The Imperial Capital basked beneath the radiant sun.
The refreshing weather only seemed to amplify the joy of the citizens. With one victory report after another pouring in from the frontlines, the entire Capital had been swept into a sea of celebration.
"Report—! Major victory! Great General Budo has annihilated the last main force of the Southern Rebel Army! No more large-scale uprisings remain—the Empire is once again unified!"
When news came that Budo's suppression army would soon return in triumph, it was like pouring oil onto an already blazing fire.
The citizens, who had been eagerly discussing each week's incoming reports of triumphs, were already full of excitement. Yet before the fervor of the last victory had even subsided—and before the severed head of the southern rebel leader had cooled upon the city gate—another, even greater announcement arrived.
It was as if an enormous bundle of wood had been tossed into an inferno. The entire Imperial Capital erupted once again—this time with even greater force than before.
For the first time in countless years, peace had finally returned to the Empire's lands.
In an instant, waves of cheers and cries of jubilation filled the air. At first, the shouting was chaotic and scattered, but soon it grew unified, rolling like thunder across the Capital.
"Long live!"
"Glory to the Empire!"
"Long live Her Majesty, Empress Selene!"
...
The 1,024th year of the Imperial Calendar marked a turning point for the Empire's common people. It was a year of upheaval and transformation: the execution of Minister Honest, the grand political purge, the assassination of the former emperor, General Selene's sudden ascension to the throne, and finally, the Rebellion Suppression War.
At first, the populace had been deeply anxious—worried about the assassination, the purges, and the instability that might follow. When the southern provinces erupted in rebellion soon after, their unease grew even heavier.
It wasn't that they doubted their new Empress' military prowess or personal might—both were legendary—but rather her capability in governance.
They feared prolonged division or internal chaos. Such instability would bring hardship to the common people.
Fortunately, in the months that followed, Selene—together with her aides Sebas, Liver, and Run—demonstrated exceptional administrative skill. With Budo's overwhelming campaign crushing the southern rebel forces, their fears were swiftly dispelled.
Now, Selene's prestige and authority were firmly established. Both her personal power and political legitimacy had been fully recognized across the Empire. Beyond her control of the military, she had also taken command of nearly every central administrative department.
Even the foreign tribes and local warlords within the Empire's borders began to submit, sending letters of allegiance to the new ruler.
At this point, even disregarding Selene's near-invincible personal might, the sheer power of the forces under her command utterly dwarfed that of any other faction in this world.
Faced with such an overwhelming situation, the weaker local powers were caught in a dilemma. The truth, however, could be summed up simply: If you can't resist... you might as well enjoy it.
Crude as it sounded, that was reality. Better to bow down than to be crushed outright. Resisting would only ensure annihilation—for them and their families.
They had once hoped Minister Honest and the Revolutionary Army might weaken the Empire's core strength, giving them a chance to rise. But Selene and Budo's sudden, lightning-fast offensive shattered those hopes before they could even take shape.
"Damn it! A bunch of useless fools! I was ready to make my move, and this is what I get?!"
Sigh... forget it. We surrender. No point fighting now. Might as well bow our heads and scrape by again. Not the first time we've called someone 'Grand Duchess'...
Still, those who had chosen to surrender knew better than to delay. The longer they waited, the less value their surrender held—and the higher the chance they'd end up executed as examples.
And so it was that Selene now sat in the Imperial Palace, bewildered, as countless letters of submission arrived from regional lords across the Empire. When did I suddenly acquire so many 'grandsons'?
At least they were spared—for now. Selene had already dispatched Alex and the Astartes to deal with the few still foolish enough to resist.
"Open the gates... Astartes."
...
In the Imperial Palace's Hall of Mental Cultivation, Selene reclined on a high dais draped in rich furs. Before her, in the sunken center of the grand chamber, stood a massive topographical model representing the entire Empire.
"Your Majesty..." A court attendant stepped into the hall and bowed respectfully. "Your Majesty, good news. The majority of the southern rebel army's remaining forces have been annihilated. Great General Budo has left behind a garrison and is now marching back to the Capital."
