"...Without any loss whatsoever, an integration that preserves every law of this world... and merges perfectly with the Honkai Dimension."
Selene thought quietly to herself. Now, all that was left was to wait for Great General Budo's victorious return. Once she established substantial dominion, there would be no need for the world's consciousness to forcibly act. It would instead willingly bestow its blessings upon Selene, for she was already the ruler of the entire world.
The Empire's territory was undoubtedly far broader than that of the First Emperor's era, and its dominion extended beyond just humanity. The Cross-Tail Dragon stood as the apex of all Danger Beasts in this world. To subdue it was, in a sense, to conquer the entire species.
In a good mood, Selene slowly descended onto the deck of the Imperial Navy's flagship. Her tone was calm and gentle as she said, "Now then, let's talk about how your navy managed to provoke the Cross-Tail Dragon..."
Although Selene's tone was soothing, almost like a spring breeze, neither Wilson nor Wave dared relax. After all, they had witnessed firsthand the dragon's miserable state.
No sooner had Selene finished speaking than—thud!—the good-natured young man Wave suddenly dropped to his knees under Selene's puzzled gaze, stammering nervously, "Imperial Navy officer Wave greets Your Majesty... please punish me as you see fit!"
Watching Wave mutter frantically about his earlier complaints toward Her Majesty, Selene's lips twitched. She turned toward Wilson and asked, "What's... going on with him?"
As the commander of the Imperial Navy Fleet, Wilson bowed elegantly and replied, "Your Majesty, please forgive Wave's rudeness. He's just... um, not very used to such situations."
In truth, Wilson was just as confused. Yes, I heard you grumbling earlier, Wave—but Her Majesty hasn't even mentioned it yet. Why are you on your knees already...
He shot his disciple a sideways glance. Sigh... such a waste. He's a fine young talent of the Imperial Navy—upright, diligent, and responsible. But he's so dull sometimes... like his brain isn't wired quite right...
With a small gesture, Wilson signaled for a few soldiers to drag the poor fool below deck.
"Hmhm. I rather like his simplicity," Selene mused, smiling faintly. "He's a Teigu user, isn't he?"
Wave—a supporting character who, in some ways, seemed more like a protagonist than Tatsumi himself.
"Yes, Your Majesty. Wave wields the armor-type Teigu: Carnage Incarnate · Grand Chariot," Wilson replied respectfully.
"Very well. I'll be taking him under my command," Selene said casually. "You have no objections, General Wilson?"
"To be chosen by Your Majesty is his greatest honor. I thank Your Majesty on his behalf," Wilson said, bowing deeply.
"Good. Now, let's head back to your home port," Selene said.
...
That night, in the Imperial Capital.
Selene, her long ornate gown trailing behind her, strolled leisurely down the vast corridors of the Imperial Palace. Her crystal-gold high heels echoed softly—click-clack—against the gilded floor, the only sound in the otherwise silent hall.
Every servant, maid, and soldier—including the golden-armored Imperial Guards—held their breath as she passed, terrified that even the slightest misstep might disturb the Empire's supreme ruler.
"Queen—ah, Your Majesty, where's Sebas?" asked Arisa, who followed behind Selene, touching her chin and speaking in her usual sweet, lilting tone.
After all, in Arisa's impression, that old man Sebas always tried to flatter the Queen before she could. Yet this time, he was nowhere to be seen.
"Oh? Little Arisa misses Sebas, does she?" Selene turned around, amused, and gently patted Arisa's head, speaking tenderly.
"Mmm~" Arisa closed her eyes, letting out soft, animal-like purrs under Selene's affectionate rubbing.
"Sebas is probably still conducting field inspections," Selene said with a small smile. "I wonder what kind of palace design he'll come up with this time... I'm rather curious."
Just then, the heavy footsteps of a golden-armored Imperial Guard approached. Bowing deeply, he spoke in a careful tone, "Your Majesty, General Esdeath has awakened in the side hall. Shall I summon her...?"
"Have Esdeath come," Selene said lightly. "And bring that navy boy, Wave, as well. Tell them to meet me in the Central Garden."
"Yes, Your Majesty!" the guard answered immediately, straightening up with unwavering resolve before hurrying off.
