The Bizarre Adventure of the Warhammer Guard

Terra, deep beneath the palace.

Elpis donned his repaired golden armor and casually picked up the iced cola beside him, downing it in one gulp. The Blue Star system had already established trade relations with the entire Empire, and this uniquely flavored beverage supplied by Blue Star quickly became popular among the Empire's nobility.

Of course, Coca-Cola is also quite popular among the Astragalus Army and the Imperial Navy, but different places have different flavor options, such as Coca-Cola with Corpse Starch flavor, Coca-Cola with Ant Cow flavor, etc. These different flavors of Coca-Cola are more popular among these Imperial mortal soldiers.

In Astartes, Coca-Cola didn't attract much attention. These superhumans didn't pay much attention to their own diet, only knowing that a new drink had swept the entire empire.

Elpis stepped out of the room, having received a message from Waldo, and prepared to go to the secret room to meet and talk with him.

At this time, the empire was thriving. After returning to Terra, Guilliman had been handling the empire's affairs, either in his administrative office or in meetings with the High Lords. Guilliman's brain could process hundreds of documents simultaneously, and no error would escape his notice.

In recent years, Guilliman has established a more efficient administrative process, greatly accelerating the administrative speed of various departments. Thanks to this process and the participation of the Primarchs, the current administrative speed is nearly ten times faster than before, almost catching up with the level when the Lord of Man still roamed the mortal realm.

Of course, this comes at a cost. Statistics show that the number of administrative staff dying from overwork is already three times that of previous years, and judging by the trend, the number will only increase further.

Moreover, the Primarch is increasingly unwilling to play political games with these Highlords. Most of the time, he will bypass these mortal Highlords and directly issue the policies he has formulated.

The High Lords also noticed the Primarch's changes, but due to the Primarch's prestige, they had no choice but to accept the outcome.

Chapters throughout the Empire received ample supplies, and all sorts of equipment were forged from the Foundry World, prioritizing those chapters pursuing rebels and eliminating dissident forces.

In addition, a healing potion known as the Panacea was regularly and in fixed quantities distributed to each warband.

The Grand Marshal of the Guard and Guilliman announced with great fanfare that this was a highly effective healing agent controlled by the Guard, and that every ten years, the Guard would organize personnel to distribute it to each battle group. In the face of major battles, battle groups could request additional agents to reduce the damage caused by the war.

More and more policies that benefit people's livelihoods and improve the living standards of the people of the empire are being promulgated. The various human worlds are being planned into different functional worlds by Guilliman's extraordinary brain, and the entire empire is undergoing massive construction.

Trade also flourished during this period, with itinerant merchants traveling between planets, ships transporting military supplies, and interplanetary trade routes experiencing a second boom since the Horus Rebellion.

People often say that this is another "golden age" for mankind, but according to the official imperial account, this period is called the "era of great infrastructure construction".

Elpis entered the secret chamber, and the door opened automatically, revealing the Imperial Guard Marshal Constantine Waldo inside.

"I'm preparing to step down as Marshal of the Imperial Guard," Waldo said bluntly, his back to Elpis. "What are your thoughts?"

"Why?" Elpis asked, puzzled. He knew that Waldo would disappear afterward and not be heard from again for ten thousand years, but he did not expect Waldo to step down at this time.

"I have been inspired by His Majesty," Waldo turned to face Elpis, "and now, my duty is not beneath the Golden Throne, but among the stars."

"As long as my plan is implemented, I have no other ideas," Elpis said. "When, now?"

"Not now," Waldo nodded. "The time is not right."

Elpis looked at Waldo strangely, as if he had heard such words somewhere before. "Number Twenty said something similar to me."

"Ignore him. As long as he doesn't threaten the Golden Throne," Waldo thought for a moment. "Whether it's our lord's arrangement or not, we just need to do our own job."

"Are you ready for the next expedition?" Waldo asked.

"Yes," Elpis replied, "The Empire should be relatively calm for a while, and I'm preparing for the next expedition. This time, I plan to use some of the Imperial Guard's equipment."

Not long ago, Elpis had already resonated with another thread in the Moon God Space, and he had summoned back the expedition team in the Blue Star System: the Shadow Moon Wolf Team consisting of Loken, Leon, and Chris; and the Untouchable Ada.

Jill, Claire, and Sherry remained on Earth as commanders of the mortal combat force, continuing recruitment efforts. The Sage of Orm also remained in the Earth system, continuing his technological research. Elpis thought to himself, hoping the Sage would surprise him upon his return.

"No problem. If you need anything later, just contact Tribunal Diocletian," Waldo said. "He's been brought into the expedition team by you anyway. I'll choose the next Marshal of the Imperial Guard, and he'll support your mission."

"And I have a feeling," Waldo paused, "that when you come back next time, I might be on a mission among the stars."

Elpis looked at Waldo with a complicated expression. A few years before the Great Expedition, when he was still a boy, he had trained and learned from Waldo. Centuries had passed, and another person he knew was about to leave this world.

"Very well, may the Lord of Mankind protect you."

Thus ended a meeting involving only two Imperial Guards on a mission, and Elpis prepared his weapons and equipment, awaiting the arrival of his men.

During this time, Elpis glanced at Guilliman, who was working overtime like crazy. When Guilliman asked him questions, Elpis didn't say much, only explaining that he was responsible for the task of becoming the Lord of Humanity.

"I hope you'll see me alive and kicking when you come back." Guilliman forced a bitter smile.

"I will see it," Elpis replied confidently before leaving. But it would be ten thousand years from now, Elpis thought to himself.

Finally, at the expedition's secret base, all personnel and equipment were ready.

Diocletian brought the vehicle Elpis needed—a lance-shaped hoverbike, a stylish, heavily armed, and incredibly fast anti-gravity flying motorcycle. With this vehicle, the "Army-branded modified van" would never need to be seen again.

Furthermore, Elpis made a minor modification to the motorcycle, adding handlebars and a standing area. This allowed him to have those traveling with him ride on the vehicle as well.

Elpis, wielding the Spear of the Moon, rode aboard his flying motorcycle, beckoning his four expedition members to approach. With a thought, a portal instantly enveloped them all before vanishing.

Only the flickering candle flame remained, swaying precariously due to the tremors in the space.