Free Web NovelChapter 901: So-Called Riches Across the Seas, Footprints Across the Horizon
"O’ Eternal Divine Empress, have mercy upon our insignificant suffering."
"O’ Master of All Things, bless Your flock trapped amid calamity."
"O’ Shepherd of Light, guide our darkened path with Your radiance."
"We are Your humble servants. We are the lambs of Your salvation..."
...
"For the Sacred Selene Empire."
Holy hymns mingled with prayers both humble and fanatical, echoing and expanding throughout the hall. Hikigaya Hachiman silently observed it all, his right fist held before his chest as he stood solemnly. Beside him, his former superior officer, Yoshiteru Zaimokuza, and the others all wore equally grave expressions.
"Let’s go."
Lost in thought, Hikigaya Komachi had no idea how much time had passed. Perhaps minutes, perhaps only seconds. Hachiman’s voice snapped her out of her salute-like daze.
"Onii-chan, these kinds of religious ceremonies... we have them back home too, but not this exaggerated, right?"
"Yeah. Cultural differences among the Astartes Angels."
Hikigaya Hachiman lowered his head slightly and quietly explained near his sister’s ear.
"Our world falls under the cultural sphere influenced by the Salamanders. The Divine Empress Preachers are the most religiously fervent among the Angels. If you really had to compare them, their worship of the Sacred Selene is the most passionate out of all the legions. There’s even a rumor that if the Divine Empress ordered them to commit suicide, they’d obey without hesitation."
"..."
Komachi froze instantly. Her mouth opened slightly in shock and disbelief. At the same time, dragged along by their parents as they continued walking, she curiously looked toward the pilgrims from worlds governed by the Divine Empress Preachers.
Following the ceremonial delegation of the 11th Legion, they arrived at the orbital rail station hall. The old colonel had already gone off to handle registration procedures. Since this was merely ceremonial attendance and sightseeing, there was naturally no need to use teleportation devices.
The Hikigaya family sat for a while on one of the semicircular resting platforms. The handrails here were made from precious metals. The refined peach-heart inlays were wrapped with flower-shaped enamel carvings, exquisitely crafted, and artificial flowerbeds decorated the surroundings.
Komachi stared at the segmented holographic screens in the center of the hall.
"The outside world really is so much more colorful."
Her eyes sparkled as she watched footage showing governors and garrison commanders from various sectors arriving in the Capital.
Among them, the figures that drew her attention the most were the half-cyborgs clad in crimson robes decorated with gear-and-skull emblems.
The reason was simple. Compared to ordinary fanatics, those half-human, half-machine figures were far more novel. Their sense of ritual was overwhelming—complicated, mysterious, muttering strange incomprehensible things... impossible to fully understand, yet visually bizarre and deeply awe-inspiring.
Several rounds of news broadcasts cycled across the screens. One segment even displayed towering and unsettling beings holding massive staffs, resembling magnificent metallic skeletons glowing with eerie green light.
"Hey, Onii-chan, what rank are the Necron Lords?"
Pointing at terms like "Necrons" and "Three Sacred Lords" appearing on the screen, Komachi tugged at her brother, who was currently speaking with an intelligent machine selling drinks and miscellaneous goods.
"Oh, the Necron Lords? They’re among the finest of the Empire’s legally recognized xenos races. As far as I know, even the Sangheili, the Protoss, and all the demi-human races combined don’t possess the same honor they do—having Her Majesty the Divine Empress personally serve as their Supreme Sacred Lord and highest sovereign."
"Oh..."
Komachi nodded instinctively.
Then she froze.
The one who had answered was not her brother Hachiman.
Standing before them was a tall white man with blond hair parted neatly three-seven style, a distinctly handsome chin, and a clean, efficient outfit consisting of a simple suit uniform without a tie.
"And you are?"
Handing his younger sister a pudding cake, Hikigaya Hachiman narrowed his eyes cautiously. The rose-knot boutonniere on the blond man’s collar and the crimson-gold "≡][≡" pin both declared his identity—
A member of the Imperial Inquisition.
"Ha, I answered without thinking. Seeing your younger sister so lively and clever reminded me of an old companion who once suffered alongside me. She was a university student too, always asking questions about everything." The man spread his hands to show he meant no harm. "Don’t misunderstand. I’m not exactly an Inquisitor. At best, you can think of me as an operative of the Inquisition."
"Allow me to introduce myself. Third Astartes Legion, born on a hospital world under the Black Templars. Serial Number III—24624. Leon Scott Kennedy." Leon extended his hand.
