Warhammer: Don't Call Me the God of All Machines

Chapter 696: Imperial Reform (Three-in-One)

Roboute Guilliman was one of the few Primarchs still remaining within the Sol System.

After the final battle, he and his brothers reunited for the last time and then went their separate ways.

Ryan Johnson hurriedly returned to Caliban in the hazy star field with his Dark Angels.

Oh, by the way, before leaving, the Lion King demanded the alien artifact [Tuchucha Engine] back from his brother in a stern manner.

Guilliman had never seen Lion so agitated, not even when he had crossed the Ruinstorm and arrived in Macragge, when the two sides were on the verge of a war.

Originally, Guilliman wanted to take advantage of the peaceful period after the war to hand over the Tuchucha Engine to Mars and the Advanced Technology Community for research to see if they could figure out the magical technology contained therein.

In their rush to aid Terra, the Tuchucha Engine played a huge role, helping the Lord of the Limits to directly cross countless rebel blocking lines.

However, Lion wanted to go back so much, and Guilliman didn't want to conflict with him. After all, these things originally belonged to his brother.

Chagatai Khan was similar to Ryan, and also hurried back to Chogoris in the Extreme Star Field.

Although Khan left one step later than Ryan, he relied on the Sky Eagle's super maneuverability to leave the solar system faster than the Lion.

No one was swifter than Chagatai Khan.

The brothers' strange behavior aroused the vigilance of the Lord of the Limit.

He knew very well that the person who was the last to arrive at a gathering of brothers and friends would definitely not end up well.

Either they have finished telling their own jokes or have finished saying bad things about themselves, and the best outcome is just to finish digging up their own gossip.

Guilliman himself did this, so naturally his other brothers were not much better.

When he caught Leman Russ who was about to leave and wanted to ask him what was going on, the Wolf King of Fenris actually said that it was a secret between him and his brothers.

Guilliman still remembered the way Russ made those faces, how annoying and annoying he was, making people want to punch him.

secret?

What secret could be more important than the Second Empire the three of them had built on Macragge?
Corax and Vulkan also left one after another and returned to their home planet. Guilliman felt that there was nothing left for him to miss on Terra.

However, just as he was about to return to the Five Hundred Worlds with his offspring, Malcador stopped him.

Guilliman's strengths are his good observation and eloquence.

He could see that the expression on the seal holder's face was a complex mixture of relief, relaxation, and gratitude, as if he had worked overtime for ten thousand years and finally saw a successor who could take over his responsibilities.

The feeling was so complex that even Guilliman's eloquence could not accurately describe it.

But when faced with this feeling, Guilliman always had a terrifying intuition that a disaster was about to happen.

Malcador was definitely up to something wicked and had something to do with him.

Guilliman was just about to find an excuse to slip away, but Malcador stopped him again.

"Guilliman, please stay!"

"The Empire is now facing an uncertain future. The Empire needs you, humanity needs you, and I need you!"

Malcador directly brought up the righteousness, which made Guilliman breathless.

His method of using overwhelming power to suppress others only worked on Guilliman, and the other Primarchs were not fooled at all.

"Seal Master, why are you joking?"

"You are my father's chancellor. When he is not in charge, you are the ruler of the empire. How can it be my turn?"

"And according to my father's instructions before he ascended the Golden Throne, we Primarchs will return to our home planet and establish an independent kingdom with it as the core, protecting Terra's security from all directions."

"If I continue to stay in Terra, it will not be good for you or me. Even in ancient times, if a vassal king stayed in the capital, it would be the beginning of chaos."

Guilliman's words made sense. The war was over, and they, the Primarchs, would fulfill the mission entrusted by the Emperor.

Malcador's thin figure suddenly collapsed, and his spirit, which was as tough as a pine tree and as steady as a rock, disappeared.

In Guilliman's eyes, Malcador was no longer the Sigillator who held the fate of hundreds of millions of people in his hands, but just a poor, lonely old man.

"You and your son are the same, grabbing me, an old sheep, and trying your best to fleece me."

"Do you know how long I've been working? Ever since I met your father, we've been discussing how to unite humanity and reshape it with iron-blooded means.

In these hundreds of years, I haven't had even a single day off."

"I've been working tirelessly, dealing with endless government affairs, and cleaning up your father's mess time and time again. I've had enough."

