Warhammer, about my years with the Wolfpack

The Legion's need for more and better equipment is understandable. Loken provides more equipment, but he also has to maintain the entire planet! Do you really think that equipment is free? The Dalkan Forge World was carefully selected by Horus, but the galaxy is so vast that many things must be imported from other places. The Legion's equipment and the planet's own management are both problems.

After all, many Primarchs can still cause problems on their own planets (think Jonson, Clarks, and Perturabo). Loken faces the same headaches. There are population issues, funding issues, technology import and exchange, and farming is a scarce skill. Not everyone is named Guilliman or Lorgar.

The Legion's needs have been rising year after year, as its size has steadily expanded. Trade between Legions has also been increasing. Horus has not been involved in this area, or perhaps he simply has no time for it. Therefore, all the work has fallen to Loken. Until the Legion's basic needs are met, the Dal'Khan Forge World is unprofitable. The base amount submitted to the Legion is considered "taxation." And Dal'Khan himself needs to import population, technicians, and various supplies. Imagine that, while the Luna Wolves still rely primarily on the Mechanicum for their supplies, it goes without saying that even if Dal'Khan only supports a portion of the Legion, the pressure is immense. After all, in later generations, a Chapter would have to support a 1000-man Chapter per world.

So, it's no problem for Loken to claim he's the fifth member of the Council of Four Kings. But the glamorous reputation comes at a price. Every time the Legion sought to increase its supply quota, Loken would engage in a protracted tug-of-war with Abaddon, Sejanus, and even Horus, with percentage points being cut one after another! At one point, Horus even considered having Abaddon try to replace Loken. However, after Abaddon served as his deputy for a few days at Dar'Khan, Horus abandoned the idea. Because of that incident, Abaddon came to understand Loken deeply, but from the perspective of the Legion's combat forces, the conflict between the two sides remained significant.

"New legion recruits are just one problem, there are also trade issues and the planet's population issues. We need more sources of raw materials and places to sell goods," said Locke.

"You should talk to Sejanus about this. You know I don't understand these things," Abaddon said.

"But the Primarch will seek your opinion," said Loken.

"Very well, I will speak to the Primarch, and I will express my support at the Council of the Four Kings." Abaddon finished speaking, pulling out a document from a data pad at hand and handing it to Loken.

"This is the demand for the next few years. It was proposed by the Primarch, and Lord Sejanus also expressed his support. Take a look, if you have any questions, you can propose conditions." Abaddon said.

"Haha, you said you don't understand, but haven't you started to get involved in these things?" Locke said.

"I don't feel pure anymore. I'm no longer the Abaddon who only knew how to charge and kill. I feel like I've changed, become more sophisticated, and no longer a warrior and commander. This feeling is not good," said Abaddon.

"People are constantly changing, and in fact we always have to play different roles in our lives," said Locke.

"You know what? I have a feeling that as the Great Crusade winds down, large-scale battles will become less and less frequent. And what about our Legion, our future?" Abaddon asked. Honestly, it's already the latter stages of the Great Crusade, and the strength of each Legion has skyrocketed. Some Legions don't even dare to state their numbers anymore (such as the Ultramarines, the Word Bearers, and the Alpha Legion). But the xenos aren't quite as effective these days. The scenes of several Legions battling a single xenos like in the early days of the Great Crusade are rare. This is partly due to the increased numbers and strength of the Legions, and partly because the more aggressive xenos have been largely eliminated, at least within the range of the Star Matrix and generally accessible through the Void Channels.

This also left many Space Marines somewhat bewildered, unsure of their future after the Great Crusade. This, in fact, was something both human civilization and the Imperium had to consider. Anyone with even a passing knowledge of history understood the saying, "After the rabbit has died, the dog is abandoned." Abaddon, at least, expressed his concerns.

Chapter 332 Travelers' Attitude towards the Legion

Could the Heresy have been avoided? The answer is no. So, without the influence of the Heretic, could the Heresy have been avoided? The answer is highly likely, though it wouldn't have been as catastrophic as the Horus Heresy. The reason is simple: the Legions played a vital role in the Great Crusade. So, with the Great Crusade over, what would become of this wielding blade? How would the Emperor treat these hardworking individuals? How would the Legions, from the highest echelons to the lowest ranks, view the Imperium they helped to conquer?

