Inside the royal chamber, Honest was in real-time communication with Selene through a projection device provided by the Imperial Science Bureau as a "gesture of friendship."
The moment the call connected, Selene mercilessly scolded him, "...If you cannot maintain order in the Imperial Capital, then I shall do it myself."
"Huff... huff..." Breathing heavily, Honest struggled to suppress the fury rising in his chest, forcing a smile as he replied, "Great General, it's only a few petty thieves. I believe that very soon..."
"Hmph! 'Soon'? According to you, that means leaving it to rot on its own, doesn't it?"
In the projection, Selene set down her teacup and, with no trace of respect, directly cut off Honest's explanation.
"And your so-called new army—what sort of rabble are they? Defeated again and again on the southern front! The 'talents' you promoted—what a collection of fools, all sycophants and flatterers!"
"Are you a transport captain now?!"
"The southern rebels who call themselves revolutionaries have grown so fast—surely we have Minister Honest's 'support' to thank for that." Selene's tone was biting, especially when she said "support." Each syllable dripped with venom.
"Soon, I will end my leave and return to the capital. Honest, you'd best get your affairs in order..."
With that, Selene cut the communication.
"..."
Staring at the blackened screen, Honest's face darkened further. Beneath that pitch-black expression burned a volcano of rage ready to erupt. His clenched teeth ground together audibly, and his beastlike eyes glared at the empty projection screen, brimming with malice.
After a moment of silence, Honest roared, "Selene, you damn woman! You faithless wretch!"
He grabbed the wine cup beside him and nearly hurled it at the projection screen—but at the last instant, he stopped.
That projection unit was quite convenient for real-time communication. If he broke it now... what if he missed her next call?
"Ahhhh—!!!" Honest flipped the entire desk in a fit of impotent rage, standing up, trembling with fury.
This feeling of being restrained—of being scolded like a child—was unbearable!
In the end, it all came down to one thing: lack of strength.
Taking a deep breath, Honest glanced at the shivering attendant in the corner and said coldly, "Notify Syura. Didn't he claim to have gathered some new 'talents'? Tell him to get back here."
"Y-yes, sir!"
...
Meanwhile, high above the northern skies of the Empire.
A massive, manta ray–like flying Danger Beast with a wingspan exceeding fifty meters was slowly flapping its wings as it made its way toward the Imperial Capital.
Despite its size, this particular species wasn't very powerful—its combat ability was inferior even to that of an Earth Dragon.
However, its gentle temperament and wide, flat back made it one of the most suitable flying beasts for human domestication.
As it happened, Selene needed an aerial mount. Captivated by the creature, she captured it herself and, after some careful modifications, turned it into a luxurious sky steed.
"This time returning to the capital... Honest's mission is essentially complete," Selene murmured, cutting off the communication link. The memory of Honest's helpless rage brought a faint smile to her lips.
Honest had lost all value. There was no longer any need to tolerate him.
"Heh, Queen... my lady... are you finally planning to make your move?" Esdeath, seated cross-legged beside her, asked with a wicked grin.
Selene sighed, rubbing her temple. "I swear, Little Esdeath, when did you start picking up Arisa's catchphrases?"
To Selene, being called "Queen" always felt... off. It carried the same strange feeling as certain eccentric pufferfish.
"Mm? Huh? Did you call for me, Queen?"
At the mention of her name, Arisa—cheeks puffed and mouth smeared with oil—looked up from her food, hamster-like as ever.
"No, keep eating."
"Oh..." munch munch...
Thanks to her physique as a companion Honkai Beast, Arisa could eat all day without ever feeling full—or gaining weight. Truly, the blessing of every glutton.
"Don't call me Queen. Call me Great General... ah, forget it. Call me whatever you like."
Too lazy to fuss over Esdeath's way of addressing her, Selene reclined on the thick fur blanket, her expression distant and nostalgic.
"When I take the next step forward, you'll have to address me as Your Majesty. The title 'Queen'... should be left for someone else."
"Someone else...?" Esdeath caught onto the phrasing, curiosity lighting her eyes. "Great General, who is that person?"
"Someone who could be considered... a senior of sorts. Though, perhaps she doesn't know me yet..." Selene replied, turning the glass cup in her hand thoughtfully.
Seeing that Selene had no intention of elaborating further, Esdeath quickly changed the subject. "That fat pig Honest—do you plan to deal with him personally, Great General?"
"No, no. There will be others to take care of him—including that little emperor. That's also why I'm not teleporting straight back to the capital. I'm flying back slowly on purpose... to give certain people the illusion of hope."
"Sebas, have you made contact with the southern rats?" Selene asked, glancing over her shoulder.
"Yes, Milady. Your terms have already been discreetly conveyed to them," Sebas replied respectfully, standing half a step behind her, unaffected by the turbulent air currents at this altitude.
"Good. The stage is set. I will descend as the savior of the Empire... and with this legend's resonance, the next world..." —it should be enough to pierce into the Throne of Heroes. A fabricated Heroic Spirit... not a bad approach, Selene mused silently.
Esdeath didn't quite understand what Selene meant by "legend's resonance," but this time she didn't ask further. Instead, she turned the topic to the capital's current state.
"Speaking of the Imperial Capital, things have gotten chaotic again. Or rather, they've never been peaceful since Honest came to power."
"The ironic part is that after a series of assassinations targeting corrupt officials, those vermin actually started behaving, and the people finally got a brief taste of peace again."
The idea that the capital only became calmer through assassinations was... a sharp and bitter irony indeed.
"Assassination, huh... such underhanded tricks. It must be Najenda's handiwork. I can't wait to cross blades with her this time!" Esdeath's eyes gleamed with anticipation at the thought.
"Then you'd best hurry—many others are after her life as well."
...
Meanwhile, in the outskirts of the Imperial Capital, at Night Raid's headquarters.
"Boss, Lubbock and the others are back... but Commander Tennyson, Commander Bulat, and Larripo..."
"What?!"
Seven had departed, yet only three returned—Sayo and Ieyasu not included—and Leone was gravely wounded?!
After confirming the report multiple times, Najenda, leader of the Night Raid assassination unit, was momentarily dazed. "Four dead, three wounded... who did they encounter? Lubbock?"