Victory Report Reaches the Imperial Capital

"Who is he?" Selene asked curiously as she observed the man before her.

This man, though dressed in the garb of the barbarians, stood out with his fairer skin, unlike the darker complexions of the southwestern tribes.

"General, despite his barbarian attire, his accent suggests he's from the southern border of the Empire. Although we haven't interrogated him yet, it's likely he's a middleman in the rebel forces, responsible for liaising with the barbarians," one of the captains explained, giving the man a kick in disgust. "Traitorous scum!"

"A rebel, huh? In that case, no need for an interrogation—just execute him... hmm, wait..." Selene paused, a new idea forming in her mind. "Take him to Patrypol City. Let the so-called 'people' put him on trial."

"Aren't these rebels always claiming to be liberators, fighting against the Empire's tyranny? Fine, let the 'people' judge him. I want to see if they'll forgive you for collaborating with barbarians and causing so much suffering."

Killing someone was easy, but breaking their spirit was true punishment.

"Oh, and send a few more guards to ensure that he isn't rescued. I don't want to hear any foolish stories about a key prisoner being snatched away!" Selene added.

"Yes, General!"

The fate of this rebel was sealed—he would likely be torn apart by an angry mob, the very people whose homes and lives had been destroyed because of him.

"Did you capture the barbarian leader? Is he alive, or dead?" Selene inquired further.

"General, he's alive. Bring him up!" The captain called out, and two burly Imperial soldiers dragged the bloodied barbarian leader before Selene as if he were no more than a beaten dog.

"This is the chieftain of this southwestern barbarian tribe, one of the four main culprits responsible for raiding the Empire's borders. Three of them have already been killed—only the southern rebels remain. Aside from the middleman, we found these documents in his palace, showing correspondence with the rebels and proof of his treason against the Empire," the captain said, handing a dossier to Selene.

Taking the dossier, Selene looked down at the barbarian leader kneeling before her, and asked, "Do you have anything to say?"

"I am a noble of an allied state under the Empire. I have an Imperial title. I demand to see His Majesty! You have no authority to deal with me!" The barbarian leader, emboldened by Selene's calm demeanor, shouted.

Bang!

"Silence!" Before he could continue, a captain landed a heavy punch to his gut, causing him to double over and retch on the ground.

"How dare you! Before you stands an Imperial General, commander of the Eighth and Ninth Legions of the Imperial Guard, and the overseer of all military affairs in the southwestern territories—"

"Enough," Selene interrupted, stopping the captain from continuing his tirade. "You're truly shameless, aren't you..."

"You claim to be fighting for your people's survival, resisting the Empire's tyranny, fighting for freedom? But now that you've lost, you suddenly remember you're a noble under the Empire? That your state is an ally of the Empire?"

"When you were raiding the Empire's lands, did you think of yourself as a subject of the Empire? Do you think a simple apology can erase the atrocities you've committed? The world doesn't work that way!"

"Take him away. Break his limbs, but keep him alive. He'll serve as evidence of our victory when we return to the capital."

With that, Selene issued the command to return to the Empire with the captured barbarians, a procession of over ten thousand prisoners in tow.

The barbarian leader, a symbol of their triumph, would be paraded as a war trophy in the capital. Surely, newly-appointed Minister Honest would be eager to claim credit for this military success to solidify his position.

"Honest, taking my favors won't come so easily..."

...

The Imperial Capital, Southern Shore 'Lake' Pier.

A few idle citizens of the capital lounged under the shade of trees, gazing toward the Imperial Guard outpost on the lake's central island.

"No one can profit from this 'lake' or anything associated with it. I heard the nobles are fuming about it."

"Hmph, they can grumble all they want. Do they dare cross General Selene? That's a death wish!"

The scene before them was a testament to Selene's influence: hundreds of massive ships dominated the shores of the lake island, with ranks of Imperial Guards lining the banks, vigilant and armed to the teeth. Civilians were strictly forbidden from approaching.

The bridge construction was still underway, with countless laborers scurrying like bees within the narrow "hive." The overseers, mainly from Selene's Ninth Legion, ensured everything ran smoothly.

Everything in sight was controlled by the Empire and Selene herself, with no room for any private interests. This, of course, greatly displeased the noble elites of the capital.

Some bold individuals had attempted to claim a share of the profits, reasoning that as local nobles, they were entitled to compensation for the vast profits being generated in their city. One particularly audacious fool ended up hanging from the bridge, left to sway in the cold wind for three days and nights.

While Selene might have been even more ruthless—likely eliminating the fool's entire family—Sebas, her butler, was no pushover. His duty was to manage Selene's assets, and he did so with unwavering loyalty.

He was kind but not someone to be trifled with.

This display quickly convinced the capital's nobles that even in Selene's absence, her gentlemanly butler was not to be underestimated. They wisely chose to accept reality—after all, it was just a bit of profit, a small price to pay to appease General Selene.

Faced with power, people always find a way to rationalize their choices.

What else could they do? Expect these pampered aristocrats to stand up to a killer like Selene?

By now, even the common folk knew that this "lake" was the result of Selene's ultimate technique, the "Heavenly Wrath."

Suddenly, a cheer erupted from the construction site on the bridge.

"What's going on?"

"Sounds like good news, a victory on the front lines!"

Hearing the commotion, countless citizens turned their heads, watching as dozens of mounted messengers, banners flying, rode through the city gates, heading straight for the Imperial Palace, shouting as they went.

"A great victory in the southwest!"