The following events were much simpler. On Rhodes' end, he contacted Guilliman directly across space via psychic signal.

He informed Guilliman of the situation on Fenris, explaining the Space Wolves had been dealt with in just twenty-four hours.

"Well done, Rhodes. In just twenty-four hours you managed those Space Wolves." Guilliman greatly approved of Rhod's actions.

"Strictly speaking, it didn't even take twenty-four hours.

It was less than an hour after I arrived. The reason they only reported to you now is because I was having a hearty meal and drinks with them," Rhodes replied through the psychic signal.

If you can't win by fighting but can gain huge benefits by joining, any intelligent being knows which to choose.

"Next, the Space Wolves need to broadcast a psychic message to all worlds within the Imperium. The message should be: you paid Fenris a friendly visit!

The Space Wolves welcomed you warmly, citizens lined the streets, and they celebrated the Emperor's return," Guilliman said.

Rhodes' efficiency successfully prevented a civil war within the Imperium. If an Inquisitor, High Lord, or Custodian Guard had been sent, bloodshed would have been inevitable.

"I understand. I'll make sure they handle the formalities, you don't need to worry.

I've also convinced the Space Wolves that, once the Unyielding Crusade begins, they'll send at least five companies to support me, each expanded to over a thousand men.

I'll stay here for a dozen days, teaching them the Primaris Astartes transformation procedures and equipping them with some medical pods," Rhodes said.

The Space Wolves currently had twelve companies, but Rhodes knew the thirteenth company, comprised of pure Wulfen, had secretly returned. The Space Wolves hadn't mentioned this to Rhodes, keeping it a secret.

With the Space Wolves returning to legion strength, a massive expansion was underway. The initial plan was to expand all twelve companies to a thousand men each, totaling twelve thousand brothers, with further expansion later.

"The recruitment standards for Astartes are now too strict. Tell the Space Wolves:

The Primaris Astartes gene therapy is now 100% successful, so as long as the age is right, anyone can be accepted into the army," Guilliman said.

A major factor limiting the Imperium's growth was the recruitment of Astartes—high death rates and excessively harsh standards. Back when the Emperor controlled only a single solar system, he still raised eighteen legions.

That was possible because recruitment standards were much lower then. As long as you were close enough, you joined. After conquering more worlds, ordinary mortals were conscripted, and the best among them were chosen for Astartes.

Until the Primarchs returned, recruitment was done from their homeworlds.

Compared to now, the old recruitment was loose, but the manpower was not lacking.

Now, due to the 1,000-man cap per Chapter, recruitment is extremely strict, supposedly to select only the strongest.

But in truth, if you transform 1,000 ordinary men into Astartes and select one elite from them, the other 999 could easily overwhelm that elite.

This is a foolish option, yet the Imperium, ruler of the galaxy, still made this absurd decision.

"Exactly. That's why I recruited so many Cadian Shock Troops. These elite Guardsmen are the best Astartes candidates. Recruit ordinary people, let them serve in the Guard,

then inject them with the Monster Warrior serum to give them Primaris-level strength.

After a year or two of training, select the best for the new Astartes transformation, giving everyone a path for advancement.

Let ordinary Guardsmen see hope—they can become the Emperor's Angels of Death, even demi-god Astartes.

If they earn enough merit, reward them not just with medals, but with tangible benefits:

Let their families move to better worlds, pay them salaries, grant them housing," Rhodes said.

When do soldiers fight best? Not strict training or harsh discipline, but rich rewards.

Heavy rewards yield brave warriors!

When the interests are great enough, soldiers can unleash unimaginable combat power. So, military merit should be more than just honor—there must be real incentives.

In this chaotic galaxy, to unleash humanity's greatest power, you need more than faith—you need real incentives. These always work.

"You really understand humanity, Rhodes. You're right! I actually agree with you. I'll take time to report this to the Emperor," Guilliman nodded in agreement.

He hadn't expected Rhodes to have such a talent for internal affairs. The Imperial military did need reform.

Besides faith in the Emperor and loyalty to the Imperium, enough material incentives were needed to awaken the soldiers' fighting spirit.

"Do you really need to report this to the Emperor? As Lord Regent, unless it's a major issue, you can decide on your own. This is a military reform—no need to report every detail," Rhodes said.

Come on, do you need to ask for permission for everything? If it's about Chaos or human destiny, you can ask the Emperor. But for this, it's unnecessary—you're the Lord Regent!

