Warhammer, about my years with the Wolfpack

"Let's work together." Baldur's face was filled with a smile. In reality, all of this was part of Baldur's plan. He was seeking to widen the gap between the various Legions through various means. The reason was simple: the Loyalist Primarchs were truly superior to the Traitors. Faced with the impact of new equipment on the Legion's system, the Loyalist Primarchs were more able to absorb it and transform it into real combat power. As for the Mechanicus, Baldur had also chosen loyal Forge Worlds, deliberately widening the gap between the different Legions before the battle.

Taking a closer look at the nine Loyalist Legions, Ferrus and Vulkan are technical pros, so that's out of the question. The Dark Angels possess a wealth of advanced technology and are a Legion the Emperor has prioritized. Jonson is also highly capable, so mastering this system isn't difficult for him. Dorn is a member of the Emperor's Guard, and he's also quite skilled and adept at farming. After all, he manages the Legion's largest fleet. Guilliman, on the other hand, is the undisputed king of farming. As for Sanguinius, the BA Legion's size and combat effectiveness are also impressive. Of course, they may be lacking in farming.

As for the remaining few, forget about Clarks and just go with Ferrus. Rus and Khan, I guess Bader will have to lead them himself. These two...

What about the rebel legions? Boss Pi possesses strong farming and technical skills. Therefore, Balder paid special attention to him, hoping to poach him. Lorgar is also very skilled in farming and networking. His ability to get the Adeptus Mechanicus to build him an Abyssal-class battleship is a testament to his abilities, but unfortunately, he himself lacks technical expertise. Balder also took precautions against the Adeptus Mechanicus's rebellion. Horus's legion is indeed large, but as for farming and scientific research? I'm afraid they are not strong. Horus' strength lies in his communication and affinity.

Then let's look at the Chosen Legions. Angron knows how to build a massive army, but forget about technology and farming. Fulgrim excels at tactics and single combat, but doesn't seem to have much in common with either. Magnus was quite far-sighted, even establishing a mortal auxiliary army to accompany the Legion. The Thousand Sons also had things like Psykerbots, but Tzeentch wouldn't allow them to become too powerful. Just look at their ending in the background. The gas canister is said to be about advocating science and rationality, but what inventions did they have? It seems not many. And their tactics are too simplistic.

As for the Alpha Legion, it was unfathomable, but from the Primarch down, everyone was somewhat neurotic, even unaware of their own purpose. So Baldur was still observing. He even warned the Emperor in advance that if Alpharius had any ill intentions towards the Space Wolves, he wouldn't be blamed for his rudeness.

"Okay, now that I've got these things, I'm going back. I'm looking forward to meeting you again. Every time we meet, you always bring me unexpected surprises." Ferrus said solemnly to Balder.

"May everything go well for us." Balder responded with a smile.

"Thank you for your help to the Raven Guard." Clarks said.

"We are all working for humanity and the empire. There's no need to be so polite among friends," said Balder.

It was time for everyone to part ways; reunions were always brief. Ferrus and Klax had to clear out the remaining xenos while resting their own legions. Baldur was off to attend to his own affairs. But before leaving, Baldur needed to converse with Guilliman. This wasn't just Baldur's wish; Guilliman shared similar concerns. Naturally perceptive, he had many questions he wanted answered. Although Ferrus and even the Emperor had warned him not to delve too deeply into Baldur's secrets, his natural curiosity always made him want to know more.

Chapter 215 Guilliman's Questions

"Lord Balder, are you interested in history and religion?" As the last servant left, Guilliman stood up and personally poured a cup of tea for Balder and then said.

"There's some research. Are you interested in it?" Balder said after picking up the teacup and taking a sip.

"Our history is incomplete. From the time our ancestors left the sacred Terra and spread throughout the galaxy, to the sudden disaster that came later, and then to our revival, there are too many vague and false memories in between. Now that we are on the road to revival, I think it is very important to learn from previous experiences and lessons. After all, they can illuminate our way forward. Don't you think so?" Guilliman said calmly.

"Yes. And then?" Balder nodded.

"I have reviewed some Eldar records and texts," Guilliman continued. "In their poetry and histories, they speak of the Eldar gods and their fall. It seems that a powerful and malevolent being was resurrected by the Eldar's fall, and destroyed the galaxy's previous overlord. They call it the Dark Prince, the Great Enemy, and the Unholy God."

