How powerful was Lord Guilliman?
As the Lord Commander of the Imperium who had lived for over ten thousand years, even in the later chapters of the cosmic narrative, he can still hold his ground among many stellar powers.
At this stage, even if you combined Saint Celestine, Captain Sicarius, Inquisitor Greyfax, and Lieutenant Voss together...
They likely wouldn't present sufficient challenge!
Celestine herself acknowledges that her time with the Astra Militarum hasn't yielded significant combat enhancement.
Compared to Lord Guilliman's tactical acumen, her powers are practically rudimentary, akin to a neophyte's first field exercises.
"Prepare for martyrdom, blessed one." Jain Zar regarded Celestine with undisguised skepticism.
She truly hadn't anticipated that this Living Saint, barely three decades from ascension, would actually contemplate challenging the Primarch.
Perhaps this exemplified what Imperial literature termed "the Emperor protects the foolish"?
"Are you mocking the Emperor's chosen?" Celestine fixed Jain Zar with a penetrating glare.
"No, merely articulating observable reality. Should you desire, I might even offer assistance."
"Hm~ Who would enlist xenos assistance against their own Imperium?"
"Not entirely without wisdom, then." Jain Zar's lips curled into a subtle expression, brushing her ancient battle-helm's crest from her shoulder.
Was Celestine deficient in tactical assessment?
Marginally.
She accepted Kei's assertions completely upon initial contact. Even readily disclosed the Imperium's greatest strategist, Lord Guilliman.
And now, designating them as 'xenos' subtly excluded the Eldar from her sphere of trust, while implying she didn't categorize Kei as external to Imperial interests.
Instinct?
Or inherent perception?
This relatively recent Living Saint might demonstrate inexperience, but she appeared to possess certain qualities essential for an Imperial figurehead.
"I haven't queried your purpose, what brings Craftworld Eldar to Holy Terra?"
"Terra suddenly became vulnerable to various cosmic influences..."
"Another faith-harvesting operation?"
"Doesn't the Ecclesiarchy employ identical methodology?"
"That's Guilliman's directive, not mine!"
Jain Zar and Celestine exchanged observations. Though superficially contentious, both parties were clearly probing strategic intentions. They projected opposition. Yet neither exhibited genuine hostility.
Kei maintained no interest in the diplomatic maneuvering between the Imperium and Craftworld Eldar. He directed his attention toward Sicarius beside the cooking apparatus.
---
[Name: Cato Sicarius]
[Career: Ultramarines Captain]
[Active Traits:
{Gold: Galactic Force, Void-Resistant Armor}
{Red: Guilliman's Primarch Gene},
{Purple: Basic Eldar Gene Sequence},
{Blue: Honor-bound, Tactical Acumen},
{Green: Chapter Traditions},
{White: Otaku Loser, Fantasy Hero, Pure-hearted Son of Macragge, Excessive Purity Seal User}]
---
From his assessment, Sicarius clearly possessed exceptional potential and combat prowess.
Despite [Galactic Force], [Transhuman Physiology], and [Void-Resistant Armor] being recently activated, with foundational applications yet undeveloped...
Mastery of even these limited abilities would establish him among the Imperium's elite commanders. He might potentially surpass standard Astartes limitations and integrate warp-resistant capabilities with anti-warp methodologies.
Examining this profile...
He could understand [Honor-bound].
Witnessing civilian harassment and intervening without hesitation, how could such an individual not embody Imperial honor?
[Chapter Traditions] also made sense.
His predecessors had served the Chapter for generations, defending the Imperium. Such was his cultural indoctrination.
But those four white-tier traits...
[Otaku Loser], [Fantasy Hero], [Pure-hearted Son of Macragge], [Toilet Paper Waster]?!
...What an individual. Kei observed Sicarius beside the cooking apparatus, silently offering Greyfax prepared meat, and experienced profound bewilderment.
[Excessive Purity Seal User]... How excessive must this practice be?
