This is our Warhammer journey

Chapter 471 I violated the Astartes Codex and have been secretly expanding my army.
Watching the Lord of Alteramar at work is a true pleasure.

They strolled slowly down the corridor, the heavy armor making a crisp sound as it clattered on the metal floor, echoing along the labyrinthine passageways.

The cheers had subsided, and the lit lumens lined up in the Roman-style residential area of ​​Macurag as people returned to their homes, ate their food, rested, and dreamed about the future—the scene was everywhere.

Ernesto de la Cruz walked alongside him, followed by his invincible Iron Guard brothers. Their steps were steady, their gold and blue armor gleaming in the flickering lights as they watched wave after wave of chapter representatives, officials, and demi-humans who came to pay homage to the Father of Genetics.
In the time that followed the historic victory celebrations, Robert Guilliman accomplished thousands of things.

He consulted with government officials to understand the current situation, inquired with Imperial officials at all levels, learned about the strategic deployment of Altramar from military commanders, offered advice on the future development of the 'Road of Triumph' leading to the city's core from Macragge, selected combat brothers from various chapters to speak with, assessed the characteristics of each corresponding warrior, and spoke with Eldar representatives to learn in detail about the deal he had established.

Throughout the days-long discussions, Guilliman, as always, demonstrated the skill expected of a top politician, making everyone he spoke with feel at ease, subtly extracting information from them through casual responses, and never revealing his own emotions when obtaining this information.

Only those familiar with Guilliman could know that this great leader could see every tiny detail of the palace and even the entire planet at the same time. He could visualize an incredibly realistic world in his mind, including light-years away from the throne, simply by listening to feedback from those around him.

This is truly a spectacle—

The familiar aura touched these elderly people, and they unconsciously adjusted their bodies to present the posture that best complemented the father of genes, just like ten thousand years ago.

In this galaxy today, only one other person can orchestrate such a vast undertaking as he did, and that person led them before their genetic father awoke.

And this is an honor.

He couldn't deceive himself; this was the moment he had longed for most.

Ionid Hill thought so.

Perhaps there are one or two people who can rival the Lord of Alteramar.

Other figures flashed through his mind.

One or two, maybe even three, and they now stand behind the Lord of Ottara, watching his work and waiting for him to adapt to this era.

Holding his longsword, Hill stood silently beside the Father of Genetics, observing everything.

To be fair, the four adults of Dawnwing provide a more palpable sense of security compared to the Lion.

A grand military parade was neither a blatant show of force nor a subtle political threat, but simply a gift to yet another master who had returned to the material universe.

They allowed the Lord of Ultramar to reclaim his power, and allowed the kingdoms they had painstakingly rebuilt to return to his master's hands.

Hill looked up at the sky. Several Glory Queen ships were still there, resting and preparing for their next voyage atop the Macragge starport.

He could also recall the days after the Battle of Cowes, their wariness when facing the lion, and the lion's hostility in return.

Of course, that vigilance was not wrong.

Recalling those comical events from back then, Hill lowered his head slightly, feeling both saddened and somewhat amused by the loss of his comrades who had died because of Coz, brought by the Lion King.

People come and go in front of me.

They came with reverence, and left with what they wanted.

Guilliman's face still held that approachable expression.

Only the silent guards could sense the changes in the Father of Genetics.

"grown ups."

When the last of his offspring knelt before him, Guilliman looked at that incredibly familiar face and a look of sorrow appeared on his face.

He was unwilling to treat anyone differently, but he could no longer face the man before him with any indifference.

Sevius, the first chapter leader of the Obsidian Blades Chapter and the Ultramarines Duel Champion, was forgotten by time in a corner of the Empire, yet he was an old man who had truly lived through the Empire's millennia of history.

Thanks to the widespread availability of the Belisarius medical system, the Dreadnoughts now serve more of a symbolic purpose, and are mostly operated by technical sergeants and think tanks who have been retrained by the Wings of Dawn.

The champion still exists today, just as he was ten thousand years ago, and has grown even taller and more majestic.

"Sevius".

Guilliman couldn't help but thank his brothers for the Dawn Expedition, which revitalized the stagnant Limitless Spacefield, for reuniting the Ultramarines into a cohesive unit, and for the pre-awakening promotion of the Original Space Marines.

Before he collapsed, he asked Caul for two things. At first, knowing that ten thousand years had passed, he thought Caul had come too late, but now he realized that this might be the best outcome.

