"Heretics! What are you even talking about?!" Constantine raised the weapon in his hand, and with him, the Ten Thousand Strong Custodes Regiment of this galaxy also drew their weapons.
However, their actions appeared so powerless in the eyes of the Emperors Custodes and Zeke's Emperors Custodes.
There was a gap between Custodes, and a gap in equipment. How could the Custodes troops supported by Terran Dominion technology be comparable to the Custodes of the Great Crusade era?
When Constantine pointed his weapon at Levi and the others, Levi merely waved his hand lightly, and the 20,000 Custodes behind him erupted with incredibly powerful psychic energy.
Under the influence of the psychic storm, even the environment around the Webway became similar to Realspace.
Although the Custodes are almost immune to psychic energy, a group of psychic insulators, psychic energy is an attack method!
Powerful psychic energy directly slammed down from a distance, completely suppressing the Custodes who were already exhausted from fighting in the Webway.
Every Custodes from the Great Crusade era was heavily pressed to the ground, unable to utter a single word.
"I know what we're telling you might be hard to believe.
But it doesn't matter, you just need to stay calm.
When the Emperor and the others have time to explain to you, you will naturally know all the truth and answers."
Levi, buoyed by psychic energy, gently floated in front of Constantine.
"We bear no ill will towards you.
Otherwise, we wouldn't need to fight alongside you.
We would only need to watch you die at the hands of demons.
After all, those demons are not powerful opponents for our army."
"As long as we wish, a million Custodes legions can eliminate any enemy before the Emperor!"
"Our power, our psychic energy, is the most powerful existence in the entire human civilization. We are the strongest."
Levi proudly spoke these words to Constantine.
"Arrogant!" Constantine, despite the immense psychic suppression, still squeezed out an angry retort through gritted teeth.
He tried to struggle, but found that the strength that could usually shake mountains was, at this moment, as powerless as an ant under the invisible psychic pressure.
This was not merely a difference in strength, but a fundamental crushing!
These self-proclaimed Custodes, their psychic energy was pure, vast, and filled with a chilling sensation of interwoven order and destruction.
This was completely different from the defilement of Chaos.
Yet, it far surpassed any Psyker he knew, even... far surpassed those powerful psychic Primarchs!
"We... pledge allegiance to the Emperor... the one and only... Emperor of Mankind!" Constantine struggled to raise his head, his gaze beneath his helmet burning with unyielding fire.
"Your power... no matter how strong... cannot change... the fact of your blasphemy!"
"Blasphemy?" Valdor slowly walked to Levi's side. He looked at Constantine, who was suppressed to one knee but still held his back straight.
To be honest, he still respected his senior, Constantine, but at this moment, his senior seemed to be a bit slow-witted, still not recognizing reality.
Valdor didn't say much to Constantine; instead, he turned his head to look at the mortal troops.
"You don't need to worry about what's happening here. The Custodes have some internal matters to handle. You just need to continue gathering your equipment and prepare to evacuate the Webway. The Webway War is now entirely taken over by the Custodes. This is an order from the Emperor!"
"We are all the Emperor's mouthpiece!"
The Imperial Auxiliaries and Space Marines watched this scene, unsure whose orders they should follow. On one side were the Custodes they had fought alongside for so long, and on the other were the reinforcements who had just appeared in the nick of time to solve the demon problem for them.
Both sides were Custodes forces, and they claimed that the Custodes had internal matters to deal with, so where should they go?
The Imperial Auxiliaries didn't know what to do, and the astartes were equally unsure. They froze in place.
"They are fake Custodes! Raise your weapons and eliminate them!"
In the silence, Constantine actually broke through Levi's psychic suppression and uttered these words.
As soon as he said this, it was like poking a hornet's nest.
???
Out of trust for the Custodes they had fought with for so many months, the Imperial Auxiliaries raised their weapons, and the Space Marines likewise aimed their weapons at Levi and the others.
The Skitarii of the Adeptus Mechanicus also raised their weapons.
With them doing so, the Custodes were not to be trifled with either.
The Custodes deployed to support in the Webway also raised their weapons.
The Skitarii of the Adeptus Mechanicus around the Titan Legion also raised their weapons and surrounded the Imperial Auxiliaries.
The massive emperor-class titan stood opposite the Imperial Auxiliaries.
The armies on both sides were at daggers drawn, and Valdor rubbed his forehead in exasperation.
"What happened? How did he break free and speak?"
Valdor curiously asked Levi. Logically, Levi's psychic power should not have been broken through by Constantine.
"He got stronger. Perhaps because he reached a desperate situation, he became stronger."
"People can always break through their limits. Just now, Constantine broke through his limits, which is why he could speak. But now, he can't anymore."
Levi also helplessly explained the problem, then increased his psychic power, once again pressing Constantine submissively to the ground.
He had no choice but to suppress him. Originally, he thought they would be colleagues later, so Levi had held back against Constantine. But who knew this guy would break through his limits and shout?
If this guy could break through once, who knew if he could break through a second time?
To prevent this guy from continuing to cause trouble, Levi had to use all his strength to firmly suppress him there, using several times the psychic energy to hold him down.
However, merely suppressing Constantine was clearly no longer enough.
Those Imperial Auxiliaries and Space Marines had already raised their weapons. If someone opened fire,
then it would be a massacre.
Do not doubt, this would be a massacre. How could a few Imperial Auxiliaries and Space Marines raising their weapons be a match for hundreds of thousands of Custodes?
Although the Imperium of Man's army was no longer as fanatical as before, one thing could still be guaranteed.
Anyone who attacked the Custodes was betraying the Imperium.
Even if these Imperial Auxiliaries didn't mean to, if any of them dared to open fire, their name as traitors would be indelible.
