"No problem."
"Good. You have one week to transfer all research data and materials from your laboratory. If manpower is insufficient, I'll assign Imperial Guards to assist. Go make the preparations."
"Yes, ma'am." Dr. Stylish replied immediately.
Once he left, Selene fell into thought. She extended her hand, and a moment later, the Complete Book of the World materialized before her.
Unfolding its vast pages, Selene carefully studied the distribution of resources across the Empire's northern frontier. Unlike the temperate central and southern provinces, the northern borderlands remained a frozen wilderness. Its severe climate had left much of the land undeveloped.
Mines, forests, and wildlife were plentiful—nature's bounty untouched. Even the legendary Super-class Danger Beasts had been sighted roaming the farthest reaches of the north.
And where there was untamed wilderness, there were untapped resources. It was almost certain that large deposits of orichalcum and other rare metals used in the crafting of Teigu still lay buried beneath the frozen earth, waiting to be unearthed.
This was why Selene valued her northern fief so highly—and why she had begun shifting her developmental focus away from the Capital. Whether building a large-scale industrial base or recreating Teigu, both required immense quantities of resources.
Rather than waiting for raw materials to be transported across the Empire to the Capital, it was far more efficient to relocate production directly to the source.
As for bringing Dr. Stylish along, the reason was simple—his genius. The science behind Teigu creation, the methods of combining orichalcum with other rare metals and Danger Beast materials—these were mysteries Selene had yet to uncover.
But as the Empire's foremost scientist, Dr. Stylish likely possessed knowledge of those ancient techniques. His unparalleled expertise in human augmentation alone was proof of his brilliance. He could integrate multiple weapons into the human body while keeping the host fully functional and stable—without rejection.
Though aided by Teigu, the artifacts were merely tools. Their effectiveness depended entirely on the user's understanding. An untrained craftsman equipped with the Teigu Glorious Hands of God · [Perfector] could at best perform delicate operations—but never replicate Stylish's results.
Selene had absolute faith in his scientific prowess.
...
The next morning, Habsburg Duchess' Mansion.
As usual, Selene sat in her palace-like dining hall, quietly enjoying her dessert when a familiar, commanding voice echoed through the corridor.
"Hmm? You came all the way here... what's the matter?" she asked without looking up.
"I heard Esdeath is leaving the Imperial Guard? What's going on?"
From the opposite end of the hall, a tall figure nearly two meters in height approached, his very presence radiating iron discipline and self-control honed over decades.
Even without turning, Selene could tell—it was none other than the Empire's other Great General, Budo.
"Greetings, Great General Budo," the surrounding attendants immediately said, bowing deeply as soon as they saw him.
Budo gave a curt nod and took the seat directly opposite Selene. His expression was as stern as ever. "I don't pretend to understand the nature of your relationship, but why did you approve Esdeath's withdrawal from the Guard?"
"The Imperial Guard's circle is too small."
Selene lifted her teacup and took a slow sip. "Let's be honest—so long as the two of us remain here, she'll never rise beyond a certain point. It's only natural she'd seek her own path."
"And most importantly—revenge."
"Revenge?" Budo frowned. "Ah, yes. Esdeath's grudge against the northern tribes for wiping out her clan." Clearly, he'd read her dossier.
"Exactly. With her pride, she'd never accept our help in avenging that hatred. Better to let her grow freely outside the Guard. Besides, you don't actually believe she'll take orders from Honest, do you?"
"A needless concern," Selene added calmly.
Budo paused, then nodded. "True enough. With the two of us here, Honest can't stir up much trouble anyway. Still... that fat fool's been getting out of hand lately. Hmph, forget it. Talking about him ruins my mood."
"Let's get to business." His tone hardened as he leaned forward, his cold, commanding presence filling the room. "Great General Selene, Duchess of Habsburg—about the leave request you submitted yesterday. What exactly is this about?"
"You're one of only two Great Generals in the Empire, and you want to just hand in your post and walk away?"
Selene gave a lazy stretch, leaning back into the soft sofa cushions. "Isn't that what you're here for? Besides, it's too late for objections. The memorial's already been submitted to the Emperor. The approval decree should be on its way by now—Honest's reading it, I'm sure. You think he'd dare reject it?"
She sighed contentedly. "Unlike you, whose family estate lies right next to the Capital, I haven't even visited my own fief once all these years. I plan to leave in about a week and finally take a break."
"Hmph, fine by me..." Budo said, but his tone shifted oddly, a faintly mischievous smile appearing on his otherwise rigid face. "However... before you go, I've got a little assignment for you."
"Stop right there—no, wait—" Selene began, but Budo ignored her entirely.
"This week happens to coincide with the Empire's biennial Regional Garrison Officers' Conference. I've presided over it for years, so this time... it's your turn. You'll oversee the meeting, and then you can head off on your vacation afterward."
"Ugh... who's going to be there?"
"You'll find out once you're at the conference."
...
Meanwhile — South Lake Avenue, Imperial Capital.
Clip-clop, clip-clop...
Pedestrians turned at the sound of horseshoes striking stone. From the far end of the broad avenue, a formation of armored Imperial soldiers approached, mounted on sleek, well-bred warhorses.
"Are those Imperial Guards?"
"No... wait, huh? Another female general?" The onlookers squinted as the group drew closer, their eyes settling on the woman leading the formation—a striking figure of about 1.7 meters, her long white hair braided into a single tail, clad in a black undershirt and a white officer's coat draped over her shoulders.
"Uh... not Great General Selene. Never seen her before. Probably a small fry—one of the provincial commanders returning to the Capital for the conference."
"Hey, what do you mean, small fry?! You wanna say that again—" one of the woman's guards, a short-haired soldier with green hair, immediately flared up, glaring at the gossiping crowd.
"That's enough, Lubbock," the white-haired general said calmly, raising a hand to stop him. "They're not wrong. This is the Imperial Capital, not Frankfurt Province. Here, we're just nameless soldiers."
"Understood..." Lubbock muttered reluctantly, reining his horse as the group continued toward the city center.