"Congratulations, Kiana. It's been a while. I heard that during the Imperial Administrative Governors' Reporting Assembly, you received an above-average overall evaluation and earned high praise from Minister Lan himself. Against all objections, you even secured the highest-level fiscal grant among all colonies of your class for the coming year."
In a picturesque villa estate near the Southlake Garrison on the outskirts of the Imperial Capital's palace district, a blonde-haired woman with wavy locks and piercing blue eyes—dressed in the Valkyrie Corps' standard Black Rose of the Immortal Blade uniform—smiled warmly at the white-haired girl devouring her meal before her.
"Impressive."
"If you keep this up, the day I lose a battle or fall out of favor in the army, I'll be counting on you to pull me back up."
Having returned to the capital for rest after completing her frontline duties, the battle nun and Chief High Sister of the Valkyrie Corps—one of its principal commanders, former commander of the Imperial Expeditionary Fleet of the Pandora System, and Imperial Guards Major General, Bianka Durandal Ataegina—rested one hand on her hip, her lips curling into a faint smile.
"Aiya... Sister Durandal, don't tease me like that."
Kiana wiped away the grease, cream, breadcrumbs, and sauce around her mouth, then rose from the table awkwardly. Hearing Durandal's warm teasing and blessing, she scratched the back of her head with an embarrassed grin, coughing softly before muttering shyly:
"I know my limits. There are plenty far more capable than me. Minister Lan's kindness probably had more to do with my sister Selene's influence."
Only among those closest to her could Kiana reveal traces of her old "airheaded" self from her days at St. Freya Academy—especially here in the Sacred Selene Empire, where martial valor and bluntness were the norm.
"It's not just because of your sister's influence. Don't burden yourself with unnecessary pressure."
Hearing Kiana's self-deprecating tone, Durandal—well aware of the stress her younger sister-in-arms was under—simply stepped forward and gently embraced her. She then took a napkin and wiped the corner of Kiana's mouth.
"In a sense, you and Minister Lan share similar political ideals."
After Kiana pulled her to sit down at the table, Durandal's expression turned subtly playful. "Do you know about Minister Lan's past—and the factions within the Imperial Administration?"
As she spoke, Durandal accessed the villa's local data network and uploaded a stack of files. With a few light gestures, she projected the contents onto a nearby holographic display in front of Kiana.
"What's this?"
On the screen appeared a man with golden hair and golden eyes, his features soft and refined—it was a portrait of a younger Minister Lan. Kiana's eyes lit up with interest as she began reading quickly.
The dossier described Lan's early career and his reputation as an administrator.
He had once been a traveling scholar within the Empire, deeply loved by children. For their sake, he even stayed in rural villages for years as an unregistered, unpaid teacher—funding his own work.
He was one of the few officials who had climbed the ladder purely through civil service—a man of letters rather than arms.
Honest, kind, and incorruptible, he despised graft and cruelty. He believed not all who broke the law were irredeemable, opposing the Empire's tendency toward absolute, violent enforcement. Within the Imperial political system, he was recognized as a leading figure of the moderate faction.
His rise began when he boldly and systematically refuted the frontier generals' calls for genocidal purges of alien races during the unification of the Imperial homeland—and successfully persuaded Emperor Selene to reject those proposals. From then on, he earned her trust and remained one of her most favored ministers.
"So you see, Kiana, your political views align with his. He sees promise in you as one of his like-minded juniors. This isn't a battlefield—you can't work in isolation. Before returning to your post, why not visit him and learn from his experience?"
Resting her chin on one hand, Durandal smiled brightly, her eyes full of encouragement. "That stubborn Kaslana spirit of yours... there's no reason not to use the resources available to you."
"Mm."
Relaxing her brows, Kiana nodded firmly. She was about to respond when she suddenly paused, a flicker of suspicion crossing her face as she turned to look at Durandal—the frank, straightforward knight who was usually more blunt than herself.
Durandal... smooth-talking like this?
"What's wrong?"
Durandal was about to call the service automaton to bring two more sets of tableware when she felt an intense stare boring into her. Suspicious, curious eyes fixed on her for a long while—sharp as needles.
"..." Stare—
The valiant knightly lady frowned slightly, feeling awkward as she shifted in her seat. The white-haired girl leaning close beside her was sniffing softly, exhaling warm breaths onto her shoulder, causing a faint blush to rise on Durandal's cheeks.
