On the fringe worlds of Ultramar, Caleb saw Caliban's mechanical planet appearing at the edge of the map.
According to projections, Lion should be able to arrive in Ultramar at a critical moment—
At the very least, Ultramar would not have to weather this Tyranid natural disaster and Chaos Invasion alone.
Speaking of which, it's lucky Lion has a good signal; Guilliman, that guy with the poor signal, would really ruin things if he stayed like this.
In terms of a real-time strategy game, Guilliman is an allied unit with very powerful command capabilities but who doesn't listen to orders.
Caleb finally understood why Guilliman wasn't well-liked by his brothers.
Others had such good signals that they knew what their father wanted with just one word, but what was the situation with Guilliman?
Read and replied randomly, or read and didn't reply at all.
Add to that the fact that Guilliman has a mother, while the other Primarchs do not.
It would be a miracle if Guilliman's relationship with these brothers was good.
Speaking of which, Caleb couldn't help but admire Guilliman's administrative processing capabilities.
In less than a month since waking up, Guilliman had organized a massive expeditionary fleet.
Upon learning that his son Calgar had returned, Guilliman even supported his Tyrannic War Veterans reforms.
He even used that as a foundation to restructure every Chapter.
"Gu—Lord Guilliman!"
"You said the reason you became like this was because of the battle with Fulgrim!"
"Fulgrim, that Fallen Primarch, uses extremely vicious methods—you were ambushed by that traitor back then and lay dormant for a full ten thousand years!"
"Now that he has suddenly turned you into this, I fear it is not simple!"
Calgar's words also voiced the worry in Sicarius's heart.
Even Sicarius couldn't help but nod when he heard his Chapter Master's words.
"Exactly!"
At this moment, Agemman, the First Captain of the Ultramarines, spoke up.
He was originally the most likely successor to the Ultramarines' parent Chapter and later became one of the Four Heroes of the Ultramarines.
Originally, he was the most likely candidate to inherit the Ultramarines' parent Chapter besides Calgar.
However, now that a highly talented Sicarius had emerged, a certain competitive relationship indeed existed between the two.
"Sicarius, Chapter Master Calgar trusted you deeply, which is why he left you in Ultramar to serve as Regent!"
"Yet now, you have allowed our Primarch to suffer such humiliation—once this transgression is known to the other Ultramarines successor Chapters, I fear everyone will be disappointed in you!"
Sicarius silently looked at his Chapter Master and First Captain. Although there was some competition, what the First Captain said was true; he indeed had failed to protect the Primarch.
"I understand, I know my sins are heavy!"
"I have failed our gene-mother, and I have failed Lord Guilliman!"
"Chapter Master, I have indeed failed your trust. If you feel it is necessary, then strip me of all my duties!"
"I am even willing to go on a Penitent Crusade alone—a careless person like me is perhaps not suited to remain by the Primarch's side!"
"Stop, stop, stop!" Seeing the atmosphere turn increasingly strange, Guilliman, who had been looking at battle reports nearby, suddenly stood up.
Although Guilliman was small now and looked very cute and lacked majesty, a single word from the current Guilliman could shake the entire 500 Worlds.
"Lord Guilliman, what are your orders?" Calgar called a halt to the dispute between the two Captains.
Now was not the time to argue over who was right or wrong!
Currently, the Primarch turning into this was already an established fact!
The only plan now was to drive all the enemies out of Ultramar first!
"This matter cannot be entirely blamed on Sicarius!"
"I have seen him fight; his style is very decisive, and his combat can be considered very swift and resolute!"
"It can only be said—that Fulgrim would come was perhaps beyond all of your expectations. I think neither you, Calgar, nor anyone else could have imagined Fulgrim would suddenly appear at Hera Fortress!"
Calgar and the two Captains all remained silent; the Primarch was indeed correct.
No one would have expected a Daemon Primarch to suddenly descend upon Ultramar and bring such a huge impact to the Primarch.
Although from the current perspective, there didn't seem to be any major side effects, who knew? The handiwork of the Chaos Gods was very extensive; if one was slightly careless, even a Primarch could be corrupted.
For Guilliman, the events of the Great Heresy were still vivid in memory.
And for the Ultramarines who had been fighting in the Ultima Segmentum, it wasn't as if they hadn't seen Daemon Primarchs before!
The more they had witnessed the hideous appearances of those Daemon Primarchs, the more the Ultramarines felt alarmed about the days ahead.
If the Primarch really were to be corrupted and fall, where would they, the Ultramarines, go then?
"Sigh!"
On the gameboard, Caleb couldn't help but sigh. Did he dare speak to Guilliman now? He didn't; if Guilliman's ears misheard again, it would be even more of a disaster!
Guilliman still had personal strength, and even without it, with Guilliman's organizational skills, he could command the massive Ultramar fleet to resist the Tyranids.
In terms of holding his own, there was indeed no need to worry about Guilliman.
