Chapter Twenty-Two: Persuasion

The resurrection of Guilliman—Wang Ming’s words left everyone present in a state of profound shock, especially the gathered Ultramarines. The importance of a Primarch to his gene-sons cannot be overstated. The existence of a Primarch directly enhances the combat prowess and morale of his gene-sons, and the bond between them is immense. Should a Primarch fall, no matter where his gene-sons may be, a sweeping sorrow will invade their hearts, seeping into every cell and filling them with incomparable grief. Such is the significance of a Primarch to his gene-sons.

After Wang Ming uttered those words, the Ultramarines, who had only just begun to lower their weapons, now set them aside completely.

Chapter Master Calgar looked urgently at Wang Ming, eager for this Primarch to reveal the details of Guilliman’s resurrection.

“The specifics of Guilliman’s resurrection, as Grand Sage Cawl has said, will be explained once we stand before Guilliman himself. Whether you choose to believe in it or not is entirely up to you,” Wang Ming replied, having noticed Calgar’s impatience, and redirected focus toward Cawl.

Wang Ming’s meaning was clear: only Grand Sage Cawl could explain everything, and it was up to the Ultramarines to decide whether to believe.

Calgar gazed deeply at Wang Ming, then turned to converse with Agman and Diglis.

“I still think we shouldn’t trust the words of this suddenly appearing Primarch, especially since there are two xenos among them,” Captain Agman said to Calgar. Despite his words, his heart was stirred by the prospect of resurrecting Guilliman.

After all, the resurrection of their own Primarch was a temptation too great for the Ultramarines to resist. They longed to see their Primarch rise from the stasis field and lead them once more among the stars.

“Calgar, I believe we should let them enter the sanctuary and try. In my visions, I saw a glimmer of hope coming to Macragge—perhaps they are that hope, perhaps all this is the will of the Emperor,” Librarian Diglis voiced his opposing view, urging Calgar to let Cawl attempt the resurrection, for he sensed they could be the hope foretold in his prophecy.

Calgar placed great importance on Diglis’s words. Diglis’s previous prophecy had accurately predicted the chaos incursion, giving Macragge and nearby worlds time to prepare.

“But this concerns the Primarch. We cannot risk bringing them so close to him,” Calgar hesitated. The allure of Wang Ming’s promise was immense, yet he remained uneasy about letting these strangers near their Primarch, fearing they might pose a threat.

“I am willing to vouch for them. If necessary, we can have the Honor Guard, the First Company Terminators, and the Battle Companies stand watch, and with the Grey Knights present, I doubt any harm will come,” Diglis pressed, seeing Calgar’s continued reluctance.

“And…” Diglis pointed to the shimmering golden Custodes who had stood silently behind Wang Ming and Fulgrim since their arrival.

“The Golden Emperor’s Envoy—perhaps all of this truly is the will of the Emperor.”

Calgar studied the Custodes for a moment, then finally nodded, agreeing to Diglis’s persuasion.