So, You Still Want to Be a Melee Scientist, Huh?

"My new assistants?"

Dressed in his white research lab coat, Dr. Fashion put down the files in his hands and bowed respectfully to Selene before him.

"Recruited from the newly conquered otherworld… Your Majesty, are they alchemists like Dorothea? Or technical researchers like Sumire Muroto (Black Bullet) or Akihiro Kanou (Tokyo Ghoul)?"

Taking the list of personnel from Selene, Dr. Fashion began to read aloud, his curiosity piqued.

"They're from Conquered World No. 37 under the Astartes Second Legion… Are they pure technical researchers?"

"Nina Einstein, former Britannian Empire, Area 11 (a.k.a. Japan), Ashford Academy high school student, second-year… student?"

At this point, Dr. Fashion raised an eyebrow in surprise. Glancing up, he saw Selene continuing to sign documents with her usual calm expression, so he kept reading.

"Specialized in nuclear physics, proficient in physics-related knowledge. Former intern researcher in Britannia's Area 11 high-explosives research department and energy transmission department."

A mere student, only 17 years old, achieving this level is indeed impressive, but isn't Her Majesty going too far by directly admitting her into the Imperial Science Bureau? Does she have that much potential?

By typical standards, her abilities were outstanding among her peers, but only within that group. From what he could see in her resume, Dr. Fashion couldn't figure out her immediate value.

Perhaps Selene valued her potential, though her 'combat capability' was currently low and would need time to develop.

He continued reading.

"Lloyd Asplund, former Britannian Count, Knightmare Frame designer, Special Dispatch Technology Department director, and head of the Knights of the Round exclusive development department."

"Rakshata Chawla, former colleague of Lloyd's in Britannia's research division. Also skilled in Knightmare Frame design, particularly known for her expertise in radiation-based weaponry."

"Wow, wow…," Dr. Fashion murmured excitedly. These two were treasure troves.

Overcome with excitement, Dr. Fashion's fingers tightened around the list. "And their names aren't even Japanese—it's perfect! Finally, a fresh intake of talent."

In the worlds conquered by the Astartes Legions, although not predominant, Japan had the highest frequency of appearances. Either because it was a major hub of scientific production or the place where the strangest phenomena emerged.

Each year, a significant portion of the scientific personnel recruited from conquered worlds by the Imperial Science Bureau came from Japan, that familiar land they could never seem to escape.

They really were everywhere.

The only thing that drives military technology forward faster than war is a collision of diverse ideas. But now, apart from native-born imperial researchers, the second-largest group has become Japanese people, discovered in multiple worlds.

It was true that they were polite, agreeable, and easy to work with. But with the same faces all the time, Dr. Fashion felt somewhat fatigued. He wanted diversity, not just a concentration of talent from one source.

In short, Dr. Fashion was simply tired of the same old routine—he wanted a change of flavor.

Noticing Dr. Fashion's remarks, Selene nodded. She understood the desire for novelty all too well.

Dr. Fashion's feelings were understandable, but the recruitment outcome for the Imperial Science Bureau likely wouldn't change in the future; a considerable share would still go to the Japanese. (There's no denying Japanese anime pretty much dominates the ACG world.)

"As soldiers, they're certainly qualified."

Putting aside personal biases, in all fairness, the Japanese character traits were well-suited to Selene's style of absolute authoritarian rule—they were, in fact, her favorite.

Resilient and hardworking, they had remarkably high tolerance levels as long as the ruler maintained a powerful military and noble pedigree, and Selene happened to meet all those criteria.

Although Selene had never proclaimed herself a goddess nor implied any divinity, her followers—both those from the empire's heartland and the worlds conquered by the Astartes—had already devised plenty of reasons to embrace her rule.

They had little choice; the Astartes' standard protocol for any conquered world, as long as it was civilized, involved the Imperial Ministry of Internal Affairs dismantling any 'ignorant' beliefs and religions.

Stripping them of this fundamental, easily tapped source of cohesion.

Religious faith still held substantial power to unite people.

Compared to the unity derived from cultural customs or bloodlines, religion had a much lower barrier to entry.

The former required extended evolution and high-cost maintenance, while the latter was simple and accessible.

