Imperial Capital, Palace City, Imperial Guard Headquarters
"In recent years, as one of the Empire's only two highly influential generals, hasn't General Selene been a bit too relaxed?" Honest sat across from Selene at her desk, wiping his greasy hands as he spoke, his mouth full of oil.
"Titles like these aren't worth worrying about... More money, less work, closer to home, with high rank and little responsibility," Selene replied, her lips curling into a smile as she said indifferently, "That's the life I'm after."
"An occasional heavy workload is fine, keeps me sharp and prevents me from falling into a slump. But if heavy work becomes the norm, to the point where I can't even take a vacation, what's the point?"
"Hahahaha... What a delightful perspective, General." Honest laughed heartily.
"However, judging by the rate at which your influence is expanding in the north, General Selene, it won't be long before you could become the sole general in power."
Selene didn't respond, merely acknowledging his comment with a faint nod, continuing her work calmly.
...
Seeing that Selene still hadn't given a clear response and was methodically handling military affairs, Honest began to feel irritated. "General, have you given any thought to my proposal?"
"With the increasing instability across the Empire recently, both the Imperial Capital Guard and the Imperial Assassination Unit require more advanced weaponry to ensure they can better serve the Empire... which is why I hope Dr. Stylish can get involved..."
"Twenty percent," Selene said coolly, lifting her head.
"..." After a moment of silence, Honest gritted his teeth, clearly reluctant. "Ten percent!"
"Deal." Selene swiftly signed the military order and handed it over. "Go to the Imperial Technology Bureau on the outskirts of the capital. The person in charge there knows what to do."
With that, Selene gestured towards the door. "Alyssa, show him out."
"Yes!" At Selene's command, Alyssa, who had been standing obediently in the corner, sprang into action. Expressionless, she stepped forward and said, "Minister Honest, this way, please."
She even opened the door for him, ensuring he could leave without delay.
"Hmph..." Honest snorted as he took the signed order, turned on his heel, and stormed out.
Honest was fuming inside! If he had known that Dr. Stylish, this genius, was part of the Empire's Science Bureau, he would never have allowed it to fall into Selene's control!
Now the Science Bureau had become part of Selene's sphere of influence.
Whether it was the new army units Honest had established, which needed the latest equipment, or the assassination unit, which required enhanced drugs, everything had to go through Selene's approval. Without her say-so, even money couldn't buy what was needed!
To obtain Selene's approval, Honest had been forced into signing one unfair agreement after another. Like this time, Selene had demanded ten percent of his annual earnings (bribes, tribute money, and ill-gotten gains).
The more Honest thought about it, the angrier he became, almost tempted to use his ministerial powers to forcibly take back control of the Science Bureau. But... no, he wasn't ready to die just yet.
Bang!
After the door closed, Alyssa let out a sigh of relief and flashed a smile as she walked back to Selene, grumbling.
"Queen, these people are so hypocritical."
Her voice was filled with confusion.
"Clearly, you don't care about his opinions, yet you pretend to consider them."
"Clearly, you've thought about killing him, yet you let him live. Why not just deal with him directly? And that fat man, too. He clearly wants to kill you, but holds himself back…"
"I don't understand why you put up with such disgusting people. Doesn't it tire you?"
"It's exhausting, no doubt. But at the same time, it's quite enjoyable." Selene laughed at Alyssa's barrage of questions.
"This is the nature of politics. Since I've chosen this path and decided to play by their rules, I must follow those rules. Sure, it's tiring, but it's also a way to sharpen one's mind, isn't it?"
"To fight against others is endlessly entertaining! If you rely solely on brute strength and not your mind, trouble will eventually find you. Force is never the first option."
"Remember, the struggles of intelligent beings are different from animals because we think more, so we can achieve more. And most importantly, if you want to be a competent ruler, how could it ever be easy?"
"Oh..." Alyssa nodded, still a bit unsure but trying to understand.
"One more thing..." Selene put down her pen and stood up, walking over to Alyssa, and pinched her soft cheek.
"How many times have I told you these past few days? Don't call me Queen. Call me Selene, or General, or even Sister!"
"Wuwu… I got it, Que—"
"Hm?"
"Uh... General..."
"That's better. Come on, it's almost noon, ask [Susanoo] to prepare lunch." Selene let go of her, smiling.
"Yes!" Alyssa responded enthusiastically.
By now, it had been three days since Alyssa gained her new body and officially appeared in public as Selene's personal head maid.
As for Alyssa's hostility toward Sebas, it had been resolved in a completely unexpected way—over a single meal.
It turned out Alyssa was a glutton! All it took was a loaf of bread, and Sebas had won her over!
...
At noon, while Selene was teasing Alyssa playfully, they suddenly heard hurried footsteps and the sound of metal armor clanking outside the hall. A moment later, a guard on duty entered.
"General, the Imperial Assassination Unit requests an audience."
"The Assassination Unit?" Selene raised her hand. "Let them in."
"Yes!" The guard from the First Legion quickly brought the member of the Assassination Unit into the dining hall.
Limping into the grand dining hall was a man with long golden hair—Gozuki. Upon seeing the silver-haired figure, he disregarded his injuries, immediately kneeling before Selene.
"Gozuki of the Imperial Assassination Unit pays his respects to the General. I beg your pardon for intruding unannounced, and I ask for your forgiveness."
Selene observed Gozuki and quickly searched her memory for information about him.
Gozuki, the instructor of the elite group within the Imperial Assassination Unit, and a loyal subordinate of the Minister, ultimately met his end at the hands of Akame, with his Imperial Arm [Murasame] taken from him.
"The Assassination Unit's instructor? We've had no interactions before, have we? Hmm... explain your purpose."
Gasping for breath, Gozuki quickly said, "I've come to seek aid from the General."
"Oh?" Selene raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What happened?"
"The elite squad of the Assassination Unit was ambushed by the southern rebels..."