The sobbing and wailing from the Word Bearers ships could not be heard aboard Macragge's Glory.
Guilliman looked back and saw that the corridor behind him was empty and no one was there.
So how did he feel just now
Malcador, who was hunched over beside him, was coughing. The old man took his scepter and slammed it heavily on the ground in a serious manner.
Guilliman tilted his head in confusion and decided to continue discussing the topic with the Imperial Regent. The events in the City of Perfection were over for Guilliman. They were talking about the Warmaster. In fact, since the Battle of Randan, the name of "Warmaster" had been quietly spread among the Primarchs.
Except for those Primarchs who were determined to stay away from the center of the Empire and did not care about their own reputation, most of the Primarchs received news about the Warmaster intentionally or unintentionally.
Guilliman originally had unrealistic fantasies, and not many Primarchs could resist the meaning behind this honor.
But after repeated consideration of reason, Guilliman gave up this idea. Although the Ultramarines he led had gained enough reputation within the Empire, and although the Ultramarines 500 Worlds was a shining pearl of the Empire, Guilliman himself did not have a very good reputation among the Primarchs.
Moreover, having burned down the Perfect City, he probably would not be able to gain further support from other Primarchs.
Lorgar has a good relationship with Magnus and Perturabo, and he also has common topics with the Wolf King Leman Russ.
So far, the most competitive candidates for the position of Warmaster are Horus Lupercal, Fenus Manus, and Lion Jonson. They all have impressive battle records and extremely high reputations among the Primarchs.
Although Archangel Sanguinius would be a suitable candidate for Warmaster in the minds of the people of the Empire, Sanguinius was very cold towards the issue of Warmaster itself, and the relationship between the angels within the Primarchs was not very good. The angel was close to Horus and maintained a relatively cold relationship with the other Primarchs.
As for Guilliman himself, the Lord of Macragge strongly supported Fenuth Manus to become the Warmaster. Guilliman admired the rigor and majesty of the Lord of the Gorgon, and his steel-like rationality.
Guilliman did not disapprove of the other two candidates, but the Lord of Five Hundred Worlds saw clearly that the blood of the wolf-shepherd god Horus flowed with pride - perhaps it would be more appropriate to call it arrogance;
The Lion King, Jonson, is inhumanly cold and cruel. For the brothers, their awe of the Lion King may be more of a fear.
But who will the position of Warmaster be given to in the end... Guilliman thought that Horus had a greater chance of getting it. Compared to the other two, Horus obviously had better relationships among the Primarchs and was more respected.
Malcador looked at the Primarch, who was clearly in deep thought. He ignored the commotion behind him and spoke silently.
"Risks and crises always lurk around reputation and power. You are willing to give up the fight... Guilliman, this is beyond my expectation, but I am very happy to see you make this decision."
Guilliman looked towards Malcador, his blue eyes gleaming. After his conversation with Malcador and the Emperor, Guilliman's attitude towards the old man had softened a lot.
[You don't seem to want to see us become Warmasters, Malcador. Isn't this his will? Why?]
Malcador sighed.
"You can only see the glittering crown, but always ignore the sharp blade hanging on the crown."
"Or rather, you always think you have the ability to hold that sword."
Guilliman spoke slowly.
[I don't think my brothers would be happy to hear you say that about them.]
"Then I apologize, but we are selecting someone strong enough to hold the blade, not someone who simply thinks it would look better wearing a crown, not a child who thinks that this crown represents the Emperor's approval."
Guilliman felt his cheeks getting slightly hot. The term Warmaster... to them, it really symbolized a kind of recognition, a recognition that that person was the best.
But he would not show his embarrassment.
[Then I recommend you Fenu Manus, Malcador. He is rational and efficient. Although he sometimes makes mistakes, most of the time, he is always right and the most efficient one.]
"I am surprised that you would say such a thing. I have received your suggestion and I will report it to my Lord at the appropriate time."
Malcador lowered his eyes, thinking about the complex interpersonal relationships among the Primarchs.
Guilliman, Fulgrim and Vulkan supported Fainus; while Angel, Khan, Perturabo and Dorn supported Horus; Wolf and Alpha supported Lion...
As for the other Primarchs, Lorgar and Angron were now preoccupied with their own affairs, Magnus was not interested in such topics, and Mortarion was obsessed with staying away from the Primarch's circle.
What exactly is the Lord of Mankind's consideration... Malcador believes that this monarch is incomprehensibly stubborn in some aspects.
[Malcador, do you know which battlefield Fenus is on right now? ]
Guilliman asked abruptly, interrupting Malcador's thoughts. If Fainus led a magnificent battle and won it smoothly, the balance of victory would be more tilted towards their side.
Malcador paused.
"Fenus Manus is now preparing to attack an Eldar world with Vulkan and Mortarion - according to the schedule of the Imperial Military Affairs Department, they should have arrived at the target planet."
Mortarion
Guilliman suddenly remembered this brother with a unique style, but the next moment he turned around, staring at the still empty corridor, and called out tentatively in confusion,
[Hades?]
Malcador slammed his staff on the ground again, and now Guilliman realized what the old man had been doing.
Then, a familiar head of Guilliman appeared at the corner of the corridor behind them, and Hades walked out with an awkward smile, followed by the Sister of Silence - but why was he so big
Guilliman's pupils trembled.
Then he saw Hades coming over - he greeted Guilliman guiltily, and Guilliman responded to him mechanically. Malcador began to scold Hades in front of Guilliman, and Hades began to refute the old man with an awkward smile.
Apparently none of them cared about the shock to Guilliman's outlook.
Perhaps this was a dream, Guilliman thought. He should have realized it was a dream the moment the Emperor spoke to him with a smile.
