"Order the forces under Guilliman and Vulkan to swiftly secure the floating islands over the Mediterranean, controlled by the Schicksal Organization. Spread the message of their Archbishop Theresa and S-rank Valkyrie Durandal's orders to not resist, aiming to minimize casualties as much as possible…"
"Hm?"
While discussing the rapid-conquest strategy for his assigned region with subordinate officers, Alex turned his head at the sound of voices. His gaze shifted to the group of girls, who, according to Lady Alyssa, seemed to have some connection to Her Majesty.
"To meet Her Majesty?"
It really did seem plausible, especially when Alex focused on the sorrowful-looking young girl and the knightly blonde with cascading waves of golden hair.
Though their temperaments differed, their appearances and facial features bore striking resemblances to Selene.
"Kiana, Durandal…"
Linking their presence to Selene's uncharacteristic decision to mobilize twenty full Astartes legions to siege a single world, Alex began to feel like he had stumbled onto a blind spot in his understanding of events.
Smack.
Alex slapped his forehead, inwardly cursing himself. Why am I prying into royal secrets that are none of my business? This is beyond my pay grade!
Keeping his life intact was more important. Let's not ask questions, let's not probe further.
Waving away a report from the auxiliary forces under Fujitora, Alex turned serious and said, "Your request has been submitted. Whether it's approved or not, I cannot guarantee."
"Worrying will do no good. In the meantime, I suggest you take a look at the Imperial Codex. It might help you integrate into the Empire's rule."
Theresa, looking utterly perplexed, stared at the massive "slab" Alex had somehow pulled out from who-knows-where. "This is the Codex? Do you guys make everything this huge? Don't you have a smaller version?"
The Codex Imperialis was an imposing tome, estimated to be thousands of pages thick. Its exterior was encased in some unknown metallic shell, colored gold and crimson, with the double-headed eagle insignia engraved across its surface. Standing nearly as tall as Theresa's upper body, the book likely weighed over a hundred kilograms.
Theresa couldn't help but feel disheartened.
At her standing height, the Codex was practically at eye level with Alex's knees. Even tilting her head as far back as possible, she couldn't see past his chest.
Ahhh! This world is so unfair to short people! I want to grow taller!
"Integration? Reading your Codex?" Durandal suddenly stood up, her brows furrowed tightly. "What makes you so certain we would submit to you?"
"Because you have no choice. Surrender or face annihilation." Alex replied with cold detachment.
"To know your enemy is to know yourself. As a high-ranking legion commander, scouting and intelligence gathering are fundamental. You and your subordinates—don't blame me for being blunt."
"I won't deny their excellence. To possess such strength at such a young age is truly impressive."
Pointing toward the Valkyrie troops aboard the Hyperion, whose movement was now heavily restricted, Alex shook his head and chuckled.
"But in the end, they're still just naive children. Calling them an army would be too generous; they're more like idealistic volunteers."
"They don't carry the scent of gunpowder or blood. Can you really count on them to kill? To take the lives of intelligent, sentient humans of the same species? To endure the horrors of high-intensity, grinder-like warfare?"
Pausing, Alex scanned the group, whose faces were shadowed with unease. "Would you even be able to do it? Could you achieve victory? Or would you only bring unnecessary deaths?"
From the very first sentence, Alex made no effort to lower his voice. On the contrary, he spoke loudly, deliberately ensuring everyone else could hear him.
Glancing at Durandal, who stood silently with her arms crossed, lost in deep thought, Alex nodded slightly. Yes, the resemblance is undeniable.
Alex was well aware of the reasoning behind Selene's assignment of territories. He had been tasked with overseeing the regions historically under Schicksal's influence—Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean.
If his guess was correct, Selene had chosen him specifically for his balanced, compassionate approach to leadership.
The regions assigned to Grand General Budo, on the other hand, were likely destined for utter devastation.
Otherwise, why else would Her Majesty have been so deliberate with their assignments?
Perhaps the selection of the three initial Astartes Legion Commanders by Selene had been deliberate all along.
One represented the moderates, another the neutral faction, and the last the hawkish hardliners.
"...."
Silently, Durandal unclenched her fists, letting them fall to her sides as she lifted her gaze to the sky.
What was once a clear blue expanse was now entirely consumed by the immense forms of brutalist-style starships, their colossal engines roaring as they released fiery exhaust into the atmosphere.
Durandal studied the steel leviathans closely. In stark contrast to the minimalist design of the Hyperion, these vessels were constructed with an aesthetic steeped in violent grandeur. Their bridges resembled enormous palaces equipped with engines, exuding an aura that was both unscientific and inexplicably awe-inspiring.
It was almost absurd, but one couldn't help feeling that these constructs were overwhelmingly powerful—utterly majestic.
