The instant her consciousness was pulled away, space and time twisted violently. It felt as if a thunderous explosion had gone off inside her mind. The world spun, and both Durandal and Kiana felt themselves being guided and dragged by some invisible force.
They traveled through a strange dimension where nothing had physical substance. It was utterly empty, and they could not even steady their bodies.
Kiana was extremely familiar with this place. The Imaginary Space was an ability brought to her by the self she had once loathed and rejected so deeply—Herrscher of the Void, Sirin.
Following behind Selene, Kiana suddenly realized she could no longer mobilize even the slightest trace of imaginary energy.
The Imaginary Space, which had once felt as natural to her as water to a fish, now behaved like a sycophantic and snobbish villain. Without hesitation, it threw itself into its new master's embrace—Selene—and treated its former queen with cold indifference.
It felt as though a long time had passed, yet also as though it had only been an instant.
Suddenly, the dim field of vision flared bright. When their feet finally touched solid ground again after emerging from the warped and colorful Imaginary Space—
Durandal and Kiana's eyes widened sharply. A towering golden hall, gleaming with radiant light, filled their vision.
Their feet stepped onto a smooth, gilded floor. The vast emptiness echoed faintly, the reverberations like sapphire and ice being struck together.
Along with it came a wave of high-density Honkai energy particles. Even though both possessed the Kaslana family's high resistance to Honkai, they still felt a suffocating pressure for a moment.
"Cough... cough..."
They were, after all, instinctively resistant to Honkai. Momentarily unaccustomed to this environment, they lowered their heads and covered their chests, coughing visibly.
Selene watched coldly.
"You possess the authority of a Herrscher and wield power that originates from Honkai, yet deep in your hearts, you still reject and resent it."
Standing by a half-open floor-to-ceiling window, the halo of Finality behind Selene's head dissipated and concealed itself. She wore a white-and-gold long robe, her posture elegant and imposing. Arms crossed over her chest, she narrowed her eyes and gently shook her right index finger, watching the two of them cough with thoughtful interest.
Soon, as extraordinary individuals, Kiana and Durandal adapted to moving within such dense Honkai energy.
"To me, Honkai energy is as ordinary as oxygen in the air or food and water in daily life. Not only you, but all of humanity will need to adapt. In the future, it will be intertwined with every aspect of your lives."
"Are you feeling better?" Selene asked without turning around.
"Yes. Thank you for your concern. It was only temporary discomfort. I've recovered," Durandal replied, straightening up.
She stepped forward and stopped at Selene's left side, five steps behind her, following her gaze out through the hundreds-of-meters-tall golden arched window.
"Selene-sister, where is this?" Kiana asked uncertainly as she stood on Selene's right.
"As you can see—outer space. Welcome to my flagship."
Only then did Kiana and Durandal begin to carefully examine the space they were in.
It was an enormous golden domed palace, constructed from orichalcum alloy and marble. Gold and red were its primary colors.
Through the hundreds-of-meters-tall arched window, they saw Earth floating in the dark starry sky like a luminous sphere of water, spreading its vitality and beauty into the silent void.
But now, that beauty was tainted by war. Pillars of deep-blue flame encircled the planet, burning silently.
They were the exhaust trails of Imperial Navy warships.
Each vessel bore a twin-headed eagle with outstretched wings at its prow. The hull and flanking structures tapered gradually into a spear-like tip. Their paint schemes varied, but every steel behemoth was covered in temple-like structures and statues.
Each one was so massive that even all the floating islands of Schicksal headquarters combined would pale in comparison.
Shifting their gaze closer and looking downward, they saw that this so-called flagship of Selene was covered everywhere with colossal weapons of mass destruction.
Someone suffering from megalophobia or trypophobia might have been driven mad by such a sight. Conversely, for enthusiasts of colossal constructs, it was a blessing.
