In the following days, Guilliman was busy. News of the Primarch's return spread across Macragge in a day.
Everyone knew the Emperor's son had awakened after ten thousand years.
Within days, the news spread via astropath to all of Ultramar's Five Hundred Worlds.
Guilliman first held a brief return ceremony for his gene-sons.
The Ultramarines Chapter, plus 300 veterans returned from ten thousand years ago, all came to pay respects.
Guilliman was especially warm to the 300 veterans, even knowing some personally. He kept their units intact.
Ten successor chapters were stationed in Ultramar, and others who rushed to support Macragge also sent representatives.
All these representatives were top-tier—company captains, librarians, even chapter masters, except those who were too far or embroiled in ongoing wars.
"My gene-sons, I'm glad you could come to my return ceremony. Ultramar's Five Hundred Worlds are as prosperous as ever," Guilliman said.
He praised their prosperity, having learned about Ultramar's condition since his awakening.
"Hail, great Primarch!
Your return inspires all the Five Hundred Worlds, and your awakening is spreading through the galaxy—the whole Imperium will know," a chapter master said.
"Thank you for returning to support Ultramar. As its true master, I thank you," Guilliman smiled.
"You honor us, Primarch. We are all Ultramarines, your gene-sons. It's only right to defend our home," some chapter masters replied.
"I'm very pleased. I've learned a lot about the Imperium's situation these days.
Ten thousand years have passed, and the Codex Astartes may no longer be suitable. You've endured much in that time," Guilliman said.
The Codex was outdated. Abolishing it in the Imperium would wait for Terra, but within Ultramar, he needed only his word.
"Primarch, do you mean to amend the Codex Astartes?" a chapter master asked carefully.
"Yes. Summoning you back serves an important purpose.
I intend to abolish the chapter system and restore the Legion. My gene-sons need not be divided any longer. Humanity faces an unprecedented crisis. Without the Legion system, we can't resist the Xenos and Chaos effectively," Guilliman said.
The hall fell silent. No one expected the first item on the agenda would be abolishing the Codex.
If anyone else tried, they'd cry heresy and attack.
But since Guilliman himself wrote the Codex, he could change or abolish it.
"Great Primarch, if you wish to amend the Codex after 10,000 years, we have no objections. We'll obey your orders. But for the wider Imperium, there may be issues," a chapter master said.
Others nodded—Guilliman's sons would agree, but other chapters might not.
"I know it will meet great resistance, but it must be done. I'll begin with my gene-sons. From now on, you are no longer successor chapters.
You are all Ultramarines, all returning to the Legion," Guilliman dropped another bombshell.
He'd learned the numbers—his gene-sons made up over 70% of all Space Marines. Reuniting the Ultramarines would mean at least 750,000 to 800,000.
With Rhodes's 200,000 new troops, he'd soon have a million Astartes. With Rhodes's 500,000 more and Ultramar's mortal armies, they'd be unstoppable.
Guilliman showed Rhodes what real mass mobilization meant—"You have 500,000? I have a million."
This time, he wouldn't play politics—he'd force the issue on Terra, purging all who resisted.
"That's wonderful news! We all longed to return to the Legion, to serve at your side, great Primarch," a chapter master declared.
"Hail, great Primarch! We wish to return to the Legion," many others pledged.
"Great Primarch, I'm willing to give up my chapter master status and become a captain, or even a sergeant or regular marine, so long as I can serve by your side," one said.
This sounded like loyalty—but also asked about their future roles.
With nearly 700 chapters, would there be 700 captains?
"My gene-sons, don't worry. No one's rank will change. I'll restore the Legion, but keep the chapters as sub-units.
I'll add the chapter master rank above captain," Guilliman smiled.
Demoting all to captain would be hard to accept, so he'd retain the chapter master rank as a Legion sub-unit—handy for dealing with smaller threats.
He'd work out the details with Rhodes.
Hearing this, the chapter masters were satisfied.
"Back on Terra, I'll announce even bigger changes.
Those changes will eclipse even the abolition of the Codex," Guilliman said.
Rhodes and Elena's identities were not yet revealed, as Rhodes said.
If word got out that three Primarchs and 1.5 million Marines were returning, Terra might prepare and the planned coup might fail.
So, Codex reform and Legion restoration were secret, until their return to Terra.
This time, he would become the Regent of the Imperium.
Only Calgar and Chief Librarian Tigurius knew the details, but it was no betrayal.
For their Primarch had already spoken to the Emperor—the High Lords were the real heretics.
They were the Loyalist Kings—the true army of justice.