Reborn as Humanity’s Emperor Across the Multiverse

"Mm," Magnus nodded slightly after hearing his brother's words, but his expression was filled with thought.

After a brief pause, he responded in a low voice:

"Brother, I've already dispatched the 1st Company Fleet of the Thousand Sons to assist operations in Universe 08. Besides, our younger brothers, Fulgrim and Angron, are stationed there.

"By all logic, given their legions' strength and command abilities, the situation there should be far easier to handle than ours."

"Logically, that's true," Horus agreed with a nod, his tone reflecting his approval of Magnus' judgment.

However, a hint of caution lingered in Horus' furrowed brow.

He raised his hand and manipulated the holographic interface before him.

As his fingers glided across the smooth surface of the control panel, data and glowing projections shifted continuously on the screen. Finally, the central console before the two Primarchs displayed a vast, detailed holographic star map.

The map clearly marked the boundaries and territories of Universe 08—commonly known as the Halo Universe.

Currently, the expansion of the Human Empire in Universe 08 was progressing at a staggering speed, covering half of the galaxy's expanse.

The territory once controlled by the UEG (United Earth Government) and UNSC (United Nations Space Command) now occupied only the "lower" portion of the map, appearing relatively small in scale.

Meanwhile, the once-mighty Covenant Empire had been reduced to a fraction of its former glory. Its core territories were concentrated on the "right side" of the star map. Colonies and resource hubs that had formed the backbone of the Covenant were now under the control of the Human Empire, serving as key components of its ever-expanding domain.

Notably, the "far-right" regions of the map included not just former Covenant territories but also the homeworld of the Sangheili (Elites) and their surrounding colonies.

Although these areas were relatively stable under the Empire's rule and the Elites revered their father as a god, caution was still required to prevent potential rebellions or interspecies conflicts.

Elsewhere in the galaxy, the situation grew even more complex.

Some sectors remained unexplored and unclaimed, belonging to the vast unknown.

Other regions had become hotbeds of instability, harboring remnants of the Covenant, pirate factions, and independent mercenary groups.

A glance at the star map made it clear that these scattered and dangerous forces were like hidden currents threatening the long-term stability of the Empire.

To manage these challenges and consolidate the Empire's rapidly expanding territory, Samuel Young had appointed five Primarchs—Fulgrim, Angron, Leman, Corax, and Mortarion—as governors of Universe 08. Each was tasked with using their unique strengths to govern and stabilize the Empire's rule in this complex galaxy.

The regions previously ruled by the UEG and UNSC, among the most prosperous areas of Universe 08, were placed under Fulgrim's administration.

Known for his elegance and talent in governance, Fulgrim elevated these territories to new heights with his meticulous and efficient management. Infrastructure and economic systems flourished under his rule, transforming these regions into economic powerhouses.

Additionally, Fulgrim's "recruitment capabilities" were unmatched.

Thanks to the stability of Fulgrim's genetic seed, the regions he governed provided the Empire with an abundant supply of soldiers and resources. These territories were not only economically thriving but also served as secure "supply bases" for the Empire's military.

Interestingly, the capital planet of Fulgrim's jurisdiction was not Universe 08's Earth but the resource-rich planet Harvest, which housed a Space Gate for rapid interstellar transport.

To the left side of the galaxy, newly colonized regions fell under Angron's governance.

Despite his reputation as a ferocious warrior, Angron had proven himself to be a compassionate and visionary leader, prioritizing the welfare of the people and grassroots development.

Under Angron's leadership, this region saw rapid population growth and territorial expansion, laying a "strong foundation" for the Empire's future.

The region centered around the Elite homeworld, encompassing a radius of 1,200 light-years, was governed by Leman.

Straightforward and forthright, Leman became a "bridge" between humanity, the Elites, and the Grunts.

Through friendly diplomacy backed by robust military strength, Leman maintained harmony among the different species in his territory, earning his domain a reputation as a model of peaceful coexistence.

