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

Chapter 780 A Disheartened Guilliman (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

"This is a huge conspiracy."

“From the very beginning, they were targeting me.”

The Primarch walked along the Victory Road, where countless mortals were shouting themselves hoarse.

Their eyes were filled with incomprehension and hatred. Not long ago, they may have been praising Guilliman's greatness and the emperor's sons' wisdom and prowess with utmost devotion.

But now, with just a little guidance from others, they veer to the other extreme.

Guilliman did not hate them; these people were just ignorant puppets who had been pushed out.

Even a fool could tell that behind them are the Navigator Family, the Star Language Court, and the Star Torch Court, as well as all the forces whose interests they have harmed.

They were all hidden among them, and even if you wanted to investigate, you would definitely not find any useful clues.

Before they even made a move against themselves, they had already anticipated that they would retaliate, so they prepared in advance to completely erase their actions.

"It's certain that those green-skinned orcs that suddenly appeared through the network channel have nothing to do with these guys."

They found out about the situation at the last minute and then used it to their advantage, trying to use this political scandal to attack me.

"After all, if they had colluded with the green-skinned orcs early on, it's impossible that I wouldn't have noticed at all."

Guilliman's multi-threaded thinking is frantically analyzing existing intelligence and deducing unknown parts based on existing information, constantly getting closer to the original truth.

"The most pressing issue now is not these problems that have already surfaced."

Rather, I don't know if those scheming and ambitious individuals hiding in the shadows have any more insidious and ruthless cards they haven't yet revealed.

"If I categorically deny the past of the Second Empire, I am likely to fall into their trap and they will continue to throw out more evidence to attack me."

"Although I have repeatedly emphasized to Ryan and Saint Gilles the importance of secrecy regarding the Second Empire, and even used mind imprinting to erase the memories of those who know about it, complete secrecy is still impossible."

“There are many ways to know what happened in the past, such as going back in time and looking at the past.”

Guilliman's defining characteristic is his exceptionally developed multi-threaded thinking.

Especially now that things have reached a critical moment, his thought process has started to expand wildly, considering even more possibilities.

He even used his own mind to simulate two completely different timelines, and extended them to how various forces would react in complex ways to his answer.

The complexity of politics and human nature even surpasses the intricate astrophysical calculations of a star's evolution into a black hole.

In the few seconds it took Guilliman to step out of the Stormbird's hatch and reach the protesters, he had already figured out how to handle the situation.

The Primarch arrived alone, without any guards, with firm and powerful steps, before Alfreda.

Fully armed, Guilliman was over four meters tall. When he stood in front of the bishop who was over a hundred years old, it looked like an adult standing next to a child.

The difference between the two is so obvious at this close range.

When the traitors and sinners they spoke of actually appeared before their eyes, even the most fanatical believers felt as if they had been doused with a bucket of cold water, shivering all over and beginning to sober up.

The Primarch has truly arrived.

Although the emperor's son was alone, the powerful aura and invisible pressure emanating from him surpassed that of the rabble of hundreds of thousands of people before him.

Guilliman stood there, as straight as if nailed to the ground, his cobalt blue eyes fixed on the state bishop, as unfathomable as a deep spring.

When gazing upon the perfect face of the original body from the perspective of a mortal, one feels as insignificant as an ant, peering at a majestic and sacred mountain.

Elfreda took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down and prepare the words she had already prepared in her mind.

She has already undergone the most advanced life-extending surgery to maintain her youthful appearance and good health.

"Greetings to you, Son of the Divine Emperor."

“I am Elfreda, the state bishop, and the one who questions you.”

Instead of issuing a stern rebuke, the bishop bowed down with utmost respect, then knelt on both knees, offering his highest respect to Guilliman.

The nuns around her did the same, and even further back, the rabble that had been summoned followed suit, and in an instant, a dark mass of people knelt down.

After she finished bowing, Alfreda stood up again and looked up to meet Guilliman's eyes.

Through the window of the soul, Guilliman saw tolerance, kindness, selflessness, and humility, as well as decisive courage.

