"Let him in."
"Yes!" The attendant did not dare hesitate and responded immediately.
Exhaling a soft breath of warm air, Selene murmured quietly. The drowsiness of her body combined perfectly with the medicinal bath, making the comfort almost overwhelming. Soaking for so long had made her reactions somewhat sluggish as she slowly rose from the bottom of the pool, her eyes slightly unfocused.
Steam billowed through the chamber.
Clear droplets slid down the woman's luminous skin.
She possessed a graceful, curvaceous figure, her form elegant and well-proportioned, defined by soft, full curves. Smooth, clear skin complemented her slender arms, while her shapely legs flowed into well-formed thighs and calves, giving her silhouette a natural harmony. With her flawless, lustrous complexion, she appeared radiant, poised, and undeniably captivating.
Her long silver-white hair hung damp across the generous fullness of her chest, radiating a quiet charm that was constantly alluring.
Snap!
With a light flick of her fingertip, expanding Honkai energy instantly evaporated the droplets clinging to her hair and body. Immediately afterward, a simple white robe materialized, covering the breathtaking beauty beneath.
Selene sat down at the edge of the indoor hot spring pool.
Her thighs—uncovered by boots or additional clothing—hung freely in the air.
Lowering her spotless white feet into the warm water, her delicate toes spread slightly, revealing crystal-like toenails. As she gently moved her legs, the surface of the pool—covered in rose petals—rippled outward in delicate rings stirred by the graceful movement of her feet.
"Your Majesty," Sebas' deep, steady voice sounded from beyond the screen.
"Ah, Sebas. Come in." Leaning lazily against the carved marbel armrest beside the pool, Selene turned her head and spoke in a relaxed tone.
"Then this old servant shall intrude," Sebas said.
The screen slid aside as he stepped inside with quiet, measured footsteps.
"Milady..."
What an elegant posture.
Looking at the white-haired figure beside the hot spring pool, Sebas offered sincere praise.
Though she wore only a plain household robe, perhaps it was simply Sebas' own bias, but in his eyes Selene merely sitting there naturally exuded the aura of someone above all others—like a supreme queen.
Cold and rational.
Elegant yet deadly.
Proud, yet razor sharp.
"Milady, the ladies you mentioned—Kaslana, Ataegina, Rossweisse and the others—this old servant has already met them..."
As he spoke, Sebas suddenly froze mid-step.
His heart nearly stopped.
So this was the problem with his lady-education program—the problem had always been at the source. No wonder from Esdeath to Arisa, not a single one had succeeded.
Before Sebas' stunned eyes, Selene casually beckoned for an attendant to bring her a chilled soda. Crossing one leg over the other, she tilted her head back and began drinking boldly.
Gulp, gulp, gulp.
The malt-scented soda flowed from the corner of Selene's mouth, sliding down her neck before trailing into the gentle valley of her cleavage.
"Ah—now that's refreshing!"
Then, completely without self-awareness, Selene wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and let out a long, satisfied breath.
"Milady!"
Only then reacting, Sebas exclaimed in shock, momentarily forgetting what he had intended to report.
"How can you behave like that?!"
"That is far too inelegant! Far too crude!"
"Oh, Sebas, it's fine, it's fine." Resting her chin on one hand, Selene waved dismissively. "You're not an outsider. Who am I putting on a show for? Of course I'm going to do whatever feels comfortable..."
"Milady! That is the wrong way to think. Elegance, propriety, dignity... these must come from within. They are not things to display differently in front of others. Unity of knowledge and action, consistency inside and out—that is what makes a true gentleman, a true lady."
Instantly energized, Sebas stopped three steps behind Selene and launched into an impassioned lecture.
"Then why do so many billionaires and respected priests end up exposed in scandals about their private morality?" Selene retorted. "Before the truth comes out, who knows they are such beasts in human clothing?"
"That is because they were never true gentlemen! They are nothing but well-dressed beasts! Filth that spoils the entire pot of porridge!"
After his indignant outburst, Sebas returned to a more patient, instructive tone.
"Regardless of others, such matters reflect the inner cultivation of a person—and of a family."
"Yes, yes, I'll change." Raising a hand in mock surrender, Selene lightly brushed her silky white hair back. "Sebas, help me comb my hair."
The small, casual gesture made Sebas sigh softly.
He stepped forward and accepted the finely carved wooden comb from the attendant beside him.
The silver-white strands fell smoothly past her forehead, flowing like soft waves.