Plasma orbital cannons with calibers exceeding 1000mm. Multiple missile silos. Large-scale thermal-melt cannons. Numerous explosive light-lance emitters, macro cannons, pulse point-defense guns. And several gigantic diamond-shaped pillars over two hundred meters in diameter, emitting a faint, film-like blue glow—the fortress-class void shield generator arrays.
Across platforms as vast as city walls, blue indicator lights blinked everywhere. Iron-gray metal gleamed coldly. White beams of light shot into the sky, while mid- and small-sized warships painted in black and gold flew ceaselessly through the air.
On the expansive hangar decks, shining steel giants stood like gods in long gray-white rows, each towering over five hundred meters tall. They were Supreme-class (Emperor-class) Titans—forty to fifty of them.
The Supreme-class Titans were the largest terrestrial assault units of the Holy Selene Empire. They were derived from the Ultimate Teigu: National Defense Machine God · Shikoutazer in Selene's possession.
They were standardized mass-production models created after Dr. Stylish had mastered portions of Shikoutazer's forging technology.
Their defensive power, size, and destructive capability were far inferior to the prototype Selene personally wielded. Even their mobility had decreased significantly.
But they were sufficient.
At the feet of these colossal gods, countless workers drove transport vehicles, loading and unloading supplies.
What astonished Durandal even more was that around this golden palace that stood like a pyramid—within this floating fortress in outer space—there were even well-preserved mountains and forests.
Amid the hard, iron-blooded architectural style of the surrounding fortress structures, the area around Selene's hall had been transformed into an enormous garden courtyard.
Artificial sunlight shone warm and bright. Green trees cast their shade. Birds sang and flowers bloomed. Birds and beasts roamed freely, and even many captured rare and dangerous species frolicked within. A stream wound its way along the contours of nearby artificial rock formations.
Here, towering ancient trees hundreds or even thousands of years old stood everywhere, spreading their green embrace and adding refined elegance to the courtyard.
Along the intersecting paths, golden-armored giants and attendants occasionally marched through in orderly formations.
Cold war machines and a garden filled with birdsong and fragrant blossoms—two utterly incompatible sights—were, at this moment, fused together in perfect harmony.
Such a grand scale of extravagance, bordering on indulgent luxury, in a sense displayed the Empire's power even more vividly.
Seeing this, a trace of melancholy rose in Durandal's heart.
Whatever Selene's purpose in summoning them, she had undeniably succeeded in showing her strength.
From outer space, the Imperial Navy fleet that nearly filled one's entire field of vision was an incomparable spectacle.
The final trace of luck in Durandal's heart shattered. She let out a long sigh inwardly.
There was no chance of victory.
"Selene... Your Majesty, did you summon us here merely to display your military might and give us a show of force?"
"Mm-hm, that was part of the idea," Selene chuckled softly, extending her hand. Right on cue, a white dove flew into the palace and landed on her fingertip, chirping softly.
"Not bad, is it? Just a small portion of my estate. For your sake, I even refrained from using large-scale destructive weapons."
"Well? What are your thoughts?" Stroking the dove's tiny head, Selene tilted her eyes toward them and asked playfully, "Go on—tell me."
"Selene-sister, if... we listen to you, what would you have us do?" Kiana asked.
"What would I have you do?" Selene looked at Kiana's slightly awkward expression—there was even a faint blush on her face—and laughed. "Of course, whatever I feel like having you do."
With that, she tossed the dove gently into the air and turned serious.
"Enough. Introductions are over. Since little Kiana brought it up, let's talk about business."
"You should thank me... well, never mind. There's no need to be so formal between us." Shaking her head, Selene gestured for the two of them to sit at the balcony table by the window.
She personally poured red tea for Durandal and Kiana, then leaned back into the soft sofa, relaxing completely.
"With what I just did, you could consider my promise fulfilled. Even if you make no further statements, given our little familial connection, the Empire's bureaucrats will never dare trouble you. This world will also receive preferential treatment from the Ministry of Internal Affairs."
According to Alex's report regarding Theresa's conditions for Schicksal's surrender—that the Empire must never slaughter civilians indiscriminately and must treat the populace kindly with benevolent governance—
How could one ensure that a conquered world would not be oppressed by Imperial bureaucrats and would instead receive favorable policies from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Colonial Office?
