The Black Faction’s Complete Assembly

Class: Rider

Height/Weight: 182 cm / 71 kg

Strength: B+

Endurance: B+

Agility: B+

Mana: EX

Luck: B+

Noble Phantasm: EX

This Heroic Spirit is a descended deity, embodying both a god's incarnation and the physical embodiment of myth and epic (as perceived by the Root's Counter Force).

Order: Chaotic-Evil

Chaotic-Evil doesn't necessarily signify malevolence; rather, Selene's very existence, and the world she commands, undeniably negates contemporary society's public rules and laws. Selene has strong desires, a flexible moral baseline, and usually follows her whims, often with bloody actions.

Class Skills

Magic Resistance: B

As a class supplement, magic below three verses is nullified. Even great spells and ritual curses are largely ineffective, while standard modern magic is entirely negated due to her imperial attire.

Riding: A++

A rare skill. Having previously conquered the dragon sovereign (the Dragon of the Eastern Clouds: "Yes… it's me, again…"), Selene can control mystical, divine, and even catastrophic creatures with ease, including dragon species.

Personal Skills

Divine Core of the Divine Empress: A+++ ~ EX

Embodiment of the Heavens, personification of the Universal Laws. This skill represents an inherently complete divinity, providing absolute physical and mental stability. Mental interference is nullified, and the physical body remains unchanging, irrespective of caloric intake. It's a compound skill, encapsulating divinity. Though this is but an avatar, it remains capable of EX rank due to its non-human vessel.

Independent Action: B

Even without a Master or mana supply, Selene can draw power from the Imaginary Number space. Due to the limitations imposed by her data-based form and the restrictions from the Root's world consciousness, Selene will be unable to maintain her form after the Holy Grail War.

Mana (Honkai Energy) Burst: A+

Mana can reinforce her weapon and body or convert into various elemental attacks.

Gourmand: B

The skill to procure the finest food. Due to a certain convergence of events, Selene's passion for food became widely known in the Empire, where the people's desire to avoid combat spurred culinary innovation, elevating the quality of cuisine.

Golden Rule: A

Perhaps due to her lack of mundane desires after obtaining tremendous power, Selene's fortune has always favored wealth.

Imperial Privilege: EX

Skills usually inaccessible may be obtained through personal conviction, including Riding, Swordsmanship, Leadership, Strategy, and more.

Cold Sun: EX

A skill with active and passive effects.

Active: Derived from the "Heavenly Wrath" she concocted, the skill can manifest a violet-red sun, symbolizing not life but eternal destruction. This sun only brings death and annihilation, dooming enemies within its infinite radiance and heat.

Passive: Imposes a powerful aura of fear, reducing opponents' defenses and inducing dread, sustained defense decline, and curse status. This effect can be mitigated through strong willpower.

Selene's governance philosophy mirrors the authoritarian Qin state, relying on centralized and militaristic oversight. While her subjects see her as a fair yet merciless Empress, the ever-present sun over their lives, she is nevertheless the coldest sun they know.

Noble Phantasms - Radiant Moonlight: A

Type: Anti-Unit (Self) Noble Phantasm

Range: 0

Targets: 1

A combat uniform crafted from Honkai energy, reducing incoming damage by 90% (effective against divine attacks). This armor became legendary as Selene's most famous "Teigu."

Dragon King of the Eastern Sea - Dragon of the Eastern Clouds: A++

Type: Anti-Fortress Noble Phantasm

Range: 1–99

Maximum Targets: 400

The Dragon of the Eastern Clouds, King of Dragons, a catastrophic creature, responds to Selene's summons and rains destruction upon her foes.

National Defense Machine God - Shikoutazer: A+++

Type: Anti-Nation Noble Phantasm

Range: ???

Targets: ???

The first and strongest Teigu, known as the "Primus Imperator," a towering mech over 500 meters high, possessing a defense as formidable as its divine-level destructive power.

The Complete Book Of The World: Rongo Rongo - World Chronicle: EX

Type: Anti-Person Noble Phantasm

Range: —

Targets: 1

A compendium-like artifact allowing omniscient insight and knowledge; with the Creator's permission, it wields limited dominion over the world, including map and encyclopedia functions. All information is revealed under its gaze.

Honkai Dimension: EX

Type: Anti-Realm, Anti-Planet, Anti-Civilization Noble Phantasm

Range: ???

Targets: ???

Selene's ultimate trump card as a Heroic Spirit, enabling her to summon and project elements from her imperial world, such as the Imperial Palace, her armies, the Astartes, and the Imperial Guards.

"Yes! Lord Darnic, we've won!" exclaimed Celenike, fervently clutching her Command Seal.

"This war is ours, I'm certain of it!" said Darnic, glancing toward his extraordinarily lucky family member, Celenike Icecolle of the ancient Icecolle lineage.

It seemed that Vlad III was no longer their strongest asset. Darnic pondered whether he should seize control over Rider with the Command Seal—yet Selene's attitude toward Celenike remained uncertain. Seizing control now could backfire, and would such a deity even submit to a Command Seal?