To rise to the position of bishop in the state church, this woman must have been exceptionally pure in character and impeccable in morality.

Even if all of this is a pretense, if a person can pretend for a lifetime, who can say that he is not a morally perfect person?
"Lord Guilliman, we have gathered here to confirm one thing."

"Are the messages spread by those green-skinned orcs about the history of the Second Empire true?"

"Did you ever betray the Emperor, betray the Human Empire, and choose to protect yourself and establish a second empire when He needed you most?"

"Please answer our questions by swearing completely and truthfully, without the slightest falsehood, in the name of the Emperor."

Alfreda's courage was indeed worthy of her status.

For an ordinary mortal to remain calm and composed in the presence of the Primarch is already a testament to their strong will, let alone to publicly question the Primarch about whether he has betrayed the Empire.

Guilliman wanted to deny this shameful past, but he couldn't lie to the bishop.

Bishop Elfreda was actually taking advantage of Guilliman's honest and kind nature.

If it were the wolf king or the lion king, they would probably have already brought their weapons down the moment they met, turning the mortal before them into mincemeat.

“I can answer you, Bishop, the Second Empire did indeed exist.”

Guilliman's lips met, confirming the vicious rumors spread by the green-skinned orcs.

Alfreda closed her eyes, and a tear uncontrollably rolled down her cheek.

"it is true."

"Son of the Emperor, why do you do this?"

Although she wanted to know the truth, the truth she hoped for was not that Guilliman had actually done such a rebellious thing.

"In times of crisis, one must act expediently. Back then, I completely cut off communication with the outside world in Macragge. From my perspective, the Empire may have already been destroyed by Horus's rebellion."

Guilliman lowered his head, staring at Alfreda, and recounted his thoughts at the time.

"In order to unite the remaining humans to continue the struggle, and to prevent humanity from dying out, I must fulfill my responsibility as the Primarch."

"I, Ryan, and Saint Gilles together formed a backup called the Second Empire, and we are always ready to avenge the Empire."

Guilliman seemed to have returned to that time of struggle and turmoil.

Everyone around him, including his beloved foster mother, Ms. Euton, was urging him to ascend to that supreme position.

He once thought that as long as the secret was kept, this stain on history would remain hidden until it was completely buried by time.

But now that I think about it, if a secret ever existed, then it will inevitably be revealed one day.

"An empire that will not be remembered?" Elfreda described it.

"If you have to describe it that way, then so be it: an unremembered empire."

As Guilliman spoke, he suddenly recalled the scene of Tarasin attacking Uslan using the dirty deeds the Ancient Elven race had committed.

In a daze, he suddenly realized that his situation was similar to that of Uslan.

His dark past will one day be revealed, and the audience will be the entire human empire.

The fact that this boomerang had stuck in his own body made Guilliman feel like he was going to vomit blood.

"Lord Guilliman, as you once taught us: there is no sacrifice too great to be accepted, and no betrayal too small to be ignored."

“Now I’m returning those words to you,” Elfreda said.

The way people looked at Guilliman had subtly changed; the truth was beginning to infect more and more people like a plague.

In their eyes, Guilliman's efforts and sacrifices for the Empire began to fade and disappear.

On him, only the stain of his past betrayal shines ever brighter.

Reverence was replaced by contempt, and more and more people gritted their teeth, seemingly wishing they could devour Guilliman alive.

Traitor! Traitor! Traitor!

"Your ambitions are known to everyone, Guilliman. What have you done to your father's empire in the past hundred years?"

"You once wanted to create a second empire, but now you hold the power of life and death over the first empire. You have replaced the God Emperor and usurped his position."

Alfreda's tone had completely lost its reverence for Guilliman, and she had even omitted the honorific "Your Excellency."

From the moment Guilliman admitted it, all the doubts not only did not disappear, but continued to worsen, even shaking their understanding of other aspects of Guilliman.

Since Guilliman once established the Second Empire, what is the difference between him and Horus?
In some respects, Guilliman was even more despicable than Horus, since the wolf god did not establish an empire while the emperor was still alive.

