"The Raven Guard will stand firmly at your side, my lord," Villano replied. "Other than strangling Chaos and exterminating Xenos, the Raven Guard seeks nothing else."
"Other than what you have said, I seek nothing else from you either, Villano. I am glad that you can stand firmly by my side." Guilliman answered with a smile, looking toward the leaders of the other Chapters with expectation in his eyes.
"The Salamanders have always been humanity's most loyal defenders. Anyone who fights the enemies of mankind is our friend. I am willing to join your ranks, so long as you do not find us wanting," said the Salamander warrior in green power armor, his dark skin and stern face giving him an imposing air.
"A loyal heart is rare and precious. There is no reason to be choosy," Guilliman said.
"The Space Wolves have never been absent from any battle against Chaos and Xenos, Lord Imperial Regent. The wolf pack will become the sharpest sword in your hand."
The Space Wolves Chapter representative, draped in wolf-head ornaments, spoke in a resolute tone.
"I look forward to wielding that sword to victory." Guilliman looked at the Space Wolves representative with a humorous smile.
All the Chapter representatives declared that their Chapters would obey the Imperial Regent's command, cooperate with him in purging Chaos forces from Ultramar, and use Ultramar as a base from which to strike at other regions of the Imperium of Man, preventing humanity's destruction.
After confirming the stances of these Chapters, Guilliman told them to rest well and await the day the fleet assembled and set out.
A new war was about to begin. Humanity would raise its sword against Chaos and Xenos.
After bidding farewell to his last group of visitors, Guilliman pondered for a while longer in the reception hall before striding out.
The Honor Guard in Cataphractii Terminator armor followed close behind.
Calgar, Sicarius, and Phicris were all waiting outside for him.
They were all elite warriors of the Ultramarines Chapter, Imperial heroes of supreme honor who had shattered countless wars launched by Chaos and Xenos against humanity.
Calgar saluted Guilliman. "My lord."
"No need for formalities, Calgar." Guilliman shook his head. "Accompany me to Macragge City. Let us see how the reconstruction is progressing. We can discuss some matters concerning the future while we look around."
A Grav-skiff quickly descended before Guilliman. It was a sightseeing aircraft designed for tourism.
As the homeworld of the Ultramarines and the capital planet of the Five Hundred Worlds, Macragge naturally held extraordinary significance. Vast numbers of tourists came every year to pay homage to the Ultramarines' home.
There were many such tourist Grav-skiffs on Macragge, and they were civilian equipment.
With the arrival of the Chaos army, these Grav-skiffs had been militarized.
The one before them was no exception. Its armed modifications were obvious at a glance.
Heavy steel plates had been embedded into its hull, with welding marks still visible. The weapon mounts had not yet been removed.
Guilliman did not nitpick the Grav-skiff. He merely wished to see Macragge City's present condition.
The scars left by war were still horrifying.
Those who had survived Chaos's campaign of destruction were rebuilding their homes with the aid of the Adeptus Mechanicus.
Large numbers of Knight Titans had been forced to remove their weapons and replace them with construction tools, helping people restore normal life as quickly as possible.
Six-legged Adeptus Mechanicus servitors moved back and forth, transporting supplies and repairing ruined buildings.
All of Macragge appeared to be thriving.
Of course, behind all this, there were also discordant notes.
As Guilliman inspected Macragge City, a thunderous explosion suddenly rang out.
Several Thunderhawk Gunships swept through the sky toward the blast site, unleashing a barrage upon the enemies who had planned the bombing.
According to Calgar, the troublemakers were remaining Cultists.
The power of Chaos had already been purged, but those traitors had not all surrendered. They lurked in the shadows and launched attacks from time to time, attempting to sabotage Macragge's reconstruction.
Smiles filled the people's faces. It was not merely because the Chaos army had been driven out and their home defended. More importantly, Guilliman's awakening had shown them that even amid endless darkness, redemption remained possible.
Guilliman stood silently upon the Grav-skiff. He made no comment on the sudden incidents, merely surveying this ancient, repeatedly rebuilt colossal city in silence.
He had easily crushed the Chaos army. That was true, and it was indeed worth celebrating.
Yet the memories of his first time stepping onto a battlefield kept echoing in his mind, telling him just how brutal humanity's war against Chaos truly was.
After the war, Macragge had been reduced to scorched, fragile ruins, with swamps of mud formed from the remains of the dead everywhere.
In space, wreckage floated everywhere. Countless Imperial soldiers had sacrificed themselves so that victory could be won.
That scene was absolutely unforgettable.
After looking around, Guilliman turned to Calgar. "You are the subordinate I trust most, Calgar."
"I am deeply grateful for your praise." Calgar replied, joy appearing on his face.
"I have an extremely important task for you, Calgar. Other than you, I can hardly imagine anyone else capable of taking it on."
Guilliman continued, making Sicarius and Phicris, who stood nearby, reveal looks of envy.
To receive such unstinting praise from the Gene-Father was an honor beyond measure.
"Before long, I will gather the troops and launch a cleansing war across Ultramar, thoroughly purging the enemies from the Five Hundred Worlds. But Macragge leaves me uneasy. It has just endured the baptism of war. If it suffers another blow from Chaos, it will deal an unimaginable blow to Imperial morale. I need someone absolutely trustworthy to remain on Macragge and defend this world from further attack."
Guilliman looked at Calgar, his gaze filled with expectation and hope.
A trace of astonishment appeared on Calgar's face. He had thought Guilliman would grant him the role of vanguard in this war, making him the terrifying, unstoppable blade in the Primarch's hand.
He had not expected the Primarch to ask him to remain on Macragge, defending it against Chaos attacks.
