Crack—!
While contemplating her next course of action, Selene moved her fingers. The stability of the ruined world-bubble fragment in her hand, maintained by her Authority of Finality, shattered. In an instant, the colorless "bubble" shimmering with rainbow light silently dissolved into tiny motes.
The crystalline motes slipped through the gaps between Selene's slender fingers and scattered into the "sea" beneath her feet. Countless tiny, hazy fragments gleamed beneath the vortex's radiance, as though a field of brilliant stardust had been sown.
"Phew..."
Folding one arm across her ample chest and supporting her chin with the other hand, Selene inspected her work and nodded in satisfaction. "This will do for now. Time can smooth out the rest."
Selene had already done everything she could to alter and separate the tendency of the Type-Moon world's countless parallel universes to converge toward similar developments. From now on, they would each develop independently. None would be permitted to influence another.
From a purely visual perspective, Selene observed the Swirl of the Root, which had been thoroughly corroded by her Authority of Finality.
Just as it had been before Selene transformed it, it was chaotic and colorless, yet seemed to gather every color in the universe. It emitted a faint, pale, cool-toned glow. Upon closer perception, however, ominous patterns of Honkai flares could be found hidden deep within the Root.
It was not that the Swirl of the Root had returned to its former state. Rather, Selene's control over it had penetrated even more deeply. She no longer needed exposed patterns of corrosion or boiling torrents of Honkai energy to proclaim her dominion.
The only difference was that under Selene's control, the once calm and disorderly "sea" of the Root now "flowed" faster, forming a vortex filled with vigorous vitality.
Selene would not allow it to remain lifeless as it had been before.
Although the original "sea" of the Swirl of Honkai had not expanded—and had even shrunk considerably because of the damage caused by Selene's forceful seizure—it did not matter.
Because of its transformation by the power of Finality, Honkai energy particles so concentrated that they were almost tangible now mingled with its aura.
From this point onward, the Type-Moon world could rely upon this abundant Honkai energy, refining it into more primordial life essence to condense and stabilize its cosmic domain.
Repairing the damage, and even recovering and surpassing its former peak once it had grown sufficiently stable and powerful, would merely be a matter of time.
To a certain extent, apart from gaining an overbearing "mother" who lorded over it, this would bring it immense benefits.
Naturally, this was also closely connected to Selene's Authority of Honkai and power of Finality. Ever since the most fundamental power had fused with Selene, the sea of the Root had become her backyard. The Type-Moon world and Selene had long since entered a relationship in which they shared prosperity and ruin...
Well, it was not truly a relationship in which they shared prosperity and ruin. More accurately, it was a one-sided and tyrannical contract.
If it suffered, Selene would merely lose face. Fundamentally, she could still eat well, sleep soundly, and do whatever suited her mood without suffering any real consequences. The Swirl of the Root and the Type-Moon composite world that had grown from within it, however, could not escape. Honkai had already penetrated to their very core.
The birth and development of life within its cosmic domain, the growth of its scale, and the prosperity of its civilizations would all proportionally contribute to Selene's continued ascent.
Conversely, should something happen to Selene, the Honkai, no longer restrained by anyone, would follow its own operating laws and put the world's civilizations through its "assessment." The suffering of all living beings would be entirely foreseeable.
In other words, the Empire and every world affiliated with it, including its colonies and now the Type-Moon world, could wield Honkai energy without side effects and establish societies powered by it only because Selene had forcibly halted Honkai's "assessment" of civilization while also installing a friend-or-foe identification system.
It was not Selene who could not exist without the Empire. The Empire could not exist without Selene. That was no exaggeration.
Otherwise, consider Conquered World—Universe 117 (the Halo universe), assigned to the Retributors of the Astartes Second Legion. Suppose Selene removed the restrictions and allowed the Honkai that had spread into every aspect of that world to develop and operate freely...
What level of Honkai disaster would descend upon that prosperous yet war-torn universe, which had given birth to the Precursors, Forerunners, ancient human civilization, ancient San'Shyuum civilization, the Flood catastrophe, the Covenant, and humanity's Unified Earth Government...
The galaxy would likely be torn apart in an instant. The Sea of Quanta would open wide. Honkai zombies would spread corruption comparable to Warp corruption, Honkai Beast hordes would descend like daemonic invasions, Planet-class and Vipralopa-class Honkai Beasts would emerge like Greater Daemons of Chaos, and Herrschers of Honkai would appear like Chaos Gods... A Halo-universe version of the grim darkness of the 41st millennium would unfold.
Selene possessed no shortage of methods for dealing with rebellious worlds beneath her rule. Exterminatus was far too merciful. She could simply release the restrictions on Honkai and allow Honkai disasters to ravage them for a decade or two. They would surely come crying and begging to return beneath the glory of the God-Empress—assuming they had not already gone extinct.
Of course, Selene had never had the opportunity to do so thus far.