"Even if I close my eyes and rest for a moment, I feel the weight of sin on my shoulders. This old horse of mine has been pulling the millstone for so long, but I can't pull it any further."

Guilliman was a kind-hearted man with a pure heart. Seeing his elder Malcador in such a miserable state, he couldn't help but feel sorry for him.

"But the Imperium cannot escape your control. Our Primarch has been excluded from the core of the Imperium's power by the Emperor. Who else but you can take on this important task?"

"Do you really want to let go completely and let those mortals take control of the empire?"

"Excuse me for being frank. I have no contempt or disrespect for mortals. I am just speaking from an objective perspective.

The affairs of the empire far exceed the limits of mortals' endurance. Even the best among them will be exhausted to death."

"You, Malcador the Sigillite, are their core."

Facing Guilliman's questioning, Malcador nodded and did not deny it.

This is indeed what the Emperor and he meant.

Early in the Great Crusade, the Emperor and Malcador formed a body known as the War Council, composed of the Emperor, the Fabricator-General of Mars, the Master of the Astropathic Tribunal, and Malcador himself.

In the subsequent actual expansion, representatives of the Navigator family, admirals, imperial commanders and heads of various departments also joined in one after another.

The War Council strongly supports the Emperor's cause, manages the vast human empire, and governs it in an orderly manner.

They cling to Malcador, becoming his eyes and limbs, keeping this vast bureaucracy running smoothly.

Although this huge organization has many mortal members, in essence, it is still a superhuman political entity with the Seal Holder as its core.

Only Malcador is irreplaceable.

Although the others hold high positions and hold enormous power, they are essentially consumables.

These outstanding people among mankind were almost exhausted to death by countless government affairs.

Even with the help of life-extending surgery, their bodies still cannot escape the fate of rapid aging and death.

After the Victory at Ullanor, Horus took over the power of war from the Emperor and became the Warmaster of the Empire. Naturally, the War Council also transitioned to the Horus era.

After returning to Terra, the Emperor once again established a new system - the Terra Council - around his next goal: to implement the Webway Project.

Power in the Imperium was henceforth divided in two, with Horus's War Council in charge of all external wars, and the Emperor's Council of Terra handling the nation's internal affairs.

The former was responsible for military power, while the latter was responsible for civil governance. The empire developed in this new form of balance.

And in the following period, the Emperor reorganized the Terra Council again.

Malcador became the first President of the Council, and was joined by other important figures such as Fabricator-General Kyber Har, Lord-General of the Custodes, the Abbots of the Astro-Speaker and the Astro-Torch, and the Chief of the Imperial Ministry of Internal Affairs.

In this way, the actual power of the empire has actually been transferred to the Terra Council.

Horus and those elders left on the War Council were shocked by this, realizing that they had been excluded from the center of Imperial power.

The territories conquered by these generals in charge of the war were all taken away by the Terra Council in the rear.

Their rights were stolen.

Those inefficient and pedantic bureaucratic mortals replaced the bloodshed and sacrifice of heroes with all kinds of fancy red tape.

It was because of this that Horus began to worry about the future of the Astartes and laid the groundwork for the subsequent rebellion.

However, during the Siege of Terra, in order to maximize their own efficiency, Malcador and the Emperor dissolved the Terran Council and created the Imperial Commander to take full command of the entire war.

Rogal Dorn was the Supreme Commander of the Imperium during the Siege of Terra.

Now that the war is over, the Empire will inevitably need an institution similar to the Terran Council to fill the vacancy it left.

Guilliman had sensed some change of direction from the Emperor's instructions.

The Primarchs were no different from before, and these superhumans, including the Astartes, continued to be excluded from the center of power.

One of the reasons why Horus launched the rebellion was that he was afraid that the Astartes would be marginalized. Now it seems that the Emperor has not changed his mind.

The Lord of the Five Hundred Worlds understood what the Emperor meant. He was afraid that from then on, humanity would form a political structure where superhumans like them would be in power.

Even from an objective point of view, allowing the Primarchs and Astartes to control the Empire is the most efficient form.

Rather than being deployed as weapons of war, Space Marines are also very adept at handling government affairs.

They have long lifespans, are energetic, and are free from selfish desires and the complex desires that mortals have. They are almost born civil servants.

