Dominic put down the final investigation report and let out a yawn.
The sunlight filtered through the thick bulletproof glass, dancing on his flame-red hair, but it failed to dispel the lingering boredom etched between his brows. He was tired of reading the nobles' curses, and the commoners' praise was exactly as he had expected. Raynor was indeed a rare, good governor, but that changed nothing about the fact that the tithe had to be paid. Nor could it dispel the gloom accumulated in his heart from six months of warp travel.
But just now, as his finger brushed the edge of the data slate, his gaze fell upon an attachment labeled "Local Folklore." It was the most bizarre legend the investigators had collected in the Under-city regarding Raynor.
The Frost Dragon.
Dominic's eyes flickered with renewed interest. While investigating Raynor, the Frost Dragon was almost impossible to avoid; both the military and the Wildmen frequently mentioned this creature. Legend had it that it was an ancient being born in the depths of the ice plains, possessing the power to control ice and snow, and served as the guardian of the planet Brevis. Only those truly chosen by the planet could receive its recognition.
Originally, he thought it was just a fairy tale for children. However, the report stated clearly that at the beginning of Raynor's term, everyone believed he was just another useless governor. The turning point occurred during a meeting where Raynor ignored the interests and "face" of the noble council to form the Vanguard. During his first expedition to the forbidden walls of Brevis to resist the Greenskins, he was separated from the main force and ambushed by Wildman radicals bribed by the nobles.
A million Wildman cavalry were mobilized to hunt down and kill Raynor. Just as his life hung by a thread, a giant dragon, azure from head to tail, descended from the heavens. It blocked the million cavalry, and in its wrath, the entire army was instantly turned into ice sculptures.
"Wiping out a million cavalry single-handedly..." Dominic muttered, rubbing his chin. He had seen the power of Space Marines and the majesty of Titans, but could a legendary dragon truly achieve such a feat?
More importantly, this rumor was widespread on Brevis. Everyone believed it, from the scavengers in the Under-city to the workers in the Mid-city and even many nobles in the Upper-city. They said the dragon's approval was Brevis's approval. Raynor was able to turn the tide in just six months precisely because he was the "Chosen One" recognized by the Frost Dragon. It was through this legend that he successfully subdued the defiant Wildmen.
"Interesting." Dominic's eyes lit up.
His grandfather had been the Dean of the Schola Progenium in the sector and had spent his life obsessed with the ancient legends and historical ruins of various planets. As a child, his grandfather loved telling him stories of xenos and mythical creatures from other worlds. Influenced by this, Dominic developed a keen interest in these historically significant mythological beings. His private collection was filled with specimens from across the stars: desert beetles from Armageddon, Catachan Devil larvae, and even a small fragment of Tyranid carapace.
If a unique mythological creature like the Frost Dragon truly existed on Brevis, it would undoubtedly be the most brilliant piece in his collection. Furthermore, he was genuinely bored. The fleet's repairs would take months to complete, and the tithe matter could be temporarily set aside. Rather than rotting away in the guest house, he might as well try his luck on the ice plains.
"Someone!" Dominic shouted toward the door.
"My Lord," the captain of the guard entered immediately.
"Get ready. We're going to the ice plains," Dominic stood up and stretched, his eyes full of excitement. "I'm going to find this so-called Frost Dragon."
The captain's expression changed instantly. "My Lord, the ice plains are too dangerous! There are not only Orks but also fierce beasts and extreme weather. Moreover, we aren't familiar with the terrain. If—"
"There are no 'ifs'," Dominic interrupted him, his tone brooks no argument. "I'm not going on a picnic."
"Pass my orders: have the Tech-priests prepare a Baneblade super-heavy tank for me to use as a transport. Also, have the 3rd Thunderbolt Fighter Squadron patrol and maintain aerial surveillance over the ice plains. And bring a squad of Sisters of Silence along with my personal guard."
The captain opened his mouth to protest further, but seeing Dominic's determined gaze, he swallowed his words. "Yes, my Lord."
Half an hour later, a hunting party—seemingly streamlined but actually incredibly luxurious—departed from the starport and flew toward the Brevis ice plains.
A Baneblade super-heavy tank, painted in dark gold and wine-red, crushed deep ruts into the ice. In front of the tank, Dominic rode a six-legged red xenos mount. It was a creature he had found on a high-gravity planet; it was not only adapted to harsh environments but also incredibly fast. He wore a suit of light, master-crafted power armor and carried a Ventrian-made lasrifle, his red cloak particularly striking against the snow.