In this regard, he was indeed much stronger than that Little Lion, Lion, who required slightly more detailed operation.
However, as the saying goes, no chess piece can be perfect; there are always weaknesses.
Lion was more like a very sharp and useful dagger; if you told Lion to quietly take out a certain faction, he could quietly take them out.
He wouldn't even leave a trace after dealing with the opponent; that was the Dark Angels' style.
Whereas Guilliman was truly very suitable as a main force to hold the front line.
Furthermore, the Ultramarines were masters of logistics management—basically, if you sent the Ultramarines over, as long as the enemy wasn't too strong, the Ultramarines Legion itself could hold its own.
It could only be said—Guilliman was a good chess piece, it's just that he wasn't that easy to use.
In just a short while, Guilliman quickly smoothed over the slight rifts within the Ultramarines.
Many Ultramarines were very worried about the Primarch's current state and safety.
However, after holding a war council, both the Ultramarines successor Chapters who had come to support and the current parent Chapter, the Ultramarines Chapter itself,
All dispelled their worries and doubts.
At least from the meeting, their Primarch didn't seem to have any major differences other than becoming smaller and cuter.
They even felt that their Primarch seemed more and more like their mother, sometimes even showing concern for his progeny.
Listening to the grievances of his progeny.
"Lord Guilliman!"
After finishing a meeting, it was only evening when Sicarius returned to Guilliman's sleeping quarters.
At this time, Guilliman was only wearing thin silk pajamas, and his desk still held a large amount of government affairs and ledgers that needed the Primarch's personal verification.
At this moment, Guilliman's administrative efficiency was on full display.
Caleb had already noticed that since Guilliman took over all of Macragge,
The administrative efficiency of the entire planet had increased significantly, and planetary management had become flattened.
Where many intermediary departments were needed before, now only Guilliman was needed to handle it.
Even after processing a large number of Ultramar's political tasks, Guilliman still had time to sleep for eight hours and play for another eight hours.
"It's Sicarius, sit beside me!"
"I believe you are loyal, and you have indeed put your heart and soul into Ultramar!"
"Chapter Master Calgar has already told me about you; you indeed have a great talent for internal affairs!"
"With you by my side, I can indeed relax quite a bit; now, you really don't need to put too much pressure on yourself!"
"Thank you, Lord Primarch! From now on, I will definitely fight for the Primarch until the last moment, and I will surely wash away my sins!"
"Leave some unnecessary political tasks to me; Lord Primarch's current physical constitution is not what it used to be. With this mortal woman's body, it is better not to overwork!"
Sicarius watched the Primarch stretching, his gratitude already beyond words.
If Guilliman hadn't spoken up for him this morning, he might have already been on a ship for a Penitent Crusade.
If before, their feelings for the Primarch were more of respect, now that respect had long since evolved into a form of worship.
Because for the Ultramarines, Guilliman was simply too wonderful.
Not only did she provide the necessary care for her children, she was like a patriarch—a big loli mother—always shielding her descendants from the wind and rain!
Caleb knew this was related to Guilliman's childhood experiences; after all, Euten had been with Guilliman the longest and had the deepest influence on her.
"Alright, I'll leave these matters to you!"
"Sicarius, I can feel your sincerity, so I believe you!"
"Once I've regrouped Ultramar in the future, I might have to ask you all to work some overtime!"
"According to news from the scout fleet, a Hive Fleet is about to attack!"
"Our connection with the Imperium has been severed!"
"Next, we will use our remaining strength to wage a great war against these damned xenos!"
"In this situation, Sicarius, don't put too much pressure on yourselves!"
"Your only task from now on is to do your job well and continue to remain loyal—my child!"
Guilliman simply turned her head and gave a slight smile, and that smile truly warmed Sicarius's heart.
In fact, it wasn't just Sicarius; almost every Chapter Master of the Ultramarine successor Chapters had seen the Primarch.
Many of them had received personal commendations and encouragement from the Primarch.
This included Huron Blackheart of the Red Corsairs, who might stir up a rebellion in the future!
The position Huron originally held was one of immense power, enough to take the opportunity to govern the entire Maelstrom defense line at the center of the galaxy.
Yet, as soon as he heard that Macragge and Ultramar were in trouble and the Primarch had awakened,
Huron Blackheart dropped everything, took his men, boarded his warships, and returned to Ultramar.
Unlike the Little Lion, who hid away, Guilliman openly met every Chapter Master in this loli body!
Many Chapter Masters did not look down on the Primarch because she had become a loli.
In fact, after receiving encouragement from the loli Primarch, everyone's morale soared!
Among them, the Claws of the Stars units led by Huron Blackheart were stationed on the most important Endless Agri-World!
Upon being assigned to this planet's defense line, Huron Blackheart immediately understood that this was the most critical strategic point of the entire campaign!
He had to use the resources at hand to turn this place into the most solid war fortress!
If this strategic location, capable of producing infinite food, were lost, it would be a total catastrophe for all of Ultramar.
