The imperial capital basked under the blazing sun.
The fresh weather seemed only to amplify the jubilation among the people. One victory report after another from the counterinsurgency forces sent the entire capital into a frenzy of celebration.
"Report! Another victory! Great General Budo has annihilated the last remaining Southern rebel forces! The Empire is now free of major rebellions and unified once more!"
The news of Budo's imminent return to the capital ignited the crowd's spirits like fuel to fire.
Each weekly report of triumph had already driven the people into excited discussions, but this latest victory delivered a frenzy even greater than before. The head of the Southern Rebellion's leader had barely cooled on the city walls, and now an even more thrilling announcement was here!
To say it fanned the flames would be an understatement. The capital was alive with the most jubilant uproar in recent memory; the waves of cheers grew louder and more synchronized, sweeping across the entire city.
"Victory to the Empire!"
"Long live the Empire!"
"Long live Her Majesty, Empress Selene!"
The year 1024 of the Imperial Calendar had been a time of drastic upheavals for ordinary citizens. The former Prime Minister Honest was executed, the imperial court purged, the young Emperor assassinated, and the formidable Great General Selene assumed the throne in the wake of the rebellion.
At first, the people were troubled by these events. And the uprisings in the southern territories only cast a heavier gloom over their lives. Though no one doubted the military prowess of the new Empress, the populace still questioned her administrative abilities.
Their fears were that if the nation fell into prolonged conflict or governmental chaos, their lives would worsen.
But over time, Selene (with her subordinates Sebas, Leiva, and Run) showed competent governance, while Budo swiftly crushed the rebellious Southern factions. Selene's reputation and strength became widely recognized, and with the consolidation of imperial governance, all key administrative departments fell into her hands.
Even the foreign tribes and local chieftains within the Empire began swearing allegiance to Selene.
No one could hope to match her power now—not with an overwhelming military force at her command.
Faced with this reality, these regional leaders found themselves at a crossroads. Though some had initially considered waiting for a weakened empire, they were now keen to submit rather than risk annihilation.
Rather than risk being wiped out entirely, they chose to kneel low, their expressions twisted with resentment at how quickly the empire had re-stabilized under Selene's iron grip.
In the end, unable to resist, these leaders had submitted. They just had to accept her rule and hope for favorable treatment. The thought had Selene chuckling as she observed the official letters of submission piling up in her throne room.
"Since when did I acquire so many grandsons?"
In truth, this decision saved them. Selene had already sent Alex and his elite Astartes after the most rebellious of these lords.
Inside the imperial palace, in the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Selene lay reclining on a high platform adorned with a luxurious carpet.
Before her, a large recessed square in the center of the hall contained a massive, three-dimensional model of the empire's territories.
"Your Majesty," an attendant said, entering and bowing deeply, "glorious news: most of the Southern Rebellion's forces have been eradicated. Great General Budo has left a sufficient garrison in the south and is en route back to the capital."
The attendant knelt, holding the report high above his head.
"Very well, I understand. Go and collect your reward," Selene instructed, signaling for Alyssa to retrieve the report.
"This means the Empire is officially unified, even if only nominally. My congratulations, Your Majesty," Sebas said, holding the World Chronicle as he stood beside the model. He removed the Southern Rebellion's flag and replaced it with a new imperial banner—a double-headed eagle embracing the sun.
"It truly is something to celebrate." Selene quickly scanned Budo's report and placed it beside her on a low table before rising.
"I can feel it. This world itself is rejoicing at my presence. The time has come to claim the fruit."
Imperial unification, even nominally, had its advantages, to say the least.
"It's time, then... I understand," Sebas replied, closing the World Chronicle and stepping up to hand it to Selene.
"Milady, may you achieve success."
"I will..." Selene said confidently as she thumbed through the World Chronicle. "After ten years of preparation, it has finally accepted me."
"Apart from Alyssa and Sebas, everyone else is dismissed."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Descend and come to me," she intoned. At her command, a swirling, chaotic light broke through the void, curling around her.
Across the capital, every citizen felt a tremor in their souls, as if something profoundly important had arrived.
But unlike the worlds of The Walking Dead or Jackie Chan Adventures, where fear and animosity had arisen, the core of this world responded to Selene's essence with affection. It sensed her energy—laden with a desire to dominate and reshape—but showed no fear. Instead, it nuzzled closer.
"Come." At her call, the chaotic glow intensified above her, forming a crown-like structure that pulsed atop her head.
Obeying Selene's command, the chaotic light that represented the world's ownership quickly fused into the crown above her, emanating a radiant yet ethereal glow.
