Chapter Eighteen: Journey to Makurag

Led by the living saint Celestine, the Imperial forces mobilized once again, with the Reaper Army following closely behind. The main force advanced along the mountain range. At the very front, the Traversers, the Astartes of the Black Cathedral, and the knight families spearheaded the march, ready to confront any dangers that might arise.

After crossing a mountain peak, the main force finally caught sight of a fortress held by the Ultramarines. Upon its battlements, numerous daemon engines were being bombarded by the fortress’s automated cannons. Witnessing this scene, the knight war machines at the vanguard charged straight toward the fortress, aiding the Ultramarines in their fight against the daemon engines. With the knight machines’ autocannons firing at full force, the engines hovering in the sky were swiftly destroyed. Once the surrounding area was deemed temporarily secure, three Ultramarines emerged from the fortress, their boltgun muzzles trained upon the Eldar among the ranks.

They could not fathom why Imperial forces would march alongside xenos. At that moment, Cawl and Wang Ming stepped forward to explain everything. Cawl recounted all the events that had transpired in Cadia up to this point.

“We are currently undertaking a vital mission issued personally by the Emperor. We must journey to Macragge to meet the Lord of Ultramar,” Cawl declared.

Seeing the Inquisitors, the living saint, the Custodes, and the gene primarch within the Imperial ranks, the Ultramarines chose not to press the issue of the Eldar for the time being. They returned to the fortress to contact their superiors, and after explaining the situation, received orders permitting the main force to proceed to Macragge. Emerging once more, they informed Cawl and Wang Ming that their superiors had arranged for the main force’s passage to Macragge; now, all that remained was to await the arrival of the transport aircraft.

During this interval, the main force reorganized its personnel. The living saint instructed the Sisters of Battle and the knight families to remain on Raphis and defend the world alongside the Ultramarines. The Reaper Army of the Eldar withdrew into the webway, leaving only Yvraine and the Crimson-armored warrior as representatives to accompany the Imperial force to Macragge.

“Boss, are we about to resurrect Guilliman?” Wang Xiaofa asked Wang Ming in Mandarin, with their translation devices set aside.

“We’ve arrived at Raphis. All that remains is to head to Macragge, and Cawl will be able to revive Guilliman,” Wang Ming replied.

“Are you worried about something?” Wang Ming sensed an undertone in Wang Xiaofa’s words.

“Boss, haven’t you noticed a problem?” Wang Xiaofa responded, turning the question back to him.

“What problem could there be? We’ve reached the Macragge system; surely nothing could go wrong now?” Wang Ming was puzzled by Wang Xiaofa’s inquiry.

After all, they were already in the Macragge system—what could possibly be amiss?

Wang Xiaofa glanced around, then pointed at Fulgrim, who was being pulled into group photos by the Traversers.

“Fulgrim? What problem could he pose… Wait, now that you mention it, there is something,” Wang Ming realized mid-sentence.

“Guilliman was wounded by Fulgrim. If they meet, could a fight break out?” Wang Xiaofa voiced his concern.

Wang Ming looked at Fulgrim, pondering the issue. It would be simple enough not to bring Fulgrim to meet Guilliman, but Wang Ming was uneasy about leaving Fulgrim alone. The notion of a gene primarch, lost for millennia, wandering freely was absurd. Besides, even if a few Traversers stayed with Fulgrim to keep him from meeting Guilliman, Fulgrim would surely refuse. He already knew from Wang Ming that the purpose of the journey to Macragge was to revive Guilliman, and he was eager to reunite with his brother.

Wang Ming regarded Fulgrim, then casually patted Wang Xiaofa on the shoulder. “Don’t worry. If a fight breaks out, I’ll stop it. Remember, I’m a gene primarch now myself.”

Just then, the transport aircraft to ferry the main force arrived.