Who is this blond kid?
Kiana slowly typed a question mark in her mind.
That look like he wants to split me in half—what did I do to deserve that?
Hiss... Even if I did something wrong, most of it would have been back on my home planet—that was a long time ago, during that Herrscher rampage. Taking a step back, could he be some rebel I failed to completely purge in a governor's jurisdiction? But how did he sneak across the sea of stars to get here?
Her thoughts ran wild like an unbridled horse. The moment she relaxed, Kiana's wandering little mind started producing all sorts of unreliable guesses.
Clang!
"Hostility."
In a flash, behind Kiana—at the very instant the blond youth roared—Raiden Mei reacted first. Her attention had been drawn to the kimono-clad woman holding a naginata in a faint standoff with Senti, but now—
"How dare you!"
With a sharp rebuke, her gentle, Yamato nadeshiko-like eyes turned cold, as if violet lightning flickered within them.
Electricity surged from her fingertips. She grasped the void, and lightning condensed into a blade—unsheathed! In less than a breath, before anyone could even blink, a blazing arc of cutting force tore through the air, bearing down on the blond youth and those trying to restrain him.
Snapping back to her senses, Kiana shouted, "Mei!"
Crackle! The thunder ceased abruptly. The "bystanders" who had been pulling at and shielding the blond youth were blasted over ten meters away by the sheer force. Paimon, who had been floating anxiously and chattering beside them, spun through the air like a top before being blown into a shallow puddle with a plop.
Raiden Mei halted her strike with perfect control. The lightning-wreathed blade stopped right at the blond youth's neck.
A faint line of blood seeped out. The Empire's Herrscher of Thunder, the Governor of Space's closest companion and personal chef, merely pressed down slightly with the Key of Castigation: Verdict in her hand.
"Kneel, insolent one."
His face pale, Aether said nothing. He could feel the stinging numbness at his neck. As the figure before him—resembling the Electro Archon of Inazuma—moved, every bone in his body creaked. His knees were forced to bend, and the cracked tiles beneath his feet shattered further with a loud break.
Only then did the native inhabitants of Teyvat react.
It had happened too suddenly—too fast, too decisively.
Neuvillette, who had been giving instructions to the Melusines and the staff of the Court of Fontaine regarding disaster relief, widened his eyes. The hand gripping his gentleman's cane tightened involuntarily.
Navia, who had been flung aside by the shockwave, spun through the air. After tumbling several times upon landing, she finally steadied herself and cried out in alarm. Lyney, Lynette, and the others of the Fatui who had come as outside support for Fontaine were also momentarily stunned.
Paimon flew up out of the puddle, soaked through, with withered leaves stuck to her head. Tears welled in her eyes as she flailed helplessly in the air.
Zhongli, who had been weighing his words, stiffened slightly when Aether interrupted like this.
Especially upon seeing the being before him—crimson horns at her forehead, long dark-purple hair, pale violet eyes, wielding thunder and a blade of lightning—even with his composure, his gaze drifted toward the old friend beside him—the Narukami Ogosho, the Electro Archon, Raiden Ei.
Aren't you supposed to be twin gods? Why are there three of you? Is there another sister who left Teyvat?
The Lesser Lord Kusanali was dumbfounded.
Venti rubbed his hands together secretly, his face full of curiosity. Something interesting was happening... ahem, no—time to use his silver tongue to save someone.
"Mei, your aggression is a bit much, isn't it?"
After exchanging thoughts with Senti and learning Teyvat's language through shared authority, Kiana carefully examined the blond youth in front of her. After confirming she didn't recognize him, she turned to Mei with a mildly reproachful tone.
"I'm exercising restraint."
A crimson oni-armored hand grabbed the "silver little sprite" that was lunging toward the blond youth. Mei flicked her finger, and tangible violet arcs of electricity intertwined, trapping it like a birdcage.
"When dealing with assassins or those with malicious intent, even if you don't kill them, you should still use thunderous means to strike them down first—intimidate them into confessing everything without daring to hide or lie."
