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Young, and relatively undistinguished compared to the other senior commanders of the Crusade, Macaroth came to Slaydo's notice during the [[Battle for Balhaut]], assuming command of the force on the [[Balopolis]] front after all three of his immediate superiors were killed or incapacitated in the space of three days. Slaydo granted him a battlefield promotion to [[Marshal (Imperial Guard)|Marshal]], and Macaroth took control of the entire front, turning what was seen as an impending Imperial defeat into a great victory.{{Fn|1a}}
Before Balhaut, Macaroth appears only once in the Crusade's annals; during the initial [[Imperial]] invasion of the [[Sabbat Worlds]], Slaydo became frustrated with the slow progress of the campaigninvasion of [[Formal Prime]], and the heavy casualties being inflicted on his men. He exclaimed, ''"show me men who can know how to fight!" '' and one of his subordinates is said to have retorted, ''"follow me to the morgue, sir, and I'll show you plenty." '' This remark was always attributed to one of Slaydo's generals[[Lord General]] [[Curell]], but on his deathbed, the general Curell swore it had been his deputy, Macaroth who made it.{{Fn|1b}}
During the battle for the Oligarchy High Palace on Balhaut, Slaydo was killed in single combat with [[Archon (Chaos)|Archon]] [[Nadzybar]]. On his deathbed, Slaydo declared Macaroth his successor as Warmaster of the Crusade. This decision upset many of his [[Lords Militant]], who regarded Macaroth as too young and too junior an officer to ascend to the position. A period of political in-fighting amongst the highest echelons of the Imperial Crusade force would take place over much of the next year. That Macaroth survived it and retained his position is a tribute to the rank-and-file of the Guard's great affection for and faith in Slaydo, but also Macaroth's surprising ability as a leader.{{Fn|1c}}