Unless Zeke or The Emperor personally pardoned their mistakes, otherwise, all of them would die.
Levi could sense that his Emperor was no longer here. If these guys wanted to receive the Emperor's pardon, they would first need to survive the Adeptus Mechanicus's Titan Legion.
Which was clearly impossible.
How could the Imperium of Man's army transferred from The Great Wall region be so easy to deal with now?
"Put down your weapons, everyone put down your weapons!"
A voice came from the periphery of the Webway. It was not the Emperor speaking, but Magnus, the Primarch of the Thousand Sons Legion.
The Emperor and Zeke had already chosen to retreat, so they naturally wouldn't know what was happening in the Webway, but Magnus saw that the Imperial army was being surrounded.
As the second most powerful Psyker in the Imperium of Man during the Great Crusade, Magnus's psychic abilities could easily scan the balance of power between friend and foe on the battlefield.
Although the forces of the Imperial Auxiliaries and astartes seemed powerful, this was not actually the case.
Those terrifying Protective Guard of the Adeptus Mechanicus and Titan Legions had completely surrounded the area.
The Skitarii and Titan Legions of the Adeptus Mechanicus were irradiated.
Hundreds of thousands of Custodes had also completed the final encirclement here. Once any conflict broke out among these Imperial Auxiliaries, the Custodes would completely annihilate them.
Before things spiraled further out of control, Magnus felt he had to stop all of this.
As the Primarch of the Thousand Sons Legion, Magnus's words still carried some weight.
Some of the Imperial Auxiliaries put down their weapons, and the astartes of the Angel Legion also put down their weapons, as this was their Primarch's command.
But more Imperial Auxiliaries remained in a state of readiness.
Mortals couldn't distinguish these messy situations.
Mortals only knew that these Custodes had fought alongside them for several months, and that the Custodes were trustworthy, Constantine was trustworthy.
Although in a critical moment, this newly appeared Custodes force saved them and defeated the demons for the Imperium.
However, Constantine was currently pinned to the ground, and the Imperial Auxiliaries felt it was necessary to continue executing orders.
"Enough, put down your weapons, I won't say it a second time!"
"I know you want to rescue your Custodes comrades, but how can the power of mortals contend against legions of Custodes and Titan Legions? Put down your weapons, quickly!"
Magnus's voice rang out again, urging the Imperial Auxiliaries to put down their weapons.
But this time.
No matter how he urged them, the Imperial Auxiliaries did not put down their weapons.
Helpless, Magnus had no choice but to fly to Levi.
"I am Magnus, Primarch of the Thousand Sons Legion. Please let Constantine go and allow him to stand up and speak to the Imperial Auxiliaries. I do not wish for such a conflict to occur."
To untie the bell, one must tie it. To make the Imperial Auxiliaries put down their weapons, having Constantine speak was the best approach.
Levi glanced at Magnus. The red-skinned giant exuded powerful psychic fluctuations and his attitude was quite polite.
He pondered for a moment, then looked at Valdor.
Valdor nodded at Magnus. He had some impression of this Primarch known for his wisdom and psychic abilities.
After all, this was Magnus from another galaxy. If it had been the Magnus from his own galaxy who came to mediate, Valdor would not have acknowledged him.
Since he was stepping in to mediate, it might be worth giving him some face.
Moreover, continuously suppressing Constantine was indeed not a solution and could easily escalate the conflict.
"Very well," Valdor said in a deep voice, simultaneously winking at Levi.
Levi understood, retracting most of his psychic suppression, but still maintaining some restraint to prevent Constantine from making any further aggressive moves.
Constantine felt the heavy pressure on him ease, finally able to breathe and move freely.
He slowly stood up, his armor emitting a faint friction sound.
He didn't immediately look at Magnus, but first at the Imperial Auxiliaries who still clutched their weapons, their expressions tense yet incredibly resolute.
Because of his command as Custodian Commander, the Imperial Auxiliaries still held their weapons, facing the powerful Protective Guard of the Adeptus Mechanicus and the emperor-class titans. What kind of loyalty was this?
Facing the terrifying Custodes forces, the Protective Guard of the Adeptus Mechanicus forces, even the astartes had put down their weapons, facing the massive emperor-class titans.
These Imperial Auxiliaries actually knew that their actions were almost useless, but they still steadfastly raised their weapons.
Just as his Lord had said, mortals were the true foundation of this Imperium, and Guilliman's rebellion was an extension of Great Astartes-ism.
If Original Annihilator Guilliman could see this scene before him, perhaps he would know how foolish his rebellion truly was.
"Put down your weapons, warriors," Constantine's voice was somewhat hoarse.
During the time he was suppressed by Levi, he had come to understand some things.
If these Custodes were truly enemies, then they would have been annihilated long ago.
Ultimately, his rationality had been affected. The Custodes had been fighting in the Webway for too long.
Although Chaos could hardly affect the Custodes, there would still be some subtle influence.
Prolonged Chaos influence, coupled with sensitivity to rebellion, led Constantine to make the wrong choice.
"I was not rational enough, put down your weapons!"
Constantine performed an Aquila Salute to all the Imperial Auxiliaries. A Custodian Commander performing an Aquila Salute to mortals was undoubtedly an honor for them, but... they deserved it!
Facing emperor-class titans, elite Protective Guard of the Adeptus Mechanicus, and legions of Custodes, these Imperial Auxiliaries still steadfastly raised their weapons.
This alone was enough to show that they were worthy, that they lived up to the name of the Imperium's most elite Imperial Auxiliaries, the Solar Auxilia!
The warriors of the Solar Auxilia looked at the Custodian Marshal solemnly saluting them, at his eyes, veiled by fatigue and a hint of guilt, yet still resolute.
They then looked at the surrounding unfamiliar legions, glaring menacingly and exuding terrifying pressure.