As she spoke, Raiden Mei glanced at Kiana with a hint of helplessness. "After all, you wouldn't agree to a soul search."
"To understand why he felt hostility upon seeing you, the terror of facing death should make his words more credible." After saying this, Mei sheathed her blade. "Go ahead and question him."
"Come on, Mei. There's no need to use the military's 'great memory restoration technique' for this."
Kiana covered her face and shook her head.
Only by coming infinitely close to death can one grasp the true meaning of life.
This was one of the Empire military's commonly used methods and guiding principles. Of course, Kiana knew it well.
Simply put—apply 'physical therapy' before 'verbal therapy.'
In front of her, Mei wouldn't kill, but it was inevitable that her methods carried the Empire military's blunt and direct style.
Despite Mei's fierce attitude toward the blond youth, she wouldn't go for the kill. It was intimidation first, then interrogation. In the Empire military, if they truly intended to kill, there would be no need for such buildup—just a flash of lightning, and everything would already be cut down.
"I don't think I know you. 'Sustainer of Heavenly Principles'? Who's that?"
Poking Mei lightly at the waist, Kiana walked calmly up to the blond youth. Her gaze was steady, her tone indifferent. "You're not talking about my royal sister, are you?" Her voice dropped slightly at the end.
Forgive her for thinking that way—it was just that her sister Selene had far too many titles and incarnations!
If this guy really was hostile toward her sister... well, better to let her kill him quickly—at least it would be less painful.
"You..."
Paimon's cry helped Aether regain a bit of composure. Looking at the "Sustainer of Heavenly Principles" before him, the young man felt dazed. Why had her eyes turned blue?
Aether stared blankly, but Kiana didn't mind.
"I don't recall having the title 'Sustainer of Heavenly Principles.' Have you thought it through?"
After a long silence, Aether lowered his head. Thought flickered in his eyes, his brow deeply furrowed, his expression shifting like gathering storm clouds.
The pure white and gold-trimmed violet high-ranking planetary governor's uniform of the Sacred Selene Empire, engraved with the Empire's double-headed eagle as well as the unique insignia of the Kaslana family and Schicksal. Exquisite long boots, gloves, clothing that barely exposed any skin.
And the white-gold cloak draped over her left shoulder. The eagle medal and service insignia on her left chest, the golden tassels on her right...
Everything was completely different from the unknown god he had faced on Celestia five hundred years ago.
After five hundred years of slumber, though the memory was unforgettable, Aether only remembered that the Sustainer of Heavenly Principles was a white-haired, golden-eyed god capable of tearing open space.
"Then who are you?!" Aether demanded. "Where is the Heavenly Principles?" He pointed toward Celestia above. "Was she taken by that giant god? My sister—she joined the Abyss Order to 'defy the Heavenly Principles'—was she taken too?"
"It seems you've realized your mistake. Don't let it happen again."
Without answering, Raiden Mei observed Aether's expression carefully before turning to Kiana. "A pitiful soul burdened with hatred, having lost his family, blinded by anger and vengeance." A gentle smile appeared on her cold face. "Kiana, did you sense his sister?"
"Ah, the aura is colder and more viscous, but the origin is the same." Kiana nodded.
"Y-you... what are you talking about?" Aether became flustered.
"Your sister—she should be watching you from not far away."
As she spoke, rip! Kiana reached out. From the torn black cavity, a sharp cry rang out, "Who is it?! Let go!" Whoosh! She pulled out a blond girl—her face nearly identical, as if carved from the same mold.
"Lumine!"
Seeing the sister he had longed for day and night flying toward him just like that, Aether froze, calling out in disbelief.
Thud! She crashed into his arms. Struggling at first, but upon hearing the familiar voice, Lumine also froze. Turning her face slightly, she looked at the outline holding her tightly. "Brother."
"Looks like that's settled."
Kiana and Mei exchanged a glance.
"No need to thank me, kid. Though it's sudden, I'm about to assume the position of the highest authority on your planet. Let me introduce myself—Kiana Kaslana, High-Ranking Planetary Governor of the Sacred Selene Empire. As for the Sustainer of Heavenly Principles, is it the one sleeping on Celestia?"
