A Daemon's Temptation

Based on Sinleech's previous impression of Han Mingxuan, and his observations of Han Mingxuan's behavior during the 30K era, this was originally...

In a situation like 40K, where drastic measures are necessary in chaotic times, harsh punishments are likely Han Mingxuan's first choice.

In other words, this Father of Night wanted to reform the entire bureaucracy of Holy Terra, and even to punish the 12 High Lord.

His first priority should be to slaughter countless people here.

Once you get rid of all those bloodsucking worms clinging to their positions and replace them with a new batch, things will become very simple.

But when Han Mingxuan produced the document, which was only two pages long, Sinleech knew that he had underestimated this Father of Night.

What was originally a very simple matter has now become a matter of overwhelming force.

"Tell me, everyone, what's on the contents of this document?"

The High Lords circulated the document among themselves, but in the process, each of them read it no less than 10 times.

Throughout this process, they were all confirming that the document was not a joke.

Imperium bureaucrats on holiday?

Is this High Gothic?

Is this something that can be composed of High Gothic?

How many years has it been?

So many years have passed, and yet people still bring up the word "holiday" to them.

As is widely known, the current number of officials in the Holy Terra Department of Internal Affairs is 10 billion.

Even under these circumstances, the most common cause of death for Terra officials is sudden death.

In other words, even with 10 billion Civil Servants, people will still be overworked to death.

Even for most high-ranking officials, if someone investigates them, removes them from office, or puts them in jail, it's like taking a vacation.

"The measure you proposed is tantamount to the terms of the Chaos Daemons," the Ecclesiarch said.

In this day and age, it was absolutely impossible in the High Lord's mind for someone as powerful and influential as the Father of Night to show them compassion.

The only explanation is that this Father of Night must have ulterior motives.

Putting aside the other contents of the document, the mere mention of a holiday was a Daemon offer for the High Lord himself.

"Your Excellency, please state your terms."

Han Mingxuan nodded. The other party did not refuse directly, but asked him to name his terms, which meant that these High Lord really wanted a vacation.

"My request is simple: you must give me the green light regarding the specific reasons for this resource allocation and any subsequent issues arising from it."

"Are you asking us to betray the Imperium, Your Excellency?"

Han Mingxuan looked at the representative of the Inquisition who spoke, knowing that the Inquisition was a conservative faction within the High Lords of Terra.

"Betray the Imperium? I think you've got it wrong. The Imperium of Man is completely unimportant to me, and whether I betray it or not is irrelevant."

"Heretic!"

"Traitor!"

"Arrogant!"

Oh.

"Since everyone is reacting so strongly, shall we discuss in detail your matter of raising Chaos Xenos?"

"I have detailed evidence of your crimes here. Do you want to see it?"

As he spoke, Han Mingxuan took out a book. The representative of the Inquisition recognized it; it was the Inquisition's unique information booklet.

It was precisely because it was something unique to the Inquisition that it sent a chill down his spine.

Since appearing in the Imperium of Man, this Father of Night has hardly ever been to the Inquisition, let alone the Department of Internal Affairs.

How did he get that kind of thing? Or was he just bluffing?

Wrong.

Everyone looked at Sinleech.

If the Father of Night is able to obtain their secrets, then the current Imperium Chancellor have played a crucial role.

And indeed, that's exactly what they thought.

These things were far too easy for Sinleech, a deity, to obtain.

"So, does anyone have anything else to say?"

"Let's talk about vacation instead."

"Very good, a wise choice. Therefore, according to my proposed plan, all High Lords will have a full Terra Day Holiday each month."

"Of course, as High Lords, you are free. You can adjust and exchange your Holidays as you wish. If you want, you can even adjust your entire year's worth of Holidays into a single month."

"Of course, that's something you need to consider yourselves. I'm only responsible for providing the plan; you're more familiar with the specific implementation details."

"Rest assured, everyone. I swear in the name of the God-Emperor that not a single official document will be sent to you Holiday."

A day Holiday?!

And it's a one-day Holiday every month!

Even more, one day of Holiday per month can be combined into one day, meaning you can have 12 days off per year.

"Great sir, your terms are no different from the Daemon's temptation."

"Your Holiness, my conditions have already been clearly stated, haven't they?"

Um... okay, the other party did put forward their conditions.

"Then the Ecclesiarchy authorities have approved it."

The Inquisition has approved it.

"Department of Internal Affairs approved."

"Adeptus Astra Telepathica has approved it."

"The Astra Militarum have approved it."

"The Adeptus Custodes Guard has passed."

"..."

The entire meeting lasted less than half an hour, without any arguments, noise, or reasoned debate.

Of course, this refers to the transaction between Han Mingxuan and High Lord, which did not involve any arguments.

As for the political maneuvering that might occur among the High Lords due to the Holiday, that's not something Han Mingxuan needs to worry about. He only needs to ensure that Sanguinius' Resurrection proceeds without any obstacles.

"Mr. Han, I originally thought you were going to kill them all."

"I don't have that kind of ability. As for the appointment and dismissal of the High Lords, let Roboute of this world handle it after he wakes up."

"He is the Primarch, after all. He needs to be kept busy once he awakens, otherwise he'll lose face in the Imperium."

"So, who do you plan to assign these extra official duties caused by the vacation to?"

"I believe that the two Primarch are fully capable of handling all the official duties of the entire Imperium."

"The two of them?" Sinleech was taken aback.

"Is there a problem? They are Primarch, after all."

"There's nothing wrong with it, it's just a bit cruel."

"You're still too kind-hearted. Don't invest too much emotion when using tools, especially something like the Daemon Prince who can be Resurrection after being killed."

Hiss...

That makes sense!

"Mr. Han, you're the one who has the best ideas."

"It's just catering to their preferences, there's nothing wrong with that. Let's go see them."

The two arrived at the place where Mortarion and Magnus handled government affairs, and then Han Mingxuan placed the holiday notice in front of them.

Upon seeing those two words on the document, they were all somewhat dazed, thinking that the suddenly appearing Father of Night had had a change of heart and had come to grant them leave.

But after reading the contents of the document, the two of them completely exploded.

"Damn it, this is exploitation!"

"As everyone knows, Mortals can work non-stop, Astartes can keep spinning forever, and as Primarch, you are perpetual motion machines."

"Besides, you are now Daemon Princes; even if you die, you can be Resurrection."

"Not to mention losing an arm or a leg, or having some psychological problems while handling official business; compared to that, those are minor matters."

"You!"

At this moment, Magnus and Mortarion were united as they had never been before.

They all desperately wanted to teach Han Mingxuan a lesson, but let alone Han Mingxuan, they were powerless against even the person standing next to Han Mingxuan.

"That's it. As stated in the document, once the High Lord and Terra government officials submit their leave applications, you will arrange your workload according to their leave schedules."

"Don't be lazy. Trust me, you won't want to know the price of laziness."

It exploded!

I'm going to explode with that bastard!

This is treating Daemon like Daemon!

What's more, they're Daemon Princes!

They have human rights too!

In comparison, the guy standing in front of them now seemed more like Daemon.

"Young people, there's no need to look at me like that. You should be grateful to me for not being wiped out. It is your honor to be able to dedicate your last bit of value to the Imperium."