Unforgivable!

"You've got some nerve, but you lack any respect for the rules." The Lion King looked at Alvin with considerable displeasure, his eyes carrying a hint of reprimand for a junior.

"I'm doing this for the Imperium too," Alvin muttered under his breath, knowing he was in the wrong.

"Hmph, naive!"

The Lion King's voice suddenly rose, his expression one of utter disappointment, as he angrily rebuked, "Do you think these rules are restricting you? Wrong, terribly wrong! Don't you think that the Imperium's regulations in certain areas are far too bloated and corrupt?"

Alvin didn't dare to talk back, but he did have that thought in his heart to some extent.

"Ah--"

To everyone's surprise, the Lion King did not continue to reprimand him, but instead sighed deeply, "Indeed, for the size of the Imperium, its administrative efficiency and regulations are too outdated, cumbersome, and even inefficient—do you think we didn't foresee these shortcomings?"

"No, neither I, nor Guilliman, nor even Khan, who was least politically astute and always walked on the Jaghatai, realized this!"

Was Chagatai Khan not good at politics?

No, no, no, this gentleman is far too skilled; it's precisely because he's so clever that he keeps his distance from you!

Of course, Alvin didn't say this aloud.

The Lion King continued, "But there are some things you haven't experienced, much less witnessed; you only 'know' about them."

"Take the Abominable Intelligence, for example—its harmfulness far outweighs any immediate benefits you may gain. While I don't know how you've temporarily controlled it, I'm certain that once you believe in 'it,' that's when disaster begins!"

The Lion King's words made no attempt to conceal his aversion to Abominable Intelligence.

"Young man, you're still young." The old man spoke with the concern and worry of an elder, "I'm telling you this today so you understand that while following these outdated and cumbersome rules may limit you, they also protect you!"

Alvin isn't indiscriminate about age either.

He could tell that the Lion King was worried about him. While always going outside the rules might bring him short-term benefits, the risks associated with those benefits would gradually increase if he took a longer-term view.

Until one day, it all exploded!

Just like the Emperor, he knew that destroying Lorca's Monarchia might detonate a bomb, but he chose to ignore it for the sake of the smooth progress of the Great Crusade.

Ultimately, the painstakingly planned scheme turned into a bitter fruit that has plagued humanity for millennia, utterly wasting its potential.

"Rest assured, Lion King." Alvin took a deep breath and nodded. "I understand your meaning. I will follow the rules of the Imperium whenever possible."

"I hope you can truly understand, "the Lion King sighed. He wasn't sure if his lecture today would make the boy understand the consequences of crossing the line.

Having finished speaking of Alvin, this former lion then turned his gaze to the trembling "Fallen Angel," the Penitent Crusade Force.

Led by Ollsen, the Dark Angels who joined Alvin's forces and embarked on a campaign in the name of atonement, now known as the Watchers of Dawn, were all drenched in sweat under the Lion King's majestic gaze.

The reason is simple: the mistakes they made went far beyond the title of "Fallen Angel."

If Zabriel was wronged and had ample reason and confidence to confront the Lion King head-on, then every single one of them, including Ollsen, had intended to join Chaos.

That alone is enough to clear their name!

Thump!

Thump!

Thump!

The Lion King remained silent, but his eyes were extremely cold. His index finger tapped the metal surface, emitting a terrifying low pressure, just like a calm sea with turbulent waves inside.

This terrifying air pressure made Ollsen and the others feel as if they were in a vast ocean, about to be submerged by a tsunami at any moment.

Devour!

In the suffocating atmosphere, the Lion King spoke first, "Name, organization."

Bang!

With a muffled thud, Ollsen knelt on one knee and lowered his head. "Ollsen, formerly belonging to one of the six great heavenly armies—the Crowned Heavenly Army, your direct elite guard."

In the midst of Horus Heresy, during the Great Crusade.

The Dark Angels Legion was not originally organized into the current Six Wings and Inner Circle, but rather into six celestial armies, each commanded by a celestial army commander.

Among them, the Crowned Heavenly Army was the Lion King's most elite guard, directly selected from Caliban, and was under his command and control.

But what pained him most was that the Crowned Heavenly Army, which remained in Caliban, also participated in Luther's rebellion, something the Lion King could never accept.

Now, this elite guard of the Crowned Heavenly Army has been transformed into one of the members who once attempted to defect to the Chaos Marshal and destroy an important outpost of the Imperium's expedition.

Although Alvin thwarted the plan in advance, preventing them from making a major mistake, ultimately, having such thoughts was already a grave error for an interstellar warrior who should always prioritize loyalty—an unforgivable mistake!

"The Crowned Heavenly Army---Hehe."

Upon hearing this, the Lion King's face revealed a mocking expression. "I don't have an elite guard like yours. Joining forces with the Chaos Marshal to attempt to destroy an important Imperium outpost—well done, Ollsen."

The obvious sarcasm in those words made Ollsen lower his head in shame, his lips trembling slightly. Seeing that he dared not reply, the Lion King sneered, "What? You dare to do it but not admit it? Is this how I taught you back then?!"

This statement already carried a hint of anger.

"Yes!"

Overwhelmed with shame, Ollsen gritted his teeth and said in a trembling voice, "We once intended to join Chaos to avenge the Imperium's harsh treatment of us for ten thousand years!"

Even Zabriel, who should have been on the same side, looked at them with no pity or sympathy whatsoever, completely indifferent.

They show no mercy to traitors.

"According to the rules of the Dark Angels Legion, you should understand what punishment you will receive."

The Lion King's tone remained icy, his gaze chilling.

"Yes, I understand!"

Upon hearing this, Ollsen seemed relieved, a look of ease spreading across his face. He slowly lowered his helmet.

Kneeling before the Lion King, he said, "I am willing to pay the price for my recklessness and foolishness, and prove my loyalty with my life, but—I beg you, these men are still young, they were following my orders, please spare them— Lion King."

This Chapter consists of only a few veterans.

Most of the members were added later and were not originally from the Caliban.

The Lion King lowered his eyes. "Alright, I promise you."

Ollsen smiled with relief, and although the other members were reluctant, they did not stop him.

In fact, Ollsen had long foreseen his fate. As the mastermind behind the rebellion, even if the Chapter could be pardoned, he, as the commander, would have to pay the price!

Ollsen took a deep breath, then drew his dagger, intending to end his own life and put an end to this matter.

Alvin couldn't sit still any longer.