As she spoke, Kiana turned her head and called out, "Senti."
"Huh? Oh—yeah, I'm here."
Senti had been slinging an arm around Fu Hua's shoulders, winking and explaining the situation to Griseo using the Authority of Sentience while also giving her a crash course on the Empire. Hearing Kiana call, she glanced at Aether.
"Celestia? There are quite a few life signatures up there, but as for the Sustainer of Heavenly Principles, it's probably the one with the strongest presence at the center. Hmm, there is one—severely injured, not in a good state. When I was beating up that Herrscher of the 'Sea,' she showed signs of waking up. Then I subtly altered the consciousness of all living beings on Celestia and hypnotized them."
"Looks like her status in Teyvat isn't low. If she joined the battle, things might get messy. If it escalated into a real fight, it would turn into a conquest war. Since you all wanted to avoid conflict, I took this approach."
With that, Senti put her hands on her hips and tilted her chin proudly at Fu Hua—her meaning obvious: praise me, praise me!
Fu Hua felt quite gratified. Though still lively as ever, it was a measured kind of liveliness—no major mistakes, only occasional minor ones. It was rather endearing.
"Alright. Problem solved." Kiana let out a breath of relief and signaled to Mei that she could release the electromagnetic pressure weighing down the agitated crowd.
As long as they weren't enemies of her royal sister, things could be negotiated. Even enemies of the Empire could be dealt with somehow. But enemies of her sister—that would truly be unsolvable. She absolutely couldn't grow arrogant just because she was favored.
"Waaah... Aether, I thought—I almost thought I'd never be able to stay by your side again!" As the electric cage was lifted, Paimon immediately teared up and rushed toward Aether, who was still kneeling and holding Lumine.
"Aether! Paimon! So this is your sister... congratulations."
Seeing this, Navia, Lyney, Lynette, and the others the Traveler had befriended in Fontaine hurried forward. What had just happened—Aether's suppressed roar of anger followed by nearly being beheaded—had terrified them.
"Lord Neuvillette, my apologies, the situation is as follows..."
While Fu Hua and Senti explained things, Griseo approached the Chief Justice of Fontaine, to whom she had previously entrusted the legacy of civilization. At this point, it was clear that everything that had happened was nothing more than a massive misunderstanding.
"A misunderstanding... even so, it can be considered a kind of fortune."
Looking over the devastated Erinnyes Island—and indeed all of Fontaine—Neuvillette felt a deep bitterness. Not one to show emotion, he still found himself unable to articulate what he felt at this moment.
Through the mental network provided by Senti, containing vast amounts of information about the Sacred Selene Empire, he had come to understand one thing—he had no real choice.
Teyvat's fate was almost already decided.
Even if Griseo had never come, even without Fu Hua and Senti—whose signals were indistinguishable from Honkai Beasts—creating a chain of events, and even if no Honkai Beasts had landed in Fontaine, the Punishers, the so-called celestial enforcers who were already active in the trial world—this planet and its surrounding star systems and dimensions—would inevitably have discovered Teyvat.
At that point, facing the descending Punishers, without the backing of the Valkyrie forces or Governor Kiana, those beings—who were racking their brains to prepare rare and novel tributes for the Divine Empress—would show no mercy.
Without the restraint of giving face to the Valkyries or the Governor, it was entirely possible that all species and resources on Teyvat would be stripped away.
Any resistance—resisting the Punishers... Teyvat might very well be smashed apart entirely.
Even now, recalling the overwhelming presence of those enforcers, Neuvillette still felt lingering fear.
And according to the information transmitted by Senti, the enforcers before him were merely the most standard five-man tactical squad of the Astartes Second Legion!
Resist? How could they possibly resist?
"Then, I now announce that Teyvat—including all the nations you represent—will fall under the Empire's Valkyrie forces. No exceptions. You will become autonomous states under imperial rule."
Having served as governor for many years, Kiana naturally softened her phrasing slightly. Looking at the various Archons who were still digesting the information about the Sacred Selene Empire, she avoided directly calling them a colonial world and instead used a more palatable term.