"Don't look at me like that. Sure, my old academy counselor once called me a blockhead, but that was ages ago. I've grown up since then—I am your older sister, after all. I've learned a few things. Besides, I've got my own sources of information... Hey, stop that—Rita and the others will be here any moment—"
"Oh my, oh my... Lady Durandal and Lady Kiana truly share such a deep sisterly bond."
Speak of Rita, and she arrives.
At the sound of crisp high heels clicking closer and the distinct click-click of a camera shutter, Durandal froze in alarm.
Turning toward the doorway, she saw a woman with wine-red eyes and short gray hair, wearing a long maid uniform version of the Umbral Rose outfit, a rose headband shaped like ram's horns resting on her head. She raised her DSLR and, with supernatural speed, fired off shot after shot.
"Rita—!"
"Ah! Lady Durandal, Rita was wrong!"
Quickly lowering the camera, the maid—her face flushed, breath warm and slightly unsteady—lifted her skirt hem and hurried over to Durandal, pressing her hands to the knight's shoulders in a half-playful, half-petulant manner.
Rita's wine-red eyes gazed at her mistress, shimmering like fragile crystals.
"No means no. Rita, give me the camera." Durandal's voice lacked the earlier authority it had when Rita first entered.
"Uuuh... Rita only wanted to record the precious moment of Lady Durandal's triumphant return and reunion with family."
Her expression turned melancholy, lips quivering, eyes misting with the threat of tears—enough to melt even Durandal's iron composure. She couldn't help but sigh inwardly: what an irresistible creature...
"Fine... I really can't say no to you. But absolutely, absolutely—don't spread those photos."
Before Durandal had even finished her sentence, Rita's sadness vanished like morning dew, replaced by a gentle smile. "Mhm. This will be a secret between Lady Durandal and Rita."
Watching the affectionate exchange between the "mistress and her maid," the white-haired girl who had ordered food first pursed her lips.
Now I'm thinking about Mei again.
She really wanted to eat Mei's cooking. To lie against Mei's soft chest. To drink Mei's... sisterly nectar...
"I saw that."
The calm knock on the doorframe drew everyone's attention. A woman with long gray hair, serene emerald eyes, and a tranquil aura entered. Her black, white, and blue robes flowed like mist, her steps measured as if walking through the void itself—an ethereal immortal's poise in every movement.
"Fu Hua—class monitor."
Seeing the newcomer, Kiana's face lit up with delight.
"Mm."
The gray-haired, green-eyed beauty nodded slightly, her lips curving into a soft smile as she looked at her three old friends. "I heard Kiana finished her report, so I came to see you. And it seems Durandal's back as well. Perfect timing for a reunion."
Fu Hua took a seat across from Kiana, her expression faintly nostalgic.
Everyone had found their own path now.
Durandal remained steadfast in her military service, climbing the Imperial ranks. Kiana pursued her dream of "making the world a better place" as a colonial planetary governor. Raiden Mei, the martial type, had joined the military as well. Her disciple, Li Sushang, had entered the Imperial assassination corps as an auxiliary operative under General Esdeath.
Bronya Zaychik, on the other hand, clearly had no interest in politics or the military. With financial support from both Kiana and Mei, she had founded a game company.
Currently, she and her childhood friends from the Cocolia Orphanage—her self-proclaimed "harem troupe"—were traveling on a business trip to an Imperial resort world, seeking inspiration for their next game.
Seele Vollerei, and the twins Rosalia and Lilia Arlene—either too young or too gentle—had no place in formal service yet. Though the Empire had youth military organizations, they were purely local training groups, not official institutions.
Theresa... nominally the Archbishop of the Valkyrie Corps and Governor of the Central Direct World of the 3rd Sequence (Honkai Impact 3rd), but in truth, she was more of a mascot than an administrator.
As for Fu Hua, her life now resembled quiet retirement. She clocked in and out on time every day, training batch after batch of new recruits.
An iron camp, flowing soldiers.
Senti had joined Kiana on her colonial adventures purely for the novelty—her life under Fu Hua had become far too monotonous and passionless.
Yet the one who had truly risen the highest wasn't even Fu Hua, the Chief Instructor of the Imperial Guard Corps.
