Chapter 223: Warhammer: Lord of the Endless Monster Horde [223]

Words : 974 Updated : Oct 15th, 2025

Rhodes watched with amusement. With the Dark Giant possessing Horus, he wouldn't die so easily. Let the Regent of Ultramar vent his rage—he wouldn't kill Horus. Any loyalist Primarch would beat Horus to a pulp if given the chance; the more hot-tempered like the Lion or the Wolf might even kill him, Emperor or not. But not Guilliman. That's why Horus dared appear before Guilliman. Horus was beaten bloody but did not resist. Guilliman's blows could kill a Custodian, severely injure a Daemon, or destroy a Chaos Champion, caving in the floor. The sound echoed like an earthquake, making all the Ultramarines, Custodians, Black Templars, and Grey Knights outside tense up. Rhodes calmed everyone, saying Guilliman was just working off some morning anger and shadow-boxing—nothing to worry about. "Don't you think I won't kill you? Do you think not resisting will save you? You traitor! You betrayed everyone! If not for you, Father wouldn't be on the Golden Throne, and the Imperium wouldn't be in this state," Guilliman raged. "Horus! Do you know what you've done? The disaster you brought to the Imperium?" "I know, but what could I do then? It was a conspiracy against me. Anyone in the Warmaster's seat—Lion, you, Sanguinius—would have been corrupted by the Four Gods." Horus realized that much of his corruption was due to being Warmaster. He swore his loyalty was no less than Guilliman's, Sanguinius's, or Russ's. He was the Emperor's first returned son, fighting alongside Him for 30 years, back to back. When the Emperor returned to Terra, He made Horus Warmaster and gave him the Great Crusade. But the Emperor overlooked Horus's feelings, erased two brothers from history, and established the High Lords with no Primarchs among them. That was only a minor grievance, but the Chaos Gods used it to turn dissatisfaction into hatred. "Don't pretend you're innocent! How dare you say that?" "If you'd been Warmaster, Guilliman, you wouldn't have escaped corruption. Maybe even worse than me," Horus said. With Guilliman's intellect and politics, if he'd been corrupted, Horus couldn't imagine what would happen. "Are you two done? If not, I'll go take a nap and come back when you're finished," Rhodes interjected. They ignored him. Guilliman dragged Horus up by his collar and spat in his face. "Hmph! Horus, I'll never accept you. No matter what Father says, I won't let you return, and neither will the people of the Imperium," Guilliman said coldly. "I never intended to return. I have no face to see the people, Father, or my brothers. But I'll atone in my way. I'll make the Chaos Gods who corrupted me pay. I'll make all traitor Primarchs pay. Give me one last chance, Guilliman—please!" Horus said. Of all traitor Primarchs, only Magnus was somewhat sympathetic. But that was his fault—the Emperor warned him not to seek forbidden knowledge, but he bargained with Tzeentch for forbidden power. Mortarion and Angron were shaped by tragic upbringings. Fulgrim and Lorgar were the worst—Lorgar was the first to betray and corrupted Horus. "Then prove it, Horus. Hunt down a traitor Primarch for me, or I'll never forgive you," Guilliman said. Horus nodded, his wounds healing instantly with the Dark Giant's power—he was now far stronger than any Primarch. Guilliman realized, with some annoyance, that he should've hit harder. Without another word, Horus nodded to Rhodes and Guilliman and left the Ultramarines' sanctum. He planned to leave and begin his quest for redemption. "Rhodes, I'm leaving. Look after my brother for me," Horus sent telepathically to Rhodes. "Wait, Horus—maybe you shouldn't leave just yet. Soon, Guilliman and I will head to Terra. When news spreads, the traitor Primarchs—especially Fulgrim and Magnus—will surely strike. That'll be your chance. What do you think?" Rhodes replied. Guilliman's journey to Terra was anything but smooth—Magnus schemed against him, and even the Red Corsair Huron Blackheart captured him. He was always being rescued or on the run. "You mean, I should hide in the shadows and strike at them?" Horus's eyes lit up, communicating mentally. "Yes. Disguise yourself as a regular Guardsman using the Dark Giant's power, and hide among us. Trust me, you'll have your chance," Rhodes said. "Good plan. I'll hide carefully so Guilliman doesn't notice," Horus agreed, his thoughts concealed from Guilliman. "Sorry, you had to see that, brother. Frankly, Father's decision about Horus is hard to accept. He should never have been revived," Guilliman said, regaining his composure. "I understand. No one in the Imperium thinks well of Horus. Even I didn't at first. But the Emperor has his reasons. The situation for humanity is dire. I need the Warmaster against Chaos and our enemies," Rhodes said. "I understand. I'll give him some time to prove himself. Now I must reform the Legion, unify all Ultramar's forces, and then we'll head to Terra to purge the corrupt Imperium. It might take months to reach Terra," Guilliman said. Months would be enough to recall his successor Chapters, upgrade them, and recruit 200,000 new troops. He and Rhodes would bring an army of a million Marines. A terrifying force, requiring a massive fleet. He would need time to gather Ultramar's fleet. "Don't worry. We can use the Eldar Webway—safe and fast. We'll be on Terra in a month," Rhodes said. "The Webway is fast, but how did you get access?" Guilliman asked. "I did the Laughing God a favor—distracted Slaanesh for him, in exchange for Webway access," Rhodes shrugged. That Laughing God—after distracting Slaanesh for him, the Webway would be theirs to use.

Chapter 223: Warhammer: Lord of the Endless Monster Horde [223]

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