They understood Custodian Marshal Constantine's profound meaning and sensed a power disparity far beyond their comprehension.
"For the Emperor!" a Terra-born Solar Auxilia veteran, his face covered in blood and pus, was the first to roar.
Don't ask where the blood came from. Fighting alongside the Protective Guard of the Adeptus Mechanicus, how could you not be enveloped by radiation?
When large numbers of Skitarii marched across the land, the radiation they produced could even turn the earth crimson.
This is called 'Radiant Qi'.
He was the first to heavily strike his bent laser gun onto the ground, emitting a crisp clang.
"For the Emperor!"
"For Humanity!"
Shouts rose one after another, like a chain reaction.
The Solar Auxilia warriors successively put down their weapons. Their movements were slow, tinged with reluctance, but more so with unconditional obedience to orders and absolute trust in Custodian Marshal Constantine.
They put down their weapons, but their backs remained straight, truly worthy of the name Solar Auxilia, the most elite mortal force of the Imperium of Man.
The Solar Auxilia, the most elite mortal military force of the Imperium of Man, did not even yield under the combined pressure of the Titan Legions, the Protective Guard of the Adeptus Mechanicus, the Custodes, and the astartes.
Constantine was appeased, and Noah and the others did not confiscate the Custodes' weapons and equipment in this galaxy, which further made Constantine feel that there must be a deeper meaning behind it.
Terra was stabilized at this moment. While Constantine was being taken away by Valdor for an explanation, Magnus came to Noah's side.
If he remembered correctly, he had clearly seen Zeke and the Emperor both charging into the Webway. Out of concern for his father, Magnus spoke.
"Marshal Noah, where have my father and Zeke gone?"
In his opinion, as the Custodian Marshal, Noah should theoretically know where his father went.
"Where did the two Emperors go? We don't know." Noah's answer made Magnus somewhat disappointed.
"Lord Magnus, I suggest you don't need to worry about what the Emperors are doing.
This is not for us to manage. The Emperors have a plan, an astonishing plan.
They see the future much further than we do. We just need to maintain unconditional trust."
"What we truly need to do is unconditional trust; this is also a form of loyalty."
The word 'loyalty' is simple to say, but not so simple to do. Some people shout loyalty, but are their actions truly loyal?
When their lord is acting, to maintain trust in their lord, not to ask the meaning of their actions, and not to worry about all these messy things, this is true loyalty.
Conditional trust, unconditional obedience... Magnus fell silent for a moment, finally choosing not to say anything more.
"Thank you for your answer, Lord Noah."
"Then, may I ask if you know what we should do next? I haven't received any orders from my father, and Terra has been stabilized. What should I do?"
Magnus wanted to find the Emperor not just to ask what his father planned to do, but more importantly, he didn't know what he should do himself.
The emergence of the second Imperium of Man, the appearance of Zeke and The Emperor, brought powerful armies. This force is now locked in battle with Guilliman's legions in the central galaxy, fighting in units of destroyed star systems.
Such a war cannot be compared to the Great Crusade of the past, and it also made Magnus realize that his small force deployed to the central galactic battlefield would be like a small stone thrown into the ocean, unable to stir up any waves.
Because of this, Magnus fell silent; he didn't understand what he should do.
...
"I'm not clear about your arrangements. You are a Primarch; you can do whatever you want before the Emperor gives an order."
"If you really want to make some contribution to the Imperium, I suggest you continue to stabilize the rear and wait for Lord Guilliman to contact you."
"Soon, we will send the news that Terra has been stabilized to Lord Guilliman, and Lord Guilliman will inform you."
"He is now the Warmaster of the Imperium of Man, personally appointed by the Emperor.
He has the authority to mobilize all Human legions.
If you want to do something for the Imperium, I suggest you can obey Lord Guilliman's orders."
Without a definite order from the Emperor, Noah didn't know what to say.
However, in the end, he still gave Magnus some valuable advice.
If you really don't know what to do, then listen to Guilliman.
"Guilliman, huh?" Magnus repeated. He now felt that this world was truly a very subtle one, like a huge makeshift troupe.
In their galaxy, Guilliman ignited the Great Heresy and aimed to completely bury the Imperium at the hands of Chaos.
In their eyes, Guilliman was the enemy, a traitor, and now Noah suggested that they obey the orders of a Guilliman from another galaxy.
This world truly is a massive makeshift troupe.
Although countless complaints wanted to burst out, Magnus ultimately chose to obey the order.
"Thank you for your advice, Marshal."
"I will consider your suggestion. Thank you."
Magnus nodded to Noah, expressing his gratitude, then turned. His massive physique appeared particularly solemn in the dim light of the Webway.
He indeed had many doubts and anxieties, but as Noah said, blind worry and questioning were useless at this moment.
The matters that the Emperor and Zeke were planning clearly far exceeded his comprehension.
And the war.
For some reason, Magnus was now more filled with anticipation. He was very much looking forward to how his brother Guilliman from another galaxy would command.
Magnus left, leaving only Noah, Trajann, and Constantine, the three Custodian Commanders, still in place.
Noah, who was originally preparing to lead the Custodes away, received a message.
[Hold your ground in the Webway to prevent any potential Chaos Daemons or Little Blue Demons from rushing into the Webway. Ensure they do not appear on Terra!]
This order was jointly issued by Zeke and the Emperor.
Not only Noah received it, but Trajann also received it, as their equipment was identical, with no distinction in quality... "I apologize, Marshal Constantine, it's mainly because you didn't trust us, so we had no choice but to resort to this. For this misunderstanding, I extend my sincerest apologies."
"However, I must now issue an order to you. This is an order from the Emperor; both Emperors have commanded us to guard the Webway and ensure that no demon can rush into Terra."