Sigh... Sister... Many Imperial worlds are practically no different from self-governing dominions on the surface, yet the Empire insists on calling them colonies. It's as if once you've hit rock bottom, anything better feels like a gift—a favor that can be taken away at any time.
Kiana complained inwardly.
"This is not a negotiation. It's a notification."
Her gaze lingered especially on the carefree bard who lacked any dignity of a ruler—the Anemo Archon—before she emphasized:
"Whether your nations once upheld freedom or rule by law, once the Punishers know, it means you're already on record with the Empire's Department of Military Affairs. Prepare this year's taxes and the framework for auxiliary legions. You will all be incorporated under the Schicksal auxiliary forces."
"At the beginning, the amount can be small or discounted—but it cannot be zero. This is a matter of attitude."
"..." Venti fell silent.
The playful smile disappeared.
The other gods were one thing—like Raiden Ei of Inazuma, who already ruled with absolute authority. As long as her people were protected, acceptance would not be difficult. But Mondstadt, the nation he had founded and sheltered...
A free and harmonious land without a king, a nation free from divine interference—everything he had upheld would now be overturned.
Demand autonomy? Impossible. Many of the Sacred Selene Empire's systems seemed utterly counterintuitive to Venti. Nominal autonomy would be extremely difficult. Ironically, unspoken, de facto autonomy would be easier.
The people of Mondstadt would kneel beneath the supreme authority of the Empress—unquestionable.
Above Mondstadt would stand a sovereign they must serve—a ruler of all beings, mortal and divine alike, under whose radiance all things would bask.
Sigh... how was he supposed to face the fallen youth? How was he supposed to face Vanessa, the Lionfang Knight he had freed in the name of freedom?
Should he go to the Imperial Capital, seek an audience with the Divine Empress—the god of all things, the embodiment of Finality—and plead for Mondstadt to remain unruled? Difficult... far too difficult. He might not even qualify for an audience.
A headache.
Venti held his head. This was already the most generous outcome possible, and they couldn't win. He had no other choice.
"Who is the ruler of Fontaine?"
While Kiana discussed with Zhongli the various regulations governing the operation of Imperial colonial worlds—mentioning that a Supreme Governor's Office would be established in Teyvat, and that the Seven Nations could remain as administrative divisions retaining nominal autonomy—she paused, surveying the land of Fontaine around her, deep in thought.
"Lord Neuvillette, since this misunderstanding has caused such significant damage to Fontaine, on behalf of the Valkyrie forces, I will allocate funds and support. Fontaine lies at the center of the Teyvat continent—I have decided to establish the Imperial Governor's Office here."
It seemed the Hydro Archon was not present?
Kiana's gaze settled on a certain Chief Justice of Fontaine. Hmm, abundant Hydro element... the ley lines of Fontaine seem faintly connected to you. You should be the Hydro Archon, then.
"Miss Furina..." Neuvillette was at a loss.
Looking toward the collapsed Opera Epiclese, what could he say? Before their arrival, he had been plotting rebellion—seeking to judge the Hydro Archon. In the Sacred Selene Empire's absolute imperial system, that was unquestionably high treason.
"Don't tell me the Hydro Archon is still buried underneath..."
Following his gaze, Kiana looked over. Beneath the ruins of the opera house, there was indeed an enormous concentration of energy along with a faint life signature. But the nature of that energy didn't resemble a living being—it was more like a vessel storing power, like the engine core of a warship.
"Hm?" Just as Kiana focused her attention below, her azure eyes briefly tinted gold, preparing to move whatever lay beneath—
Drip...
The crisp sound of a droplet falling into water echoed.
"Neuvillette... weren't you trying to uncover the truth? What's with that expression, now that you see the real me?"
Carried by rippling water, Furina appeared before everyone. The outsiders like Kiana and the others were fine—they had never seen her before—but the people of Fontaine were utterly stunned.
