Kapitel 244: Long Live Empress Selene!
"Kill him!!!"
...
Initially, due to the terror imposed by Honest's tyrannical rule over the years, many citizens were afraid that this might be a false report, fearing Honest's retaliation.
But now, seeing the once-powerful Prime Minister Honest reduced to a wretched figure with his limbs severed, those who still had doubts no longer hesitated.
With Honest himself in such a pitiful state and his cronies completely wiped out, what was there to fear?
Honest had fallen!
In an instant, the crowd was ablaze with fury.
Wave after wave of furious roars, curses, and shouts erupted from the masses, the noise so overwhelming it seemed like it could shatter the very clouds above.
Bang!
It was unclear who started it, but a stone the size of a sandbag flew through the air, crashing onto Honest's head with a loud thud, splitting his skull open.
"Ahhh—!" Honest, jolted awake by the pain, instinctively wanted to curse. However, he quickly realized that his mouth, already mangled, couldn't form coherent words, and only unintelligible sounds escaped his throat. Pain shot through every inch of his body.
At this moment, Honest finally realized that Selene had betrayed him, and he began to wail incoherently.
But before he could process it further, a barrage of rotten vegetables, eggs, and stones rained down on him, completely covering his entire body.
"This won't do. General Selene's orders were to keep him alive for trial."
Behind the platform, Gensa, clad in ornate golden power armor, saw the frenzied crowd on the verge of tearing Honest apart and noticed that the Imperial Guard tasked with maintaining order were struggling to contain the masses.
"You, go maintain order," Gensa commanded to his golden-armored personal guards behind him.
With that, Gensa strode onto the platform, his voice booming, "This is the Empire's sacred ground—Silence!"
His shout was powerful, almost tangible, causing the agitated crowd to pause as if doused with cold water.
The citizens, staring up at the towering, four-meter giant in gleaming golden power armor, his bare face fierce and imposing, were instantly subdued.
The effect was immediate, and the chaotic scene swiftly regained order.
Buzz—
Just then, an enormous mechanical figure appeared, hovering in mid-air, visible to all the citizens and soldiers below.
Standing at least three to four hundred meters tall, the figure was made entirely of black metal, shaped in a humanoid form with massive limbs, a regal head, and an imposing crown. It looked like a sculpture of the founding Emperor, as depicted in history books.
The figure radiated an overwhelming presence, as if it supported the entire sky, gazing down upon the masses like a god, inspiring awe and fear.
"What... what is that?!"
"Is that... some kind of god?"
"That head... it looks like the First Emperor's statue!"
"Is it the Emperor?"
...
"This must be the legendary Supreme Teigu. By my estimate, it's at least three hundred meters tall. It seems General Selene—no, I mean, Her Majesty—has succeeded..." Gensa muttered to himself as he gazed up at the [Shikoutazer] hovering in the air. He then turned to his golden-armored lieutenant and asked quietly, "Is everything in place?"
"The operatives are ready."
At this moment, apart from the Astartes warriors, all the regular soldiers and citizens, even those tasked with maintaining order, couldn't help but tremble as they clutched their weapons. It was an instinctive reaction to the overwhelming fear emanating from the towering figure.
Hovering behind the execution platform in the [Shikoutazer], Selene, standing on the massive metal hand of the machine, looked down at the sea of people below. From the Imperial courthouse all the way to the city walls, the streets were packed with citizens for nearly ten miles.
"Citizens of the Empire, do not be afraid. I am Selene," she announced. Though her voice wasn't loud, it resonated clearly in every ear, thanks to a subtle use of her Honkai energy.
In the crowd, whispers spread like wildfire, "It's not the Emperor? General Selene? Could it be that General Selene is of royal blood?"
"What do you mean?"
"You don't know? This giant metal figure is the legendary Supreme Teigu. It's said that only those with the bloodline of the First Emperor can use it!"
"Gasp... Does that mean General Selene is actually a princess?"
...
After a brief pause, Selene continued, hiding the joy in her heart with a tone of 'solemnity,' "Citizens of the Empire, I regret to inform you of a grave matter. Last night..."
"Prime Minister Honest conspired with southern rebels and the assassination group Night Raid to infiltrate the palace. Though General Budo fought valiantly, due to the deliberate sabotage of certain individuals (Selene: that would be me!), the defense forces suffered a critical breach..."
"His Majesty was assassinated... and has passed away!"
As her words echoed through the streets, a wave of shock rippled through the crowd. The young Emperor was dead? He was the last remaining direct descendant of the First Emperor. His death meant the Imperial bloodline had ended!
The citizens weren't the only ones in panic; even many of the officials present were stunned. It wasn't just Honest's downfall—they had just learned that the Emperor had died too!
As the crowd's panic grew, a booming voice shouted, "Silence! There's no need to despair—yet!"
"Look! It's General Budo!"
Following one step behind Selene, Budo, now fully healed, stepped forward with a stern expression and declared loudly, "His Majesty's assassination was my fault. I am prepared to resign and face death in atonement for my failure. However, the nation cannot be left without a ruler!"
"At this time of national crisis, I implore Her Highness to take the throne! Long live Empress Selene!" Budo then knelt, bowing deeply before Selene.
Seeing Budo steal the spotlight, Gensa grumbled but quickly followed suit. Leading the Astartes warriors and the Imperial Guard, he knelt and shouted, "Long live Empress Selene!"
The Imperial Guard quickly followed suit, echoing, "Long live Empress Selene!"
"Long live Empress Selene!"
"Long live..." Before long, the citizens, guided by carefully placed operatives, began to kneel as well...
In just a few breaths, Selene was the only one left standing.
Seizing the moment, Selene did not hesitate or show any signs of modesty. She raised her fist to her chest and declared, "My first decree as your Empress!"
"I hereby proclaim to the entire Empire: Honest, the former Prime Minister, has committed regicide. His entire family shall be executed!"
As she spoke, Selene extended her hand toward the crucified Honest. Simulating gravitational force, she flung his blood-soaked, filthy body into the crowd.
"He is yours. Do with him as you please!"
"Roar!!!"
In an instant, the cries of "Long live Empress Selene" from the people surged to a fever pitch. At this moment, their voices were filled with genuine devotion and gratitude.
"Long live Empress Selene!"
"Long live Empress Selene!!"
"Long live Empress Selene!!!"
...
Three hours later, in the Imperial Palace.
Sitting upon a grand golden throne adorned with intricate carvings of a double-headed eagle with a sword and shield, Selene overlooked the vast hall from atop the jade steps covered with red-and-gold carpets.
"My Lady—no, my Empress—congratulations on your ascension to the throne. If Lord Brauchitsch and Lady Katie knew, they would be so proud." Sebas, standing respectfully beside her, bowed deeply.
"Hmph, Sebas, do we really need to be so formal with each other?" Selene chuckled.
"As for Father Brauchitsch and Mother Katie... it's not time yet. Far from it. I'm still not strong enough... not for the Magic God." Selene tapped the armrest of her throne thoughtfully.
"Understood, my Lady. For now, please review these designs I've prepared for your coronation attire..." Sebas replied as he presented her with several sketches.
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein