I Am Honkai

Step, step—

"Kamine Island… The C's World, the collective consciousness of humanity, or perhaps, Alaya."

As Selene pushed open the stone doors, her field of view narrowed further. She looked at the exposed rock layers, noting that this land was no natural fault line—it had been cut open by something.

At the end of her line of sight was what seemed to be a door—no, rather, a massive relief sculpture carved with intricate geometric patterns that resembled a doorway.

In the dim light, the stone structure resembling a doorway appeared dull and broken, with shattered stone slabs scattered across the floor.

This was the Aramu Gate, the entrance to the World of C.

The World of C is this world's collective unconscious of humanity—a convergence of human thoughts and memories.

It's a spatial construct; entering the World of C is equivalent to entering one's own and others' subconscious realms, allowing one to observe the deeper minds and memories of oneself and others.

With crisp footsteps, Selene approached the stone door.

Looking up, she saw countless strange engravings glowing faintly on the door-like structure. At its center, a bird-shaped emblem shone with a faint red glow.

The moment Selene pressed her palm against the bird emblem on the stone door, the massive design flared with a bright red light that swiftly spread outward, illuminating the entire wall along the engraved patterns in an instant.

"Hm? Access denied."

Clearly, as the collective subconscious of this world's humanity, the World of C had denied entry to Selene, the head of the invasion.

"Being an unwelcome guest is nothing new to me… Corrosion!"

Though it allowed entry only to natives who wielded the power of Geass, Selene was determined to gain access regardless.

With her command, the stone door shook violently. The various geometric engravings, already damaged, emitted a cracking sound as small bits of rubble fell away.

Buzz—!

A vivid, thick, purple-red cloud of Honkai Energy surged forth, eroding the faint red glow. For a moment, Selene seemed to hear the agonized wails of countless humans echoing in her ears.

Pop!

A sensation like piercing through a thin film overcame her, and her view shifted—the deserted island temple was replaced by a dazzling world.

The entire realm seemed dyed in the colors of dawn. Beneath her feet lay a surface of irregularly shaped stone slabs pieced together.

Ancient, moss-covered floating palaces exuded an air of age. The sky was filled with vibrant hues stretching across a boundless expanse, and below lay a vast sea of clouds.

It was breathtakingly beautiful.

Yet, amid this motionless and desolate landscape, a stifling tension permeated the air, rendering the space especially eerie.

It felt as if some third-rate painter had forcibly blended incompatible elements together.

"As I thought, you aren't dead. I had suspected as much—a man who ruled Britannia for decades wouldn't go down without some kind of contingency."

Walking through the scene as though she were strolling through her own garden, Selene came to a halt, speaking in a tone devoid of surprise.

At the top of the stone steps extending upward from the floating ground, on a spiral staircase ending at a somewhat dilapidated altar, two figures—one large, one small—stood with their backs to Selene.

"So, it's the Empress of the Sacred Selene Empire from another world…."

The man in white curly hair, draped in a luxurious cloak and ceremonial robes, turned around. His old, dignified face bore a mixture of resentment and perhaps… gratitude?

Gratitude? Selene considered the possibility… and found herself utterly unable to comprehend the minds of these two people.

"Charles… Lelouch was still too green after all. Though your physical body was destroyed by the explosive bullet, your consciousness escaped to the World of C in advance."

Selene had speculated about Charles' escape. The ruins of C weren't limited to Kamine Island in the 11th District.

After all, seizing these ruins of C was one of the Holy Britannian Empire's objectives in its global conquests.

As the empire ruling over a third of the world, it was only natural for Britannia's royal family to possess other C relics.

The towering, imposing figure was unmistakably Charles zi Britannia, the ninety-eighth Emperor of Britannia—killed by Lelouch, or perhaps only in body.

"Charles, is this the one responsible for invading our world?"

Standing behind Charles was a short boy dressed in white-and-purple priest-like robes adorned with golden patterns.