At this moment, Furina had shed her extravagant attire. Her hair tie was undone, and her voluminous curls, streaked with blue highlights, cascaded down like a waterfall. She wore a simple, unadorned aqua off-shoulder dress, her bare feet stepping lightly upon the uneven ruins.
Her heterochromatic, droplet-like eyes carried a trace of sorrow and dimness as she gazed over the wreckage of Erinnyes Island.
"Sigh... what a spectacle. I never expected the prophecy to end this way. The compensatory energy I accumulated—completely useless... then all the suffering she endured all these years—what was it for?"
The crisis of Fontaine being dissolved by the Primordial Sea—now the waters of the Primordial Sea were gone, and the star-devouring whale that once stirred the storm had been captured and taken away by visitors from a far more distant sea of stars. Fontaine's crisis had vanished.
"Furina." Neuvillette's expression was complicated as he looked at the Hydro Archon surrounded by primordial water and compensatory energy.
His plan to judge the Hydro Archon had been to determine whether Furina truly was the Archon. Now, it was clear—she was.
"Hydro Archon, your stance." Kiana was far less sentimental and asked directly.
"I agree." Lowering her body, lifting her skirt slightly with one hand, Furina straightened and placed a hand over her chest in a solemn salute. "Governor Kiana Kaslana."
"Please save my people of Fontaine. Establish the Imperial Governor's Office here. The authority of a powerless god is not worth mentioning."
Kiana studied Furina, who was bowing with her hand over her chest, for a moment, then turned and connected to the shuttle's onboard AI. "Hey, Ai-chan, help me contact Aunt..."
"Teyvat's situation will be properly resolved." Fu Hua withdrew her gaze and comforted Griseo. "Waiting here serves no purpose. Once we recover the Ark, we'll return to the Imperial Capital. Kosma, Elysia, and Dr. Mobius have been eagerly waiting for you."
"I..." Griseo still felt guilty as she looked at the suffering citizens of Fontaine.
"You'll be more useful back there than here. For example, you could ask Dr. Mobius—her resources are beyond your imagination. Rebuilding and supporting Teyvat would be effortless."
"Grandma Mobius..." Griseo nodded firmly, then walked toward Neuvillette. She needed to apologize and explain everything clearly. She would come back to make amends.
"Hey, old relic, come take a look." As Fu Hua watched with a faint smile, preparing to contact the onboard AI for departure, Senti tugged at her and pointed over there—two Raiden Shoguns, standing almost like mirrored sisters.
"Hello, my name is Raiden Mei."
"Beelzebul... no, you can call me Raiden Ei."
"You're also named Raiden?!"
"Mm..."
Watching their conversation, Senti couldn't help poking Fu Hua's waist and whispering, "Could it be Mei's dad messed around in the Sea of Quanta and somehow—ow!"
"Don't speak ill of others behind their backs. She's lived for hundreds of years. If anything, that Raiden Shogun came first... ahem, there's no basis for that." Fu Hua clasped her hands behind her back and chuckled softly. "A coincidence. Let's just call it the depth and mystery of the universe."
As for what Raiden Ei and Raiden Mei were discussing—something about whether one was a 'flower' that bloomed on the other side of the world after the original's death—Fu Hua merely listened before dragging away a Senti who was clearly enjoying the spectacle.
"Um, excuse me... could you tell me something? In your country, what's the crime for mocking your god?"
As the atmosphere began to relax slightly, Paimon quietly drifted over. Her small hands twisted together nervously as she looked hopefully at the Herrscher of Sentience, who was still floating midair with an arrogant, over-the-top demeanor even while being dragged away.
"Mocking a god?"
Senti paused, looking at the timid little mascot in front of her. Then she broke into a grin. "Which god? The Imperial Capital is packed with divine races and pantheons—there are so many gods they could practically form a legion..."
Paimon's face turned even paler. She swallowed, glanced around nervously, and muttered in a small voice, "I mean... that 'Finality'..."
"Hiss—!"
Drawing out the sound, Senti frowned. "Then you're done for." She took a few steps back with a look that clearly said 'No saving you, just wait for death, goodbye!' "Calling the tribunal—heresy detected!"