"And in human records, from the time when our ancestors were still living on slash-and-burn agriculture to the present day of the Mechanicus, gods and religion have always been an unavoidable topic. So I would like to ask, Lord Balder, with your experience and knowledge, do you think that gods exist?" Guilliman asked.

"Do you think I can answer this question?" Balder asked with a smile.

"I don't know if you can answer this question, but I do know that, aside from our father, you are the most likely person I've ever met to answer it. You are so exceptional," Guilliman said. Unlike the previous story, where the Emperor vehemently denied the existence of God, in this dimension, the Emperor blurred the issue and intentionally allowed certain Primarchs to gain first access to certain content. Guilliman was one of them.

Guilliman, a staunch atheist, was now somewhat hesitant and uncertain. This was not just due to his impulsive nature, but also due to the battle with Randan. The strength of War Moon One had surpassed his imagination, and Balder's subsequent destruction of it was truly inconceivable. So, here was a question: if a being's power was so immense that it was beyond the imagination of other races or individuals, should it be called a god? And what was the definition of a god?

According to his understanding, gods and religion are the distorted understanding and idealistic worship that arises from an intelligent civilization in its primitive stages, seeking to understand something beyond its comprehension. This raises the question: the Eldar, the former overlords of the galaxy, were clearly far more advanced than humanity at their peak. They firmly believe in the existence of gods, raising the question: is human civilization simply too advanced to recognize their existence, or is there something else at play? What is the true cause of humanity's decline? Is it simply the rebellion of AI?

"So do you think God is real?" Balder continued.

"I..." Guilliman frowned and said, "If God is just some powerful and unknown existence that has surpassed a certain limit, then in the eyes of some people, that might be God."

"And then?" Balder continued.

"I don't like gods," Guilliman said. "I don't like the idea of ​​a being transcending civilization and race, a being that exists beyond it. If this god is like what's recorded in ancient texts, with the power of life and death over races, and thrives on believers and worship, then this god is truly terrible."

"Haha." Baldur smiled at Guilliman's answer and said, "I can't tell you whether God really exists, but I can tell you God's nature. God's greatest nature is that it possesses power beyond ordinary imagination! Good and evil, faith, and the like do not belong to this nature. Do you understand me?"

"Power is neither good nor bad, but the people and methods that use it are good or bad. What we call forbidden knowledge and power are simply the possible consequences of using these powers. It's like people invented explosives, which can be used for mining or war. Some power is beyond the control of certain people, so it is harmful." After Bader finished speaking, he sighed and continued.

"Remember what I told you before? Right after the exercise between us was over?"

"Remember, you said that the galaxy is dark, and then we witnessed the true darkness in the galaxy." Guilliman said with lingering fear.

"The Randan xenos are indeed powerful, but they are just a dark corner of the galaxy. In the future, you will see even more terrifying existences. In the subspace and in the physical universe, some guys are hiding in the shadows, weaving conspiracies and destruction."

"There are many frustrating things in this world. If possible, I would not want to use my intelligence and talents for destruction. I should be a scholar, a traveler, a forger, but the current situation is that if you don't destroy them, they will destroy you!"

"Guilliman, you are still too young and inexperienced. Perhaps it is precisely because of this naiveté that you have time to ponder certain unrealistic questions. You dislike the Mechanicus, but you must cooperate with it. Is this clear enough? Instead of dwelling on these things all day, you might as well consider the path ahead."

"Also, my final piece of advice to you is to follow your father's footsteps and not be tempted by external things. The power of Randan is indeed strong, but the temptations and conspiracies hidden in the shadows are more deadly. And they fit the definition of being called evil gods very well." Baldur said, patting Guilliman on the shoulder.

"Well, this question is indeed somewhat imaginary and heavy," Guilliman said after a moment's contemplation. "Then, let's talk about something more practical. I want to reorganize my Legion."

"I have decided to establish a three-level legion system, namely the reserve legion, the standing legion, and the more elite Victorious Legion." Guilliman then explained the details of the system to Balder.

The so-called reserve corps is basically composed of new recruits. They learn how to become a qualified soldier under the training and guidance of veterans. They will also participate in some low-intensity combat, such as clearing small-scale rebellions in a certain place and ensuring the safety of logistics and transportation lines.