Honestly, it's no exaggeration to say the Imperium is fragmented. Just look at the various factions within the Imperium. The twelve High Lords represent the major factions at the center, and then there are the local factions in each sector and region. Some of these factions belong to the Mechanicum, some to certain knightly houses, and some to Rogue Traders. Of course, even more are local factions. In less than 200 years, the Emperor launched from Holy Terra and established a vast empire spanning the entire galaxy. Even with the might of a god, this goal seemed too hasty.

Honestly, the quality of most Legion officers and soldiers is actually quite good. Not to mention the Ultramarines and Salamanders, which are typically known for their love of the people, but also Legions like the Luna Wolves, which also have a good reputation. Even the Thousand Sons and Iron Warriors, mentioned in the background, have saved civilians. Even if their attitudes may not be very good, they really do their job. It can be said that the moral standards of most Legion officers and soldiers are much higher than the average Terran bureaucrat.

Even in the 40K era, many Chapters have fought for the people, even risking their lives to save them. Logan and his Space Wolves deserve special mention here. There are also the Star Lions, but due to their lackluster tactics and strong background, they were nearly wiped out by the Inquisition. This is a bit infuriating.

As the Legionaries watched their conquered territories ravaged by Terran bureaucrats and local tycoons, and as they watched the inhabitants of their planets fail to enjoy a better life after returning to the Imperium of Man, their feelings were understandable. When this rebellious sentiment reached a certain point, and the Primarchs felt they could no longer bear it, a backlash was inevitable. Furthermore, some Primarchs were already dissatisfied with the Emperor. After all, Primarchs like Sanguinius and the Khan trusted Horus more than the Emperor. This was not to mention Primarchs like Angron, Mortarion, and Curze.

And there's a lesson to be learned from the past: before the Space Marines emerged, the Emperor had the Thunder Marines. What happened to them? They were purged by the Custodes and the Space Marine Legions, and the Legionaries feared they would suffer the same fate. And what about the Primarchs? Many knew they were, ultimately, tools of the Emperor, though some accepted it, some refused, and some, after careful consideration, finally accepted it. Russ, for example, was one of the former, while those who refused were like the rebellious Primarchs, and the Khan was the last.

Honestly, from a personality perspective, the Emperor isn't that great either. Or rather, his political skills are mediocre. Often, he's even inferior to Horus. Autocratic and overbearing are the Emperor's true nature. Malcador often needs to help him clean up messes. It's just that this dimension has the Traveler, a presence who allows the Emperor to sit down and discuss matters.

From an economic perspective, in the absence of a major enemy, the Imperium's burden to support eighteen Space Marine Legions, each numbering hundreds of thousands, or even over two hundred thousand, is indeed too great. Furthermore, the Legions are so large that splitting them up is inevitable, but how to do so is a matter of opinion. At the very least, a model similar to Guilliman's, whereby a single Grand Regiment of thousands of soldiers is simply not feasible, is unacceptable. The Traveler is also considering how to split them up. Of course, founding Legions must still maintain the ability to conduct large-scale campaigns; this is undeniable.

But now, what the traveler could not have imagined was that when the great rebellion was still brewing, some people had already realized some hidden crises in the later period of the Great Crusade. What surprised the traveler even more was that this person also expressed his concerns to the traveler, and this person was Sejanus!

"Is that Sejanus?" The traveler stopped and turned before entering his room.

"Yes, sir." Sejanus appeared from the corner and bowed.

"It seems you have something on your mind? And can't these be resolved within the Legion?" the Traveler asked with a smile. The Traveler didn't resort to any means to probe Sejanus's thoughts, but rather to analysis. The reason was simple: given Sejanus's abilities and Horus's status, if he proposed certain ideas, Horus would likely give him a face, even if he disagreed. He was undoubtedly the most powerful figure within the Legion besides the Primarch. Even a rebellious figure like Abaddon held him in high esteem.

"Yes, some thoughts and concerns about the future," said Sejanus.

"Well, if you really have something on your mind, then come in and tell me. As long as it is within my authority, I will tell you everything I know." said the traveler.

"Thank you for your honesty and help," said Sejanus.