"Waaah!"
"Alright, Senti, stop scaring her. If we really followed the Tribunal's methods—those ruthless enforcers—they'd definitely try to expand the charges, implicate others, and widen the scope. Are you really planning to let this innocent world become a victim of their abuse of power?"
How could Fu Hua not see through Senti's mischievous intent?
"Her Majesty doesn't need to exterminate such a weak world to assert her authority."
Selene had long passed that stage. Nowadays, many of the Sacred Selene Empire's methods had softened alongside the Empress' changing attitude.
Of course, that depended on the comparison.
If you compared her to the saintly idealists of mainstream morality, then the Empress would seem as extreme as a bloodthirsty war god—evil as a dark deity.
"Haha, just teasing you." Senti laughed and lightly tapped Paimon's head. "Such a cute little mascot—I almost want to keep you as a pet."
"Hmph!" Paimon stomped angrily. "I'm not a mascot! I'm Aether's best partner! Hmph! I'm ignoring you! I'll give you a really ugly nick—w-wah!" Seeing Senti's crimson eyes narrow dangerously again, she squeaked and hurriedly flew away.
Fu Hua sighed and looked toward Kiana, who was still on a call.
"Mm, we've picked them up. Ran into a minor issue, but fortunately encountered an interesting colonial world. The locals are... fairly friendly, I suppose. Griseo caused quite a misunderstanding here. Coordinates... Auntie can send someone to take over. I won't talk long—are Mom, Dad, and Sis getting along well? We need to return to the Imperial Capital. If I'm late during the celebration period, old Mr. Sebas will swallow me whole."
Fu Hua stepped forward. "Everything has been arranged."
"Mm."
Kiana nodded. Looking at the Archons of Teyvat still processing the information, she smiled faintly. "For now, everything is settled."
"Mei, let's go."
With a wave, Kiana stepped forward and said to Zhongli, "I'll leave behind a few intelligent servants. At most three Imperial standard days—our Valkyrie garrison from the homeworld will arrive in Teyvat. By then, the servants will assist with negotiations. After the Imperial celebration, we'll return." With that, she turned to open a portal.
"Wait." Zhongli spoke.
Kiana turned back, puzzled.
"The Imperial celebration. May I attend?"
"Liyue's ruler, leaving your homeland at such a time?"
"It is no issue." Zhongli stepped forward. "Liyue has already entered an era of human governance. In the eyes of many, I have already passed away. If not for this incident, I would not have appeared before the people of Fontaine."
"..." Kiana considered for a moment. "You may. But the Imperial Capital is not possible. You lack citizenship, and during the celebration period, far too many are competing for entry."
The Flame-Chasers had been revived in the Capital, and Griseo was among them. Her registration barely qualified her within the Valkyrie garrison there. For unaffiliated outsiders like those of Teyvat, entering the Capital at this time was difficult.
"However, I can take you to my homeworld. It is also the future homeworld of the Schicksal forces your auxiliary legions will belong to. During the celebration, all Imperial worlds hold festivities—though none match the Capital's scale."
"Agreed."
"Who else?" Kiana looked at the others.
"I'll go." Raiden Ei stepped forward.
"I'll go too. If it's a festival, there must be plenty of wine and opera." The carefree Anemo Archon spoke.
"Chief Justice Neuvillette." Furina spoke seriously. "I leave Fontaine in your hands. I will do everything I can to secure more support from the Empire."
"Um..." A timid voice spoke up softly. "I'd like to go too."
"Then let's depart." Kiana smiled brightly and snapped her fingers, expanding the portal.
Woooo—
As they stepped through, their vision shifted. Beneath their feet was a luxurious silk carpet, above them a seamless metallic dome, and beyond the viewport—true cosmic space, a silent, multicolored expanse of stars.
"Ai-chan, prepare for jump."
"Roger!" A lively, spirited female voice responded.
After issuing the command, Kiana turned. "Make yourselves comfortable. This shuttle isn't a main warship, so the guest cabins are limited. I'll have the servants prepare food. The service units will assist you with anything you need." With that, she left the cabin.
