Chapter 1277: Guilliman Meets Perturabo

In a corner of the square, several Space Marines wearing Power Armor were talking to a group of children.

Guilliman stopped his footsteps and watched with interest.

They were Space Marines of the Ultramarines.

They were not wearing helmets, and the leading Sergeant had a shallow scar on his face.

The children in front of them were about ten years old, wearing school uniforms, their eyes full of curiosity and admiration.

"Lord Angel, have you really fought in wars?"

A little boy asked.

The Sergeant crouched down to be at eye level with the boy.

"We have."

"What kind of wars?"

"Fighting Aliens. Those Aliens who want to bully us Humans."

"Are they strong?"

The Sergeant thought for a moment.

"Some are strong, some are not. But no matter if they are strong or not, we must fight. Because we are the Emperor's Angels."

The children's eyes were sparkling.

A little boy raised his hand.

"Uncle, can I also become a Space Marine when I grow up?"

The Sergeant looked at her and smiled.

"You want to be a Space Marine?"

The little girl nodded vigorously.

"Yes! I want to be like you and protect Humans!"

The Sergeant patted her head.

"Then you must start training now. Running, swimming, eating nutritious food. When you grow up, go participate in the selection. If you can pass, you will be a Space Marine."

"Really?"

"Really. But you must also know that being a Space Marine is not just about fighting. We also have to learn, we also have to build, and we also have to help ordinary people. Look at Lord Perturabo; he helps everyone repair roads and build houses every day. That is also the work of a Space Marine."

The little girl nodded thoughtfully.

Guilliman stood not far away, listening to these conversations, and a warmth welled up in his heart.

His progeny were passing on the correct values to the next generation in the correct way.

A warrior's duty is to protect, and the strong's obligation is to help their compatriots.

This is what a Space Marine should look like.

At this moment, the Sergeant looked up and saw Guilliman.

His eyes widened instantly, and he stood up abruptly.

"Father!"

The other two warriors also saw Guilliman and immediately stood at attention and saluted.

The children turned their heads, saw Guilliman, were stunned for a moment, and then erupted in excitement.

"It's Lord Guilliman!"

"Lord Primarch!"

"Really! It really is Lord Guilliman!"

Guilliman walked over and nodded slightly.

"You have worked hard."

The Sergeant's voice was trembling with excitement.

"Father, you... you have returned..."

Guilliman patted his shoulder.

"I have returned. You have done very well."

"Yes, Father!"

The children crowded around, asking questions all at once.

"Lord Guilliman, are you really a Primarch?"

"My Lord, how many wars have you fought?"

"My Lord, who is stronger, you or His Majesty the Emperor?"

Guilliman smiled.

"I am a Primarch. I have fought many wars. Father is much stronger than I am."

The children let out gasps of amazement.

A bold boy asked.

"My Lord, can you teach me how to fight?"

Guilliman looked at him.

"You want to fight in wars?"

The boy nodded vigorously.

"Yes! I want to be like you and become a hero!"

Guilliman crouched down to be at eye level with him.

"Child, one cannot become a hero just by wanting to. A hero is someone who stands up to do what must be done when others are in need. It does not necessarily have to be fighting, and it does not necessarily have to be becoming a Space Marine."

"All those who have made contributions to the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance are also heroes."

The boy was lost in thought.

"But... they don't fight in wars..."

Guilliman shook his head.

"Not fighting in wars does not mean they are not heroes. Humans need warriors, and they also need builders. Warriors protect today, and builders create tomorrow. Both are very important."

The boy raised his head.

"Then I... I want to be a builder when I grow up! I want to build lots and lots of houses!"

Guilliman smiled.

"Good. I will wait to see your houses."

The children began to laugh.

Guilliman stood up, nodded to the Sergeant, and continued walking forward.

Behind him, the children were still chattering away in discussion.

"I want to be a warrior!"

"I want to be a builder!"

"I want to be both!"

The Sergeant's voice came over.

"Alright, children, it's time to go back. Remember what you said today, and keep your word."

"Yes!"

Guilliman walked out of the plaza, his heart full of emotion.

Guilliman passed through several streets and arrived at the East District of the city.

This place used to be an old industrial zone, filled everywhere with abandoned factory buildings and dilapidated dormitories.

Now, this place had become a brand-new residential area, with neat apartment buildings, spacious streets, and greenery and public facilities visible everywhere.

There was a small park at the street corner, and in the center of the park was a fountain, its water column shimmering with seven-colored light under the sun.

Guilliman walked to the edge of the fountain and saw a familiar figure.

Perturabo.

He was wearing a simple gray work uniform, with a pair of dust-covered gloves on his hands.

He was squatting by the fountain, checking something.

Guilliman walked over.

"Perturabo."

Perturabo raised his head and saw Guilliman; the expression on his face did not change much, but a flash of surprise crossed his eyes.

"Guilliman? Why have you returned?"

Guilliman nodded.

"I just saw Father. What about you? What are you busy with?"

Perturabo stood up and pointed at the fountain.

"The water pump has a small problem, the water flow is unstable. It's not a big issue, but it will damage the pipes if left for a long time. Fix it early to save from having to tear it all down and rebuild it later."

Guilliman looked at the fountain; the water flow was indeed a bit intermittent, but an ordinary person would never have noticed.

"You are fixing it yourself?"

Perturabo glanced at him.

"What? Is that not allowed?"

Guilliman smiled.

"Allowed. Of course it is."

Perturabo took off his gloves and sat down by the fountain.

Guilliman sat down beside him as well.

The two fell into Silence for a few seconds.

"How long do you plan to stay now that you're back?"

Perturabo asked.

Guilliman thought for a moment.

"I'm not sure. Father asked me to take over Luojia's work, so I shouldn't be leaving in the short term."

Perturabo nodded.

"That's perfect. There are a few more projects here in the East District; help me take a look at them."

Guilliman looked at him.

"Have you been doing these all along?"

Perturabo raised an eyebrow.

"What else? Fighting wars? There are endless wars. The Fengqi Star Alliance is wiped out, and there is still the Ash Star Alliance. The Ash Star Alliance behaves, and there is still the Imperium. Once the Imperium is finished, there will be others. It never ends."

He stood up and looked at the new buildings under construction in the distance.

"But it's different here. Do you know what my favorite moment is?"

Guilliman shook his head.

"It's every morning, seeing those children carrying their schoolbags to school. They don't have to fear bombings, they don't have to worry about famine, and they don't have to pick through trash heaps for food. They only need to worry about whether they finished their homework or did well on their exams."

The corners of his mouth lifted slightly.

"This is what it should mean to be Human."

Guilliman looked at him.

"Perturabo, you have changed."

Perturabo was stunned for a moment.

"Changed? Changed in what way?"

Guilliman said.

"In the past, you would only talk about 'efficiency', 'structure', and 'stability'. Now you talk about 'children', 'days', and 'the way of Humans'."

Perturabo fell into Silence, his facial expressions constantly shifting.

"I mainly saw that they were having too hard a time, and I happened to have nothing to do, so I just..."