--------

"Come on, have a cup of tea first. Space Wolves' crystal tea, it's very good." The Traveler personally poured a cup of tea for Sejanus, for whom he still had great respect. He then poured himself another cup and sat across from him. "Speak up, tell me what you think."

"The Great Crusade has lasted for over a hundred years, and the Imperium of Man has expanded to unprecedented proportions. We can even say that within the stellar sphere, all territory belongs to human civilization. After the defeat of the Randan xenos, no one can strike fear into the Imperium anymore. The resurgence of humanity is Manifest Destiny," Cyjanus said, observing the travelers' reactions. "Then, the galaxy is finite. Under the might of the Emperor and the Primarch, and with the devotion of the Legion's descendants, we will ultimately achieve final victory. But what then? What awaits the Primarchs, Legions, and the common soldiers? Our place within the Imperium will undoubtedly change, but how will this change be?"

"Emmmm. I understand what you mean," the traveler said with a smile. "Actually, I feel like some of your concerns are redundant, even unnecessary."

"Could you elaborate?"

"First of all, you are worried that as humans usher in a new glory and enter the peak of civilization, because the aliens are cleared out one by one, you think that large-scale wars have ended, so humans don't seem to need so many legionnaires. Is that what you mean?" asked the traveler.

"Yes, after all, the battlefield is where the value of soldiers is reflected." Sejanus nodded with difficulty.

"Hahaha," the Traveler laughed, as if he'd just heard a joke. "Let's not even mention the evils of the Warp. In the real universe, there are still plenty of entities that are tough enough for the Legion to handle. It's just that the Luna Wolves encounter them less often."

While the Imperium of Mankind did indeed dominate the galaxy in the later stages of the Great Crusade, to claim that all the powerful xenos were gone is an absolute joke. Forget about the places beyond the reach of the stellar compass, the places inaccessible to Warp navigation, or even certain pocket kingdoms. Even the few powerful xenos encountered in the later stages of the Great Crusade were enough to give the Legion a hard time, even costing it dearly. Take, for example, the Krafo attempting to mind-control the Lion King in the background; the Hrud who cost the Iron Warriors tens of thousands of lives; and the Greenskins who battled the Khan for years at the outbreak of the Heresy. (Although the Alpha Legion's covert maneuvers had brought both sides to a stalemate, these Greenskins were still quite formidable.) These were the xenos that the Imperium of Mankind encountered, and they were incredibly formidable.

"You're too naive. Many difficult battles can't be seen through battle reports; they need to be experienced firsthand. And it's clear that most of the Luna Wolves lack this experience. Those who have, like Loken, wouldn't question it. They know the galaxy is a complex place, war is its eternal theme, and loyal and brave men are a civilization's most precious resource."

"So, it's ill-considered for some people to make such a claim. From a technical perspective, this argument is equally untenable. Although the Star Matrix is ​​powerful, there's still room for improvement. It can't cover the entire galaxy, and the Emperor is trying to improve it so it can better penetrate the mists of the Warp and spread the light and footsteps of human civilization to even greater distances. At the same time, our navigation technology and Warp navigation technology are constantly developing. Perhaps in the future, we'll be able to reach areas that are currently inaccessible. The Milky Way is too vast, and what we've discovered is only a small part of it."

"Actually, to a certain extent, some people say that the Great Crusade has entered a period of glory. They just want a result, a ceremony that seems to have completed a certain stage. They believe that the human empire is already big enough. So they carry out similar propaganda. However, truly sober people will not agree with this statement." said the traveler.

In the background, before the Warmaster was appointed, the Lion King and the Emperor had a discussion about this issue. The Lion King said that there were still too many xenos in the galaxy that constantly threatened humanity, and it was too early to declare the Great Crusade a victory. The Emperor responded that the people needed a sign, a sign that would tell everyone that an era had ended, and that they also needed a Warmaster. Therefore, the Emperor would appoint a Warmaster, then step back and focus on more important things. This was the purpose of the Warmaster appointment.

On this plane, the Emperor no longer needed to carry out the so-called Webway Project, as the Traveler had already taken over the Webway's authority. Having realized the power of the Chaos Gods, the Emperor's most important task was to deal with the Heresy. With this realization, many problems were easily solved.

