Upon seeing the expressions of the other Primarchs, some of whom were snickering or looking on with distinct schadenfreude, Guilliman suddenly felt a deep sense of foreboding.
Axis began to explain in detail the events that had transpired in the other world.
The Primarchs already possessed some understanding of that universe ten thousand years into the future; after all, Axis had not concealed the information obtained regarding Khârn.
Other Primarchs were aware of that miserable world of the future. If not for Axis, their fates would likely have been much the same. Now that the entity known as the Dark King had vanished, the Emperor was finally able to reveal parts of the truth to the Primarchs.
Standing off to the side, Perturabo gave Guilliman a thumbs-up, remarking that the Aeldari lady in question was absolutely impeccable in terms of temperament and appearance.
Looking at Guilliman, however, Perturabo felt it was a classic case of a fresh flower stuck in cow dung.
"I do not understand what you are talking about. I have only just awakened. Whatever happens to the 'me' in another world has nothing to do with me," Guilliman emphasized these words earnestly, though he could clearly sense that this bastard Axis was setting him up.
Marriage! Guilliman keenly recalled this word. So, the version of himself in the other world got married after sleeping for ten thousand years?
How was this possible? As a Primarch, he had intended to avoid romantic contact with any mortal women for his entire life.
Furthermore, what sort of woman would be qualified to marry a Primarch? Certainly not anyone of the Emperor's bloodline, as Father had no other daughters, and they would be blood-relatives regardless.
"Guilliman, your tastes are rather... unique. I never expected that you would fancy an Aeldari Farseer," said Lion El'Jonson.
The Lion, having also recently awakened, looked at Guilliman with a somewhat unfriendly expression.
As the eldest brother among the Primarchs, the Lion was quite concerned with the moral conduct of his siblings. Marriage was acceptable; Fulgrim, that traitor, had engaged in political marriages before his return to the Imperium, which was irrelevant.
If the Primarchs truly had needs in that regard, he as the eldest brother would offer his blessings and let his brothers experience that aspect of familial joy.
What he absolutely could not accept, however, was that Guilliman's partner was one of those pointy-eared Aeldari. Although they appeared similar to humans, they were indisputably Xenos.
"Don't say that, Lion. The Aeldari are currently our allies. They have helped humanity significantly in recent years," Magnus, standing nearby, coughed lightly and interjected.
"Exactly. That woman is a great beauty. Her appearance is stunning, her figure is tall, and her status is very special," Axis added.
The reason the Aeldari had formed an alliance with humanity was largely due to Axis himself. Isha, the Mother Goddess and Goddess of Life worshiped by the Aeldari, had effectively become his daughter.
Furthermore, Cegorach, the Laughing God of the Aeldari, followed Axis's lead implicitly; if Axis said west, the deity would not dare go east.
"You are mocking me, right, Axis? This kind of joke is not funny at all," Guilliman said, somewhat annoyed.
What kind of joke was this? The version of himself ten thousand years in the future actually took a Xeno as a wife.
"I am not joking. This actually happened. I even recorded your wedding ceremony. Furthermore, after forming a union with this Aeldari lady, you gained authority to use the Webway," Axis explained Guilliman's story from the other world in full.
"It cannot be denied that the Aeldari fit human aesthetics very well. Whether male or female, they are considered extremely beautiful by human standards. And regarding similarity to humans, I feel they resemble us more than some Abhumans and Mutants do," Vulkan spoke up.
Speaking of looking like humans, which Primarch truly looked human? Even Axis had a furry tail.
However, regarding the other world's Guilliman marrying an Eldar, Axis likely played a significant role in making that happen. That boy was simply too mischievous.
"Regardless, Guilliman has just awakened," Corvus interjected, "Although he took an Eldar wife, that was in another world and has nothing to do with the Guilliman of our world."
Axis really had a vicious streak. By bringing this up, Guilliman would likely be unable to hold his head high among his brothers for a long time.
"The Guilliman of the other world gets along very well with his wife. They spent happy times together. That Guilliman told me privately that it was an unprecedented experience for him! It was the first time he laid down all his worries, the first time he laid down the responsibilities of the Imperium and the burden of humanity. The first time he fully relaxed and enjoyed the beauty of the opposite sex," Axis said.
