I Am Honkai

"Queen!"

Seeing Selene in her ceremonial attire entering the palace corridor, Alyssa cried out in delight, abandoning her bowl as she ran towards her.

Yet as the word escaped her lips, Alyssa instantly regretted it. She thought, Why do I always remember, and then reflexively get it wrong…

But by the time Alyssa's mind caught up with her reflexes, her body had already reached Selene, grabbing her arm and snuggling against her affectionately.

Unusually, Selene did not correct Alyssa's error in addressing her, lightly patting her head as Alyssa clung to her side, trying to play innocent. Selene gave a small nod.

"At ease," she said, a faint smile gracing her face as she gestured for the kneeling guards and servants to rise.

Only then did Alyssa breathe a sigh of relief. Catching sight of Sebas approaching from the dining table, she immediately began to complain.

"Your Majesty, your Majesty… about the assignment you gave me—Sebas dismissed over ninety percent of my chosen candidates for the first batch of Sisters of Battle."

Now that her mind had caught up, Alyssa quickly switched to the correct form of address.

"What? He rejected ninety percent?" Selene raised her eyebrows slightly. This was not for recruiting Imperial Guards or Astartes Legion warriors—the standard needed only to surpass that of the Empire's mortal auxiliaries.

Considering the "Cursed Children," whose DNA had been altered by Gastrea virus infection to enhance their physical capabilities, the numbers passing the basic selection should have been sizable.

Why were there only a few who made it through?

"How many candidates did you choose from the initial group of Cursed Children? What were the selection criteria? And how many passed the specially designed test?" Selene continued her questioning.

"The first round of testing for the Cursed Children isn't over yet, but it's almost done. Only these few have passed so far. The standards for selection were set by Sebas."

Alyssa answered as her gaze swept over Sebas and the few girls bowing outside the palace doors.

"Tsk…"

Hearing this, Selene instantly understood—ah, Sebas. That explained everything.

And since Gensa, the Imperial Guard Commander, was also present, it was almost certain that Sebas had raised the standard to match that of Astartes candidates.

"Sebas, enough with your doting on Alyssa. Let her manage this matter herself. The Imperial Inquisition's tasks are now your primary focus!"

The Empire had now entered another stage of rapid transformation.

First, the Empire's internal military structure was undergoing a significant overhaul, including the integration of the mortal auxiliary forces, the large-scale expansion of the Astartes Legions, and the modernization of the Imperial Navy's fleet.

Second, several new departments were being established within the Empire: the Imperial Inquisition, led by Sebas; the Empire's assassination division and the Jaegers unit, awaiting consolidation under Esdeath once she awakened; and Dr. Stylish's Empire Science Bureau.

Third, a fresh wave of outward expansion had begun. Alex's Astartes First Legion's conquest of the Black Bullet world was merely the beginning.

Budo's Astartes Second Legion was already marching along the superdimensional paths of the Honkai Dimension toward a specific Honkai world per Selene's orders. The vanguard forces had already begun their conquest along the way.

Meanwhile, Leiva's Astartes Third Legion, whose framework was recently completed, eagerly embarked on its campaign in another direction from the Honkai Dimension.

Inspired by Alex's accomplishments, and with two predecessors already in action, the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Astartes Legions were becoming restless.

Were it not for the incomplete formation of their units—many without even an auxiliary support corps—the eager Legion commanders would have set off already, even if it meant dragging their mortal auxiliaries along.

Clearly, over time, the size of each Astartes Legion would continue to grow, and the replenishment of soldiers would only become faster.

The beginning was always the hardest, but the apprentices who once trained under Dr. Stylish in the Science Bureau were now graduating in droves. The number of skilled personnel capable of independently performing Honkai Energy human enhancement surgery would continue to rise.

After all, unlike the two-geneseed limitation of the original Astartes, Selene's Honkai-enhanced warriors relied on Honkai Energy, which she could produce in an endless supply.

Previously, there was concern that the super-danger Tyrant cells, vital for improving the success rate of the Honkai Energy enhancement surgeries, might be scarce.

But with Selene's total control over everything within the world of Akame ga Kill, including Orichalcum and the cells of all super-danger beasts, even those species previously extinct could now be continuously regenerated through the Honkai Dimension's laws.

Tyrant cells, which synthesized the erosive properties of Honkai Energy and enhanced compatibility between the surgical subject and the energy, were another crucial factor for the surgery's success.

Without prior implantation of Tyrant cells, most recipients exposed directly to Honkai Energy would face severe consequences and could very well die from bodily collapse.

Not everyone was a Kaslana.

With these two major difficulties resolved, the mass production of Astartes warriors could now proceed, awaiting only an increase in the number of trained medical personnel familiar with Dr. Stylish's newly developed procedures.

Of course, Selene strictly regulated the Science Bureau's technicians, recruiting only from the Empire's local citizens. Those from conquered worlds? Not yet.

"Sebas, the palace expansion, the construction of the Aerial Garden, and the creation of the Honkai Legions… There's so much to do, and yet you've focused entirely on these minor issues with Alyssa."

With a sigh, Selene moved Alyssa, who was clinging adorably to her side, pulled the girl close, and gently stroked her ashen hair.

"Ahem…" Sebas's old face flushed as he took in Selene's amused, slightly teasing tone.

His actions, he realized, may indeed have been overbearing in his concern for her.