But when he subconsciously grabbed Malcador's scepter as he tried to swing it to hit someone, Guilliman realized that this was not a dream.
Malcador's power was greater than he had imagined.
But... great, at least he wasn't dreaming.
—————
Finally the two men calmed down, and Guilliman spoke tentatively.
[Hades? Why...]
"I don't know anything. Malcador invited me to dinner and knocked me out. When I woke up, I found myself in my current state. I can't go back to being a Death Guard! It's all Malcador's fault. The old man has no moral principles!"
The next moment, psychic lightning burst out, and Malcador forcibly pulled out the scepter that was blocked by Guilliman, and then Guilliman watched the scepter slash towards Hades, and Malcador's figure almost left an afterimage at that moment -
At one point, Guilliman even felt sorry for the scepter, as its original purpose might not be to strike violently.
Perhaps the impact was too strong, Guilliman automatically lost track of the rest of the scene. He only remembered the golden light. When he remembered again, he saw Hades standing very stiffly in front of him who was shocked. Next to Hades was Malcador who was panting and gritting his teeth.
"Sorry, I just wanted to make a joke."
Hades said in a serious tone.
Guilliman opened his mouth. He prided himself on his knowledge, but this kind of thing was rare. This didn't seem like a political mistake, but more like the appearance of a group of bad friends in traditional literary works he had read before...
No, “bad company” may not be very accurate, it should be “birds of a feather flock together”.
But Guilliman still remembered discussing Barbarus with him, the Hades built by Macragge - professional, hopeful, and humorous. Guilliman admired this warrior, but Mortarion was quite dissatisfied with Hades's departure for diplomacy.
Looking at Hades who was secretly competing with Malcador, Guilliman decided to increase the weight of the [Witty Humor] column to the highest level - no, he should create a separate column.
No, no, no, Guilliman realized that although the current scene shocked him, his thoughts should be focused on why Hades became what he is now, rather than staring in amazement at Malcador and Hades fighting each other.
In a way, Hades' actions successfully shifted Guilliman's shock from Hades' existence itself to Hades' actions.
Guilliman briefly organized his words in his mind, realizing that if he didn't speak now, he might never have the chance to speak again.
Even with the shock, the politician part of Guilliman was still functioning, and Hades's words and Malcador's response to it told the Primarch that the matter itself might not be so serious and the level of confidentiality was high.
Guilliman was allowed to know.
[It’s nice to see you here again, Hades. I still hope to get to know you again, and what just happened… ? ]
Guilliman smiled.
Malcador sighed loudly, and the old man glanced at Hades, motioning him to shut up, and then Malcador said,
"Hades is the Lord of the Order of Silence. This is a special case, Guilliman. If you are confused about this, you can try to draw an analogy with the Custodes, but they are not fundamentally the same."
"At least the Custodians wouldn't be so..."
Malcador was silent. He seemed to be choosing a powerful word, but in the end the old man did not speak. He was not Hades.
Malcador's words brought Guilliman back to his senses, and he seemed to understand. A necessary leader of the anti-psychic department
Although Hades looked like he was going to match him... This was a little hard for Guilliman to accept, but he suddenly remembered Mortarion's attitude towards Hades... Was it already at that time
What is the Emperor preparing
However... if it was Hades... he had enough ability and wisdom, as well as his unique anti-psychic physique, Guilliman could understand this, and if he was the decision maker, he would also promote a soulless person with sufficient ability.
[Am I the first one to know about this, I mean among my brothers? ]
Guilliman asked abruptly.
"In a way... you're the first."
Makado said quietly,
He was the first, Guilliman thought, the Emperor had decided that he should be the first, was this a consideration? Did he think that Guilliman, as his son, could accept this news
Guilliman was certain that what he was seeing now would come as an incredible shock to some of his other brothers, to the extent that some of the Primarchs might not be able to accept it.
… No, Guilliman suddenly recalled the image of the Emperor in his eyes before. If he regarded the Primarchs as tools, then having more tools would not seem to matter.
After all, there was already a Macado, so this was not difficult to accept, although most of the Primarchs hated the old man very much.
Guilliman paused, then he smiled modestly.
[I understand, and I am also happy to see the Empire promote capable people, especially Hades, but it seems that we need to get to know each other again. ]
He stretched out his hand.
[Master of the 13th Legion Ultramarines, Lord of Macragge, Robert Guilliman.]
He was somewhat amused to see Hades stunned for a moment, then he looked at Malcador hesitantly. The old man rolled his eyes as usual, and Hades smiled helplessly after being looked at by the old man, and also stretched out his hand.
"Hades, Commander of the 14th Legion Death Guard and Lord of the Order of Silence."
After releasing his hand, Guilliman smiled easily.
[Can I invite you to visit Macragge now, Hades? You gave me a lot of inspiration on anti-psychic last time, and I'd like to know your views and experience on how to deploy anti-psychic in real life.]
He watched as Hades' eyes slowly flickered—
Malcador beside them suddenly coughed violently. Before Hades could open his mouth, Malcador interrupted him.
"Hades has a mission assigned to him by the Empire. I'm afraid he can't go to the Five Hundred Worlds for the time being. Guilliman, you are too impatient."
Guilliman smiled.
[It was just a joke to liven up the atmosphere.]
"I really hope this isn't a joke."
Hades said solemnly,
[Then it is not. You are always welcome in Macragge, Hades.]
Guilliman caught a glimpse of Malcador clenching his scepter again. Why did Malcador react so badly to Hades going to Macragge
"Thank you for the invitation, Guilliman. I have always dreamed of visiting Macragge - of seeing the glimmer of human civilization."
Hades smiled quite brightly.
It looks like Malcador is about to hit Hades with a stick again.
4k words today, that’s all, great!
(End of this chapter)