Imperial Capital — Palace City, Headquarters of the Imperial Guard Legion.
"In recent years, as one of the Empire's only two generals who truly hold real power, has General Selene perhaps grown a little... complacent?"
Sitting across from Selene's desk, Honest wiped his grease-stained hands as he spoke, his mouth glistening with oil from whatever indulgent meal he'd just devoured.
"Empty titles aren't worth caring about," Selene replied casually, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "A high salary, light work, close to home, great authority, little responsibility—that's the kind of life I seek."
"Work should occasionally be heavy," she continued, flipping through documents leisurely. "It keeps one sharp and prevents decay. But if work becomes a constant burden—if even rest days disappear—then what's the point of living?"
"Ha ha ha ha! You're in fine spirits today, General," Honest laughed heartily, his chins quivering.
"Still, judging from how rapidly your influence is expanding in the North, I'd say that before long, you might become the Empire's only Great General."
Selene said nothing, but her silence was an unspoken acknowledgment.
...
Seeing her calm indifference as she continued processing military paperwork, Honest began to grow restless. "General, have you given any thought to my proposal?"
"Given the current unrest across the Empire," he said, rubbing his hands eagerly, "both the Imperial Security Division and the Imperial Assassination Unit are in dire need of more advanced weapons to serve the Empire better... so I was hoping Dr. Stylish could—"
"Twenty percent." Selene's voice cut him off, her tone flat but firm.
"..."
Honest froze, face twitching. After a moment of pained silence, he ground his teeth and muttered bitterly, "Ten percent!"
"Deal."
Selene quickly signed a military order and handed it over. "Go to the Imperial Science Bureau on the outskirts of the capital. The director knows what to do."
With that, she gestured gracefully. "Arisa, see the minister out."
"Yes!" At Selene's command, Arisa—who had been standing quietly in the corner like an obedient doll—snapped to attention. Her expression blank, she stepped forward and said, "Minister Honest, please follow me."
She even held the office door open for him.
"Hmph..." Honest snorted, snatched the signed order from Selene's desk, and stormed out.
At that moment, Honest wanted nothing more than to scream. Damn it all! Had he known that Dr. Stylish was such a genius, he never would have handed the Imperial Science Bureau over so easily!
Now it was too late. The Science Bureau had become part of Selene's domain.
Whether it was Honest's newly-formed army seeking the latest weapons, or the Imperial Assassination Unit needing advanced enhancement serums—all had to go through Selene's approval. Otherwise, no matter how much money he had, he couldn't buy a thing!
And to get that approval, Honest had been forced to sign one humiliating agreement after another. Just like today—Selene had directly claimed ten percent of his annual income (which included bribes, tributes, and the wealth he extorted from the commoners).
The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. He wanted to use his ministerial authority to seize back the Science Bureau by decree—but... no. He wasn't ready to die just yet.
BANG!
As the office door slammed shut, Arisa finally allowed herself a smile. Turning to Selene, she grumbled, "Queen, these people are truly the height of hypocrisy."
Her tone was full of confusion.
"You clearly don't care what he thinks, yet you pretend to be pondering his words. You clearly wanted to kill him, but you let him live. And that fat man—he wants to kill you too, but he's forcing himself to smile instead..."
"I really don't understand why you'd bother humoring such disgusting people. Isn't it exhausting?"
"It is—without question," Selene said with a gentle smile. "But in its own way, it's quite... enjoyable."
Hearing Arisa's rapid-fire questions, Selene continued, her tone light and calm.
"This is politics. Once you choose this path—once you decide to play within the rules of the game—you have to abide by them. It's tiring, yes, but also a form of training, don't you think?"
"To struggle with others—it has its own pleasures. If one only ever relies on brute strength, never using their head, disaster will always follow. Force should never be the first option."
"Remember, Arisa—intelligent beings fight differently from beasts. We think more, so we can do more. And most importantly, to become a competent ruler... how could it ever be easy?"
"Oh..." Arisa nodded vaguely, as if half-understanding.
"And one more thing..." Putting down her pen, Selene rose from her seat and walked up to Arisa, pinching the girl's soft, rosy cheeks between her delicate fingers.
"...How many times have I told you over these past few days? Stop calling me 'Queen.' Call me Selene, or Great General, or even Big Sis if you want!"
"Uuuh... got it, Que—"
"Hmm?"
"Uh... Great General..."
"That's better. Now come on, it's almost noon. Tell Susanoo to prepare lunch," Selene said with a light laugh, releasing her grip.
"Yes, Queen!" Arisa replied enthusiastically.
Selene let out a long sigh and waved her off.
It had been three days since Arisa had obtained her physical form, and she now served as Selene's personal head maid—officially appearing in public alongside her.
As for Arisa's hostility toward Sebas, that had ended in a way Selene never expected.
All it took was one meal for Sebas to defuse the tension completely. The reason? Simple—Arisa was a glutton.
The once-fierce and proud Arisa could be appeased with nothing more than... a bag of bread.
...
By noon, Selene was happily teasing Arisa over lunch when suddenly—
The sound of hurried footsteps and the clatter of armor echoed from outside the hall. A moment later, the on-duty guard pushed the door open.
"Great General, someone from the Imperial Assassination Unit requests an audience."
"From the Assassination Unit?" Selene raised a brow. "Let him in."
"Yes, ma'am!" The guard from the First Legion immediately led the visitor into the dining hall.
Limping heavily, a man with long golden hair entered the hall. The moment he saw the silver-haired figure seated within, he ignored his injuries, dropped to one knee, and bowed deeply before Selene.
"Instructor Gozuki of the Imperial Assassination Unit, at your service! I beg the Great General's forgiveness for this unannounced visit."
Selene studied him, her mind quickly retrieving relevant details.
Gozuki—Instructor of the Assassination Unit's elite seven-man squad. Loyal subordinate of Minister Honest. Ultimately slain by Akame, his Teigu, One-Cut Killer · Murasame, seized by her afterward.
"The Assassination Unit's instructor... we've had no prior dealings, I believe. So—speak. What brings you here?"
Gozuki, panting heavily, answered in haste, "In truth, I've come seeking aid, Great General."
"Oh?" Selene arched a brow. "What's happened?"
"The Assassination Unit's elite squad was ambushed by the southern rebel forces..."