abilities, not by relying on his family name. That determination had driven him to leave, eventually crossing paths with Corvus Corax, the Raven Guard primarch—one of the Emperor's sons and the founder of the chapter.
Under Corax's guidance, Kayvaan had risen to prominence as a Space Marine. He fought valiantly for the Emperor, the Raven Guard, and humanity itself. His efforts earned him countless honors, yet none of his achievements could erase his name or lineage. No matter how far he climbed, he remained Kayvaan Shrike—the heir to a Sub-Sector Governorship.
"Who hasn't made foolish choices in their youth?" the old man said with a small smile. "But we grow, mature, and learn to shoulder the responsibilities tied to our names."
"If inheriting the governorship is my responsibility, I will accept it." Kayvaan straightened, his tone resolute. "Still, there's something I don't understand. Nine thousand years have passed. How is this inheritance still intact?"
"Time is irrelevant," the envoy replied. "Even if the universe itself were to collapse, your family's claim over the three systems would remain. The only exception would be if your family had no heirs left, in which case the Imperium would reclaim the systems. But that has never happened, and the Navis Nobilite exists to ensure it never does. Protecting the rights of noble families like yours is essential for the stability of the Imperium. Nobles are its foundation."
"I see… I can only express my gratitude."
"This is our duty, Lord Kayvaan. However, your thanks should go to your sister. Without her efforts, the lands rightfully belonging to your family might have been seized long ago."
At the mention of his sister, Kayvaan's brow furrowed. "If we're discussing my sister, then I have a question."
"Please, go ahead."
"When I left home, wasn't the governorship meant for her? My father had more than one child. The title didn't have to fall to me. My sister had just as much of a right to inherit as I did. By all logic, the governorship should have passed to her descendants. So why is it coming back to me now?"
"This is a family matter, and I don't know much about it," the old man said, bowing slightly. "I'm sorry I can't provide more insight, but there's no need to worry. Within three days at most, your detention will be lifted. Your family has already sent a ship to retrieve you. If the journey goes smoothly, it should arrive in three months. When that time comes, you'll naturally learn the full story from them."
Only a fool would speak on matters they didn't understand, and he was no fool. A person who couldn't control their words would never be trusted with a role as important as steward of the Navis Nobilite. He nodded, suppressing the curiosity bubbling within him. After all, compared to nine thousand years, three months wasn't very long. Soon enough, he'd learn everything.
"I understand," he replied.
The old man inclined his head in acknowledgment. "Sir, I've brought some documents for you today. These include a general overview of the three systems under your control. Please take a look." With that, he opened a sleek black briefcase and carefully laid a dozen neatly bound files on the table before Kayvaan.
Kayvaan picked up one of the files and skimmed through it, but the dense language and technical terms quickly made his head spin. Tossing it aside with a sigh, he said, "Can you summarize this for me instead? I understand how to lead a world, but these imperial bureaucratic documents? They're like deciphering a xenos script."
"It would be my honor," the old man said graciously. He approached the table, pulling a folded star map from the files. Spreading it out, he pointed to three faint markings. "Here are the general locations of the systems under your governance. Unfortunately, the Navis Nobilite hasn't compiled a detailed star map of the Eastern Fringe yet. This map will have to suffice for now."
Kayvaan frowned as he studied the map. "The Eastern Fringe? And it's this far from the Imperium's core?"
The old man nodded. "That's correct. While you hold claim to three star systems, they're located in a remote corner of the Eastern Fringe, far beyond the reach of the Emperor's direct influence. To the Imperium, the Eastern Fringe is an undeveloped frontier, often considered untamed. The systems under your control are in an especially isolated region."
Kayvaan's brow furrowed deeper. "So, I've been granted three star systems, but they're in the middle of nowhere? That's a rare arrangement for any Sub-Sector Governor."
"It is indeed rare," the old man agreed. "An interstellar consul like yourself, governing multiple systems, is almost unheard of. The only drawback, as you noted, is their remoteness."
Kayvaan narrowed his eyes. "What happens if those areas are attacked? How does the Imperium respond?"
The old man didn't flinch at the question. "Under normal circumstances, the Imperium rarely allocates military forces to defend such distant territories."
Kayvaan snorted. "You don't need to tell me that. I've served as a Space Marine—I know how the Imperium operates. If a planet is attacked, the surface troops try to hold the line. If they fail, the commander retreats, abandoning the planet while summoning an Imperial battle group for a counterattack. That's how it works in well-connected territories. In remote areas like this? They'd likely leave it to burn."
He leaned back in his chair, suspicion flaring in his chest. "Three star systems—such immense power handed over so casually to someone who just woke up from stasis? Something's off here. Wait a minute." His eyes sharpened. "You mentioned earlier that these systems are 'so far away that even the Emperor's will cannot reach.' That wasn't just a figure of speech, was it?"
The old man hesitated, then sighed. "I assumed you were already aware. My apologies. No, that phrase isn't metaphorical. Allow me to explain."
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