Behind him, twelve elite Ventrian guards rode high-powered motorbikes, fanning out in a formation and alertly scanning their surroundings. Each guard's power armor and weaponry were top-tier models. Further up in the sky, twelve Thunderbolt heavy fighters roared past, leaving white contrails as they monitored the entire airspace.
Larfa, the Sister of Silence, rode a motorbike beside Dominic. She wore a suit of pitch-black Vultun-pattern armor, her faceplate concealing her features, leaving only her cold, gray eyes visible as she alertly sensed everything around her.
Larfa sighed inwardly with resignation. She had been following Dominic for five years. Outsiders thought she was there to assist him in collecting the psychic tithe, but only she knew her true mission was to protect him. Dominic Ventria was not only the son of a Duke of the Ventria family but also a key figure personally designated for grooming by the High Lords of Terra. He was naturally gifted, becoming an Imperial Navy Major General at a young age and achieving numerous merits in battles against Chaos and xenos.
Because of this, he had become a thorn in the side of certain Chaos factions. The Astra Telepathica had sent her to prevent him from being corrupted by Chaos and to ensure his safety. But this young master was far too restless. After being cooped up in warp transit for half a year, he couldn't stay still for even a moment once he landed. Before the tithe issue was resolved, he was already thinking about searching for some mythical creature on the ice plains.
She could do nothing but stay by his side and ensure his safety.
"Larfa, do you think dragons really exist in this world?" Dominic turned his head and asked the Sister of Silence excitedly.
Larfa did not speak; she only shook her head slightly. She raised a hand and performed sign language: [Careful. The ice plains are dangerous.]
"Don't worry," Dominic smiled, patting the power axe at his waist. "With you here and so many elite guards, and besides, I'm not that foolish."
Larfa looked at his excited expression and said no more, but she sensed the surrounding psychic fluctuations even more vigilantly. She could feel a faint, extremely cold aura hidden deep within the ice plains. The aura was strange—it wasn't the corruption of Chaos, the wildness of Greenskins, or the psychic energy of humans. It was like the ice plains themselves: ancient, cold, and silent.
Could it be... is there really a dragon?
While Dominic embarked on his quest to find the dragon, back at the Governor's Palace on Brevis.
Raynor stood before the star map, watching the light representing Dominic's hunting party move toward the depths of the ice plains. Eventually, they entered a signal-dead zone, and the light vanished.
"He actually dared to go?" Raynor shook his head, his tone carrying a hint of helplessness.
"What is he going there for?" Sarah's voice echoed in his mind. Then, a pink Ripper crawled out from his collar, perched on his shoulder, and looked at the star map curiously. "There's nothing on the ice plains except for those 'food' sources."
"He's looking for the Frost Dragon," Raynor said.
"The Frost Dragon?" The Ripper tilted its head. "But isn't that me? Why is he looking for me?"
"He wants to turn you into a specimen and put you in his collection room," Raynor teased.
"What?!" The Ripper's fur (or rather, chitin) practically bristled. Its small claws gripped Raynor's clothes tightly. "He wouldn't dare! If he comes anywhere near, I'll eat him in one bite!"
"Hahaha." Raynor flicked its small head. Looking at Sarah playing along with his acting, he couldn't help but laugh.
"But we can't afford to be exposed," Raynor's expression grew serious again, his brows knitting together. "If he finds out the Frost Dragon is a Tyranid, we're finished."
Dominic's sudden move had completely disrupted his plans. The main base of the Brevis swarm was located deep within the ice plains. Sarah's primary body was dormant beneath the Twin Peaks, and millions of cold-adapted Tyranid organisms were hidden in various caverns throughout the wastes. Although Raynor had ordered the clearing of any obvious Tyranid traces, there was no guarantee nothing had been missed.
Moreover, Dominic was accompanied by Larfa, the Sister of Silence. A Sister's perception of the Warp and psychic signatures was as sharp as any high-end sensor. He had to send someone to monitor Dominic's every move—or at least know exactly what the Major General discovered.
But who to send? Raynor twirled a lock of hair absentmindedly as his mind raced. Suddenly, his eyes lit up. He thought of the perfect candidate—someone the Sister of Silence would never suspect, yet possessed the capability to complete the mission.
"Sarah, help me contact Solene," Raynor said.
"Solene? That Inquisitor?" The Ripper's tone carried a hint of reluctance. "What do you want with her?"
"I want her to monitor Dominic," Raynor explained. "She's an Inquisitor; her status is solid. Even if she's discovered, she has a legitimate excuse to be there. Plus, she has Aeldari stealth technology. A Sister of Silence won't be able to detect her."