"Moreover, after experiencing the incident with Fulgrim, don't you realize that the real terror in the galaxy has begun to attack human civilization? At this time, the only way for us to deal with them is to remain vigilant and be prepared for battle. They will be more terrifying than the Randan aliens. Believe me, Sejanus, in the future, we may experience a war throughout the galaxy, and those beings in the subspace are the driving force behind the scenes. Many past civilizations and certain beings among humans call these filthy, evil, and inhuman things evil gods!" The traveler said seriously.

"This... Evil God? Do you call them Evil Gods, too?" Hearing the traveler's words, Sejanus seemed to recall many unpleasant things. He also recalled descriptions of the gods circulating among the legion, and memories from the Randan War that were supposed to be sealed.

The series of decisive battles between the Traveler and the Randan Overlord was incredibly tumultuous. As the supreme deity of humanity, the Traveler's information could not be blocked, and so, along with information about the Randan Overlord, it could not be completely sealed. These battles, which surpassed the imaginations of even the Legion's warriors and Primarchs, became a kind of myth within the Legion. Most people dismissed them, or simply listened to them for fun. Only a select few, those who had read more extensive material, knew that there was more to this story than meets the eye. Beyond mortals, within the Warp, there truly existed higher-dimensional beings.

"Gods are just the name human civilization uses to refer to certain super-sized beings. Other civilizations also refer to them as ascenders, higher-dimensional beings, ascenders, and so on. In fact, the title is not important. What is important is that they are really strong and possess power that ordinary people can hardly resist. They are the biggest threat to human civilization." said the traveler.

"And to face such existence, humans also need similar ones?" Sejanus asked tentatively.

"This is why we follow the Emperor. He is powerful enough and truly serves humanity. He is completely different from some of the charlatans and false gods in human history. He is trustworthy and worthy of our following. We have lived for a long time and have seen and understood many things over the long years. We are always under the threat of the Warp, and even in the glorious years of the past, this shadow still shrouds human civilization. So we don't have many choices." The traveler sighed.

"I've learned your lesson. I swear that in the future, no matter what kind of enemy we face, I will be loyal to human civilization." Sejanus said seriously.

"Alright, let's talk about the future later." The Traveler stood up and patted Sejanus on the shoulder. "Don't overthink it. The Space Marines are the engineering of humanity's Great Crusade, the guardians of human civilization, and the treasure of the Imperium. The galaxy is vast, and exploring it will take a very long time. Your worries are unnecessary."

Chapter 333: Warriors Association, a Must-Try

As the Traveler said, although the Great Crusade has reached its peak, humanity's war journey is not over. In the background, the Emperor appointed Horus as Warmaster, and he really wanted him to lead his brothers to continue to expand the territory. There are still many powerful aliens waiting for humanity, and the war is far from over. And what can I say, even if it is over? Hasn't Guilliman already made plans for the Space Marines? Those who want to continue in the Legion can stay in the Legion, and those who don't want to can enter the administrative system, scientific research system, etc. Guilliman's idea is very good. Space Marines are not just warriors, they should play their role in many other aspects.

"Seyjanus," the traveler said. "Would it be convenient for me to visit the Luna Wolves' warrior society? I'd like to hear what the lower-level warriors are discussing."

"Uh, are you really going?" Sejanus asked awkwardly. While the Warriors' Guild was a specialty of the Luna Wolves, a must-try, Sejanus himself didn't have much time to indulge in it, due to the pressure of work. However, he always kept an eye on the Warriors' Guild. Lately, some of the issues being discussed within the Warriors' Guild had been quite heated: the Legion's officers and soldiers were outraged by the greed and corruption of the bureaucrats and nobles of some worlds.

"Of course, many people have mentioned to me the unique characteristics of the 16th Corps. I believe we shouldn't always be high and mighty. We should go deep into the front lines, put aside our status and rank, listen to their voices and concerns, answer their questions, soothe their emotions, and care for their hearts. This is my responsibility."

"Of course, I'll change my identity. Let's go this way, for example." The Traveler waved his hand, and his appearance changed dramatically, transforming into a think tank, slightly shorter than the legion's officers and soldiers, wearing power armor and a blue robe, exuding a scholarly aura. After all, his previous self was too conspicuous.