Silently nodding at his younger-looking brother, Charles cast his sharp, eagle-like gaze down at Selene, speaking in a tone dripping with arrogance.

"Ruler of another world, you may indeed be powerful, but you are far too arrogant. Entering here alone, your spirit will become sustenance for the World of C."

To Charles, the World of C was his trump card. The collective consciousness of seven billion humans would make him invincible. By stepping into this world, Selene had already lost, in his eyes.

"This is my mercy. Your death will mark the beginning of our dream's realization!"

"Though you destroyed my nation, your invasion also helped. The large-scale human casualties brought on by this total war have weakened the 'God.'"

"Very soon, this world will be free of hypocrisy and masks. With the authority of 'God' in my hands, I shall banish you all from here!"

Charles' voice was fervent as he spoke, his gaze turning fanatical as he looked back at the strange, spiral pillar behind him.

"This system is the Sword of Akasha. It is the world's ultimate program, the key to approaching and slaying 'God.' It is singular, absolute, the hammer of judgment that lies beyond the reach of human desires!"

As Charles and his brother V.V. fell into a state of manic delusion, spouting incomprehensible proclamations, Selene tilted her head, her brows furrowing, and a surging wave of murderous intent flared in her crimson eyes.

"So this is your last recourse, huh? Just the collective consciousness of seven billion humans!"

In an instant, from the spot where Selene stood, the entire World of C was dyed a chilling dark red.

Buzz, buzz—

A thick, materialized purple-red mist rose up, and in an instant, Charles realized that he had lost all control over the World of C.

Moreover, this purple-red 'mist'—pssht, pssht—!

Agonizing pain radiated from the depths of his soul, and wherever his body made contact with the 'mist,' it began to dissolve rapidly. "You…"

"Farewell. I'm not interested in listening to your rambling."

With no intention of hearing them out, Selene clenched her hand, and a purple-red storm engulfed them.

"I've already collected your remains; don't disturb your own grave. Rest in peace, final emperor."

With silence restored, Selene ascended the steps, stopping before a towering pillar etched with countless strange, intricate patterns.

It spiraled upward like a drill bit, reaching beyond the clouds and into the heavens, accompanied by a deep rumbling with each rotation.

"The Sword of Akasha."

The system controlling the World of C, capable of linking the relics scattered across the world, connecting the real world to the World of C, and transporting people to specified locations within the World of C.

When controlled by a Code bearer, it can activate the Ragnarök Connection, extending the collective unconscious field of humanity to cover the entire world by activating relics globally.

"Too bad I have no need for it."

"Become the world's core—devour!"

...

At that moment, in one of the imperial army's concentration camps within the Tokyo Concession of Area 11, a green-haired woman wearing a white restraint suit suddenly raised her head.

"Geass… disappeared?!"

...

One day later, in the Honkai Dimension, Imperial Grand Palace.

"Brother, where are we…?"

When Nunnally opened her eyes again, she was met with the sight of a vast and resplendent hall of gold and jade.

Towering pavilions reached into the clouds, palace corridors and sky bridges seemed to float above the clouds, surrounded by intricately carved columns, lavishly gilded tapestries, and magnificent murals and reliefs hung on either side.

"That's right, this is the capital of the Sacred Selene Empire."

Thud, thud!

Encased in golden power armor, the Imperial Guard marched past with heavy, synchronized steps, passing in front of the visitors from another world.

The palace complex was enormous, more like a city composed of giant buildings, and servants and attendants moved constantly within it.

Even in the brief time they stood observing, Lelouch and the others could see layer upon layer of densely packed structures stretching into the distance, with nearly ten thousand servants and guards moving in and out.

"What luxury… every tile here is gilded with jade. It seems our new ruler is one of even more absolute imperial power than Britannia."

Pushing up his glasses, Lloyd Asplund adjusted his lab coat and spoke with a sigh.

"Heh, Lloyd, and what difference is that from the Britannia you served?" scoffed Rakshata Chawla, a mature woman with dark skin and blonde hair, holding a long smoking pipe with her usual bluntness.

