February 5, Kaiyuan Year Seven.
Fullmetal Star had settled into orderly development under its planetary administrator, Yashamaru.
The other four dimensional worlds whose planar passages had opened in Kaiyuan Year Five were still advancing steadily under the control of their respective provincial governors.
Under the Ministry of Defense's unified strategy of "steady advances, combining grace with force," each governor adapted his methods to local conditions. The four remaining alien planets were Fruit Star, which nurtured Haki and Devil Fruits; Elf Star and Dragon Star, where swords and magic intertwined; and Peach Star, which the Empire regarded as a treasure.
On this day, the emperor of the stars arrived in the world of Frieren: Beyond Journey's End.
It was the fantasy world the Empire had officially named Elf Star.
Within a luxurious, elegant city steeped in the medieval atmosphere of swords and magic, a modern high-rise towered over its surroundings.
On every planet within the Empire's territory, an administrative headquarters modeled on the Empire Building of Imperial Star would be erected.
Its crystalline curtain walls gleamed coldly in the sunlight, forming a striking yet harmonious contrast with the stone streets, peaked roofs, and scattered brick-and-timber homes around it.
The forty-ninth and fiftieth floors were forever reserved for the Lord of the Empire, serving as his temporary palace and seat of governance.
At that moment, several figures stood respectfully inside the emperor's office, which overlooked the entire city.
Several officials led by Nara Shikaku, Governor of Fire Province, were reporting this world's latest developments to the imperial leader seated at the head of the room. "Your Majesty."
Though Nara Shikaku held no documents, every statistic and detail of the situation was already committed to memory.
"In the nearly two years since the passage opened, all human nations in the south, center, and