บท 247: The Inspection Before the Unification War
"...Alright then, accompany me to inspect the army. The upcoming Unification War will need your efforts," Selene said, motioning for Sebas to arrange her hair and place the crown upon her head.
"Your Majesty, it's already late... Shouldn't we wait until tomorrow at dawn for the inspection?" Budo hesitated as he watched Sebas skillfully arrange Selene's hair.
"Oh? Are you worried that your Second Imperial Guard Corps isn't prepared?" Selene teased, smiling.
Indeed, you heard correctly. After Selene ascended the throne, Budo's former First Imperial Guard Corps had been officially demoted to the Second Imperial Guard Corps by her decree. Its replacement was none other than Gensa's Astartes Honor Guard, now officially renamed the First Imperial Guard Corps, or simply the Imperial Guard. They now stood watch over Selene's palace, replacing Budo's forces.
In response, Budo knelt on one knee and respectfully said, "The Second Imperial Guard Corps is always ready for Your Majesty's inspection... But, isn't it too late? I worry it might disturb Your Majesty's rest."
"It's fine..."
Waving her hand dismissively, Selene adjusted the crown on her head and gracefully walked over to Budo, lightly patting his armored shoulder.
"Don't treat me like him (the young emperor). I'm not so fragile. Ceremonial grandeur has its place, but not for something like this. There's no need for unnecessary formalities. Oh, and 'auspicious times' can be abolished," she added.
The concept of "auspicious times" had a long history in imperial systems worldwide. It was a tradition designed to emphasize the emperor's magnanimity. Typically, the emperor's schedule for handling state affairs was fixed, and if a minister wished to report outside of that time, the emperor would grant an audience to show their benevolence.
Under Honest's governance, this practice had become even more rigid. He drastically reduced the time available for the emperor to handle state matters, leaving the young emperor unable to change it. Honest controlled the flow of information, ensuring that only what he approved reached the emperor, effectively isolating him from the outside world.
Budo, however, had remained faithful. Even after his revival and newfound perspective, his personality had not changed—he strictly adhered to the old rules left by the late emperor.
But that's precisely what Selene valued in him—his unwavering loyalty.
"...In the future, if there's important news, come directly to the palace or report it to Sebas," Selene instructed as she raised her hand, signaling Budo to rise before walking out of the grand dome hall.
"Understood!"
...
Crack! Crack! Crack!
Fireworks continued to light up the Imperial Capital's night sky. Though night had fallen, the city remained full of life.
The bustling streets were filled with crowds, people in colorful attire weaving through the brightly lit roads. From above, it looked like a flowing river of colors, winding between the square-shaped markets. The citizens sang and danced, praising Empress Selene and eagerly anticipating the new era under her rule.
But... none of this mattered to Tatsumi, a new recruit in the Imperial Guard.
The Imperial Guard's Upper City barracks were one of the few places where the celebration had not reached. After all, the Imperial execution grounds were nearby.
"Ahhhhhh—!"
The former Imperial Minister Honest, who had been tossed to the angry citizens by Selene, had been torn apart by the mob.
As for Honest's son, Syura? He hadn't escaped either. Though he wasn't ripped apart like his father, his fate was equally grim. Syura had been sentenced to death by Lingchi, or death by a thousand cuts.
With the new Empress's ascension and the whole empire celebrating, the soldiers in the barracks enjoyed a rare moment of relaxation. Those unlucky enough to be assigned patrol duty, however, were grumbling as they marched the streets, maintaining order.
Others, including Tatsumi, gathered in small groups to enjoy this rare break.
"This guy is really tough, huh? It's been three days, and he's still alive... I can't believe he's still screaming with barely any flesh left on his bones," a soldier muttered, grimacing as he listened to the distant wails from the execution grounds.
"Well, he's Honest's son, after all. I hear he was quite a fighter himself, so it's no surprise he's holding out," another soldier replied.
"True... Honest, that fat pig... Huh? Hey, Tatsumi, what's up with you? Ever since we finished our patrol, you've been acting all distracted."
Sitting nearby, Tatsumi, wearing the standard Imperial Guard armor, lifted his head, looking troubled. "It's nothing... I just saw two of my old friends."
"What? That's great! Didn't you say they came to the capital to enlist too?"
The sergeant, laughing, slapped Tatsumi on the back. "Next time they recruit, get them to join us. With how much you bragged about how strong they are, passing the exams should be easy!"
"But, Sergeant... they joined Night Raid..." Tatsumi said, his face blank.
Due to Selene's influence, events had played out differently from the original storyline. Tatsumi's childhood friends, Sayo and Ieyasu, hadn't suffered the tragic fate they met in the original plot. However, fate remained cruel—while they joined Night Raid, Tatsumi ended up joining Selene's Imperial Guard.
Recently, during a patrol with his squad, Tatsumi had seen Ieyasu and Sayo—his childhood friends—being escorted by a group of dark-armored Imperial soldiers to the execution grounds.
In that brief moment, they had locked eyes, both sides recognizing each other, but neither said a word. Tatsumi, dressed in his Imperial Guard uniform, could only watch as his friends, battered and bruised, were dragged past him in chains, heading for execution.
The weight of their unspoken reunion had left Tatsumi in a daze.
"Night Raid?!" the sergeant was shocked, the piece of meat he had been chewing stopping mid-bite. "They joined Night Raid?!"
"That's... That's serious, Tatsumi," the sergeant said gravely. "You might get dragged into this mess too."
Suddenly, a large, burly officer in a military uniform approached them.
"What's this about Night Raid?"
"Sir! Tatsumi here—his two friends were caught because they joined Night Raid," the sergeant explained, standing at attention.
"Tatsumi's friends? Caught?" the officer repeated, a bit taken aback. Luckily for Tatsumi, they were part of Selene's Imperial Guard; otherwise, he might have been arrested as a suspected traitor on the spot.
As a soldier personally recruited by the corps leader, Tatsumi had some recognition within the corps. Given his simple and honest nature, the officer had a soft spot for him. He had heard Tatsumi speak about his friends several times before.
"I'll see what I can do to help, but for now, get yourself together!"
The officer then turned and shouted, "Full formation, gather!"
Blare!
The sharp call of the assembly horn rang out, and in an instant, the once quiet and calm barracks turned into a flurry of activity. Soldiers and officers rushed out from all directions, forming orderly ranks in the vast courtyard. The clang of armor and the disciplined shouts filled the air.
Soon, the corps leader emerged from his office, dressed in his officer's uniform. "Her Majesty is coming to inspect the troops! Everyone, show your best form! Understood?!"
"Yes, sir!"
...
As time passed, the grand bridge leading to the palace gates became illuminated with lights as a figure clad in resplendent robes appeared, accompanied by a retinue of hundreds of golden-armored guards.
Selene, with Budo, Gensa, and several other high-ranking officers by her side, walked gracefully down the bridge's steps.
Two guards stationed at the entrance, dressed in pristine uniforms and shining armor, saw Selene approaching and became visibly excited.
"Her... Her Majesty! Long live the Empress!" one of the guards shouted, kneeling in reverence.
Selene smiled warmly at the guard and gestured for him to rise. "Do your best."
"Yes, Your Majesty!" the guard replied, his face filled with nervous excitement as Selene, flanked by her entourage, entered the Imperial Guard's Upper City barracks.
But just as they did, to the astonishment of the officers present, a young soldier broke formation and ran toward them.
"Your Majesty! Please, I beg of you..."
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