The order received was for the Custodes to remain. Since that was the case, Constantine naturally had to stay as well. Noah stepped forward to express his apology to Constantine.
"The Emperor just contacted us. If you have any needs, you can contact the Emperor through this device." Noah reached out and took a set of equipment handed to him by a nearby Custodian, then presented it to Constantine.
"This is the Custodes' five-fold equipment that we use; it is much more advanced than the armor you are currently wearing, and it can contact the Emperors across the galaxy."
"All your doubts will be answered once you put on this equipment."
Constantine looked at the power armour before him, radiating a soft glow, with a sleek and futuristic design, and the accompanying oddly shaped communication device, his eyes complex.
The technological level of this equipment far surpassed any technology of the Imperium he knew.
Even the stc templates collected by the Adeptus Mechanicus could not compare or compete with it.
Not only did they not confiscate their weapons, but they were going to give them more advanced equipment?
Was this a gesture of goodwill, or another form of control?
He was silent for a moment, then chose to accept the equipment and put it on.
Everything would be answered once he put on this power armour.
If these two Custodian Commanders were not deceiving him, he could contact The Ring with this item, and then everything would be resolved.
One minute later—
A visibly shaken Constantine snapped out of the vox-link.
He was now certain the two unfamiliar Custodian Commanders opposite him were speaking of the same Emperor he served.
Beyond that, he had also learned of Zeke.
A true saviour and redeemer of the Imperium of Man?
That is a lofty title indeed.
The Custodes are unconditionally loyal to the Emperor; therefore the moment The Emperor spoke, Constantine trusted him.
The whole process had taken barely a minute.
Fifty-six of those seconds were spent hailing; The Emperor was still en-route to accept the call.
Huang uttered only two words before Constantine chose trust and loyalty—such is the burden and faith of a Custodian Commander.
Those two words were—
"It's me!"
With just that, Constantine pledged his trust; as for Zeke, The Emperor sent a data-packet for him to study on his own.
The three Shield Hosts thereafter garrisoned the bend, ensuring no one could slip past and reach Holy Terra.
So what were Zeke and the Emperor doing?
Right now the pair were inside the Warp, watching intently as Little Blue Demon slaughtered Warp Daemons.
Zeke's plan was to have these Higher-Dimensional Daemons open a passage, letting the Terran Dominion reach this galaxy one step ahead.
It was a meticulous scheme; to guarantee success both the Emperor and Zeke had to keep absolute vigil.
And when Little Blue Demon was about to be swatted by a Chaos God of the Warp, they would lend a hand lest the daemon be obliterated outright.
Higher-Dimensional Daemons carried immense weight—yet their numbers were too few; against a concerted strike of the Chaos Gods they simply could not endure.
To prevent the entire stratagem from collapsing,
Zeke had to ensure the Higher-Dimensional Daemons could move unhindered through the Warp.
The two of them stayed within the immaterium, observing events unfold.
They watched the Higher-Dimensional Daemons first fall into disadvantage under the onslaught of Warp Daemons.
Yet the very nature of these Higher-Dimensional Daemons meant they were far from simple prey.
With the Chaos Gods striking personally, they could not stand firm;
but unable to stand, they could run. Relying on their effortless super-luminal travel, they raced through the Warp, gorging on energy.
By the time the Chaos hordes arrived, the Higher-Dimensional Daemons had devoured a region's energies and flitted away, waging classic guerrilla war.
The entire Chaos realm was now a cauldron of turmoil; vast daemon hosts were dragged back and forth, exhausted.
The Chaos Gods' attention was tied down, causing Guilliman fresh trouble in the Mid-Reach.
The daemons' frantic feasting on energy naturally consumed that energy, and Warp Storms began to abate.
Fighting in the Mid-Reach and relying on those storms for rapid passage against the Imperium's commanders, the Original Annihilator Guilliman noticed their fading.
"What is this, Kairos? Why are the Warp Storms calming?"
In battle against the loyalist Guilliman, the Chaos Guilliman—Original Annihilator, successor of the Dark King—had stayed calm, but now his composure cracked.
For the first time since the war against the loyalist Imperium began, the Original Annihilator Guilliman burned with rage.
As the emissary of the Four Gods of the Warp, Kairos lowered both heads the instant Guilliman's fury flared.
Kairos' twin skulls drooped; he dared not meet the gaze of the terrifying figure upon the cold throne, a being exuding both ruin and order.
"Great Lord Guilliman, my utmost apologies. My gods have declared the Warp Storms can no longer be sustained."
"Certain cunning, energy-devouring entities have appeared within the Warp; my gods are presently hunting them."
"Hunting?" The Original Annihilator Guilliman seized on the word.
"So even your gods cannot settle these 'entities' at once; instead they are led by the nose, unable even to maintain the most basic Warp Storms?"
Kairos' two heads hung even lower; he offered no reply.
Silence itself was answer enough.
"Interesting—very interesting. But it has nothing to do with me. Tell the so-called gods behind you: maintain the Warp Storms, or the war ends here.
I shall lead my fleets back into the Warp.
Then your gods will face more than enemies who simply flee."
Step one of being human: loyalty!
Step two after gaining power: forget your roots.
The Original Annihilator Guilliman was ready to betray even his own father—so why fear a handful of Chaos Gods?
He had sided with the Chaos Gods because his father's ideals clashed with his, yet that did not mean he would stand with them forever.
The apocalyptic war against the loyalist Guilliman and the countless worlds he had sacrificed to Chaos had already granted him immense power.
Though he had not yet reached Terra—still held at the Mid-Reach—the strength Guilliman now wielded let him rival any single Chaos god within the Warp.
Both of Kairos' heads jerked up, all four eyes wide with disbelief. "G-great Lord Guilliman… you… you are threatening the exalted gods? This… this…"
"Threat?" The Original Annihilator Guilliman's voice was ice.