But the Emperor would rather sacrifice efficiency than ensure that the fate of humanity would be in the hands of the vast majority of mortals.

Guilliman understood and respected the Emperor's choice, and was willing to return to his independent kingdom in accordance with the Emperor's will.

“Before he left, your father promised me that I could unload the responsibilities on my shoulders.

I am so exhausted. Even though my immortal body allows me to persevere, my soul can no longer bear the burden."

"I have made my preparations and decisions. Once I have arranged a new organization to maintain the operation of the empire, I will slowly let go and return human power to humanity."

"The reason I stopped you is not to allow you to take the position of regent of the empire, which goes against your father's wishes.

I just want you to work with me to sort out this mess in the Empire first, and then we can get out of this together."

Malcador's words brought a sigh of relief to Guilliman.

Just now, he almost thought that as the wielder of the empire, he would go against the emperor's instructions and be placed in the position of regent of the empire.

Guilliman could swear that he had no ambition for that position, and that what his brothers were worried about was nothing but slander.

No matter how ambitious or far-sighted he is, that is not the real him.

If given a choice, Guilliman would not even be willing to get involved in the politics of the 500 Worlds of Ultramar.

He is indeed very good at handling government affairs, but that does not mean that he is really willing and likes to do this kind of thing.

Just because a person is good at cleaning toilets doesn't mean he likes the smelly environment of toilets.

There is nothing inappropriate in comparing the empire to a toilet.

Perhaps many people naively think that as long as they reach that position, they will be able to possess the power of the entire galaxy, enjoy the best treatment in the world, and be able to vent their desires to their heart's content.

These are nothing but naive fantasies.

If you want to wear the crown, you must first bear its weight.

If you want to enjoy the benefits of this status and power, the first thing you need to do is feel the suffocating pressure.

And whether it was the Emperor, Malcador, or Roche, they all hated this.

It means not enormous power but almost unlimited responsibility.

This kind of responsibility is like the most greedy vampire in the world, parasitic on those brilliant geniuses.

It drains every bit of their energy, wears away every bit of their emotions, shatters the things they cherish and value most before their eyes, and presents them with the cruel reality they are most reluctant to face.

Guilliman has seen through these things. He would rather go to a planet that is being reclaimed and personally drive the agricultural machinery to open up his own land.

No one knows that the Lord of Macragge's greatest wish is actually to farm.

"Since you have already thought about it, then we can just establish a similar existence based on the original Terra Council." Guilliman said.

"As for this new thing, perhaps it can be called the Terra Senate, or the High Lords Council."

"Anyway, a name is just a code name. Even if it's just a random name, it can represent the power behind it."

Malcador listened to Guilliman's insights, nodding in agreement from time to time.

The Emperor's thirteenth son possesses extraordinary political abilities. It can be said that he is born to be the strongest politician and manager.

In this respect, no other Primarch could match him.

"After this betrayal, we understand the dangers of excessive concentration of power. The Empire can no longer endure another civil war like it did in the past."

"Last time we had the Emperor, what will we have next time?"

"You are partly right, but not entirely. We need to make some small changes," Malcador said. While Guilliman and Malcador were discussing this, some invited representatives, such as Sage Rand, gradually took their seats.

The mighty imperial guards stood guard by, watching the fate of these mortals.

The Emperor's guards are so detached that they do not interfere in the affairs of mortals. In their eyes, the only thing that matters is the safety of the Emperor.

If it weren't for the order from the seal holder, these golden-armored guards would not even be willing to leave the palace.

Sage Rand was accompanied by Cawl. He looked around and saw some of his colleagues from the Mechanicus.

It's just that for various reasons, they resist joining academic organizations such as the Community of Advanced Technology.

There are hundreds of factions within the Adeptus Mechanicus, some of whom scoff at the idea of open source sharing of technological knowledge advocated by the Advanced Technology Community.

They would rather stay in their original conservative state.

The Community of Advanced Technology is not a political entity like the Mechanicus. It can be an academic organization or a cutting-edge concept, but now it seems that it is also going to change.

Rand suddenly understood that the Empire intended to continue using the Advanced Technology Community to balance the remaining power of the Martian Mechanicus.

The empire intends to take advantage of the weakness of the other head of the double-headed eagle and completely control it.

Guilliman has an excellent memory. He can call out the name, identity, background, and even personal abilities and preferences of everyone here.