"Ahh...that familiar sensation." She closed her eyes, and a profound joy spread across her face.
Her connection with this world was established, not through forced erosion or invasion but by the world's voluntary submission. Now, the entirety of this world could be seamlessly drawn into her dimension without any loss.
After all, forced infiltration would inevitably result in damage. Even without hostility, a foreign force would naturally meet resistance—wasting energy, resources, and more.
So Selene had taken a different path, establishing mastery from within so that the world's consciousness would accept her willingly.
Selene's awareness extended outward to the edge of the world. Suppressing any resistance and maintaining the world's natural order, she concealed the entire process from the creatures within it.
And then she opened the long-prepared "pocket."
With a deep hum, a wave of crimson light spread across the world of Akame ga Kill. Slowly, ever so slowly, this vast world began to sink, like a ship descending into water, and was inevitably drawn into the Honkai Dimension.
Time passed unmarked, and the world of Akame ga Kill finally merged with the Honkai Dimension.
Selene now controlled every facet of the world's landscape, keeping its continental plates stable. Her body, encased in purple light, disappeared from the imperial palace and reappeared on the boundless red-tinged terrain of her dimension.
With the power of both the Honkai Dimension and the core of Akame ga Kill empowering her, Selene quietly dismantled and flattened the planet this world called home, without disturbing the lives of its inhabitants.
She then carefully placed the Empire's "continent," within a massive central plain near the primary peaks.
"Phew... Such delicate control is exhausting," she muttered, wiping sweat from her brow.
"But it was worth it!" With the final step in place, the Honkai Dimension was officially formed!
Back in the imperial palace, a glowing portal appeared, and Selene stepped through, returning to the Hall of Cultivation.
Sebas, waiting with an anxious expression, looked up as she entered. She nodded reassuringly. "Sebas, did you notice anything unusual?"
"No, Milady. Congratulations on your success." He walked over, offering her a handkerchief.
"Thank you, Sebas." She took it and wiped her brow before flopping unceremoniously onto the steps leading to the throne.
"Now, it's time for the final adjustments."
Holding the World Chronicle before her, she summoned a thread of etheric light from the crown above her head and directed it into the Imperial Arm in her hands.
As the luminous orb around the World Chronicle stopped trembling and dispersed, its old, menacing hue was replaced with a dazzling gold and jade color—a symbol of its new form as a tool of control.
This World Chronicle was no longer just an Imperial Arm. Although it didn't enhance combat abilities, it now represented Selene's supreme authority. Along with its previous functions of mapping, detection, recording, and prophecy, it now held many additional capabilities. And it needed no combat enhancements.
"Show me Budo's status," Selene ordered.
Instantly, responding to her command, the World Chronicle displayed his current location and marching speed, with an image showing Budo leading his forces back to the capital.
And there was sound too?
Watching the live projection of Budo astride his steed, clad in heavy armor and surrounded by imperial troops, Selene felt an irrepressible thrill.
"It seems I controlled the relocation perfectly. They're still oblivious to the fact that their world has already moved."
Brimming with excitement, she couldn't resist testing more features. "Magic Mirror or Magic Book, I suppose? Show me Esdeath's status."
The World Chronicle quickly showed Esdeath's position and her real-time image riding on a beast, hurrying through the wilderness.
Elsewhere, Sheele was helping her family's restaurant; Dr. Stylish was conducting experiments in his northern lab; Leiva and Run were managing internal affairs within the Capital Bureau. Even the mafia trio was visible, living on a chunk of Earth within the Honkai Dimension.
"Amazing," she muttered, grinning as she closed the view. Although she couldn't monitor Academy City, the World Chronicle displayed everything she ruled within the conquered worlds. It was perfect.
"Alright," she said, rising to her feet. "Let's begin transforming the heavens and the earth."
At Selene's command, the World Chronicle displayed the entire map of the imperial territory, spanning countless miles from east to west, north to south, including the surrounding seas.
"With this tool of real-time change at my fingertips…"
As she pressed her hand against the pages, the imperial lands were reshaped to her will.
Centering on the capital, the World Chronicle caused tremors to ripple across the continent.
In awe, imperial citizens watched as their world rapidly expanded and transformed.
In the south, impassable mountain barriers opened; in the west, deserts were reclaimed as land and forest; in the north…
"And now for the capital… Sebas, you always wanted to bring grander designs to life but complained about limited space. Here is your expanded capital—design it however you like."
"Here," Selene said, handing the World Chronicle over to Sebas. "The expansion of the imperial capital—I'd like you to oversee its design."
