"Good, good, good. Old Neoth, you really know how to manage a household!"
Zeke looked at the Emperor with great satisfaction, pleased that he could propose such an idea. But the next moment, he changed the subject.
"But it's useless, Old Neoth. Almost all the battleships in the Imperium that could be refitted have already been refitted. They are currently patrolling the sector under the command of the Imperial Navy."
"You're really lazy. Although Guilliman, your son, is managing this vast Imperium for you, you can't be completely ignorant. The battleships within the Imperium have already undergone refits."
Zeke's satisfaction lasted only a few minutes before he clapped the Emperor's shoulder, informing him of this cruel reality.
Zeke had, of course, thought about improving Imperial battleships long ago, but in reality, the improvement of Imperial battleships had already begun.
The various classes of battleships the Imperium once possessed had already undergone several generations of updates. Although they still bore the same names, the battleships were no longer the same battleships.
Of course, despite this, one point in the Emperor's suggestion was not wrong: a more powerful class of battleship was indeed being updated during the generational change.
Perhaps because the Chaos Gods no longer existed, they could no longer interfere with the Adeptus Mechanicus's research and development.
The Archmagos of the Adeptus Mechanicus, after referencing humanity's top battleships, developed an even more powerful emperor-class battleship.
It was no longer like the previous emperor-class battleship, which was an aircraft carrier type designed for carrier-based aircraft.
This time, the emperor-class battleship was a true dreadnought, equipped with a large number of terrifying black hole collapse cannons, a technology discovered by the Adeptus Mechanicus through human science.
The Archmagos of the Adeptus Mechanicus were all madmen. Even with Tzeentch's influence before, they could still innovate and develop various weapons.
How much more so now, in an era where Tzeentch could no longer interfere with them?
The Archmagos of the Adeptus Mechanicus, led by Dora Kal, gathered to collectively finalize their first new version of the emperor-class battleship launched in the 40k era.
This battleship fully embodied the Adeptus Mechanicus's traditional philosophy that bigger is better.
Among the new battleships, the emperor-class battleship became the largest existing vessel in the Imperium's active fleet.
Its size even exceeded the brilliant-class battleship brought by Zeke.
The brilliant-class battleship was merely 120 kilometers in size, but the new emperor-class battleship developed by the Adeptus Mechanicus, imbued with their reverence for the two Emperors, exceeded 360 kilometers in size.
Rather than calling this thing a battleship, it was more accurate to say it was the Imperium of Man's scientists' first attempt at building a titan-class battleship.
Of course, the Archmagos of the Adeptus Mechanicus refused to admit it was a titan-class battleship; they still firmly believed it was a battleship.
Scientists from the Terran Dominion also observed the emperor-class battleship created by the Archmagos of the Adeptus Mechanicus. After seeing it, the Terran Dominion scientists had only one comment.
"These crazy scientists are awesome!"
They couldn't help but admire them. These Archmagos of the Adeptus Mechanicus, having always conducted various outrageous experiments and having been suppressed for too long, had even moved the weapons of a colossus onto the battleship they created, the emperor-class battleship.
This battleship possessed the Imperium of Man's unique 'brute force' design, with thick shields and sturdy armor, making it a vessel whose armor and shield values surpassed even those of a titan-class battleship.
If one excludes the brilliant-class battleship, a vessel currently in service with the Terran Dominion, then the emperor-class battleship developed by the Archmagos of the Imperium of Man has become the strongest battleship in the current human fleet.
Even ordinary titan-class battleships would be at a disadvantage when confronting this so-called battleship.
Furthermore, unlike the terrible production capacity of the past, the Adeptus Mechanicus significantly increased their production capacity, especially for the development of the emperor-class battleship.
Relying on the production capacity of Mars, their ideal city, and the shipyards they themselves built, the emperor-class battleship could have 24 vessels under construction simultaneously each month, requiring only three months to leave the shipyard.
Their cost, while slightly higher than that of ordinary battleships, was only marginally so.