After a moment's hesitation, the Traveler painted a blue toilet seat on himself. Anyway, there were too many members in the U-Team, and they were too unremarkable. It was definitely a good idea to pretend to be one. Guilliman couldn't possibly travel thousands of light years to cause trouble for him. And this vest could be torn off at any time. Yeah, that was it.

"Isn't this a bit bad?" Sejanus asked, raising his eyebrows.

"What's wrong with it? It's just a pseudonym. You know the real situation anyway." The traveler said indifferently.

"Okay, as long as you're happy." Sejanus was speechless.

----------

"Those rulers and nobles from certain star regions exude a disgusting stench, and are full of luxury, corruption, and conspiracy. I really can't stand it. The world we fought so hard to conquer would be handed over to such guys to rule. I have returned to many worlds conquered by the legions, and the people there are not living as well as before returning to the Empire. If those rulers and nobles took 7% before returning to the Empire, then now they have taken nearly 9% in the name of the Empire, and called it the Great Crusade. This is really a stain on the Great Crusade!" said an old soldier of Yingyue Canglang angrily.

"That's right. When we accused them of being too greedy, they instead said we were overstepping our boundaries, saying that their rights came from the High Lords of Holy Terra! Not the Primarch of the Legion! Damn it, it's us. It was us who conquered the vast territory with swords and blood. It was us who defended humanity from the invasion of aliens. And now, his words have nothing to do with us! Damn it, this is an insult to the Legion and a blasphemy to our sacrifice!" echoed an officer on the side.

"The Empire is corrupting. It is no longer the prosperous empire we fought for. This situation is not only faced by our legion, but also by other legions. I am really disappointed." Makhnos, the Primarch's attendant, sighed and drank a glass of wine. Originally, he was even more resentful. After all, as the Primarch's attendant, he knew more about the dark side. To be honest, he was also very dissatisfied with some of the actions of the Imperial State. But obviously, he could not tell these things to ordinary officers and soldiers, even in the warrior association.

"I feel that we should convert some of the occupied planets into fiefdoms like the Ultramarines and the Space Wolves did. Why can Lord Guilliman and Lord Russ do it, but we can't?" Captain Serhan Tagost of the 7th Company snorted and looked to the side. Then, his eyes fell on a think tank who seemed to be from the Ultramarines.

The latter, following the rules of the Warrior's Order, wore no ornaments or insignia of rank. He sat alone, apparently sipping tea. Only his obvious psyker attire and equipment told the Luna Wolves present that he must be a think tank. Intercourse existed between the various Legions, especially with certain crucial ones. With the exception of the Dark Angels, who were not particularly sociable, and the Raven King's disapproval of Horus, officers and soldiers from most of the Legions could be found within Horus's Warrior's Order.

Even so, the Sons of Horus still have their own ties to other Legions, and the Ultramarines aren't particularly popular within the Luna Wolves, becoming the subject of various conspiracy theories. Add to that the fact that they're dealing with a psyker, and the Luna Wolves are even more displeased. Now, the atmosphere is already heating up, and if they don't cause some trouble, and preferably a fight, they wouldn't be the Sons of Horus! After all, cage fighting is a hallmark of almost every Legion; it's a must-try!

"Friends of the Ultramarines over there, what do you think of our plan?" Tagost, having had a few drinks, spoke loudly, his voice drawing the attention of the others present. Some looked at both sides with inquiring eyes, while the majority simply watched the spectacle unfold. After all, eating melons is a human trait; it's a must-try!

"Hiss..." Sejanus, hiding in a corner, gasped at the scene. After all, there had been plenty of instances of internal strife within the Warrior Society before, but now... How could some people be so discerning? Obviously, he couldn't intervene in this situation. It wouldn't be good to spoil someone's fun, after all.

"Come here and fetch Torgaddon and Loken," Sejanus ordered the men nearby. Torgaddon was a veteran of the Warrior Society, perfectly capable of keeping his composure. Loken, on the other hand, was more fair-minded and had good relationships with many of the Legion's officers and soldiers. If anything went wrong, he'd be perfect for smoothing things over between the Legions. As for little Horus? It was a good thing he didn't add fuel to the fire!