The Book of Astartes, the State Church, the High Lords, Chaos, Terran, and Greenskins.
Wars that repeatedly eroded the imperial authority, upheavals that repeatedly destroyed the imperial administrative system, a manual that had been followed unchanged for millennia, the ever-growing aliens in the galaxy, and the gazes of modern offspring and humans upon the gods.

Guilliman had so much to say, but he swallowed it all.

He shouldn't put too much pressure on his offspring.

He also has brothers.

Yes, he had several brothers by his side, and they could talk freely. They had experienced much worse things before he awoke, and having never participated in the Great Expedition, they were not even responsible for the current state of the Empire. They probably understood his feelings at this moment better than he did.

The thought that there were people worse off than himself made Guilliman shake off his wild thoughts and ask.

What's your view on the current empire?

He sought the advice of this son who had stood the test of time.

"grown ups."

Severus said to Guilliman, “I know you still have many grievances about the current state of the Empire. Many people in the Empire now think in ways that are contrary to what you pursue. But I also hope you understand that the Primarchs reappeared a hundred years ago. The time since the War of the Beasts may not be much for the Primarchs, but it has been hundreds of generations for mortals.”

No one understood this change better than Sevius.

Since the Great Rebellion, they have all been forced to fight bloody battles, clinging to a dream that has long been shattered.

But now their enemies have completely changed; they are stronger physically and more fanatical in spirit, thirstily drinking in the gifts they should have avoided like the plague.

Those who remain loyal are naturally unable to stick to the old ways.

They can no longer talk about unification and imperial truth, or proclaim themselves the liberators of human civilization, because remaining true to these virtues has long been impossible.

Humans could only pray to the emperor, who had become a god, for a chance to survive.

"And the truth of the Empire—"

Sevius pondered for a moment.

Anyone who has seen the form of a Seraph, and the Cursed Legion that, having received training from Ramses, can summon demons through sacrifice, would probably no longer be able to believe in the truth of the Empire.

"I understand."

Guilliman did not reprimand his sons for their weakness, but rather for choosing a worse path, one that was diametrically opposed to the ideals of the Great Expedition.

Do not--

Maybe it's not so bad.

He recalled his conversation with the librarian of the Ultramarines, the think tank Diggris who wielded the Macado Scepter. Although the Dawnwings had been promoting their faith, their deconstruction of warp forces was becoming increasingly scientific.

Many believe in the descriptions in the doctrine, but strangely, those who use the power of the warp have a more logical and self-consistent understanding of it, and are able to guide the golden light known as the 'Emperor's Power' almost entirely through fanatical faith.

If chaos, feudal superstition, and the internal conflict between the left and right hemispheres can be considered logically consistent.

Killieman felt an indescribable sense of unease.

Having at least gained a comprehensive understanding of the current Ultramarines' military structure, he can no longer look directly at some of the Dreadnoughts and Psionic Titans that have become widespread in cooperation with the Dawnwings at the military parade.

It can only be said that these unfamiliar brothers have brought about quite a few changes.

Why am I overthinking things again?

Guilliman found that his divergent thinking, which was constantly criticized by the Lion King, had not changed.

It's time to end all of this.

Remembering his brothers who had waited patiently, he quickly snapped out of his thoughts and solemnly said to Sevius, "Sevius."

"grown ups."

The duel champion immediately knelt on one knee.

"I hereby appoint you as my invincible Iron Guard Commander. You will become my right hand, leading Serandis and his honorable comrades, wielding the blade for me. I will also rely on your wisdom accumulated over millennia."

Guilliman gripped the Primarch's sword with both hands. The Emperor's sword now belonged to Karna, a fact witnessed by countless people. Although he envied the Emperor's choice, he also offered Karna his heartfelt blessings.

"Yes, my lord!"

Sevius bowed his head and accepted the investiture.

For a veteran who has remained steadfast for millennia, this is an honor he deserves.

Fortunately, he possesses a Primarch like Roboute Guilliman, unlike Bjorn, who is far away in the Misty Sector, leading the war against Chaos and the Orks while expanding the Space Wolves, and thus has to 'earn' it himself.

“Ionid Hill”.

Guilliman added.

The soldiers in red helmets behind immediately straightened their backs.

“I will appoint you as the chief of my war council. You will be my right hand, advising me and relying on your unwavering shrewdness.”