It was Rita!
Rita had remained in the Imperial Capital, now serving as a head maid of the Grand Imperial Palace of Selene. She worked directly with Chief Steward Sebas, overseeing palace maid etiquette and protocol—and at times, personally attending to Empress Selene herself.
One could say she met more dignitaries in a single day than the rest of them did in a year.
The small gathering of four women was deliberately kept modest—no exotic sea kings, dangerous beasts, monsters, or barbarian dishes from across the cosmos. Just simple, hearty food, shared over easy conversation.
Still, most of the talking came from Durandal and Kiana, recounting their experiences.
"Blue-skinned aliens with neural interfaces? The Na'vi, and the planetary consciousness Eywa... a human interstellar civilization driven to ruin by its own greed and resource exploitation..."
"A world of mortals possessing the bloodline of giants, trapped in endless wars within a pre-nuclear industrial civilization..."
Rita listened with her usual elegance, not interrupting once. Fu Hua, however, was clearly fascinated by their tales.
Seeing the spark of interest in Fu Hua's usually calm expression, Kiana's sharp brows arched with delight. Speaking through a mouthful of pizza, she said, "Class monitor, how about joining me?"
She was desperate for people—desperately so.
Especially someone dependable, steady, and composed. Not the kind of volatile officials who exploded at the smallest slight or defaulted to executions, purges, and collective punishment. Fu Hua's patience and experience were exactly what Kiana's administration needed.
"Me?"
Seeing through Kiana's thoughts, Fu Hua looked uncertain—unsure whether to show delight or hesitation.
Truth be told, her calm temperament and preference for quiet suited her current post perfectly. She was content.
"General Bianka Durandal Ataegina!"
Before Fu Hua could respond, a deep, magnetic male voice echoed from beyond the doors—formal and resonant, imbued with the surging hum of Honkai energy. A towering giant in golden armor stood at the entrance.
His full-plate armor shone with divine brilliance, so bright that few could look directly at it.
The Imperial Guard!
"It's me, sir," Durandal replied at once. She straightened her uniform and stood at attention.
"By order of Her Majesty."
The golden knight nodded, drawing a scroll and unfurling it.
Fsshh—
At once, the sound drew attention from throughout the Valkyrie hall. Dozens of warriors dropped to one knee; even the automatons and sentries bowed their heads in reverence.
"Bianka, effective immediately—you are to depart and rendezvous with the XIII Expedition Fleet, attached to Colony World No. 638059. As the vanguard, you will lead the search for remnants of the God Tree and investigate the cosmic race that harvests planetary life as fruit."
The ethereal yet commanding voice of the Empress accompanied the proclamation as the scroll opened.
"Bianka Durandal Ataegina, I shall obey the Imperial decree."
Dropping to one knee in knightly salute, Durandal accepted the silken scroll with both hands, neither humble nor proud.
After carefully storing the decree, she looked up at the messenger. "Sir, may I ask who will command the main fleet following the vanguard?"
"General Esdeath."
...
"Phew..."
Once the Imperial Guard—symbol of Selene's authority—departed, everyone in the hall exhaled in relief. But within seconds, the room, full of Valkyries, burst into lively chatter. Countless admiring eyes turned toward Durandal, the proud and unshakable leader of the Immortal Blade.
"As expected of Sister Durandal—the pride of the Valkyries," Kiana said, hands on her hips, trying to pump herself up. "I can't fall behind."
"Uuuh... Her Majesty really does keep Lady Durandal busy," Rita murmured softly.
"Don't say that. I've rested plenty during my return. A mission like this just means it's time to move again."
Durandal showed no sign of exhaustion—only renewed vigor. A new task meant a new purpose.
"But this... the God Tree?" she said, pointing at the illustration on the scroll.
"Let me see. Hm? This is the report from the assembly earlier... it's already caught Sister Selene's attention—and so quickly. It must truly be an extraordinary, rare find. Looks like my own exploration team will have to pick up the pace as well."
Nearby, Fu Hua's gaze lingered on the diagram—its intricate, almost oriental sigils resembling a clan crest. A flicker of light danced in her calm, sea-green eyes.
For the first time in a while, the stillness of her spirit stirred like stars rippling across the ocean's surface.
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