Time passed—four years later, in Imperial Year 1019.
Since Imperial Year 1015, when the southern rebel army's headquarters was completely annihilated by Selene, the Empire had effectively eradicated its greatest internal threat. The few sporadic uprisings or local garrison mutinies that erupted afterward were nothing more than childish games—easily crushed at will.
With Selene's unmatched individual might and growing prestige, coupled with her countless campaigns across the Empire—slaying, capturing, and eradicating nearly a million enemies in just two years—the borders of the Empire were now stable and peaceful, devoid of major wars.
Following her previous title of the "Ghost General of National Defense," Selene had since earned new names: "Valkyrie," "Human Butcher," and "Grand Duchess of Blood." Some were bestowed by the Empire, others by her enemies.
Indeed, Selene was now the Duchess of Habsburg. After her elevation following the destruction of the southern rebel army in 1015, her continual eastern and western conquests earned her yet another promotion in rank.
Beyond her nobility, Selene now stood alongside Budo as one of the Empire's Great Generals—commanding the Fourth, Sixth, Eighth, and Ninth Legions of the Imperial Guard. Her power and influence were vast... as was her responsibility.
Among her subordinates, the officers of her legions—especially Esdeath—had experienced explosive growth. Both in physique and in rank, their rapid advancement was meteoric. In just four short years, Esdeath had ascended to the rank of a super-S-class general.
Meanwhile, Esdeath's feats of single-handedly slaying Super-class Danger Beasts had spread throughout the Imperial Capital, astonishing even her critics. Truly, she was the monstrous prodigy raised under the even greater monster—Selene.
Thanks to these ferocious soldiers and their tireless campaigns, the lands surrounding the Imperial Capital within hundreds of miles had become completely pacified. Bandits and mountain raiders had vanished entirely—Danger Beasts themselves were rarely seen.
Hmm... speaking of amusing things, there had been a rather ridiculous incident not long ago.
When Esdeath's strength and merit had reached the level sufficient for promotion to General, certain individuals—whether out of jealousy or under secret influence—had attempted to obstruct her advancement. Confident that Selene would not intervene in such a trivial dispute, they cited her supposed immaturity and lack of independent experience as reasons to deny her promotion.
They accused her of merely following Selene to reap reflected glory, arguing that her military exploits lacked true value.
Their attitude was clear: "Anyone could achieve the same if they followed behind Selene." They insisted that Esdeath still lacked the trials of commanding a war on her own.
In response, Esdeath said nothing. Instead, she led her army eastward, crushed a powerful band of pirates ravaging the Empire's eastern coastal region, and returned with over ten thousand kills and captives—delivering a resounding slap to her detractors.
Yet the court bureaucrats, unwilling to admit defeat, continued to make excuses. They argued that aside from the southern rebellion, the remaining insurgents within the Empire were all weaklings. The enemies Esdeath had crushed were "malnourished peasants and cowards" who merely plundered coastal villages and dared not attack fortified cities—mere rabble, they claimed, whose defeat brought no honor.
Upon hearing this, Esdeath again refrained from arguing. Instead, she crossed the eastern border into the uncivilized island nations beyond, where she found a barbarian tribe preparing to devour a kidnapped Imperial child. Without hesitation, she slaughtered the entire tribe to the last man.
Her brutal efficiency terrified the very officials who had once slandered her. They realized in horror—this was another Selene in the making! For the sake of their families' survival, they swiftly changed their tune.
When Esdeath returned victorious, the same bureaucrats rushed to submit a joint memorial to the Young Emperor, fervently recommending her official promotion to General. They even used their most polished rhetoric to flatter her, showering her with flowery praise.
Naturally, neither Selene nor Budo opposed the promotion. Selene merely sighed and said, "The little loli I once took under my wing... has truly grown up."
As for Budo, he was overjoyed. He had always wished for more capable generals within the Empire—provided, of course, they possessed genuine merit and power. Regardless of one's background, those without either would never gain his approval.
And so, the Empire's dominion appeared stronger than ever. Its four borders were tranquil, its armies mighty, its generals glorious.
But beneath this surface of prosperity, a troubling shadow lingered.
