Chapter 289: Move the Bomb Gun Up One Inch

The good news is that Guilliman's condition isn't bad.

When the apothecaries saw Guilliman, drenched in blood, lying atop Macragge's peak, they were so terrified they immediately deployed the stasis field from the Guilliman Codex.

But after examination, they confirmed Guilliman had only sustained damage to his skin, muscles, and internal organs—damage lethal to mortals or even Astartes—but his own repair mechanisms were rapidly healing him, requiring no apothecary intervention.

The reason for Guilliman's unconsciousness was more complex: though his battle with Fatty Demon had been intense and drained much of the Primarch's strength, the true cause of his collapse was largely psychological.

The mental shock of awakening to the current Imperium, the exhaustion from overwhelming administrative duties, the pain of old wounds, and the discomfort of the Armor of Fate had all piled inside him; these accumulated fatigue and anguish were triggered by Fatty's song, directly causing his unconsciousness.

Thus, for the short term, all of Macragge's governance was handed over to Sanguinius until Guilliman recovered and awoke.

But Guilliman awoke in barely half a day; though Sanguinius urged him to rest longer, the Lord of Ultramar stubbornly reclaimed all administrative duties.

Sanguinius thus gained time to test Fatty Demon's power with Zhou Yun.

Zhou Yun controlled Fatty Demon with perfect fluidity, as if manipulating his own fingers or an extension of his own body.

But unless he seized the power of all Astartes and mortals across Macragge through "yours is mine, mine is still mine," Zhou Yun could not defeat Sanguinius in direct combat.

Sanguinius judged that Fatty Demon's strength in the material universe surpassed that of a standard Chief Daemon, yet still lagged against certain Daemon Primarchs.

But if that horrifying song were unleashed in a sudden ambush, even a Daemon Primarch could be brought down by it.

Moreover, the Fatty Demon possessed all the properties of a Daemon—he would likely be reborn in the Warp upon death, though how he might re-enter reality remained unclear.

Perhaps he'd simply crawl out of his fourth-dimensional pocket after being killed?

But Sanguinius and Zhou Yun would never risk using this precious asset for testing.

They were waiting to use Fatty Demon to trap Fulgrim.

Meanwhile, the Ultramarines and Blood Angels, having completed their rest, swiftly began reclaiming Ultramar; several nearby core star systems were soon retaken under Sanguinius's leadership.

Guilliman remained stationed at the rear, guarding Macragge and managing administration; their cooperation was exceptionally efficient.

To apologize for Fatty Demon's injury to Guilliman, Zhou Yun specially sent him a device: the "High-Efficiency Pill."

Consuming it enhanced a person's work efficiency, allowing Guilliman to process more administrative tasks.

Guilliman twitched his lips as he thanked Zhou Yun.

Inside Macragge's command chamber,

Zhou Yun watched with interest as Guilliman nearly went mad handling affairs.

"Inform my Third Company to move one hundred fifty meters into the dense forest."

"Raise the Hera's Crown macrocannon twelve positions and commence bombardment."

"Equip the First Company of Blood Angels with psychic caps; there's a flock of raptors on the nearby cliff—use telekinesis to lift them five centimeters and attack."

The battle-servitors swiftly recorded each command, formed into lines, and continuously shuttled through the red-pink wooden door at the chamber's center.

With Macragge's resources, Zhou Yun immediately exchanged for two more teleport doors—one for Sanguinius, one for Guilliman.

Sanguinius used his as a tool for rapid movement and surprise attacks; Guilliman developed a different application.

He placed the teleport door inside the command chamber and, with trained battle-servitors, used it to issue micro-managed orders to every company with pinpoint speed.

Just moments ago, Zhou Yun had witnessed a miraculous display of command.

Guilliman ordered the Ultramarines' Third Company to move one hundred fifty meters, forcing a squad of Chaos raptors to shift position; then, using macrocannon fire, he drove them onto his planned path, where the Blood Angels' First Company launched a perfectly timed telekinetic strike, collapsing the cliff and ambushing the raptors.

Guilliman was directing his enemies as if they were his own puppets.

"Apologies for keeping you waiting," Guilliman swiftly archived the battle report, then looked up at Zhou Yun.

"It wasn't long," Zhou Yun replied; he had received Guilliman's invitation to discuss something,

and by the time he arrived, Guilliman was already concluding the battle—hardly making him wait at all.

Zhou Yun even suspected this timing had been calculated in Guilliman's mind.

Guilliman gave Zhou Yun a slight nod, then spoke quickly:

"Three matters. First: Ultramar's core star systems are returning under Macragge's rule; our available resources are steadily increasing."

"I've mobilized as many resources as possible; this month's shipment is the first batch. Based on your previous price list, I estimate it totals around four point five billion."

Hearing this, Zhou Yun couldn't help but smile.

"No wonder Ultramar is so rich!"

This would be his largest income ever—enough to achieve what he, Guilliman, and Sanguinius had previously discussed:

Expand the Doraemon Company into the Doraemon Legion and equip one thousand soldiers with devices.

Of course, this would only consume part of it—roughly one point five billion, as previously estimated.

The remaining three billion could buy three Time-Wrapped Cloths, or directly purchase certain extraordinarily powerful devices.

"Second: as we discussed, the Doraemon Commander is arriving with reinforcements from across the galaxy. My successor chapters need no explanation—I'll select five elite companies for you."

Guilliman continued:

"For the rest, I'd like you to go to Baal—to assess the current situation across the Great Rift, and to reinforce the Legion with five companies of Blood Angels."

Zhou Yun nodded in agreement; half Ultramarines, half Blood Angels was reasonable—but what he truly wanted was

"Master Voldus was terrified by your proposal—he has no authority to detach the Third Brotherhood from the Grey Knights and assign them to the Doraemon Legion," Guilliman said, slightly exasperated.

A look of regret crossed Zhou Yun's face—he truly wanted a company of Grey Knights; under current circumstances, he'd have to wait until reaching Terra to find a way.

"Third: as you predicted, the governor of Magna Macragge has proposed a grand victory parade."

"Fulgrim has begun his move."

(End of Chapter)