The strongroom of the Von Valerius merchant vessel.
Li Feng and Sevesta entered the strongroom. Red carpets covered the floor, and countless display cases around them held treasures of all kinds. But what was most striking was the enormous "Warrant of Trade" that covered an entire wall.
"A Warrant of Trade and a starship to execute it—these are the essential tools of a Rogue Trader. Without the former, he is merely a traitor. Without the latter, he is just an abandoned wanderer destined to die in obscurity." — Lord Romier, Commander of the Calixis Fleet
A Warrant of Trade is a Rogue Trader's most precious possession, an ancient Imperial legal document that describes and authorizes the acceptable scope of activities for a Rogue Trader and their descendants throughout the The Galaxy / Milky Way.
Rogue Traders are a unique and powerful group of humans, a combination of free explorers, conquerors, and interstellar merchants of the Imperium of Man.
They are hereditary Imperial servants and nobles, possessing a starship, a crew, sometimes even a squad of Space Marine (in rare cases) or Astra Militarum, and are fully empowered to roam the worlds of the The Galaxy / Milky Way that are still beyond Imperial control or knowledge.
In exploring and developing uncharted regions of the The Galaxy / Milky Way for humanity, a merchant might encounter worlds harboring long-forgotten human civilizations, which would then be officially incorporated into the Imperium by Adeptus Mechanicus exploration fleets and expeditions from the Imperial Navy and Astra Militarum.
Other times, they discover empty or xenos-controlled planets available for the Imperium, and themselves, to colonize, conquer, or exploit.
These charters are hereditary, so once issued, they create an entire Rogue Trader dynasty. These dynasties are granted personal heraldry to signify their members' belonging to the Imperial nobility.
Merchants are granted authority by the High Lords of Terra in the Emperor's name to travel freely within and beyond Imperial borders. This allows them to legally interact with cultures that ordinary Imperial citizens are forbidden from contacting, as they are non-Imperial human worlds or xenos-controlled planets.
Not only that, but these merchants can also obtain permission and freedom to deal with these cultures, as long as it serves the Imperium's interests. That being said, it can be assumed that if a traitor Rogue Trader is found guilty of heresy or treason, they will be severely prosecuted by the Inquisition once discovered and apprehended. Their punishment will be even more severe if they are deemed unworthy of the Emperor's extraordinary trust in their family.
Simply put, Rogue Traders are the "East India Company," a group responsible for commodity trade, exploration, development, and colonization both within and outside the Imperium. These families form countless "East India Companies" roaming the universe. (GW is a British company, you know.)
Looking at the "Warrant of Trade," Li Feng saw the Emperor's seal and Malcador's signature on it. This family had been a Rogue Trader family for ten thousand years, and today it nearly went extinct.
Li Feng looked at the spare heir behind him, who understood Li Feng's meaning and silently left the room. Li Feng then patted Sevesta's shoulder, who was still admiring the "Warrant of Trade."
"Theodora is dead. You shall become the next head of the Von Valancius Family."
Li Feng's words echoed in the strongroom, seemingly carrying an irresistible authority and decisive power.
Sevesta looked at the "Warrant of Trade" before her. That ancient document carried the family's glory and mission, and also symbolized endless responsibilities and challenges.
A complex emotion rose in her heart, fear of the future, but also a desire to inherit this supreme status.
"Can I… truly bear this responsibility?"
Sevesta's voice trembled slightly, her eyes still fixed on the colossal document on the wall, as if trying to find some answer within it.
Li Feng smiled faintly. He understood Sevesta's feelings. As a young heir, facing such a significant responsibility and choice, hesitation and doubt were natural.
Precisely because Sevesta was young and thus easy to control, Li Feng intended to bring the Von Valancius Family under his command. This way, Li Feng would have an "East India Company" working for him… The Von Valancius Family did indeed later become a powerful Rogue Trader dynasty under Li Feng, but as for Sevesta, Li Feng had already identified some issues; this girl was a "pink-haired devil"!
Li Feng spoke, his tone firm yet gentle: "Of course you can. The duty of a Rogue Trader is not merely for wealth and power, but more importantly, to strive for the glory and expansion of the Imperium of Man. The Von Valancius Family began this journey ten thousand years ago, and today you have the opportunity to ensure it continues."
The young woman took a deep breath, finally gathering the courage to turn and face Li Feng, nodding. "If this is my destiny, I accept it."