The Standing Legion is the largest division of the Ultramarines, carrying out over 70% of the Legion's combat missions. Its strength typically ranges from 5000 to 1 men. With its own dedicated fleet and mortal auxiliary legions, its mission is to deal with common xenos or human pocket empires within a system. They carry out Guilliman's missions, clearing the vast majority of enemies from the stars.

The Ever-Victorious Army of this dimension, led by Guilliman himself, consists of elite troops drawn from the various standing legions. They enjoy the finest preparations, treatment, and honors. However, they also bear the heaviest burdens and undertake the most dangerous missions, such as battling the Randan xenos. The Ever-Victorious Army currently numbers several thousand, due to the extensive damage inflicted in the previous battle with the Randan. Guilliman has yet to begin farming. In the future, Guilliman aims to maintain the Ever-Victorious Army at 3 to 5 men, with further increases possible if the Legion's strength continues to increase.

In actual combat, the Ever-Victorious Army will cooperate with other standing legions in combat. At the same time, personnel will be exchanged between the Ever-Victorious Army and the standing legions. In short, the mobility of the legion is maintained.

In terms of specific organization, Guilliman introduced a battalion-level system between the Chapter and the Company. Companies were relatively small in size so they could be used for specialized missions. Several companies performing specialized missions were then combined into a battalion of between 2000 and 4000 men. This was the lowest level of combined intra-planetary combat units. Above that was the Chapter, numbering around 1 men. These units were equipped with fleets and carried out missions in specific campaign directions.

In addition to these regular troops, Guilliman also established covert units, such as troops used to clean up internal scum and prevent external infiltration and sabotage. Due to the covert nature of this force, Guilliman only mentioned it.

As for the fleet, Guilliman also made responsive improvements. In addition to assigning a large number of heavy warships to his Ever-Victorious Army, Guilliman also made a request to Balder. He was very interested in the two mobile legion fortresses of the Space Wolves (one given by the Lord of Radiance, the other by the Emperor to Russ). Could he help him build a mobile fortress... to serve as the base of the expeditionary fleet and the ultimate attack force?

"Emmmm. We can only talk about this later." The traveler said that this was really difficult. After all, in the background, there were too few star-fortress-class fortresses that could move on their own!

Anyway, after some adjustments, Guilliman's legion structure problem was finally solved. Facing Guilliman's proposed army building plan, Balder gave some suggestions.

"Also, my brother has designed a new type of armor for me, which he will cast himself. Unfortunately, it is not finished yet." Guilliman said this, which made Balder feel nervous...

"I'm actually not optimistic about you going to the battlefield in person. The Emperor has arranged people from the Chamberlain's Office for you, as well as ancient technological creations. They are more than enough to deal with possible close combat." Balder said his words carefully. On the one hand, he wanted to express his attitude, and on the other hand, he had to consider the Primarch's face.

Guilliman is undoubtedly the Emperor's own son, a very dear one. He's essentially the ultimate in military prowess. While other legions typically assign Custodians as overseers, the Ultramarines is the first instance where the Emperor assigns his own son an Imperial Retinue as overseer. This suggests that the current Traveler and the Emperor haven't yet attained true deity; otherwise, these Imperial Retinues would likely have directly become divinely chosen. Furthermore, unlike the Imperial Retinues' overseers, the Imperial Retinues serve as support personnel and bodyguards.

Besides the Imperial Retinue, the Emperor, feeling perhaps still unsure, secretly left Guilliman with a few Extinction Relics, the kind produced by the Lord of Radiance, with the Emperor's stamp and painted yellow. It could be said that in terms of security, the technological side had the Extinction Relics, while the metaphysical side had the Imperial Retinues. This was the absolute pinnacle of the Imperium's capabilities. If these weren't enough to defeat the enemy, Guilliman's presence wouldn't matter much; the right thing to do was to think about escape. Just look at Guilliman's performance against the Randan Soul Eater this time, and then think about how he nearly felled against Kel'Faron with a few psychic blasts. Baldur truly hoped Guilliman wouldn't act rashly.

"I must always be prepared," Guilliman insisted.

"Your role in the office is greater than that on the flagship, and you are more useful on the flagship than in the front line yourself. Guilliman, the Emperor created you, and you need to play different roles. Not everyone needs to fight on the front line." Balder said earnestly.

