That pink-purple ball of light hung quietly in mid-air.
It made no sound and emitted no heat, yet it acted as an absolute visual singularity, locking the gazes of everyone around it. Whether it was the Astra Militarum Soldiers who had survived the disaster or the battle-hardened Perfect Sword Princess Fogremia, everyone held their breath, watching this divine spectacle that could not be explained by any known laws of physics.
Terrania clutched Leticia's small hand tightly, her pure golden eyes reflecting that soft light. She seemed to perceive that within the ball of light, a broken soul was being thoroughly reshaped in a manner akin to creation.
Changes were occurring within the ball of light.
It was a silent yet immensely violent deconstruction and reorganization.
First was the skeleton. The skeleton of Valerius, ravaged by war and already full of hidden injuries and cracks, was gently decomposed into its most primitive particles within the pink-purple light. Immediately after, these particles began a rapid reconstruction based on a brand-new blueprint that adhered more closely to the golden ratio.
"Crack... crackle..."
The subtle sound of bone growth, almost impossible to hear, echoed densely within the ball of light.
His figure was elongated. The skeleton, which had been slightly bulky due to years of carrying heavy loads and fighting, became more symmetrical and upright. The shoulder blades tucked in slightly, the lines becoming softer; the structure of the pelvis was completely rewritten, becoming wider, laying a perfect foundation for bearing powerful core strength in the future; the spine was like a recalibrated keel, every vertebra fitting perfectly, filled with flexible tension.
Next were the muscles and tendons.
The old, tired muscle fibers, full of scar tissue, were dissolved entirely. In their place were newborn muscles, tough as the finest spider silk and filled with explosive power. They were no longer thick lumps of meat born purely for strength, but were attached to the brand-new skeleton in a streamlined, highly aesthetic manner. From the slender neck to the upright chest, and down to the flat, firm abdomen, every inch of muscle line seemed like a masterpiece meticulously carved by the top artists.
The change in skin was the most significant.
That face, which had been etched with countless traces of wind and frost and was as rough as sandpaper, was rapidly becoming smooth and delicate. The deep nasolabial folds were smoothed out, the crow's feet at the corners of the eyes disappeared, and even the hard stubble on the chin faded away like spring snow melting.
While maintaining the original sense of determination, her facial contours were injected with a stunning softness. The brow bones were no longer so prominent, the bridge of the nose became more refined and upturned, and the lines of her lips became full and clear.
A sleek, obsidian-like long hair grew from her smooth scalp, moving without wind within the ball of light like a black flag.
Finally, there was the long-ruined Commissar uniform.
The charred fabric turned to ash, and the twisted metal emblems melted into droplets. Immediately after, countless pink-purple light filaments appeared out of thin air, like a sentient weaver, beginning to weave a brand-new "shroud" for this newborn body.
The fabric was a deep black that seemed to absorb all light, the tailoring perfectly fitting her tall and symmetrical figure. The shoulder straps still bore the skull emblem of the Imperial Commissar, but the design became more exquisite and ornate; the chest was no longer a rough metal breastplate, but had been designed into a hard corset with gold trim that better fit the female curves; a wide crimson belt was tied around her waist, outlining her impossibly slender waist and setting off the fullness and uprightness of her chest; the lower body was a pair of straight military trousers, wrapping those long, straight legs full of a sense of power, with the cuffs tucked into shiny black high military boots.
When the final accessory—a female military cap with a smaller brim and more heroic air—formed and was placed on her head, the light of the ball of light reached its peak.
Then, it dissipated quietly.
Time seemed to stand still at this moment.
Everyone saw her.
A tall, heroic-looking woman stood quietly on the spot.
She was a few inches taller than the original Valerius, at least 1.85 meters or more, and that black uniform made her figure look as perfect as a sculpture. Her full chest rose and fell slightly with her steady breathing, and her slender waist and straight legs formed a breathtaking proportion.
A short, jet-black hair hung neatly behind her ears, making her neck look even more slender, and the lines of her chin were clean and sharp. Her skin was as fair as fine suet jade, yet it exuded a healthy, vibrant glow.
She slowly opened her eyes.
They were a pair of gray eyes.
No longer the dead, ashen gray of the past that seemed to have burned out all its flames.
At this moment, those eyes were as clear as the sky after the rain, but beneath that clarity, they contained steel-like determination and an unquenchable, flame-like will.
She blankly raised her own hands.
