Like the other Primarchs, Leman Russ was granted form and soul by the Emperor.
However, it was the harshness of Fenris that forged his soul into that of a great wolf.
In that icy land, the King of Wolves rose.
He possessed an exceptionally strong physique, a burly build, and his heavy power armor was inscribed with numerous runes.
Pure gold and steel were carved into the patterns of the double-headed eagle and various Fenrisian decorations.
Braids of pure gold whip-like hair hung messily over his shoulders.
His rugged face had a ruddy glow, as if an inexhaustible energy was continuously surging from his body,
providing endless fuel for his every action.
He was a heavy engine built for war, an invincible god.
He was a star forcibly dug out of the void and trapped within a human shell.
Every enemy of humanity feared his existence.
Russ' achievements were undoubtedly outstanding.
During the Horus Heresy, he wielded the Spear of Dionysus, coming close to thwarting the schemes of the Four Gods.
At that time, Horus had already visited Mordoch, where he gained the power of the gods, possessing strength comparable to the Emperor's.
Yet, Russ, relying on his sheer bravery and the Spear of Dionysus, heavily wounded his opponent.
If an uninjured Horus had attacked Terra, the Imperium's situation would have been even more perilous.
If the Four Gods had health bars, Guilliman suspected Russ would have charged them directly with an axe.
Guilliman regarded Russ as a trump card.
He tasked him with forging a sufficiently powerful and cold-blooded legion of punishers. This legion would specialize in executing humans who dared to defy the Imperium, or powerful individuals.
Gods were among them.
"Go to Universe 03," Guilliman said, enunciating each word. "Deal with those damned gods and those players. Completely destroy them."
Currently, the place with the most gods was undoubtedly where those gods nourished by the Reincarnation Game resided. The masterminds behind the Reincarnation Game and the human players who were led astray were all obstacles to the Imperium's progress.
Saint Celestine was already stationed there. The problem was that Celestine's role leaned more towards inspiring armies and giving hope. To be honest, this living saint's strategic and combat abilities were not outstanding.
Before Guilliman's return, 'corpse running' was already second nature to Celestine.
She had died too many times.
Corpse running had become a habit.
Even after some enhancements, entrusting her with the entire universe's operations was a bit much.
She needed some strong support.
Universe 03 would be the perfect whetstone for Russ' Punisher Legion.
Russ' destructive reputation during the Great Crusade was widespread.
Wherever the Wolf King went, only ruins remained after the destruction.
Plundering everything, leaving not a blade of grass. This was not a big problem.
For most areas of Universe 03, the Imperium's assessment was to directly destroy them and convert them into energy.
"Sounds like a good job."
Russ stretched his limbs; he was eager to find some fights.
"Then I leave it to you, Russ." Guilliman looked at him, his eyes filled with trust. "You are my most outstanding general. Make those gods cry like grotlings, chop off their heads, pile them into a 'jingguan' (pyramid of heads), and then plant the Imperial flag, letting them know what happens when they oppose humanity."
"I highly suspect you say that to all your brothers," Russ said, looking at Guilliman.
Guilliman smiled, not directly answering the question, but instead counter-questioning.
"Then do you believe you are not the most outstanding? Go, Russ, it's meaningless to dwell on this. When we complete our mission and retire, only our achievements will endure."
Russ also laughed. "I will conquer that universe as you commanded, Your Majesty."
"I await your good news, Russ."
The Lord of Wolves turned and departed.
A colossus-class battleship, specifically for him, had been waiting in the Solar System for a long time.
Guilliman watched his Primarch brother leave.
With Russ' assistance, the conquest of Universe 03 would greatly accelerate.
Now, he just awaited good news from Calgar's side.
He had received many reports from there. They had already begun to deal with the last civilization.
In due time, they would gain control of the entire universe.
Robert Guilliman had also almost finished dealing with the Eye of Terror.
Fulgrim's clones were also slaughtering the last of the traitors.
In due time, Guilliman would have them transfer battlefields to other universes. The Imperium's armies were advancing to all corners of the universe, plundering resources to nourish the Imperial industrial system.
Some forces were fiercely battling the Great Plunderers, attempting to repel those fearless entities. The entire universe was filled with weapons left by ancient civilizations. The tyranids were not even the most dangerous threat. To call this universe a ruin would be an overstatement.
It was pure hell. To govern this universe, they had to clear out the bio-weapons left behind by those civilizations.
Several wise men were already studying the tyranids, to see if they could control the swarm.
If the tyranids could be controlled, the Imperium's strength would surge again.
Currently, Cawl, who controlled Mars, proposed a very good suggestion, called the 'Reincarnation Tempering Plan'.
It was a plan inspired by Universe 03's Reincarnation Game.
It could greatly improve the Imperium's efficiency in screening elites.
Setting up various instances, allowing Imperial citizens to clear them, and observing their various talents. Those skilled in strategy and deduction would be selected as advisors. Those skilled in business and using money to solve problems would be categorized as merchants.
Each completion would earn points.
Points and evaluation standards would determine their profession and achievements. This mechanism could not change the fact that only the most elite would succeed.
It merely made the competition fairer. This was an excellent screening mechanism.
If it could be widely implemented, it would greatly reduce the Imperium's governance costs.
Human nature is always selfish.
Even with the deterrence of the Inquisition and the Officio Assassinorum, some would still take risks, using various illicit means to acquire resources.
Although the Reincarnation Game was incredibly cruel, it still had its merits.
Every universe had its own unique qualities. While the Imperium was powerful, it could not be arrogant and underestimate the wisdom of its enemies. That would lead to great losses.
Learning from the strengths of enemies and discarding their flaws was the correct path.
Only through continuous learning could they grow and become the most powerful force in all the universes.
Stagnation and arrogance were the greatest flaws of a civilization.
Watching the transport ship carrying Russ sail out of the Solar System,
Guilliman sent someone to fetch Corvus Corax. The latter had been in charge of the warp intelligence network.
So far, this task was mostly complete.
It was time to assign him other duties.