"...They're the future high-ranking officers of your Valkyrie forces."
Hearing Esdeath's words, Arisa turned around with an appraising gaze, looking down from midway up the grand staircase before the main hall.
The construction of Schönbrunn Palace originated from the ruins of the former Imperial Palace. Even though the terrain of the Imperial Capital had changed drastically compared to the past, it still stood at the city's highest point.
Standing upon the steps of the outer court's main hall, looking down from above, the view was majestic and imposing, the horizon vast and open. If one's eyesight were sharp enough, it was not impossible to overlook the entire Imperial Capital.
Though the courtyard plaza below was lined with palace guards standing watch, and Royal Guard patrols, Sisters of Silence, and rotating attendants passed by from time to time, this place felt like the void itself—silent, hollow, and boundless.
Only when the breeze swept through did the rows of bronze chime bells along the palace sides occasionally produce a faint sound within the vast stillness.
Tick—
White jade steps. Marble flooring.
Though the echo of disordered footsteps was faint, within such a desolate and open space, it sounded strikingly clear.
It began in the distance and gradually drew nearer.
As they approached, the sound shifted from mere footsteps into the clear, rhythmic clicking of high heels.
A figure clad in golden armor—a Royal Guard—came into view. Behind him, on either side, stood the leaders of the group: one tall and one short, one golden-haired and one white-haired.
Durandal and Rita, Theresa, Kiana and Raiden Mei, Fu Hua and Senti, Bronya and Seele, the Olenyeva sisters, Li Sushang, and Pardofelis—thirteen Valkyries in total.
Automatically skipping over the short one, Arisa's gaze landed on the blonde with flowing waves. Clad in white battle attire, she exuded heroic vigor.
"Durandal... that's her name, right?"
"Oh? You know her?"
"We met once in Kolosten Town. She seemed to be the supreme commander of Schicksal's Valkyrie forces—something like an acting Archbishop as well. Mm. If it's her... she should be very strong."
"Mm. Very strong—and with extraordinary potential." Esdeath's sharp gaze rested on the valiant knight princess. "Personally, I think she is among these people..."
She shook her head lightly, fingers tapping against her folded arm.
"No, that's not quite accurate. I should say she is the greatest treasure of that world." After a pause, Esdeath added, "The greatest treasure we have obtained so far."
"Such high praise?" Arisa's curiosity deepened.
"Mm." Spreading her hands, Esdeath shrugged. "Of course, that's only my personal opinion."
Arisa nodded vaguely, quietly observing the Valkyries who walked in pairs, almost as if bound together.
Their relationships seemed close, yet their boundaries oddly distinct.
Cliques?
Most of them walked two by two—except for a few unfortunate "single" ones...
"Bronya-nee... I'm scared."
Walking along the seemingly endless imperial avenue, Seele's gaze flickered nervously as she clutched Bronya's hand. Her fingertips were slick with sweat.
Opposite of claustrophobia—after being trapped within the Sea of Quanta, vast open spaces made Seele uneasy.
If it were a bustling environment filled with noise, she would be fine. But in a wide-open space paired with suffocating silence, fear would rise uncontrollably.
Around them, at fixed intervals, palace guards stood like statues. Their armor patterns and insignias differed according to their legion origins, yet they were arranged in perfectly uniform formations.
All were elites selected from the various Astartes Legions, rotated annually.
Somewhat reminiscent of the imperial attendants of ancient Shenzhou—guardians of the gates, defenders within the palace, cavalry when deployed, and governors when assigned outward.
"Don't be afraid, Seele. Bronya will always stay with you." The gray-haired girl tightened her hold on the boneless-soft hand in hers.
The golden-armored Royal Guard ascended the steps and stopped more than a dozen steps below Arisa and Esdeath, who were waiting above. He placed a hand over his chest and bowed.
"Lady Arisa. General Esdeath."
After the two returned the gesture, the Royal Guard cast a brief glance behind him before striding up the steps alone with steady, powerful steps, not sparing Kiana and the others another look.
"What are you standing around for?" Esdeath chuckled at their tense posture. "Come. Time to hear about your future destination."
With that, Esdeath nodded to Arisa and turned to ascend.
Durandal and Theresa exchanged a glance before following.
It was nearing noon. The blazing sun hung overhead.
