Chapter 291: Who Is the True Noise Warrior!

This grand celebration was held in Macragge, the largest city and capital of Macragge.

The city lies beneath the seven towering mountains that bear the Fortress of Hera, nestled among Macragge's majestic peaks, and has been the most prosperous city among nearby star systems for ten thousand years.

And after ten thousand years, this city stands as the grandest, holiest, and most immense city in the Ultima Segmentum.

The Roman-style buildings have stood on the planet's surface since ten thousand years ago, like the lingering embers of ancient times, stubbornly burning within this dark galaxy—though no longer beacons, they still reveal the fading glory of the Great Crusade era.

Yet this city has not merely lingered in past glory; under the planning of the Ultramarines and the rule of successive governors, it has expanded in orderly fashion, new arches, pavilions, and domes gleaming under Macragge's brilliant sun, while glass-covered flower gardens between marble structures glisten like dewdrops.

All of this lines the broad avenues, the straight Ultramarine Way shooting forth like a blade from the Titan Gate, passing the Lion's Gate, piercing the Angel's Arch, and reaching the steps of the Fortress of Hera.

The historians chosen by Guilliman have always been curious about Macragge's urban planning.

For instance, why were the Lion's Gate and the Angel's Arch built along the Ultramarine Way, the city's widest thoroughfare?

Lions and angels are common imperial symbols, yet paired with the Ultramarine Way, one cannot help but suspect that Lion El'Jonson and Archangel Sanguinius once visited Macragge.

Moreover, a renowned historian discovered a marble slab half-buried in a subterranean district, inscribed with: "The Casket of the Fire Dragon rests here." Did the Fire Dragon Vulkan also visit Macragge? Why would an immortal have a casket here?

Unfortunately, the historian who made this discovery was drawn to a document held by Judge Gravex, declaring he would leave Macragge to seek historical traces in more distant star systems.

This left historians sighing in regret—and even more lamentable was that the Ptolemaic Library's repairs remained unfinished, its Librarian-Custodian Digris immersed in it day and night, tirelessly restoring its contents.

But soon, the sorrow over lost history was drowned out by the excitement of witnessing history unfold.

Never before had so many Chapters visited Macragge.

These Chapters came in response to Macragge's plea for aid, only to learn en route of the return of two Primarchs.

Thus, at the very beginning of the reconquest of Ultramar, they arrived at Macragge and were granted the honor of joining the grand victory parade.

Nearly all sub-chapters of the Ultramarines arrived, their eyes filled with tears at their gene-father's return, swearing fealty anew.

The Dark Angels and the Raven Guard sent small delegations to Macragge to confirm the authenticity of the Primarchs' resurrection.

Additionally, the Space Wolves, White Scars, Black Templars, and countless other Chapters also came to Macragge.

Even the Blood Angels—the Blood Angels stationed on Baal—came as well.

Among historians, rumors circulated that it was the divine power of Doraemon that enabled them to cross the Great Rift.

These historians and chroniclers, though trembling with fear, dared to ask the arriving Astartes about history.

Some Chapters were relatively friendly, and upon learning they were appointed by the Primarchs, briefly recounted their Chapter's history.

Others, like the Dark Angels, refused with threats; the Space Wolves laughed heartily, demanding they drink a cup of Fenrisian mead first; the White Scars pretended ignorance of both Low and High Gothic; the Black Templars never left their heresy-ridden vessel, the Heresy's Doom.

As for the Blood Angels, some historians could not help but glance toward the raised dais nearby, where the Blood Angels' Chief Librarian, Mephiston, radiated an icy aura.

He was the leader of the Blood Angels, his skin as pale as a corpse, his hair more white than gold—truly ghoul-like in its horror.

Even the boldest historians dared not approach; among those he brought were the Flesh Tearers and a new Chapter that inherited the name of the extinct Blood Knights.

Both these Chapters carried dubious reputations.

Mephiston clearly noticed the historians' gazes; he smiled gently and nodded to them.

The historians instantly froze in terror.

Standing beside Mephiston, Zhou Yun's lips twitched slightly in the corner.

Mephiston tried his best to keep his smile gentle, but from Zhou Yun's perspective, he looked positively terrifying.

Mephiston's shoulder armor had also been repainted blue, signifying he was now one of Zhou Yun's twenty-two Doraemon-chosen.

Zhou Yun had taken a trip to Baal during this time and met Dante; recalling the sight of Dante, Zhou Yun shuddered.

