The administrative system of the Imperium was vast, but it was also bloated and inefficient.
This system created fatal flaws, particularly evident in the fringe sectors of the galaxy.
The Imperium's policy of 'autonomous free-range' management after conquering a planet appeared on the surface to grant local autonomy, but in reality, it was merely a tactic to accelerate the pace of the Great Crusade.
As long as a planet paid its astronomical taxes on time, the Imperium turned a blind eye to the actions of the local rulers.
This model bred a massive amount of corruption.
Rulers plundered the people's wealth at will, indulging in unbridled extravagance, and some even dared to secretly dabble in forbidden xenos tech and the taboos of the Dark Gods.
This absurd situation had persisted for ten thousand years, causing the upper crust of these planets to rot completely.
They proclaimed themselves superior beings, standing high above like the Celestial Dragons, viewing the commoners as mere ants.
Regarding these parasites: If one were to execute them all without discrimination, there might be a few wrongful deaths; but if one were to kill nine and spare one, there would definitely be a fish that slipped through the net.
Lion El'Jonson led the Dark Angels Chapter to descend upon this planet suffering from corruption. They first moved swiftly to purge all xenos threats, demonstrating the terrifying combat prowess of Astartes warriors.
Once the battle concluded, Lion El'Jonson did not bog himself down in a lengthy process of investigation and evidence gathering.
He ordered the immediate and collective arrest of every member of the Upper Hive society, including the Governor.
These nobles, who usually stood high above others, were roughly rounded up together. Their former glamorous appearance vanished, replaced by terror and unease.
They were to be sent into Psychic Memory Detectors—devices capable of directly reading human memories and digging out the deepest secrets within.
The nobles broke down into unsightly wailing, their past elegant etiquette long since thrown to the winds.
The Governor, in particular, stressed his family's 'contributions' to the Imperium with a shrill voice, believing they should not be treated this way.
Lion El'Jonson remained deaf to the clamor.
He merely frowned slightly, seemingly annoyed by the noise.
"Quiet," he said in a low voice, while signaling the Dark Angels to take action.
The warriors moved instantly, pressing massive Bolters against the backs of the heads of those nobles wailing the loudest.
The touch of cold gun barrels against skin produced a marvelous effect.
Most people fell silent instantly, fear crawling onto their pale faces.
The massive muzzles required no words; they were the most potent deterrent.
However, there are always brain-dead fools who do not value their lives.
Seeing this situation, several young masters who had been pampered since childhood did not restrain themselves but became even more insolent, actually reaching out to grab a Dark Angel's Bolter.
Such behavior was no different from seeking death.
The Dark Angels simply tossed these arrogant noble scions into the air.
Before they even began to fall, the Bolters let out a dull roar.
The moment the high-energy ammunition hit the targets, these formerly superior noble youths turned into a firework display of flesh and blood, exploding in mid-air.
Warm blood rained down, splashing onto the faces and clothes of the other nobles.
Lion El'Jonson remained expressionless, as if he had just processed some inconsequential trash.
In his eyes, these former rulers were nothing more than a swarm of vermin waiting to be cleared out.
The Psychic Memory Detection process was exceptionally strict; no one could hide their crimes before this device.
Once the testing ended, the crowd was divided into two groups.
On one side stood a massive number of nobles and officials, their faces deathly pale and their eyes filled with despair. These formerly high-and-mighty rulers were now shivering, knowing their fates had been thoroughly judged.
They accounted for over ninety-five percent of the total. Every person's crimes were clearly recorded by the Psychic Memory Detector, beyond any dispute.
On the other side were mostly newborn infants who had not yet been tainted by the darkness of this decaying society; their souls remained pure.
Their innocent eyes still held curiosity about the world, completely unaware that they had just escaped a calamity.
Lion El'Jonson stood on a high platform, looking down at the two groups.
"Send these children to the Chapter's Preparatory Academy," he ordered.
Several warriors stepped forward, carefully taking hold of these lucky children. These super-soldiers, who usually knew only slaughter, displayed a rare tenderness at this moment.
In their eyes, these infants were already future brothers.
Meanwhile, those rulers burdened with crimes were roughly pushed onto the high platform, kneeling in several rows to await final judgment.
Their knees hit the cold metal surface, as pained moans and desperate cries mixed together.
Below the platform stood a dense crowd of ordinary commoners. These formerly oppressed people watched the stage quietly, their eyes holding no fear, only anticipation.
The Governor suddenly straightened his back and screamed hysterically, "I am innocent! I have performed great deeds for the Imperium! You have no right to judge me!"
Several high officials followed suit, howling and repeatedly listing their 'achievements,' as if doing so could wash away their sins.
Soon, all the nobles on the stage began to wail and beg for mercy. Some claimed they were framed, some promised vast wealth, and others cursed the Imperium, saying retribution would come.
Lion El'Jonson gave a light wave of his hand, and a Space Marine clad in magnificent armor strode to the front. His voice, transmitted from his helmet, reached every corner of the square.
"The Governor's crimes: breeding xenos lifeforms, secretly spreading dangerous species including but not limited to Ork spores and Tyranid Genestealers."
This voice was like a bell of judgment, shocking everyone.
"Secretly researching Warp knowledge, capturing a large number of Psykers to extract psychic material from their blood in an attempt to trade with Warp Daemons."
The commoners below began to stir, unable to believe their ears. Some among them had lost loved ones in the past, and now they seemed to know the truth.
"Allowing the spread of Warp Daemon and xenos cults in the Bottom Hive and fanning the flames from behind, indirectly causing three large-scale psychic storms."
The Governor's face turned ash-gray, his body trembling slightly, no longer able to lift his head.
"During his tenure, the embezzlement of planetary resource taxes totaled..." As an astronomical figure was read aloud, the crowd below completely erupted.
Angry roars swept across the square like a tidal wave. This sum was enough for every person on the planet to live for decades, yet it had all flowed into the pockets of this greedy wretch.
The Governor knelt on the ground, seemingly aging ten years in an instant, staring blankly into the distance. He knew he had no chance left for a reversal.
Subsequently, the Space Marine read out the crimes of the other nobles one by one. Some collaborated with xenos, some tortured commoners for sport, and some even fed on infants; the depravity of their crimes was revolting.
From initial shock and anger, the people below gradually became numb. They couldn't imagine that all these years, they had been living under the rule of such a group of demons.
Lion El'Jonson stood to the side, watching these formerly superior rulers without a shred of pity in his heart.
Finally, with an order, the execution began.
A row of Dark Angels raised their Bolters, the muzzles flashing with fire.
At this moment, the fire from the muzzles illuminated this planet that had been tormented by darkness.