Gesturing for the attendants to open the great doors of the corridor, Selene led Arisa into the courtyard and gazed up at the star-filled heavens.
Everything was nearly complete... ten years of waiting.
Meanwhile, the golden-armored Imperial Guard who had received Selene's command wasted no time and hurried to the side hall, where he found the newly awakened Esdeath and the visibly nervous Wave.
"General Esdeath, Officer Wave, please come with me. Her Majesty summons you," the guard said solemnly.
...
Within the vast palace complex, Wave followed closely behind the towering golden-armored guard, dressed neatly in his new Imperial Navy officer's uniform.
In these resplendent halls of gold and marble, the only people present—besides himself and Esdeath—were the Empress' attendants and the silent, disciplined guards who patrolled the corridors.
Though the palace was teeming with people, no less than a naval base, everyone here was eerily quiet. Each moved with precise purpose, their eyes downcast, their demeanor solemn.
Silence, reverence, and solemnity defined this place.
Compared to the late Young Emperor, Selene inspired far deeper fear—she was the true sovereign of the Empire, the one who held both political and military authority in her grasp.
Since arriving in the Imperial Capital, Wave had been astonished by everything he saw. These palace guards—three meters tall—are they even human?
Stealing a glance at Esdeath, who walked calmly beside him, Wave whispered nervously, "General Esdeath, why do you think Her Majesty summoned me?"
"Don't worry, Wave," Esdeath replied coolly. "If Her Majesty called for you, it means she sees you as useful—a tool, so to speak. I started out the same way."
Soon, under the escort of the guard, Esdeath and Wave arrived at the Imperial Garden, where Selene awaited them.
At the entrance to the central pavilion, an attendant grasped the handle and gently pushed open the lacquered glass doors.
Under the bright lantern light inside, Esdeath and Wave saw Arisa kneeling gracefully, while Selene reclined slightly behind a low redwood table, pen in hand, reviewing a stack of documents.
"Your Majesty..." "Your Majesty!" Esdeath and Wave greeted in unison.
"Oh, you're awake. Sit," Selene said softly, gesturing toward the luxurious carpet before her. "So, Esdeath—how does it feel? To battle an opponent as massive as the Cross-Tail Dragon?"
Kneeling before Selene, Esdeath let out a bitter smile. "It made me realize how weak I still am... Looking back, I was far too arrogant. Aside from Your Majesty, I never truly acknowledged anyone else."
"Awareness is good enough," Selene replied gently. "You'll have many more chances to grow stronger. But your Teigu—Demon God Manifestation · Demon's Extract—is still too limited against enemies like the Cross-Tail Dragon, where size and strength coexist. In that aspect, it holds a natural advantage."
In the natural world, sheer size did not always guarantee strength—but it certainly implied a degree of it.
Some colossal beasts could reshape their surroundings merely by walking or resting. The natural environment could scarcely restrain them, and no man-made structure—no matter how grand—could withstand their casual strikes.
To put it simply, with a creature of the Cross-Tail Dragon's scale, even if it rolled across a city without using any energy attacks, it could easily cause earthquakes—a true dragon overturning the land.
"I keep my word," Selene said with a faint smile as she handed a document toward Esdeath. "Once the world is unified, what I owe you will be delivered in full."
"...However," she continued, "for now, we'll leave that until after unification. What I have for you at this moment is a new unit assignment."
"A new unit...?" Esdeath echoed curiously as she accepted the document. "Is that necessary? I could simply coordinate with Great General Budo myself. I promise that within a month, I'll wipe out those so-called southern rebels who call themselves the Revolutionary Army."
As she spoke, Esdeath's gaze drifted to the document. Reading the lines aloud, she murmured, "Special Police Force..."
Members:
Imperial Assassination Unit – Cornelia, Akame, Kurome, Natala.
Imperial Burning Division – Bols.
Imperial Security Division Officer – Seryu Ubiquitous.
"And from the Imperial Navy... Officer Wave?" Esdeath's brows furrowed slightly as she glanced at Wave, who sat stiffly beside her, too afraid to speak.
"Your Majesty, they are all Teigu and Shingu users, correct? Are they all to be under my command?"
Tap, tap, tap~ Leaning slightly to one side, Selene rhythmically tapped her fingers on the redwood table, speaking in an amused tone.