Since being freed from Tzeentch's constraints, the Archmagos have fully utilized their initiative, becoming an indispensable force within the Imperium of Man.
The Emperor looked at the design blueprints for the new emperor-class battleship and the 120 already constructed with a dumbfounded expression, unsure what to say.
"I just don't understand. I didn't impose too many restrictions on them during the Great Crusade, and they could still develop technology. Why couldn't they produce this battleship back then?"
Although the Emperor was very pleased to see the battleship produced by the Adeptus Mechanicus, finally not having to rely solely on the Yaeger House and Zeke to carry the banner, and that the Imperium of Man could also perform its functions.
But this function made him seem very incompetent before.
"Calm down, calm down, Old Neoth, isn't this great? The Adeptus Mechanicus can now build emperor-class battleships, so in our future, these battleships will become the backbone of defending the galaxy."
"I think we've rested long enough. How about this: you continue to preside over the Imperium and help Guilliman and the others, while I go see what lies beyond the galaxy."
"Szar'ak and I will go together, so the galaxy is now entrusted to you."
Zeke slowly stood up, stretched, and patted the Emperor's shoulder, indicating that the heavy responsibility was now his.
Facing this outcome, the Emperor was utterly bewildered. Although they had long discussed exploring beyond the galaxy, in the Emperor's mind, it should have been him and Zeke going together, with Szar'ak staying behind to handle these chaotic affairs.
But now, how had it turned into Zeke and Szar'ak going out together, and him staying behind to preside over the galaxy? This wasn't what he wanted!
The affairs of the four galaxies were basically handled by Guilliman, accompanied by four Malcadors. Theoretically, there shouldn't be any problems; he would at most be a mascot.
But this was only theoretical. If the four Malcadors and Guilliman knew that he was the last one left to preside here, then an endless deluge of documents would surely come his way.
The Emperor felt profound sorrow, but his sadness had not yet reached its peak when another sentence drifted from Zeke before he left his room.
"Guilliman will also have to come with me for a while. After all, he's truly worked hard during this period. I'll take him out of the Imperium for a vacation first. The Imperium's affairs will be entirely up to you and Malcador."
..."I shouldn't have come!" the Emperor cried out to the heavens.
The Emperor roared to the heavens in Zeke's room, but Zeke had already begun his actions.
Relying on the convenience of the Stargate Network, Zeke arrived at Holy Terra just a few minutes later. Immediately after, Guilliman, who was handling the governance of four galaxies during the Terra War, heard this exciting news.
"Is that true? Godfather!" Heaven knows how boring it was for Guilliman to handle the affairs of four galaxies here every day.
While his brothers were always doing what they liked, his heart was on the verge of collapse.
He, Guilliman, was not like this!
"Of course, Guilliman, get ready. We'll go out together to explore beyond the galaxy."
"Notify the Adeptus Mechanicus to assemble at least 180 emperor-class battleships and prepare a matching escort fleet."
"This time, we won't bring the moon of war. I will assemble 20 brilliant-class battleships, and with their emperor-class battleships, the number of this type of battleship will be set at 180, and the total fleet size will be 1080 ships."
"I think they should be able to produce this batch of warships. At the same time, the production of these warships must not interfere with the war situation at the Galactic Rim or the supply of warships to the Galactic Rim."
Zeke brought Guilliman good news, but the next second, Zeke delivered bad news to Guilliman.
"Oh, and the manufacturing of the warships and the timeline are up to you to figure out. I'm giving you 180 days. Don't blame me for not reminding you, Guilliman. The 180 days isn't for me to leave in 180 days, but for your father."
"If you don't get it done within 180 days, your father might go back on his word. Don't blame me if you can't go then."
Upon hearing Zeke's demands, Guilliman's heart was initially filled with despair and collapse. The Imperium needed to continue producing emperor-class battleships while maintaining regular combat operations.
More importantly, to produce so many emperor-class battleships while maintaining the supply capacity to the Galactic Rim, Mars would inevitably need to increase the number of shipyards.