Selene's hair reached all the way to her hips, and combing it was always troublesome. Aside from occasionally smoothing it with her powers, she was far too lazy to manage anything complicated.
She could not even style her hair into anything other than straight long hair. It had always been handled by attendants.
First separating the strands, then gathering the hair in one hand and coiling it into a loose knot pinned beneath the comb's rigid teeth, Sebas worked methodically while speaking.
"Milady, what exactly do you intend to do with those ladies?"
"You placed them temporarily within General Esdeath's Jaegers Unit and even asked this old servant to instruct them personally. Surely you do not intend for my teaching to end after a short period?"
Sebas asked.
"Kiana Kaslana. Bianka 'Durandal' Ataegina." Selene replied calmly. "Their resemblance to me—Sebas, you must have noticed it as well."
"Your blood relatives..." Lowering his head, a complicated expression flickered across Sebas' face as he murmured.
"Yes and no. They possess part of my bloodline." In truth, it was more accurate to say the reverse. "They also possess part of my authority. But at the same time, there is no real familial bond between us."
As she idly swung her legs, the rose petals floating on the surface drifted aside, revealing the clear water beneath.
The crimson glow in Selene's eyes reflected upon the surface.
Once Selene had decided to push Kiana and the others into the spotlight, she had never intended to conceal everything completely.
After all, the Empire's upper ranks valued them highly. Their facial features were similar. Their abilities were similar. And the unusually high Honkai resistance possessed by humans of this world could not be hidden forever.
Unless Selene kept them hidden indefinitely.
Or erased every witness.
Otherwise, it was better to leave the matter open to interpretation.
With both Esdeath and Sebas providing support, others could speculate as they wished. Selene had no intention of confirming anything personally.
Whether they believed the girls were the Empress' blood relatives, members of the imperial family, or the last descendants of some branch line—it did not matter to her.
If the matter remained an unspoken consensus, so be it.
But if anyone dared raise it openly...
Selene would personally send that person's entire family to the afterlife.
"Using them to wash away some of the Empire's killing intent—wouldn't that be perfect?"
"True enough. The Empire's military is filled with far too many brutal warriors. What flows from above shapes what follows below. It is time the Empire cooled down a little."
"Once the Valkyrie units and the new planetary Servitor Army formations complete their reorganization, I plan to assign them back to their respective forces as operational commanders."
Only operational commanders—responsible purely for military matters.
For the internal administration of the Honkai world planet, Selene would dispatch centrally appointed officials under her direct authority as planetary governors. Not only administrative power, but also the authority to independently manufacture military equipment, control logistics supply, and receive captured territory and spoils of war would all be removed from them.
It was not that Selene distrusted their integrity.
Rather, they were still far too emotional.
Valkyries tended to possess such tendencies to varying degrees.
During future conquest wars, Selene did not want a few pitiful-looking children suddenly appearing—followed by some silver-tongued persuasion—only for their judgment to falter.
As for why the new regiments recruited from the human population of the Honkai world would also begin at the Servitor Army level, the reason was simple.
Let them earn promotion through merit.
Otherwise, if they performed poorly after Selene elevated them directly to Imperial Auxilia status, would that not make her appear incompetent in judging talent?
In any case, the quality of the recruits would not be low.
Why worry about their inability to earn achievements?
Let a few people die first.
"For the nominal supreme commander of the Valkyrie forces, I intend to appoint Arisa, with Esdeath assisting her. The Inquisition will also arrange oversight—commissars, political officers, and internal infiltration personnel will all be assigned."
"And before that, they will study under Esdeath and you for a period of time," Selene said softly as she plucked rose petals one by one.
"This old servant understands. I will take good care of them," Sebas replied.
...
Imperial Capital — Palace Annex.
"The rain is pretty heavy..."
"Hey, why is it only raining in this area? Mei, look—those districts below don't have any rain at all."
Inside the lakeside pavilion, Kiana and Raiden Mei leaned together beside the half-open wooden window, watching the torrential downpour outside.
The weather in the Imperial Capital was indeed strange.
The boundary between weather zones was far too precise.
The district beside them still basked under a clear sky, yet at the edge of the Palace Annex where they stood, a sudden downpour had begun.
There had been no warning at all.
The rain fell instantly—patter, patter, patter—as if someone on the second or third floor had dumped an entire basin of water downward. Soon the rainfall merged into a dense curtain of water.
"My ladies, this is part of the city's climate regulation system," the attendant serving in the corner of the pavilion explained.