"Yes, that's right. Your old army is now under Great General Budo's leadership. Constant transfers are inefficient, so let's make things simpler—form a new elite special police force under your command," she said with a faint smile.
"Their numbers may be small, but each member possesses tremendous individual strength. Infiltration, decapitation, support—wherever they're needed, they go. A rapid-response unit fits you perfectly, doesn't it?"
"Your squad is already waiting for you at the Royal Guard Headquarters. Go meet them. As for coordination—let the battlefield handle that. The southern rebels should serve nicely as your training ground."
Selene's spontaneous ideas were something Esdeath had long since grown accustomed to. After a few seconds of stunned silence, she nodded firmly and declared, "By your will, Your Majesty. I will not disappoint you!"
"Excellent..." Selene rose to her feet, a smile gracing her lips. "Eliminate the southern rebels within two months. And remember—I don't just want their main forces destroyed. I want them uprooted, completely."
"Now then, come up with a codename for your special police force."
"A codename?" Esdeath blinked, slightly puzzled. Normally, such things were decided by the highest authority. But since Selene had said it herself, she took a moment to think before answering in a deep tone, "Let's call it Jaegers. We are the hunters who hunt the hunted."
Still the Jaegers... Selene thought silently before waving her hand dismissively. "Good. Now that the orders are given, go meet your subordinates, Esdeath. Don't let me down."
"As you command!"
...
"How interesting..." Selene murmured as she watched Esdeath leave, dragging the nervous Wave behind her.
The idea of creating the special police force—Jaegers—had, in truth, been an impromptu decision she made after seeing Wave.
Coincidentally, since Selene's coronation, members from all Imperial divisions had returned to the Capital, making the assembly of a new elite force remarkably easy.
"I've assigned Cornelia, Akame, and Natala to you. As for Run, I'm keeping him for now." Her gaze returned to the redwood table, where a golden-haired young man with winged ornaments on his head was pictured.
"Run—a learned, refined scholar, a Teigu user, and quite capable. He has the makings of a statesman. Sending him to act as a mere warrior would be a waste of talent."
"Hmm... I've just realized something. Hardly anyone in my command can handle internal affairs—they're all battle-hungry killers. How troublesome..." she sighed with a wry smile.
...
A month later, reports of sweeping victories poured in from all fronts.
Unfolding the Complete Book of the World · Rongo Rongo, Selene could clearly see the growing influence of her Empire, which had crushed every opposing faction with lightning speed.
On the southern gate of the Imperial Palace, numerous severed heads of rebel leaders now hung on display. The most prominent among them was that of the new commander of the Southern Rebel Army.
Rumor had it that he had narrowly escaped the Imperial Army's encirclement—only to run headfirst into Esdeath's newly formed Jaegers.
The rest was history. Beheading, preservation with quicklime and saltpeter, and public display atop the Capital's gate—all executed seamlessly.
Now, only the cleanup of scattered resistance forces remained.
After nearly half a month of waiting, Selene finally received what she had been expecting—the world's consciousness had taken the initiative to bestow its blessing upon her.
And this time, it was voluntary—completely different from the forced domination and usurpation she had employed before.
Because Selene had seized control of the Empire and unified the majority of the world's lands and sentient life, she had effectively replaced the Empire itself in the world's eyes.
The world's consciousness possessed no will of its own—it was, in essence, a sentient program, bound by its own rules.
By default, it would bless the world's ruler. The First Emperor had come close, having unified most of humanity—but he had never subdued the Danger Beasts.
Selene, however, had gone further. Her dominion extended beyond the First Emperor's reach, encompassing not only humanity but also the apex of the Danger Beast race—the Cross-Tail Dragon itself.
Selene had been acknowledged by the world's consciousness as its rightful overlord.
Unlike the destruction of world law imprints in Jackie Chan Adventures, where Honkai erosion had consumed everything, this world retained its complete, unbroken law imprint—one Selene could now fully command.
In other words, within this world, Selene now possessed authority over its unique elements: orichalcum, Danger Beasts, and more. She could govern their natural formation and evolution.
"Now then... let's begin," she murmured softly, her crimson eyes gleaming with anticipation. "Ten years of waiting—the time has come to claim the fruits of it all."