Even more crucial, building shipyards also takes time. This means they would first have to use other existing shipyards, and once the capacity of those existing shipyards is squeezed, he, Guilliman, must build other shipyards to replace and recover the lost capacity.
This was undoubtedly a huge expense. Although the Imperium at this time had four entire galaxies continuously supplying it with resources for war, even the richest household eventually runs out of grain.
He, Guilliman, could only piece things together, stopping some less important projects, and then prioritizing the main projects for warship production.
In this way, he would inevitably have to constantly bicker with other factions, especially the Adeptus Mechanicus.
To make the Adeptus Mechanicus of the Imperium contribute to humanity, Guilliman had approved a large amount of research funding for them. To achieve this, the Adeptus Mechanicus's research funding had to be cut.
Those half-human, half-machine tech-priests would not accept this. If he, Guilliman, cut funding, let alone the Adeptus Mechanicus, even Caul would fight him to the death.
And this wasn't even the most important part. The most important thing was that he had to cut the Adeptus Mechanicus's research funding while also having the Adeptus Mechanicus build warships.
This was like slapping Caul, then making him offer his face for another slap, and finally, Caul still had to present him with a delicacy.
This was truly hellish, truly hellish. Guilliman dared not even imagine how he would manage it. But even in such a difficult situation, when he heard that he only had 180 days before his father would go back on his word...
Guilliman didn't know where he got the courage, but he suddenly stood up sharply in front of Zeke, his eyes as firm as if he were about to join a party.
"Uncle Zhou, don't worry, I will definitely get these warships out on time and without delaying the schedule. Please trust me, I will get it done within 180 days. You must withstand the pressure from my father!"
Guilliman stood up and repeatedly assured Zeke that he would definitely resolve this matter on time.
"Then all of this is up to you, Guilliman. Ah, I'm not an unreasonable person. As long as it can be done within 180 days, no matter what your father says, I won't let him go. I'll take you with me then, and you can also relax properly."
Zeke immediately began painting a picture, and this picture directly hit Guilliman's weak spot, drawn large and round.
They hadn't even set off yet, and Guilliman was already imagining not having to sit in the administrative hall of the Imperial Palace.
He was envisioning going out with Zeke and enjoying his much-needed vacation.
Don't think that being on a battleship would be difficult; for such large battleships, if he were truly inside, there would naturally be stasis chambers, akin to being on vacation everywhere.
Even the emperor-class battleships manufactured by the Adeptus Mechanicus had become more humane, also containing these facilities for the crew.
After being pulled out of the stasis field, Guilliman had been continuously handling the Imperium's complex tasks and administrative affairs.
Later, things even became more and more numerous... Although Guilliman had been strengthened several times and could bear this responsibility, who could know the hardship in his heart?
Even beings like Primarchs, who are superhuman, can solve these problems, but that doesn't mean they don't want to rest.
Seeing Guilliman in front of him, as if he had been injected with adrenaline, so excited, Zeke also turned and left the palace with great satisfaction.
Alright, now all the necessary things have been mostly resolved. Later, he just needs to send a message to Szar'ak, asking him to bring a portion of the Necrons fleet.
Why take Guilliman out instead of the Emperor? Isn't it clear at this moment?
If the Emperor were taken out, he would only issue absolute commands, and his absolute commands might affect the operation of the Imperium. But with Guilliman, it's different.
Guilliman has a stronger sense of responsibility; he can not only complete this task properly but also without affecting the operation of the entire Imperium.
The Imperium can still continue to operate under a specific system, and it will grow even stronger.
With the assistance of Malcador, the Emperor can still maintain the normal operation of the Imperium.
Under these circumstances, giving Guilliman a vacation is not out of the question.
Zeke left; he was going to continue enjoying his 180-day long vacation—
And after he left, what remained was Guilliman, still full of adrenaline, frantically handling various affairs and contending with various factions within the Imperium.
One by one, political exchanges were promised by Guilliman. On the premise of not affecting the normal operation of the Imperium, the warships required by Zeke were being produced with all their might.