Guilliman's words dropped like a stone into a tranquil lake, stirring up fierce waves.
On either side of the long meeting table, the eleven High Lords each wore different expressions.
Two exchanged glances without speaking.
Irthu Haemotalion unconsciously tapped his fingers on the smooth table.
Baldo Slyst twisted the gold tassel on his robe.
Admiral Pereth frowned.
Marshal Aveliza's face turned cold.
Even the senior officials at the edge of the hall, permitted to attend, record, and advise, couldn't help but whisper among themselves.
The murmurs spread through the columns like a rising tide.
This announcement was so powerful it would directly change Terra's power structure.
Some supported it, hoping the Primarch would purge the bloated, inefficient bureaucracy and rebuild the Imperium's glory.
Others worried he would destroy their livelihoods, dragging already fragile Terra into further chaos.
Sitting at the far end of the table, Irthu Haemotalion, clad in ornate ceremonial robes, spoke first:
"Forgive my bluntness, most honored Primarch. But may I speak freely?"
Guilliman nodded, signaling him to continue.
Irthu organized his words:
"Your Majesty, you have been away from the Imperium for too long. Ten thousand years is enough to change many things. The governance of Terra and the Imperium has already formed essential processes and balances."
"In unfamiliar circumstances, it is unwise to seize supreme power in haste."
He paused, choosing his words carefully.
"No one doubts your courage or strategy. But perhaps you should focus on what you do best—leading armies against the enemies that threaten our borders, launching crusades.
As for Terra, leave it to those of us familiar with its workings."
Irthu's words reflected the position of several High Lords.
Neither the emperor nor the Primarch had been around for a long time.
The High Lords' Council was the real ruler of the Imperium—not a suddenly returned Primarch.
It was best to leave heroes of myth in the realm of myth, lest they get dragged into the swamp of tangled realpolitik.
Let the well water not interfere with the river water; in other words, let the Primarch not interfere with Terra's established power structure and rules of the game.
In exchange, the High Lords would accept the Primarch's influence over the military and certain other fields, and cooperate fully with each other.
"I agree with Master Irthu," said Baldo Slyst, addressing the Primarch.
"Your Highness, your return as the emperor's son to lead us is surely a sign of the emperor's will. But, Your Highness, you have been gone... for far too long."
"The Imperium's politics, faith, psychology, and social mood are very different from ten thousand years ago. Rushing in may make adaptation difficult."
Though the two High Lords spoke in roundabout warnings, they made their positions clear—they did not want the Primarch to reclaim power.
"I'm not asking. I'm informing you," Guilliman replied, calmly looking at both the interior minister and the ecclesiarch, then slowly sweeping his gaze across the room.
"According to the oldest and most fundamental legal framework of the Imperium, I, Roboute Guilliman, have never been formally dismissed from the position of Regent."
His calm tone made the High Lords realize something very important:
They had no right to refuse.
"Ten thousand years ago, after the Horus Heresy ended and the Imperium lay in ruins, I, as Regent, reorganized the Imperium, re-established the High Lords' Council to share government affairs, and promulgated the Codex Astartes to regulate the Legions."
"Even when I was wounded and fell into stasis pursuing traitors, the emperor never mentioned removing me from power, nor did the Imperium possess any legal means or resolutions to strip me of my regency."
"In other words, my regency never lapsed. Look closely..."
His gaze lingered on Irthu, meaningfully.
"All authority exercised now, all procedural rules followed, even the legal foundation of the High Lords' Council itself, is based on a series of laws and institutions I established and promulgated ten thousand years ago."
The High Lords met each other's eyes, unable to refute for a while.
Prime Minister Tyrion stood up.
By the highest legal standards and interpretation in the Imperium, what the Primarch said was indeed true—his regency was indisputable.
Irthu's face twisted as if he had swallowed a live fly.
The other High Lords, including the ecclesiarch, exchanged varied looks.
They could not stop the Primarch alone.