"But didn't Russ, Ferrus, Clarks, and you all go to the front lines in person?"

"I just said that you play a greater role in the command seat. If you really want to join the battle, then first of all, you should prove that you are stronger than the Emperor's Servants and the Extinction Relics. When you can face four Extinction Relics and three Emperor's Servants alone, you can consider going to the battlefield." Balder said.

"Emmmm. If it's just close combat, I won't have any problem." Guilliman said.

"Can you still prevent the enemy from using psychic powers and ranged weapons on the battlefield?" Baldur sneered. In the background, Curze and seven Extinction Relics fought a 4-3 battle. So Baldur reasoned that if Guilliman truly couldn't defeat four Radiant Lord-version Extinction Relics and three Emperor's Handmaids, he could almost defeat Curze. After all, the Radiant Lord-version Extinction Relics were more powerful, while the Emperor's Handmaids made up for the Extinction Relics' lack of psychic powers.

"Shall we give it a try?" Guilliman challenged. He felt that the man he faced was somewhat ignoring his efforts.

"Don't I need psychic powers?" Balder raised his eyebrows slightly.

"You can use psychic power. Come here, there is a separate arena for me. There are many weapons here, you can always find the one that suits you." Guilliman said.

"Haha." Balder smiled. This was his first battle with the Primarch, a memorable one.

---------

Half an hour later, Guilliman struggled to maintain his stance, his right hand gripping the dagger. His left hand clasped the lower left side of his chest. He glanced down, a clear palm print imprinted on his body, stronger than steel. Baldur stood ten meters away, a faint smile on his face. In the previous exchange, Baldur had not used psionic powers; it was a contest of martial skill, speed, and strength. However, it was clear that Baldur had the upper hand. Although his power armor bore several sword scars, it was clear that Baldur's palm had not only pierced Guilliman's armor but also wounded him.

"I know the outcome," Guilliman said after a moment, straightening up. "Even though Ferrus was so belligerent, willing to challenge Horus to a duel over a single word, he never challenged you to a duel."

"Guilliman, play to your strengths and avoid your weaknesses. I look forward to our next meeting." Baldur said. This time, everything that needed to be communicated had been communicated. The Emperor gave Guilliman a BUFF, and he also applied it. It was time to leave.

Just as the first round of the Randan War, led by Ferrus and Balder, came to an end, on Caliban, the ambitious Lord of the First Legion was preparing for his first battle after his return.

Chapter 216: The High-spirited Zhuang Sen

"How do you feel?" The Emperor's voice echoed behind him as Zhuang Sen finished reviewing the final battle record. Over the past few days, the Emperor had personally accompanied Zhuang Sen, accompanying him through the records, data, and footage of the entire Randan Campaign.

"This is an opponent worthy of my full effort. My father." Zhuangsen glanced at the head of the Supreme Lord killed by Balder, turned around and said respectfully to the Emperor.

"I'm sorry that in your first battle after your return, you have to challenge this unprecedented enemy. In fact, all your brothers will choose a suitable target after returning, learn war in war, and hone themselves and their legions." The Emperor said in a low voice.

"This is my duty, father. The legion under my command is the leader of all legions and the most powerful existence in the empire. My task and mission is to completely eliminate all enemies of mankind. Whether it is aliens, rebellious pocket empires or something else. The First Legion is fearless and indestructible. We are the Emperor's angels of death." Zhuangsen's tone was full of confidence and murderous intent.

"I will help you. If you need anything, please let me know." The Emperor was very satisfied with Zhuangsen's attitude.

"You have provided the Dark Angels with sufficient weaponry and elite warriors. We will defeat them on our own," Jonson declared sternly. If Baldur's actions seemed miraculous to Ferrus and Guilliman, then Jonson's wasn't so incomprehensible. Destroying a war machine the size of a planet might seem terrifying, but within the Dark Angels' vaults were weapons capable of destroying large gaseous planets and even stars. (The Adeptus Mechanicus in the background possesses star-destroying weapons, and Cawl's flagship is said to be capable of vaporizing black holes...)