"Take your orders, my lord."

Hill also knelt on one knee.

The eyes of his descendants were always focused on the father of his genes.

Being able to see these familiar faces even after ten thousand years brought Guilliman unprecedented comfort, soothing his sorrow more than any words could.

He bypassed Ernesto de la Cruz and his invincible Iron Guard.

This person does not need his investiture.

Having done all this, Guilliman quickly left.

"It seems they get along very well."

Ernesto de la Cruz, who did not accept the investiture, did not show any disappointment; instead, he breathed a sigh of relief.

The invincible guards around them all relaxed.

At least for now, they don't seem to need to agonize over between the two 'fathers'.

"Of course."

Hill agreed, watching Guilliman's departing figure.

"I really want to go and see it."

Unlike Delacus and other serious people who had heard countless Primarch jokes, Hill had never worried about this issue. Instead, he couldn't help but imagine the embarrassment Lord Guilliman would feel when faced with the verbal attacks of several other Primarchs.

His mind is always so quick and agile.

Just kidding, what kind of decent person would someone be who, during the Great Crusade, proposed that the Ultramarines, in addition to learning how to govern planets and fight humanity's enemies, also need to be wary of the Brotherhood and develop targeted plans?

De la Cruz shook his head slightly at Hill, who was still in the mood to watch the show, and left with Sevius to help him familiarize himself with the relevant procedures.

So you're the Chief of Parliament? You'll get what's coming to you later.
-
squeak~
Afternoon sunlight streamed into the room through the cracks, and Guilliman pushed open the door.

A Roman-style long table carved from a massive stone occupies the entire room.

It is surrounded by 24 chairs, each with its own unique features and all designed to be used by the Primarch.

The long table was covered with a purple carpet, and behind the chairs hung the insignia of 21 legions, eleven of which were undyed, while the rest belonged to the Astartes Legion, which now numbered ten.

This is the temple that Guilliman prepared for each of his brothers ten thousand years ago.

Guilliman had stared at this long table more than once, imagining the great victory of the expedition and envisioning a bright future with great hope. However, there had never been any visitors here. Only the war-torn Ryan had witnessed everything here with him after a series of disasters.

Now, this place has become something I never dared to imagine after my ideals were shattered.

The Primarchs sat in rows, some even moving their chairs to different spots, and a long table was set with food for the brothers to choose from.

He looked at the four members of Dawnwing, met their gazes, and gave a solemn nod.

Guilliman learned about the stories of these four individuals.

Each one of them possesses unique yet normal qualities, and each one of them makes him feel instinctively close to them.

He was completely unable to find any unacceptable flaws in these brothers, as he had with Luo Jia, Lion King, and Anglong.

After surveying the scene—the wise Romulus, the composed Arthur, the warm-as-the-sun Karna—Guilliman finally looked away from Ramses, who was conducting socialization training on the invisible Corax.

He looked at Ryan, the guardian of Great Ultramar.

"."

This guy, this guy wholesaled 26 extermination orders to his Ottara.

But Guilliman, who understands the current situation, has filtered out the details of the incident and removed the filter. Although it is hard to believe, the lion has now become a true guardian.

He gestured to each of his brothers, took a deep breath, as if to remember everything at that moment.

A lively atmosphere, heartfelt conversations between brothers, and peaceful exchanges were things Guilliman could never have imagined.

During the Great Crusade, Guilliman was not very popular among his brothers.

Of course, it wasn't for some strange reason like Guilliman having a mother.

He smiled, stepped forward, wanting to express his sincerest gratitude to his brothers as a host.

"The thirteenth prince."

Romulus was rarely seen correcting documents.

His position was right next to Guilliman, which made it easy for him to deliver a document to the other man.

Guilliman swallowed the words that were about to come out.

"I need to apologize to you."

"It doesn't matter."

Guilliman quickly waved his hand. Having such a great leader willing to reunite the Ultramarines after his fall was something he couldn't ask for, not to mention that the other party had no attachment to power and directly handed over this great reunified nation to him.

And to be honest—

Guilliman inexplicably did not have any particular aversion to the possibility of a dual monarchy.

"You're exaggerating, my brother. What have you done wrong?"

Romulus's lips curled into a smile that could only be described as relaxed.

“I have violated the Astartes Codex by secretly expanding my army.”

Guilliman put on a stern face.

　P.S.: Waaaaah, my leg is really crippled now.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)