Rising slowly from his throne, he let his aura of absolute order and annihilation roll out like a tide, dropping the temperature of the entire throne-room.
"I am merely stating a fact.
Our arrangement is cooperation, not servitude. I provide 'offerings'; they grant 'power' and 'convenience.'
Now that 'convenience' is vanishing.
If even the basic Warp Storms cannot be maintained—if my strategic advantage is lost,
and the Imperium's forces can counter-attack—then the foundation of our 'cooperation' ceases to exist."
He stepped forward, looking down at the trembling Kairos: "Return and tell your master—and the other three. If they do not wish to see my guns turn against them,"
"then they had best give me a solution—now. Restore the storms… or provide equal—or greater—'compensation.'"
Who is Guilliman?
He, Guilliman, is Original Annihilator Guilliman.
He is even the Dark King now!
He rebelled against the Imperium's tyranny because of The Emperor's betrayal of them.
But this doesn't mean he became a puppet of the Four Chaos Gods.
He is not that fellow Horus; Horus was just a Loli in front of the Chaos Gods / The Four Gods, utterly incapable of resisting.
But he is the great Guilliman.
Lord of the Ultramarines, Master of the Ultramar 500 Worlds.
He is the new savior of the Imperium of Man; he will free the Imperium of Man from the hands of his own father, the tyrant.
He is one of the greatest Strategists of the Imperium of Man; only Malcador could compare to him.
Yet Malcador lacked his military talent.
Therefore, Guilliman could be said to be the most perfect existence in the Imperium of Man. He knew well that the Four Chaos Gods intended to use him to overthrow his father.
He cooperated with the Chaos Gods because his father betrayed him, and he sought revenge against his father.
But this doesn't mean the Chaos Gods can order him around; their cooperation is equal.
Guilliman's gaze carried immense pressure as he looked at Kairos.
Seeing this, Kairos quickly vanished from Guilliman's side.
As a mere ordinary Chaos Daemon, it could not withstand Guilliman's implied command.
It dared not speak further, only nodding frantically, its figure dissolving like a burst bubble amidst terrified Psychic Screams, fleeing back into the depths of the Warp to deliver this message, which was nothing short of an ultimatum.
Silence returned to the Throne Room; only Guilliman remained.
Now, even the Four Heroes who usually accompanied him had been dispatched, and his gaze, like a relay, remained fixed on the star map before him.
Even through the eyes of a Master Strategist, Guilliman felt things were getting dangerous.
His forces were met with resolute resistance in the Galactic Center; even his massive Ultramarines Legion could not advance an inch, as the Imperium of Man unleashed unprecedented combat power.
This only made him hate his father more, because his father had once again confirmed the message given to him by the Chaos Gods: his father had betrayed them.
Just looking at the current war, Guilliman felt that his Great Crusade was like a joke.
"The Great Crusade, how was I ever fooled by such an illusory promise?"
"Father, your current actions make me feel like I was a Clown before, deceived by you like a mere buffoon."
Original Annihilator Guilliman's tone carried anger, indignation, and the incomprehension of being deceived.
"Why did you deceive us? You clearly could have completed the Great Crusade by yourself, so why did you deceive us?"
Guilliman muttered to himself.
As the Original Annihilator, the successor to the Dark King, and a powerhouse on par with the Chaos Gods, Guilliman still couldn't figure out The Emperor's goal or meaning in doing this.
Up until this moment, he still believed that the Imperial Army fighting against him was entirely dispatched by The Emperor.
Otherwise, what could explain why the opposition had so many troops?
Could there be some other powerful force within the Imperium?
That was naturally impossible.
In the eyes of Original Annihilator Guilliman, The Emperor had finally pulled out the technology from the Dark Age of Technology and was using it to fight him.
And precisely because of this, Guilliman felt that his previous actions were like those of a Clown.
Why did The Emperor, who clearly possessed such immense power and could summon such mighty armies, make them fight the Great Crusade, which was like a Monkey Show?
The Emperor did not deploy this force during the Great Crusade period.
But when he rebelled, The Emperor used this force against him.
This made Guilliman feel profound sorrow.
On the star map, the Blue Rampart representing the loyalist faction's defensive line was rock-solid, even flashing sharp counterattack arrows in certain areas.
The never-before-seen ship designs, the highly efficient tactical coordination, and the firepower and defensive technology far exceeding his comprehension were all silently mocking the Great Crusade he once took pride in.
In that galaxy-spanning crusade, he and his brothers, his Ultramarines, and countless Imperial soldiers, made untold sacrifices just to reclaim territory inch by inch.
But now?
The Emperor's hidden power, once deployed, displayed an overwhelming advantage.
This made all his past achievements—everything he fought for and sacrificed for—seem so... ridiculous.
"Why?" Guilliman was utterly bewildered. Since his father possessed such immense power, why did he insist on orchestrating the Great Crusade, which was nothing more than a joke?
It wasn't until after the Great Heresy that he realized everything he and his brothers had done before was a farce.
Guilliman sat alone in his position, contemplating for a long time, constantly thinking about everything that happened during the Great Crusade and about his brothers.
A full half hour passed. For a Primarch, a few seconds would be enough to recall the hundreds of years of his life.
For Guilliman, who had now become the Fifth Chaos God of the Warp, there was too much he could accomplish in a single second.
"If that is the case, Father, you were the first to betray us. I will no longer hold back against you!"
Guilliman finally made up his mind.
It was true that the Imperium of Man's massive army was difficult for Guilliman to handle, but this did not mean that Guilliman, who had become the Dark King, truly had no way to deal with the Imperium of Man's legions.
Original Annihilator Guilliman slowly rose from his seat.