Seeing the grimace on Guilliman's face, Axis knew his goal had been achieved.
Now, he intended to twist the knife. He was a man who held grudges, and this boy had offended him.
"That has nothing to do with me. I will absolutely not abandon my responsibilities. I am a noble Primarch; I will fight for humanity and for the Imperium. I will not be distracted by other matters," Guilliman declared.
"Guilliman, do you know something?" Axis asked. "That Codex Astartes you wrote, the version you consider perfect in your heart, where all Legions are fractured into Chapters with no exceptions, all limited to a thousand warriors?"
Axis continued. "After running for ten thousand years, the Imperium of the other world decayed to an extreme point.
"The total number of Space Marines is only a little over one million. And over seventy-five percent of them are your sons. In a sense, your gene-sons successfully control seventy-five percent of the Imperium's military power."
Among the Space Marines, Guilliman's descendants were indeed the most numerous. The Codex Astartes was utter nonsense in Axis's eyes.
If Axis hadn't argued strongly and forcibly changed quite a lot of it, the current Imperium of Man would have already been converted to thousand-man Chapters, and the Primarchs wouldn't have even been able to retain Legion-strength forces.
"Fine! Axis, it seems you resurrected me this time coming fully prepared. Tell me the details of the situation in the other world. Let me prepare myself mentally. I will humbly accept your criticism," Guilliman said, taking a deep breath.
If seventy-five percent of the future Space Marine forces were his own sons, that was not good. It was quite unfriendly to the other Primarchs.
When he wrote that disarmament bill, the so-called Codex Astartes, Guilliman intended for it to run for only a few hundred years, a millennium at most, before being abolished.
Given the situation at the time, humanity needed to rest and recover. But using this specific Codex Astartes for ten thousand years? It would be a miracle if nothing went wrong.
As the author of the Codex, Guilliman knew exactly what its flaws were; it primarily restricted military strength. Clearly, the Codex Astartes of the other world had been implemented exactly as he had originally envisioned.
But such a system was only meant for a thousand years at most. If the Imperium of Man encountered a powerful rival or an enemy requiring large-scale mobilization, small and flexible Chapters would be insufficient. A return to massive Legions would be the normal course of action.
"So, let's abolish this so-called Codex Astartes disarmament plan," Axis said. "Actually, all of this was due to the Dark King's meddling. But now that the detestable fellow has been destroyed by me, our universe is safe for the time being. We can focus on developing the human race and clearing out certain enemies within the galaxy."
However, the reforms Guilliman implemented in the other world could still be adopted in part. For instance, the creation of Vice-Legion Commanders who lead ten Chapters, amounting to ten thousand troops.
Every Legion, aside from the Primarch as the Legion Commander, would add a dozen or so Vice-Commanders to manage the entire Legion. Beneath the Vice-Commanders, individual Chapters would exist. This would make mobilization more flexible and convenient.
"Can you show me? The military reforms I made in the other world after awakening?" Guilliman asked.
Axis nodded and shared all the details of the other Guilliman's reforms with the Guilliman of this world.
"As expected of me; a truly magnificent modification," Guilliman mused. "Such a change maintains the flexible mobility of Chapters while preserving the combat strength of a Legion scale. Most importantly, if the Legion Commander were to betray the Imperium, the Vice-Commanders could form a check against him, rather than being helpless like mere Company Captains."
Guilliman finally understood that today Axis was plainly out to make him look bad.
Therefore, the Codex Astartes he had written previously, which had already been in operation for several centuries, was due for a change. He himself did not oppose reform.
The only thing that made Guilliman somewhat uncomfortable was that Axis had brought up his marriage in the other world.
He was truly a bit worried now, as he could tell that his alternate self genuinely liked that Aeldari woman.
Fate was something no one could predict or grasp. If this world did not have Axis... it would absolutely drift toward the outcome of that other universe. And if things developed that way, would he also meet that female Aeldari? What would happen then?
"Hahaha! That's the expression I wanted to see! Admit it, Guilliman: the Codex Astartes you wrote is just a pile of toilet paper."
"As you say, Axis," Guilliman shrugged helplessly, "Now, that thing is a pile of toilet paper. We can discard it."
Since Axis insisted it was toilet paper, he had to agree, regardless of his own opinion.