Seeing no one objected, Guilliman stepped forward, pressing his hands to the table and leaning in, exerting even greater pressure on the High Lords.
"Now, let's talk about war. I received a revelation from the emperor."
"The threat of Chaos is approaching Terra faster than we ever imagined—a storm is brewing deep in the warp."
"We have no time to waste on dull debate. We must act as quickly as possible, consolidate resources, and... rally the armies."
…
Datch, who had entered the Senate chamber after Guilliman, was initially there out of curiosity to see how the highest authority in the Imperium functioned.
At first, he found it novel, but quickly grew bored.
Such political meetings were tedious—far less exciting than monster hunting.
As Datch yawned, contemplating skipping the dull plot, he noticed a new golden quest marker flash on the minimap.
"A new quest! Time to get moving."
He perked up, quickly left the Senate, and arrived in a relatively open outdoor area.
With a thought, he summoned the hover bike he'd acquired during the last mission.
The streamlined body gleamed with a metallic luster; the anti-gravity engine purred low and smooth, harmonious and beautiful.
Datch mounted it and gently twisted the accelerator.
Before he could react, he shot off, leaving only an afterimage.
He raced to the quest marker, skidding to a perfect stop a few minutes later.
"Handsome!" Datch praised himself, then stored the hover bike in his game storage.
Following the minimap, he found a Custodian with a golden question mark above his head.
Datch clicked the information bar: [Valerian, Shield Captain of the Adeptus Custodes].
"Sir," Valerian greeted, unfazed by Datch's casual attitude. He saluted crisply, right fist to chestplate, metal ringing.
Chief Trajann's orders had already reached all Custodes: respect the nameless one, support him as much as possible, and tolerate his strange behavior.
"Valerian!"
Datch asked, "Is there anything I can help with?"
Valerian was stunned that Datch knew his name.
"Sir, at the moment, there isn't..."
"Skip! Skip!" Datch shouted, waving his hand in irritation. "Valerian, is there anything I can help with?"
Valerian's lips moved faintly under his mask, a look of helplessness in his eyes.
After a moment's thought, he spoke:
"We are about to purge a cult suspected of making daemonic sacrifices. Your assistance would be appreciated."
No sooner had he spoken than a mission prompt appeared before Datch's eyes:
[Quest: Eliminate the cultists performing sacrificial rituals.
With Guilliman's return and the Astronomican relit, hope returns to countless desperate people, but the evil hidden in the shadows remains strong.
The emperor, bound by the Golden Throne, cannot defend Terra. The chaotic powers of the warp seize this rare opportunity, cursing cultists to summon their evil presence onto Terra.
Assist Shield Captain Valerian in purging the cultists.
Quest rewards: 1000 experience, 1000 points, Reputation +150, Frog Candy x10]
Datch unconsciously clicked to check the quest reward details:
[Frog Candy: A strange magical candy that temporarily transforms you into a harmless green frog after eating.]
Note: Ribbit? Quack?? Croak???
"A candy that turns people into frogs?!"
Datch's eyes sparkled.
The previous transformation card let him become the emperor; now, this candy let him become a frog.
Given the chance, he'd become a frog, dart among daemons and traitors, then become the emperor.
The men would scream like groundhogs!
"I'll help purge the traitors."
Datch accepted the quest and followed Valerian into action.
The cultists weren't far off, within sight of Lion's Gate.
Along with them, a strike squad of humans joined in.
The mission went very smoothly—the poorly equipped cultists were no match.
Datch and Valerian easily stormed the sacrificial site, executed the rebellious cultists, and captured the fallen priest leading the ritual.
Confronted by the Custodes, the priest showed no fear, instead shouting excitedly:
"It's done, the way is open! The angels of the gods are about to descend upon this filthy world!"
Before Valerian could reply, the ground suddenly shook.
It started light, but rapidly intensified, as if Terra itself would split.
The sky changed, turning crimson as if stained with blood.
And with a strange howling, terrifying creatures from the warp surged onto Terra like a tidal wave.
…
Next Bonus chapter at 300 pS