The Empire's taxes had risen steadily year after year. The treasury grew rich, but the people grew poor. The army flourished, but the civilians weakened. Discontent and resentment simmered among the populace—quietly, but relentlessly.
With Minister Honest now firmly entrenched in his position and no external enemies or internal threats to restrain him, his arrogance grew unchecked. Exploiting the people's wealth became routine—one of his lesser evils, in fact. He committed all manner of atrocities, too unspeakable to describe in words.
...
Imperial Capital — Imperial Palace — Imperial Guard Headquarters.
"Congratulations on your official promotion to General." Selene said leisurely, reclining on the sofa with a cup of tea in hand.
"As expected of Lady Selene—your sources are as sharp as ever."
Esdeath's tone wasn't sarcastic, but rather filled with genuine awe. She had come to Selene's office as soon as she received her formal appointment from the Young Emperor, yet somehow, she was still one step late.
Selene rose to her feet and delivered a light hand chop to Esdeath's head, glancing at the younger woman, who immediately crouched and held her head in mock defense.
"I am, after all, one of only two Great Generals in the Empire. Of course I'm informed about military personnel transfers ahead of time. Otherwise, what kind of general would I be—a decorative one?"
She took a sip of tea, a small smile playing on her lips. "Besides, even though I haven't meddled in political affairs for years, did you really think there isn't anyone on the council willing to leak me information?"
Though not the Empire's supreme military commander in name, Selene's influence and authority rivaled that of Great General Budo. With her strength as foundation, maintaining such power came effortlessly.
Glancing at the black mark on Esdeath's chest, Selene smiled faintly. "It seems Honest spared no expense to win you over again."
The black mark on Esdeath's chest was the proof of her acceptance by the Teigu: Demon God Manifestation · Demon's Extract.
Selene didn't need to guess Honest's motives. The Demon God Manifestation · Demon's Extract was one of the most powerful Teigu, second only to the Emperor's own Ultimate Teigu.
For Honest to suddenly abandon his prior indifference and lavish such a reward upon Esdeath—allowing her, on the very day of her promotion, to bypass all bureaucratic procedures and personally enter the Imperial Treasury to select a Teigu—was a calculated move.
His intention was clear: to cultivate another powerhouse capable of rivaling Selene and Budo, thereby dividing the Imperial military's loyalties and strengthening his political control.
"You already know why I came to see you, don't you?" Esdeath asked calmly.
At Selene's gesture, she took a seat—forming a circular chair of solid ice beneath herself. The frigid air pouring from it spread throughout the grand chamber, so intense that even the Imperial Guards standing outside could feel the cold seeping through the walls.
The Demon God Manifestation · Demon's Extract wasn't an external weapon but a fused Teigu—integrated into Esdeath's body, granting her extreme resistance to ice-elemental energy. The bone-chilling winds of the far northern tundra—sharp enough to flay skin—would no longer harm her.
"This is Honest's proposal, isn't it? You want to separate from the Imperial Guard?" Selene said with a snap of her fingers, dispersing the chill in the air with ease. Her voice was calm, but her eyes glimmered with amusement.
"Yes," Esdeath admitted. "He has agreed to fund the formation of a new legion under my sole command. I intend to lead this army north—to strike at the northern tribes. Not alongside you. This will be my war... to avenge my father."
Esdeath had little interest in politics or power. What she craved was battle—facing the strong, becoming stronger, and avenging the massacre of her tribe at the hands of the northern barbarians.
That said, she was far from politically ignorant.
Five years ago, Honest had abruptly sent her to serve under Selene and then cut contact entirely. Now, suddenly, he was reaching out again—courteous, generous, even affectionate—urging her to leave the Imperial Guard's system and act independently.
It was obvious what he intended: to foster her as a counterbalance to Selene and Budo's forces, thereby reclaiming influence over the military.
Though Esdeath accepted his patronage, that didn't mean she harbored any intention of betraying her long-time superior—nor did she have the courage to. After all, years of being "disciplined" by Selene had left her with a healthy understanding of her limits.
"Please grant me your permission!" Esdeath declared, kneeling on one knee in formal salute.