Not a single Imperial colonial world incorporated into Imperial rule and assigned civil administrators had ever experienced an incident in which officials were murdered during a rebellion. There had been isolated records of protests, strikes, and terrorist attacks.
Such rare and insignificant actions did not amount to a large-scale rebellion and were hardly worth disturbing Selene over. The colonial governor's office could deal with them independently...
At the same time, Selene had made another change. She had completely locked down access to the Swirl of the Root.
Apart from Selene herself and those she personally authorized, the Swirl of the Root would reject every outsider.
Truly, in Selene's eyes, the Swirl of the Root's previous access mechanism had resembled a sieve full of holes. According to Type-Moon magi, awakening one's Origin was one method of reaching it. Moreover, all three thousand paths supposedly led to the same destination, and the Greater Grail War was another means of taking a shortcut to one's Origin.
All of that was now a thing of the past. From this point onward, existences such as Shiki Ryougi and Manaka Sajyou, who could connect to the Root, would no longer be permitted. The awakening of an Origin, as magi called it, would also cease to function properly.
This was not erasure. Translated into the terminology of a cultivation fantasy, the laws of heaven and earth had changed. A great terror had severed the heavenly road and the boundary sea, cutting off the path to immortality.
"Next... the Magic Gods and the Phases."
Selene slowly descended, crouched, and gradually inserted her hand into the flowing "mass." "Let us give it a try..."
"But the Daihasei Festival presents the same problem. There are too many concerns, making it difficult to act..."
Thinking about the message transmitted by her spiritual avatar—that Mother Katy would come to cheer her on during the Daihasei Festival—gave Selene a headache. She swayed slightly before sitting down in the void, elegantly crossing her exquisite legs beneath her platinum ceremonial dress.
Patting her forehead and calming herself, Selene quickly sorted the matters handled by her various spiritual avatars into separate categories, organizing the affairs currently awaiting her attention.
"Budo is making tremendous progress in Universe 117—the Halo universe... Regarding the reorganization of the United Nations Space Command's Navy and Marine Corps... The Sangheili received quite a favorable assessment from that stubborn old man."
"Alex's First Legion recently submitted a large-scale request for construction support from the Imperial Forge... Their efficiency is impressive. The number of active Astartes warriors is also approaching one million."
"Roboute's construction blueprint and report for the Valkyrie forces' homeworld..."
...
"Merlin and the others have arrived. Scáthach... Hm? Teaching... That is quite a perceptive deduction."
Indeed, while Scáthach's conscription was partly connected to Fu Hua's interest in Cú Chulainn, the true reason lay in her talent—her ability to teach heroes.
Wisdom of Dún Scáith.
It was the abyssal wisdom she had attained by surpassing humanity, slaying gods, and placing herself beyond the world. After becoming a Heroic Spirit, she could use nearly every skill apart from those unique to specific Heroic Spirits at A to A+ proficiency.
In battle, she most often used it in a manner resembling Clairvoyance to predict the course of combat. In the Ulster Cycle, she had frequently used such foresight to predict the future. Even the fate of her beloved disciple Cú Chulainn had been no exception.
Of course, the Empire already possessed more than enough crude martial brutes. What Selene needed was Scáthach's other ability—or rather, her specialty. She could rapidly impart skills and martial techniques to those she personally acknowledged.
Even after being greatly weakened by becoming a Heroic Spirit, Scáthach could still teach skills to anyone she recognized as a hero.
Selene believed the effect would only be stronger when performed by Scáthach's true body. She did not need to teach every student with the same meticulous care she had devoted to Cú Chulainn. Even a rough grasp of the fundamentals would greatly benefit Imperial Auxilia soldiers and Astartes recruits.
What would that make her? The chief instructor of eighty million recruits at the Imperial Recruit Training Camp—Scáthach, Queen of the Land of Shadows.
When it came to improving the martial ability and tactical proficiency of her warriors, Selene was always generous.
The same applied to Chiron, an old friend from the former Black Faction's Yggdmillennia clan. He was one of the foremost sages in Greek mythology and the mentor of many great heroes, including Heracles and Achilles.
Wisdom of Divine Gift.
Chiron had studied medicine and music under the sun god Apollo and learned hunting from the goddess Artemis. In addition to swordsmanship, spearmanship, and archery, he also understood pankration—"all powers"—the world's oldest mixed martial art, combining boxing and wrestling.
He was a genuine sage versed in every form of wisdom, a true great philosopher.
After becoming a Heroic Spirit, he could use nearly every skill within the scope of ancient Greece, apart from abilities unique to individual heroes, at B to A proficiency. Furthermore, with his Master's permission, he could impart those skills to other Servants.
The Chiron who had now entered the Honkai Dimension was likewise his true body.
Since they were the first group and would serve as an example, Selene's selection criteria included not only usefulness but also some degree of personal connection to her.