As they climbed the grand staircase before the outer hall, their shadows were pinned directly beneath their feet. Viewed from above, the vast stairway seemed to host only a few moving black dots—insignificant and small.
Taking a deep breath, Kiana looked up.
Thousands of steps. The flooring laid in massive stone slabs. Gilded wall bands gleaming in sunlight. Towering gate pillars rising from carved bases, inlaid with rare jewels.
The extravagance of the architecture surpassed anything she had ever heard of.
Even with mental preparation, the visual impact was overwhelming.
"Selene-sister..."
As she prepared to meet Selene once again, the sensation within her was entirely different from before.
It was almost instinctive awe—a creature's reverence toward something vast.
Was it the Empire's might? The majesty of the palace? Her own insecurity? Or her complicated emotions toward Selene...
Perhaps all of them.
Within the grand palace halls, the Imperial Capital's splendor was suffocating. The feeling was far stronger than when she had previously met Selene aboard the Imperial Navy flagship.
Under such a colossal Empire, how small were individual humans—no, even an entire planet, an entire world?
Suddenly—
Thud! Thud!
Just as Kiana's thoughts spiraled, the steady sound of armored boots echoed, accompanied by the crisp clatter of weapons.
The Lord of the Ultramarines stepped forward clad in blue armor, the resonant clash of shield and spear accompanying his entrance.
Beneath a laurel crown, golden hair came into view.
With the Judgment of Shamash slung at his waist, standing tall and proud, unable to conceal the smile tugging at his lips, Roboute's eyes lit up the instant he saw Esdeath and Arisa.
"Lady Arisa. Esdeath."
"Roboute, judging by that spring-in-your-step look, Her Majesty must have given you something good again. Care to give me a hint?" Esdeath clicked her tongue lightly.
"No, nothing that fast," Roboute replied with a smile. "By Her Majesty's favor, I've merely been entrusted with a task."
"A task? A pleasant one—or a troublesome one?"
"Who knows?" Roboute spread his hands. "But with the strength of my Ultramarines Legion, even a troublesome assignment can be turned into a favorable one."
With that, he waved dismissively. "Duty calls. We'll talk when we have time." As he passed Kiana and the others, he cast them a meaningful glance before striding away.
Watching the blue-armored giant depart, Esdeath stroked her chin thoughtfully. "A favorable task, hm? I think I understand."
As she spoke, the view ahead suddenly opened up. The space atop the staircase was vast beyond measure. Steeling herself, Esdeath addressed the Royal Guard commander stationed nearby.
"Please inform Her Majesty that Esdeath requests an audience."
The words had barely left her mouth when the Royal Guard commander stepped aside.
"General Esdeath. Valkyries of Schicksal. By prior order of Her Majesty—enter."
"Enter the hall!" the attendant at the palace doors called out loudly.
Exchanging glances with Kiana and the others behind her, Esdeath nodded and, guided by the attendant, stepped forward first.
The moment she crossed the threshold, Sebas' stern voice echoed from within.
"...For civilizations where information and communication technologies have already matured, people's thoughts become overly active. At such times, you must impose proper rectification."
"Roboute's Thirteenth Legion will be responsible for maintaining social order, restoring armament production, and organizing Servitor Army formations. You, meanwhile, will oversee internal administration—with priority placed upon reshaping the hearts of the people."
It was that old gentleman's voice.
Following behind Fu Hua with lowered eyes, Senti—choosing prudence for once—felt her ears twitch slightly at the sound.
The next moment—
"Although I have promised to avoid unnecessary slaughter, do not allow my previous conciliatory declaration to bind your hands. For those who seek death, show no mercy. That is to protect the greater number."
"And to reduce further bloodshed, for those who resist without sense—add punishment upon punishment. Uproot them entirely."
Selene's tone was cold.
Even Durandal, who had just stepped into the hall, could not help but shiver slightly. The others instinctively lowered their heads.
"As you command! I swear not to fail in this duty. Should I do so, I shall answer with my life!"
Kneeling on both knees, arms raised high, a civil official in formal attire received the appointment decree as Planetary Governor of a centrally administered world.
In the next instant—
"Pay respects!" a commanding voice thundered.
"Your Majesty!"
Without hesitation, Esdeath and Arisa knelt on one knee.
Kiana and the others felt their minds waver, instinctively preparing to kneel as well.