"My lord, I hope to—"
Before Calgar could finish, Guilliman interrupted him.
"In this chaotic universe, I do not deny the strength of Celestine and Amalrich. They have led the armies of the Imperium of Man into battle against Chaos and Xenos time and again, achieving victory after victory. These Imperial heroes all have their own unique qualities, but they lack sufficient strategic awareness, Calgar. I cannot entrust important Macragge to them. I must place it in the hands of someone resourceful and powerful, someone who can guarantee victory without fail."
"Macragge is not merely a capital world. It is also the key place for humanity's future redemption. The Tech-Priest possesses several crucial technologies, and with my authorization, he is attempting to spread them. They will be enough to tip the scales of future battle. Calgar, if anything goes wrong, all our efforts will be wasted."
Guilliman knew what Calgar wanted to say. War was what every Space Marine desired most.
But now, Guilliman had to ensure that Chaos could not strike at his rear.
The technologies in Cawl's hands were of critical importance. They could effectively strengthen the Imperium of Man's military power, sweep away its former decline, and grant it the strength to confront Daemons and traitors head-on.
Having Calgar remain on Macragge to guard their home was the best choice.
"I will not fail your expectations." Hearing this, Calgar could only nod and obey.
Yet he still felt somewhat disappointed. He had fought bloody battles for the Imperium and won countless honors for the Ultramarines Chapter, yet now he was being excluded from the Indomitus Crusade led by the Primarch.
Guilliman seemed to see through his thoughts and continued, "You may also use this time to prepare a suitable force. Once all of Ultramar has been purged and Macragge faces no further threats, you will command that force as its vanguard, taking the lead in joining the Indomitus Crusade. Open the way for the forces that follow, and go to every corner of the Imperium to slaughter Chaos and Xenos. You would not wish to see a Primarch without even an Honor Guard Chapter, reduced to relying on other forces, would you?"
"My lord, do you mean that I may raise a force?"
"Yes, Calgar. A brand-new force, new warriors, new ships, and new ideas. This expedition is not merely about driving out Chaos and clearing away enemies. Purging the Imperium's deep-rooted maladies is even more important. Members of the Reform Council will depart alongside you, spreading new Imperial ideas and systems throughout every region, supervising local reforms. When necessary, those stubborn conservatives may be treated as enemies and eliminated."
Guilliman spoke in a deep voice. "I cannot entrust this matter to anyone else, Calgar. Only you can truly put my mind at ease."
"I will devote all my strength to carrying it out, my lord." The disappointment in Calgar's tone vanished, and Guilliman's trust filled his face with joy.
"Do not disappoint me, Calgar." Guilliman's voice was grave. "What you defend is not merely Macragge, but humanity's future. Any mistake would be the greatest betrayal and harm to mankind."
"I understand, my lord. You will not be disappointed."
Over the following days.
Guilliman received visitors from all sides, listened to their thoughts and opinions, and made his decisions.
A week later, Guilliman assembled an army composed of forces from the Imperial Navy, Skitarii, Sisters of Battle, Knight Houses, Titan Legions, the Inquisition, and many other factions.
Ultramar's problems had to be resolved as quickly as possible. Only then could they march into the depths of space, purge Chaos forces, quell rebellions, and reshape the Imperium of Man.
Standing on the bridge of the Gloriana-class Battleship Macragge's Honour, Guilliman opened a communication channel to the entire fleet.
His voice rang through every warship and echoed in every ear.
"I am honored to fight alongside all of you, my brothers and sisters, my kin of flesh and blood. The Chaos Gods believe that humanity will become toys for them to play with as they please, forever unable to break free. They have destroyed our homes and hunted our brothers and sisters, yet they still demand that we submit to their dark and terrifying rule. That is nothing more than wishful thinking. From this day onward, humanity will launch a full counterattack against those damned forces of Chaos and Xenos. We will tell them with the swords in our hands that humanity will never submit."
Guilliman raised his voice, and it shook every heart like rolling thunder, resounding through every corner.
"Humanity will never submit! Long live humanity! Long live the Emperor!"
Following Guilliman's roar, the crewmen, soldiers, Knights, Space Marines, Inquisitors, and worshippers aboard the ships all erupted into deafening cheers, answering Guilliman with frenzied fervor.
"Humanity will never submit! Long live humanity! Long live the Emperor!"
"Humanity will never submit! Long live humanity! Long live the Emperor!"
"Humanity will never submit! Long live humanity! Long live the Emperor!"
Everyone was a madman, faces flushed red as they shouted the frenzied slogans.
Cheers also rose from Macragge's surface, where everyone cried out the same slogans.
Their emotional surges converged, forming a powerful psychic current in the Warp near Macragge. It slammed viciously into the raging Warp storms, scattering them and drawing the attention of the gods.
Amalrich, Celestine, and the others felt it all, their hearts churning like stormy seas, unable to remain calm.
With such a leader, how could the Imperium possibly fail?
Calgar stood on the surface and gazed up at the heavens. Before him, behind him, and on every side, countless people shouted alongside his Gene-Father. What terrifying charisma and influence this was.
"Set sail! Let us sound the death knell for the enemies of the Imperium. This time, we fight for the Imperium, we fight for humanity, and we fight for the holy Emperor!"
Guilliman's roar grew ever more impassioned, stirring everyone and filling their hearts with boundless strength.
Amid the cheers, warship after warship set sail, tearing open the Veil of Reality and entering the Warp.
The fires of war had been rekindled. Humanity would never submit to that terrifying Destiny of darkness.
Even if they had to draw their swords and declare war upon the gods, the many heroes of the Imperium had no fear.
Before you continue