Guilliman's wrath was palpable, heating the air in the hall.
The representatives trembled, unsure why the Primarch was so angry.
"My lord, my family, the Kalima, has served the Imperium for three thousand years. We have never betrayed the Imperium. You cannot strip us of our rights like this. Is such a cruel decision the reward the Imperium gives to the loyal?"
The planetary governor of Sara system stammered tremblingly.
"Loyalty?" Guilliman raised his voice, scrutinizing the man before him. "Hundreds of billions died on this planet, hundreds of millions rebelled and became cultists. I have not killed you; that is your reward for not having betrayed the Imperium."
"Our titles were granted by the Terra Senate, and they only speak for the Emperor. The first Terra Senate was established by me, and I hold absolute authority to decide."
"My lord, we are—"
...
Other representatives also stepped forward, their questions flying towards the Primarch like snowflakes.
As their own rights were threatened, they seemed to lose some of their respect and fear for Guilliman.
Power is corrosive, Sicarius thought. It erodes respect, erodes common sense, and makes people greedy and selfish.
The Primarch was saving this world, yet these people showed resentment because their own rights were damaged.
The power over one planet could make a person lose their mind.
If it were the power over a sector, a sub-sector, or even an entire Imperium, how terrifying would that be?
Perhaps, they would directly kill the Primarch to protect their ruling interests.
Sicarius felt a hint of fear at his own rebellious thought.
Perhaps one day, he would have to make a choice: choose the Imperium defined by Guilliman, or the Imperium defined by the Terra Senate.
Guilliman would not compromise with the old forces. Since his awakening, he had made no secret of his disappointment with the current state of the Imperium.
He urgently wanted to change the current Imperium and pull humanity back from the abyss of ignorance and depravity.
And those who had ruled the Imperium for thousands of years would never willingly give up the power in their hands.
They would commit any terrible act for their luxurious lives and family interests.
Under Guilliman's wrath, all the representatives were driven out.
After a moment, Sicarius returned. He respectfully saluted his Primarch, asked for forgiveness, and then spoke.
"My lord, there is a man who might meet your requirements, but he has been infected by the plague and will die soon. He cannot come to see you in person. If you are willing, would you consider moving to the hospital?"
After a moment of contemplation, Guilliman stood up. "Let's go, we will take a look."
The appearance of a Primarch excited the people of Sara system.
They ran from all directions, shouting the names of Guilliman and the Emperor outside the steel defense line established by the Honor Guard.
Many had tears in their eyes, too emotional to control themselves.
Some devout followers ran to kiss the ground the Primarch had walked on and wept loudly, thanking the Primarch for saving them from the nightmare.
"They are all mad," Guilliman said softly, looking at the people.
"They are too excited, my lord," Sicarius said.
"If my father saw this scene, I don't know how disappointed he would be. He disliked such fanatical faith. Rather, he disliked any faith at all," Guilliman said.
Sicarius didn't speak. He hadn't lived in the era when the Emperor was present.
He didn't know what the true Him was like.
Guilliman entered a temporary hospital. The wounded soldiers and civilians were greatly encouraged by his arrival.
"You are outstanding," Guilliman praised generously. "You defended this planet and dealt a heavy blow to the forces of Chaos. Without you, we would not have won so easily."
His words made the people in the hospital exceptionally happy.
Everyone's face showed pride; they had received recognition from a Primarch, which was an extremely glorious thing.
Many emotional soldiers clenched their fists secretly. They would continue to serve the Imperium until the end of their lives and the final salvation of the Imperium.
To better encourage the people, Guilliman even allowed a soldier with a broken leg to grasp one of his armored fingers as a reward.
He was too large for a normal person to shake hands with him.
Cheers shook the hospital. The soldier who received special treatment cried uncontrollably. At this moment, he was willing to give everything for the Primarch.
Under the gaze of respect and adoration, Guilliman walked into the innermost ward.
A loyal servant of the Imperium who was about to die lay on the hospital bed.
Beeping medical equipment filled the space around him.
His body was covered in pus, yet there were no wounds; it was all the result of the disease.
"His name is Jason, rank of Colonel. He was the commander of the Third Defense Regiment and the defender of Sara system.
When his superiors fled, he, as a Colonel, voluntarily took on the responsibility of defending Sara system.
Otherwise, Sara system could not have held out for so long. Unfortunately, during the battle, his internal organs were corroded. We are helpless."
A medic next to Guilliman introduced the patient's condition.
Guilliman opened the ward door and bent down to enter.
The ward was filled with a very foul smell, like rotten watermelon mixed with rotten fish.
Guilliman adjusted his breathing, trying hard to adapt to the nauseating smell.
As for whether there were germs in the air, he was not worried.
Primarchs possessed the most powerful immune systems in the real universe; ordinary germs could not cause them any harm.
"Colonel Jason," Guilliman lowered his voice, calling out to this poor Imperial hero with compassion.
He had given everything for Sara system, and now, he could only wait here to die.
How unfair fate was. The loyal gave everything for the Imperium, while the base stepped on their bones, enjoying glory and luxurious lives.
The patient tried his best to open his eyes, turning his head at a very small angle to look at the Primarch. A smile appeared on his pus-covered face.
"Is that you? My lord Primarch? The Holy Emperor has not forsaken me. You are so merciful, willing to come and see a man who is about to die."
"No, you are a hero of the Imperium, Jason. This world will have your statue and your story. You will be sung about for eternity," Guilliman said.
"No, I failed in my duty. I let so many people die. I should have protected them, protected this world, but I failed. If not for your arrival, everything I did would have been in vain."
A hint of a sob appeared in Jason's voice. He cried for his incompetence and also for Guilliman's arrival. It was the Primarch who saved Sara system and saved the innocent civilians.
"If not for your existence, Sara system would have turned into a plague star before we arrived. You held back the enemy, creating an opportunity for us to annihilate them.
In the name of the Regent of the Imperium, I will award you the Imperial Honor Medal to commemorate your contribution to the Imperium."
"Thank you, my lord Primarch. This is my honor," Jason said, crying, happy to receive recognition.
"Do you have anything else to say?" Guilliman asked.
"Can you grant me the Emperor's mercy? I can feel that my internal organs have rotted. They are tormenting me, making me succumb to pain, trying to make me sell my soul."
Jason's eyes looked at Guilliman's flawless face, full of pleading. Every second of living was agony.
To be recognized by Guilliman, his life was already complete.
It was time to leave.
He would never succumb to pain and sell his soul to those twisted beings.
He was forever loyal to humanity, loyal to the Imperium, loyal to the Emperor.
Guilliman was silent for a moment before speaking. "If this is your last wish, I can fulfill it."