Toward evening.
Setsuna and the shipgirls gathered in the office to finalize the expedition roster and discuss the post-invasion handling of the Akame ga Kill world.
There was no need to mobilize the entire force just to beat up some natives.
This operation was more about giving others in the base a chance to shine.
According to the system, Interdimensional Warfare was not limited by any cooldown on space-piercing skills.
If one was bold enough, they could literally just chill at home, explore new worlds from the star map, discover a new neighbor—and immediately insult, declare them a rival, and start a war.
No cooldowns. Become a multiverse warlord.
"Commander, your plans sound a bit like species elitism."
Gudako imagined what declaring war on world after world might look like. It was kind of thrilling.
"What? No way. The capital's full of races—shipgirls, dragons, angels—we have everything. Where do I look like an elitist?"
Setsuna knocked her on the head.
"Still, when you put it that way, it sounds kind of fun."
Formidable leaned on the table, resting her cheek on her hand.
"After discovering a new civilization, we first issue a diplomatic notice demanding their surrender."
"If they refuse, we send the fleet over to teach them a lesson...?"
As she spoke, the royal twin-tailed shipgirl pinched her own cheek.
"Oops—I'm supposed to be a refined Royal Lady. Why am I having thoughts like these?"
"Commander, you've corrupted me!"
"..."
Setsuna patted her head.
"Corrupted? You mean, inside and out? Do you want to become shaped like me too?"
"Wah! Harassing shipgirls—unacceptable!"
Formidable pouted and jabbed him in the waist with her elbow.
But despite her protests, a faint blush crept up her face.
She still felt a bit envious of Belfast, her fellow Royal shipgirl.
Even though she was among the earliest members of the expedition, she'd been outpaced by other girls in winning Setsuna's affection.
Knock knock knock—
Amid the banter, a light knock came from the door.
"Excuse us."
Kanae Kocho entered with her sisters, bowing politely as they carefully stepped in.
They showed great respect for Setsuna, never daring to joke around like the shipgirls or Gudako.
"You all? What's up?"
Setsuna turned his attention toward them.
The girls from the Demon Slayer world usually stuck together, with Kanae acting as their leader.
"Um... Commander, I have a favor to ask."
Kanae began cautiously.
"We'd like to join the expedition into the other world."
"But... you're kind of weak, aren't you?"
Tohru, who had been giving Setsuna a shoulder massage, stopped to glance over at them.
"We've learned a lot of new magic! We're not weak anymore!"
Kanae Kocho tried to protest, but Shinobu tugged her sleeve and whispered in her ear.
"Didn't you notice the horns on her head? She's a dragon..."
"Yikes..."
The sisters immediately fell silent—they were still a bit scared of dragons.
Demons were one thing, but dragons? Much worse.
"We know we're not as strong as the others, but we still want to contribute."
Kanae spoke sincerely.
"Since you brought us into this world, we've received so much—kindness, knowledge, a new life—but we've had no way to repay you."
"So please, would you give us a chance?"
She was clearly speaking from the heart.
Since being rescued by Setsuna from Doma and brought to the capital, she had struggled with a lack of presence.
Aside from daily sword training, the Demon Slayer girls mostly just ate and lounged around.
When genetic enhancement tech became available, they benefited a bit from hanging around the lolis and saw a boost in physical stats.
Later, they started studying magic with Lucoa in the library.
But compared to the Spirits, shipgirls, and dragon girls always orbiting around Setsuna, they felt utterly invisible.
Kanae couldn't help feeling a bit frustrated and powerless.
"Hmm..."
Setsuna thought for a moment.
"Alright, I'll give you a small mission."
"Take care of Aria."
That noble girl wasn't strong—just a disposable early-game boss in the Akame ga Kill world. The Demon Slayer girls should have no problem with her.
"Understood!"
Kanae nodded, then hesitated.
"Um... we don't need to sign an oath, right? That plushie stuff is still a bit... much for us."
Pffft—
Richelieu, Yat Sen, and a few shipgirls nearly spit out their tea.
"No need. The oath is for chaotic Heroic Spirits like Jeanne Alter."
"Don't lump the Commander in with weirdos, okay?!"
...
Two days later.
Outside the city of Constantinople, on a vast open plaza.
Originally a landing zone for starships, the area was now filled with troops preparing for deployment.
The shipgirls stood in neat, orderly formations—organized by class: carriers, battleships, cruisers, destroyers.
Their expressions were relaxed, curious even.
Kanae and the Demon Slayer squad stood tightly gripping their blades, visibly tense.