"Stop. Not yet. I require clarification first," Selene's voice rang out.
Their bent bodies froze awkwardly before straightening again.
"Durandal. Kiana. Fu Hua. Theresa..."
At the far end of the great hall, beneath a towering amber relief wall, stood a gold-forged imperial throne inlaid with jewels of every kind. Under the illumination of the palace lights, the gemstones and golden throne radiated an indescribable sense of sanctity.
Calling out each name in turn, Selene interlaced her fingers and looked down with faint amusement at the Schicksal group standing thousands of steps away near the entrance.
"Now, I will confirm once more. Have you truly made your decision? To become soldiers of the Empire—or to retire into pastoral seclusion."
"Once chosen, it cannot be altered. Your choice."
From the outset, Selene made her position unmistakably clear—absolute authority in command.
Faced with the sudden demand, they found themselves momentarily at a loss.
Especially a certain cat-eared individual.
Selene's sharp eyes did not miss how Pardofelis, standing at the very rear, seemed to be shrinking behind Li Sushang.
"Answer me! I have fulfilled my promise. The Thirteenth Legion has already been dispatched to rebuild your world. It will soon regain vitality. Before long, a healthy world free from Honkai Eruptions will emerge."
Her regal voice reverberated through the hall.
"Your Majesty Selene, this is our answer."
Pulling Senti, her disciple Li Sushang, and Pardofelis—successor of the Flame-Chasers—forward, Fu Hua knelt on one knee, meeting Selene's gaze without flinching.
"We have made our decision!"
"Hm..."
Selene's brows lifted slightly in surprise.
Unexpectedly, it was Theresa who represented Kiana's side in voicing their stance. That, Selene had not anticipated.
Bronya and Seele did seem somewhat swept along, but Selene did not particularly mind. A unified position was, in the end, beneficial.
"Rise. No need for formalities."
Seated upon the vast throne, Selene flicked a finger. With precise control, an invisible force lifted them smoothly to their feet.
Truly the blood of the Kaslanas.
Their leaders all possessed that knightly heart—concerned for the nation and its people.
To expect them to idle carelessly would be difficult.
Selene thought as much.
Though Theresa bore the Apocalypse name, her blood was undeniably Kaslana. As for Kiana and Durandal—there was no need to elaborate.
Resting her right hand upon the armrest, Selene tapped the carved jade surface rhythmically with her index finger.
"Very well. Until the reorganization of the Valkyrie units and Servitor Army formations is complete, I will not assign you missions. Esdeath and Sebas will instruct you for a time."
She shifted terminology naturally as she continued.
"Order."
"The Schicksal Valkyrie forces are hereby separated from the authority of the Planetary Governor's Office and placed under direct jurisdiction of the Imperial Ministry of War. Together with the Sisters of Battle, they shall be incorporated under Arisa's command, with General Esdeath assisting."
As Selene spoke, the imperial officials lined along the steps beside the throne immediately began recording the decree.
Taking advantage of the pause, Kiana and the others exhaled quietly. The oppressive gaze that had been fixed upon them from the moment they entered seemed to lift slightly.
Only then did they cautiously observe the hall in detail.
From the ceiling of the central chamber hung a massive golden crystal chandelier. Genuine natural golden crystals formed exquisite bulbs mounted upon frames of precious metal, fixed to the vaulted dome and casting a dignified, pale-gold radiance over the entire space.
The hall was vast and empty—yet strangely, not a single load-bearing pillar stood within it.
Though there were few decorative ornaments, the grandeur was overwhelming. The floor, paved in a single expanse of marbel, was spotless, engraved with refined and elegant patterns.
At the base of the throne's steps stood a formation of Royal Guards wielding master-crafted power halberds. To either side, imperial officials stood arranged according to civil and military distinction, ordered by rank and proximity to the Emperor.
Position determined status—and intimacy with the sovereign.
Unable to resist, Senti tried to sneak a glance toward Selene upon the imperial dais.
From her angle, however, she instead saw the white-haired old man standing closest to the throne.
His eyes, though aged in appearance, were razor-sharp and brimming with vitality as they fixed upon her.
"For the second time we meet, ladies," Sebas said calmly. "Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Sebas. I will serve, for the time being, as one of your instructors. I look forward to working with you."
Within the vast hall, a feral gleam reflected in his eyes.
"Your training is about to begin."