Preferring warriors with strategically positioned insignia represents standard preference. He acknowledges this! But preferring to collect them obsessively? What peculiar methodology is this?!
Truly remarkable dedication! The system should have given you a gray-tier trait labeled [Seal Collector]!
System, copy [Void-Resistant Armor].
---
[Obtained:
- Void-Resistant Armor (Gold)]
---
Activate.
He issued the mental command.
An immense volume of anti-warp protocols surged into his Labyrinthian Circuit. Through previous transformation and dimensional recalibration, his physical form had already adapted to processing high-dimensional data through the overclocked computational system.
Consequently, trait activation generated minimal systemic disruption.
This stability results from warp and anti-warp complementary nature, one disrupted established parameters. The other reinforced them.
Upon trait activation, Void-Resistant Armor immediately began integration with the Labyrinthian Circuit!
---
[Compatibility detected:
- Void-Resistant Armor (Gold)
- Primordial Realm Lord (Rainbow)]
[Fusion? Yes/No]
---
Yes.
Having previously integrated Webway Technology, acquired warp manipulation capabilities, and mastered multiple conceptual frameworks, the anti-warp functionality represented substantial enhancement and augmentation to his Labyrinthian Circuit's operational range and methodology, rather than fundamental reconfiguration.
Naturally, this enhancement's significance remained substantial!
Indeed, with anti-warp capabilities integrated, his offensive capabilities effectively doubled.
It resembled solving a strategic simulation.
---
(Labyrinthian Circuit integrated with Anti-Warp Concept. Anti-Warp Operations activated.)
(Dimensional Overclocked AI computation rate increased. Current rate: 600 cycles.)
(Torture-class Raider—Genetic Archive fully replicated.)
(Simulating all cataloged genetic traits from Warhammer Universe—Warp, Anti-Warp—generating novel tactical applications.)
(Labyrinthian Circuit now incorporates genetic strike capabilities from Enhanced Eldar, Drukhari soul-adaptations, Primarch gene-coding, Empyrean attributes, Navigator genes...)
---
Sequential automated notifications from the Labyrinthian Circuit resonated internally.
Kei displayed satisfaction and reclined comfortably. With these additional genetic-attack functionalities, even enhanced warriors with fourth-generation wraithbone bodies would present minimal resistance! Moreover, how many entities in the current Warhammer Universe possessed wraithbone integration?
This limitation existed solely because he lacked access to their genetic data. Upon acquisition?
The supposed wraithbone bodies... would collapse upon initial engagement!
Same logic, once he returned to the Marvel Universe, after analyzing the bloodlines of Asgardian, Jotun, Kree, Skrull genetic structures...
Kei leaned back happily and turned toward Sicarius.
"Captain Sicarius, I have something for you."
"What? I'm already partaking of your hospitality, an now receiving additional gifts? Isn't that excessive generosity? Ha!"
Sicarius, attention fixed on the prepared protein, turned with visible confusion. Learning that additional benefaction awaited, his interest heightened, though tempered with appropriate Astartes restraint.
"It complements your abilities perfectly." Kei gestured subtly, projecting a golden energy stream into Sicarius's lower torso.
"By the Throne! Emperor's blood! I... that was most unexpected! What manifestation is this? Why is it penetrating my... my primary organs?!"
Sicarius elevated himself significantly, nearly uttering prohibited phrases. The sudden energy penetration entered his lower torso. Had there not been numerous female personnel present, he might have removed his armor plating for examination.
That anatomical region... Any unexpected alteration represented significant concern for an Astartes warrior!
As his statement concluded, a pair of shadowy wings suddenly materialized from his back, nearly displacing the cooking apparatus as they extended.
He regarded the appendages with visible confusion.
Before he could respond, Lieutenant Voss reached forward to examine the dark structures.
"Throne's light, Captain, you've transformed into avian xenos?!"
"Lieutenant, your assessment verges on heresy!"