Yes, they lacked the qualifications to negotiate.
As much as she loathed admitting it, Alex's analysis had been painfully accurate. Forget about the ordinary Valkyrie soldiers—even she, Schicksal's strongest S-rank Valkyrie, hadn't killed many people.
The gap was too immense. Even if she could fight off thousands alone, the monstrous guns mounted on these steel giants could undoubtedly scour the entire surface of the Earth without breaking a sweat.
Good people are always bound by more restraints than bad people.
In Durandal's view, the Empire could slaughter an entire world without a shred of hesitation, but she and the Valkyries could never turn a blind eye to such atrocities.
As members of the "Fight for a Better World" Valkyrie Corps, if they failed to protect humanity, what purpose would they serve?
If her resistance provoked the Empire into turning its full wrath upon the planet, resulting in widespread suffering and death, would that make her a criminal?
In simple terms, Durandal hesitated.
According to Alyssa's promises and Alex's assurances, as long as Schicksal ceased resistance and the Valkyrie Corps surrendered, the Empire would prioritize minimizing casualties during their occupation.
There would be no senseless slaughter. On the contrary, the Empire would even assist with post-conflict aid and recovery.
As for shouting naive slogans like "Not a single person can be harmed, or I'll never surrender!"—Durandal wasn't foolish enough to spout such nonsense.
Anyone with a functional brain and a basic education would know that conquest wasn't a banquet. Was it even possible for a war of occupation to avoid all casualties?
All she could do was leverage the value the Empire inexplicably placed on her and try to negotiate better terms and more favorable conditions.
When faced with an insurmountable chasm of power, where victory was an impossible dream, minimizing harm to the people she sought to protect was already a kind of triumph.
At this moment, Alex stepped forward and declared in a loud voice:
"As long as you oppose the Empire, every step you take will bring untold suffering to countless people. That is an ironclad fact. The wise recognize when resistance is futile."
"I understand. I hope you will… keep your word."
Durandal let out a long sigh, her arms steady as she took hold of the massive Codex.
"Of course... Hmm?"
Just as Alex was speaking, he abruptly turned around.
Sitting on a table, swinging her legs in boredom, Alyssa's eyes suddenly lit up. "The Queen!"
Bzzzzt—Rip!
A second later, violet-red sparks materialized out of thin air, spinning rapidly as they tore through the fabric of space itself. A glowing purple-black void expanded to a diameter of six or seven meters in an instant.
This... is the Herrscher of the Void's power?
As someone who had participated in the battle against the Second Herrscher, Sirin, Theresa found this ability all too familiar.
She's here.
Tesla and Einstein exchanged a glance.
My true self, the real Kiana...
Kiana clasped her hands over her chest, her breathing growing shallow and uneven.
Then, a stunningly elegant figure emerged stiffly, causing Durandal to cry out in shock.
"Rita?"
Her short ash-golden hair framed her face, with soft bangs partially covering her left eye. Her right eye gleamed like a ruby, exuding a brilliant luster. Her exposed shoulders were smooth and pale, her fitted white-and-purple Valkyrie uniform accented with subtle golden patterns that highlighted her slender, graceful waist.
Her skirt fell modestly below her knees, and her calves were elegantly defined with a gentle curve. The ensemble, paired with her violet-gold cloak that unfurled like a flower's bloom, gave her the appearance of an enchanting sprite, stepping straight from a bed of flowers.
"But she seems..." Kiana murmured, momentarily lost in thought.
Was it her imagination?
Rita looked as though...
She was being forced?
Rita's bare skin was flushed with a deep cherry pink, as if dusted with rouge. Her rose-colored lips trembled, tightly pressed together in a mix of shame and anger. Her movements were unnaturally stiff, almost puppet-like, as though someone else controlled her entirely.
Following the sound, everyone turned to look.
"Cecilia!"
"Mom..."
"Kiana..."
"Eh?"
Selene had just stepped out of the black void when the sudden wave of startled exclamations made her frown slightly.
Huh? Do I really resemble so many people? How did I end up being mistaken for someone's mom?
Before her stood three individuals, new faces to Selene but ones she had long since studied.
Leading the trio was a tall, golden-haired young woman whose cascading waves gave her an air of both maturity and youthful strength. She seemed to be around seventeen or eighteen years old, clad in a white battle gown that radiated heroic energy.
To her sides stood two others, one tall and one short—both with striking white hair.
The true Kiana, K-423, and Theresa.
Hm. Considering lineage, should I be calling you mother, or father?
As Selene scrutinized Kiana and her companions, they too were examining her closely.
Her face was almost unnaturally flawless, so perfect that it resembled a doll's. Her silvery-white hair cascaded like a river of snow, shining faintly as it flowed to her waist. Her skin was fair, with a vibrant, healthy glow.