However, as he understood everyone, a sense of confusion suddenly emerged in his mind.

The composition of these people is slightly different from that of the original Terra Council.

What is Makhado going to do?
"Guilliman, times have changed. What we need to do is not to resurrect the original Terran Council intact."

"The Empire needs to change."

Malcador's voice sounded faintly.

“Although the general framework remains unchanged, the specific details still need to be changed.”

As Malcador slammed his double-headed eagle scepter to the ground, the golden floor tiles suddenly lit up with a light blue halo.

"Silence please, everyone."

"Everyone is here, and the meeting will officially begin."

Everyone couldn't help but control their breathing, infected by the extremely solemn and dignified atmosphere at the scene.

The hundred-meter-high dome cleverly refracts the sunlight, shining on the glazed windows and marble walls.

Countless skilled craftsmen have used their lifelong experience and skills to polish every brick and tile here to make them worthy of this sacred place.

"It is an honor to meet you all. We have survived the dark days of the Horus Heresy and are finally seeing the light of day." Malcador began with an opening remark to set the tone.

"For the future development of mankind, we need to restore our original wartime system to a model that adapts to peacetime."

"Due to the Emperor's trust and instructions, I have decided to re-establish the Imperial Senate, the Council of the High Lords of Terra."

Makado didn't waste too much time talking and went straight to the point.

Guilliman was also sitting next to Malcador. Rogal Dorn had arrived at the conference room at some point, and the two Primarchs sat down around the Sigillite.

"The High Lords will interpret and execute the Emperor's will, governing all political decisions within the Imperium in the name of the Master of Mankind."

"This new High Lords' Council will have twelve seats, nine of which are fixed, and the other three will be adjusted as needed."

Guilliman couldn't help but frown when he heard this. The number twelve was not a very pleasant one.

As we all know, organizations of this parliamentary nature require voting, and with twelve seats, there is a high probability that it will end in a tie.

He remembered what Malcador had just said, about making a small change.

Suddenly, he instinctively felt that his three perspectives might be shattered by Makado's next speech, and that the so-called "small change" might not be that small.

The humans present here are the most outstanding among this great race.

Their talents and intellect far surpass those of any other in the galaxy, and these men have been tested by the Horus Heresy, their willpower and mentality are impeccable.

But as Malcador began to mention the names of the so-called Twelve Seats, they still felt their aging hearts beating uncontrollably.

Some people sit back and watch, while others wait and see if they can get a seat.

"Minister of the Interior," Malcador said the first name.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs is the official name of Malcador's vast bureaucracy. Its scope is extremely complex, involving all aspects of human life. It is not surprising that the Ministry of Internal Affairs accounts for one of them.

"Minister of Justice."

The other leg of the imperial bureaucracy is the Ministry of Justice, which complements the Ministry of the Interior and is indispensable.

"Chairman of the Advanced Technology Community."

Upon hearing this word, Arkan Rand's heart finally settled down. Just as he expected, the position of the original Martian Mechanicus in the Empire had been replaced by the Advanced Technology Community.

The Advanced Technology Community represents an emerging force within the Mechanicus. Its philosophy and structure are very different from the traditional Martian Mechanicus.

Malcador chose the Advanced Technology Community to inherit this seat in order to further split the Mechanicus.

He wanted to support the faction that had closer friendly relations with the empire and suppress the faction that had average relations with the empire and was always thinking about restoring their original equal status.

Although these Martian forces were defeated in the Martian Civil War, they hurriedly fled to Terra and, at the urging of the then Forge General Cain, reorganized into the Mechanicus.

But now that the war is won and the Dark Mechanicus has been driven away, some people in the Adeptus Mechanicus are becoming active again, intending to restore the Mechanicus to its former glory.

Rand didn't know whether this huge change was good or bad.

"Navigator Ambassador."

"Abbot of Xingju Temple."

"Abbott of Xingyuting."

The three seats that Malcador read out all have close ties with the subspace. In order to survive, humans must rely on the power of these people.

Transportation, navigation, and communications.

The absence of any one of these three organizations would pose a fatal threat to the normal operation of the empire.

"Grand Master of the Assassin's Court."

"A representative of the Inquisition."

It was no surprise to anyone that both organizations were founded by Malcador himself to check and balance other imperial organizations.

