"They are moving very quickly," Guilliman said, straightening up.
"They were already en route to support us. Your recovery caused them to temporarily abandon their pursuit of Chaos and divert to Macragge."
Sicarius' voice was deep and strong through the vox-caster.
"They said they can wait, but I thought it best to inform you."
"There are many urgent matters in this world, but receiving loyalists who have traveled a long distance is absolutely a matter of urgency and must be prioritized. Let them come. I will wait for them in the reception hall."
"As you wish, my lord."
The sound of static hummed, the vox-caster was turned off, and the cogitator processing the information fell silent again.
Guilliman sat in his seat, contemplating the future.
The new technology had been given to Cawl, and the Council of Nikaea was ready.
The remaining task was to purge the Chaos forces in Ultramar and gradually push forward with his plan.
Once the opportunity was ripe, he would travel to Terra, take all the power of the Imperium from the hands of those corrupt and greedy High Lords, and continue to advance his plan.
The opening of the Great Rift not only strengthened the Chaos Gods, but also gave the Emperor a chance to recover.
He needed to gain enough power to protect himself before the Emperor's recovery, lest the Emperor cast him aside and destroy him.
After ten thousand years of faith, no one could guarantee that the Emperor was still the same Emperor as ten thousand years ago.
The Emperor's recovery might not necessarily be a good thing.
The wide corridor of the Fortress of Hera.
More than fifty Chapter representatives who had traveled a long distance were led towards the reception hall by two warriors of the Ultramarines Chapter.
The corridor was magnificent, covered in ornate gold and silver carvings.
Every few meters, a marble column supported the soaring ceiling.
The floor was paved with interwoven black and white tiles.
"This matter feels somewhat incredible to me."
A Chapter representative held a staff inlaid with a golden skull and a ring of bone spurs, and crackling psychic energy revealed his identity as a Chapter Librarian.
Librarians are Space Marines with psychic abilities. They generally possess abilities such as prophecy and elemental manipulation, and can help the Chapter combat daemons and various psychic xenos.
"Nothing is incredible. Everything is the Emperor's arrangement," said the space marine wearing black and white power armor.
His scarred head was inlaid with two gold and one silver service stud, making him stand out.
This was a veteran with over a hundred years of service. Judging by the golden double-headed eagle on his breastplate, his status was extremely high.
"Let's not discuss these things any further. We are currently standing on the surface of Macragge. Do not casually discuss about the Primarch."
Aethon, who was walking in front, turned his head to look at his two colleagues who were speaking, signaling them to stop discussing the matter.
Discussing the awakened Roboute Guilliman on Macragge was a sign of disrespect to the Ultramarines.
He did not want this kind of thing to cause animosity between Chapters.
The two who had been talking fell silent. Aethon turned his head back and surveyed everything he could see.
Cobalt blue banners hung outside the corridor, with the symbol of Ultramar embellished in silver thread, forming unique patterns surrounding the Imperial Aquila wearing a crown.
Along the path leading to the hall stood Invictarus Honour Guard Terminators in fearsome Ironclad-style armor.
They stood like statues, solemn and silent, their power weapons activated. Once they initiated an attack, a brilliant blue or white power field would emerge.
The entire area was under high alert.
Aethon had seen these Ironclad Terminators during the times Calgar led the Imperial army on several expeditions.
These Honour Guards had surrounded the legend of the Imperium, walking through grand triumph ceremonies.
The first large door opened with a sharp pneumatic sound, and more members of the Honour Guard stood inside.
The atmosphere also felt oppressive. These Honour Guard members were all veteran warriors who had fought against Chaos, xenos, and traitors.
An Ultramarine in captain's armor walked towards them.
"Welcome to Macragge."
"Sicarius, it's good to see you again," Aethon said, saluting the Ultramarine as a greeting.
"I am also pleased, Aethon. It has been twenty years since we last met, hasn't it? If you wish to reminisce, please wait a moment. My lord is waiting for you. Please go and see him as soon as possible."
Sicarius extended his hand, signaling them to enter.
Aethon and the others followed the corridor to the last door.
The Honour Guard members responsible for guarding stamped their feet to attention, making a solemn and dignified sound.
The hall doors, carved with complex patterns, inlaid with the golden Imperial Aquila, and made primarily of marble, opened with a mechanical sound.
A trace of nervousness surged in the hearts of the representatives from various Chapters. They removed their helmets, tried their best to remain calm, and stepped inside.
The first thing they saw upon entering left them stunned.
On a pure auramite throne surrounded by hundreds of decorations, sat a living miracle.
A giant warrior in blue and gold armor was seated there. His broad face was handsome and solemn, one hand equipped with a massive gauntlet, and a sheathed great power sword rested beside his throne.
Aethon thought he was prepared, but when he saw that face, he realized he wasn't. He was uncontrollably excited and soon burst into tears.
He had seen this Primarch before. Macragge had once faced the threat of the tyranids, and their Chapter was ordered to come and support, repelling the threat from beyond the galaxy.
It was because of this that he had been able to see Guilliman in the sanctuary of the Fortress of Hera.
He had been placed in a stasis field.
That battle ten thousand years ago had brought him within a second of death, but the special function of the stasis field had extended that second indefinitely.
And now, he had broken free from the stasis field and was sitting there, alive.
Infinite vitality surged within his strong body, and his gaze was filled with wisdom and majesty.
Aethon and the other Space Marines knelt on one knee, as if by instinct.
"They speak the truth. You have returned, my lord."
Aethon could feel his voice trembling.
This was not fear, but the result of excitement and exhilaration.
In this situation, everyone in the Imperium would tremble with excitement. A living myth had appeared in their world.
Guilliman surveyed them and walked down the steps.
"Rise, all of you. You have defended humanity and the Imperium and are heroes of the Imperium. There is no need for such formality."
Guilliman walked towards the nearest space marine, clasped the man's shoulders with both hands, and helped him up.
"What is your name?" Guilliman asked.
"Aethon Shaan, from the Raven Guard, captain of the Silent Company."
"It is good to see you, captain," Guilliman said.
"It is also my honor to see you, my lord."
"I hope so. I thought you might not recognize me. That would have been quite a headache for me," Guilliman said humorously.
"That is absolutely impossible. We will fight for your will," Aethon said.
"Haha," Guilliman patted Aethon's shoulder, "Soon, you will have the opportunity to prove it. I hope at that time, you will not disappoint me too much."
Guilliman greeted the first row of Chapter representatives one by one. These Space Marines were from the Raven Guard, Space Wolves, White Scars, and some Chapters founded in later foundings.
They had all come for the recovered Primarch.
He asked for their names and tried his best to create a relaxed and humorous atmosphere, narrowing the distance between them through laughter.
Guilliman gave high praise to every visitor, commending their contributions to the Imperium.
After the pleasantries, Guilliman prepared to get straight to the point.
"You have come a long way, and I should have allowed you to rest properly, but the current situation of the Imperium is dire.
Chaos and xenos have not given us any time for leisure or vacation. I urgently need to stabilize the situation in Ultramar so that I can proceed with my next plan.
The fleet is already assembling, and the army is gathering at Macragge. I would like to ask if you will fulfill your oaths and join my army."
Guilliman surveyed the representatives of the many Chapters and asked.