Lord Li Feng's fleet, like steel dragons in the darkness, slowly approached Malcador in the silent void.
The vast fleet, composed of countless austere battleships, cruisers, and destroyers, gleamed with the light of war machines beneath the cold stars.
The roar of the fleet's engines, like a Warhammer striking iron, tore through the quiet universe and shook the hearts of the long-awaiting Imperial citizens.
As the fleet gradually entered Malcador's low orbit, countless twinkling lights suddenly appeared in the blue starry sky.
These were ceremonial illuminations arranged by satellites, complemented by golden and blue balloons and streamers, like sacred omens from ancient myths, decorating the entire capital Star Sector as if for a grand celebration.
Various aircraft from the fleet slowly detached in orbit, descending towards their pre-set landing platforms.
Each vessel, as it descended, released immense energy fluctuations, fire and smoke interwoven, yet revealing the Imperium's unparalleled solemnity and majesty amidst the golden glow.
At the same time, the welcoming ceremony on the ground had already begun in full grandeur.
In Malcador Square, magnificent buildings and metallic structures shone together, like an unyielding holy temple.
Inside the Ecclesiarchy cathedral, solemn hymns slowly rose, their deep and grave melodies seemingly recounting countless epic sagas of blood and tears.
Blue and gold streamers and balloons swayed in the strong wind, like sacred symbols of the Emperor's will, illuminating this Imperium of Man.
When Kaiser, along with the four Primarchs — Lion, Russ, Chagatai, and Magnus — stepped out in their gleaming metallic armour, their figures immediately intertwined with the welcoming Chapter Master Calgar of the Ultramarines and Chapter Master Huron of the Astral Claws.
Calgar's resolute, iron-blooded face and Huron's stern gaze, tinged with a hint of awe, both bore witness to this grand return ceremony.
Despite the deep disgust he felt for the xenos Ark within him, he knew that these xenos were a crucial part of reviving his gene-father, an indispensable element of this magnificent revival ceremony.
On the ground, throngs of Imperial officials, nobles, and Astartes in power armour gathered, raising their arms and praying in hushed tones, as if welcoming a god descending to the mortal realm.
Blue and gold streamers fluttered beneath the sky, weaving into a magnificent and powerful tapestry.
Every roar of the descending fleet was like a war god's summons, every beam of light proclaiming:
The Imperial Prince has arrived! The Emperor's Children have returned! The gene-father is reborn!
At this moment, all of Malcador was immersed in a grand epic.
As Kaiser and the three Primarchs stepped onto Malcador's soil... in the distance, Cato Sicarius and several Ultramarines immediately opened pigeon cages, and white doves flew out.
Calgar's armour reflected a stern blue light in the sunlight, symbolizing the glory and loyalty of the Ultramarines.
He knelt on one knee, bowed his head, and slammed his right fist against his chest plate, emitting a dull metallic thud.
Chapter Master Huron of the Astral Claws slowly stepped forward, also kneeling on one knee and striking his chest plate in a similar manner, expressing the highest respect.
The surrounding Astartes and other Imperial officials all bowed their heads, and the entire square instantly fell into solemn silence, with only the hymns still echoing.
"Lord Li Feng, uncles.
On behalf of all Ultramarines and Ultramar 500 Worlds, I welcome your arrival," Calgar's voice was firm and resonant, with a hint of a warrior's unique resilience.
Kaiser looked around, seeing countless blue-armoured Ultramarines kneeling on one knee.
Imperial officers, ecclesiarchs, and nobles around the square all saluted, and even the red-robed priests of the Adeptus Mechanicus chanted in synchronized mechanical hums, simultaneously performing a "great salute" to Kaiser.
Russ stood beside Kaiser, a slight smile playing on his lips, and chuckled softly, "This reception is much more enthusiastic than the atmosphere on Terra."
Chagatai merely nodded silently, his gaze sweeping the surroundings, wondering if the Imperium's capital was truly Terra or Malcador now.
Magnus, meanwhile, sat in his wheelchair, observing the sights of Malcador.
This was his first visit to Guilliman's homeworld, and he had to admit, it was comparable to his Prospero of old.
And Lion frowned slightly.
This... how was this exactly like the founding of the Second Imperium ten thousand years ago?
Kaiser stepped forward, his gaze calm and authoritative.
He extended his right hand and gently placed it on Calgar's shoulder plate, signaling him to rise.
Calgar slowly stood up, his face still stern, but the light in his eyes revealed an irrepressible excitement.
Then, Kaiser also extended his hand to signal Huron beside him to rise.
After Huron stood up, he immediately said fawningly, "Thank you, Big Brother Kaiser..."
