[Unprecedented situations are catalysts for developing adaptability. Don’t try to predict everything that might happen, instead, embrace it.]
[—Guilliman, Principle, 17.vi]
Influenced by Roboute Guilliman's personal philosophy, the Ultramarines are not a legion keen on extermination orders.
In addition to the extermination order, they also try their best to avoid phosphide weapons, radiation weapons, poison gas weapons, and any weapons that may cause long-term damage to the local environment.
War is only a necessary process of recovery. The Ultramarines do not try to gain anything from the process of war. They do not get morbid pleasure or glory from the wailing of the enemy.
This meant that the Ultramarines were bound to have ideological differences with some legions that were keen on war and destruction. In fact, the Ultramarines had already had complaints about the combat styles of some legions.
The Death Guard happens to be a legion that is skilled in the use of [Special Weapons] and has also been given the title of [Brutal].
According to common sense, the cooperation between the two legions would not be very harmonious.
But there are exceptions to everything.
[Extermination Order Approved]
They stood in front of the observation window on Macragge's Glory, waiting for the final curtain call of this planet.
After a long, emotionless discussion with Hades and a weighing of interests, Guilliman allowed this atrocity.
This is a necessary atrocity.
Another civilization disappeared, whether it was their palaces carefully carved from stone or the hawking of street stalls, they were not allowed to exist, they were erased because they were not in the interests of the empire.
The Glory of Macragge was large and had a good gravity system, but Guilliman still felt the floor beneath his feet trembling slightly. He silently counted the steps of loading the atmospheric incineration torpedoes, and every step was a tremor.
[Sir, the torpedoes have been loaded.]
Guilliman's lips moved twice. "Fire," he said.
This is an atrocity that no one with a conscience can bear.
He watched the torpedo quietly streak through the void. On the scale of the galaxy, it was such a tiny bullet.
The weak tail flame was like the last light after a bonfire burned out, adorning that tiny spot. In Guilliman's sight, it was slowly approaching Abstul—
The torpedo entered the planet's upper atmosphere first, and the small dot burst into a brilliant blue, but it still did not explode and continued to move faithfully towards the calculated explosion point.
Guilliman wondered if there were people who had struggled to survive in the wreckage that the Imperial warriors had waded through, and were desperately calling out to their families in the ruins of their hometown
The enemy had retreated, would they mistakenly believe they were saved? Would they mistakenly thank the enemy for their mistake or kindness
On the gray earth, he dragged his broken limbs and walked. The buzzing in his ears became louder and louder. He suddenly realized that this was not his problem. He looked up and saw a burning meteorite passing by the sky.
The next moment, the retina and the sky began to burn together.
The atmosphere screamed, the ocean boiled, the bright and warm yellow color quickly filled and embraced the gray planet, the blazing red flames devoured all the oxygen, and all living things would scream and go to destruction in the suffocating high temperature.
The entire planet melted as easily as glass, revealing a crystal clear shell like amber.
The brilliant red light shone through the porthole and reflected on Guilliman's face.
He was still witnessing it all, the inevitable consequences of his actions, and Guilliman needed to witness, learn, and then do a better job of saving what could still be saved.
After the flames had boiled for thirteen seconds, Guilliman averted his gaze.
The first thing he saw was Mortarion with flames burning in his eyes, flames that were hotter than the burning Abstergo.
Mortarion had an extreme hatred for psykers, so Guilliman chose to silently avert his gaze.
Then he saw Hades with an expressionless face.
Compared to Mortarion's overflowing hatred or excitement, Guilliman could not detect any fluctuations from Hades.
He reminded Guilliman of the stone sculptures at the front of a cemetery, which simply witnessed and watched over it all, ensuring that the dead were buried rather than lingering on in the world of the living.
Guilliman returned his gaze thoughtfully to the burning planet.
Sure enough, when the planet was burning to the point where no living creature could survive, Hades spoke first, saying softly,
"It's over. We have done our best to eliminate the contamination of the empire from this planet."
Guilliman looked at Hades, and then they both glanced at Mortarion, who was still immersed in the flames. He seemed to be immersed in this hellish scene.
Silently, silently, Hades took a small step back.
