Hurried footsteps echoed outside the cathedral.
The twins, Elenore and Genevieve, arrived with the Battle Sisters.
They urgently asked if the Emperor had conveyed any oracle.
"When I arrived, the God-Emperor had already departed."
Celestine said with some regret,
"The Arch-Angel, who carried His supreme will, had also burned herself out."
Afterward, Celestine and the other Sisters, with devout hearts, collected the ashes left behind by the Arch-Angel.
They firmly believed these remains held the Emperor's power, capable of expelling evil demons and protecting them.
Just as the Sisters finished collecting the ashes, Woldaes, Chief Librarian Tigurius, Calgar, and other Imperial heroes arrived one after another.
Their faces also showed eager expressions, wanting to know what had happened.
Guilliman, however, remained frozen in place like a bronze statue, silent.
The conversation lasted only a moment, but the amount of information gained was terrifying.
Even a Primarch found it difficult to digest so much information.
He needed more time to sort through the many matters.
Seeing that the Primarch was not speaking, everyone could only look at Alex.
"Guide, did the God-Emperor leave any hints or tasks?" Celestine asked Alex, her face full of expectation.
Woldaes, Chief Librarian Tigurius, and the others also stared at Alex with fervent gazes.
For ten thousand years, the Emperor had sat silently on the Golden Throne, never communicating with His subjects.
"You might be disappointed; I didn't hear anything," Alex said with a helpless expression.
He had only heard the first sentence, "My son, my tool," and then he was filled to the brim with the Emperor's mighty power.
His entire consciousness was drowned in endless whispers and the many cruel images of the dark galaxy.
When it all ended, he returned to Holy Terra (Earth/Reality).
The Emperor had not spoken from beginning to end, at least not to him.
"He did not leave any tasks or hints," Guilliman said, corroborating Alex's words.
"He merely revealed to us the current tragic state of the galaxy and the crisis facing the Human Empire."
Afterward, Guilliman shared what he had seen with everyone.
The entire galaxy was torn apart by the Great Rift, divided into two parts.
Countless creatures of the Old Night swept in, terrifying Xenos eyed them covetously, and numerous human worlds were being ravaged.
They had to act quickly, otherwise, human civilization would be completely destroyed.
"The Primarch must return to Holy Terra (Earth/Reality) as soon as possible," Alex said to Guilliman, offering a suggestion.
"Why?" Guilliman wanted to hear Alex's analysis.
"Only by returning to Holy Terra (Earth/Reality) can you take control of the entire Human Empire, issue commands as the Regent, and coordinate the Human Empire's resources."
"Putting everything else aside, at least you need to stabilize the current situation first."
"The Eye of Terror is expanding, the galaxy is split in two, Macragge and the Five Hundred Worlds are relatively well off, still able to see the Astronomican, while on the other side of the galaxy, the guidance of the Astronomican is completely lost."
"Abaddon still wants to expand his gains and help Chaos devour the entire galaxy."
"And their primary target is the birthplace of humanity, the Sol System."
As Alex spoke, he opened a data projection.
With his action, the galaxy, split in two by the Great Rift, appeared before everyone.
Half of the Human Empire's territory could not receive the guidance of the Astronomican.
Countless worlds struggled in darkness, devoured and enslaved by evil demons and Xenos.
No one knew what was happening there, nor how many areas the Warp Storm had ravaged.
Alex enlarged the galaxy projection and pointed out several important Warp nexus nodes.
These hubs were crucial nodes for the Sol System's external Warp routes.
Once blocked, the mobilization of large armies would become very difficult.
"Abaddon not personally coming to stop Cawl from resurrecting the Primarch indicates he is busy with something more important."
"Imagine, what could be more important than preventing a loyal Primarch's return?"
"The Emperor?" Celestine tentatively replied.
Alex nodded, "Yes, the Emperor."
"The Emperor is the key to the Human Empire's continued existence; once Holy Terra (Earth/Reality) falls, even if we resurrect the Primarch, it will be meaningless."
"Without the Emperor's protection, the Warp will consume everything, and no matter how much we do, it will be futile."
Guilliman looked at the star map projection, his gaze solemn.
He pondered for a moment and decided to adopt Alex's suggestion.
"I will go to Holy Terra (Earth/Reality). Guide, will you come with us to Holy Terra (Earth/Reality)?"
Alex shook his head, "I have other matters to attend to. I will go to Holy Terra (Earth/Reality), but I will not act with you."
"Stopping Abaddon from destroying the Sol System is just the beginning; we must fundamentally change the Human Empire to have any chance of defeating Chaos."
"If I go to Holy Terra (Earth/Reality), I won't be able to do anything. The time wasted on infighting and power struggles will be far greater than the time spent integrating the Human Empire."
"The journey to Holy Terra (Earth/Reality) will undoubtedly be extremely difficult. The Primarch's return has already attracted the attention of the Dark Gods," Woldaes said.
"Guide, you can receive the Emperor's power. If you travel with the Primarch, this pilgrimage expedition will be much smoother."
"And you don't need to stay on Holy Terra (Earth/Reality) forever; once you arrive, you can also leave to complete your own matters."
"What you said makes a lot of sense, Grand Master." Alex organized his words before continuing,
"But whether I am in the pilgrimage party or not, I can help you."
Without waiting for Woldaes to ask, Alex looked around at everyone, his tone solemn.
"I demand that you swear by your loyalty and souls to keep the secret I am about to share."