"Eighteenth Astartes Legion, tourist world under the Salamanders. XVIII—11. Hikigaya Hachiman." Hachiman nodded and shook his hand in return.
The two exchanged a brief handshake.
"XVIII—11? Ah, that famous vacation world of gourmet cuisine and gardens." Leon looked genuinely interested. "I’ve heard of it for a long time and always wanted to visit. Unfortunately, I’ve never had the time." As he spoke, he gestured behind him. "This is my wife."
She was a mixed-race Asian woman with black medium-short hair, striking and refined facial features, wearing a coat over black stockings and red-soled high heels. A black suitcase rested in her hand. Removing her sunglasses revealed slightly narrow black eyes. She stood gracefully and nodded politely.
"Ada Kennedy."
Hachiman returned the greeting.
Neither side asked the pointless question of why the other had come to the Imperial Capital. They were simply strangers meeting by chance. One side happened to be interested in the other’s homeworld, and both happened to be waiting for the train. Without probing or hidden agendas, they naturally began chatting about the glowing cuisine and famous scenic attractions of XVIII—11.
"Mr. Hikigaya, that cuisine which emits golden light, tears people’s clothes apart, and causes wonderful hallucinations... is that real?"
Leon seemed especially interested in that topic.
"Just call me Hikigaya. Ahem, it’s more or less true, though not nearly as exaggerated as the rumors make it sound. The key depends on the chef’s skill... though honestly, there’s no need to go through that much trouble if you want to try it."
"As for this celebration, I don’t know about the rest, but the Totsuki Academy from Area 11 should be sending quite a few elite chefs. According to their traditions, aside from preparing imperial banquets, this rare Imperial Capital training opportunity means their students will probably open stalls and restaurants in the lower districts of the Capital. That’s definitely something to look forward to. Even the students are highly skilled."
"Haha, now that’s something worth anticipating."
...
Meanwhile, at another star gate spaceport line.
Inside a reserved train carriage bearing the emblem of Totsuki Tea House Culinary Academy.
"Whoa! What a feast! Old man, just watch! This time I’ll definitely show everyone what I’ve got! Let Her Majesty judge for herself that I’m no longer the same person I used to be! The dishes I make now are definitely tastier than yours!"
Bang!
"Souma Yukihira! Shut your mouth! This isn’t Totsuki, this is the Imperial Capital! Listen carefully—during the Grand Palace banquet, you’d better not pull any of your stupid headband nonsense or start saying things like ’Thank you for the meal’ in front of everyone!!"
A lioness-like roar echoed through the carriage.
Inside, people young and old all watched with smiles as the gorgeous blonde woman with purple eyes—whose voluptuous figure remained impossible to hide even beneath her chef uniform—stood there with hands on her hips, fiercely lecturing the red-haired young man.
"Jōichrō-senpai, if you get defeated so easily by the younger generation, it won’t suit your titles of Gourmet Pioneer and Asura."
"Hahahaha... that’s called the student surpassing the master. Azami, you should understand too that a human life is limited. No one can remain the strongest forever. Unless they stop being ’human.’"
A middle-aged man with wild crimson hair draped over his shoulders and a distinctly rockstar-like appearance laughed heartily as he slapped the pale-skinned junior beside him.
"Jōichrō, when preparing meals for the Empire’s generals, governors, and administrative ministers in the Grand Palace, you are absolutely forbidden from experimenting with your new dishes!" A muscular man with a buzz cut sighed and emphasized every single word.
"Gin, do you really think I’m that kind of person?"
"Aren’t you? Don’t lose your head. This is both an honor and an execution order. Surely you understand that."
"Sigh... guests who hold the power of life and death really are the hardest to serve..."
His muttering was extremely quiet.
"Watch your mouth! You father and son really are carved from the same mold."
...
Buzzzzz—!
Several orbital rail trains crossed paths.
"What a harmonious atmosphere."
Inside a governor-class special train, Lelouch vi Britannia, First Governor of Conquered World—37 under the Second Punishers Legion of the Astartes, closed the book in his hand. A faint smile lingered within his deep violet eyes as he turned to glance at the train disappearing outside the window.
"So those were chefs heading to the Capital."
His bodily functions had long surpassed ordinary humans. Besides, using his governor authority to query the train’s intelligent servant AI was hardly difficult. The detailed passenger list might remain confidential, but basic identities could still be checked.
"In the solemn and suffocatingly oppressive Imperial Capital, seeing such a free-spirited group—especially as imperial chefs heading into the palace—is actually rather refreshing."
Following Lelouch’s gaze out the window, the beautiful green-haired woman resting her chin in her hand spoke softly.