Underneath Selene herself, Sebas was granted the highest level of authority within this newly enhanced World Chronicle. Upon Selene's direct approval, the user could exercise a portion of her powers. Of course, the Honkai Dimension would still prioritize Selene's will as its first standard, refusing to execute any conflicting commands from the World Chronicle's temporary user.
"Entrust this to me?" Sebas was momentarily stunned as he accepted the World Chronicle from her hands.
"Yes, to you…" Selene took a sip of her tea, smiling. "And if you have ideas, you could even oversee the planning of the entire imperial territory."
"Weren't you always saying you studied at the Academy of Fine Arts and Architecture in Vienna? I believe you're much more suited to this than I am," she remarked.
After a moment of silence, Sebas showed a faintly mischievous smile. "In that case, Your Majesty, prepare yourself for this old servant's finest masterpiece."
With that, he unfolded the World Chronicle, beginning an intricate layout of the empire's territory as he described his vision to Selene.
"Your Majesty, here lies the Empire's southern mountains. They stretch from north to south, seriously hindering trade between the eastern and western regions…"
Compared to Selene's minor alterations, Sebas's modifications were far more ambitious and elaborate. All natural barriers that once obstructed food transport, military deployment, trade, and central governance were transformed.
Using the capital as the central hub, with each provincial capital as a node and new thoroughfares traversing the former barriers, a vast, interconnected network unfolded, covering the empire's vast lands.
These roads widened and solidified, with each main highway of the empire branching into countless secondary routes. Older roads, previously narrow or worn, were instantly transformed into broad, compacted pathways, formed from compressed earth, strong and level. Sebas, with his keen eye, established standardized roads, forcing all routes to adhere to one common measure.
Each citizen looked on in awe, jaws dropped as they watched the seemingly divine transformations take place before them.
They could hardly believe what was happening! Though the Empire's officials had not declared anything, citizens connected these miracles to recent events—the execution of the treacherous Chancellor Honest, the assassination of the puppet Emperor, and the rise of the new Empress Selene, leading the Empire toward unification.
With the new Empress's ascent and the Empire unified, many now saw this as divine intervention. This widespread belief only strengthened the people's respect and reverence for Selene, even viewing her as a divine avatar.
Observing Sebas's work within the World Chronicle, Selene couldn't help but marvel. Supernatural abilities certainly made agriculture and infrastructure much more efficient. What should have taken national resources and decades—possibly even centuries—was now achieved with little more than pointing and planning from within the palace.
"Amazing…" Selene murmured to herself.
"Then I'll leave it to you, Sebas," she said.
"These are merely the drafts, My Lady. The final work will require further detailing from local officials," Sebas clarified, as Selene yawned and rose to leave.
"Understood. Any uncooperative officials, just deal with them directly. Inform Gensa and the prison warden—they're experts in this," she instructed. "Show these rats their place if they forget whom they're dealing with."
Selene knew Sebas would need the help; this grand reconstruction was the broad outline, after all, and not without its flaws. It wasn't the World Chronicle's fault, but rather human error, which would require adjustments over time.
She could micromanage if necessary, but neither her energy nor interest allowed for such an exhaustive role. The skeleton was built; local officials could handle the finishing touches. If any couldn't fulfill their duties, the solution was simple—replacement.
"Of course, My Lady," Sebas replied, bowing with a hand over his chest. "Please take some rest, and by tomorrow, you will see a new imperial capital."
"Yes, I will. It's all in your hands now. Come, Alyssa." With a yawn, Selene left the Hall of Mental Cultivation, heading for her private chambers.
It had taken a great deal of effort to relocate Akame ga Kill's world into the Honkai Dimension's supercontinent without causing damage or disrupting life within. Now that an entire civilization was alive within the Honkai Dimension, Selene could say that the dimension's civilization had truly begun.
The next phase… a surge in military technology, a massive empire-wide infrastructure project, and—most crucial of all—an extensive expansion of the Astartes Legion!
She could test these developments in a few smaller-scale conquests to come. And, with Mine likely already engaged in the Holy Grail War in the Type-Moon universe, it was time to pass on her own message to the Type-Moon world.
As she walked down the hallway toward her chambers, her thoughts turned over many plans. She glanced at the palatial structures lining her path—many of them long abandoned.
The imperial family had once been numerous, but since Honest's rise to power, only one direct heir had survived. It was the strongest who defined everything in the end.
"Your Majesty…" The head maid standing at the entrance to Selene's quarters looked startled to see her return at this hour. Selene usually did not return to her chambers until well after midnight.
Noting her tired expression, the maid quickly raised her voice to alert the palace staff, "Quickly! Bring a meal, prepare a bath! Her Majesty is fatigued and needs to rest…"