"What you said makes sense. Many Terran bureaucrats and local nobles are colluding with each other, which is really despicable. They need to be punished." The traveler disguised as a U-group think tank stood up and said, holding a teacup.

"Hmph, quite sensible." Tagost snorted. "So, why can you, the Ultramarines, claim fiefdoms while we can't? That's not fair."

"Watch your words, Luna Wolf. Your ignorance is no excuse for your nonsense!" Samatica, the Iron Father of the Iron Hands Legion, stood up and declared. His custom-made Centurion Terminator Power Armor made him appear even taller. Looking at the arrogant Sons of Horus, the equally brilliant and proud Iron Father would not tolerate these men!

"Haha, the Iron Hands? Your industrial group and the Ultramarine's pocket kingdom complement each other, but I don't know how many shameful things you have done in secret." Tagust sneered.

"You are insulting my legion. I will make you pay with my hammer and my fists!" Samatika roared angrily. However, just as he was about to charge, he was held down by the traveler.

"Calm down, brother. Don't get angry because of an uncultured guy. We are technicians and scholars. Don't lower your status and argue with them." The traveler said while looking at the other party provocatively.

"Damn it! I'm going to duel with you! Now, coward, draw your sword!" Tagost rushed forward like a mad beast. However, at this moment, a flash of sword light flashed across his vision, and then the sword in his hand was knocked away. He didn't react immediately.

"You're not planning to fight me, are you?" the Traveler said with a smile. "You're very brave." Samatika, standing nearby, stared at this seemingly kinsman of the Ultramarines with equal amazement, his face filled with disbelief. Just that single strike had surpassed his understanding of a Legionnaire. He didn't recall such a formidable figure in the Ultramarines. And a think tank at that!

"Please give me a favor and sit down to talk, okay?" The traveler pulled over a chair and looked at the captain of the Seventh Company of the Moonlight Wolves and Makhnos, the Primarch's attendant.

"My cousin from the Ultramarines, your strength is awe-inspiring, but that's no excuse for reckless behavior. Clearly, both the Ultramarines and the Iron Hands have overreached as legions. The Ultramarines have incorporated some of the planets they've just recaptured into their pocket kingdoms, while the Iron Hands' foundries have affected countless star systems. The close relationship between your two legions makes it hard not to suspect you have ulterior motives," Makhnos said gravely. They couldn't fight. It was clear they couldn't win. Tagost wasn't as strong as Abaddon, but as the captain of the Seventh Company, he was undoubtedly worthy of the title of Legion Master. If they couldn't win, they could only resort to verbal attacks to regain some of their strength.

"Actually, is it possible that you've devoted too much energy to combat and other matters, and therefore aren't adept at governing a planet? The Luna Wolves don't lack fiefdoms; Lord Loken is the Governor of Dal'Khan. But as far as I know, the Luna Wolves can't even recruit enough managers for this system, its two habitable planets, and several satellites. Many of them are specially hired from Macragge."

"In other words, your Primarch, the great Lord Horus, gave you the opportunity to control a world, but it seems that you are useless." The traveler's words were as sharp as ever.

"What do you mean?" Makhnos frowned.

"What do you mean? Do you know how to manage an industrial base with tens of millions of people? Do you know how to enable more people to enjoy a better life with limited capital investment? Do you know how to deal with various problems from inside and outside the system? You may not even know how to make financial statements and keep accounts! Handing a planet over to you is not just bad, it is a crime!" The traveler's words were as direct as ever.

This also made Makhnos recall some bad things, such as the mountains of documents and pending matters he saw in the Governor-General's Mansion in Dalkan, and the hint of disappointment in his father's eyes when faced with these things that made him so busy.

The Emperor was faced with numerous frustrations. His time was limited. The Great Crusade was only the first step in his grand plan. He knew the Chaos Gods wouldn't grant him much time, so he could only grudgingly unite human civilization. Too many things were compromised. The Adeptus Mechanicus was a product of this compromise, as were the bureaucrats and Terra. Compromise with the rulers of the surrendered planets was also part of the equation. It wasn't that the Emperor approved of these people, but rather that he simply had to make do. After all, if every planet were to be resolved through violence, the Great Crusade would be endless. They probably haven't even left the Solar Segmentum yet! What could the Emperor do? Even God couldn't do anything about it.

