The parade ceremony officially began at nine o'clock Macragge local time.
Guilliman had already made every preparation. Even Lox had hauled in some imposing heavy equipment from the warehouses of the Mustafar Forge World, waiting only to show them off during the parade.
Within the grand city of Macragge, the Central Guard wheeled enormous war horns out of long-sealed armories. They were ceremonial instruments fashioned by generations of consuls in the distant past from the tusks of some now-extinct colossal beast.
The war horns sounded together, and a deafening, far-reaching roar echoed throughout the city, making every person with Macragge blood recall the days when they had charged bravely into battle, encouraged by the call of the horns.
The entire city halted its daily work. Everyone either remained quietly at home to watch the live broadcast or crowded into the streets, waiting beyond the human walls formed by the guards for the parade to begin.
The horn calls gradually faded, as though those ancient beasts had ceased their howling. What followed was the combined performance of the XIII Legion military band, eight hundred silver trumpets and bugles playing a bright triumphal march in unison.
The joyous march swept through every corner of the city. Everyone rose to their feet, singing praises for the heroes and fallen who had defended the Five Hundred Worlds.
The surging crowds merged into rivers of people. Men, women, old, and young raised flags, shouting slogans and cheering blessings to one another as they celebrated Macragge's prosperity.
"What a heartening sight, isn't it?"
"The people are united as one, celebrating victory and glory."
At the northern entrance of the military plaza, upon the towering platform of the Titan Gate, Lox watched the freely celebrating crowds below and could not help but sigh.
"Even in such a