Merlin, Artoria, and the Knights of the Round Table had been included as a display of Selene's magnanimity. It was preferential treatment for Merlin, who had understood the situation and become the first "traitor to the Moon" to pledge allegiance. Cú Chulainn and Scáthach had been connected through Fu Hua. Chiron and Avicebron were Selene's old friends, with whom she had once fought side by side, making them familiar acquaintances.
Oh, and there was also Waver Velvet, a bonus Selene had conveniently picked out of the prisoner-of-war camp. Aren't you good at teaching? Come, come. Over here. Time for overtime.
At the same time, Selene was not the sort to demand that a horse run without feeding it. The rewards she offered were exceptionally generous. Did they wish to resurrect someone important from the Throne of Heroes? Certainly. Did they want to reclaim their full divinity? Certainly. She would grant it. Did they desire even greater knowledge? That was equally possible...
The Swirl of the Root possessed everything they could imagine. Even knowledge beyond their comprehension could be found within the vortex-like "sea" before them. When the time came, Selene would grant them access and provide the necessary safety facilities, thoughtfully protecting them from being instantly swallowed and assimilated by the Root.
As for why Selene did not simply pour knowledge directly into their minds, please—she was not their nanny.
They could earn merit for themselves, then exchange that merit for opportunities. Once connected to the Root, how much they comprehended would depend entirely upon the individual. Access would also be time-limited. Wouldn't a slow and steady supply better stimulate their enthusiasm for work? The same principle applied to Dr. Stylish and Mobius of the Imperial Science Bureau.
"Phew..."
After roughly sorting through the vast quantity of intelligence and official documents, Selene slowly rose. In the next instant—
Whoosh!
With Selene's departure, the Swirl of Honkai also fell silent.
Mist gradually rose above the "sea" of the Root. The beginnings and endings of worlds continued to ebb and flow within that empty, chaotic, and silent space-time, as though nothing had changed.
...
The Imperial Capital's starry sky, created through a combination of artificial adjustment and natural formation, possessed a unique and striking beauty. Within the front hall of Selene's residence in the Grand Imperial Palace...
In the quiet chamber, where only the rustle of papers across the desk and faint snores from a nearby sofa could be heard, a silver-white figure silently approached the sleeping Arisa.
Selene gently tapped the adorable girl's upturned nose and narrowed her eyes. "Hiss... She truly has made things difficult for me. How am I supposed to explain this to Mother Katy? Where did she come from? Your daughter's daughter—you are a grandmother now?"
"Milady, that would not be an appropriate excuse. Believe this old servant, Madam Katy would certainly faint upon hearing it." Stepping from the shadows in the corner, Sebas presented Selene with a cup of hot tea as he had done countless times before.
"Uh... Milady, this old servant believes it would be better to explain little Arisa's existence honestly. Perhaps you could describe her as a companion spirit?"
Selene said nothing. While accepting the teacup, she extended her other hand and beckoned toward the duplicate still processing official documents. The duplicate immediately transformed into spiritual particles and settled into her palm.
Selene then took a small sip. "That is why we need to work this out together."
"So... We could do this..."
...
The Index world, Academy City, School Garden, Tokiwadai Middle School.
Today was another clear day in Academy City. On a second-floor balcony of the European-style school building...
A white-haired beauty wearing Tokiwadai's student uniform—a beige blazer and a dark blue finely checked pleated skirt, and elegant black pantyhose—sat against the railing with her eyes closed in apparent rest. It was difficult to imagine that such a mature, elegant, composed, and beautiful young lady was still—a middle school student?!
The mild breeze brushed across her exquisitely symmetrical face, lifting several strands of silver-white hair from her forehead and temples. The skirt hem fluttered lightly with the wind, while the sheer black fabric wrapped around her shapely legs, lending their slender curves a refined and dignified charm befitting Tokiwadai's Number One.
The Tokiwadai students hiding in the surrounding corridors and watching her immediately let out a wave of excited cries.
"As expected of the Number One. What a dazzling figure."
"Why do you think Lady Habsburg, the Number One, has never formed a clique like Queen Shokuhou?"
"How would I know? Perhaps the Number One simply has no need for one... Have you ever heard of any of the top three Level 5 espers forming a student clique..."
"I would definitely be the first to join if she created one."
"Huh? Haven't you already joined Shokuhou's clique?"
"Hehe. Can't I leave?"
The girls of Tokiwadai Middle School remained as youthful and energetic as ever.
Click...
"Hm? What was that sound?"
"Shh! It's the headmistress... Scatter. Stop gathering in groups unless you want to be reprimanded."
As though awakened by the approaching clamor of footsteps, the white-haired beauty slowly opened her mysterious and magnificent scarlet eyes, which seemed capable of drawing in a person's very soul. Confusion and bewilderment lingered for only an instant before she immediately became alert.
As her pupils focused, a neatly dressed, dignified middle-aged woman gradually entered Selene's sight.
"Headmistress?"
"Selene, I am glad I did not disturb you. I came to ask for your opinion. Regarding this year's Daihasei Festival, are you interested in participating?"