Pavel hadn't left Rostov II, claiming he'd stay until the first batch of "Loyalty" was ready for market, escorting it to Mariupol's capital with an Imperial Navy patrol.
Meanwhile, he remained aboard his Ecclesiarchy ship.
Though the first batch of "Loyalty" was brewed, it required aging. Drinking it fresh wasn't impossible, but Alex and Pavel agreed a year in oak barrels was ideal.
This wasn't just due to the recipe's instructions. The aging process involved continuous hymns from the Holy Rose Convent's Sisters, infusing the wine with the Emperor's divine power, enhancing its potency and heresy-detecting properties.
As for taste, in the grim Warhammer universe, even Baal's sour wine sold well. "Loyalty" was a top-tier Imperial wine, not quite Quaddis white but exceptional, especially since its primary use was heresy detection, not drinking.
Given Alex's achievement in brewing the Holy Blessed Wine and the Ecclesiarchy's high regard, Pavel hosted him lavishly aboard his ship.
Imperial voidships were mobile palaces, their upper decks rivaling hive spire opulence, adorned with marble, gold, and wood, wasting tonnage on shrines and altars.
In a universe where faith had tangible power—Living Saints banishing daemons with prayers—such shrines might indeed be practical.
After pleasantries, Alex and Pavel sat to discuss business.
"Pavel, I'll be direct. If I want to build an orbital ring around Rostov II for defense, can the Ecclesiarchy fund it?" Alex asked bluntly.
After hearing the specifics, Pavel hesitated. "Alex, personally, I'd fund it. But the Ecclesiarchy isn't mine to command. I manage assets, not control them. Donations from the faithful require the Cardinal Council and sector Archbishop's approval. I can secure small sums, but your request is too large—beyond my authority."
Pavel's "small sums" meant millions of thrones, but a planetary megastructure like an orbital ring cost billions.
Ovilia's calculations showed the ring's bare structure alone required tens of billions—unaffordable for a typical colony. Even with Mechanicus installment plans, repayment could take decades or centuries.
In Warhammer, centuries of debt to the Mechanicus could drain a planet dry, potentially forcing the governor to pawn its population.
This was why Alex sought Ecclesiarchy funding instead of other repayment methods.
Developing the sub-sector could cover the cost, but it required reinvesting half the profits, with 10% to the sector governor, 10% to the Ecclesiarchy, and 10% intended for the Mechanicus—though that deal fell through, costing Alex a major backer.
The Ecclesiarchy had wealth and manpower but lacked the equipment needed for sub-sector development. Mai-Mai's prior fundraising secured some equipment, but it barely sufficed for Rostov's basic infrastructure.
Pavel's refusal left Alex visibly disappointed.
Noticing, Pavel expressed regret but could only offer to lobby the Cardinal Council, though he couldn't guarantee success. "Given the Ecclesiarchy's focus on the Holy Blessed Wine, partial funding might be negotiable," he said cautiously.
Alex, skeptical, thanked him anyway.
With his goal unmet, Alex considered alternatives. He held development rights to an entire sub-sector. If Mai-Mai secured a deal with Graia, they could trade mining rights on one or two planets for the ring's construction.
It felt prodigal, and Graia might not accept, but it was an option—though a last resort.
Trading planetary mining rights for Mechanicus cooperation wasn't ideal; Alex would lose significantly.
As he pondered, a starport report interrupted: a Mechanicus forge ship had emerged from the Mandeville Point.
"The Mechanicus? Why are they here?" Alex grew wary, suspicion rising.
(End of Chapter)
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