He was preparing for Ascension; only by completely becoming the Dark King would he have enough power to face his father's challenge.
An Invisible Ripple swept across the entire area, enveloping all the Imperial Army forces fighting on the front lines, in the rear, or on all Daemon Worlds.
An enormous Warp Storm was stirred up within the Immaterium. This Warp Storm was no longer guided by the Chaos Gods / The Four Gods, but personally unleashed by Guilliman.
The Warp Storm personally guided by the Dark King exuded an aura of destruction and silence. This aura even affected Zeke and The Emperor, who were observing the battle in the Warp to prevent the Little Blue Demon from being defeated by the Four Chaos Gods of the Warp.
"Did you know your son was this awesome?" Guilliman's sudden Power Surge caught Zeke off guard. He stared intently at The Emperor.
Guilliman's performance exceeded Zeke's expectations; in fact, Guilliman's actions were completely different from the Warhammer Zeke knew in his Previous Life, as no one knew just how powerful the rebellious Guilliman truly was.
Now Zeke saw the answer: an untouchable power, with the Divine Position of the Dark King complementing Guilliman perfectly.
"How would I know? But I am celebrating."
This scene made even The Emperor unable to suppress his secret delight.
"It's a good thing it wasn't Guilliman who rebelled. Compared to Guilliman, Horus really is just a loli."
Zeke didn't know how to comment on The Emperor's words, so he had to redirect the conversation back to the current situation.
"What do you say? He is your son, after all. Should we stop him from ascending to godhood, or let him become the Dark King?"
The divine position of Dark King is much more powerful than that of ordinary Chaos Gods. It is meant to be above the Four Chaos Gods, and Guilliman's ascension to godhood is undoubtedly a variable.
Considering that Guilliman is The Emperor's son, Zeke asked The Emperor for his opinion: should they stop Guilliman from ascending to godhood, or let him do it?
...The Emperor fell silent. He was no longer the conflicted man he once was.
He knew very well that Guilliman's rebellion was likely caused by his own hands.
If it weren't for him, Guilliman wouldn't have embarked on his current path.
The mere temptation of the Chaos Gods couldn't sway the Imperium of Man's most formidable master of operations.
So, should he now join Zeke in stopping Guilliman's ascension?
Would this be too much for his son?
The Emperor, who should have disregarded everything for humanity, hesitated after gaining humanity.
At this moment, the Emperor still acknowledged the human race, but he also couldn't hide his feelings for his son.
That was his son, and he was no longer an existence where divinity overshadowed humanity.
His son had made many mistakes in this galaxy, but were these mistakes unrelated to him?
If it weren't for his improper education in this galaxy, would Guilliman truly have taken this path? The answer is no, definitely not.
He had adoptive parents who loved him in his heart. If it weren't for his appearance, Guilliman should still be the Lord of Ultramar and King of Macragge.
Guilliman's fate was completely changed by his appearance; it was he who pushed Guilliman into the abyss he is in today.
"I don't know, I don't know how to face my son."
...Zeke didn't know what to say. He looked at the Emperor with a speechless gaze, but in the end, chose to respect his companion.
"Since you can't decide, then stop. Let him ascend to godhood..."
"Your Dark King has been suppressed by me. I haven't seen what the true Dark King looks like when he appears. Let him ascend to godhood. I'll take care of any trouble."
Zeke patted his chest and grandly guaranteed.
For Zeke, Guilliman becoming the Dark King wouldn't cause much of a stir.
He still had enough ability to suppress Guilliman.
And even if they took a step back, he could even destroy this galaxy, destroy it in every conceivable way.
If the plan to have the Terran Dominion arrive early via the Little Blue Demon failed, then Zeke himself would destroy this universe.
For Zeke, letting one Guilliman become the Dark King wouldn't affect the overall situation.
And if the Terran Dominion's plan succeeded, and the entire Federation and civilization could appear in this galaxy, then there would be even less to say.
With the Federation's power, suppressing a mere Guilliman who had become the Dark King would not be a problem at all.
For Zeke, everything was under his control, so there was no need to worry.
Because of this, Zeke chose to acquiesce to the Emperor's attitude.
However, ascending to godhood and becoming the Dark King would entail troubles beyond just the potential obstruction from Zeke and the Emperor.
The reactions of the Four Chaos Gods in the Warp when The Emperor wanted to become the Dark King were still vivid.
Guilliman's desire to become the Dark King would also have to pass the test of the Four Chaos Gods in the Warp.
"Old Huang, I'm telling you, our not intervening to suppress Guilliman from becoming the Dark King is already showing the utmost benevolence."
"Don't expect me to actively protect him. To become the true Dark King, he still needs to pass the test of the other four evil gods."
"The Dark King represents the end of all gods. Those four guys would have to be crazy to let Guilliman become the Dark King; they will definitely try their best to stop Guilliman."
Zeke first gave the Emperor a heads-up to prevent the Emperor from recklessly protecting his child.
The Emperor rolled his eyes at Zeke.
"I know, I know. Do you really need to tell me, Old Zeke?
Who do you take me for? Am I that muddled?
Of course, I understand."
"I can still distinguish between right and wrong when it comes to major issues.
Our not intervening to stop him is already the greatest fortune for him to become the Dark King. As for whether he succeeds, that depends on him."
Though the Emperor's voice carried fatigue, it also regained its usual calm and majesty.
He was, after all, the Emperor of Mankind, an Emperor who had made countless choices.
Personal emotions and guilt could influence his momentary hesitation, but they could not shake his ultimate bottom line of protecting human civilization.
Guilliman was his son, but even more so, he was a traitor and a potential threat who had committed heinous crimes and endangered the very existence of humanity.
"The path he chose, he must walk himself and bear all the consequences."
