I Am Honkai

A communication request from Leiva?

According to the operational report, wasn't he tasked with negotiating the surrender of the Navy headquarters? Did something go wrong?

Selene narrowed her eyes slightly and raised a hand. With a crisp "click", the cube on the desk twisted and shifted, revealing a hollow aperture the width of a finger.

Buzzz—

Moments later, a holographic projection flickered to life from the aperture.

It depicted Leiva clad in his ornate power armor, its purple and gold trim gleaming. In his hands, he held his Honkai Crystal cube.

Their eyes met briefly.

Selene smiled. "Leiva, you've only just arrived, haven't you? So, what is it? Have you and Sanguinius already completed the conquest and are returning to the capital, or... is there a problem?"

Bowing deeply, Leiva detected the teasing tone in her words. He chuckled faintly.

"Not yet, Your Majesty. While the campaign is indeed entering its final stages, it will still take time. As you know, the methods of the Blood Angels under Sanguinius are rather... conciliatory. It can't be helped."

Swallowing nervously, Leiva carefully chose his words before continuing.

"This time, I am requesting an audience on behalf of the Navy headquarters."

In the projection, Leiva was standing within a spacious conference room. Beside him were several members of the Black Templars Honor Guard in their immaculate power armor, as well as a number of figures draped in pristine white coats emblazoned with the kanji for "Justice."

"I've successfully secured their surrender. Their commander, Sakazuki, has requested an audience with Your Majesty. He wishes to understand the difference between the God-Emperor referenced in the Empire's surrender manifesto and the 'descendants of creators' they once served."

"Oh?"

"Your Majesty, the Navy is one of the largest military organizations under the World Government's direct control in this world. It—"

Before Leiva could finish explaining, Selene interjected smoothly.

"Sakazuki, isn't it?"

"...Yes, he and the World Government have existed for eight centu—" Leiva froze mid-sentence. "Wait, Your Majesty, you already know about him?"

Instantly, countless theories flashed through Leiva's mind. Reports submitted by Alyssa or Sanguinius? Covert observation by Selene herself? Or perhaps an informant within the Inquisition had sent word ahead?

"Ah, I know."

Selene yawned lightly, rubbing her eyes as she stretched languidly. Then, with a casual wave of her hand, she replied, "Tell Sakazuki that I've granted his request. I'll meet with him."

"As you command, Your Majesty."

The projection faded, and Leiva reopened his eyes in the conference room of the New World Navy headquarters. Exhaling deeply, he seemed relieved.

At that moment, a member of the Black Templars Honor Guard approached Leiva, leaning in to report in a low voice.

"The soldiers outside the fortress, led by their officers, have begun laying down their weapons. As of now, it appears to be a genuine surrender. No signs of deceit have been detected."

A sincere surrender?

Leiva looked around. While he had been speaking with Selene, many of the Navy's vice admirals had left the room, seemingly to oversee the orderly disarmament of their troops.

Across the table, Sakazuki sat immersed in the documents Leiva had provided, detailing the Empire's systems and policies. Every so often, Sakazuki nodded approvingly, a faint smile breaking through his normally stern features.

It seemed he truly intended to submit.

Frowning slightly, Leiva pondered briefly before issuing a command through the built-in communications channel of his power armor:

"Remain vigilant for now. If there are any signs of deceit or a false surrender, eliminate everyone without hesitation."

Placing the cube back on the table, Leiva addressed Sakazuki.

"Sakazuki, prepare yourself. Her Majesty has agreed to meet with you."

"When do we depart?" Sakazuki asked, standing up with a composed expression.

"There's no need to travel."

"No need?"

"Here. The meeting will take place right here."

Seeing Sakazuki's skepticism, Leiva pointed toward Borsalino, who was lounging lazily with a cup of tea in hand.

"Borsalino, pull yourself together. In private, your attitude is your business. But in the presence of Her Majesty, I don't care how you behaved with your former rulers—don't try it here."