Huron's words instantly made Russ's and Chagatai's expressions turn playful...
That was our Stepfather!
If you call him "Big Brother," do we have to call you "Uncle"?
Meanwhile, Lion, who was still unaware of Kaiser's "other" identity, had no fondness for Huron's fawning manner...
"Tsk tsk, that naturally evil Guilliman brat..."
Just then, Yvraine, Lelith, and Asuryan, along with a group of Aeldari members, also disembarked.
The surrounding Imperial officials and Astartes instinctively reached for their weapons, but remembering that the other party already had diplomatic relations with their side, they secretly relented.
But all of Guilliman's descendants looked at Yvraine... This was the xenos mother who was to marry their gene-father...
Many Ultramarines' helmets contained tears.
"Their father... is actually going to sacrifice himself... for the Imperium... and marry that disreputable xenos mother."
At this moment, Titus, as the captain of the honour guard, watched all this with an expressionless face.
Although he had the reputation of a "warmonger" among the Ultramarines and even all Astartes, Titus was still the kind of smart person who saw through things but didn't speak them.
Since the Emperor and the Imperial High Lords Council had no objections, what good would their objections do?
Led by Calgar, Kaiser and his party boarded a solemn and majestic armoured parade vehicle.
The vehicle was painted in the blue and gold colours symbolizing the glory of the Ultramarines, with intricate Imperial Aquila motifs inlaid on its surface.
Accompanied by the soaring melody of hymns, the motorcade slowly drove onto Malcador's main thoroughfare, a wide passage specially built for the Ultramarines, cutting through the entire city directly to the Ultramarines' holy temple, Malcador's Temple.
Crowds like a sea lined both sides, countless Imperial citizens, nobles, ecclesiarchs, officers, and representatives from the 500 Worlds gathered here, waving Ultramarines banners and letting out deafening cheers.
They shouted, "Long live the Emperor!", "Long live the Imperium!", "Glory to the Imperium, immortal!"
It was as if all of Malcador was boiling over for the arrival of Kaiser and the Primarchs.
However, when the crowd's gaze fell upon the Aeldari representatives at the rear of the motorcade, the cheers would inexplicably falter, and a subtle awkwardness permeated the air.
"Those are xenos?!"
"How can they be in the procession?!"
"This is Malcador!"
Some citizens whispered, their eyes full of doubt and unease.
After all, throughout Imperial history, the Aeldari had always been a detested and untrustworthy alien race, and now, they were brazenly following behind Lord Li Feng and the Emperor's Children, even standing shoulder to shoulder with the Imperial Prince?
Calgar's expression remained unchanged; he knew such a scene was inevitable, and in fact, he had anticipated even greater turmoil.
And in truth, he himself could not fully accept this reality.
But this was the Emperor's decision, and the diplomatic arrangement finally approved by the Imperial High Lords Council, so he could only forcefully suppress his inner discomfort and continue to guide the parade vehicle forward.
In contrast, Huron seemed exceptionally relaxed, even managing to quip softly, "Look at their expressions, tsk tsk, they look as uncomfortable as if they've just drunk a whole cup of Terra's military nutrient paste."
Russ watched the Ultramarines on both sides with interest; they wore blue and gold MK10 power armour, maintaining solemn military postures, but through their helmet visors, he could still sense their inner struggle.
"I bet the Ultramarines' confessionals will be packed after this ceremony," he said to Chagatai with a laugh.
"They'll have to kneel for three days and three nights to convince themselves to accept these aliens."
Chagatai snorted lightly, his gaze, however, constantly scanning the surroundings vigilantly, ready to respond to any sudden situation.
Compared to these political embarrassments, he was more concerned about potential threats.
Lion's face remained grim; he stared at Yvraine and Lelith, his eyes filled with complex emotions.
These two Aeldari xenos mothers were the ones who would marry Guilliman and Chagatai in the future.
And Lion clearly remembered that his father had once refused to compromise with any xenos faction, steadfastly defending the Imperium's purity... Now, the marriage of the Emperor's Children was to become a symbol of cooperation between the Imperium and xenos?
This almost caused a rift in his perception.
Magnus, however, appeared utterly calm; he had long since discerned the emotional fluctuations of everyone present.
His single eye swept over Yvraine, then he said indifferently:
"To be honest, I originally thought the Ultramarines here would be angrier, at least someone would openly question it."
"They're just too well-trained to be obedient," Chagatai chuckled.
"But rest assured, this silent anger is far more dangerous than overt rebellion."
"Yes," Lion nodded, "I fear silent warriors more than roaring ones."
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