Zeke said no more. It was enough that the Emperor had thought things through. Next, they would observe the reactions of the Chaos Gods.
Compared to the reactions of Zeke and the Emperor, the reactions from the Chaos Gods were much more intense.
When the aura of the Dark King enveloped the entire Warp, the Four Chaos Gods, who were chasing the Little Blue Demon, all stopped their actions.
They all turned their heads to look at Original Annihilator Guilliman, who was appearing in the Warp.
His very existence had become a colossal projection, appearing throughout the entire Warp.
Guilliman's appearance not only made the Four Chaos Gods stop in their tracks, but even the Little Blue Demon stopped its escape.
The battleship, destroyer, and frigate paused.
The Dark King is different from other Chaos Gods; it represents the end of all things. The Little Blue Evil God has no interest in such an end; this guy cannot be eaten at all.
The reason the Little Blue Demon stopped its escape was primarily because their situation in the Warp was too dangerous.
They originally thought the Warp was a place to eat, but who knew there would be such things there? The Four Chaos Gods had been chasing them for a long time.
They were even neglecting their meals. Things couldn't continue like this; Guilliman's appearance was undoubtedly a turning point.
Gulsby focused his gaze on Guilliman.
Everything in the world can be cooperated with.
Now the Four Chaos Gods of the Warp have the upper hand, and there seems to be an irreconcilable conflict between Guilliman and the Four Chaos Gods of the Warp. Perhaps they can profit from this.
Although the Little Blue Demon wanted to cooperate with Guilliman, it was on the premise that the Four Chaos Gods would truly make a move against him as they hoped.
Everyone's eyes focused on the Four Chaos Gods, but unlike the scene created by the Emperor's apotheosis, this time the trickster god did not suffer a combined assault from the Four Gods.
The Four Chaos Gods merely appeared before Guilliman and faced him in silence.
"What is your stance, Guilliman?"
"No, perhaps I shouldn't call you Guilliman.
I should call you the Original Annihilator, the Dark King.
What is your stance?"
The attack from the Little Blue Demon showed Tzeentch a bleak future; to keep the Warp alive, he had no choice but to accept Guilliman's ascension.
As a champion of intrigue, how could Guilliman be impulsive? He seized the moment when the Four Chaos Gods were all distracted and chose to ascend.
"Stance?"
"You've long known my stance. My father betrayed me, and I'm settling the score with him. Will you four stand opposite me to help my father, or behind me?"
Guilliman drew a blade wreathed in black flame—his personal sword as Lord of Ultramar.
It was forged from the souls of his adoptive parents and vast amounts of Chaos energy, a weapon fit for the Dark King.
Black fire raged along the edge, devouring everything, even the gaze of the Four Chaos Gods sensed its hunger—and its thick aura of annihilation.
"Old Huang, are you sure you still want this son?
He's clearly lost his mind—he even murdered his own foster parents.
He used their souls, plus the souls of countless humans from the Ultramar 500 Worlds, to forge this terrifying cursed sword."
Even someone as mighty as Zeke swallowed hard at the sight of the evil blade forged from the souls of so many Ultramar 500 Worlds citizens and Guilliman's two foster parents.
Countless souls spiraled around the blade; the roaring black flames were not fire at all, but the wails of souls.
The wails of innumerable human souls!
The Emperor's golden eyes locked onto that black cursed sword blazing with endless agony and despair.
The golden flames around him flared violently, as if roaring in silence.
He could "hear," could "feel," the screams and curses of the souls within the blade.
Especially those two faint yet heart-breakingly sorrowful and bewildered auras.
They belonged to the pure and noble souls of Roboute Guilliman's foster parents.
They had given him selfless love and guidance, the very cornerstones that shaped the rational, benevolent, loyal Lord of Ultramar.
Now, the son they had cherished as their own had personally sacrificed them, their souls eternally imprisoned and tormented as part of this god- and soul-slaying weapon!
An unprecedented surge of grief, fury, self-reproach, and icy murderous intent churned in the Emperor's chest.
He closed his eyes as though enduring the pain of his soul being torn apart.
When he opened them again, the last trace of "fatherly" hesitation and warmth in those golden pupils was extinguished, replaced by the absolute cold resolve of the Emperor of Mankind.
"He is no longer Guilliman."
"From the moment he sacrificed his own foster parents, he ceased to be Guilliman—he became a beast, a thorough beast."
"I'll deal with him myself. Old Zeke, don't tell Guilliman about this—he'll go mad."
The Emperor knew Lady Yuton's place in Guilliman's heart.
He also knew that if The Managers saw this, even his most rational son would lose his mind completely.
Even if this was the Lady Yuton of another universe.
The Emperor spoke thus, but received no reply from Zeke.
"What's wrong, Old Zeke? Can't you grant me this request?"
Puzzled, the Emperor turned to see why Zeke couldn't comply—only to witness a sight he desperately wished to avoid.
He saw his 13th son, Roboute Guilliman, standing before him.
Guilliman stood silently beside Zeke, exuding endless cold.
????
When did he arrive???
The Emperor didn't understand; he had no idea.
He could have sworn only he and Zeke were in the Warp—how had Guilliman appeared?
The Emperor shot Zeke frantic glances, seeking an answer from his companion.
Zeke could only helplessly rub his forehead.
Clearly anxiety had clouded his judgment—how could The Ring not know why Guilliman was here?
He'd simply overlooked some details.
Left with no choice, Zeke explained personally.
"Just as you and this galaxy's Emperor can sense each other, why wouldn't Guilliman?"
"With this galaxy's Guilliman ascending to become the Dark King, our hard-core tricksters naturally felt the ripple."
Realization dawned on the Emperor, followed by boundless regret—he should have killed Guilliman when he had the chance.