Then, his tone grew colder. "Her Majesty finds such laziness... distasteful. If you want to court death, don't drag me down with you."

"Ah?"

Borsalino tilted his head in confusion, his tea paused mid-sip. What did Leiva mean by "dragging him down"?

"Borsalino, stop slouching." Sakazuki also scolded him, his tone sharp.

Observing the Black Templars Legion Commander's severe demeanor, Sakazuki understood. The Empire's Empress was no mere figurehead, but a true ruler commanding both power and reverence.

Suddenly, a clicking sound filled the room.

"Here it comes!"

Buzzz—

In an instant, an indescribable sense of dread washed over the room.

The cube on the table floated into the air, emitting a dense purple-red energy. The particles quickly enveloped the space, transforming the room into a surreal expanse.

Above them, the ceiling seemed to dissolve, replaced by an endless cosmic vista.

Planets, stars, and galaxies stretched across the void, their twinkling lights forming an infinite river of luminescence.

But what was this vastness? Stars? A galaxy? Why did these terms feel so familiar?

The high-ranking Navy officers stared in stunned silence, their minds inexplicably flooded with knowledge. Words they had never known now seemed as natural as breathing.

Amid the cosmic tableau, a single planet stood out—a marble of blue and green, encircled by faint red rings. It felt profoundly familiar, as if it had always been present beneath their feet.

"You're not mistaken," said a calm, ethereal voice. "That marble you see—it is your world."

The voice cut through their confusion as the purple mist coalesced.

From the cube, a projection formed—a regal figure, her upper body dressed in shimmering violet and crimson, emerging from the swirling energy.

Selene, the God-Emperor—Divine Empress of the Sacred Selene Empire, had arrived.

Standing before them was a woman wearing a pure white outfit detailed with intricate golden embroidery. Her shoulders and arms were encased in precision-crafted golden armor.

Her chest was decorated with a striking purple pattern, from which golden rays extended outward like sunbeams from a central golden sun emblem. The ornate designs radiated a sense of majesty.

Her delicate eyebrows, flawless red lips, and exquisitely crafted features framed her flawless face. Her crimson eyes, accentuated by golden eyeshadow, shimmered with a captivating allure. Cascading down her back was waist-length, snow-white hair.

The regal attire fit her body perfectly, accentuating her soft curves and slender waist, exuding an elegance that could only be described as breathtaking.

Under her gaze—her scarlet, diamond-shaped pupils encircled by a cross motif—Sakazuki's entire body involuntarily tensed. A primal fear and reverence consumed his mind.

It wasn't cowardice. It was the instinctive reaction of a lesser life form confronted with a higher being.

Thud!

The moment Selene appeared, his body collapsed to the ground, kneeling in submission.

"God-Emperor…"

"The Sacred Selene Empire's Empress…"

Every piece of information symbolizing Selene's status and identity surged into their minds without explanation or effort.

Now, everyone in the conference room was kneeling on the ground, their bodies frozen as if under a petrification spell. The air itself seemed to halt, held in the grip of her overwhelming presence.

Selene broke the silence. "You sought an audience with me. What is your purpose?"

Although her words addressed the group, her gaze remained fixed on Sakazuki.

The surrounding vice admirals and officers were insignificant in her eyes—mere footnotes.

Perhaps in the past, Selene might have given them a glance. But now? Only those of "Royal Commander" stature—admirals or Four Emperors—could pique her interest. The rest were irrelevant.

As her gaze lazily wandered across the room, it lingered momentarily on a particular figure crouched in the corner: a lanky, yellow-clad man with a lecherous grin. Her crimson eyes twitched slightly.

Ah… Borsalino. Truly a match for the term "Yellow Monkey." Selene smirked internally. Perhaps she'd assign him to Leiva's division just to see if the previously composed Leiva could still sip tea in peace with such a slacker under his command.

She mused silently. If it didn't work out, she could always shuffle the positions again.

"Your Majesty," Sakazuki began, his voice strained under the weight of her presence. "I requested this audience to plead for your leniency toward the Navy. Your Empire's laws and order are ideals I deeply admire. I am willing to serve Your Majesty and uphold absolute justice under your banner!"