At its most basic, one doesn't need the same culture, or the same ethnicity. Perhaps today, you're a non-believer, but after hearing a story or accepting a god, or embracing a religious teaching, tomorrow you're one of the flock, gathered under the "light of the divine."

And there you have unity.

Under the Empire's high-pressure rule, such wide-reaching, low-barrier cohesion can easily lead to trouble. Although it's possible to completely eliminate it through large-scale massacres, what about labor? What about the source of the tithe?

Violent suppression can't become a permanent solution.

Most importantly, the Empress of this Empire, Selene, seems more like a god than a human!

The faith-starved people desperately need a substitute, and it's at this moment that the Empress of the Empire, Selene, enters their view.

There's not even a need for divine intervention. As the people come to understand the Empire more deeply, simply based on the documents distributed by imperial officials, they realize—

Observing Selene's actions and her experiences, it seems… oh, my heavens! The Divie Empress above!

This is almost identical to the god they once worshipped!

Perhaps, in Selene's mind, she only sees herself as someone with a bit of destructive power, who simply likes things grand and magnificent. But to them, it's a completely different story!

After all, ordinary people can't destroy planets, nor could they command an army of such greatness. Only a god could do that. So, our Empress is a goddess. Case closed, and no argument to the contrary will be accepted!

If you look like a god, act like a god, people will think you're a god.

And then… well, since the Empire forbids us from believing in "ignorant" religions, we'll just worship the Emperor. Surely that's fine, right?

In any case, the worlds under Selene's rule remain fairly stable, with only the occasional incident of "glass getting melted." As for the One-in-Ten Purge? Hardly an issue at all.

Feeling increasingly excited, Dr. Fashion could barely contain his eagerness as he looked over the rewards the legion commanders gained from their campaigns of conquest. He was beyond envious.

If only he could go out there himself instead of getting only the leftovers.

"Your Majesty, may I personally lead a campaign to conquer a world? My Fashion Corps is ready to—"

"What do you think?" Selene's sharp gaze pierced through Dr. Fashion's hopeful expression, as if seeing straight into his soul.

"Dr. Fashion, the Fashion Corps—I expect you understand… their existence is a complete disgrace to the Empire's image."

Selene frowned, the crimson in her eyes filled with disdain as she recalled an unpleasant memory.

Those grotesque creatures in lace garters… ugh, what on earth? The Empire cannot afford to be humiliated like this!

"Ah…" Dr. Fashion hesitated, but he didn't want to give up his dream of being a "front-line scientist." "Your Majesty, could you just let me participate in a battle, just one…?"

"No!"

"Your Majesty…" Dr. Fashion faltered, silenced as Selene's absolute refusal cut him off with a finality that left no room for argument.

"Enough. Don't even think about it!"

Seriously, what's with you, a researcher, constantly trying to bring a blade to the battlefield? What, still haven't let go of your fantasy of being a "melee scientist"? You want to play the reckless brute that badly?!

"Once their appointments are finalized with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, these new recruits will report to the Imperial Science Bureau. Make good use of their abilities; the final step for mass expansion of the Imperial Space Fleet hinges on this."

"The captured aerial battleships from the Britannian Empire will also be sent to you. I'll instruct Budo to deliver samples directly to your workshop headquarters."

As she spoke, Selene smiled knowingly, her diamond-shaped pupils filled with meaning. "Would switching the power source to Honkai Energy improve their performance? I look forward to seeing your results, Dr. Fashion."

"I will complete the task without fail." Though Selene's smile remained, Dr. Fashion didn't dare argue any further. He dropped to one knee and responded with a firm vow.

"Oh, and if they require anything for their research, try to meet their needs as much as possible, depending on the circumstances," Selene added.

"Understood. Then, Your Majesty, I take my leave."

"Yes, you may go."

Holding the documents Selene had given him, Dr. Fashion carefully backed away to the entrance of the hall before turning around and stepping over the threshold to leave.

Once Dr. Fashion's white-clad figure disappeared from view, Selene narrowed her eyes, saying nothing as she gazed at the nearly signed, soon-to-be-effective military orders on her desk.

"Since we're supporting this operation, it's a perfect chance to test the performance of the newly enhanced machines."

Selene spoke softly, her tone filled with anticipation.

"Order Budo to transfer two-thirds of the Knightmare Frames—now powered by Honkai Energy—to the Astartes Third Legion…."

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