Are the Sons of Horus right? They do have some truth in their accusations, but often, just because something is right isn't enough. After all, if you were to let these people manage things themselves, they might even be worse than the Terran bureaucrats. The entire Imperium is currently struggling. Future development and governance will have to wait until the Emperor and the Traveler have more energy.

"Do you understand technology? Do you understand management? Forget about a planet or a hive city. Can you manage a city? When faced with some dilemmas, can you make the right decisions? Not everyone can be a manager. Operation and management are scarce skills. If you want to do well, it is not enough to have power. I think many people who have served as company commanders can understand this. When you leave the legion and go to a planet, the relationships you need to face will be hundreds of times more complicated than before. And you can't use the simple violence of the army to deal with them, because they are not soldiers, they are citizens, citizens who want to live ordinary lives. Do you understand what I mean? Officers and soldiers of the Shadow Moon Wolves." The traveler said.

Chapter 334 Traveler: You Know Nothing About Power (6K)

"Perhaps we do lack some, but that's no reason to condone corruption among officials and nobles. Furthermore, from what I understand, the Iron Hands have done some outrageous things," Makhnos said, glancing at Samatika. Legion interference in planetary management wasn't a problem within the Ultramarines, as Ultramar and the Ultramarines were essentially the same. However, the actions of the Iron Hands were somewhat murky.

"Then you can do it too. You can also ask your Primarch to provide some help. The Legion will have a lot of autonomy on the political level, but you just don't do it." said the Traveler.

Horus possessed ambition, tactical skill, and even greater political cunning. He excelled at using various tactics to coax individuals into his service. While this approach was often undoubtedly effective, it was also fraught with compromise and concessions. Compared to the Iron Hands, the Luna Wolves were undoubtedly more popular with some rulers. However, this popularity came at a price: Horus had to rein in his subordinates, and he couldn't, like Ferrus, provoke a commotion when he couldn't stand it anymore... or even directly complain to the Emperor's attendants, escalating the situation.

This is similar to the 40K era, where the Ultramarines often enjoyed close relations with the High Lords of Terra and the Inquisition because they didn't interfere in certain matters, while the Space Wolves, due to their involvement in certain matters, strained relations. It's a matter of trade-offs. For example, in the 40K era, the Minotaurs Chapter once insulted Calgar in front of the Genesis Chapter (a successor to the U-Chapter's Second Founding). Then, they attacked the Interceptors Chapter and practically looted everything... This was a successor to the U-Chapter, and yet, Calgar simply said, "If you have the guts, don't come to Ultramar," failing to avenge his own foes. Ummmm.

The Traveler's final words silenced many of the Luna Wolves, for they knew they could have prevented many things, or even taken a more forceful approach, but for various reasons, they chose not to. Unlike some other Legions, they couldn't do what they believed was right. There were many people who limited their ability to do so, but one of them was their Primarch.

"So, restrain your rage. This galaxy is not a beautiful place, and human civilization has many problems. You can complain, and you can try to change it, but never rashly destroy something before you are fully prepared. Otherwise, it will not be salvation, but destruction," the Traveler said meaningfully. It's like many people are dissatisfied with the Mechanicus, but no one can abolish it. This is compromise.

What can the Traveler do in the face of the complaints among the Space Marines? Resolve the problem? If they want major changes, they certainly can't do it now. The evil gods are already sharpening their swords, and there's no time to lose. So, in this situation, the Emperor and the Traveler, on the one hand, turn a blind eye to the actions of certain Legions, while on the other hand, they can only try to alleviate them. Corruption among bureaucrats and aristocrats has existed since the dawn of human civilization. Conflicts between the Legions and Terra are commonplace. After all, in the 40 era, even after the Grand Ceremony transformed the Legions into Chapters, conflicts between them still exist, sometimes even intensifying. These are issues that need to be resolved and coordinated. But for now, let's wait until we've weathered the Heresy.

On the surface, the Traveler's actions seemed to strengthen the Luna Wolves' power by granting them fiefdoms, but in reality, they actually dispersed the Luna Wolves' strength. On the one hand, with fiefdoms, they needed to garrison them. Too few would be ineffective, and too many would inevitably spread the legion's strength. Remember, in the incredibly barbaric era of 30K, even in a supposedly smooth large-scale battle, the death of several thousand SMs was commonplace. In these dark times, the number of surviving alien warriors was quite abundant.

