Traveling through time, I'm making pancakes in Warhammer

Chapter 544 Agent

Howard nodded, offering neither thanks nor criticism, simply indicating that he understood and agreed, but without making a judgment.

“I am a benevolent and intelligent being, am I not?” Hevia asked, “Mr. Howard?”

Howard: "You probably don't care about my opinion."

“I don’t care, but you need my mercy,” Hevian said. “Other high-ranking members of the dynasty may not be as friendly to you as I am. Many of them advocate complete control of this sector, turning all the human families within it into puppets, but I have never done so.”

Howard: "If you do that, will you still continue to pay taxes to the Empire?"

This question was clearly beyond Hevia's expectations, but she quickly gave the most rational answer through calculation: "If we do this, we will certainly pay taxes to the Empire before deciding to go to war with it, which is a way to hide ourselves. Moreover, our technology can terraform planets and increase production, so even if we control this sector, the Empire will absolutely not be able to detect anything amiss."

Howard: "Okay, I understand, but from what you're saying, there are opponents in your dynasty?"

“They oppose not my rule, but my ideology,” Hevian said. “I led them to break the shackles of the past, and they support me, but on specific policies, there are three different voices in my dynasty.”

Howard: "I'd like to hear more details."

Hevia had never heard of this idiom before, but considering what had been said earlier and Howard's expression and tone, Hevia knew that Howard wanted her to elaborate, so she said:

“I represent the mainstream voice in the dynasty. Apart from that, some overlords believe that we should accept... the chief’s proposal and wait for him to find our so-called lost souls. Other overlords agree with my point of view. And whether they agree with me or not, the members of the high council all agree that my policies toward humanity are too weak.”

Howard understood and asked, "What do you want me to do?"

“They want war,” Hevian said. “They did so in your attack, and they did so with the members of the Hellvinson family. Once my dynasty goes to war with the Hellvinson family, the only outcome will be that this ancient family becomes our vassal state, or that my dynasty goes to war with all of humanity. That’s what they want, but not what I want.”

“You are quite different from your subjects,” Howard said approvingly.

“Yes, I am more visionary, wiser, and stronger than them, which is why I can lead them.” Hevian accepted Howard’s praise; “They are unable to realize the potential of humanity, which is their limitation, not their stupidity. As the person in charge, I must control their restless minds and always keep the dynasty on the right track.”

“As for your mission, Mr. Howard,” Hevia said, “they want chaos, and there are people in the Hellvinson family who crave chaos as well. Once this family gets out of control, the probability of war will increase dramatically.”

“Uh…excuse my bluntness, Lady Heviane,” Howard said, “wouldn’t it be a better choice for you to suppress the unrest within your own dynasty if you wanted to stop the war? Suppressing the unrest within the Helevinson family without cutting off the forces that are stirring up trouble is like trying to put out boiling water by adding more water.”

Haivian: "What does 'pouring boiling water to stop boiling' mean?"

Howard: "..."

After Howard's explanation, Hevia replied, "Because this is a difference in ideology. What we need to do is prove that our own ideology is correct, not to compete in terms of who has the greater strength. Because in the Lonosa Dynasty, no one can surpass me in strength, but even I may make mistakes and need advice... provided that they can prove that their advice is correct."

Howard then realized that this undead dynasty was continuing the proxy war waged by the Hellvinson dynasty, and asked in return, "What about the lives of humans?"

“I respect every human life, but human life is always less important than the life of a mechanical immortal,” Hevian said. “Because I am a mechanical immortal, I cannot betray my race. If you make a choice for a human, he will choose his own people.”

Howard fell silent after listening, and after a few brief breaths, he spoke again: "I understand, I will do it."

He certainly wanted to accuse the French Emperor of being cold-blooded, but at the same time he also knew that it was because he was a human being and stood on the side of humanity that he felt the French Emperor was cold-blooded.

From the perspective of the necromancers of space, the Hierophant was incredibly kind and benevolent towards humanity.

Howard could certainly criticize the French Emperor, and the French Emperor might not even get angry, but would readily admit it.

This, in turn, proves the French Emperor's benevolence.

Only a truly benevolent Dharma Emperor could give humanity the opportunity to criticize her; any other space necromantic ruler would not have said so much to Howard, a human.

Howard initially thought the conversation was over, but to his surprise, Hevia didn't leave; instead, she said:

“Next, let’s talk about compensation,” Hevian said. “What do you want? You’re a reasonable person.”

Howard: "I don't want anything."

Hevia: "You can consider it until we meet again."

Howard: "I really don't have anything I want from you."

“Alright.” Hevia showed a slight regret, but did not leave. Instead, she also fell into thought.

“How about a relaxing trip?” Hevia said again.

Howard instinctively wanted to refuse, but then seemed to realize something: "You wouldn't be talking about..."

“The Second Terra,” Hevian replied. “After this is over, you can take a vacation on the Second Terra. Because of the different flow of time, if you live on the Second Terra for a year, only ten minutes will pass in the material universe. During this year, you can fully enjoy life without being disturbed by anything.”

Seeing that Howard was still hesitating, Hevia offered another condition:

"Furthermore, if you agree, I'll have my technician slow down the time on the second Terra to make sure you can see your friends one last time while you're on vacation."

This condition was quite tempting for Howard, but after a not-so-brief consideration, he still replied:

"Thank you for your kindness, but I don't need it."

Hevia: "I respect your decision, but I still hope you can tell me why."

“I hate the feeling of being locked in a cage,” Howard said, “even if that cage is the size of a planet.”