During his years in power, how exactly did this ambitious man corrupt the empire?

Why are they so foolish as to actually believe that there are such perfect, selfless, and devoted saints in the world?

Guilliman felt the difference in people's attitudes towards him, falling from heaven to hell. This extreme contrast even made him feel an endless bitterness in his heart.

This... doesn't seem worth it.

He worked diligently for over a century, never daring to waste a single second.

He left his homeland, his children and his people, and suffered in the prison of Holy Terra, only to be met with curses and insults from everyone.

Guilliman believed that his presence had indeed stabilized the empire, which was devastated since the Great Rebellion.

Without him, the empire could not have recovered so quickly.

However, these brainless mortals who have been incited only see their own flaws and regard other contributions as things they are entitled to do.

For some inexplicable reason, Guilliman felt an extreme emotion called anger towards the humans in front of him.

The giant's chest began to heave faster, and his domineering hand gradually tightened its grip.

Electronic muscle bundles transmit the boundless energy from the power backpack on their backs, and the metal rubs against each other, producing a teeth-grinding noise.

A pure and ardent flame burned in Guilliman's heart from beginning to end.

This flame is incredibly violent; it can harm the enemy but also the user.

When Ms. Eaton was raising Guilliman, she saw the burning tyranny in her adopted son's heart.

She was once afraid of her son as if he were some indescribable, monstrous natural disaster.

Fortunately, Eudon and King Connor continued to nurture Guilliman with their love, successfully binding this raging fire with the chains of upbringing.

All of these factors combined to create Guilliman, the Primarch who is most closely related to humanity.

The condemnation and rejection of Guilliman by Alfreda and the followers of the Church of England was like a damp miasma slowly seeping into the cracks of the soul, injecting a deadly virus into the pure and innocent mind and thoughts.

If Abaddon could witness this scene, he would be so happy that his spiky ponytail would be bent crooked from laughing.

His psychological tactics were more effective than he had imagined, and even yielded unexpected results.

The scandals of the Second Empire released by the Greenskins not only made humanity doubt the Primarchs, but also made the Primarchs feel frustrated and worthless about everything they had done.

Trust and responsibility crumbled completely amidst the doubt.

The fact that the vast human empire was able to unite as a whole to face external challenges was largely due to the leadership of the Primarch.

Apart from the Primarch, no one has the ability or prestige to intimidate those arrogant and fierce generals and forcibly seize benefits from the various interest groups.

If Guilliman hadn't forcefully ordered the promotion of the Space Bridge, the Mechanicus sage who invented it would likely have died an unexpected death, and the precious technology would have been lost once again.

Most of the Terra Highlords believed that Guilliman had restricted their talents and was tyrannically exercising his autocratic rule.

Under Guilliman's protection, they developed the illusion that they could do the same, and even believed that if they were in power, they could do better than Guilliman.

“You want to kill us, Guilliman,” Alfreda said definitively, sensing the murderous glint in Guilliman’s eyes.

"We are all subjects of the Emperor. Just because we questioned you, you want to kill us?"

"If you really want to do this, then come on, I won't resist, because I already know the truth."

Alfreda opened her arms and closed her eyes in front of Guilliman.

Guilliman's bitterness grew stronger.

He questioned himself: why did he spend so much time and energy only to end up with human hatred?

"Yes, I do want to kill you, you stupid woman, but not because you're here with hundreds of thousands of mindless fools trying to force me to abdicate."

"I just feel saddened that even my reformed state religion seems unable to reverse the weaknesses of religious distortion and blind faith."

Instigated by those with ulterior motives, you recklessly stepped forward, becoming the Spear of Longinus aimed at my heart.

"You claim to be loyal to the Emperor, but your loyalty is merely superficial blind obedience. Your loyalty to the Emperor has given you an arrogance and conceit that makes you think you are above everything else."

"You believe that as long as you are loyal to the Emperor, you can use that as a reason to attack and overthrow all enemies, because your purpose is absolutely correct and righteous, and therefore what you do is also correct."