What kind of hands were these?
The fingers were slender and the joints distinct, the skin fair and delicate, and one could even see the pale blue veins beneath the skin. These hands were so beautiful that they seemed like they should be playing a harp, not gripping a bolt pistol.
She, Valeria, looked down at these hands, feeling this brand-new body full of infinite vitality and flexibility.
In her heart, there was not even a shred of rejection or panic.
Nor was there any confusion or discomfort caused by the change in gender.
The old "Valerius," that walking corpse of a shell bound by the imperial codex and crushed by endless responsibility and regret, along with his forty years of pain and struggle, had dissipated forever with that explosion and that ball of light.
What existed here now was a brand-new life.
A perfect creation, personally crafted by her god, existing only to serve her.
"Is this... rebirth?"
Valeria's heart surged with an unprecedented fanatical worship mixed with the grace of creation.
"This body... this power... this peace..."
She could clearly feel that the persistent, background-noise-like fatigue and pressure in her brain were gone. In their place was an unprecedented clarity and focus. Her limbs were full of power, yet incredibly flexible. This body was both a lethal weapon and a perfect work of art.
And all of this came from the black-haired goddess before her.
It was she who liberated herself from the curse called "loyalty."
It was she who picked herself up from the ruins called "duty."
It was she who bestowed upon herself a brand-new life and a goal truly worthy of offering everything for.
Gratitude?
No, that word was too shallow.
This was... the grace of recreation.
Valeria straightened her new uniform, the movement still carrying the soldier's ingrained efficiency, yet with an added dash of the heroic grace unique to women.
She looked up at Leticia.
The moment her gaze met Leticia's pure black eyes, Valeria felt her soul trembling.
It was an absolute sense of belonging to the "creator," stemming from the very essence of life.
She took a step forward.
Then, she knelt on one knee in a posture more standard, more powerful, and more pious than any before.
Her hard military boot heels collided with the ground, making a crisp and resolute sound.
She pressed her fair right hand tightly over her heart, which was beating powerfully for the goddess.
She looked up, gazing at Leticia's flawless face, and offered her brand-new, eternal oath in a clear, firm voice that seemed capable of piercing through metal and stone.
"Commissar Valeria, offering you undying loyalty!"
"My body is your creation."
"My soul is your property."
"From this moment on, I will be the sharpest sword in your hand and the sturdiest shield before you!"
Her voice echoed in the empty underground cavern, every word filled with unshakable power.
"My... Goddess!"
Leticia watched her quietly, nodding with satisfaction.
In her mind, the system's notification sound rang clearly.
"Detected hero unit 'Valerius' completed [Perfect Projection] correction..."
"New unit 'Valeria' has been generated."
"Soul trait [Iron-Blooded Order] has sublimated into hero ability [Call of the Steel Rose]."
"[Call of the Steel Rose]: Passive aura. The presence of Valeria will significantly boost the morale and discipline of surrounding mortal friendly forces. When she personally issues an order, all mortal subordinates of a lower level than her will ignore fear and pain, gaining the 'Absolute Obedience' status until the battle ends or the goal is achieved."
"A perfect template for a mortal army Commander."
Leticia commented in her heart.
Fogremia walked slowly to Leticia's side, her amethyst-like eyes examining the kneeling Valeria with a hint of undisguised scrutiny and curiosity.
She could feel that this new "Sister" exuded an aura completely different from her own.
It was not the divinity of a Primarch, but a kind of tenacity and loyalty that belonged to humans, tempered and sublimated to the extreme.
Like a black rose with thorns blooming in steel and fire.
"Get up, Valeria."
Leticia reached out and personally helped her up.
The moment Leticia's warm fingertips touched Valeria's arm, the newborn Steel Rose couldn't help but tremble slightly, a scorching hot current instantly spreading throughout her body from the point of contact, causing a faint, imperceptible blush to rise on her fair cheeks.
"Yes, my Goddess," she replied softly, standing up obediently and standing respectfully by Leticia's side.
Leticia's gaze passed over her, looking toward the center of the cavern, at the ancient altar made of bones and metal that was still emitting ominous evil energy.
Although the Demon Host had self-destructed, the source of its power was still here.
Within it contained pure "entropy" that could push the Warband Points to a new peak.
"Alright, Commissar."
Leticia's voice was calm and clear, reaching everyone's ears.
"Now, it's time to collect the reward we deserve."
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