Everyone exchanged glances but still nodded one by one, making their vows.
"The God Chosen are extensions of my will. Wherever they are, I can come and go freely, arriving in an instant."
"Also, I can summon them to my side at will, which means as long as there is one God Chosen by your side, it is equivalent to all God Chosen, including me, being by your side."
The fact that he could travel to players' sides at will would not remain a secret forever.
It was better to say it in advance and prepare everyone psychologically.
Perhaps it could even be used as a trump card to trick the Human Empire's enemies.
Guilliman and the others looked surprised.
"Is that true?" Greyfax asked.
"The Guide should not be joking; Celestine can appear on various battlefields of the Human Empire," Amaric said.
When Greyfax looked at Celestine,
the Living Saint nodded, acknowledging Amaric's statement.
"I will send the God Chosen to act with you. When you need me, I will descend directly."
"…"
Everyone discussed the specific route to Holy Terra (Earth/Reality) and various arrangements after their departure.
At the same time, they also discussed whether to hold a grand celebration for Guilliman's return.
Guilliman initially did not want to hold it, thinking it was extravagant and wasteful, but Alex supported it.
Although the celebration would consume a lot of time and resources, it could give people confidence.
After weighing the pros and cons, Guilliman agreed to hold the celebration.
The meeting ended, and everyone left.
Alex also returned to his room.
He placed the box obtained from completing the "Special Mission: Save Roboute Guilliman" on the table.
The box was forged from an unknown dark silver metal.
A large two-headed eagle was carved in the center, while the edges were densely covered with special runes.
Alex reached out and placed his hand on the surface of the box.
Centered on his hand, a faint light emerged, weaving along the patterns.
The light outlined runes on the box's surface, finally converging on the central two-headed eagle.
The sound of gears clicking came from inside the box.
The locks opened one by one.
With a crisp sound, the box automatically lifted.
A misty vapor flowed down like a waterfall.
A scepter lay quietly inside the box, resting on soft velvet.
The handle was crafted from dark silver metal.
Fine threads spiraled around the handle, maximizing grip.
The top featured a two-headed eagle, with a golden human skull inlaid in the middle.
Alex picked up the scepter; it was heavy and substantial.
The two-headed eagle and skull at the end were not just decorative; they could easily smash a head.
After pressing the activation button, a pulsating azure glow formed around the skull decoration from the disintegration field.
The smell of ionized, burnt air instantly filled the room.
Clearly, this was not just a scepter but also a long-handled Warhammer.
With a power field applied, if he were to smash an enemy's head,
one hit would silence them.
"Is this because it knows I aspire to learn Gandalf's combat style, so it sent this?"
Alex quietly muttered a complaint.
This thing, even just by swinging it to hit people, could easily kill enemies.
A golden light screen appeared, detailing the scepter in Alex's hand.
Name: Staff of Retribution (Legendary)
This weapon combines ancient Warp techniques and power field technology.
It can not only amplify psychic powers but also be used as a melee weapon.
"This thing isn't just for casting spells; it's also very handy for opening cans."
"Not bad, this will be my main weapon from now on."
Alex gestured with the scepter, a satisfied expression on his face.
At this moment, Cortana's projection appeared before Alex.
"Master, the randomly selected eighth batch of player names is out, totaling eight thousand eight hundred sixty-six players."
Upon hearing Cortana's words, Alex's eyes widened slightly.
Eight thousand eight hundred sixty-six?
This number, how strange!
It seemed like the Prince of Pleasure and the Blood God were forcibly put together.
If it wasn't intentional, Alex would find it hard to believe.
"Show me the list."
Alex asked Cortana to give him the player list.
A light screen list appeared before Alex.
It displayed the players' ID names.
"Purge Protocol Main System"
"Palru's Life Is Precious"
"Neutron Annihilation Most Efficient"
"Be a Good Person in RimWorld"
"King of Mount & Blade"
Alex looked at this string of player names, a bit astonished.
"Why does it feel like they're all P-game players? Did I poke a war criminal's nest?"
"Do you need adjustments?" Cortana, in her holographic projection, tilted her head slightly.
Data streams traced galactic star map-like trajectories in her eyes.
"Let me see first!"
Alex continued to look down; the subsequent ID names were quite normal.
"Forget it, their selection is also fate's arrangement."
"Okay, then Cortana will distribute the helmets according to this list."
"Go ahead." Alex nodded.
After the meeting, Guilliman publicly declared:
"I will go to Holy Terra (Earth/Reality) and begin reforming the current Human Empire from its capital."
This news caused a sensation.
The countless citizens of Macragge felt reluctance and sadness.
How long had the Primarch just returned before he had to leave again?
But they could also understand that the Primarch was, after all, the Emperor's son.
He could not just focus on Macragge but had to look at the entire Human Empire.
A grand ceremony was being meticulously prepared to celebrate the Primarch's return.
At the same time, the news of the Primarch's revival also spread outwards from Ultramar.
Many Warbands dispatched warriors, crossing Warp Storms, to rush to Macragge.
In addition, the Astra Militarum, Imperial Navy, Skitarii, as well as various Knight Houses and Titan Legions all dispatched their active forces.
They participated in the grand parade ceremony and traveled with the Primarch to Holy Terra (Earth/Reality) for pilgrimage.
The holding of the ceremony also attracted some trouble.
For example, the Primarch of the Emperor's Children Legion, Fulgrim,
secretly plotted to drag Guilliman into the abyss of corruption.