Senti dragged Griseo away.
Fu Hua and Raiden Mei exchanged a few words, and Mei—out of habit—tied on an apron and entered the kitchen. Ever since her return, the Governor hadn't eaten the servants' cooking.
As if drawn by something, Raiden Ei followed Mei to the semi-open kitchen. Watching from nearby, she observed Mei's deft knife skills, precise control of heat, and smooth workflow. In no time, several simple yet beautifully presented appetizers were prepared.
Raiden Ei's eyes widened.
How can you...?!
Meanwhile, by the viewport, Zhongli stood solemnly, gazing into the void. Suddenly, the ship trembled. The stars outside stretched into streaks of multicolored light, and in an instant, they entered a strange flowing realm—violet-red tides of energy surging and shifting.
On the sofa, Nahida with an open book, Furina operating a projection device, and Venti mixing drinks with the help of a service unit all paused, captivated by the view—the Honkai hyperdimensional corridor.
At the other end of the shuttle...
"Phew..." Kiana exhaled and leaned back into a luxurious chair, jotting notes in her journal.
"Hmm... I should write a thank-you letter to General Budo..."
Teyvat... seems like quite a nice world. Didn't have time to study it this time. Next time... if there's time.
As she wrote, thinking about Teyvat, time slipped by unnoticed.
Knock knock. "Kiana, dinner's ready." Mei's voice.
"Coming!"
Kiana responded, closing her journal and placing it in a drawer. Her fingers brushed against the Honkai cube inside—a gift from her sister.
"Mmph!" Violet light flashed, and a sudden numbness coursed through her body.
"Hm? Kiana?" A firm, elderly voice sounded. "Have you submitted your coursework to me?"
"Old Master Sebas!" Kiana blushed in embarrassment.
"Haha... You've picked up your companions—hurry back. I'll be waiting for your report after the celebration."
"You already knew, didn't you?"
Kiana was briefly surprised, then found it natural.
"What is there that I wouldn't know..." Sebas chuckled.
Only then did Kiana notice something unusual—Sebas seemed in a very good mood. "What's going on over there, old master? You sound happy..."
"Take a guess." The voice shifted—to a dignified female tone. Kiana immediately straightened. "Sister!"
"Mind your own duties. No need for ceremony... I—Ferdinand! Get back here! Go choose! No running away! You must settle this marriage today! Hohenzollern, Windsor, Nassau, or Gotha—choose! Afraid of women? What kind of man are you?! This is your fiancée—who dares reject you? I'll destroy—ow!"
"Selene! Even if you're eager to abdicate, you can't—let Brauchitsch handle it!"
"Me? Oh, Katie, spare me."
"Silence! If you keep dodging, I'll have Selene send you to Siberia!"
"Hey, hey, Sister Selene, the Crown Prince Ferdinand might—"
The line was filled with lively noise—German, Japanese, laughter, scolding, teasing—names like Misaka, Uiharu, Touma... it was thoroughly festive.
I shouldn't be hearing this.
Kiana blankly cut off the connection.
"Sister..." A faint smile appeared as she stretched. That overwhelming, almost terrifying figure—so divine, so distant—had such a human side as well.
Knock knock. "Kiana, everyone's waiting."
"Coming, Mei."
Pushing open the office door, Kiana looked out at the hyperdimensional corridor beyond the viewport. They had reached a relay point—a massive spaceport city within the network, fleets constantly arriving and departing.
Bathed in violet-red light, she felt warmth spread through her body.
The corridor had become even faster... they were already halfway home, leaving the trial world behind.
"Feels good."
"A beautiful world may not be achieved overnight, and may always remain an ideal—but I'm willing to strive toward it with everything I have."
"Thank you, Sister."
For giving me this chance—to see more beauty in the cosmos.
"—For Selene!"
"Hahaha—!" Laughing, Kiana ran toward the dining table Mei had prepared.
—
—
1 Advanced Chapter Available on Patreon:
Patreon.com/DaoOfHeaven