Having spoken, the attendant knelt and raised the report high above his head.
"Hmm, I see. Go and claim your reward," Selene said softly, motioning for Arisa behind her to take the report.
"So the Empire is now unified—at least in name," said Sebas, holding the Complete Book of the World · Rongo Rongo. With a solemn smile, he added, "Congratulations, Your Majesty. The old servant offers his sincerest praise."
As he spoke, Sebas removed the small flag representing the southern rebels from the vast sand model before him and replaced it with the new Imperial banner—the twin-headed eagle embracing the sun.
"Yes... a joyous occasion indeed," Selene murmured as she glanced over Budo's report. Setting it down beside her, she rose gracefully to her feet.
Turning toward Sebas, she said, "I can feel it... this world rejoicing at my existence. The time has come to harvest its fruits."
The formal unification of the Empire, even if temporary or symbolic, was a tremendous step forward.
"So the time has finally arrived... the old servant understands," Sebas replied, closing the Complete Book of the World and stepping forward. Kneeling, he presented it respectfully to Selene.
"Milady... I wish you great success."
"I will not fail," Selene said confidently, flipping through a few pages before smiling. "Ten years of preparation—and now even this world itself acknowledges me."
"Everyone except Arisa and Sebas—leave," she commanded.
"At once."
"Descend... come to me," Selene intoned.
At her words, a luminous wave of chaotic light broke through the barriers of space and time, coiling gently around her.
In that moment, every soul in the Imperial Capital trembled, as if some vast, sacred presence had just descended upon their world.
But unlike the terror that had swept through The Walking Dead world, or the hostility and loathing of the Jackie Chan Adventures world, this time there was no fear.
The world of Akame ga Kill—though it sensed the aura of invasion and destruction radiating from Selene—did not recoil. Instead, it brushed gently against her presence, almost affectionately.
"Come," Selene whispered.
Above her head, the chaotic light surged. A crown-shaped construct of shimmering void manifested above her, radiant with otherworldly brilliance.
Responding to her call, the luminous essence representing the world's authority and dominion flowed into the crown, fusing with it in a cascade of dazzling, ethereal light.
"Haah... that familiar feeling," Selene breathed. As she opened her eyes again, a genuine joy welled from deep within her soul.
Her connection with the Akame ga Kill world was now complete—and this time, it was no destructive invasion. The world had willingly accepted her.
That made things far easier. Now she could draw the entire world into the Honkai Dimension intact, without the devastating losses that came from resistance.
After all, when attempting to forcibly pull an entire world into an alien dimension, even without malice, the world's instinctive rejection would cause immense damage.
Selene had chosen a different approach—one from within. She had earned the world's consent, allowing its consciousness to willingly yield to her.
Closing her eyes and holding her breath, Selene extended her awareness outward, reaching the edges of this world.
She directed its essence not to resist. Its laws continued to flow naturally, its skies and lands untouched. None of the world's inhabitants realized what was happening as Selene quietly opened the vast "pocket" she had prepared.
Buzz... A wave of violet-red light expanded outward, enveloping the entire Akame ga Kill world. Slowly—inevitably—the massive planet began to sink, like a ship swallowed by a great sea, descending into the Honkai Dimension.
No one could say how much time passed. But eventually, the world of Akame ga Kill was fully transferred.
Now, within the dual embrace of the Honkai Dimension and the world's core, Selene's control grew absolute. She stabilized the planetary plates that contained the Empire, ensuring that life continued undisturbed.
Then, her body was wrapped in a radiant violet glow. Her figure vanished from the palace, reappearing high above the crimson-violet sky of the Honkai Continent.
With both the Honkai Dimension and the Akame ga Kill world's core empowering her, Selene silently unfolded the planet's structure—flattening and merging it seamlessly—while ensuring that not a single living being upon it was harmed.
Then, with utmost precision, Selene carefully placed the separated "Imperial Continent" within the Honkai Dimension—near the massive central mountain of the newly-formed supercontinent.
"Phew... such fine manipulation is truly exhausting," Selene murmured, wiping the sweat from her brow, visibly fatigued.
