Imperial Year 1014.
"Mmm... so good!" Selene mumbled with delight, gripping a roasted bird leg in each hand, utterly absorbed in her meal. The massive roast on the spit was visibly shrinking before their eyes.
Turning the spit patiently, Sebas watched his mistress's satisfied expression with a look that could only be described as paternal pride. His usually stern face softened, and he nodded approvingly.
Still... every time he saw Selene eat like that, he couldn't help but feel uneasy. His mind drifted to Lady Katy's instructions: Train Selene to be a model of elegance—a textbook noblewoman.
Uh... this was probably a failure, wasn't it? Though Selene's eating was clean and graceful enough—she didn't spill or soil her clothes—it was still... not quite what Lady Katy had envisioned.
"I'm sorry, my lady... next time, I'll make sure she eats properly..." Sebas muttered quietly to himself.
Suddenly, Selene handed him a piece of roasted meat. "Hm? Sebas? You should eat too!"
...
"Oh... thank you, Milady."
Sebas decided to give up on the matter. Fine, just let her enjoy herself. I'll handle the roasting. As for Lady Katy's instructions—those could be conveniently forgotten for now.
"Here, Milady—this is the breast meat from the Danger Beast. Perfectly cooked."
"Mmm (Alright), mmmh (Got it)," Selene replied, mouth full.
...
After finishing their roasted lunch atop a hill, Selene and Sebas continued on their journey toward the Imperial Capital.
Perhaps because she was in such a good mood after eating, every Danger Beast they encountered along the way met a swift and brutal end. Whether alone or in pairs, none survived her path.
Along the way, she also took the opportunity to admire the Empire's natural beauty from the skies—until at last, they arrived before the Imperial Capital.
Even though she had mentally prepared herself, the splendor of the capital still far exceeded her expectations. Compared to the rural towns she had passed, it was like heaven and earth.
"This truly is a magnificent creation," Selene exclaimed, hovering in the air as she gazed down at the sprawling city below.
The grandeur of the Imperial Capital was beyond description. Towering palace spires rose high into the heavens, their golden rooftops gleaming beneath the sun. The massive walls below surrounded endless rows of tightly packed buildings that stretched as far as the eye could see. And at the heart of it all stood the Imperial Palace—resplendent, colossal, and divine, like a celestial kingdom descended to earth.
A thousand years of history had forged this city, sustained by the combined wealth of an entire nation. It was no wonder people from all corners of the world flocked here like moths to a flame.
To the people of the Empire, this was paradise—their lifelong dream.
"This... this is worth taking for myself," Selene murmured, eyes gleaming with ambition.
"A ruler should be like this..." She chuckled softly, a spark of thrill flashing in her chest. She couldn't deny it—there was something intoxicating about power. The desire to hold the world in her grasp surged within her.
"To command the realm by day, and to revel in pleasure by night..." she whispered, grinning. "Heh, I wouldn't mind that either."
But as she gazed down at the endless crowds below, her excitement gradually faded. "Without strength, all of this... is nothing but illusion."
The capital—the Empire's most dazzling jewel—was also its darkest den. For the naive and powerless, it was nothing short of hell.
But for Selene and Sebas?
Were they powerless in this world?
...
Soon after, Selene and Sebas descended toward the bustling outskirts of the Imperial Capital.
It didn't take long for Selene to notice how superficial the citizens were. They sized up everyone who passed based on appearance alone. Travelers from the countryside received sneers and scorn, while nobles and the wealthy were showered with obsequious smiles.
But when the crowd caught sight of Selene—gleaming silver and blue battlesuit and all—they immediately lowered their heads and stepped aside, not daring to make a sound. Even the Imperial Guard officers, who had moments earlier been extorting tolls from commoners, froze in place and averted their eyes.
Apparently, they had mistaken the silver armored sections of Selene's battlesuit for the insignia of the Imperial Army.
It was no wonder the people feared her—after all, the Empire's soldiers were infamous for their brutality. Only after Selene had walked far enough away did the guards and townsfolk resume whispering among themselves.
"Could she be a frontier general returning to the capital for debriefing?"
"Or maybe a noble?"
"Then why isn't she riding in a carriage?"
...
Amid the curious murmurs of the citizens, Selene and Sebas made their way into the heart of the Imperial Capital.
The capital was lively—teeming with life and energy.
At least from the surface, it was truly a prosperous city. Though it lacked the advanced technology of Academy City, its noise and vibrancy surpassed it. As for the decay and corruption hidden beneath that prosperity, that remained to be seen.
I wonder if any of the 'kind-hearted' nobles here will take me in... Selene thought wryly, strolling through the capital's bustling commercial district with Sebas at her side.
Typically, the best place to gather information was a tavern—always full of merchants and travelers. But Selene had no patience for the stench and rowdiness of such establishments. Thus, she decided to wander through the market streets instead.
Along the way, her striking beauty, and the revealing nature of her outfit drew plenty of attention. A few daring men, tempted by greed or lust, tried to approach her—but the moment Sebas's sharp gaze swept over them, they froze and quickly retreated.
Not worth dying over.
With those brief interruptions dealt with, Selene continued her leisurely stroll through the busy market. She admired the dazzling array of foods from every corner of the continent, her curiosity piqued by the exotic sights and smells.
Of course, she hadn't forgotten her real goal. Despite the noise around her, her enhanced senses easily picked out conversations from the crowd.
From the chatter, a few phrases repeatedly caught her attention—"Minister Chouri's retirement," "General Budo now the 'Empire's strongest,'" and "Imperial Fist Martial Tournament."
Of all these, the most frequently mentioned topic was the Imperial Fist Martial Tournament. Nearly everyone in the streets seemed to be talking about it.
The Imperial Fist, the Empire's most prestigious martial monastery, had long been supported by Imperial funding and in return provided the Empire with exceptional warriors. This upcoming tournament, co-hosted by the Temple and the Empire, was meant to recruit fresh talent and secure new elite soldiers.
In recent years, the number of rebellions had skyrocketed, and the army was struggling to suppress them. The tournament would serve as both a spectacle and a recruitment drive.
Those who performed exceptionally well would receive generous Imperial rewards—not just gold and treasures, but even the chance to leap directly into the ranks of the Imperial Army as officers. Many active-duty soldiers and elites had already signed up.
Upon hearing that, Selene's lips curved into an intrigued smile.
"Well, well... isn't this just perfect for me?"