Just then, outside the strongroom door, Abelard rushed in, panting. His armor was covered in signs of battle, but he still looked energetic. Seeing Li Feng and Sevesta, he immediately quickened his pace.
"The rebellion on the ship has been quelled. The crew and Battle Sisters have cleared out all enemies. The remaining traitors are being gathered for processing."
Li Feng nodded, then turned to Sevesta, "Sevesta, as the head of the family, you should issue the first order to everyone."
Sevesta paused, then understood Li Feng's meaning. She took a deep breath, her eyes sparkling with newly ignited resolve and will:
"Issue a ship-wide announcement," her voice gradually became firm,
"All traitors are to be executed on the spot, without mercy. And everyone is to remain on high alert to prevent any stragglers."
Although Abelard, as the chief steward, still had some thoughts about Sevesta inheriting the family headship, he had already seen the despondent and dejected spare heir on his way here… As a servant who had pledged loyalty to the Von Valancius Family for centuries, Abelard naturally put the Von Valancius Family's interests first. Theodora was dead, and the Von Valancius Family could not be without a new head, a new Rogue Trader.
Abelard bowed respectfully, then said, "As you command, Lady Sevesta Von Valerius."
...A few hours later,
Sevesta sat in the Rogue Trader's chair on the bridge, while Li Feng chatted with her nearby. Meanwhile, the Oil Men of Li Feng's fleet had already begun assisting with the merchant vessel's repairs.
Li Feng only now learned that Sevesta was just a recently graduated student. She had no idea she was one of the Von Valancius Family's heirs; she had always thought she was just an ordinary rich young lady, planning to dabble in real estate and sell weapons with the Adeptus Mechanicus on the Garden World where she was born after graduation.
Then suddenly, people from the Von Valerius Family arrived, saying, "You are one of the Von Valancius Family's heirs." And then they brought her onto this ship.
Sevesta had only brought some luggage, a very ordinary las-pistol, and an exquisite dagger for self-defense. She didn't expect any major problems on the Von Valancius Family's merchant vessel… Just then, Fides and Celestine dragged Kundra, who looked like a dead dog, onto the bridge. He was bruised and swollen, his once handsome face now twisted and merged together.
Li Feng stepped back. The next matters were the Von Valancius Family's business, no longer his.
Through the slits of his drooping eyelids, Kundra looked at Sevesta on the throne, his heart filled with humiliation.
He had worked diligently by Theodora's side for so many years, yet she had given the position to this naive girl who understood nothing.
Kundra himself had defected to Tzeentch, and the god had granted him power. But when he tried to use that power to teleport away, he found he could sense the Warp, but the portal simply wouldn't open. In the end, Sister Fides, who had rushed over, directly kicked him down and delivered a heavy punch to his face, shattering his brow bone and nose.
"Why! Why is it you sitting there and not me! I'm the one who did the most! The head's position should be mine! Mine!"
Sevesta stood up, holding the las-pistol that had never been fired, and walked to Kundra, pointing the muzzle at his head:
"Though I've barely spoken to you, but… just because you're a traitor, this position certainly isn't yours."
As her words fell, Sevesta's finger pulled the trigger… Nothing happened… Sevesta looked at the pistol in her hand in confusion, while Kundra had already peed his pants from the sound of the trigger.
Li Feng awkwardly walked to Sevesta's side, taking her hand. This touch made Sevesta's heart tremble, her body feeling a little weak.
"You loaded the magazine, but you forgot to chamber a round."
Saying this, Li Feng held Sevesta's hand and helped her chamber a round in her las-pistol… Fides looked on with confusion: How come you're getting hands-on with that girl, but not with me?
Celestine, meanwhile, curled her lips: Well, well, it's only been a few days since he left Terra… and he's already flirting again? Though that day, she herself had been quite troubled by this guy and Sanguinius… With Li Feng's help, Sevesta finished chambering the round in the pistol, her ears slightly reddening… Then she pointed the pistol at Kundra's head again, pulling the trigger without another word.
"Whoosh~"
A bolt of Las-fire shot straight through Kundra's head. This traitor had met his deserved retribution. Li Feng, however, watched Sevesta with interest. He had to admit, she was quite decisive. He had originally expected Sevesta to hesitate for a long time, not daring to shoot, but she went straight for a headshot.
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