"Even dying for it gives you a sacred sense of vanity, like you're being martyred, doesn't it?"

Guilliman's merciless words struck Alfreda like a thunderbolt.

"You all know now that the most important thing for the empire is to mobilize all its forces to wipe out the green-skinned orcs who have not yet fully developed."

"Even so, when you learned of a stain and mistake in my past, you still fanatically ignored all objective facts and continued to attack and insult me."

“I think you’d be happy if I killed you here.” Guilliman’s anger vanished, and he became calm.

A calm as cold as a harsh winter.

"Because you were killed by the Primarch who had treasonous intentions while bearing the weight of a great cause and serving the Emperor, this undoubtedly made you a Saint, and you might even be posthumously honored as a Saint of the State Religion."

“Look, Alfreda, how selfless and fearless she is! She was willing to give her own life to expose the cruel true face of that shameful traitor Guilliman.” Guilliman said this in a sarcastic tone, and the state bishop subconsciously shifted his gaze slightly.

She had to admit that Guilliman's speculation was correct.

She wanted to die here, to be killed by a divine being, which would instantly make her a unique martyr in the history of the state religion.

Guilliman had almost completely dissected her mind and figured out her thoughts, which made Alfreda feel somewhat ashamed and angry.

How dare he, how dare he...

Even the sons of the God-Emperor should not be so harsh on a loyal state bishop.

She only wanted to be loyal to the emperor, what did she do wrong?

Right is right, wrong is wrong.

It must be that after Guilliman's intentions were exposed, he simply gave up and wanted to destroy her as revenge.

At this moment, even Elfreda herself did not realize why she had such blasphemous and despicable thoughts about a noble and pure Primarch.

With the support of many Congregational nuns and believers behind her, Alfreda maintained her composure and refused to be completely overwhelmed by Guilliman.

"Your faith in the Emperor is unwavering, not even that of the Primarch."

“You are right, Alfreda. You are not wrong. Guilliman is the one who is wrong.”

"He crossed the line and built that forgotten empire; now he has to pay the price."

Deep within the heart of the bishop of the Church of England, a voice constantly resonated, inspiring her will.

"Yes, I am right, I am not wrong!"

All hesitation and confusion vanished from Elfreda's eyes, leaving only unwavering determination and certainty.

Seeing that this crazy woman had said so much but was still stubbornly sticking to her own opinion, Guilliman had no desire to argue any further.

People are always willing to believe what they see, regardless of whether it is the truth.

"Don't you want to continue explaining, Guilliman?"

"Continuing to use your silver tongue to whitewash your mistakes, isn't that what you're good at?"

Elfreda's tone grew increasingly harsh, like that of a cruel religious inquisitor interrogating a tainted prisoner before the stake.

"Explanation?" Guilliman looked at the dense, dark crowd, which made it hard for him to breathe.

"Would you listen to my explanation? If I told you that the Emperor already knew what I was doing, and even tacitly approved and supported us, would you believe me?"

The bishop was taken aback; a paradox had formed in her mind.

If the God-Emperor is truly omnipotent, then how could he not know that his three sons have established a second empire on the other side of the galaxy and overstepped the bounds, violating the power that only an emperor possesses?
As a devout believer, she trembled with fear at the thought of questioning the God-Emperor's omnipotence and felt ashamed of her blasphemous thoughts.

"That's because the God Emperor was unwilling to make things difficult for his children. Even though they had done something outrageous, the God Emperor still gave them a chance to reform."

"He has been watching everything from the Golden Throne, yet Guilliman has not only failed to repent, but has also remained on Terra to hold power even after the God-Emperor ordered all Primarchs to return to their homeworlds and establish fiefdoms."

“Guilliman was a power-hungry creature through and through; what flowed in his bones was not blood, but a thirst for power.”

"He broke the rules set by the God-Emperor and the Seal Bearer, seizing power from the High Lords, and war was just his excuse and pretext."

"The war will not end, because Guilliman needs to nurture enemies to maintain his power and continue to seize power."

In the bishop's heart, a mysterious voice kept answering her questions.