The biological pressure radiating from Selene—like a mountain crushing every cell in his body—forced Sakazuki to summon every ounce of courage he had to keep his voice steady.

For the first time in his life, Sakazuki saw the insurmountable chasm separating himself from another being.

Not even the Five Elders, Commander-in-Chief Kong, or the legendary Vice Admiral Garp could compare to the sheer dread and dominance Selene exuded.

This was an existence that surpassed his comprehension—a being from an entirely different dimension.

"Admire my Empire? Willing to serve me?" Selene murmured, contemplating for a moment.

By the default rules of the Astartes, the conquest of this world fell under Sanguinius and the Blood Angels' jurisdiction. That meant everything within this realm, aside from tribute owed to the Empire, was for Sanguinius to govern.

However... I am the ultimate rule. If I, Selene, desire something within the Empire, who would dare raise an objection?

She chuckled suddenly, the rapid change in her demeanor catching everyone off guard.

The oppressive aura dissipated instantly, replaced by a warmth that felt like spring sunlight.

Their bodies tingled with a gentle heat, and even old battle scars began to itch faintly as if they were healing. Subtle injuries, once thought irreparable, seemed to mend on their own.

Sakazuki felt the disfigurement on his ear—damaged two years ago during his battle for the fleet admiral position—start to regenerate. The hunched posture he had assumed under Selene's crushing presence straightened, as if the earlier terror had been a mere illusion.

"I've received your vow of loyalty," Selene said with a radiant smile. "But don't be hasty in forming conclusions. Is this propaganda material?"

Her gaze fell on the pamphlets strewn across the table, her tone gentle yet commanding.

"Hearsay can be deceiving. See for yourself whether the Empire's laws and order align with your ideals. Visit the worlds under my rule. Witness it firsthand."

She gestured magnanimously, her voice imbued with confidence.

"After that, come to the Imperial Capital and tell me your conclusions in person."

Declaring her benevolence, Selene's mood lifted.

"For now, your Navy will fall under Leiva's command. Leiva, conclude the conquest swiftly and return to the capital with Sanguinius."

"Oh, and Sakazuki," she added, her gaze piercing. "Submit a list of personnel to Leiva. This is a favor from me to you. The Empire is where your skills will find true purpose."

Meanwhile, at the Sabaody Archipelago…

The fires of chaos had begun to subside, replaced by a rigid order imposed by the Empire.

On execution platforms across the various districts, pirates were dragged forth. Based on local testimonies, bounties, and criminal records, sentences were meted out with ruthless efficiency.

"This is the fate of all criminals under the Empire's rule!"

On one platform, an officer of the Black Templars Astartes raised his power sword high.

"Defy the Empire's laws, and this is what awaits you! Every crime will be punished! From now on, I don't care what you were before or what privileges you held. The Empire's law is now absolute!"

"All glory to Selene! Long live the Empire!"

Not far from one execution site, in a quiet corner of the commercial district, a slender woman with alabaster skin and waist-length black hair sat at a small café table. Across from her was a blue-nosed reindeer in a striped shirt and round hat.

"Robin, what's going on with Luffy and the others? Sabaody is in chaos—I barely managed to find you."

The woman named Robin clutched a large handbag, her hands trembling as she held a freshly printed newspaper.

On the table before her sat a set of untouched coffee cups and a filter. Despite the calm scene, her unsettled heart was evident.

Her appearance had changed drastically. With her golden complexion gone, she now wore sunglasses and looked almost unrecognizable compared to her darker skin two years ago.

Robin lowered the newspaper, revealing the headline: "The Fall of the World Government!"

The red banners of the Empire, emblazoned with the twin-headed eagle, decorated the image of the Red Line.

Robin exhaled deeply, raising her trembling eyes filled with disbelief.

"The Sacred Selene Empire… the World Government has fallen. Perhaps… our journey truly ends here."

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