In an imperial state, it was simple.
Be connected to the Emperor.
With Selene appearing in person and displaying such gentle conduct, many Imperial officers and soldiers had witnessed it. Once the news spread, combined with the administrative decree she would issue later, given the bureaucrats' instinct for self-preservation, this world would undoubtedly receive the highest level of preferential treatment permitted under Imperial internal law.
If they wanted to reap benefits, there were countless other worlds to choose from. Why cling to a single tree and risk appearing greedy in front of the Emperor, damaging their own prospects?
Taking a sip of red tea and running her fingers over the smooth porcelain of the cup, Selene spoke with interest.
"So then—how do you intend to repay me? As the Herrscher of Finality, for this world that holds nothing but painful memories for me, I chose not to destroy it, but to govern it instead."
There were no outsiders here. Selene had no interest in putting on a hypocritical show and spoke bluntly.
As for whether her so-called benevolent governance aligned with their expectations—Imperial law was undoubtedly harsher than their own system without the death penalty. The Empire not only retained capital punishment but various cruel penalties, along with head taxes and heavy taxation.
But that was not Selene's concern. This was already the most preferential arrangement available under the Imperial system. She was not breaking her word.
Under Selene's amused gaze, Durandal gave a bitter smile.
"Do we even have the right to choose? If we refuse to submit, Your Majesty—would you destroy the world?"
"Yes."
Without the slightest hesitation, Selene gently swirled her teacup and smiled.
"According to my earlier plan, world destruction was merely the worst-case scenario."
"If you refused, I would use the lives of six billion humans across the globe to threaten you. Until you surrendered—or until I killed them all."
Her expression was warm. Her tone was as gentle as a spring breeze.
Yet the words she spoke were chilling.
"Gulp..."
As her voice fell, every muscle in Durandal's body tensed. A wave of belated fear rose within her as she swallowed hard.
She did not dare doubt Selene's almost joking tone. If Schicksal had truly resisted to the bitter end, she had no doubt Selene would have carried it out.
Compared to a raging brute, someone who could smile while speaking of slaughter was far more terrifying.
"I hope you keep your word."
After a moment of silence, Durandal exchanged a glance with Kiana. Then, like a golden pillar set into the earth, she lowered herself onto one knee.
"S-rank Valkyrie of Schicksal, Bianka Durandal Ataegina..."
At this point, Durandal raised her head. A soft tremor flickered in her azure eyes.
"Also Kiana Kaslana. I am willing to submit to you, Selene... Your Majesty."
Selene helped Durandal to her feet, then turned her gaze toward the bewildered Kiana.
"And you?"
"I..."
Kiana opened her mouth, but hesitation lingered.
"Hmph. The Kaslana family's sense of mission," Selene snorted lightly.
"You want to use your own power to protect those who suffer, to make amends for the pain Honkai has brought to the world. You think my autocratic rule is inappropriate?"
Though merely a clone, K-423 was, in some respects, even more stubborn than Durandal, who was the more legitimate Kaslana by blood.
What irony.
Still, Selene understood.
Though Durandal was the true Kiana, she had lost most of her memories and had only recently recovered them.
During the formative years of her personality as a human adolescent, she had lived under Otto's manipulation. Compared to her younger sister Kiana, she was undoubtedly more pragmatic, more tactful, and long accustomed to Schicksal's centralized rule, placing great importance on order.
Kiana, on the other hand, had been rescued from Schicksal by Siegfried. She had been deeply influenced by the Kaslana family's ideals of "salvation" and "heroism."
Throughout her adolescence, she had traveled across the world—from Chiba Academy to St. Freya Academy. Compared to the oppressive and stern atmosphere of Schicksal headquarters, the environments Kiana experienced were far more relaxed and free.
Later, she became entangled with the Anti-Entropy scientists Tesla and Einstein. Influenced by Anti-Entropy's loose, alliance-style philosophy, she had little fondness for Schicksal's centralized governance.