"Hey now, Rakshata, is that really necessary? We used to be colleagues, after all, and now we're both working under the Empire…."

With a shrug, Lloyd smiled wryly.

"Tch! It's only been one day since we surrendered, and already you're rushing to cozy up to your new master?"

As the two bickered, Cornelia, with her wavy rose-purple hair and dressed in a dark red gown, frowned and said, "This is no longer Britannia, you two. If you want to die, don't drag Euphie into it."

Saying that, Cornelia tightened her grip around Euphemia, gently patting her younger sister's back to calm her trembling.

Cornelia wasn't as carefree as Lloyd. Though the soldiers and servants passing by hadn't made things difficult for them, their cold, dismissive glances had been unmistakable—

As if looking at abandoned, worthless dolls.

From princesses to mere captives relying on others' goodwill, Cornelia had considered ending her own life but ultimately couldn't bring herself to leave Euphemia to face such a harsh world alone.

Their support—the Britannian Empire—was gone, and the gilded canaries had lost their sanctuary.

"All right, everyone, let's stay calm and wait for the summons from the Imperial Ministry of Internal Affairs. Remember! Do not mention the Britannian Empire—it no longer exists. Now it is just a surname, with no meaning behind it."

Holding Nunnally's hand, Lelouch turned to the group, speaking sternly.

"But… Brother, Brother Odysseus, Sister Guinevere, Brother Schneizel, and Sister Carine… they're all gone."

Euphemia looked up, her tear-filled eyes wide, and sniffled as she spoke.

Honestly, after losing most of her family, Euphemia was overjoyed to learn that Lelouch and Nunnally were still alive.

"Live well, Euphemia. The Britannian family now has only us left."

With that, Lelouch fell silent. This was the Sacred Selene Empire's palace, and it was best that those who had surrendered maintained a low profile.

The atmosphere here was far too solemn and grand.

As the group waited quietly for their titles to be conferred, Lelouch cast a glance at Nina Einstein, who was standing timidly, fiddling with her fingers and remaining silent.

He recognized her from Ashford Academy's student council. But why did the Imperial Science Bureau specifically summon her? Did she have some unique skill?

"Lelouch, is it?"

Suddenly, a man dressed in a black-and-red imperial civil servant's uniform approached, asking.

"Ah, yes, that's me."

"Then, please follow me."

"The governorship conferral ceremony for Conquered World No. 37, under the command of the Astartes Second Legion, will be held at the Imperial Ministry of Internal Affairs."

Leading the way, the official explained diligently, "The ceremony will be conducted by Minister Run, and afterward, Her Majesty will be waiting for you at the Schönbrunn Palace."

Following the official's steady pace, Lelouch nodded, politely expressing his thanks.

They passed through hall after hall, until—

"La, la, la-la-la… Oh hey…."

Lelouch's group stopped in their tracks, stunned as they watched a gray-haired girl hop down the corridor from one of the palace halls.

Everyone, including their guide, as well as the attendants and Astartes warriors they passed, all bowed in respect as she passed.

In that moment, Lelouch and the others found themselves mumbling in disbelief.

Who was this? She seemed completely out of place with the iron-blooded, austere style of the Sacred Selene Empire.

"Huh! Who are you?"

...

Schönbrunn Palace.

"Wow! Your Majesty, the technology of the mechs in this newly conquered world is fascinating! Their Knightmare Frame units and anti-gravity spaceflight technology could provide significant enhancements to the Empire…."

Excitedly flipping through documents on the Britannian Empire's Knightmare Frame humanoid combat suits handed to him by Selene, Dr. Fashion spoke at a rapid pace.

"Your Majesty, I request permission to go investigate on-site!"

"That won't be necessary for now; I've already ordered Budo to package the relevant technology for you, along with over a hundred fully intact Knightmare units for your research."

As she spoke, Selene waved her hand over a stack of personal information forms on her desk.

"And I've also found you some new assistants…."