And as Warmaster, Rhodes is also qualified to reform the army. He and Guilliman could decide this together.

Guilliman fell silent. In the past, the Emperor sat on the Golden Throne and couldn't communicate. Now, he could, so Guilliman wanted to consult on everything.

He never considered acting on his own, but Rhodes' words opened his eyes. His father had only recently awoken from the Throne, and could only communicate briefly each day—perhaps only Magnus's month-long substitution allowed for more.

In that month, it was better for the Emperor to rest than handle Imperial minutiae.

"You're right, Rhodes. You're the Warmaster, I'm the Lord Regent—just the two of us can decide this.

I'll write up the details. When you return to Holy Terra, I'll give you the report, and together we'll announce this new military reform," Guilliman said.

"Good! Besides, we need to be strict about one thing: currently, some Chapter Masters, even Captains, or Inquisitors, can issue Exterminatus and wipe out an Imperial world.

This must be checked. Every Imperial world is a vital source of taxes, soldiers, and food. Don't let one Inquisitor or Captain's word bring Exterminatus," Rhodes said.

In the past, there was no choice, but now, with Rhodes present, fighting the Tyranids was no longer impossible.

Currently, if the Tyranids arrive, that region is basically doomed. Few have repelled them head-on.

Only under Rhodes' leadership, in the First and Second Tyrannic Wars, were the Tyranids successfully repelled. After the Leviathan Fleet invaded, the Imperium always lost.

With no other option, the Imperium would use Exterminatus on worlds in the Tyranids' path to stop their advance.

But Tyranids aren't mindless. Under the Hive Mind, they attack humanity's weakest points, giving no time to use Exterminatus.

It's no wonder that the Tyranids nearly reached Holy Terra—the Imperium's constant use of Exterminatus deprived them of food, so they decided to destroy the Imperial core.

"I agree, Exterminatus should not be so easily authorized. From now on, only you, me, or our Legion Commander can approve it," Guilliman said.

During the Great Crusade, it was strictly controlled. Now, even a minor Inquisitor or Captain can launch Exterminatus. This power must be taken back—even Rogue Traders must obey.

They discussed more details, and then Rhodes ended the call with Guilliman, agreeing to depart for Terra in half a month, arriving in three and a half months.

…

The next day, the Space Wolves had their Rune Priests send a psychic broadcast across the Imperium, announcing a Primarch's visit to Fenris, the restoration of the Legion structure, the acceptance of new Astartes, and the return of the Primarch Magnus.

The Space Wolves' declaration immediately made wavering Chapters surrender and return to their parent Legion.

Chapters with uncertain origins were allowed to apply to join the Legion of their choice.

After the assessment, they could join and receive the Legion's gene-seed.

Following this order, Rhodes' Astra Custodes Legion received many applications. As the new Warmaster, Rhodes was flooded with offers of allegiance.

He welcomed these loyal Chapters, taking them all under his command.

He ordered them to his frontier territories to replace their gene-seed and don Legion insignia and banners—the details were left to his Techmarines.

Rhodes also ordered his 10,000 Astartes to help the Space Wolves rebuild their Legion and select outstanding Fenrisian youth for Astartes transformation.

Meanwhile, Rhodes himself would periodically return to his ship, harvesting warp energy with the Goddess of Life, Isha, or conducting life energy infusions.

After five days on Fenris, an Eldar fleet arrived in a small cruiser previously gifted by Rhodes, along with several Eldar warships.

The Space Wolves were instantly on alert, but Rhodes explained they were allies—the Eldar had formally allied with humanity.

"Lord Rhodes, so we're now allied with the Craftworld Eldar and some Exodite Eldar, especially the Ynnari, but not the Dark Eldar, correct?" asked Logan.

"Correct. If you ever see Dark Eldar raiding Imperial citizens for their bloody gladiator games, don't hold back—teach them a lesson," Rhodes said.

"Understood, Lord Rhodes. Should we let these outsiders land on Fenris?"

"No, let them remain in orbit. I'll receive them on my flagship—they won't stay long," Rhodes said, patting Logan's shoulder before teleporting back to his battleship.

"Isha, get ready! Your Eldar warriors have arrived—it's time to assign them tasks," Rhodes said.

"They arrived quickly. Come with me to receive them—your status is different now," Isha replied.

Rhodes' status had risen to the level of a god, now able to stand as an equal with the Eldar deities.