Every question received a perfect answer, without her noticing.

Guilliman couldn't understand why this believer, who was initially easy to communicate with, gradually turned into an incredibly fanatical and madwoman, making her difficult to communicate with.

"You say the Emperor knows, and he does know; the God Emperor is omnipotent."

"But you say the God Emperor forgave you. When did he ever forgive you? Wasn't it just what you said yourself?"

Alfreda pointed her finger at Guilliman's nose and cursed.

"lie!"

"fraud!"

"traitor!"

"A dictatorial tyrant!"

The crowd seemed to be controlled by an invisible force, and a low, unified shout came from every throat.

Guilliman's face grew paler and paler amidst the insults he received.

He can endure working hard day after day for a hundred years without any reward.

Because he loves humanity, he is willing to do anything as long as those mortals can live in peace and happiness and multiply generation after generation through his efforts.

He even understood the feelings of the emperor when he sat on the golden throne. As long as his efforts could ensure the continuation of humanity, he was willing to endure the pain on the throne for thousands of years.

However, even Guilliman's composure crumbled when the humans he protected turned around and rebuked him for meddling, even suspecting that he was acting this way for his own benefit.

He truly broke down; the resentment and anger accumulated over a century were ignited at that moment.

Fine, if you don't need me, then why should I shamelessly stay here and continue to endure humiliation?

I am the thirteenth son of the Emperor, the Lord of Limits, the monarch of the six hundred worlds of Alteramar, the commander-in-chief and regent of the empire.

No one can insult me, no one can rebuke me, no one can judge me, because I have a clear conscience.

Even if my father were to step down from the golden throne, he would never rebuke me, but now he is asleep and cannot speak up for me.

Why should I continue like this?

Guilliman turned around without hesitation and walked toward his Stormbird.

His actions were undoubtedly seen as a sign of fear and avoidance by ordinary people.

Guilliman was scared. His ambition had been exposed, and this well-hidden fraudster was finally revealed!
It's unclear who started it, but some members of the Anglican Church threw whatever they were holding at Guilliman.

Whether it was a copy of the Emperor's Holy Word, a mark of purity, or an incense burner, they rained down on the armor of the Imperial Commander.

Fortunately, there was no gravel or debris on Terra's Victory Road, otherwise they would have used it to attack Guilliman.

These flimsy attacks couldn't even activate the energy shield. Clanging noises filled the air, but Guilliman never turned around once.

His heart grew cold.

“Let’s go, son,” Robert said softly.

At that moment, he thought not of the Emperor, but of Lady Eudon and King Connor.

“I really want to see her. Let’s go back to Macurag.”

"This is not our home."

The Ultramarines piloting Stormbirds had already witnessed all the humiliations suffered by their genetic fathers through the bird-seeking device.

Anger was burning within him as well.

His most revered and worshipped Primarch was insulted by some ignorant mortals and some fanatical and mindless believers!

To be honest, if it weren't for the fact that reason still existed, the Ultramarines would have long ago piloted the Stormbird and blasted these rabble on Victory Road to pieces.

Only bombs, lasers, and missiles could somewhat vent his anger and pain.

"Let's go, let's go, Father!"

“We also want to go back to Macurag. We will go back with you.”

"Terra is not our home, Macurag is."

“Even if all mortals turn their backs on you, Father, we will never do so.”

"We will always be your support, your sons, and your most trusted warriors!"

Tears streamed down the face beneath the Ultramariner tactical helmet.

They don't cry for themselves; even death cannot make Ultramarines shed tears.

They were simply weeping for the injustice their father had suffered and the insults inflicted by the ignorant masses.

Emperor, open your eyes and see what foolish things your favored mortals have done.

In just one hundred years, they have forgotten the past, unaware of how much blood the Primarchs and Astartes shed for the Empire, how many sacrifices they made, and how many great contributions they made.

The Stormbird took to the air, and the resulting shockwave instantly blew away several mortal followers who were trying to rush up to fight Guilliman.

Soil and dust rose with the wind, forming small sandstorms that left ordinary people on the ground covered in dust.