After receiving Hades' signal, Guilliman took a half step back without leaving a trace. Then he opened the private communication channel and turned on the ambient mute.
[Next, I will be responsible for Abstul's battle report, but for the psychics, I need the help of the Death Guard. ]
Hades raised his eyebrows in surprise. He thought that the overall battle report would be the responsibility of the Death Guards.
"To the extent reasonable, the Death Guard will provide the Ultramarines with all reasonable assistance in punishing psykers."
Hades said calmly,
[So.]
Hades especially emphasized not to try to understand and touch their knowledge. Knowledge is poisonous, he told Guilliman seriously.
As the Lord of Ultramar and the Primarch who received the ashes of the Randan War, although he looks like a politician on the surface, Guilliman, like Dorn, will not have the slightest curiosity in the face of absolute prohibition.
But...it's also Robert Guilliman, who likes to learn and emulate the superior arms of each legion.
Robert Guilliman thought for a moment and felt that the Death Guard's anti-psychic troops were very good.
And Guilliman's keen political talent told him that the Lord of the Order of Silence would be more suitable for the Ultramarines in this regard.
[Hades, what do you think of the Ultramarines' wish to exchange friendly experiences with the Death Guard and learn from them?]
Hades stared at Mortarion's back silently, and the sound of the private channel could not be transmitted outside.
It seems that Guilliman has noticed something. He is indeed a politician.
"The Death Guard is known for its silence. We are afraid it will be difficult for the Ultramarines to enter the Death Guard to learn."
Guilliman remained calm despite the expected rejection and continued to ask questions.
[What about weapons? The Ultramarines lack such targeted weapons as the Death Guard. Although we don't often face psykers, there will always be a small number of psykers in a civilization, and I appreciate the practical value of those weapons. ]
"Thank you for your approval of these inferior weapons I have researched."
Hades smiled.
"But unfortunately, since I developed these weapons myself, they are not suitable for mass production. Even the Death Guard cannot equip them on a large scale."
Guilliman looked towards Hades.
If he didn't want to give them to the Ultramarines, then he wouldn't say that these weapons were developed by him. What Hades means now is that he can give them, but he needs Guilliman to show his sincerity.
Guilliman instantly returned to the negotiation table, where he was best at.
[The necessary research and development of new equipment is crucial, and I am glad to see that the Empire has such talents. ]
If you need help, the Ultramarines will provide it as much as possible, as a thank you to the Death Guard for helping us understand psionics, and as a respect for their talent.
Hades smiled quite brilliantly this time.
"Lord Guilliman, do you know?"
Guilliman's right eyelid twitched.
"I have always admired the beautiful scenery of Macragge, the homeworld of the Ultramarines."
Guilliman thought that no one with any brains would say such a thing, and his mind was racing to figure out what Hades meant.
". Perhaps others would only sigh at her abundant resources and excellent humanities, but I am amazed at the vibrant administration under this beautiful scenery—"
Ah, so that’s how it is, Guilliman understood.
—As if Mortarion had noticed something, he turned around and saw two people who were also watching Abstul indifferently.
"Abstul's atmosphere will continue to burn for at least one standard Terran week."
Hades winked at Mortarion.
"Perhaps we can finish writing this battle report before it completely burns out?"
[The Ultramarines can be responsible for the main part of this battle report. We have unique experience and insights on filling out the battle report. ]
Guilliman said hastily,
[Can.]
Mortarion said that he realized that perhaps not everyone could fully understand and appreciate the beauty of Abstairs as it was.
Naturally, he had no illusions about Guilliman, but Hades did reveal his inhuman coldness and cruelty at certain moments.
Hades only cares about the facts, not what they mean. He cares about other people's reactions to the matter and takes them into account in his calculations, but he himself has no reaction or emotion about it.
Just as Hades himself wished, Mortarion felt that work was the right thing for him.
[.Hades, you are responsible, Garo and Vox will help you. ]
Mortarion turned around and continued to admire the howling planet. Under the purification of the flames, no trace of the psychic filth would remain.
After Mortarion turned around, Guilliman gave Hades a look that contained an unknown emotion, as if to say, is this really okay
Hades dead fish eyes.
This was good, very good, he knew it would be like this.
This chapter 3k
Yes, code.
(End of this chapter)