Therefore, in Zhuangsen's view, Balder and his Endless Journey are worthy of respect. After all, Zhuangsen has not met Ran Dan yet, and does not know the huge gap between the war in the data and the war he has experienced personally. Zhuangsen is just interested in Balder, but does not think about other aspects at the first time.

"Very good, take care of yourself and your Legion," said the Emperor.

“I will do my utmost to prepare my legions,” said Jonson.

"Also, I have another gift for you, but it will take some time." The emperor said with a smile.

"What gift?" Zhuang Sen asked curiously.

"The cancer and corruption that is deeply rooted in Caliban," the Emperor said with a smile. The Emperor of this dimension was far more powerful than his predecessor. Therefore, some things that were previously impossible or inconvenient were now possible. Unfortunately, the Ouroboros, hidden deep within Caliban, had become the Emperor's target. The Emperor could now extract it while ensuring the planet's stability.

"My legion is at your service," said Jonson.

"My Guards and Guards can handle this matter. The temptations and corruption of the Void are everywhere. You and your Legion must be careful," the Emperor said. "In the future, you and your Legion will face the true terrors of the galaxy. For now, Randan is merely a stumbling block in our path, a tool to test the Imperium and us." During this time, the Emperor had already hinted at some of the secrets of the Warp and the Dark Lords, telling Jonson to prepare early.

"Yes, father." Zhuang Sen bowed.

------------

An hour later, the Lion King arrived at the conference hall of his own territory, the Glorious Queen-class battleship Indomitable Truth. A large number of high-ranking Dark Angels gathered there, waiting for the Lion King's admonition.

"Urian." The Lion King looked at the Dark Angel Grand Master on his left.

"My lord." Urian stood up and saluted the Lion King.

"Immediately check the inventory of the Sandalwood Order's relics and perform maintenance on the equipment on the list. I'll give you two weeks to make sure all the legitimate assets are in operational condition," the Lion King ordered.

"I will obey your will." Urien accepted the order.

The Lion King "Zahariel" looked at a think tank on the left.

"grown ups."

"Are you knowledgeable about psychic powers?" asked the Lion King.

"Yes, I am the best in the Legion. Only Asmodeus can rival me."

"Take inventory of the psychic and anti-psychic weapons in the legion. After Asmodeus returns, I hope you can come up with a battle plan against the Randan alien psychics." The Lion King ordered.

"As you command."

"Luther, my right hand." The Lion King looked at his adoptive father beside him, with a hint of tenderness in his eyes.

"My Lord..." Luther stood up and lowered his head, but his eyes kept glancing at his former adopted son, now the leader of the legion. It was obvious that Luther did not immediately adapt to this change in relationship.

"The Knights of Caliban are all very good warriors and brothers. I hope they can quickly adapt to the transition from being a knight to a legionary warrior. I'll need your attention on this."

"Make sure to complete the mission." Luther nodded.

Then, with swift and precise orders, the Lion King arranged what the Dark Angels would do next. Nearly 10 Dark Angels had gathered on Caliban, with tens of thousands more on the way. For the first time, the mighty and mysterious First Legion, the eldest son of the Emperor's Legion, had concentrated such a vast force on a single battlefield. The Seraphim was about to unfurl its wings and strike a fatal blow against humanity's enemies.

"Alachios, Astelan, stay a moment." At the end of the meeting, Jonson ordered. Just as Jonson's squire, Corswain, was about to leave, the lion made a gesture, allowing him to remain in the meeting room as a squire and recorder.

"Alajos, tell me about the Order of the Circle of Ruin and the Seekers," the Lion King said calmly. His words made Alajos' heart tighten. The reason was simple. This time, all the orders of the Dark Angels Legion and the Celestial Host had gathered. Perhaps only a portion of some orders had come, but at least the frontline leaders were present. The two leaders of the Circle of Ruin and the Seekers were absent. Although they were on a mission, it was clear that they had been away for too long.

"Lords Morris and Nemean are both excellent warriors, tacticians, and commanders. Their efficiency ranks among the best in the legion, while their losses are relatively small. This time, they may have encountered some trouble." Alachos said carefully.

"Asteran, tell me." After listening to what Alachios said, the Lion King nodded slightly and then looked to the other side.

"They are very close to the Space Wolves, having trained the VI Legion. They also maintain a very good friendship with your brother and Lord Balder. To this day, the two sides still maintain very close ties and...trade," Astelan said. He saw that the Primarch frowned slightly when he mentioned the word trade.