Guilliman looked at these people. Eight of the fixed seats were now occupied. So what about the remaining one?

The next moment, he and Dorn saw a woman with long golden hair slowly walking up from behind Malcador.

A double-headed eagle necklace hung on her chest, and her hair was as smooth and delicate as silk.

Although the woman's features could not be described as stunningly beautiful, they revealed a sense of compassion and holiness.

As long as she stood there, everyone who saw her would feel touched, and the filth and complex desires in their hearts would be washed away.

"Euphrates Keeler?"

Dorn spoke the man's name before Guilliman could.

"How could it be her?"

"Isn't she a mortal chronicler of the 63rd Expeditionary Force? Why is she here?" Even Guilliman felt puzzled.

Even if Qile was the narrator chosen by Malcador to record what happened here, she shouldn't have walked out from behind the Sigillite.

The political implications of this are so obvious that they make people feel uneasy.

Dorne's brows, which were as strong as city walls, suddenly tightened. He remembered this woman.

It was this mortal chronicler named Qile who bewitched his closest and most outstanding son, Sigismund.

Qile told Sigismund through prophecy that if he led the Punishment Fleet to the Isstvan system, his mission would end prematurely.

It was for this reason that the fearless Black Knight resigned from Dorne and transferred this responsibility to another battle brother.

In Donne's view, this was an extremely shameful act of evasion. Sigismund would rather believe a woman's witchcraft prophecy than trust his own heart.

The appearance of Euphrates Keeler always had a strange smell, which aroused the vigilance of the two Primarchs.

Although the others were equally confused, they remained rational and silent, waiting for the Seal Holder to reveal her identity.

"The ninth seat is given to the Holy Scripture Sect of the Emperor of Savior represented by Euphrates Qile, or perhaps you could call it the state religion!"

"It represents the worship of the Emperor's divinity, emphasizing that the Emperor is the savior of mankind."

"From now on, Euphrates Keele will serve as the first Pope of the state religion and promote religious affairs."

Malcador's words were like thunder, shocking everyone.

A dead silence enveloped the magnificent room, as if even breathing had become a sin.

Stunned, dumbfounded, shocked, at a loss...

What did they hear, the state religion?

How can it be?

No matter what sect it is, it cannot conceal the fact that its essence is a belief, a religion.

This is something that is absolutely contradictory and opposed to the Imperial Truth!
Even Guilliman was shocked and his jaw dropped, wondering what the old man Malcador was up to.

"Madness, madness! Our father has only been on the throne for a short time, and Malcador is about to announce such a ridiculous thing right under his nose, in his own palace."

"What about the Imperial Guards? Why are they so cold and indifferent?

Aren't they the ones who claim to be my father's most loyal defenders? Are they just going to watch their master being deified?"

"Why did Malcador summon us here? To commit such a heinous act under our noses?"

Guilliman wished he could rise right then and there and rebuke Malcador for his absurdity.

Even if he has to use force, he will stop this from happening.

The empire must never fall into the abyss of faith, which is a road of no return. Only rationality and science are the direction that mankind should truly take.

Looking at Guilliman who was a little bit dizzy, Dorn's composure was obviously better.

He gripped his brother's power armor tightly with his own hands and pinned him to the seat.

"Let Malcador finish speaking first, it won't be too late for us to speak then." Dorn said in a deep voice.

"Do not worry."

Guilliman snorted coldly, crossed his arms over his chest, and calmed down temporarily after Dorn's advice.

Malcador noticed that most of the people present expressed confusion and a hint of hostility.

They were not against Malcador, but they thought the Sigillite's decision was absurd.

In fact, not only them, but even Malcador himself, who made this decision, felt a hint of bitterness in his heart.

Yes, how absurd, how ridiculous.

But this is the naked reality.

The Imperial Truth has existed for centuries, having been borne by the Emperor during his war to unify Terra.

But now, in order to face the situation where the Emperor is asleep and no one can lead the empire, they have to raise the banner of faith.

This was also the order given to him by the Emperor himself before he ascended the Golden Throne.

After ending the Horus Heresy, humans needed a unified faith to unite each other.

The state religion represented by Euphrates Keele is the most appropriate religious belief at this moment.

The first step in the imperial reform must start in the ideological field.

ps: Praise Emperor Di

(End of this chapter)