While Darnic weighed his options, Selene had already accepted Vlad's homage. Her hand faintly outstretched, the Honkai energy simulated as gravitational force helped the five kneeling Heroic Spirits to their feet. She turned her gaze upon Vlad, pale as a ghost, with hair like spun silk that fell behind his black noble attire, evoking an uncanny resemblance to a vampire.

"Lord Vlad, I understand your noble spirit," she said, addressing him. "You wish to restore your honor, smeared by those tales of vampiric evil; I comprehend your resolve."

Selene respected Vlad's character, despite his historical reputation for cruelty. After all, wasn't she equally relentless in her rule?

"A hero to some, a villain to others. Simple as that," she thought.

With somber pride, Vlad replied, "Forgive me for any disrespect, Your Majesty. I am summoned here to clear my name of the 'Vampire Dracula' stain."

He glanced around the room; for Vlad, the divine's insight into his innermost wish was natural. Though he held a dignified position as the Voivode of Wallachia, that status was meaningless before a god, and so he ceded authority to Selene with ease.

"I do not regret the path I've taken: battling the Ottomans, enduring imprisonment, facing countless adversities. But this slander upon my name—I will not accept it!"

"May you find success," Selene replied. "Though I've answered this summons, the Holy Grail holds little interest to me. It cannot grant what I desire; I am here only to amuse myself and recover an object."

She moved to the throne, brushing a finger over the armrest. "Since you are my servants, I shall grant you final victory."

"Seven against seven, a 'Holy Grail War'… is this even a war? More like a brawl."

Though inwardly lamenting her self-imposed role, Selene maintained her composed demeanor.

"Thank you, Your Majesty; your arrival is our great fortune!" said Darnic, his delight undiminished by Selene's grumbling.

"Now, Darnic," Selene said, turning to him, "we're one short. Where is Assassin's Master?"

"Your Majesty, Assassin's Master, Hyouma Sagara, is currently in Japan but will soon join us here in Romania."

"Is that so? Then why do I see him lying dead in Tokyo's Shinjuku?" she asked, a glittering gold book appearing in her hands.

"What?!"

Both Masters and Heroic Spirits were stunned. They had just assumed their ranks were complete, only to realize that they were down one even before the war had started.

Darnic recovered quickly, placing his hand on his chest. "Please forgive us, Your Majesty. Might I ask what has befallen Hyouma Sagara?"

"See for yourself… World Chronicle Projection!"

The golden eye of the World Chronicle flared with light, casting a surreal illumination across the hall.

"A Noble Phantasm?! Is that… Hyouma Sagara?!" Gordes, who'd been somewhat smug after summoning a well-rounded Saber, quickly humbled himself, cautious in Selene's presence.

In the projection, their fallen ally lay in a pool of blood, his lifeless hand clutching at the hole in his chest where his heart had been.

Drip. Drip. Gulp.

The sound of dripping blood and slurping became all the more horrifying as they focused on the scene. Before Sagara's corpse stood two figures, one a travel-worn woman, the other a small girl gnawing on a human heart.

The eerie girl radiated a cursed aura of malevolence. Darnic's brow furrowed slightly at her ominous presence and the unsettling sight of her devouring the heart of her own Master.

"Assassin… has she defected?"

"Undoubtedly. Although we don't know her motives, the act of killing her own Master marks clear betrayal!" Vlad declared, his stance rigid with resolve.

"This is Jack the Ripper of 19th-century Britain," Selene remarked, closing the World Chronicle. "She's more a wraith than a pure Heroic Spirit. Knowing she's betrayed us, take no mercy. Purge her."

"Then it appears our Black Faction is now fully assembled."

"Enough for today; it's already night. We shall adjourn…" She turned, almost dismissively, but added, "Oh, yes. Guards protect my Master," Selene commanded.

In the castle hall, vibrant purple mana burst forth, swiftly coalescing into a corporeal form. The light subsided to reveal golden-armored giants who radiated power and vigilance.

Thump! Thump!

"For Selene!"

The booming stomps of their colossal axes striking the ground accompanied the thundering battle cries, startling the assembled Masters and Servants.

"They're enormous..." said Fiore, craning her head to observe these towering giants despite their kneeling posture. Each golden-clad figure stood at over three meters, equipped with elaborate golden power armor etched with intricately detailed eagle emblems and donned in scarlet capes. They wielded heavy single-edged axes, with additional power swords and custom explosive guns strapped to their waists.

"Rise," Selene commanded.

"Thank you, Your Majesty." The deep, metallic voice of the leading golden-armored giant rang out.

No introduction was necessary. From the tallest of the lot, standing nearly three and a half meters, it was clear he was their commander.

"Your Majesty, these are...?" Darnic inquired, containing his glee at the sight.

"The Imperial Palace Guard. My elite protectors, and some of the finest swords at my command."

Selene was not exaggerating. These guards were among her strongest combat units. Unlike the standard Astates soldiers, each of these guards was hand-picked and personally empowered by Selene with unparalleled equipment and reinforced alchemical armor, created with a blend of Orichalcum and Honkai energy, making them unmatched among the Empire's warriors.

Selene's command continued, "Split into teams. I need a group dedicated to guarding my Master."