"Cough, Your Majesty, as it is so, I shall take my leave for now. When I finish today's tasks, I shall return at supper to atone."

With a few coughs, Sebas suppressed his overprotective feelings and spoke formally.

Understanding his priorities, Sebas respectfully took his leave with Selene's nod of approval.

"Your Majesty, Grandpa Sebas wasn't wrong either. The Sisters of Battle should indeed be held to high standards…"

Feeling as if Selene were taking her side, Alyssa buried her face against her chest, seeking comfort in her presence, murmuring soft words that melted into the air.

"Stop, stop, let's end that little self-pity party of yours," Selene chuckled, scratching Alyssa's nose as she sat on her red-and-gold chair at the dining table. "You think fast, don't you? Already advocating for Sebas as if I'm the bad guy."

"No, I…!" Alyssa, eyes wide and shimmering with tears of excitement, looked at Selene.

Selene leaned back, pulling Alyssa close, her hand resting on the girl's shoulder as she gazed into Alyssa's gentle, sky-blue eyes.

"The Sisters of Battle aren't being positioned as elite forces. It's an in-between unit, placed between Astartes warriors and the mortal auxiliaries. Measuring them by Astartes standards isn't practical."

"I dismissed Sebas's high standards because I need them to grow quickly, to form a functioning army."

"The Empire's new wave of expansion has already begun, and soon, each Legion will wage war across new worlds. The Sisters of Battle won't be exempt from this—they must finish training and deploy as soon as possible."

"As for you leading these Cursed Children from conquered worlds, Alyssa," Selene added, "both the carrot and the stick will be essential…"

In the dining hall, Selene continued imparting her command experience to Alyssa as she sampled the custom dish Susanoo had prepared.

"Your Majesty, what happens if lowering the selection criteria leads to traitors among the Sisters of Battle?"

"Execute them all." Selene's answer was direct.

Alyssa would occasionally ask Selene's views on the Cursed Children, sharing her thoughts, and Selene had approved of most of Alyssa's ideas.

Though Selene privately found Alyssa's ideals too naive, nurturing her unique style and capabilities was necessary.

"This will be your legion. Aside from major strategic objectives, I won't interfere—you'll have full command of the details."

Best to let go entirely and see how capable Alyssa was independently. If the Sisters of Battle proved ineffective, no problem; the division could simply be disbanded—the palace could always use more attendants.

But if the issue proved ideological, she'd eliminate them all.

The Sisters of Battle were, above all, a symbol and a test run. By appointing the most approachable member of the Empire's high command, Alyssa, to lead them, Selene acknowledged it as a concession to offer hope to people in conquered worlds.

Success would serve as a model; failure, as a lesson—she could always revert to widespread purging, without the slightest hesitation.

She had prepared alternatives, including a new divisions, like Sisters of Silence, who shared the same specifications as the Imperial Palace Guard.

If problems arose with the Sisters of Battle, the Sisters of Silence would step in, and recruitment would shift back to the Empire's citizens rather than the conquered, until they formed a solid culture within the Legion before re-opening recruitment to conquered worlds.

With plenty of options at her disposal, it was simply a matter of seeing which course of action would be necessary.

Selene mused over the importance of Alyssa's division as she spoke offhandedly and indulged Alyssa, calculating internally.

As selfish as Selene could be, she knew herself well—she didn't want everyone to become a mirror of her.

Two peers could become either mutually tearful confidants or rivals quick to strike a knife into each other's back.

"Those who've passed Sebas's rigorous tests will have their place. They certainly have talents, but it'd be a shame for them to serve as common soldiers."

Selene rapped her knuckles gently on Alyssa's head, musing aloud, "We'll hold off on giving them lower-tier Honkai augmentations—I'll observe them first."

Rising, Selene approached the girls standing stiffly by the Imperial Guards, wearing junior-sized grey combat uniforms.

"Uh…"

As Selene's shadow fell over them, these girls felt a chill reach their bones.

This wasn't solely due to Selene's position as a ruler who could decide the lives of countless citizens with a single word—it was her non-human essence.

Sensing their terror, Selene said calmly, "Raise your heads. Look at me."

"Y-yes, Your Majesty…" they stammered, lifting their heads slowly despite their trembling.

Selene's crimson diamond pupils narrowed, glints of gold flashing within as she nodded approvingly.

Despite their youth and signs of malnutrition from years of struggle, they exuded the potential of elite soldiers who had passed Astartes candidate standards.

"Relax. You're my subjects, and as long as you abide by Imperial law, I won't kill you."

As she spoke, a gentle white light enveloped the girls. Under its glow, they felt their eyes relax, tension melting from their muscles, their bodies gradually lightening.

The hidden physical damage from their rough lives in the Outlands began to heal, and they felt an unprecedented comfort.

"Good. Now, we begin."

Before their eyes, Selene tore open the dimensional space, drawing out several Tyrant cell orbs wrapped in purplish-red Honkai energy.

Custom-made by Selene, these were potent enough to attract even a champion in the Astartes Legions.

Despite the pain involved, they provided unmatched enhancement without adverse effects.

"Swallow them. If you endure the bodily augmentation, you'll join the Sisters of Battle. If you refuse, no problem—you can join after passing additional tests."

Then she added, "Alyssa, I leave the rest to you."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

As Alyssa responded, Selene's figure vanished, leaving only the purple-red orbs suspended in midair.

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