Take the Eldar, the supposedly remnant of the dead. Do you really think they can't muster a large army? A single Craftworld crushed the Blood Angels, with Warlock Titans dominating the battlefield. Had it not been for the intervention of the Adeptus Omen, even Sanguinius wouldn't have been able to defeat them. And the Blood Angels are certainly not a weak legion.

The Luna Wolves' size is limited. Compared to the Loyalist legions, which have been buffed up with numerous buffs, the potential renegade legions offer very limited reinforcement. While the Luna Wolves are considered a large legion, they are not particularly large. In the background, the Luna Wolves' strength is estimated to be between 13 and 17, with an average of around 15. With fiefs, these fiefs must be garrisoned, effectively dispersing the Luna Wolves' forces.

If a planet only has one large camp with about 3000 Luna Wolves, to put it bluntly, if a fight really breaks out, the Traveler doesn't even need to send the Legion to take action. If there is a webway on this planet, the Eldar Legion can just go up. Without realizing it, a large camp of Moon Wolves is not a big deal for the united Eldar Legion.

And honestly, farming is a scarce skill. Even if you give them the chance, with only a few years until the Great Rebellion, they won't be able to do anything. And honestly, considering the moral integrity of current planetary governors, many surrender immediately upon seeing the overwhelming strength of the rebellion. If there's one positive effect of the state religion in the 40K era, it's that most people still maintain a higher level of moral integrity in the face of Chaos.

"Compared to the complicated and dirty politics, I still prefer the atmosphere of the Legion." said a Shadow Moon Wolf Legion soldier.

"These things are sometimes scarier than aliens. Those bureaucrats are all secret language people. Every word they say has several layers of meaning. It's really annoying." The person next to him responded.

Thus, a conflict brewing within the warrior association was resolved. After all, many people were simply angry, but if you really asked them to do something, they really wouldn't be able to do it well... Some principles, once explained, are much better.

"Well, cousin from the Ultramarine Legion, let's have a drink for your eloquence." A Moon Wolf captain raised his glass. Obviously, he agreed with someone's statement to some extent.

"Cheers." The traveler raised his glass and drank it all in one gulp. Perhaps in the future we would meet on the battlefield, but for now, we were still comrades.

"Hey, Librarian, you'd be better off as a swordsman. You're definitely one of the best warriors in the Legion. Could you please leave your name? Maybe in the future, if I have the chance to go to Macragge, I'll look for you." A Moon Wolf warrior said in a good-natured manner.

"Haha, I'm a jack of all trades. I'm good at most things," the traveler responded.

"Alright everyone, let me tell you something to help save the Ultramarine Legion some trouble. I'm not a member of the Ultramarine Legion, and I'm here simply to chat with you about something of mutual interest." The traveler removed his disguise, causing a commotion.

"So, it seems that we said something we shouldn't have said today?" An officer said with some embarrassment.

"There's nothing I can't say. If we turn a blind eye to some problems, it will be harmful to humanity and the empire. Many of the problems you mentioned do need to be dealt with, but they take time and require planning, which is even more troublesome than fighting a battle. Anyone who knows a little about history knows that it's difficult to lay a foundation, but it's even more difficult to maintain it. And I'm very unhappy with some people, and sometimes, I will take action." The traveler said with a smile.

"Then, sir, I have another question that I hope you can answer. As the main force of the entire Great Crusade, the Legion is the greatest contributor. So in the future, should we receive adequate rewards? I believe that the basic operating logic of this world should be formulated by the strong." At this moment, the captain of the 18th Company of the Luna Wolves, Tybert Marr, spoke. He looked at the Emperor's attendant and asked the question he most wanted to ask.

"Haha, he's a famous figure too," the Traveler sneered inwardly. After the Heresy, Tybalt Maul became a new member of the Council of Four Kings. He was capable and ambitious. His greatest achievement was persuading Horus to assign him a dedicated force to combat the Shattered Legion. In a series of battles, he ultimately annihilated the Shattered Legion, led by Iron Hands commander Meduson. Ultimately, this ambitious and powerful commander fell to Loken's sword.