A moment's mercy had led to this; as a father, he had misapplied his kindness.
Humanity... a precious thing, yet one that made the Emperor indecisive and sentimental.
His debt and love for Guilliman had always weighed on him.
As regent of the Imperium, the titan who propped up the Imperium of Man, Guilliman's contributions were clear for all to see—even with Zeke's arrival sparing the Imperium from death's door.
The Emperor owed him.
He felt he had wronged this son.
And so, when this galaxy's Guilliman had not yet ascended,
some of that guilt spilled over onto him.
Even knowing the other Guilliman was not the same being,
the Emperor now feared his 13th Primarch, Guilliman, might do something rash.
Contrary to his expectations, upon seeing this scene Guilliman did not spiral into the madness of the Sons of Vengeance's Warp nature, but remained chillingly calm.
"I'm going to kill him, Father!"
He didn't know whether those words were meant for the Emperor or simply to steel his own resolve.
Even though he could feel that the Dark King opposite him had long since surpassed him in power and presence, Guilliman still spoke them.
Lady Youton of this galaxy wasn't his adoptive mother, yet she was still his mother in the end.
The reason he could stay calm was that, after long years of imperial administration and several rounds of reinforcement by Zeke, Guilliman had learned to master his emotions.
But mastery didn't mean they were gone; his fury kept building.
"Guilliman..." The Emperor looked at the icy flames burning in his son's sapphire eyes—eyes that remained shockingly rational—and felt every emotion at once.
He could sense the seething rage and murderous intent beneath that calm surface, and the even more terrible resolve being forcibly suppressed.
"You will kill him." It wasn't a question; it was a statement.
He knew that when Guilliman spoke in that tone, the deed became an inevitable objective—whatever the cost.
"I will." Guilliman's voice was utterly calm, yet every word carried the weight of a mountain.
"With his blood I'll wash away the profanity he poured on the name 'Guilliman' and console every innocent soul that died—especially... Lady Youton."
When that name left his lips, emotion finally cracked his voice—a tremor.
But in an instant it hardened to steel again.
He had to stay calm; his foe was powerful, and without composure he might lose.
While the two talked, Zeke stood to the side.
He was waiting—waiting for Guilliman to come to him.
The Emperor had no way to let Zeke Guilliman personally slay the Dark King.
He could kill Guilliman himself, but that wasn't what Guilliman wanted.
Across the entire galaxy, only Zeke could solve this and let Guilliman kill the enemy with his own hands.
When father and son finished, they moved as one: they turned, walked up to Zeke, and knelt.
"Please, Uncle Zeke—please help me!"
Guilliman knelt; the Emperor knelt beside his son without a word, only looking at Zeke… who sighed helplessly.
"Stand up, Guilliman. I'll help you."
"You know the bond we've always shared; I won't stand aside."
Zeke lifted Guilliman up himself, then glanced at the Emperor still kneeling.
"You too, Old Huang."
"Get up on your own; I'm not helping you."
Zeke said irritably, "Guilliman kneeling is one thing—what are you joining in for?"
He knew full well the mentor-and-friend—almost father-and-son—bond between Zeke and Guilliman,
and that Zeke valued and trusted Guilliman above any other Primarch.
But precisely because of that, when Guilliman knelt to avenge and defend a bottom line, how could he, as father, stay out of it?
The plea wasn't only Guilliman's; it carried his own fury at a fallen son and his guilt toward a loyal one.
"No matter what, Old Zeke, he's my son and I'm his father."
"When he knelt, it was my duty to kneel with him and beg you."
I know I can't make this happen,
and the price you'll pay to help him won't be small."
As the Dark King himself, The Emperor knew exactly what the Dark King represented.
Once the Primordial Annihilator Guilliman succeeded in apotheosis, he wouldn't be easy to deal with.
If Zeke wanted him dead, the Emperor believed he could do it.
But letting Guilliman do it himself was another matter—equivalent to creating a god.
He would have to forge a being nearly as mighty as the Dark King.
The difficulty of such a feat went without saying.
The Emperor believed even Zeke would have to pay a price.
Wasn't that worth kneeling for in gratitude for Zeke's generosity and aid?
Father and son owed Zeke far, far too much—more than could ever be repaid, even though the Imperium of Man had already been given to him.
Was the Imperium a gift of gratitude?
The Emperor didn't think so.
The Imperium he had built with his own hands was, in some ways, even a burden.
As long as The Emperor hadn't lost his mind, he knew his Imperium was little more than dead weight to Zeke—an enormous mess.
"Don't worry about the cost. It's only god-making. If the Warp can make one, why can't I?"
With a wave of his hand Zeke brushed the matter aside; making a god in the Warp was nothing he couldn't do.
Who was he?
He was the great 4th Scourge, and in his hands he held power enough to change everything.
Though the strength he'd just recovered was far from its peak, he could still pay the price.
"Come, Guilliman. No need to watch any longer—the Four Chaos Gods won't stop this Primordial Annihilator. I'll take you away and let you ascend as well."
An invisible psychic shroud settled over the three of them.
Zeke took them away.
They left the Warp of the galaxy and arrived in a void.
All was emptiness; only above it did the radiant Eternal Throne still shine.
"Mount the eternal throne and sit." Once the three had steadied themselves, Zeke gestured for Guilliman to take the seat.
"All right." Without wasted words, Guilliman stepped from their trio. One step, two, three… With every stride came silent interrogation, with every stride invisible pressure bore down—pressure enough to grind any Warp greater daemon to dust.
At his ninety-ninth step the aura was already enough to annihilate any Warp-stirred god; even the ascended Vastor could not endure it.
Yet Guilliman accepted it all serenely and took the hundredth step without hesitation.
One hundred steps brought him before the eternal throne—the throne that symbolized Zeke himself.