Meanwhile, Corax and Mortarion were assigned to govern the areas near the galactic core and the chaotic regions bordering the Warp, respectively.

Corax's cautious and flexible nature allowed him to navigate the volatile dynamics of his region effectively. His strategic location enabled him to support the territories governed by Fulgrim, Angron, and Leman whenever needed.

Mortarion, on the other hand, faced the most challenging task.

As the governor of a region bordering the Warp, Mortarion's jurisdiction was constantly under threat from remnants of the Covenant, space pirates, mercenaries, and even heretics and renegades emerging from the Warp.

These renegades were often criminals or individuals seeking to live beyond the reach of the law.

This made Mortarion's territory a volatile front line between the Empire and the forces of Chaos. Every skirmish had the potential to escalate into full-scale war, placing immense pressure on Mortarion.

Yet Mortarion's unyielding determination and decisive leadership kept this turbulent "frontier" firmly under control.

This was the current state of Universe 08.

Understanding his brothers' challenges in this complex galaxy, Magnus had an inkling of Horus' intentions the moment his brother pulled up the star map.

His gaze shifted to the "Chaotic Region" marked in the upper-right corner of the map. After a moment of thought, he spoke first:

"Brother, are you suggesting that if the Chaos Gods aim to deal a heavy blow to the Empire, their most likely target would be Mortarion's region?

"Given its proximity to the Warp, its relatively weak defenses, and the complexity of the situation, it seems like an ideal target for an attack."

Horus did not give a direct answer but furrowed his brow, his expression heavy with thought.

"It could be," Horus said slowly. "Or it could be something else.

"Based on what we've seen on Pandora, we cannot use conventional logic to predict the Chaos Gods' intentions.

"Their actions may appear chaotic, but they consistently exploit our vulnerabilities with precision. Moreover, the scale and timing of this invasion are unprecedented—

"I even suspect that this is not just a scheme by Tzeentch, the master of trickery. There's a strong possibility that all the Chaos Gods are conspiring together to unleash a catastrophic event."

Magnus pondered this for a moment before nodding, his expression becoming more serious.

"Your suspicion holds weight," he admitted, his tone carrying both caution and conviction. "Tzeentch's actions are often inscrutable and illogical, which makes it all the more dangerous.

"No matter what tricks it employs, we cannot afford to underestimate it."

After a brief pause, Magnus added:

"More importantly, Chaos tends to strike on multiple fronts, sowing fear and confusion.

"Even if Mortarion's territory is indeed a potential target, we cannot rule out the possibility of attacks elsewhere.

"My suggestion is to immediately alert Fulgrim, Angron, Leman, and Corax.

"Advise them to prepare comprehensive defensive measures to counter potential diversionary attacks or feints by Chaos forces."

"Agreed," Horus said, his furrowed brow easing slightly, his gaze reflecting unreserved approval.

Their discussion was brief but effective, swiftly outlining a clear course of action.

After a moment of thought, Horus proposed another idea:

"In addition to notifying them, we should also contact Father directly.

"The main strategic command in the Prime Universe needs to monitor the situation in Universe 08 closely.

"Furthermore, we must activate the intelligence-sharing mechanisms among the governors. Any anomalies should be addressed immediately with coordinated responses.

"I also suggest deploying agents from the Inquisition and the Investigation Bureau. They can infiltrate the chaotic regions and gather critical intelligence on this invasion.

"We cannot remain purely defensive. We need to strike proactively and gain the upper hand in this conflict."

As Horus spoke, his eyes sharpened, radiating determination. It was clear he had prepared himself for the coming storm.

"If the situation worsens," Horus continued, "we might even request Father's approval to adopt a more aggressive strategy—

"An offensive into the Warp itself. Launching a direct assault on the Chaos Gods' domain might be the key to breaking the current stalemate."