While these projections were merely mana constructs of Selene's troops, their combat capabilities were formidable—even compared to many of the Heroic Spirits themselves.

"At once! We will not fail!"

The guards didn't need instructions to locate their target; the link to Selene provided the information needed to secure her Master.

Satisfied with the newly acquired protection, Celenike didn't voice any concerns; whether it was surveillance or security, it suited her just fine. As long as her life remained safe, victory seemed almost certain.

Meanwhile, seeing Selene's dedication to securing her Master only heightened Darnic's enthusiasm. With a bow of respect, he announced he had some words to share, and upon Selene's assent, he stepped forward with a fervent expression.

"Everyone!" Darnic's voice resounded with zeal.

"At this moment, the Yggdmillennia clan has embarked on a path of no return. When we conquer the 'Red' faction, the Master who stands victorious will earn unparalleled honor!"

He raised his voice, "The ultimate miracle, the Holy Grail itself, is already within our grasp! That Holy Grail, the embodiment of boundless wishes, is now held firmly in our hands!"

With the Holy Grail in their possession, confidence among the assembled Masters and Servants soared. Each Master selected by the Grail held a deep desire for a wish to be fulfilled, and Darnic's declaration was a powerful motivator, bolstering resolve and unity.

Selene, however, was only mildly interested. As she gazed at the impassioned Darnic, she couldn't help but smirk internally. What a curious irony, she mused. After sixty years of waiting, he had prepared everything only to face a near-certain betrayal...

Nevertheless, the revelation worked its charm, with the assembled Masters' expressions now glowing with renewed optimism. Victory seemed inevitable; with all advantages on their side, how could they lose?

The speech concluded, and with a wave, Celenike departed, flanked by Selene's Guards. Soon after, the others began to make their way out, with Archer Chiron courteously pushing Fiore's wheelchair. Gold and Caules followed, their respective Servants at their sides, leaving only Darnic, Vlad, and Selene in the grand hall—alongside the formidable Guards.

"Now, Darnic, Vlad, come with me."

A glowing portal appeared as Selene tapped the air, and she stepped through first, with Vlad and Darnic following closely.

They emerged in an expansive palace courtyard, high upon a terrace overlooking vast palace grounds, with towering walls and endless rows of grand buildings stretching to the horizon. The day here was bright and warm, in stark contrast to the night outside.

"Is this...a Reality Marble?" Darnic marveled as he observed the imposing scene.

Selene settled into a seat at the center of the courtyard's pavilion as attendants prepared a table of wine and delicacies.

"My Empress!" Darnic greeted respectfully, and Vlad did the same, understanding the regal setting around them.

Selene eyed the polite Darnic with mild amusement. Whatever schemes or intentions he harbored mattered little; as long as he remained cordial, she could humor him.

"Have a seat," she said with a wave. "Let me share some intelligence…" She summoned the World Chronicle to the table, its gilded cover glowing warmly.

"Here, all information on the 'Red' faction's Masters and Servants has been cataloged… Saber of Red, the British rebel knight Mordred; Lancer of Red, the son of Surya from the Mahabharata, Karna; Archer of Red..."

Meanwhile, Elsewhere...

Trifas Cemetery.

"So… you're my Master?" a short figure clad in heavy armor called out from the summoning circle.

"Yes, I am," the towering, muscular man before her answered, extending a hand. "My name's Kairi Sisigou. I'll be your Master. Pleased to meet you."

In a Chapel.

"Is something on your mind, Master?"

"All Servants are now assembled."

"So... it's time, then?"

"Yes. Now the war begins."

Back in Tokyo's Shinjuku District.

"I've finished eating, Mama..." the young girl's voice was filled with adoration.

Her waist was adorned with several sheathed knives within easy reach. Her silver hair was a tangled mess, and green eyes gleamed with a disturbing intensity.

The woman with her, dressed in a green dress with black knee-high boots, gazed down at the blood-stained girl who had just devoured a human heart with a satisfied expression. She had tea-colored hair and a figure that exuded a mature charm.

"Did you just call me… Mama?" the woman stammered, disbelief written across her face.

"Yes, Mama. My name's Jack," the girl replied, her voice soft and obedient.

Looking at the innocent, blood-smeared face, the woman—Reika Rikudou—felt an unexpected warmth, as if her heart was thawing. For the first time in a long while, she felt alive, her motherly instincts reawakened.

Cuddling the young girl tenderly, she wiped away the blood from Jack's face, murmuring fiercely, "For you, Jack… for you, I will win this Holy Grail!"

The portal flared softly as Selene reappeared with Darnic and Vlad at the highest rooftop of the castle, looking down at Trifas.

"All information on the 'Red' faction is now yours," Selene intoned, waving dismissively.

"Then, my Empress," Darnic said, bowing, "we take our leave."

As the Masters and Servants of Black prepared, Red was equally poised, a full roster of battle-ready warriors prepared to face them. It was clear to all that this Holy Grail War would be unprecedented.

"Ruler, Jeanne d'Arc… impartial or partisan, I wonder…" Selene murmured. "And as for that homunculus with his hidden potential…"