"C.C., mind your words."
"Ah, sorry."
"Um... the Imperial Capital is actually fine, isn’t it?" Another woman in the private compartment gently swayed her smooth orange hair that reached down to her hips and spoke timidly. "Compared to Britannia during Emperor Charles I’s reign, it doesn’t seem that different, right?"
"The difference is enormous."
Lelouch and the green-haired woman exchanged a glance at the innocent and romantic statement from his girlfriend, then both merely shook their heads.
Charles had enemies.
He had opposition.
There had even been internal division.
But the Sacred Selene Empire truly had none of that.
No one could resist Empress Selene.
Anyone with even a little status understood this clearly—the very foundation of the Empire’s existence lay in the Empress herself. The moment the Empress disappeared, this super empire spanning endless universes would instantly shatter apart.
The endless energy source known as Honkai energy was deeply tied to every aspect of daily life. Without someone to control and anchor its unstable nature toward the concepts of "stability" and "benevolence," the disastrous side of Honkai would erupt completely.
At that point, the Empire would become a dead realm.
A hellscape even more extreme than the most horrifying and indescribable domains of Immaterium.
Even the most deeply hidden and radical liberals could only admit pessimistically that humanity could not survive without her.
The best outcome they could hope for was simply praying that the Empress remained merciful.
After all, Selene had given them far too much.
So much that no one could bring themselves to sever ties.
Because what would be severed was not an arm.
It would be the necks of themselves, their families, their descendants, and their entire race.
"Let’s not talk about that. Perhaps Her Majesty doesn’t care about the opinions of insects like us, but those hounds beneath her are another matter entirely. Loyalty that isn’t absolute is absolute disloyalty."
Lelouch pointed at himself, then toward the two women.
"And we, the newly reborn Britannia family, are loyal subjects. We must be loyal subjects. Absolutely loyal subjects!"
"Shirley, there should already be news from Nunnally and Euphemia by now, right?"
After speaking, Lelouch gently caressed the pale and delicate face of the young girlfriend who had endured hardships alongside him. Thinking of news regarding his younger sister immediately brightened his mood. Smiling faintly, he snapped his fingers and accepted a cup of black tea from a service-type intelligent machine.
"Mm! Nunnally and Euphemia have made many friends in the Imperial Capital. Princess Alyssa already approved their freedom to move around on their own. Oh, and Nunnally even brought along her close friend, Shirahoshi—a huge mermaid! She’s a princess of the merfolk race!"
Shirley gestured excitedly as she spoke.
Right then, buzzz! The teleportation device installed aboard the special train hummed to life, followed by a crisp and pleasant female voice.
"Onii-sama!"
"Nunnally."
Lelouch immediately stood up. Looking toward the one large and two small figures emerging within the flashing blue-white teleportation array, he spread his arms with a doting smile.
"Onii-sama, look! This is Nunnally’s friend, Shirahoshi!"
...
Meanwhile, at the outer front palace of Schönbrunn Palace within the Grand Imperial Palace of the Capital.
"Let me see... the performance troupe list for the Queen’s banquet music and dance... mm... this many?!"
The gray-haired girl who had enthusiastically volunteered for a job from Sebas and vowed to accomplish something great immediately collapsed limply across the office desk piled high with classified memorial documents regarding ceremonial music and performances.
"If I’d known this, I wouldn’t have approved their vacation so quickly... wuuugh, why is it that the Queen and that old man Sebas handle documents so effortlessly? Just looking at them makes my head spin... that rotten old man Sebas must have absorbed all the talent for this sort of thing when he was born!"
"No, Alyssa, you can’t slack off!"
Though she whined continuously, at least the work was still progressing.
And just as Alyssa felt like she was about to contract some kind of spiral-eye disease from reading memorials and processing documents, knock knock! sounded outside the palace doors.
"Enter."
Creak—
Pushing the doors open with flawless etiquette, the palace attendant bowed and reported:
"Princess Alyssa, Doctor Mobius, Governor Kiana, General Durandal of the Imperial Guard, Brigadier Raiden Mei of the Auxiliary Army, Brigadier Xiola of Raven, Instructor Fu Hua, Vice Instructor Senti, Inspector Rita, and Director Pardofelis of the Imperial Forestry Office request an audience to discuss urgent matters."
"Urgent matters?"
The ahoge atop Alyssa’s head perked upright as she poked her head out from the mountain of documents.
"What urgent matters could they possibly have? Kiana again? Is she here begging for money and support again? Is she really that broke now? Sigh, I’ve always lived off the imperial treasury... wait, how much money do I even have left again..."
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