Yes, Kiana possessed firm will, lofty ideals, and remarkable personal charisma. But that did not mean she was an excellent leader.
On the contrary—she was still too naive.
For leaders of great organizations, let alone nations, the quality most often required was not naivety.
It was realism.
Throughout history, idealists who became leaders often ended in political disaster.
"Selene-sister, why must you rely on force and authority to rule? It shouldn't be this way between people."
Shaking her head stubbornly, Kiana lifted her chin. Tears welled in her eyes, and her voice came out hoarse.
"Not rely on authority? Not rely on force? Then rely on what?"
Setting her teacup down on the table, Selene rose to her feet.
"If not authority or force, then what? Love? Trust? Human self-discipline?"
Should they truly continue believing that "love can redeem everything"?
As for Herrschers—here was a joke.
The one before last who believed that was Cecilia. And she died.
The one after that was Otto. He succeeded—but Himeko died.
The last one was "Night Owl," Chen Tianwu. He and Ana Schariac died together.
One must understand—humans are ten thousand times more complex than a mere Herrscher—Selene excluded.
"What's wrong with that?" Kiana looked at Selene with longing.
"It won't work."
"Rely on trust? Rely on human self-awareness to govern?" Selene reached out and pressed down on Kiana's white hair, her expression indifferent. "That is a utopia fit only for dreams."
"Do you know what the only lesson humanity has ever learned from history is? That humanity never learns from history."
"Love? I am not without emotion. Of course I have love—otherwise, would you even be standing before me right now? But my love is reserved for a small number of people. As for the kind of 'love' you speak of—universal love?"
Universal love...
To save the world, World Serpent could sacrifice an entire large city, turning all its civilians into experimental subjects. That reflected World Serpent's near-distorted ideology—defeat Honkai at any cost.
Was that a form of universal love? Sacrificing a minority to fulfill the majority?
Perhaps it stemmed from resentment toward the Previous Era. Perhaps from hatred of Honkai. But regardless—this was Honkai.
To save one group, another group must be offered up as the price of experimentation. That contradiction lay at the very heart of how Schicksal, Anti-Entropy, and World Serpent fought against Honkai.
"Heh... unfortunately, I cannot do that. That kind of love is nothing more than a nauseating excuse!"
"But—"
"No buts!"
Pressing Kiana back into her seat, Selene spoke with unquestionable authority.
Looking at the dejected Kiana, Selene's tone shifted in the next moment. A trace of admiration flickered across her exquisite face.
The speed of her change left Durandal speechless.
Selene... was rather like Otto.
"Kiana, do you know what my evaluation of you is? You would be an utterly terrible leader. But you would make a great hero."
Selene did not wish to live as someone like Kiana—such a life was too exhausting.
But if possible, she hoped her subordinates would include more heroes with that kind of "golden spirit," worthy of admiration.
As the saying went—perhaps Kiana's own story was not a beautiful one. But she could make the world more beautiful.
"Though I do not agree with your ideals at all... strive on, Kiana. Do your best—make this world a better place." Selene held Kiana by the shoulders and spoke softly.
Those familiar words froze Kiana in place.
Tears poured from her eyes uncontrollably. For a moment, a crimson figure overlapped with Selene in her vision.
"Himeko-sensei..."
Wiping away her tears, Kiana suddenly stood and stepped beside the balcony table, dropping to one knee. Her gaze burned bright as she spoke firmly.
"I, Kiana Kaslana, swear—Selene-sister, I will show you. I will show you the beauty of this world!"
"Very well. As Empress of the Empire, I look forward to your actions."
Selene inclined her head in acknowledgment, though inwardly she pondered—
The existing system and already conquered worlds could not be altered lightly. The Empire was vast and deeply rooted. At most, she could grant Kiana a few administrative special zones to experiment with... or perhaps let her change the newly conquered worlds herself.
At this moment, both Kiana and Selene seemed to have forgotten something.