On the military parade ground, over ten thousand Imperial soldiers stood in neat formation, awaiting General Najenda's inspection.
At the base of the raised platform, Najenda took a deep breath and asked her adjutant, "Is everything ready?"
The adjutant nodded gravely. "We've spoken with all the squad leaders and section chiefs. Most of them support your decision. Once you reveal your plan, they'll publicly stand with you."
This so-called "preparation" was little more than what merchants called stage-setting—like hiring people to cheer at a sale. You needed visible support, or the scene would fall flat.
Ordinarily, Najenda preferred strict, merit-based military control—she sought direct command over every unit, over every soldier. But time was no longer on her side.
Committing treason against the Empire was no small act. Even for her, the thought left an unease deep in her chest. Could her reputation truly inspire her soldiers to follow her into rebellion?
Inevitably, Najenda resorted to something she despised most in the military—favors and persuasion.
In a feudal army, once the supreme commander (the Great General) and the figure of loyalty (the Emperor) lost authority, power fell into the hands of mid- and low-ranking officers. Win them over, and you controlled the army.
As for the common soldiers... they were the simplest part of the equation. With little voice or influence, most would follow the crowd, swept up by the momentum of their superiors.
"Mm..."
Exhaling slowly, Najenda took heavy steps toward the central platform.
Looking down upon the sea of soldiers below, her gaze hardened. This was the moment. Her chance to take destiny into her own hands.
She could no longer remain as Honest's blade, perpetuating his tyranny. Though the Revolutionary Army had its flaws, its ideals aligned far better with her own.
As silence blanketed the camp, Najenda stepped up onto the platform. Grasping the amplifier in hand, she began her speech.
"This is a decaying Empire."
With just that one sentence, the soldiers below broke into murmurs of shock. The once-quiet parade ground erupted into a low uproar before the junior officers quickly calmed the ranks.
"Yes, the borders may appear peaceful for the first time in a century. The Empire's might seems unshakable. But... is that truly the whole truth?!"
"Since the day I was promoted to general, I have understood one thing—no matter how splendid the surface, it cannot hide the festering corruption underneath."
"A child emperor, a wicked minister, a rotten court, corrupt officials ruling the provinces—men of power who sit idly by as the people suffer..."
"There are so many crimes I haven't even had time to witness or record, yet they run rampant across this vast land, unchecked and unpunished."
"Tell me—can such an Empire still be saved?"
By now, the infiltrators from the Revolutionary Army, along with the officers already briefed on the plan, began clapping enthusiastically, cheering in support of Najenda's impromptu fiery speech.
Clap—clap—clap!
Soon, the applause spread throughout the ranks. After all, Najenda's words weren't entirely false—Honest's misrule had long since earned the wrath of Heaven and man alike.
Raising her hand to calm the crowd, Najenda continued:
"I have asked myself this question countless times—and I have never found an answer."
"I once believed that, upon reaching high office, I could change this state of decay. But even after all my achievements—even after becoming a general—nothing changed. I remained lost."
"Pathetic!"
"How many great generals have fought for the Empire, risking their lives at the border, only to be condemned by jealous courtiers once their task was done?"
"They've bled for this land, stood on the brink of death countless times, and in the end... they fall to the poisonous whispers of petty men, whispered into the ear of an ignorant child Emperor!"
...
"Najenda really does have a talent for speeches..." Chelsea muttered quietly, watching from the shadows.
With Najenda's public declaration of allegiance to the Revolutionary Army, the effect rippled far beyond this camp—giving hope to dissidents across the Empire, and rallying countless souls to the coming cause.
The speech not only exposed the Empire's decay but also kindled hope among those disillusioned with its corruption. It was a chain reaction—hearts once loyal now turned toward the Revolutionary Army.
Turning toward the masked liaison beside her, Chelsea smirked. "Hmm? You're not going to start yet?"
"Waiting for the right moment... now will do."
Nodding slowly, the liaison lifted a silver flute. The mask over his face parted slightly, and he began to play.
Inspiring Melody · Fantasy — one of the twin Flute-type Teigu, the sister piece to Military Music Dream · Scream.
Unlike Scream, which could directly manipulate emotion, Fantasy emitted subtle low-frequency soundwaves that boosted morale and induced excitement. Its advantage lay in its vast range and lack of audience limit. Its flaw—repeated exposure bred resistance, rendering it ineffective against strong-willed individuals.
In short, it was one of the most underwhelming Teigu in existence. Yet, in this precise moment, it performed perfectly.
With the guidance of planted officers and Najenda's genuine popularity among her troops, her words—already rooted in truth—spread like wildfire. Under the influence of the Teigu, the entire parade ground erupted in passionate cries of rage and conviction.
"Down with the traitorous ministers!"
"For justice! For the people!"
If Selene had seen this, she would have offered one succinct comment—"They've lost their minds."
Meanwhile, in the forest outside the encampment, Gozuki and his squad observed the scene through high-powered binoculars, their new Imperial-issue gear courtesy of Selene herself.
Grinding his teeth, Gozuki spat, "Damn traitor! Najenda really is rebelling!"
Cornelia lowered her sound amplifier, her face cold as ice. "She's rallying her soldiers, trying to drag them into her rebellion."
"That insane woman... If we charge in now, we'll be surrounded again. Najenda's a Teigu user—she won't be easy to handle. We'll need a proper plan."
After a moment of thought, Gozuki turned to Green. "Are the special explosives the Science Bureau gave us set up?"
"Yes. I slipped into the camp last night and planted them in most key areas... but I couldn't reach the central command tent. Too heavily guarded."
"That's fine. We don't need to kill Najenda outright..."
A cruel glint flashed in Gozuki's eyes. "If we can't capture her cleanly, we'll at least destroy her army. Maybe some of them were loyal to the Empire—but too bad. They chose the wrong leader."
Sliding his blood-red blade back into its sheath, Gozuki turned toward his subordinates—the "children" he had trained.
"This mission isn't just about completing orders. It's vengeance—for Najasho and Guy!"
"Green, detonate!"
"Yes, Instructor!"
BOOOOOOOM!!!
...
Meanwhile, far to the north at Schönbrunn Palace—
"Sebas, have they found it yet?"
"My apologies, Milady... there's no trace of any super-class Danger Beast named Tyrant within the Great Northern Wall."
"Figures... so the real paradise of beasts lies beyond the wall, then." Selene sighed, flipping through the intelligence reports. "Sebas, engrave the map projection from the Complete Book of the World and distribute copies to every corps commander... hmm?"
Her eyes narrowed suddenly.
She could sense it—the distinctive Honkai energy signature embedded within the explosives she had so "generously" gifted to Gozuki and his team. The particles had just been triggered.
"The bombs have gone off... looks like it's begun."
A faint smile curled her lips as she began humming to herself, her tone light and amused. "Fight, fight, fight..."
After all, she never minded watching a good show—especially when the stage was soaked in chaos.
"Milady, have you thought of something amusing?" Sebas asked curiously, tilting his head.
"Indeed I have... quite the delightful comedy." Selene's eyes gleamed with mischief. "Oh, and one more thing—issue an Imperial-wide decree. Najenda is hereby declared a traitor to the Empire. All ranks and titles revoked. She is to be executed on sight."
"Whoever brings me her head shall receive ten thousand gold, a noble title, triple promotion—and a Teigu."
Her grin widened. "Let's add a little more fuel to the fire, shall we?"
"Yes, Milady."