The Heroic Spirits stood beside the shipgirls, with Gudako at the front, leading the Chaldean forces.
But the Barbatos Gundam standing next to her looked hilariously out of place.
The Heroic Spirits weren't thrilled about being commanded by someone who piloted a Gundam and swung a hammer-spear. It felt beneath their dignity.
The Spirits clustered around Mio, chirping excitedly.
Aside from Kurumi, they all saw Mio as a big sister—or even a mom.
"If you can't win, call Mom." That was the principle the Spirit of Origin instilled in them.
Also present were Ikaros, Nymph, and Astraea—the trio of universal angels.
They remained by Setsuna's side, moving freely.
"Hmm... Not bad, not bad..."
Setsuna surveyed the assembled squads with satisfaction.
Building a multiversal mixed-unit force had a certain thrill to it.
Swipe—
He opened the star map and selected Akame ga Kill's world.
[Akame ga Kill (Feudal Era)]
Overall tech level: cold weaponry. Some firearms exist but haven't been widely adopted.
Unique technologies: crafting "Teigu," plus rare creatures and minerals.
Supernatural individuals are few; most power stems from using Teigu.
Comparison of Strengths:
• Technological Level: Like a Ant.
• Military Strength: Like a Ant.
• Economic Power: Like a God.
...
"This is way more reasonable than Heaven's Lost Property."
Setsuna remembered how that world had scored triple god-tier ratings. Ridiculous.
This was how proper low-level worlds should look.
He opened the communications panel.
Bzzz—
The holographic screen flickered.
On it appeared a large, burly middle-aged man in gray robes.
White-haired and bearded, he looked to be in his 50s, but still muscular.
He was happily devouring a hunk of meat the size of his head.
"Honest?"
Setsuna was surprised.
He'd expected to connect directly with the emperor.
Apparently the diplomatic function was smarter than it looked—because Honest was the real power behind the throne.
He controlled the emperor and ran the empire.
Also, one of the major villains of the Akame ga Kill world.
"Hm?"
Honest, mid-bite into his meal, noticed the holographic screen that had suddenly appeared before him.
To the Empire, such technology was so advanced it bordered on incomprehensible.
He put down his bone and eyed the image of Setsuna warily.
"Who are you? What is this?"
"A Teigu for communication? Or a Shingu?..."
He immediately tried to analyze it using the knowledge he had.
"That guy? Looks like I could crush him with one claw."
Tohru glanced at Honest and snorted.
"?"
Honest furrowed his brow and leaned closer to the screen to study it.
He looked like a brute, but in truth was extremely shrewd. He didn't panic.
This bizarre floating window couldn't be touched, yet the people inside it looked vividly real.
Judging by their uniforms and the background, they clearly weren't from any known nation.
"Are you... from another country?"
"The Western Kingdoms? No, you don't look like them..."
"The East? Uncivilized lands. The Northern tribes? Even less likely... Who the hell are you?!"
Years of acting as regent had given his voice an ingrained arrogance.
"We're the people here to send you to heaven."
Gudako crossed her arms and grinned like she was watching a circus.
"Assassins?"
Honest blinked.
He was aware many wanted him dead—but no one had ever announced it so brazenly.
"Guards!"
The clanking of metal armor echoed nearby.
"..."
Setsuna had no interest in dragging out the conversation.
He opened the war declaration interface.
[Declare war on target world and initiate Interdimensional Warfare?]
[Note:]
This is a declaration of war against the entire world. All major faction leaders in the target world will be notified, including any god-level beings (if present).
A prompt appeared on the holographic screen.
"Wait, I have two quick questions."
Setsuna paused and asked the system:
"First—does this power only open a passage and broadcast a declaration of war?"
"If that's the case, how's it any different from me secretly invading through my own portal? That'd be more efficient..."
"Second—are there any aliens in the Akame ga Kill world? Please don't throw a random Fallen Empire at me."
...
A line of small text appeared on the interface:
"Conquering a world via Interdimensional Warfare is more difficult, but rewards the conqueror with that world's powers and technology."
"If the original story includes alien factions, they will also be included in the war. If not, no new civilizations will be invented."
Setsuna nodded.
Akame ga kill's world was confined to a single planet, so conquering it would be enough.
If we were to declare war on Stellaris, Warhammer, Transformers, or any other universe with multiple factions across the cosmos, it would completely turn into a massive universe-versus-universe war.
Understanding this, he no longer hesitated.
[Confirm.]
"I declare war on the world of Akame ga Kill."
Setsuna hit the confirmation key.
"Casus Belli: Forced subjugation."
"Let's end this silent game."
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