Their minds were controlled by fanaticism, and adrenaline surged through their veins with excitement.

As gravity pulled them back to the ground, and pain shot through their bones and muscles, they seemed to finally regain some clarity.

"The traitor Guilliman has escaped!"

"We have won!"

"For the God-Emperor! For the Lord of Humanity!"

Alfreda was surrounded by a frenzied crowd who chanted her name as if she had become a living saint.

But the bishop always felt that something was not quite right.

She didn't come to Guilliman seeking an answer in the first place, so how did it turn into them wanting to expel Guilliman and even put him on trial?

Is this...right?
“You are right.” Beside Alfreda, a nun who bore a striking resemblance to her seemed to have read her thoughts and immediately spoke up.

“Mother, it was you who drove out the thief of the empire, who stole the emperor’s power and plotted to take his place.”

“You are our pride, you are the fanatic beloved by the God-Emperor, you have become an extension of His will.”

The speaker was Christine, Alfreda's daughter.

When Alfreda was fighting the Chaos Space Marines on her home planet, she fell in love with a mortal auxiliary officer and gave birth to this daughter during the most difficult years of her life.

Her father died in the war against the Chaos Space Marines, while Christine grew up with her mother and they both embraced the State religion.

Even after Elfreda became the bishop of the state church, Christine remained just an ordinary nun in the Sisters' Order.

She always declared that she would offer her loyalty to the emperor in the humblest of places.

Christine's eyes seemed to sparkle like stars, as flawless as the purest gemstones.

Whenever she saw her, Alfreda would think of her deceased father, a man who also had such beautiful eyes.

She was incredibly proud of her only daughter, and it was she who told the bishop, who was praying fervently, about the green-skinned orcs spreading the news that Guilliman had once created a second empire.

Christine held her mother's hand tightly, supporting all her choices and decisions.

“Not only Guilliman, but also Lane Johnson and Saint Gilles, but both of these Primarchs have disappeared without a trace, and their crimes should be made known to everyone.”

"Our mission is not over yet, and justice has not been fully served."

Christine whispered in her mother's ear, and Alfreda's eyes grew brighter as she listened, feeling an endless surge of courage and ideas welling up within her.

“You’re right. Even if the Primarch is gone, their Legion will still pay the price!”

"For the God-Emperor, we will spare no effort, even if it means becoming enemies with the Astartes Legion!"

“Mother, we must have the power in our hands to be loyal to the God-Emperor. You must step forward and take control of the Battle Sisters.”

Unbeknownst to her, Christine had become the one advising the bishop.

Under her guidance and encouragement, Elfreda's confusion and hesitation vanished completely.

"How did you come up with all this, my daughter?" Alfreda asked, holding Christine's hand.

The latter answered without the slightest hesitation, but with an extremely firm tone.

"Everything comes from the Emperor's guidance. Our God-Emperor now sits on the Golden Throne and has no time to issue decrees to his subjects and believers."

"But he will reveal revelations to some lucky people, and I am one of those who received the revelation."

“I swear by my faith in the Emperor, Mother.”

Alfreda was deeply shocked, but she still decided to believe her daughter.

There are no emperors whose followers can swear an oath based on their own faith.

“Then tell me, what should we do?” Elfreda asked.

do not know why.

The state bishop, who was originally very opinionated and even once commanded mortal armies against the Chaos Astartes, always instinctively wanted to seek his daughter's opinion when she was in front of her.

It was as if a voice in the darkness was telling her that she should obey her daughter's decisions in everything.

In Holy Terra, who else but the Emperor could do this?

“We need to control military power. Guilliman convened the Highlord Council earlier, and most of the Highlords are in Terra.”

"Most of them also strongly oppose Guilliman. We can try to win their support. If they are unwilling to pledge their loyalty to the Emperor, then we will..."

The bishop immediately understood Christine's meaning.

If this is the price to pay for loyalty and faith, then it's all worth it.

After all... there were no sacrifices so great as to be unacceptable, and no betrayals so small as to be negligible.

(End of this chapter)