Magnus frowned at this suggestion, clearly disapproving of such a risky plan.

After a moment of contemplation, he responded calmly:

"Launching an assault into the Warp? That's far too dangerous, brother.

"Even with the Empire's most elite forces, the risks are astronomical. A failed operation could result in total annihilation and drag Father into the mire, jeopardizing the Empire's overall progress."

This was one of the few instances where the brothers diverged in opinion. Horus' bold strategy was too radical for Magnus to endorse.

Magnus tried to reason with his brother:

"Father's power is beyond question, but you know as well as I do that his true strength lies in the material universe.

"In the Warp, his power would be significantly restrained

, and he could even be overwhelmed if the Chaos Gods join forces.

"Furthermore, the Empire's current resources are insufficient to sustain a full-scale counteroffensive, especially in enemy territory."

Horus remained silent, listening intently as Magnus continued to lay out the risks:

"Even a small-scale raid would be fraught with danger.

"Any elite warriors sent into the Warp would face not only the legions of Chaos but also the ever-present corruption and taint of the Warp itself.

"Even if we Primarchs personally led the operation, there's a significant risk of falling into traps or even being captured and corrupted by the Chaos Gods.

"So, brother—"

"You're right, Magnus," Horus interrupted with a smile, his tone softening.

"I wasn't suggesting we charge recklessly into the Warp. I only meant that we can't afford to remain entirely defensive, always waiting for Chaos to make the next move.

"The most terrifying aspect of Chaos is its unpredictability.

"But I agree with you—we should focus on identifying key moments in future conflicts, striking where it hurts the most, and dismantling their plans piece by piece."

Magnus nodded thoughtfully, his fingers tapping lightly on the control panel as he weighed Horus' words.

It wasn't that he mistrusted his brother, but he had to ensure that every step they took was prudent and reliable.

He understood that Horus wasn't being reckless or impulsive but was proposing a strategy with genuine merit.

If they could indeed pinpoint key opportunities and deal devastating blows to the Chaos Gods—perhaps even harming their very essence—such risks might be worth taking.

After some deliberation, Magnus finally said:

"Brother, I understand your reasoning.

"If the right opportunity arises, I would not hesitate to act. But truthfully, no one can predict the future with certainty.

"Unlike Father or our brother Sanguinius, we lack the gift of foresight. So instead of fixating on what's to come, let's focus our attention on the tasks at hand."

"Agreed," Horus replied with a short nod, refraining from further discussion on the Warp offensive.

Instead, he placed his hand on the control panel and began scrolling through the holographic display.

As the screen shifted, information on the Inquisition, the Investigation Bureau, and the five legions stationed in Universe 08 appeared before the brothers.

Horus studied the data and continued:

"Since we've decided to send agents into the chaotic regions, we can't let them operate alone.

"I propose we coordinate with our brothers to form a joint task force to provide these agents with comprehensive logistical support and emergency aid.

"If heretical activity is detected, this elite force can respond immediately, gaining us a strategic advantage."

Magnus nodded in agreement, adding:

"We should also request Father's permission to mobilize the Imperial Navy stationed near the chaotic regions.

"On the surface, the Navy's actions could appear to be large-scale campaigns against Covenant remnants or space pirates.

"But in reality, they would act as a support force for the agents, drawing attention away from their operations."

"Hahaha! Exactly, Magnus!"

Horus laughed heartily, clearly pleased with Magnus' additions to the plan.

Their earlier discussions, debates, and decisions seemed to remind Horus of their carefree childhood days, brainstorming "good ideas" to play or cause harmless mischief.

Having Magnus by his side significantly lightened Horus' burdens.

After all, having a trusted brother to share ideas and offer guidance was a great comfort.

The brothers quickly finalized their plans and shared their decisions with their father, Fulgrim, and the others.

The first to receive their orders and take action was the 36th Imperial Navy Fleet, led by Admiral Charlie Horneld.

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