Guilliman spoke one by one with the Living Saint Celestine, Inquisitor Greyfax, High Marshal Amalrich of the Black Templars, and the Emperor’s Champion, Galain,
nor did he leave out Yvraine and the Visarch of the Ynnari.
Guilliman employed every ounce of a politician’s affinity and cunning to create a harmonious, amicable atmosphere,
using witty and humorous words to draw enough information from each of them, then cross-checking it against the others.
He gave high praise to every guest’s insight into the current situation, commending their courage and wisdom, as well as their contributions to the Imperium.
According to their preferences and personalities, he deliberately revealed the side of his own character most likely to appeal to them, making them unconsciously respond to his questions with sincerity and candor.
The primarch concealed his emotions very well; from beginning to end, he remained calm and unruffled, as though everything were within his grasp.
In truth, however, the information these people revealed struck the primarch’s chest and mind like cannon shells.
Confusion and terror pressed down on him until he could scarcely breathe; grief and agony made it almost impossible for him to control himself.
“Ten thousand years, Father. Only I remain.”
When everyone had left and Guilliman was alone, he could no longer hold back. He murmured to himself, his words filled with sorrow.
For the first time, the very first time, he longed so desperately to have a brother at his side.
Jaghatai, Dorn, Vulkan—anyone would do. At least then there would be someone he could talk to, someone with whom he could discuss and criticize the Imperium’s current state.
But now, none of them were here. He could only bear this anguish alone.
Guilliman covered his face with both hands, his expression pained, his power armor humming from the motion.
“Look at what this galaxy has become. Look at what the Imperium has become.”
“Blind faith, ignorance, suffering, decadence—and all of it runs rampant in Your name. Father, You once hated gods so deeply, and now You are worshiped as one by the foolish masses. What irony.”
“You failed. We failed as well. Arrogance and vanity made us commit a terrible mistake, and we failed all of humanity.”
“If Horus were still alive, he would surely be laughing in gloating mockery.”
Guilliman rose to his feet in fury, sweeping his gaze over the banners, seats, and murals around him.
He was like a lion, his eyes filled with rage.
He wanted to smash and destroy everything in a frenzy, to vent the fury in his heart and reduce it all to ruin.
But he did not dare. Those people outside needed him as a pillar of faith, to keep them from falling into despair.
The way they looked at him was filled with expectation and hope, as though they were looking upon the Emperor Himself.
If the primarch were to show even the slightest weakness, it would be a devastating blow to those people.
He had to be strong. He could not reveal any pessimism. Only then could he bring them hope.
Guilliman’s gaze finally fell upon the portrait of the Emperor.
“Why? Why let me live?”
“I have already given everything to You. Given everything to them. Father, what more do You want from me?”
“Look at the Imperium now. The reason and dreams we once pursued with all our hearts have vanished without a trace. It has become a bloated corpse sustained by hatred, fear, and ignorance.”
“I would rather have died at Fulgrim’s hands than witness all of this.”
“…………”
Guilliman’s accusation was hoarse and desperate.
He had once been an out-and-out idealist, the one among the primarchs who most looked forward to, and most hoped to, build human civilization into the most prosperous civilization in the universe.
And now, the Imperium of Man for which he had once fought wholeheartedly had become the very thing he hated most.
That kind of heartache could not be described in words.
In the end, Guilliman collapsed wearily back onto the throne, thinking about what he should do next.
No matter what, he would not abandon humanity. This was his duty and his mission.
Even if he had to give his life for it, he would not regret it.
Just then, a notification sounded from the vox equipment. After he tapped to play it, the voice of Chief Librarian Diglas came through.
“My lord, that mysterious Angel of the Emperor has arrived. He is waiting for you outside.”
Guilliman suppressed the sorrow in his heart and said to Diglas in a calm voice, “Let him in.”
The reason he had summoned Daqi last was because this fellow was always running off,
There was no helping it; he could only summon the others first.
The door opened. Under the gaze of the Honor Guard, Daqi strode into Guilliman’s room.
The room’s layout was very simple, without the slightest hint of luxury.
Among the primarchs, aside from a few like Fulgrim who pursued enjoyment,
most of them cared little for material pleasure.
Even Horus was no exception. The remembrancers who accompanied him had once complained that the Warmaster’s life was even plainer than that of an Imperial civilian.
To be honest, the Emperor was actually rather ridiculous too.
He did not care for material enjoyment, and he possessed a transcendent mind capable of handling all affairs of state. Was that not the very image of a sage-king?
Yet in the end, He was still unsatisfied and insisted on handing power over to mortals.
Just look at the rotten mess the High Lords had made. Truly, one could talk about it for days and nights without reaching the end.
One Age of Apostasy alone had squandered all of humanity’s foundations.
“Perhaps we should have a deeper talk.”
Guilliman wanted to repeat his old trick, using guiding conversation to gain Daqi’s trust and extract information.
Unfortunately, Daqi was not a plot-focused player.
He was not about to waste that much time listening to an NPC ramble endlessly about the story.
Guilliman had only just opened his mouth when Daqi raised his arm and shouted.
“For the Second Imperium! Great Lord Regent, what is my mission?”
Guilliman: (ΩДΩ)
No, brother, I only said we should talk. What are you shouting for?
Is this the sort of thing you can just yell about anywhere?
“Do not be so agitated. We are merely chatting, talking about ordinary matters.” Guilliman took a deep breath and calmed himself.
“Skip, skip. For the glory of the Second Imperium, what is my mission?” Daqi repeated again.
Guilliman: ┭┮﹏┭┮
Brother, don’t do this to me!
Guilliman’s frustration was now completely replaced by panic.
No matter how one put it, the matter of the Second Imperium was dark history. It absolutely could not be spread around at random.
“The matter of the Second Imperium is extremely important and cannot be leaked casually. May I ask you to keep it secret?”
Guilliman was, after all, a primarch. With a turn of his mind, he immediately thought of how he should speak with Daqi.
【Mission: Guard the Secret of the Second Imperium.
The Imperium of Man is now beset by storms and cannot withstand any further turmoil. Roboute Guilliman hopes that you can guard the secret of the Second Imperium and prevent it from being used by those with ulterior motives to create all manner of disasters.
Mission Reward: 1,000 experience points, 1,000 points, Reputation +150】
Daqi’s eyes instantly lit up. This mission was practically free.
“Of course. For the glory of the Imperium, I will keep the secret.”
【Congratulations, you have completed the mission: Keep the Secret of the Second Imperium】
【Reward obtained: 1,000 experience points, 1,000 points, Reputation +150】
Guilliman let out a breath of relief.
He looked Daqi up and down, clearly understanding that there was no way he could extract any information from the other party’s mouth.
After weighing things for a moment, he chose to set aside his confusion regarding the other party’s identity for now.
At the very least, the other party currently stood on humanity’s side.
If he could not obtain an answer, then for the time being, he would let it be.
“The Hera Fortress is now waiting to be rebuilt from ruins. Can you assist in its reconstruction?” Guilliman asked.
A notification screen appeared before Daqi.
【Mission: Rebuild the Hera Fortress.
The Imperium’s people repelled the Chaos traitors, but their home was destroyed as well. Guilliman hopes you can help them rebuild the Hera Fortress.
Mission Reward: 1,200 experience points, 1,200 points, Reputation +180, Captain America’s vibranium shield *1】