An Epoch-Making Chapter

"So, what's your idea? I'd like to hear your thoughts," Guilliman continued, offering no opinion of his own.

He didn't know what forbidden technology Loci's mind held. It was better to wait and see, letting Loci propose his ideas before debating them.

The Primarch hadn't once considered forcing the immortal from the past. That would be the act of a fool. Even if he gained nothing, he absolutely could not afford to make an enemy of Loci.

"I will innovate based on the equipment already in the Imperial armament sequence, strengthening and upgrading existing gear. You know, while many Imperial weapons are incredibly barbaric and crude, they are indeed very practical on many battlefields."

"Often, we don't need the best, but what's most suitable and practical."

Loci gave an example. Take heavy vehicles like the Emperor Dreadblade Super-Heavy Tank or the Shadowblade Super-Heavy Tank. From his perspective, they were targets for long-range weapons. However, when coordinating with the Imperial Army for an advance, these tanks were undoubtedly very practical.

The most common form of warfare for the Imperium now wasn't long-range combat measured in light-years across space, but rather after the Navy had decided the victor, the Army would engage in a very retro style of fighting.

They needed rifles, artillery support, and heavy vehicles for their advance.

It sounded ridiculous, but this was indeed how things happened across the galaxy.

"You all fear AI greatly. If I handed over Automatons to you, I fear your internal factions would fracture first. And many powerful weapons must rely on Artificial Intelligence."

On Mars, the Adeptus Mechanicus had the Red Oil Accord, which classified AI research as an absolute red line. Only low-intelligence machines and the bio-engineered servitor Thinkers could be utilized.

Loci believed in his own intelligent technology, but he couldn't expect the Imperium's people, who had been instilled with fear of AI, to trust his technology as well.

"I can understand your concerns. In fact, I'm also worried whether you might extensively use Artificial Intelligence; it's a potential threat."

Guilliman and Loci walked into the power armor production laboratory, observing the power armor being continuously manufactured on the platforms.

"Humanity has suffered too much from Artificial Intelligence. Even if I can condone your existence, if the Imperium discovers you are using Artificial Intelligence, they will likely show you no mercy while suppressing other traitors. This would be a tremendous loss for both of us, wouldn't it?"

It could be said that if Loci hadn't met Nikanna and others on Istvaan V, and had he seen the current state of the Human Imperium, he might have simply left the galaxy in the Red Alert after returning to Earth.

Humanity now was barbaric, corrupt, and an amalgamation of all extreme ideologies in human history. This was something Loci, from humanity's most enlightened and progressive era, found difficult to tolerate.

But after understanding the specific situation, he had to admit that humanity now needed the Imperium's structure. The xenos species that had once clung to humanity's side had bared their claws. During the Age of Strife, many human colonies that had lost contact with the outside world were occupied by xenos.

They slaughtered and enslaved humans, treating them as playthings and food. These xenos, who had not been destroyed by Automatons due to the prevalent xenophilia and universalism among humans at the time, had betrayed humanity.

This made Loci, who was accustomed to seeing xenos subservient and extremely friendly around humanity, feel his blood pressure rise more than once.

He had to admit that many times, while looking at the historical records, and the pictures and video footage of humans being enslaved by xenos, he couldn't help but want to pull out a proton cannon and send them all into the sky.

Loci approached the production equipment and retrieved an Adamantium power armor and a tactical Dreadnought armor made from Strong Interaction Material from the storage warehouse.

In fact, the Adeptus Astartes beside him had already been equipped with the latest power armor. With such a good opportunity, it was perfect to show Guilliman the power of technological innovation.

Guilliman was not one to be polite. He immediately summoned Auguston.

"My commander, go and try on that Adamantium power armor. Your opinion is very important. The subsequent military reforms and equipment upgrades for the Ultramarines will reference your thoughts." Guilliman beckoned, and the battle-hardened commander beside him eagerly rushed forward.

It was Adamantium! Armor made of Adamantium!

The tall Auguston, with the help of automated equipment, removed his current power armor. This task should have been completed by Tech-Priests and Servitors, but he paid no mind to such minor details at that moment.

The black carapace of the Ultramarines commander was covered in healed scars, the medals of his numerous battles.

Dense neural interfaces connected to the power armor's components, allowing the Space Marine to feel the slightest touch on the power armor as if it were his own skin.

Auguston donned the Adamantium armor and tried to move his wrist and leg joints out of habit. Immediately, a somewhat stiff giant stepped off the platform.

"Power output zero."

He was slightly unaccustomed. This armor was much heavier. He was a tough guy who could operate the Mk4 Limit Type power armor normally without activating its power pack, but the immense weight of the Adamantium armor made him feel strained.

"Increase power output!"

Auguston quickly familiarized himself with the Adamantium armor's operation through the Thinker System within the suit.

As the Antimatter Furnace increased its output, the reinforced muscle fibers hidden beneath the Adamantium were activated. He felt his limbs become incredibly light.

A surge of power, like a raging tide, easily drove the heavy armor.

Auguston stretched his limbs. Every part of the power armor fit his body perfectly, giving him a sense of unity.

Then he picked up his chainsword.

Light, so light!

The chainsword, which had felt perfectly balanced before, now felt weightless in his hands, completely lacking its previous heft. At the Primarch's signal, Auguston began to run.

A gleaming golden figure sprinted across the indoor training ground. It was a surging high wall. From the initial dozens of centimeters deep craters it left on the ground to later only shallow footprints, Auguston's control over the power armor grew increasingly refined.

To the dynamic vision of a mortal, only a blur of motion could be seen.

He clearly perceived that this armor's speed, strength, and control precision far surpassed his previous gear. With a casual leap, his body covered more than ten meters.

"Open fire on me, Orlov!"

The Ultramarines commander said to an Adeptus Astartes of the Victorious Army. The latter immediately drew his bolter, aimed at Auguston's chest plate, and pulled the trigger.

Obedience was the most basic quality of the Victorious Army, even when firing upon their own commander.

The bolter rounds detonated precisely in a bloom of fire on the chest plate, from the center to the left chest, the location of the Space Marine's two hearts.

As the smoke cleared, the Adamantium power armor showed not a single scratch, only the trace of dissipating ash. Auguston realized he had just been hit by a bolter round through the servo-system's feedback.

The sensation was as slight as a mosquito bite.

"Another shot, aim for the helmet!"

Guilliman tacitly approved of his son's reckless actions. Being hit in the head by a bolter round, even for an Adeptus Astartes, had a very high probability of resulting in immediate death.

The bolter rounds from the Victrix Guard were incredibly accurate. Bolter rounds accelerated by rocket boosters were capable of shattering ceramite armor, yet now they merely produced a dull ding before being deflected by the helmet's curved design.

Auguston perceived the slight impact. This force was instantly and completely negated by the shock-absorption system within the power armor.

At the Primarch's signal, the Victrix Guard conducted further experimental attacks using their plasma guns, meltas, and other weapons. However, after a barrage of fire, Auguston remained standing in his original position.

The veteran members of the Victrix Guard stared at the adamantium power armor, which now only bore a few scratch marks. As the Primarch's personal guard, they had to admit: if an enemy wearing such adamantium battle-plate managed to break through to the Primarch, they would be unable to stop them, even if they sacrificed their own lives.