Chapter Twenty: The Second Conscription and Arrival at Maculag

The conversation between Wang Ming and Fogrim had come to an end.

Wang Ming now stood among the Travelers in the hangar of the Sword of Honor, where 201 Astartes were assembled in perfect formation. In front of them, the newly “recruited” locals were huddled together, sobbing uncontrollably.

Watching these recruits, Wang Ming resumed his role as their psychological counselor. “Dry your tears—at least you have become demi-gods nearly three meters tall.” As he had done the first time, Wang Ming concluded the briefing to the new recruits with these words.

Two thousand people—this round of “recruitment” had brought in two thousand. Wang Ming felt that the number was excessive. Only in the vast ships of the 40k universe could so many Astartes be accommodated. Their sudden appearance had startled the Ultramarines; if not for the double-headed eagle on the Travelers’ power armor, the Ultramarines might have mistaken them for a Chaos boarding party.

As for the origins of these recruits, Wang Ming had gone to request Living Saint Celestine to explain matters to the Ultramarines. With the Living Saint’s explanation and guarantee, the Ultramarines, though still somewhat wary of these abruptly appearing Space Marines, refrained from drastic action. They simply reinforced the area where the Travelers were quartered with extra Terminators and a Dreadnought to keep watch.

The number of Travelers now stood at 2,201. Wang Ming divided them into two companies, each with 1,100 members, organized into eleven squads: ten combat squads and one logistics squad.

This arrangement was a flagrant breach of the Codex Astartes, but Wang Ming cared little for such rules. After all, even Guilliman himself, the author of that book, had wished to tear it to shreds.

The commander of the first company was Wang Xiaofa, who had demonstrated his leadership back on Clyssus. A military enthusiast, he employed simple tactics when fighting alongside his fellow Travelers. At least under these circumstances, he could instill some basic tactical sense in his troops.

The second company, however, was made up entirely of reckless warriors, each wielding two power swords or an array of heavy weapons. Wang Ming even granted them some armored fire support. The commander of the second company was the berserker who had previously fought the Daemon Prince with twin blades.

After several days of travel, the Sword of Honor finally reached Macragge.

During the journey, the “veterans” among the Travelers helped the “recruits” familiarize themselves with their weapons and current situation. After the initial despair of being deceived by the Emperor, the new recruits soon learned the lay of the land from the veterans and from Wang Ming himself, who explained the current timeline, their new identities, and the matter of infinite resurrection.

Upon learning they could resurrect without limit, the Travelers cast off their despondency and became eager for battle—so much so that they seemed ready to drive the warship straight into the Eye of Terror and duel with Chaos face-to-face.

During this time, Wang Ming and Cawl had also spoken with two Eldar, who described the process for reviving Guilliman. Although Wang Ming already knew the details, he feigned ignorance before Cawl and the Eldar, asking about various specifics.

The Sword of Honor had now reached orbit over Macragge. Through drop ships and pods, Cawl and his party, along with the Travelers, finally arrived at their ultimate destination.

Macragge was ablaze with the fires of Chaos. The Ultramarines and human soldiers fought tenaciously against the invading armies of Chaos on this world.

Upon reaching the Fortress of Hera, Wang Ming dispatched the Travelers to reinforce the Ultramarines on the front lines, while he, Wang Xiaofa, Cawl, and their group, led by an Ultramarine officer, entered the fortress itself.