The arrival of Guilliman's fleet caused a huge sensation.
Even though the various great families tried to block the news, it still leaked out. The workers, the lower class, the gangs, and even the vagrants in the hive city were all discussing this matter.
The great lord Primarch, the holy primarch, the god of war under the mythical Emperor.
Those ancient stories were described with embellishments.
People seemed to return to the magnificent era of the Great Crusade once again.
They felt the glory of the Emperor walking among them.
Some merchants took photos and sent them back to the various hive cities. The magnificent fleet excited everyone.
This was the most direct manifestation of the primarch's power. This magnificent fleet was enough to make the enemies of a star system collapse without firing a single shot.
Some merchant ships, after obtaining permission, excitedly joined Guilliman's fleet. Even sailing with it for a period was enough to make them feel supreme glory, worth writing into their family history to be known by later generations.
Pious pilgrims came from all over the star system, cheering Guilliman's name.
It was a pity that all their requests to board Macragge's Glory were rejected.
The primarch subtly indicated that he would land on the surface to visit the loyalists who served the Imperium.
This excited the populace, who looked forward to the primarch's arrival in the hive city.
The Glaus family and the families who were in league with them also actively prepared.
They wanted to prove how loyal they were and how much they were loved by the people.
The primarch's reforms were completely unnecessary; maintaining the existing system was sufficient to ensure the continuation of the Imperium and the greatness of the Emperor.
Residential Zone Two.
"Get out. You all must stay away from this area until the primarch leaves."
The enforcement officers kicked open Hawk's door, throwing him out of his dilapidated room and telling him to find a place to sleep in Zone Three or Zone Four and return after the primarch left.
"This is my home." Hawk felt an unparalleled anger.
"Stay away. Don't let your lowliness defile the primarch's glory. Otherwise, I will arrest you in the Emperor's name." The enforcement officers were very rough and showed no intention of compromising.
It seemed that as long as it was done in the Emperor's name, it was just and a necessary sacrifice for the greater good.
The enforcement officers kicked open the doors of the residents one by one, telling them to get out of the way.
The Glaus family had already arranged a crowd to welcome the primarch. They were wealthy and neat, and every one of them understood etiquette.
Through such a welcoming ceremony, the Glaus family would prove how prosperous the people were under their rule, enjoying a harmonious and stable life.
"You will be cursed! The holy Emperor would never give such an order. Gazing upon the primarch is the right of every citizen, a manifestation of the Emperor's glory. You cannot do this!"
A blind old woman was also dragged out.
She let out an angry question.
No one didn't want to gaze upon the primarch, who represented the Emperor's will. This was perhaps the only moment worth remembering in their short, monotonous lives.
"We refuse to leave! We have the right to stay here!"
Ban, leaning on a crutch, walked out from the crowd. He had already sold his mechanical prosthesis.
If it hadn't been for the news of Guilliman's arrival that encouraged him, he would have likely chosen to commit suicide after spending his money.
Guilliman's arrival brought a ray of light into his dark life.
If he could see the spokesman for the Emperor's will, it would be the greatest comfort to him, an old veteran.
Ban's appearance encouraged others.
If a disabled person dared to resist, why should they choose to be cowardly??
They protested one after another, resolutely refusing to leave.
However, the enforcement officers were as tough as ever. They pulled out their laspistols.
They were not good at dealing with heretics and xenos, but they were very skilled at dealing with these honest Imperial citizens.
"This is the order of the Glaus family. You can disobey, and I can take necessary measures. Leave immediately now, and you can come back after the primarch leaves. Otherwise..."
The enforcement officer raised the lasgun in his hand, a sinister, threatening look in his eyes making people retreat.
He scanned the crowd and finally fixed his gaze on Ban, the vagrant, preparing to make an example of him.
"You shouldn't have stuck your neck out, you fool," the enforcement officer said.
"To hell with the Glaus family! I fought for the holy Emperor, and the Glaus family are nothing but leeches clinging to the Imperium!"
Ban shouted with a red neck, "You took away my pension, you took away my house, but you won't take away my chance to see the primarch!"
"Then go to hell, you fool!"
The enforcement officer fired a shot at Ban's leg.
The strong light of the laser beam flashed in the air, piercing Ban's remaining good leg, causing him to let out a mournful scream on the ground.
The smell of burning flesh came, scaring countless people into shrinking back.
"Who's next?" the enforcement officer shouted.
His gaze swept over those people, and no one dared to meet his eyes.
"Damn it! What have you done? He fought to protect you!" Hawk pushed through the crowd. He ran towards Ban, whom no one dared to approach, and held him tightly in his arms, comforting the old soldier and trying to alleviate his pain.
"Then take him and get lost! Let him be loyal one last time for the Glaus family!" The enforcement officer sneered, not caring about Hawk's words.
Hive City Plaza.
Accompanied by lightning and thunder, the dignitaries and wealthy gentlemen stood in the fiercely howling wind, awaiting the arrival of the primarch.
Celebratory fireworks struggled to ascend in the downpour, brilliant beams of light flashing, illuminating the dark and oppressive night like a dazzling performance.
The planetary governor stood at the front of the crowd. Like the other nobles, he shivered in the cold wind, but a smile appeared on his face, as if he was fantasizing about something good.
From the report of his capable subordinate, he knew that everything was ready.
He would display the achievements of the Glaus family to persuade the primarch to withdraw the reform order.
Elegant and noble Imperial nobles were the best servants to help the Emperor and the primarch rule the Imperium.
Those ignorant and lowly commoners only needed to complete their work.
There was absolutely no need for any reform.
All the nobles looked up at the sky, waiting for the primarch's arrival.
A flash of lightning passed, illuminating the thick clouds from within.
Thunder rumbled, and more lightning bolts were emitted.
Several lightning bolts struck the highest spire of the hive city.
The circuits built by the Mechanicus hummed, absorbing the excess energy and protecting the hive city from the power of nature.
As the nobles waited, the hum of spaceships came through the wind.
Dozens of Stormbirds pierced the completely black clouds, appearing from high altitude.
These Stormbird fighters escorted three Thunderhawks decorated with gold and painted with battle scenes.
The Stormbirds circled and hovered at high altitude, while the Thunderhawks landed one after another with a fierce hum.
The violent thrust disturbed the original trajectory of the raindrops.
When the Thunderhawks landed steadily on the plaza, the piercing hum slowly diminished.
As the airlock doors opened, Space Marines marched out in formation.
Every space marine was far taller than these nobles could compare.
As soon as they walked out, an indescribable oppressive atmosphere made many nobles feel suffocated.
They formed two lines, standing like statues in the rain, letting the water flow down their armor.
Besides holding boltguns, several Space Marines also held the battle standards of their respective chapters, Ultramar, and the Imperial Aquila.
The battle standards fluttered in the wind and rain, snapping loudly.
At this moment, grand music played, solemn and dignified.
Servitors and servo-skulls flew out of the Thunderhawk cabins, struggling to maintain their shape in the strong wind, announcing the primarch's arrival to the nobles.
"The spokesman for the Emperor's will, the great Imperial Regent, Lord of Ultramar, Lord of the Imperial Senate, the Emperor's own son, Lord Guilliman!"
Accompanied by the roars of the servitors and servo-skulls, the door of the last Thunderhawk slammed down.
Guilliman, surrounded by the Honour Guard, strode out with his head held high.
"You should fear!"
Guilliman scanned the nobles and said in a deep voice.
"For I am here!
Traitors!"
As soon as these words were spoken, the faces of many nobles, led by the planetary governor, instantly turned pale.