"Climate regulation system?" Curiosity instantly filled Kiana's blue eyes. "You mean the kind of device that can control the seasons—spring, summer, autumn, and winter? Also, you don't have to call me 'my lady.' Just call me Kiana."
The attendant responded with a gentle smile.
"Yes. Whether it is spring, summer, autumn, or winter—or wind, rain, or snow—every natural climate condition within the Imperial Capital can be controlled."
"Because the Imperial Capital is so vast, the distances between districts can span hundreds or even thousands of kilometers. Even within a single city, climate conditions between neighborhoods would vary greatly. That made systematic urban planning and management difficult."
"Therefore, Her Majesty divided the city into climate zones according to districts and wards, then fixed those conditions and delegated control authority to the Imperial Security Division."
"Aside from the standard weather schedules set by officials, if more than sixty-five percent of the residents in a district agree, they may apply to select the weather conditions for the next seven days."
"You can do that too?"
Kiana blinked in surprise and exchanged a look with Fu Hua.
They could now see clearly.
Selene—Her Majesty—definitely had obsessive tendencies.
Very strong ones.
As evening approached outside the window and the bustling night markets prepared to open, the attendant spoke slowly with a gentle smile.
"It will soon be time for dinner. Would the ladies like me to arrange the evening meal?"
"Yes!"
"Perfect! I'm hungry too."
Lying lazily on the cushions, Senti and Li Sushang raised their hands at the same time and spoke in unison.
Afterward, the two looked at each other. Senti suddenly rolled over and jumped to her feet, walking over to Li Sushang and patting her on the shoulder with a solemn expression.
"Good disciple's disciple. Your thoughts are in harmony with your master's."
Durandal and Rita exchanged smiles.
How nice...
Such a bond.
"Rozaliya / Liliya wants some too!" the Olenyeva sisters added amid their playful scuffle.
Just as the attendant prepared to contact the kitchen—
"Wait," Raiden Mei suddenly said.
"Could you provide us with a kitchen, utensils, and ingredients? We'd like to cook for ourselves."
"Mei..."
Leaning beside Seele, Bronya spoke softly. A gentle light flickered in her pale gray eyes before she stood up as well.
"Bronya would also like to cook."
"Mei, you—"
"Kiana, wait a moment. I'll make something delicious for you—just like always," Raiden Mei said gently, like a devoted wife.
After observing the girls carefully for a moment, the attendant nodded.
"Please follow me. The side chamber to the left of this pavilion contains a kitchen. However, meat ingredients may take a short time to arrive. The kitchen usually stocks only common fruits and vegetables."
Leading them through the corridor, the attendant opened a sliding door and gestured toward the spotless cooking counter.
Various common ingredients were neatly arranged there—cabbage, onions, carrots, tomatoes...
Raiden Mei stepped forward and glanced over them before opening the refrigerated cabinet. She selected an egg and asked,
"May I request a whole chicken?"
"Certainly."
Standing at the control terminal near the kitchen entrance, the attendant inserted her identification card and tapped a few commands before looking up.
"Available meat selections deliverable within five minutes today include..."
"Class 1 Danger Beast: Earth Dragon, Ground Tiger, Wood Beast, Octagonal Horse."
"Upper-level Danger Beast: Longxi Monkey, Three-Horned Lion."
"Special-class Danger Beast: Caesar Giant Frog."
"Advanced Savage Beast: Behemoth Giant Beast, Megalodon."
"Thousand-meter-class Sea King..."
"Would you like any of these?"
Raiden Mei blinked.
She did not understand most of what the attendant had just said.
She had never even encountered those creatures before—how was she supposed to know their cooking characteristics?
"No need," someone said.
"Let's keep it simple. Just some black pork, Wagyu beef, and sturgeon will be fine."
"Understood. If you have any additional requests, please inform me and I will arrange them immediately."
Wiping imaginary sweat from her brow, Raiden Mei opened a compartment beneath the counter.
Inside was an entire collection of exquisite Japanese kitchen knives.
She casually selected one and examined it, unable to help sighing.
The difference was astonishing.
This was hardly just a kitchen knife.
It could even withstand Honkai energy.
At that moment, Raiden Mei was once again stunned by the Empire's extravagant luxury.
As expected of equipment supplied to the Imperial Palace itself.
The material of the knife in her hand was nearly comparable to the weapons she had used during her time at St. Freya Academy.
"What does Bronya plan to make?"
"Russian borscht. Mei, what about you?"
"Me? Something Kiana likes..."