Chapter 272: Arrival at Terra
Through a deliberate campaign of dissemination by the Imperium, the news of the Primarchs' return spread among all the citizens of Terra. Priests proclaimed the message to their congregations, while officials of the Administratum posted notices. Even in the fathomless depths of Terra's underhives, the people learned the news.
Lucan, Guilliman, and Ferrus made their way towards the orbital spaceports that surrounded Terra. Giant warships and transport vessels, laden with supplies and pilgrims, journeyed towards the Throneworld. The saying that Terra was a planet that did nothing, simply waiting to be supplied by the entire Imperium, was not wrong. Without the resources paid as tithes by countless worlds and the fleets that transported them, Terra itself could not survive. This had turned it into a nexus of both extreme poverty and extreme wealth.
Aside from these routine vessels, a massive number of fleets were currently gathered around Terra. After quelling the last of the resistance, some of the Imperial fleets from the various segmentums and sectors that had participated in the Cadian campaign had chosen to remain there to assist in the rebuilding effort. The majority of the other warships, however, had returned to their respective defensive zones.
The presence of such a large-scale fleet near Terra, one that did not belong to its standard battle order, was highly unusual. They were even arranged in neat battle formations, as if making a show of force.
"Guilliman, Ferrus, look at those warships," Lucan said tauntingly. "It seems some people are not too happy about your return."
Knowing the plot, he understood that the High Lords were making a demonstration of power to Guilliman, intending to use their military might to hold onto their authority.
In response to this fleet, the Ultramarines warships accompanying Guilliman showed no weakness. The furious roar of Marneus Calgar echoed through the vox channels as he demanded to know the meaning of their actions. It was only when the void shields of the Macragge's Honour began to glow with power that the other fleets reluctantly opened a path.
"It seems these High Lords have forgotten our existence," Guilliman said, his voice laced with killing intent. "They have even forgotten who granted them their power in the first place! I hope they do not go too far. The current system of the Imperium must be reformed."
"A bunch of parasites," Ferrus growled at his side, voicing his support for Guilliman. "Guilliman, I can personally lead a force to deal with anyone who refuses to obey your commands." He trusted Guilliman. He was a warrior, not a ruler, and he was more than willing to assist Guilliman, just as he had during the Great Crusade. He knew his brother's capabilities.
Lucan began to pray for the High Lords in his heart. But at the same time, he could understand their mentality. Power is a strange thing. Once you have it, very few can let it go without a fight, even if that power brings you nothing but misery and could cost you your life at any moment.
Walking to the viewport, Lucan looked down at the planet below. This Terra seemed to have no connection to the Earth of his memory. The continental plates had been changed beyond recognition. The most striking feature was the Imperial Palace, which covered most of the northern hemisphere. It was less a palace and more a giant hive city in itself. It was the headquarters of the central government, the Administratum, and the location of the Throne Room where the Emperor slumbered. It was divided into an Outer and an Inner Palace. The Inner Palace was guarded by the Adeptus Custodes, while the outer precincts were managed by billions of Administratum officials. Each one of them was an expert and a genius in matters of bureaucracy, but they were fated to spend their entire lives processing the endless paperwork of the human Imperium until the day they died.
Guilliman looked at the Terra before him. It seemed that in ten thousand years, it still hadn't changed. But he could feel that it had grown even more decadent.
However, the group's first destination was not the Imperial Palace, but the headquarters of the Ecclesiarchy in the southern hemisphere. As an indispensable part of the modern Imperium, the headquarters of the Imperial Creed occupied most of the southern hemisphere. The celebration arranged for the return of Guilliman and Ferrus was to be held on the Pilgrims' Way, the grand avenue of the Ecclesiarchy's headquarters, which led directly to the Grand Cathedral of the Imperial Creed.
Important officials and high nobles from all over Terra had gathered here to welcome the return of the demigods. On both sides of the avenue, countless believers thronged, hoping to catch a glimpse of the true form of a Primarch. Nearly every believer who could possibly make their way here had come. Those who were selected to attend received some other benefits: the food rations distributed by the Ecclesiarchy were noticeably larger and contained more actual sustenance. The church wanted them to look their best, or at least not sallow-faced and malnourished. It seemed that face-saving projects were a universal constant.
Although Guilliman was eager to see his father, after some consideration, he had agreed to the celebration arranged by the High Lords. There were two reasons. First, the incident in the void had made him want to publicly announce his return to the High Lords, to let them know who the true master of this Imperium was. Second, he knew that the Imperium needed hope and uplifting news. Their return would be a powerful shot in the arm for the decaying empire.
However, Guilliman found the very existence of the Ecclesiarchy to be an eyesore. After reawakening and finishing the war for Cadia, he still could not understand the rise of the Imperial Creed and the deification of the Emperor. Even after the experience of being possessed by his father, he remained skeptical. If the current Imperium worshiped the Emperor as a god, and the Emperor had truly become one... then what did that make Lorgar?
Ferrus, on the other hand, was much more accepting than Guilliman. After all, his own soul had been preserved by the Emperor and resurrected with Lucan's help. This was clearly beyond the scope of science or normal psychic phenomena.
"Guilliman, perhaps this is not a bad thing," Ferrus mused. "Father has gained even greater power. In our absence, he has used this power to protect the Imperium of Man."
"But Ferrus, this is not what Father wanted," Guilliman countered. "This path is too dangerous. He once said that there should be no gods in this world."
"Don't dwell on it, Guilliman," Lucan interjected. "The facts are before you. The current holy book of the Ecclesiarchy is just a modified version of Lorgar's Lectitio Divinitatus. But I can tell you some good news. The Emperor is not yet a true god, at least not for now. And if things develop as they should, it's unlikely he ever will be."
Lucan was tempted to boast and say, "Everything will be fine as long as I'm here," but he thought that might be a bit too arrogant.
"When I enter the Palace and see the Emperor, everything will become clear," Guilliman said, ending the discussion.
As they spoke, the warship landed in the designated landing zone. The Ecclesiarchy had prepared a grand welcoming ceremony for Guilliman and Ferrus. As the ramp lowered, they could already hear the thunderous cheers of the crowd in the distance. A grand reception and military parade were ready. Ranks of the Frateris Militia stood in neat lines on both sides, holding back the fanatical believers. Elite units of the Planetary Defence Force maintained order. Neat squares of troops awaited Guilliman's inspection.
The Adeptus Arbites and the Inquisition were present in full force. In the shadows, assassins from the Officio Assassinorum observed the entire ceremony.
"Lord Guilliman, Lord Ferrus," a voice boomed. It was Trajann Valoris. "Please conclude the ceremony as quickly as possible. I believe the great Emperor wishes to see you sooner rather than later."
"I know, Trajann," Guilliman replied. "This will not take long."
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