"Oh..." The Ripper responded sullenly, but ultimately agreed.
Ten minutes later, in a secret meeting room within the Governor's Palace.
Solene Vymylot pushed the door open and walked in. She still wore her signature sleek Aeldari light armor, her long silver hair tied back, her red eyes as vivid as pomegranates. After a few months, her aura had grown even colder, gaining the gravitas of an Inquisitor.
"What do you need?" Solene walked up to Raynor and asked bluntly. Her gaze lingered on Raynor's face with scrutiny, mixed with an almost imperceptible softness.
Ever since being bound by that strange system, she had been observing Raynor in secret. She realized that while this "Tyranid Governor" colluded with the swarm, everything he did was beneficial to Brevis and its people. Compared to the hypocritical Imperial nobles and corrupt officials, Raynor acted more like a true guardian of the Imperium.
The Inquisition's creed was "By any means necessary for the Emperor." Since Raynor could use the power of the swarm to protect an Imperial world, she didn't mind turning a blind eye. After all, the Inquisition did similar things themselves.
"The tithe fleet has arrived. You should know that," Raynor said.
"I do," Solene nodded. "Major General Dominic Ventria of the Ventria family, and Larfa, the Silent Hunter from the Astra Telepathica. It's a lavish lineup."
"Dominic is currently on the ice plains," Raynor said. "He's looking for the Frost Dragon."
Solene's eyebrow arched slightly. "The Frost Dragon? That legend? He actually believes it?"
"I don't know if he believes it, but he's certainly gone looking for it." Raynor spread his hands, looking somewhat exasperated. "As you know, the ice plains are 'their' territory. If he finds something he shouldn't, the consequences would be catastrophic."
"So, you want me to keep an eye on him?" Solene looked at Raynor, a faint smile playing at the corners of her lips.
"Yes," Raynor nodded. "Your identity is the most suitable. An Inquisitor investigating anything on a planet is perfectly reasonable. And your Aeldari gear will keep you hidden from the Sister of Silence."
"A noble of Ventria, becoming a Navy Major General at such a young age and having a lady of the Black Ships as a personal protector..." Solene's tone became teasing. "I imagine he is much more 'loyal' than you are. Aren't you afraid I'll tell him your secret?"
Raynor's brow furrowed. Seeing that she had successfully rattled him, Solene raised her eyebrows triumphantly. Raynor was about to explain when he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his sleeve.
"Ah!" Raynor couldn't help but let out a low cry.
"What's wrong?" Solene looked at him, puzzled.
"No... nothing." Raynor smiled awkwardly, secretly soothing the small Ripper that was currently biting him inside his sleeve. He looked up at Solene and said seriously, "I know you won't. You're not like those corrupt Inquisitors. What you truly care about is the safety of the Imperium. Brevis cannot fall into chaos. If Dominic discovers the presence of the swarm, a bloody war is inevitable. Brevis would be reduced to ash, and billions would die. That is not what you want to see."
Solene stared into Raynor's earnest eyes, remaining silent for a few seconds. Then, she smiled. "Fine. I'll help you."
Raynor blinked, surprised by how readily she agreed. Seeing his stunned expression, Solene's smile deepened. "What? Surprised? I was just teasing you."
Raynor shook his head helplessly. "Fine..."
"However, 'monitor' is such an ugly word," Solene said, her smile fading as she grew serious. "I'm not helping you monitor him. I am investigating the possible presence of xenos on the ice plains. And, incidentally, I am 'concerned' for the safety of this tithe official. After all, if something happens to him on Brevis, none of us will have an easy time explaining it."
"Exactly. That's it," Raynor nodded quickly. "If necessary, you can even provide him with some help—like leading him away from dangerous areas."
"I know what to do." Solene nodded and turned toward the door. As she reached the threshold, she stopped and looked back at Raynor with a meaningful gaze. "Don't worry. I won't let him find your little secret."
With that, she pushed the door open and vanished into the corridor.
Raynor let out a sigh of relief as the door closed. The Ripper poked its head out of his sleeve and said grumpily, "That woman... her smile is so annoying!"
"Haha, I think so too," Raynor rubbed its head. "But Solene is our best choice right now. With her there, we can stay better informed about Dominic's situation."
"Humph!" The Ripper snorted and retreated into his sleeve, falling silent.
Raynor walked back to the star map, looking at the spot where Dominic had disappeared into the heart of the ice plains. An underlying sense of unease still lingered in his heart.
I hope everything goes smoothly.