"The Raven Guard will stand firmly with you, my lord," Aethon replied.
"Beyond eradicating Chaos and exterminating xenos, the Raven Guard seeks nothing else."
"Beyond what you have said, I ask nothing else of you, Aethon.
I am very pleased that you stand firmly by my side," Guilliman responded with a smile.
He looked at the other Chapter leaders, his gaze filled with expectation.
"The Salamanders have always been humanity's most loyal protectors.
Anyone who stands against humanity's enemies is our friend.
I am willing to join your ranks, provided you do not find us wanting," said the Salamander warrior, his skin dark, his face stern, and clad in green power armor.
"A loyal heart is a precious thing, and there is no reason to be picky," Guilliman said.
"The Space Wolves are never absent from any campaign against Chaos and xenos, Lord Regent.
The pack will be the sharpest blade in your hand."
The Space Wolf Chapter representative, adorned with wolf heads, spoke with a resolute tone.
"I yearn to wield this sharp blade and claim victory," Guilliman said humorously, looking at the Space Wolf representative.
All the Chapter representatives stated that their Chapters would obey the Imperial Regent's command, cooperate with him to clear the Chaos forces from Ultramar, and use Ultramar as a base to attack other regions of the Imperium, preventing the destruction of the Human Imperium.
After confirming the attitude of these Chapters, Guilliman told them to rest well and await the day the fleet would assemble and depart.
A new war was about to begin, and humanity would draw its sword against Chaos and xenos.
After bidding farewell to his last batch of visitors, Guilliman pondered for a moment in the reception hall before stepping out.
His Honor Guard, clad in Iron Rider Terminator armor, followed closely behind.
Calgar, Sicarius, and Phicris were all waiting for him outside.
These were all top warriors of the Ultramarines Chapter, Imperial heroes with supreme honor who had crushed countless wars waged by Chaos and xenos against humanity.
Calgar saluted Guilliman, "My lord."
"No need for formalities, Calgar," Guilliman shook his head.
"Accompany me to see the city of Macragge and check on the reconstruction work.
We can also talk about some matters regarding the future as we go."
A hovercraft quickly landed in front of Guilliman.
This was a tourist-type aircraft used for sightseeing.
As the home of the Ultramarines and the capital planet of the sector, Macragge naturally held extremely special significance.
Every year, a large number of tourists would come to pay homage to the home of the Ultramarines.
There were many such tourist hovercraft on Macragge, belonging to civilian equipment.
With the arrival of the Chaos forces, these hovercraft underwent militarization.
The one before them was no exception.
It was clearly evident that the hovercraft had been armed and modified.
Thick steel plates had been embedded on the outer shell, and there were still traces left by arc welding.
The weapon mounts had not yet been removed.
Guilliman was not picky about the hovercraft; he simply wanted to see the current state of Macragge Civitas.
The scars left by the war were still shocking to behold.
Those who survived the devastating attacks launched by Chaos were rebuilding their homes with the help of the Adeptus Mechanicus.
A large number of Knight Titans had to dismantle their weapons and replace them with construction tools to assist the people in resuming normal life as quickly as possible.
Adeptus Mechanicus servitors with six mechanical legs moved materials back and forth, repairing the dilapidated buildings.
The entire Macragge looked like it was flourishing.
Of course, behind all of this, there were also some discordant voices.
While Guilliman was inspecting Macragge Civitas, a sudden booming explosion rang out.
Several Stormraven Gunships swept across the sky, flying towards the explosion site to deliver a saturation strike against the enemies who had planned the explosion.
According to Calgar, it was residual cultists causing trouble.
The forces of Chaos had been purged, but not all of the traitors had been captured.
They lurked in the shadows, launching attacks from time to time, attempting to sabotage the reconstruction work on Macragge.
People wore smiles on their faces, not simply because the Chaos forces had been driven out and their homes defended, but more importantly, because Guilliman's awakening had shown them that there was still a possibility of salvation in the endless darkness.
Guilliman stood silently on the hovercraft, offering no comments on the sudden incidents, merely gazing silently around the ancient, hidden, giant city that had undergone several reconstructions.
He had easily defeated the Chaos forces; this was not false and was indeed cause for people to rejoice.
However, the memory of first stepping onto the battlefield constantly echoed in his mind, reminding him just how brutal the war between humanity and Chaos truly was.
After the war, Macragge was left with only charred, fragile ruins, and everywhere there were swamps formed from the remains of the dead.
In space, there were floating wrecks everywhere, and countless Imperial soldiers had sacrificed themselves to achieve victory.
That scene was absolutely unforgettable.
After looking around, Guilliman looked at Calgar, "You are my most trustworthy subordinate, Calgar."
"To receive your praise fills me with gratitude," Calgar replied with a joyful expression.
"I have an extremely important task to entrust to you, Calgar.
Besides you, I find it hard to imagine who else could undertake this mission."
Guilliman continued, causing Sicarius and Phicris, who were nearby, to show envious expressions.
To receive such unreserved praise from their gene-father was undoubtedly a supreme honor.
"Soon, I will assemble forces to launch a cleansing war across the entirety of Ultramar, completely clearing out the enemies of mankind.
However, Macragge concerns me.
It has just undergone the baptism of war, and if it were to suffer another blow from Chaos, it would be an unimaginable blow to the morale of the Imperium.
I need someone absolutely trustworthy to remain on Macragge and ensure this world is not attacked again."
Guilliman looked at Calgar, his gaze filled with expectation and hope.
A trace of astonishment appeared on Calgar's face.
He had expected that Guilliman would assign him the vanguard duty for this war, making him a terrifying, unstoppable blade in the Primarch's hand.
