The next morning, in the Imperial Capital—
The news spread like wildfire across every street and alley: Minister Honest had conspired with southern rebels, triggering the "Night Raid Rebellion," and had been captured by Great General Selene. His entire family was imprisoned and awaited public trial.
Across the Empire, citizens wept tears of joy, praising Selene's 'virtue' from the depths of their hearts.
"Serves him right!"
Even among the Imperial bureaucrats, the reaction was overwhelmingly supportive. Many applauded upon hearing that Selene had finally lost her patience and decided to eliminate Honest—ancestral laws forbidding the military from intervening in politics be damned.
Yet, the more politically astute among them—those who read between the lines of the official Imperial newspapers—noticed something else.
Where was the news of the Emperor? Of the other Great General, Budo?
Realization dawned. The Empire was changing hands. Selene's rise to power was inevitable.
And so, the discontented officials who had languished under Honest's reign began to stir. They might not have liked the overbearing General, but compared to that bloated pig of a minister, Selene was practically a saint.
If they had their way, they would have preferred to serve a benevolent statesman like former Minister Chouri—someone who ruled with restraint and fairness—but survival came first. Opposing Selene now was no different from signing one's own family's death warrant.
While the Empire buzzed with speculation about Honest's arrest and upcoming trial, Selene, accompanied by Sebas and Arisa, made her way through the corridors of the Grand Palace toward the underground sanctum.
"Milady," Sebas reported, "according to General Liver's latest report, Captain Alex has completed the purge of the Night Raid headquarters in the outskirts. Commander Kinshasa has also led his legion into the capital, assuming command of all Imperial Guard units formerly under Budo's authority."
"In short—the palace... no, the entire Imperial Capital—is now firmly under our control."
Selene nodded. "Not enough. Arisa, relay new orders to Liver—take over every armed force in the capital. City defense troops, the Imperial Security Division, the Imperial Prison, the Guard training camps, even the headquarters of the Imperial Assassination Unit. Leave no one out."
"Yes, Queen!" Arisa saluted before turning sharply and hurrying off.
Watching her leave, Selene's eyes gleamed with amusement as she played idly with the golden ring in her hand, adorned with a large ruby.
"Heh, that naive little emperor really did trust Honest far too much. Not only did he hand over the key to the Imperial Teigu Vault... he even gave him the key to access the Ultimate Teigu itself."
Her lips curved slightly. "Then, let's see it—the legendary Ultimate Teigu: National Defense Machine God · Shikoutazer. Show me your form."
As the ruby flashed crimson, a deep metallic rumble echoed—click-clack, clack...
One by one, mechanical locks disengaged. Passing through layers of sealed gates and traps, Selene finally reached an open chamber. The vast hall was lined with marble walls and polished stone floors, its towering pillars casting long shadows under the dim light.
And at the far end—a colossal metallic face filled her vision.
The visage of Shikoutazer.
"Magnificent... such a brutal, yet refined metallic beauty."
Stepping closer, Selene reached out to touch the machine god's head—but, unsurprisingly, it rejected her.
"As expected... bloodline-locked." She smiled faintly. "Fortunately, I came prepared."
While she could easily brute-force her way in, Selene wasn't about to risk triggering any potential self-destruct sequence the First Emperor might have built in. One didn't take chances with toys this grand.
Snap!
With a crisp snap of her fingers, violet light flared—and in an instant, the Young Emperor's lifeless body materialized beside her.
National Defense Machine God · Shikoutazer, the first and greatest of all Teigu—the origin and apex of their kind. Said to possess power equal to the gods themselves, it recognized only those of the First Emperor's bloodline as its master.
If not for that restriction, Honest would have long since killed the boy and taken the throne for himself.
Selene wasn't sure if Shikoutazer would accept a dead user—but it didn't matter. The emperor was dead, yes... but he could be made to 'live' again.
Even a brain-dead husk would do—so long as the body functioned.
Controlling the Young Emperor's reanimated body, Selene guided it toward Shikoutazer. The moment the boy's hand touched the massive construct, the colossal metallic face—larger than an entire palace—seemed to awaken. Its hollow eyes blazed crimson.
"Looks like it worked." Selene smirked. Taking the puppet-like emperor, she stepped into the open head of the Shikoutazer.
"Honkai Corrosion."
The instant she entered the inner sanctum, Selene placed her finger upon the central command console of the Ultimate Teigu.
Vmmm—
At once, the violet light at her fingertip expanded, spreading across the interior systems. In moments, Honkai energy flowed through the entirety of Shikoutazer, its influence spreading outward from the core—first the head, then the limbs, until the entire godlike machine was engulfed.
"Now then, National Defense Machine God · Shikoutazer... you belong to me. My very own 'Project Bunny.' Hahahaha!"
Selene's laughter echoed through the chamber, unrestrained. She couldn't stop smiling.
A mech—her long-cherished obsession, a dream she had never quite realized—now stood before her. And it was colossal.
Stepping out from the control chamber, Selene released control over the emperor's corpse and touched the Shikoutazer once more. Instantly, a bond formed—a thread of unity between creator and creation. She could feel the machine as if it were her own body.
"Sebas, has the trial started yet?" she asked casually.
"In five minutes, Milady," Sebas replied, bowing low, one hand pressed to his chest with impeccable precision.
"Good. Perfect timing." Selene nodded. "Sebas, I'll be presiding over the trial myself. Leave him"—she gestured toward the emperor's body—"to you."
She gave a faint, knowing smile. "And start preparing for the coronation."
With a playful wink, Selene vanished in an instant—along with the enormous head of the Shikoutazer, leaving behind only a massive crater in the depths of the Imperial vault.
...
Meanwhile, at the Imperial Execution Grounds—
On the raised platform, Honest and his loyalists hung crucified, their limbs severed and bodies broken.
Below them stretched a vast sea of citizens, densely packed, their fury uncontained.
Selene had yet to arrive, but the people's hatred toward Honest blazed hotter than ever.
"It's the Minister...!"
"Honest, that filthy traitor, has finally fallen!"
"It's his fault—because of his deceit, the Empire became what it is now!"
"Kill him!"
"Kill him!!"
"KILL HIM!!!"
The chants rose in unison, wave after wave of rage crashing against the stage.