"Chapter Master!" Huron Blackheart sat in the command room, and the one who came to see him was his First Captain.
Currently, he was not the notorious Red Corsair, but the Chapter Master of the Claws of the Stars, a true Ultramarine.
"Is there a problem? Speak plainly!"
"You likely have concerns in your heart; just say them!"
Huron Blackheart was still constructing the continuous space defense lines for the Endless Agri-World.
He intended to turn the perimeter of this Agri-World into an airtight iron barrel to prevent the bugs' invasion.
He had to ensure that not a single bug could enter the entire Agri-World; only then could he prove his loyalty to the Primarch!
"Lord Chapter Master!"
"Our Starclaws units are so far over-strength; will this draw the hostility and attention of other Chapters?"
"After all, we had already violated the codex astartes personally written by Lord Primarch before this."
Huron Blackheart looked up and gazed seriously at his Captain.
In fact, he had also shared this concern before coming; he was very afraid and worried that the Primarch would blame him for violating the Codex.
Therefore, when he personally met Guilliman, he had come with an attitude of bearing thorns to plead for forgiveness.
He had even knelt on the ground upon seeing Guilliman and directly confessed his actions!
Well—alright!
To be honest, after Huron knelt, the Primarch still wasn't as tall as he was.
He especially hadn't expected the Primarch to pat his head.
"First Captain, I told Lord Primarch everything I've done over the years. Do you know how Lord Primarch treated me during my audience?"
"Why don't you take a guess at Lord Primarch's attitude toward me!"
The First Captain's heart immediately grew tense and anxious. If Lord Primarch showed even the slightest dissatisfaction—then after this war, their Claws of the Stars units would likely face large-scale disbandment!
Not only that, they might accidentally be sent on a Penitent Crusade to serve as cannon fodder.
Furthermore, their Chapter Master, Huron, had built many fortresses on the border worlds.
These fortresses were nominally to combat Chaos, but in reality, wasn't this a manifestation of unbridled ambition?
"Did Lord Primarch scold you?"
"Or perhaps she warned you not to do it again!"
To be honest, the Captain was already thinking of the best-case scenario, and this was the absolute best it could be.
After all, they had done too many things in the border regions that violated the codex astartes, and had even once reached a deadlock with the Council of High Lords.
Seeing his Captain's nervous expression, Huron—the future King of the Red Corsairs—couldn't help but laugh: "She patted my head!"
"Huh?"
The Captain even suspected he had misheard. Wait, what was the situation? Was this right?
"Sigh, let me tell you, Lord Guilliman even stood on a stool to pat my head!"
"And she praised my actions. Lord Guilliman told me personally:"
"'As long as you remain loyal to the Imperium, that is enough!'"
As Huron Blackheart said this, his grin stretched all the way to his ears.
He had done so much, and this one sentence from Lord Primarch was already sufficient.
To have his loyalty seen and affirmed by the Primarch was enough.
Moreover, these words were spoken by Lord Primarch while personally patting his head. For the current Huron, the weight of this was simply immense.
"Impressive!"
Even Caleb had to admire Guilliman's political maneuvering.
Look at that; Huron Blackheart, who had the risk of rebelling, was made completely submissive by just a head pat from Guilliman.
Judging by Huron's current state, he would surely become the fiercest and most unscrupulous loyal hound under Guilliman's command in the future.
[Caleb: Lion, you really need to learn from Guilliman in some aspects!]
[Look at how well Guilliman treats her cubs. Even for children with a bit of a rebellious heart, she solves everything with a single head pat!]
Aboard The Rock, Lion's face turned ashen.
After perceiving the message his father had sent him, he felt a wave of nausea.
Good heavens, what is this? Wanting me to be the mother of the Dark Angels?
And then to treat the other descendants with a motherly attitude, how could Guilliman be so utterly shameless?
At the thought of that image, Lion even made his wine glass creak from the pressure of his grip.
This abnormality was noticed by Azrael, who was standing nearby.
"Lady Artoria, what has happened?"
"Did the Emperor say something else to make you unhappy?"
"Perhaps you don't need to take it to heart; it might just be a joke from the Emperor!"
Azrael had grown somewhat accustomed to his Primarch's erratic behavior during this period.
Sometimes his Primarch and the old Emperor would be chatting excitedly, so a few unusual reactions were perfectly normal.
Azrael took the cocktail handed over by the Primarch and drank it with a heart full of joy and gratitude.
To be honest, within the Dark Angels' Inner Circle, being granted a little drink by the Primarch was a huge honor.
Just as Azrael felt his future was bright and thought, 'Long live the gene-mother!'
Lion shook her head and replied, "It's nothing, it's just that my dad said I should just become your mother!"
"The Primarch of the Ultramarines Chapter—my sister, Guilliman—is already doing exactly that!"
"She made her transformation into a little woman public, and even, gave every Chapter Master that motherly care!"