While Cerydra had no idea what was happening with Esdeath, she was certain of one thing. The look in the girl's eyes held neither disrespect nor malice...
Instead, it was a strange sort of affection?
Or perhaps loyalty?
Such an eerie gaze made even Cerydra feel a bit unnerved, leaving her feeling restless upon her throne. Had Hysilens not stepped in to support her, our noble Imperator might have tumbled right off her chair—which was currently propped up by a stack of books.
After all, this was the affection of Esdeath. Even if the current Esdeath had yet to grow into the sadistic Queen from Akame ga Kill!, that predatory, desire-filled gaze was truly terrifying.
But Cerydra could not back down!
She hadn't forgotten the identity she was currently roleplaying. Even if the situation before her surpassed her imagination, Cerydra had to maintain the dignity of a ruler.
"Dux Alptraum, is the training of the soldiers complete?"
"Of course. The current army is twice as strong as it was a week ago! If we encounter that sixty-thousand-strong force again, we are fully capable of a decisive battle!"
Though time was short, Esdeath had employed incredibly efficient methods to maximize the combat effectiveness of the hundred-thousand-strong army in a minimal timeframe.
For the ordinary soldiers of this world, it was an unprecedented leap in strength. After all, not everyone was a Teigu user or a member of the Chrysos Heir; one couldn't demand too much of them.
Despite the exhaustion, the mere thought of Imperator granting her a reward caused an endless surge of strength to well up within Esdeath.
"Very well!"
Cerydra had noted Esdeath's hard work during this period. Although the girl's gaze was somewhat off, as long as she could be of use, Cerydra would never reject her—she would even reward her.
"Dux Alptraum, I am aware of your efforts. To ensure you become even stronger and offer everything to me in the future, I shall grant you a reward..."
A reward!
Esdeath, who was originally performing a knight's salute, widened her eyes the moment she heard those words. Back at the entrance, she had already fantasized about what the Imperator might give her.
Money, power... such things were no longer important to her. This future Ice Queen already understood exactly what she wanted.
Esdeath stared at Cerydra, engraving the other's image into her mind with a single glance.
A petite, cute body and visage, a domineering and powerful personality, and that fleeting, innocent smile... without a doubt, it was the person before her!
Esdeath hoped to be like Hysilens—to stay by the Imperator's side forever and offer her absolute loyalty.
So, what was the reward?
Seeing Esdeath's expectant expression, Cerydra casually placed her scepter on the table. She snapped her fingers to call Hysilens to her side. After whispering a few words, Hysilens took action.
The black-haired beauty walked straight up to Esdeath and opened her arms, pulling the girl into a sudden embrace.
Esdeath: ???
Suddenly hugged, the young girl felt lost. While she deeply respected Hysilens, wouldn't an embrace from the Imperator be even better?
Esdeath truly wanted to shout: Onegai, if I can get a hug from the Imperator, I'll do anything!
Unfortunately, her face was already pressed against Hysilens' abdomen by the woman's hands. Even if she wanted to speak, she could only let out muffled whimpers.
This... this was happening right in front of her!
Esdeath had clearly triumphed over the taunting voice of Merraid in her mind, proving her loyalty to Cerydra, yet Cerydra had Hysilens hold her instead.
This is a triangle, Hatsuka!
Wait, who is Hatsuka?
"Dux Alptraum!"
Just as Esdeath was spiraling, Cerydra's voice rang in her ear. Her liege had approached at some point, her tone extremely solemn.
"This is both your reward and my command. Do you see the water within Dux Gladiorium's abdomen?"
"I command you, for the next month, you must drink at least one liter of Dux Gladiorium's water every day. And you shall drink it right in front of me!"
These words struck like a bolt of lightning atop Esdeath's head, causing the girl to show a conflicted expression for the first time.
Esdeath wanted to prove her loyalty to the Imperator again, yet the Imperator's command was asking her to abandon that loyalty at this moment... Faced with such a contradiction, what would Esdeath choose?
She couldn't make a choice!
Seeing Esdeath in such a state, Cerydra didn't know what the girl was thinking, but showing consideration for subordinates was part of being a leader.
"Relax, Dux Alptraum. This is merely a test... If you pass this safely, what you drink next will be mine."
Hearing this, Esdeath's eyes nearly bulged out.
Her brain completely stalled, but her body subconsciously followed Cerydra's previous instructions.
Without any tools, and without even lifting the lid, Esdeath directly tasted the ocean within the belly of the Demigod of the Ocean.
To be honest, it wasn't exactly delicious. Compared to the snowballs in the frozen wastes, it was far worse—it even had a strange, inexplicable metallic scent...
Having hunted Danger Beasts in the snow since childhood, Esdeath could naturally distinguish that this taste came from blood; she had seen far too much of it.
But why?
Why would the Imperator do this?
★ ★ ★
Compared to the bewildered Esdeath, Cerydra—who had her hand on the girl's shoulder to carefully sense the energy fluctuations—wore a knowing smile.
Since the beginning of her transmigration, Cerydra realized a problem. In the lore of Honkai: Star Rail, the versions of Cerydra and Hysilens she played seemed to be merely programs evolved from the Emperor's Scepter.
So, what would happen now that these programs had become actual flesh and blood?
Furthermore, what would happen in the real world regarding things that could only occur within the Emperor's Scepter?
These questions troubled Cerydra because she had no way of knowing the answers, and the system provided no hints. She had to explore them herself.
However, just now, through direct contact and a tiny bit of her Law authority, Cerydra could clearly feel that the sea in Hysilens' belly was anything but ordinary!
Though it manifested as translucent, bluish seawater, how could it be that simple?
After a simple test, Cerydra was certain: the seawater in Hysilens' stomach was her blood!
It wasn't ordinary blood, however. It was a version that had been degraded and diluted to a certain extent, manifesting as the essence of a Demigod of the Ocean...
Chrysos Blood!