Yasily's attitude was exceptionally respectful, not only because Guilliman was the Emperor's son, but also because she had been saved thanks to him.
She was one of the many "heretics" the primarch had released from the missionary world of Espandor.
Yasily's crime was absurd; she had been captured by the Ecclesiarchy's Guard because she was disrespectful to the Emperor, spread heretical doctrines, and was an infidel without faith. She was supposed to be sentenced to be burned at the stake.
Her only stroke of luck was that Guilliman arrived just a few days before her execution.
After examination, she was released and joined the primarch's retinue due to her knowledge.
Yasily was from a rogue trader family. She had long been active on the frontiers of the Imperium, even venturing into the dark void beyond the reach of the Emperor's Astronomican, seeking wealth and lost knowledge.
Later, for some family reasons, she entered the inner sectors of the Imperium. Compared to the relatively open frontiers, the rigidity and ignorance within the Imperium's inner sectors had reached an extremely severe degree.
People rejected all reason, rejected science, and even more so rejected new knowledge.
To the Ecclesiarchy, people like Yasily, who still believed in science and truth, were undoubtedly heretics.
Unsurprisingly, she was arrested.
The xenos atlas she had collected and compiled was also used as evidence by Ecclesiarchy personnel to accuse her of heresy.
Yasily felt extremely wronged. She had only wanted to help the people of the Imperium understand those xenos, and yet she was declared guilty.
But the Ecclesiarchy gave her no opportunity to defend herself. The priests stubbornly believed she was guilty, that any words were heretical falsehoods and should not be listened to, and they deprived her of the right to appeal.
If Guilliman hadn't arrived, Yasily would have become another victim of the fanatical Ecclesiarchy.
It was hard to imagine how many people like Yasily, who still maintained their rationality and scientific spirit of inquiry, had been declared heretics by the Ecclesiarchy over the past few millennia in the Imperium.
Just thinking about this made Guilliman want to vomit blood; the Ecclesiarchy was too detrimental.
In Yasily's eyes, Guilliman's room was shockingly simple.
The interior was arranged simply and practically, with only a few items that could be considered personal belongings.
She hadn't expected it to be a lavishly decorated palace, nor did she think he would flaunt wealth as taste like those foolish nobles, or consider crystal and gold inlays as art.
But when she actually entered the place, she found its simplicity exceeded her imagination.
It was as if worldly desires had completely faded from Guilliman.
He no longer cared about such mundane things.
The most abundant items in the reception room were old, historically rich books, all showing signs of being read. Clearly, these were what the primarch read to relax.
Data crystals used for handling political affairs were casually placed on the desk of exaggerated size.
The holographic projection equipment was exposed at one end of the desk, which, according to those nobles, was utterly devoid of aesthetics.
The portable bed placed to the side appeared extremely large, but for a gene-primarch whose physique far surpassed that of mortals, it could perhaps only barely accommodate him.
Yasily found herself uncontrollably imagining what great dreams a primarch of unparalleled glory might have while sleeping.
The concept of a primarch resting in bed seemed remarkably human.
To be honest, Yasily had never considered whether a figure like Guilliman truly needed rest.
She had thought that gene-primarchs, in addition to being immortal, were also tireless.
Yasily surveyed the reception room out of the corner of her eye, pondering what the primarch did when not fighting, until Guilliman's voice sounded again, and she snapped out of her contemplation.
"They are all defying me, trying to use various despicable means to test my choice between saving humanity and safeguarding their interests. Those fools think that without them, the Imperium will be paralyzed and unable to function normally. And I will tell them, that is impossible. The Imperium can operate as usual without waste."
Guilliman looked at Yasily and said in a deep voice, "But these things are difficult for me to do alone. I can govern a planet, a star system, or even a sector excellently, but the Imperium is so vast, with countless humans and a huge number of colonized planets. I cannot stay in one place for a long time; I can only rely on those of you who share the same dream as me."
"We are all committed to saving humanity, Yasily. I see in you the rationality that has not yet been crushed by this age of despair. I will give you a special appointment: to maintain the normal operation of the Natal system after I clear out those foolish nobles, until it can regenerate itself."
"My lord, such an honor…" Yasily felt a hint of apprehension. What immense trust it took to entrust such a mission.
"You are perfectly suited for it, Yasily. You possess rationality, a thirst for knowledge, and a merchant's insight, clearly understanding the value of a planet and the role it can play in my plan.
You understand the terrifying trials our race faces in this age of madness far better than those useless nobles. Such understanding is enough to elevate you above ninety-nine percent of people. Please do not refuse the mission I entrust to you."
"If that is your request, then this appointment will be my honor, my lord." Yasily no longer refused, performing a simple gesture of respect to express gratitude for the primarch's grace and trust.
In her bones flowed the adventurous and free blood of every rogue trader active on the frontiers of the Imperium.
Only those utterly useless individuals would use their power to accumulate wealth in the comfortable inner Imperium, using complex rituals to display their nobility.
Yasily could not learn the complex rituals of the nobles, but this did not affect her respect for the Regent of the Imperium in the slightest.
"My lord, I have a question." Yasily, having completed her bow, looked up, showing her confusion.
"Ask away. There is still some time, and I will answer you as best as I can."
"Why are you in such a hurry to make this appointment? Perhaps some suitable candidates could be found in the Natal system? Have you already determined that the nobles of the Natal system are no longer fit to rule?"
Yasily asked.
"When Terra was still called Earth, there was a proverb, don't put all your eggs in your basket, but if they're rotten, then remove them altogether.
House Glaus has challenged my authority. This means that other families are either suppressed by them or have already succumbed to their rule.
Without absolute loyalty to the Emperor, there is disloyalty. They have abandoned their duties, and even if they are innocent, what does it matter?
They swore allegiance to the Emperor and to give everything for the survival of humanity. This is why they were able to rule Natal. And now they turn a blind eye to a family that openly defies my orders, allowing them to cause trouble. This is the behavior of oath-breakers.
Oath-breaking bystanders are just as unforgivable as those who cause trouble. They received the power granted by the Emperor but did not fulfill the duties granted by the Emperor. This is a fault.
I don't have many people I can use. In this age of madness, religion has permeated everyone's soul.
There are too few people like you who are willing to maintain science and rationality. I have to carefully choose your positions to ensure my plan succeeds.
The Natal system is very important. I will clear out the old nobles there and ensure that the lives of the common people are better and full of hope. Only then can it be more convincing and prove that the path of reform I am taking is correct."
Guilliman's words were slightly heavy. The fate of all humanity rested on his shoulders, and a slight misstep could lead to eternal damnation.
Yasily's heart was no longer in doubt. She said in a firm tone, "I will surely not fail your expectations, my lord."
"Very good, we are almost there. Go and get ready. I hate the Ecclesiarchy, but I must admit that it is indeed a very convenient tool. It allows me to bypass some regulations, directly declare those who are unwilling to obey me as heretics, and deal with them swiftly and decisively," Guilliman said with a smile.
Accompanied by the fluctuation of the warp, the massive ship burst out of the etheric sea and entered the real starscape in a flash.
The relevant information was immediately captured by the satellites observing the warp and sent to each family, announcing the arrival of the primarch.