Her figure was slender and graceful, yet commanding, taller and more refined than both Durandal and Kiana. Her crimson diamond-shaped pupils sparkled like rubies, pure and radiant. Within her gaze, golden concentric circles shimmered, exuding an air of omniscience and divine authority.
She wore a pristine white inner dress overlaid with a violet gown adorned with intricate golden patterns. The design flowed into six hems marked with Honkai sigils, giving her the air of a celestial being. Her high-heeled boots, white with golden trim, clicked softly against the ground.
Suspended behind her head was a golden halo, a symbol of her immense power, floating amidst the ethereal purple mist that naturally enveloped her form.
Closer inspection revealed that as Selene stood there, even the smallest particles of matter near her disintegrated instantaneously, dissolving into nothingness. The deep violet glow surrounding her grew even more profound.
No... she isn't Mom.
Durandal, having regained her lost memories, shook her head. Though the resemblance was striking, Selene's face and aura leaned toward a colder, more imposing beauty.
This commanding and domineering presence—this playfulness with power—was something her gentle mother could never embody.
"Your Majesty! Eternal glory!"
As Selene stepped from the black void, an instinctive reaction rippled through the gathered forces. Legion Commander Alex, along with the Astartes warriors, knelt on one knee in perfect synchronization.
Behind them, the auxiliary troops and servant armies fell to both knees, many fully prostrating themselves, foreheads pressed against the ground in absolute reverence.
Even though many soldiers of the Imperial Army had never seen Selene in person, the moment she appeared, they instinctively knew—this was their ruler, their emperor.
Within a radius of dozens of miles, tens of thousands of Imperial troops along the route fell to the ground like stalks of wheat pressed down by a mighty wind.
"Your Majesty!"
"Long live the Empress!"
In an instant, thunderous cries erupted across the entire area, reverberating as if heaven and earth themselves were joining in. The deafening roar even drowned out the engines of the massive warships overhead.
This was the pinnacle of command—a single call, met with the unwavering response of thousands.
The air was filled with earth-shaking chants of praise. The overwhelming fervor of the masses was like a tidal wave, making the lone standing group from the Hyperion shift uncomfortably.
Some among them began to sway, unable to bear the oppressive atmosphere. Their mouths opened and closed soundlessly, and they appeared ready to collapse to their knees at any moment.
"That won't be necessary. You are not my subjects, so there is no need to kneel—at least for now."
The next instant, a cool voice entered their ears, and an invisible force steadied those about to fall.
"Y-Yes!"
After responding, the Valkyrie realized that she was standing as straight as a spear.
"Rise."
Selene's gaze turned toward Alex. With a slight motion of her hand, an intangible force enveloped everyone present. This irresistible power lifted every kneeling figure to their feet.
"Dismiss yourselves."
With this command, Selene's gaze shifted away.
Then, a cry broke the moment.
"My Queen!"
Thump!
From seemingly nowhere, the petite and exuberant Alyssa darted out and threw herself into Selene's arms. Her bright eyes sparkled as she called out repeatedly, "My Queen, my Queen! Alyssa has completed her mission!"
Selene looked down, her icy demeanor softening as she smiled warmly. She scooped Alyssa up with ease and tapped her lightly on the head, an affectionate gesture.
"I told you to go and deal with Otto. What's so urgent that you had to summon me like this?" Selene asked, though she clearly already knew the answer.
"Hehe... My Queen, I discovered so many interesting things!" Alyssa giggled mischievously.
This scene left Durandal, Theresa, and Kiana momentarily dazed.
Just moments earlier, Selene's imperial demeanor had been so imposing, so untouchable, that she seemed like a distant figure carved from cold stone.
But now, holding Alyssa with such tenderness, she seemed like an entirely different person. For a fleeting moment, the warmth of Cecilia—the gentle mother Durandal and Kiana remembered—shone through Selene's actions.
Unfortunately, this warmth wasn't meant for them.
Tears began to fall from the corners of Kiana's eyes. She reached out with trembling hands, her voice quivering, "That... Kiana... I'm sorry..."
A muffled voice came from the side. Selene could feel the fear and guilt laced within it.
It was Kiana.
At this moment, Kiana was dressed in her crimson Radiant Blaze uniform. Catching Selene's gaze, her expression grew flustered. "I'm really sorry. I'm so, so sorry..."
Watching the white-haired girl lower her head, apologizing over and over in a subdued and self-effacing tone, Selene immediately pieced together the reason for her behavior.
She had mistaken Selene for someone else.
Selene cast a curious glance at Durandal, whose expression was riddled with conflicting emotions. Gently stroking Alyssa's silver-gray hair, Selene spoke coolly.
"You still haven't told her the truth, have you?"
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