"Hmm... They seem to have been out there a bit too long," said Zhuang Sen, signaling the two senior officers to leave. Meanwhile, Corsween stood faithfully beside the Lion King, recording everything that had just happened.

Jonson sat quietly on his throne. He was the Primarch of the First Legion, the leader of the Legion, but at the same time, he was a newcomer to these battle-hardened veterans and the long-established Legion. In the lush jungles of Caliban, Jonson relied on his intuition and keen perception to win victory after victory, and now, these talent-like skills will help him control his Legion.

When he first met the Legion's leaders, he sensed a lack of respect from these exceptional and enigmatic warriors. Jonson understood this, having fought alongside the Emperor for so long, whose might was unimaginable. Jonson had spent a long time and employed various methods to rally the Legion, with his father also helping him control it. Much remained to be done, such as managing the relationship between the Calibans and the Terran officers and soldiers.

Thinking of this, the Lion King looked at Corswin. He was a Calibanite, but not a member of the Knights. He was a candidate that both the Caliban Knights and Elder Terra could accept. The Lion King was very satisfied with this attendant and clerk, not only because of his strength, but also because he always provided him with valuable and insightful advice.

"Korswain." The Lion King stared straight ahead, his hands leaning on his longsword. "I remember that the First Legion was always independent, maintaining a sufficient distance from the other Legions. We walked in the darkness, using our own methods to deal with enemies that the other Legions would never dare to imagine."

"Yes, my lord," said Corswein.

"However, the Circle of Destruction and the Seekers of Knowledge broke this tradition and even made deals with other legions on their own. This is not what a knight should do." The Lion King's tone was slightly cold.

"After all, they were once the teachers of the Sixth Legion, and now the Sixth Legion is the teacher of the Seventh and Thirteenth Legions," Corswain said after a moment's reflection. "Their actions have earned the respect of the Sixth Legion, from the Primarch down to the company soldiers. This kind of teacher-student relationship is always special." He then glanced at the first empty seat to the right of the Lion King. That was Luther's seat.

"Teacher's teacher? Interesting." A smile played on the lion's lips. Clearly, he found the title quite appealing. After all, the Seventh Legion was essentially his father's royal guard, and Dorne had suffered a defeat in the battle against the Sixth Legion. And the Sixth Legion's original mentor was the Dark Angels... However, the smile was short-lived. "What do you think of the private transaction between the two parties?"

"In fact, many orders have received a lot of supplies from the Space Wolves through Maurice and Master Nemean. And every transaction is recorded. It can't be said to be private. And generally speaking, this kind of transaction has a significant impact on improving the combat effectiveness of the Legion. Currently, the two orders have 2.4 elite legionaries. Among all the Dark Angels fleets, Master Maurice's Legion is the strongest. This shows that in addition to combat, Master Maurice is also good at management and communication. And this is essential for a Legion or Knightly Order."

"Do you remember the Seventh Legion's Air Fist?" asked Koswain.

"Hmm? Of course I do." Jonson nodded. "The Aerial Fist that put Ironwing and Ravenwing to shame."

(Note: The term "six wings" comes from Caliban, but before Jonson's return, there were actually six different types of troops, so the term "six wings" is used here.)

Thinking of this, Jonson felt a surge of emotion. This was a gathering of legions, and also a test. As the Emperor's personal guard, Dorn naturally wanted to meet the First Legion. So, while Jonson was learning to command a legion from the Emperor, some of the Dark Angels' orders, the Celestial Host, and the Emperor's Fists engaged in a sparring match.

The Iron Wings formed the bulk of the Dark Angels' heavy armored forces, while the Raven Wings were the Legion's rapid strike force. They came out to fight the Imperial Fist's Aerial Iron Fist battle group.

The final result was a draw. While the Iron Wings and Raven Wings, supported by Titans, had an advantage against the Air Fist's airdrops in the ground battle, nearly wiping out the enemy, the Dark Angels' air force, even with its overstretched Stormbirds and various fighters, was no match for the Bear gunships. The Dark Angels controlled the ground, while the enemy controlled the air. Within the allotted time, neither side emerged victorious, resulting in a draw. This outcome was considered a humiliating defeat by the Iron Wing and Raven Wing leaders.