Dante sat within the Crimson Great Hall, surrounded by mountains of stacked documents, his face gaunt—not like an Astartes at all, but like a man on the verge of death.

Following Sanguinius's orders, the Blood Angels had begun driving the Tyranid swarms from the Crimson Scar and reclaiming worlds once abandoned.

Dante thus bore a crushing burden of administrative and military duties; by the time Zhou Yun arrived, Dante had not left the Crimson Great Hall for over a week.

Zhou Yun expressed concern and immediately gifted him the same high-efficiency pills Guilliman used.

Then Zhou Yun took several Blood Angel sub-chapters from Baal, along with some refugees from Asford—most of whom would be trained as recruits for the 184th Regiment.

"My Lord, the selection for the Doraemon Chapter is nearly complete," Mephiston said, watching the grand victory parade before him.

Zhou Yun nodded slightly, turning his gaze along with Mephiston's.

Though both Primarchs, Dante, the Ultramarines, the Blood Angels, and even Zhou Yun himself had become busy,

clearly, this busyness had its benefits—everything was improving.

The Crimson Scar and Ultramar were being reclaimed; the Ultramarines and Blood Angels were slowly regaining the strength they had ten thousand years ago; the two Primarchs had returned to the mortal realm; Zhou Yun had gained the full support of Ultramar—and he had just received word that the supply fleet transporting his materials had arrived in orbit above Macragge.

Zhou Yun looked up.

The void ship engines in the sky burned like fire, as brilliant as dozens of stars—anywhere else, such a sight would blot out the heavens; here, among them flew the fleet carrying goods for Zhou Yun.

Above Macragge, millions of mortal troops had assembled on the planet, thousands of war machines marching alongside them, their combined tremors causing even the city's avenues to shake slightly.

As the star's light climbed halfway up the dome of the sky, cheers erupted from every corner of the city.

A vast alliance of a million mortal soldiers, ten thousand war machines, several majestic Titans, and countless Astartes now entered through the Titan Gate, passed the Lion's Gate, and advanced forward.

Saint Celestine soared high above, singing a sacred hymn; several Chapters waved their battle banners in pursuit; Archangels scattered holy incense.

Countless praises rose, glorifying the great Lord of Ultramar.

The only regret they felt was that Sanguinius remained on the frontlines and had not yet returned.

Of course, they did not know this was part of a plan by Zhou Yun, Guilliman, and Sanguinius.

They were creating space for Fulgrim to act—after all, Sanguinius now possessed a portal gifted by Zhou Yun, allowing him to return to Macragge at any moment.

A platform carved from a single block of marble, adorned with statues of Guilliman's deeds and inscriptions of praise, slowly emerged, pulled by war machines.

Standing upon the dais, Roboute Guilliman wore his blue-and-gold Armor of Fate, his golden hair fluttering in the wind, his gaze as fierce as a tiger's—seeming even taller than usual.

His appearance brought the city's atmosphere to its peak.

"I am the Lord of the Ultramarines, the ruler of Ultramar, the Emperor's finest son."

A majestic, thunderous voice rang from Roboute Guilliman's mouth:

"Whether mortal or Astartes, take heart! For I have returned!"

Guilliman's voice brought tears and wild cheers from every mortal and Ultramarine present.

Yet the phrase "Emperor's finest son" caused the sons of other Primarchs to frown slightly.

They recalled the Chapter records' assessments of Roboute Guilliman:

Ambitious, the most cunning, the most ambitious Primarch—his own brothers could never fathom his deepest thoughts.

Now, it seemed these assessments might be correct.

Even Roboute Guilliman himself was displeased with the words "Emperor's finest son" spoken from the dais.

"That line is unnecessary," said Roboute Guilliman, standing beside Zhou Yun, hidden by the Blindspot Star.

"You're not hurting your reputation with one more line," Zhou Yun chuckled lightly. "Besides, acting a bit more arrogant makes Fulgrim lower his guard—wasn't that our plan?"

As he spoke, Zhou Yun steeled himself and turned his gaze to the "Roboute Guilliman" on the marble dais.

He slowly opened his eyes—and his entire body had transformed into the "Roboute Guilliman" on the dais, clad in the Armor of Fate.

Zhou Yun couldn't help but flick his tongue inside his mouth—he was already itching to sing his heart out in front of Fulgrim.

He had to let him see what a true Noise Warrior truly was!

(End of Chapter)