Chapter 3
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"The database contains a vast amount of human technological knowledge," the system informed Roboute Guilliman, "which you, as the host, can access once you complete relevant certification tasks. The Lord of Dominion template can help you gather belief; the more beings that acknowledge you, the stronger the power you receive. You can check the data of those who acknowledge you, but you cannot see who else they might revere. Please handle this carefully."
"The assistant can answer your questions and help you access the available database knowledge."
"What, no marketplace, no ten consecutive draws?" Guilliman's heart sank.
Without such super capabilities, how was he supposed to fight the traitorous Primarchs?
And what about the four Chaos Gods?
Was this system's assistance a joke? What good was it in its current state?
With the Chaos Gods fully equipped and ready, this late assist was no help at all.
Realizing the severity of his situation, Guilliman couldn't help but wonder if the four Chaos Legions would let him surrender with half his forces intact.
"This assistant is a serious tool and does not possess any random functions."
"Oh, come on! Even the nightclubs know that the straight-laced approach doesn't work anymore. Don't you know how to be flexible?" Guilliman couldn't hold back his exasperation.
Wasn't this just sending him to his death?
Without top-tier assistance, he would be facing formidable Chaos forces, while his own side was riddled with in-fighting and hidden enemies.
"The assistant trusts you, please work hard."
"Your trust in me is useless. I don't even trust myself!" Guilliman retorted in his mind.
Did it really trust him?
Even the Emperor, a being of extraordinary power, has been forced to sit on the Golden Throne. How could others fare any better?
This was no joking matter.
The Emperor was a figure with the protagonist template.
He had the power and psychic strength to extinguish stars, requiring the four Chaos Gods to join forces to counter him.
In terms of strategy, he outmaneuvered the xenos, smashed various warlords, and achieved unity.
In terms of ideology, after being a spiritual leader, he executed the eradication of all religions.
In terms of accomplishments, he unified humanity, established the Astronomican, laid the foundations of the Imperium for millennia, and nearly achieved his ultimate vision of a fully ascended humanity.
Honestly, Guilliman had never encountered such a protagonist in any novel before.
Such a character, in the face of the united forces of the four Chaos Gods and traitors, had been forced onto the Golden Throne to endure millennias of torment.
Who would dare to claim they could do better than the Emperor?
With this level of assistance, there's no winning. At most, it could only delay death, but death was still inevitable.
"Lord Guilliman."
His deep contemplation was interrupted by the sound of Saint Celestine's voice.
Celestine's voice was pleasant, carrying a unique magnetism of a Saint.
It made one want to listen to her voice intently.
After a brutal battle, Celestine's armor was in shambles, her body covered in terrifying wounds. Despite her incredible regenerative abilities, she was still bleeding profusely, a sight that was truly heartbreaking.
Celestine was one of the key figures responsible for the resurrection of Roboute Guilliman. It was upon her proposal that the Black Templars and several other battalions agreed to protect the Archmagos Cawl.
It was due to her intervention that Cawl, the individual with knowledge of Guilliman's resurrection, could safely evacuate the fortress of Cadia amidst its downfall, and rally the star warriors along his path to Macragge.
These warriors, gathered throughout the journey, ultimately helped Archmagos Cawl complete the resurrection ceremony for Guilliman.
Guilliman looked at Celestine, his gaze full of inquiry.
"Thank the Emperor for bringing the great Primarch, the honorable you, back to our side," Celestine said, bowing slightly, even as she suppressed her pain.
The Saints are the most loyal believers of the Emperor, his messengers in the world.
In the dark, desperate, and bloody galaxy, they are the brightest beacon of hope for humanity and the proof that mankind is still under the Emperor's protection.
Saints are rare within the Imperium of Man.
They are blessed by the Emperor for their noble character and unwavering faith, bearing a fraction of the Emperor's power.
Towards the Emperor's sons, Celestine displayed absolute loyalty.
Her voice trembled with emotion. Seeing a Primarch awaken filled her with a glimmer of hope for humanity's future, a change from her usual despair.
"Father," said Chapter Master Calgar of the Ultramarines, walking forward.
His determined face was tinged with uncontainable excitement. As he looked up at the reborn Primarch, his eyes were blurred with tears.
The Ultramarines had persisted for ten thousand years, and had guarded this place for just as long.
Today, seeing their genetic sire return, they were filled with tears of joy.
Those Space Marines created with geneseed referred to their Primarchs as their fathers, a title that expressed their gratitude for the second chance at life they had been granted.
In front of Guilliman, Calgar, a legend of the Imperium, seemed as awkward as a fresh recruit.
"I am comforted to see that, after ten thousand years, my sons are still fighting for humanity," said Guilliman, laying a hand on Calgar and speaking in the tone of a father.
An alien soul, yet inheriting all of Guilliman's memories and powers, allowed him to calmly face those gathering around him.
"Regent," said Archmagos Cawl, the Marshal of the Black Templars, Inquisitors, and others as they approached.
After the end of Horus' rebellion ten thousand years ago, the wounded Emperor had bestowed upon the arriving Guilliman the title of Regent of the Imperium.
"I'm pleased to see you all again," Guilliman replied, his voice solemn and authoritative as his gaze swept across them all.
"The Imperium needs your guidance, Son of the Emperor," Celestine, gazing at the Primarch's face, could not hide her excitement.
As a believer, her long-held hope had been fulfilled once again, giving her immense comfort.
A Primarch of the Emperor has returned, a demi-god of the battlefield set to seize the reins and lead the Imperium against the relentless darkness eroding humanity, day and night.
After ten thousand years of darkness, the Human Imperium finally welcomes a glimmer of dawn.
"I have returned for this very reason," Guilliman calmly looked at everyone. His unwavering gaze instilled courage in everyone, inexplicably providing them a sense of security.
"My return will make our enemies tremble, and the citizens of the Imperium cheer. The light of humanity will once again shine in this dark starry sky. All invaders will pay for their actions," Guilliman's words were solid and trustworthy.
As the Gene-Father, he is bound to fulfill all his promises.
"[Host has successfully triggered the authentication task, please drive out the Chaos Forces in Macragge. Reward unlocked, access to Database Level 1.]"
"[Level 1 access includes knowledge of first-generation dark matter engines, planet-destroying weapons, and more.]"
"[It will assist the host in achieving technological innovation, igniting a new vitality in the Human Imperium.]"
Upon hearing the assistance sprite's prompt, Guilliman immersed his consciousness into the database, reviewing the details of the task reward.
Access to first-generation dark matter engines and planet-destroying weapons with Level 1 was rather decent. Constructing more weapons and blasting through the enemy lines would allow the aliens and demons to appreciate the art of planetary destruction.
The joy of scorched earth, isn't that what it's all about!