Unexpectedly, he was asked by the Primarch to stay and defend Macragge, vigilant against Chaos attacks.
"My lord, I hope I can..."
Calgar's words were cut short by Guilliman.
"In this chaotic universe, I do not deny the strength of Celestine and Amalrich.
They have led the armies of the Human Imperium on multiple sorties, facing Chaos and xenos, achieving victory after victory.
These Imperial heroes all have their unique brilliance, but they lack sufficient strategic awareness, Calgar.
I cannot rest assured entrusting the vital Macragge to their hands.
I must entrust it to someone who possesses strategy, strength, and can guarantee victory one hundred percent.
Macragge is not simply a capital planet; it is a crucial location for humanity's future salvation.
The Archmagos possesses several vital technologies, which, under my authorization, he is attempting to disseminate.
These will be enough to tip the scales on future battlefields, Calgar.
If something goes wrong, all efforts will be in vain."
Guilliman knew what Calgar was about to say.
War was what every space marine desired most.
But now, Guilliman had to ensure that his rear would not be attacked by Chaos.
Cawl's various technologies were crucial.
They could effectively enhance the military strength of the Human Imperium, sweeping away the past decline and granting the power to confront daemons and traitors head-on.
Having Calgar stay and defend Macragge was the best choice.
"I will surely not fail your expectations," Calgar said, hearing this, and could only nod in obedience.
However, there was also some disappointment in his heart.
He had fought bloody battles for the Imperium, earning countless honors for the Ultramarines, yet now he was excluded from the Indomitus Crusade led by the Primarch.
Guilliman seemed to see through his thoughts and continued, "You can also prepare a suitable army during this time.
Once the entirety of Ultramar is purged and Macragge is no longer threatened, you will command this army as the vanguard, participating first in the Indomitus Crusade, opening the way for subsequent forces, and proceeding to various parts of the Imperium to eradicate Chaos and xenos.
You wouldn't want to see a Primarch without even a personal guard Chapter, reduced to relying on other forces, would you?"
"My lord, do you mean I can raise an army??"
"Yes, Calgar, a brand new army, brand new warriors, brand new ships, and brand new ideas.
This crusade is not merely about expelling Chaos and clearing out enemies; purging the Imperium's deep-seated ailments is even more crucial.
Members of the Reform Council will depart with you, spreading the new Imperial ideology and system to various places, urging local reforms.
When necessary, you can treat those stubborn conservatives as enemies and eliminate them."
Guilliman said in a deep voice, "I cannot entrust this matter to anyone else, Calgar.
Only you are worthy of my trust."
"I will surely do my utmost to accomplish it, my lord," Calgar's tone swept away his previous disappointment.
Guilliman's trust brought joy to his face.
"Do not disappoint me, Calgar," Guilliman said in a deep voice.
"You are not just guarding Macragge, but the future of humanity.
Any mistake would be the greatest betrayal and harm to humanity."
"I understand, my lord.
You will not be disappointed."
In the remaining days.
Guilliman received visitors from various factions, listened to their thoughts and opinions, and made his own decisions.
A week later, an army composed of various forces including the Imperial Navy, the Adeptus Mechanicus, the Adepta Sororitas, Knight Households, Titan Legions, and the Inquisition, was assembled by Guilliman.
The problems of Ultramar had to be resolved as quickly as possible before the forces could be dispatched throughout space to purge Chaos forces, quell rebellions, and reshape the Human Imperium.
Standing on the bridge of the Gloriana-class Battleship, the Pride of Macragge, Guilliman opened the all-army communication channel.
His voice resonated through every warship, echoing in everyone's ears.
"I am honored to stand with you all, my brothers and sisters, my kith and kin.
The Chaos Gods believe humanity is nothing more than a plaything, to be toyed with and crushed at their whim, forever trapped beneath their shadow.
They have razed our homes, hunted our kin, and yet they demand our submission to their dark, unholy rule.
Such arrogance will never stand.
From this day forth, humanity rises, not in retreat, but in full, unrelenting counterattack against the damned Chaos and their alien allies.
With every blade we wield, every shot we fire, we will make them remember: humanity bows to no one, and we will never yield!"
Guilliman raised his voice, shaking the hearts of everyone like booming thunder, resonating in every corner.
"Humanity will never yield!
Long live humanity!
Long live the Emperor!"
Accompanied by Guilliman's roar, the crew, soldiers, knights, Space Marines, Inquisitors, and faithful aboard the ships all let out deafening cheers, responding to Guilliman with fervor.
"Humanity will never yield!
For the Emperor!"
Everyone was so fervent, their faces red, shouting the frenzied slogans.
Even the surface of Macragge echoed with cheers, everyone shouting the same slogans.
Their emotional fluctuations converged, forming a powerful psychic current in the warp near Macragge, fiercely striking the raging warp storm, causing it to dissipate and making the gods take notice.
Amalrich, Celestine, and others felt all of this, and their hearts were like surging waves, making it difficult to remain calm.
With such a leader, how could the Imperium possibly fail?
Calgar stood on the surface, looking up at the sky.
Before, behind, and around him, countless people were shouting with his gene-father.
What a terrifying charisma and infectious power this was.
"Set sail!
Let us sound the death knell for the enemies of the Imperium!
This time, we fight for the Imperium, we fight for humanity, we fight for the Holy Emperor!"
Guilliman's roars became increasingly impassioned, stirring everyone and causing infinite strength to surge within their hearts.
Accompanied by cheers, warship after warship set sail, tearing open the veil of reality and entering the warp.
The flames of war reignited.
Humanity would never yield to that terrifying dark destiny.
Even if they drew their swords and declared war on the gods, the many Imperial heroes were fearless.