"But... it's all worth it." She smiled faintly. "Just one last step—and the Honkai Dimension will be complete."
Whoosh!
Stepping out of a violet-glowing spatial portal, Selene returned to the Imperial Palace. She gave a small nod toward Sebas, who awaited her with concern written across his face. "Sebas, how is it? You didn't sense any irregularities, did you?"
"No, Milady. Congratulations on your success," Sebas said warmly as he stepped forward and handed her a handkerchief.
"Thank you, Sebas..." Taking it, Selene wiped her forehead before sitting casually on the steps leading to the throne.
"Now comes the internal restructuring," she said.
A flicker of violet light gleamed in her hand as she opened the Complete Book of the World · Rongo Rongo, letting it float before her.
The crown of chaotic light above her head began to emit a soft radiance, and a single wisp of luminous energy descended, merging into the Teigu hovering before her.
Buzz—
When the trembling light around the Complete Book of the World finally stilled, its previous earthen hue—reminiscent of feral Danger Beasts—was replaced by a radiant hue of emerald-gold. The golden brilliance shimmered with an almost otherworldly sense of solidity and awe.
At that moment, the Complete Book of the World · Rongo Rongo transcended the boundaries of an ordinary Teigu. Though it offered no enhancement to its wielder's combat power, it now represented the highest level of authority beneath Selene herself—an artifact to aid her in governing the world.
Retaining its original capabilities of mapping, detection, recording, and prophecy, it had now gained many new functions—though still, none for battle.
Gazing at the hovering tome, Selene spoke calmly: "Display Budo's status."
Instantly, responding to her command, the book's open pages shifted—one side revealing Budo's current location and marching speed, the other displaying his image, leading the victorious army back toward the Capital.
Even sound accompanied the projection!
On the shimmering page, the image of Great General Budo appeared, riding a warhorse in shining armor, surrounded by the endless ranks of Imperial soldiers marching in formation.
"It seems my precision control worked perfectly," Selene said with a soft chuckle. "They don't even realize their entire world has been moved."
Amused and delighted by her new "toy," Selene's weariness vanished. "Mirror, mirror on the wall—oh wait, no, magic book, show me Esdeath's status."
Moments later, the pages shifted again, revealing Esdeath's location and a live image of her riding atop a massive Danger Beast.
It even displayed Sheele helping her parents at their restaurant.
Dr. Stylish performing experiments in the northern laboratory.
Liver and Run managing state affairs at the Imperial City Bureau.
Even the Dark Hand trio, living on a surviving fragment of Earth from the Jackie Chan Adventures world within the Honkai Dimension.
...
"Tch, this feels a bit like spying..." Selene waved her hand, dismissing the projections, though the amused smile at her lips refused to fade.
Although the book couldn't display scenes from Academy City—only those of worlds she had conquered and absorbed—Selene was more than satisfied.
The Complete Book of the World truly was the finest Teigu for a ruler.
"Well, enough playing around," she said, her expression sharpening. "It's time... to truly remake heaven and earth."
As soon as the words left her lips, the book reacted to her will. Its pages turned rapidly, displaying a vast map of the continental plates.
North, south, east, and west—spanning tens of thousands of miles—the entire Imperial territory, including its seas, was laid out in perfect clarity.
"This real-time mapping function is quite convenient," she mused.
Placing her hand upon the book, Selene focused her will.
And at that moment, the land of the Empire—positioned at the heart of the Honkai Dimension's supercontinent—began to transform.
Centered around the Imperial Capital, the east, west, south, and north responded to her command as tremors rippled through the earth.
Before the astonished eyes of countless Imperial citizens, their world began to expand and reshape itself.
In the south, the mountain ranges that once blocked all passage became smooth highways; in the west, the arid deserts that had devoured life turned into fertile plains and forests; in the north...
"And now, the Capital," Selene said, turning toward Sebas. "You've always had so many grand architectural plans—and complained there wasn't enough space within the city, haven't you? Well, Sebas, the Capital's new expansion... is yours to design."